Acute recurrent pancreatitis is a clinical entity largely associated with pancreatic ductal obstruction. This latter includes congenital variants, of which pancreas divisum is the most frequent but also controversial,...Acute recurrent pancreatitis is a clinical entity largely associated with pancreatic ductal obstruction. This latter includes congenital variants, of which pancreas divisum is the most frequent but also controversial, chronic pancreatitis, tumors of the pancreaticobiliary junction and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This review summarizes current knowledge about diagnostic work-up and therapy of these conditions.展开更多
The number of older adults （individuals ≥65 years）, particularly women, in our society is increasing and understanding the impact of exercise on muscle capacity （e.g., strength and power） and subsequently physica...The number of older adults （individuals ≥65 years）, particularly women, in our society is increasing and understanding the impact of exercise on muscle capacity （e.g., strength and power） and subsequently physical function is of utmost importance to prevent disability and maintain independence. Muscle capacity declines with age and this change negatively impacts physical function in older women. Exercise, specifically resistance training, is recommended to counteract these declines; however, the synergistic relationships between exercise, muscle capacity, and physical function are poorly understood. This review will summarize the literature regarding age-related changes in the aforementioned variables and review the research on the impact of resistance training interventions on muscle capacity and physical function in older women. Recommendations for future research in this area will be discussed.展开更多
Background Cilostazol is a type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor which has been previously demonstrated to prevent the occurrence of tachyarrhythmia and improve defibrillation efficacy. However, the mechanism for this be...Background Cilostazol is a type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor which has been previously demonstrated to prevent the occurrence of tachyarrhythmia and improve defibrillation efficacy. However, the mechanism for this beneficial effect is still unclear. Since cardiac mito-chondria have been shown to play a crucial role in fatal cardiac arrhythmias and that oxidative stress is one of the main contributors to arr-hythmia generation, we tested the effects of cilostazol on cardiac mitochondria under severe oxidative stress. Methods Mitochondria were isolated from rat hearts and treated with H2O2 to induce oxidative stress. Cilostazol, at various concentrations, was used to study its protective effects. Pharmacological interventions, including a mitochondrial permeability transition pore （mPTP） blocker, cyclosporine A （CsA）, and an inner membrane anion channel （IMAC） blocker, 4＇-chlorodiazepam （CDP）, were used to investigate the mechanistic role of cilostazol on cardiac mitochondria. Cardiac mitochondrial reactive oxygen species （ROS） production, mitochondrial membrane potential change and mi-tochondrial swelling were determined as indicators of cardiac mitochondrial function. Results Cilostazol preserved cardiac mitochondrial function when exposed to oxidative stress by preventing mitochondrial depolarization, mitochondrial swelling, and decreasing ROS produc-tion. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cardioprotective effects of cilostazol reported previously could be due to its prevention of car-diac mitochondrial dysfunction caused by severe oxidative stress.展开更多
AIM:To compare creatinine clearance(Ccr) with estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) in preoperative renal function tests in patients undergoing hepatectomy.METHODS:The records of 197 patients undergoing hepatecto...AIM:To compare creatinine clearance(Ccr) with estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) in preoperative renal function tests in patients undergoing hepatectomy.METHODS:The records of 197 patients undergoing hepatectomy between August 2006 and August 2008 were studied,and preoperative Ccr,a three-variable equation for eGFR(eGFR3) and a five-variable equation for eGFR(eGFR5) were calculated.Abnormal values were defined as Ccr < 50 mL/min,eGFR3 and eGFR5 < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2.The maximum increases in the postoperative serum creatinine(post Cr) level and postoperative rate of increase in the serum Cr level(post Cr rate) were compared.RESULTS:There were 37 patients(18.8%) with abnormal Ccr,31(15.7%) with abnormal eGFR3,and 40(20.3%) with abnormal eGFR5.Although there were no significant differences in the post Cr rate between patients with normal and abnormal Ccr,eGFR3 and eGFR5 values,the post Cr level was significantly higher in patients with eGFR3 and eGFR5 abnormality than in normal patients(P < 0.0001).Post Cr level tended to be higher in patients with Ccr abnormality(P = 0.0936 and P = 0.0875,respectively).CONCLUSION:eGFR5 and the simpler eGFR3,rather than Ccr,are recommended as a preoperative renal function test in patients undergoing hepatectomy.展开更多
Mitochondrial dysfunction in aged skeletal muscle has been mainly attributable to mtDNA deletions, uncoupling in oxidative phosphorylation, leading to ATP deficit. Moreover, the accumulation of damaged mitochondria is...Mitochondrial dysfunction in aged skeletal muscle has been mainly attributable to mtDNA deletions, uncoupling in oxidative phosphorylation, leading to ATP deficit. Moreover, the accumulation of damaged mitochondria is associated with imperfect autophagocytosis and declined biogenesis of efficient mitochondria. Mitochondria-associated apoptotic signaling is involved in the loss of fibers and atrophy of the remaining fibers by ROS, TNF-α, and denervation, leading to sarcopenia. Current investigations have indicated that exercise, especially resistance exercise, has extensively preventive effects on sarcopenia. Whether caloric restriction in aged animals is suitable for aged people remains to be further clinlically experimented. Additionally, it will be interesting to develop effectively supplementary and alternative medical methods associated with Chinese tonifying herbs to prevent or reverse sarcopenia in the future because of their efficacy and less frequent side effects.展开更多
Dear Editor,Pelvic floor（PF）dysfunctions comprise of a wide spectrum of interrelated clinical conditions and represent an important health problem.The PF supporting system can be regarded as a loaded structure with ...Dear Editor,Pelvic floor（PF）dysfunctions comprise of a wide spectrum of interrelated clinical conditions and represent an important health problem.The PF supporting system can be regarded as a loaded structure with a complex geometry that supports the increase of abdominal pressure and maintain normal position of pelvic organs（Figure 1A）.展开更多
文摘Acute recurrent pancreatitis is a clinical entity largely associated with pancreatic ductal obstruction. This latter includes congenital variants, of which pancreas divisum is the most frequent but also controversial, chronic pancreatitis, tumors of the pancreaticobiliary junction and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This review summarizes current knowledge about diagnostic work-up and therapy of these conditions.
文摘The number of older adults （individuals ≥65 years）, particularly women, in our society is increasing and understanding the impact of exercise on muscle capacity （e.g., strength and power） and subsequently physical function is of utmost importance to prevent disability and maintain independence. Muscle capacity declines with age and this change negatively impacts physical function in older women. Exercise, specifically resistance training, is recommended to counteract these declines; however, the synergistic relationships between exercise, muscle capacity, and physical function are poorly understood. This review will summarize the literature regarding age-related changes in the aforementioned variables and review the research on the impact of resistance training interventions on muscle capacity and physical function in older women. Recommendations for future research in this area will be discussed.
文摘Background Cilostazol is a type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor which has been previously demonstrated to prevent the occurrence of tachyarrhythmia and improve defibrillation efficacy. However, the mechanism for this beneficial effect is still unclear. Since cardiac mito-chondria have been shown to play a crucial role in fatal cardiac arrhythmias and that oxidative stress is one of the main contributors to arr-hythmia generation, we tested the effects of cilostazol on cardiac mitochondria under severe oxidative stress. Methods Mitochondria were isolated from rat hearts and treated with H2O2 to induce oxidative stress. Cilostazol, at various concentrations, was used to study its protective effects. Pharmacological interventions, including a mitochondrial permeability transition pore （mPTP） blocker, cyclosporine A （CsA）, and an inner membrane anion channel （IMAC） blocker, 4＇-chlorodiazepam （CDP）, were used to investigate the mechanistic role of cilostazol on cardiac mitochondria. Cardiac mitochondrial reactive oxygen species （ROS） production, mitochondrial membrane potential change and mi-tochondrial swelling were determined as indicators of cardiac mitochondrial function. Results Cilostazol preserved cardiac mitochondrial function when exposed to oxidative stress by preventing mitochondrial depolarization, mitochondrial swelling, and decreasing ROS produc-tion. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cardioprotective effects of cilostazol reported previously could be due to its prevention of car-diac mitochondrial dysfunction caused by severe oxidative stress.
文摘AIM:To compare creatinine clearance(Ccr) with estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) in preoperative renal function tests in patients undergoing hepatectomy.METHODS:The records of 197 patients undergoing hepatectomy between August 2006 and August 2008 were studied,and preoperative Ccr,a three-variable equation for eGFR(eGFR3) and a five-variable equation for eGFR(eGFR5) were calculated.Abnormal values were defined as Ccr < 50 mL/min,eGFR3 and eGFR5 < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2.The maximum increases in the postoperative serum creatinine(post Cr) level and postoperative rate of increase in the serum Cr level(post Cr rate) were compared.RESULTS:There were 37 patients(18.8%) with abnormal Ccr,31(15.7%) with abnormal eGFR3,and 40(20.3%) with abnormal eGFR5.Although there were no significant differences in the post Cr rate between patients with normal and abnormal Ccr,eGFR3 and eGFR5 values,the post Cr level was significantly higher in patients with eGFR3 and eGFR5 abnormality than in normal patients(P < 0.0001).Post Cr level tended to be higher in patients with Ccr abnormality(P = 0.0936 and P = 0.0875,respectively).CONCLUSION:eGFR5 and the simpler eGFR3,rather than Ccr,are recommended as a preoperative renal function test in patients undergoing hepatectomy.
文摘Mitochondrial dysfunction in aged skeletal muscle has been mainly attributable to mtDNA deletions, uncoupling in oxidative phosphorylation, leading to ATP deficit. Moreover, the accumulation of damaged mitochondria is associated with imperfect autophagocytosis and declined biogenesis of efficient mitochondria. Mitochondria-associated apoptotic signaling is involved in the loss of fibers and atrophy of the remaining fibers by ROS, TNF-α, and denervation, leading to sarcopenia. Current investigations have indicated that exercise, especially resistance exercise, has extensively preventive effects on sarcopenia. Whether caloric restriction in aged animals is suitable for aged people remains to be further clinlically experimented. Additionally, it will be interesting to develop effectively supplementary and alternative medical methods associated with Chinese tonifying herbs to prevent or reverse sarcopenia in the future because of their efficacy and less frequent side effects.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11272168)
文摘Dear Editor,Pelvic floor（PF）dysfunctions comprise of a wide spectrum of interrelated clinical conditions and represent an important health problem.The PF supporting system can be regarded as a loaded structure with a complex geometry that supports the increase of abdominal pressure and maintain normal position of pelvic organs（Figure 1A）.
