BackgroundThe hypocholesterolemic effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have now become an area of great interest and controversy for many scientists. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 9-41-A and Lactobacillus fermentum M1-16 on body weight, lipid metabolism and intestinal microflora of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.MethodsForty rats were assigned to four groups and fed either a normal or a high-cholesterol diet. The LAB-treated groups received the high-cholesterol diet supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum 9-41-A or Lactobacillus fermentum M1-16. The rats were sacrificed after a 6-week feeding period. Body weights, visceral organ and fat pad weights, serum and liver cholesterol and lipid levels, and fecal cholesterol and bile acid concentrations were measured. Liver lipid deposition and adipocyte size were evaluated histologically.ResultsCompared with rats fed a high-cholesterol diet but without LAB supplementation, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly decreased in LAB-treated rats (p < 0.05), with no significant change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels and liver lipid deposition were significantly decreased in the LAB-treated groups (p < 0.05). Accordingly, both fecal cholesterol and bile acids levels were significantly increased after LAB administration (p < 0.05). Intestinal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium colonies were increased while Escherichia coli colonies were decreased in the LAB-treated groups. Fecal water content was higher in the LAB-treated groups. Compared with rats fed a high-cholesterol diet, administration of Lactobacillus plantarum 9-41-A resulted in decreases in the body weight gain, liver and fat pad weight, and adipocytes size (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study suggests that LAB supplementation has hypocholesterolemic effects in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. The ability to lower serum cholesterol varies among LAB strains. Our strains might be able to improve the intestinal microbial balance and potentially improve intestinal transit time. Although the mechanism is largely unknown, L. plantarum 9-41-A may play a role in fat metabolism.

The non-use values of the environmental benefits derived from the Conversion of Cropland to Forest and Grassland Program in the Loess Plateau region were estimated using a choice modeling survey both on-site in Xi'an and Ansai and off-site in Beijing. Separate choice models were estimated for the three sites and the results compared. No significant differences were found for the implicit price estimates derived from the multinomial logit (MNL) model, the nested logit (NL) model and the random parameter logit (RPL) model for each data set and across all the samples. Based on the results from the MNL models, the estimates of values for the environmental improvements provided by the Program among the sampled urban households are statistically the same across the three places.

BackgroundAlthough joint involvement is the second most common clinical manifestation after skin involvement in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), it has not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to profile the clinical characteristics and identify the potential risk factors for kidney damage in HSP patients having joint involvement.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 71 cases of HSP patients with joint involvement who attended our hospital between January 2010 and March 2012 and analyzed their epidemiological profile, clinical characteristics, follow-up findings (up to three years) and overall prognosis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with renal symptoms in HSP patients with joint involvement.ResultsAverage age of patients was 8.55 ± 2.13 years with male to female ratio at 1.29:1. The peak age of disease onset was six to 11 years. The most common triggers included upper respiratory infection, vigorous physical activity, and autumn and winter seasons. Forty cases (56.35 %) had gastrointestinal involvement and 37 (52.11 %) had kidney damage; gastrointestinal system, scrotal involvement, and increased D-dimer levels were significantly associated with kidney injury (P < 0.05) by multivariate analysis. Glucocorticoid therapy was effective in alleviating symptoms.ConclusionGastrointestinal symptoms, scrotal involvement, and increased D-dimer are the potential risk factors for kidney damage in HSP patients having joint involvement. Rational use of corticosteroids was probably responsible for the good clinical outcomes.

Objective Helicobacter pyloriinfection is mostly a family-based infectious disease. To facilitate its prevention and management, a national consensus meeting was held to review current evidence and propose strategies for population-wide and family-basedH. pyloriinfection control and management to reduce the related disease burden. Methods Fifty-seven experts from 41 major universities and institutions in 20 provinces/regions of mainland China were invited to review evidence and modify statements using Delphi process and grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation system. The consensus level was defined as ≥80% for agreement on the proposed statements. Results Experts discussed and modified the original 23 statements on family-basedH. pyloriinfection transmission, control and management, and reached consensus on 16 statements. The final report consists of three parts: (1)H. pyloriinfection and transmission among family members, (2) prevention and management ofH. pyloriinfection in children and elderly people within households, and (3) strategies for prevention and management ofH. pyloriinfection for family members. In addition to the ‘test-and-treat’ and ‘screen-and-treat’ strategies, this consensus also introduced a novel third ‘family-basedH. pyloriinfection control and management’ strategy to prevent its intrafamilial transmission and development of related diseases. Conclusion H. pyloriis transmissible from person to person, and among family members. A family-basedH. pyloriprevention and eradication strategy would be a suitable approach to prevent its intra-familial transmission and related diseases. The notion and practice would be beneficial not only for Chinese residents but also valuable as a reference for other highly infected areas.

AIMTo compare long-term occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) between two different types of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia.METHODSWe included all patients with achalasia who underwent POEM at our hospital from August 2011 to October 2012 and had complete GERD evaluation with ≥ 3 years of follow-up. They were divided into circular or full-thickness myotomy groups according to the depth of myotomy. Demographics, Eckardt score, manometry results, 24-h pH monitoring, and GERD symptoms were recorded and compared between the two groups.RESULTSWe studied 56 patients (32 circular myotomy and 24 full-thickness myotomy) with complete GERD evaluation. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of treatment success (defined as Eckardt score ≤ 3), postoperative Eckardt score, mean basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and 4-s integrated relaxation pressure (4sIRP). Postoperative abnormal esophageal acid exposure was found in 25 patients (44.6%). A total of 13 patients (23.2%) had GERD symptoms and 12 had esophagitis (21.4%). Clinically relevant GERD (abnormal esophageal acid exposure associated with GERD symptoms and/or esophagitis) was diagnosed in 13 patients (23.2%). Multivariate analysis revealed that full-thickness myotomy and low level of postoperative 4sIRP were predictive factors for clinically relevant GERD.CONCLUSIONEfficacy and manometry are comparable between achalasia patients treated with circular or full-thickness myotomy. But patients with full-thickness myotomy and low postoperative 4sIRP have more GERD.

Soil salinity and waterlogging are two major environmental problems in estuarine wetlands. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of salt stress, water table, and their combination on growth, chlorophyll content, antioxidant system, and ion accumulation in Suaeda salsa plant, which is the pioneer plant in coastal wetland of the Yellow River Delta (YRD). The results showed that plant height, number of branches, and biomass were significantly affected by water table and salt stress. With enhanced salt stress, the ratio of leaf to total biomass increased and the ratio of root to total biomass decreased. The contents of Chl-a, -b, Chl-a þ b, and carotenoids (Car) decreased significantly with increasing soil salinity and the water table level. Salt stress enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), but reduced the content of protein. With the lowering water table level, the activity of CAT and protein content increased, and activity of SOD decreased. Na þ and Cl À content were up-regulated with increasing salt stress (NaCl), whereas, the contents of other cations (K þ , Ca 2þ , and Mg 2þ ) and anions (SO 2À 4 and NO À 3 ) were decreased. In summary, the results indicated that the S. salsa plants could adapt to the adverse soil environments through modifying their growth and physiology status at the highly saline and intertidal zone, such as the YRD estuarine wetlands, and also could be used as a bio-reclamation plant to decline the high salt in saline soils.

The treatment efficacy between STER and EFTR for treating gastric GISTs was comparable, and a large-scale, randomized study is necessary for a more confirmed conclusion.

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