Slow Body Research Articles

Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extract Increases Interleukin-2 in Malnutrition Rat Model

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a global health concern that results in changes in nutritional status, as indicated by alterations in phenotypic markers, hematological and biochemical parameters, and increased susceptibility to infection, as shown by decreased interleukin (IL)-2 levels. Andrographolide, the active component of Andrographis paniculata, stimulates the immune system and exhibits antibacterial and antiviral activity. Therefore, A. paniculata may serve as a potential adjuvant therapy for malnutrition. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of A. paniculata as an immunomodulator against malnutrition with characteristics of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) and a low-protein diet by examining phenotypic markers, hematological, biochemical, and IL-2 levels.METHODS: Forty-five male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. They were fed either a standard or a low-protein diet before receiving oral administration of various concentrations of A. paniculata leaf extract (APLE). APLE was administered 21 days after the initial low-protein diet. Hematological, biochemical, and phenotypic markers were assessed to determine the nutritional status of the rats. The protective effects of APLE were evaluated by measuring IL-2 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: Malnourished rats exhibited slow body growth, physical and behavioral changes, reduced leukocyte count, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and villi length. Malnourished rats treated with APLE showed a more effective and significant increase in IL-2 levels, with higher concentrations of APLE resulting in higher IL-2 levels.CONCLUSION: APLE, in a concentration-dependent manner, can increase IL-2 levels, suggesting that APLE may have potential protective effects in a rat model of malnutrition.KEYWORDS: Andrographis paniculata, environmental enteric dysfunction, interleukin (IL)-2, low protein, malnutrition

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Strains for Alleviation of Irritable Bowel Disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus is applied as a probiotic to alleviate various metabolic, gastrointestinal, and psychological symptoms and diseases, and its probiotic effectiveness is strain-specific. In this study, we obtained 21 strains of Ls. rhamnosus, and their genomes were sequenced. We defined the pan- and core-genomes of Ls. rhamnosus. Phenotypes such as the assimilation of carbohydrates and antibiotic resistance were experimentally characterized and associated with genome annotations. Nine strains were selected and tested for growth rates, tolerance to acidity/alkalinity and bile acids, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and competition with pathogenic microbes. Strains WL11 and WL17 were targeted as potential probiotics and were applied in mouse model tests for the alleviation of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The results showed that WL11 and WL17 effectively alleviated slow body weight gain, anxiety, poor memory, and cognitive impairment in CFS mouse models. They also reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α and IL-6, and alleviated intestinal peristalsis, visceral hypersensitivity, and anxiety-like behavior in IBS mouse models. This study reports new Ls. rhamnosus strain resources and their effect on alleviation of both IBS and CFS symptoms with mouse models; the probiotic functions of those strains in human patients remain to be further tested.

Effects of rapid or slow body weight reduction on glucose tolerance during equivalent weight loss in rats fed high-fat diet

Effects of rapid or slow body weight reduction on glucose tolerance during equivalent weight loss in rats fed high-fat diet

Anti-obesity effects of potential probiotic Lactobacillus strains isolated from Mongolian fermented dairy products in high-fat diet-induced obese rodent model.

This study aims to investigate the anti-obesity properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented dairy products such as "Airag" and "Khoormog" in Mongolia. These traditional dairy products are widely used in Mongolia and believe in having potential probiotic, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, and anti-tuberculosis properties and are made from unheated two-humped camel milk and mare milk, respectively. We chose three LAB strains based on their probiotic characteristics, including tolerance of gastric and bile acids. Then we checked the anti-obesity activity of probiotic strains in vivo. An animal model was evaluated in twenty male C57BL/6J mice by inducing obesity with a high-fat diet (HFD), which was divided into five groups: regular diet group (Negative control), HFD group (Positive control), HFD with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei X-1 (X-1), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei X-17 (X-17), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum BM-325 (BM-325). For six weeks, 5 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria were given orally to the LAB-fed groups. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles, organ index, and organ morphology were all measured. The probiotic strains suppressed growth in adipose cell volume, stabilized FBG, reduced liver cell degeneration, and slowed HFD-induced body weight gain. The results suggest that some strains increase general metabolism while lowering body weight.

Effects of electroacupuncture with "intestinal disease prescription" on NLRP3 inflammasome and intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with acute ulcerative colitis.

To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with "intestinal disease prescription" on the intestinal mucosal barrier and NLRP3 inflammasome in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute ulcerative colitis (UC), and explore the underlying mechanism of EA with "intestinal disease prescription" for the treatment of UC. Thirty-two healthy male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a medication group, and an EA group, with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the UC model was established by administering 5% DSS solution for 7 days. After modeling, the rats in the medication group were treated with mesalazine suspension (200 mg/kg) by gavage, while the rats in the EA group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25), "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) and "Zhongwan" (CV 12), with the ipsilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) connected to the electrodes of the EA instrument, using disperse-dense wave, with a frequency of 10 Hz/50 Hz, and each intervention lasted for 20 minutes. Both interventions were performed once daily for 3 days. The general conditions of rats were observed daily. After intervention, the disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated; colon tissue morphology was observed using HE staining; serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-18, IL-1β) were measured by ELISA; protein expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and Caspase-1 in colon tissues was detected by Western blot; positive expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin in colon tissues was examined by immunofluorescence. Compared with the blank group, the rats in the model group exhibited poor general conditions, slow body weight gain, shortened colon length (P<0.01), increased DAI score and spleen index (P<0.01), elevated serum IL-18 and IL-1β levels, and increased protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 in colon tissues (P<0.01), along with decreased positive expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in colon tissues (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the rats in the medication group and the EA group exhibited improved general conditions, accelerated body weight gain, increased colon length (P<0.05), reduced DAI scores and spleen indexes (P<0.05), decreased serum IL-18 and IL-1β levels, and lower protein expression of NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 in colon tissues (P<0.05), as well as increased positive expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in colon tissues (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the above indexes between the medication group and the EA group (P>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the rats in the model group exhibited disrupted colon mucosal morphology, disordered gland arrangement, and atrophy of crypts, along with significant inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the rats in both the medication group and the EA group showed relatively intact colon mucosal morphology, with restored and improved gland and crypt structures, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. EA with "intestinal disease prescription" has a significant therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC, possibly by regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and proteins related to the intestinal mucosal barrier, thereby alleviating symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of TAI CHI Ch-Uan Exercises on Balance Control among Older People Living in Selected Old Age Homes in Bangalore, Karnataka

Background and Purpose: The treatment of balance disorders lacks a fixed method, with identification andmanagement of external factors being crucial. Many balance disorders benefit from balance training and moderatephysical activity. Exercise programs encompass strength training, balance and coordination exercises, dual tasktraining, hydrotherapy, tai chi, and yoga, all proven to enhance balance. Tai Chi Chuan, a martial art, utilizes slow,graceful moves and precise body movements to enhance body awareness and balance, combined with breathingtechniques for mind-body harmony and energy flow. Practicing Tai Chi fosters muscle strength, flexibility, aerobicconditioning, and stress reduction, contributing to overall well-being and balance improvement.Methods: The study was conducted at Omashram Trust, Bangalore, Karnataka. The research design selectedfor the study was quasi experimental pre-test post-test with experimental and control group. Non probabilitypurposive sampling technique was adopted to select the samples. The data collection tool consisted of part I andpart II.Part I – Dealt with the interview schedule for demographic data which consist of 13 items used to collect thesample characteristics such as age in years, gender, religion, educational status, past occupation, source of income,marital status, diet, on a therapeutic diet, practice of regular exercise, presence of any physical illness, aware ofinformation about Tai Chi Chuan exercise, if yes.Part II - Berg balance scale was used to assess the balance control in older people.Results of the StudyAssociation between the body balance status and demographic variablesa) Experimental GroupThe finding of this study in the experimental group showed that there was significant association between the levelof balance control and demographic variables such as age and past occupation. Hence the research hypothesis wasaccepted at 0.05 level of significance and null hypothesis was rejected.&#x0D; Control GroupThe finding of this study in the control group proved that there was significant association between the level ofbalance control and demographic variables such as age, education and presence of any physical illness. Hence theresearch hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of significance and null hypothesis was rejected.Discussion: The overall findings of the study clearly showed that effectiveness of tai CHI CH-UAN exerciseson balance control among older people living in selected old age homeswas more effective for the Experimentalgroup than the Control group.

Epidemiological investigation of coccidiosis and associated risk factors in broiler chickens immunized with live anticoccidial vaccines in China.

Coccidiosis is a costly intestinal disease of chickens caused by Eimeria species. This infection is associated with high mortality, reduced feed efficiency, and slowed body weight gain. The diagnosis and control of coccidiosis becomes challenging due to the fact that chickens can be infected by seven different Eimeria species and often occur mixed-species co-infections. Grasping the epidemiology of Eimeria species is crucial to estimate the efficiency of poultry management. This study aimed to explore the distribution of Eimeria species in broiler chickens in China after administering live anticoccidial vaccines. A total of 634 samples were obtained, and the survey results showed that the prevalence of Eimeria was 86.12% (546/634), and the most common species were E. acervulina (65.62%), E. necatrix (50.95%), E. mitis (50.79%), E. tenella (48.42%), and E. praecox (41.80%). Most samples indicated mixed-species infections (an average of 3.29 species per positive sample). Notably, 63.98% of samples contain 3 to 5 Eimeria species within a single fecal sample. The most prevalent combinations were E. acervulina-E. tenella (38.96%) and E. acervulina-E. necatrix (37.22%). Statistical analysis showed that flocks vaccinated with trivalent vaccines were significantly positive for E. necatrix in grower chickens (OR = 3.30, p < 0.05) compared with starter chickens, and tetravalent vaccinated flocks showed that starter chickens demonstrated a higher susceptibility to E. tenella-E. brunetti (OR = 2.03, p < 0.05) and E. acervulina-E. maxima (OR = 2.05, p < 0.05) compared with adult chickens. Geographically, in the case of tetravalent vaccine-immunized flocks, a substantial positive association was observed between E. necatrix infection rates and flocks from eastern (OR = 3.88, p < 0.001), central (OR = 2.65, p = 0.001), and southern China (OR = 3.17, p < 0.001) compared with southwestern China. This study also found a positive association between E. necatrix (OR = 1.64, p < 0.05), E. acervulina (OR = 1.59, p < 0.05), and E. praecox (OR = 1.81, p < 0.05) infection and coccidiosis occurrence compared with non-infected flocks in tetravalent vaccinated flocks. This molecular epidemiological investigation showed a high prevalence of Eimeria species in the field. The emergent species, E. brunetti and E. praecox, might be incorporated into the widely-used live vaccines in the future. These insights could be useful in refining coccidiosis control strategies in the poultry industry.

Slow body magnetohydrodynamic waves in solar photospheric flux tubes with density inhomogeneity

ABSTRACT Pores and sunspots are ideal environments for the propagation of guided magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. However, modelling such photospheric waveguides with varying background quantities such as plasma density and magnetic field has thus far been very limited. Such modelling is required to correctly interpret MHD waves observed in pores and sunspots with resolved inhomogeneities such as light bridges and umbral dots. This study will investigate the propagation characteristics and the spatial structure of slow body MHD modes in a magnetic flux tube with a circular cross-section with inhomogeneous equilibrium density distribution under solar photospheric conditions in the short wavelength limit. For simplicity, the equilibrium density profile is taken to have a circular density enhancement or depletion. The advantage of this is that the strength, size, and position of the density inhomogeneity can be easily changed. Calculating the eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions of the slow body modes is addressed numerically with use of the Fourier–Chebyshev Spectral method. The radial and azimuthal variation of eigenfunctions is obtained by solving a Helmholtz-type partial differential equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The inhomogeneous equilibrium density profile results in modified eigenvalues and eigenvectors. It was found that a localized density inhomogeneity leads to a decrease in the eigenvalues and the spatial structure of modes ceases to be a global harmonic oscillation, as the modes migrate towards regions of lower density. Comparing the homogeneous case and the cases corresponding to depleted density enhancement, the dimensionless phase speed undergoes a significant drop in its value (at least 40 per cent).

Mitigation of Acute Hepatotoxicity Induced by Cadmium Through Morin: Modulation of Oxidative and Pro-apoptotic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Rats

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with significant environmental health hazards. It enters the body through various routes with tissue accumulation. The relatively longer half-life with slow body clearance significantly results in hepatotoxicity during its liver detoxification. Therefore, researchers are exploring the potential use of herbal-derived phytocomponents to mitigate their toxicity. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the possible ameliorative effect of the phytochemical Morin (3,5,7,29,49-pentahydroxyflavone) against acute Cd-induced hepatotoxicity while resolving its underlying cellular mechanisms in a rat animal model. The study involved 50 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 200–250 g. The animals were divided into five equal groups: control, Cd, Morin100 + Cd, Morin200 + Cd, and Morin200. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th groups were intraperitoneally treated with Cd (6.5 mg/kg), while the 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups were orally treated with Morin (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. On the 6th day, hepatic function (serum ALT, AST, ALP, LDH enzyme activities, and total bilirubin level) testing, transcriptome analysis, and immunohistochemistry were performed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of Morin on hepatotoxicity. In addition to restoring liver function and tissue injury, Morin alleviated Cd-induced hepatic oxidative/endoplasmic reticulum stress in a dose-dependent manner, as revealed by upregulating the expression of antioxidants (SOD, GSH, Gpx, CAT, and Nrf2) and decreasing the expression of ER stress markers. The expression of the proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1-β, and IL-6) was also downregulated while improving the anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-4) expression levels. Morin further slowed the apoptotic cascades by deregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and Caspase 12 markers concomitant with an increase in anti-apoptotic Blc2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, Morin restored Cd-induced tissue damage and markedly suppressed the cytoplasmic expression of JNK and p-PERK immunostained proteins. This study demonstrated the dose-dependent antioxidant hepatoprotective effect of Morin against acute hepatic Cd intoxication. This effect is likely linked with the modulation of upstream p-GRP78/PERK/ATF6 pro-apoptotic oxidative/ER stress and the downstream JNK/BAX/caspase 12 apoptotic signaling pathways.

The ameliorative mechanism of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NJAU-01 against D-galactose induced oxidative stress: a hepatic proteomics and gut microbiota analysis.

Probiotic intervention is an effective strategy to alleviate oxidative stress-related diseases. Our previous studies found that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NJAU-01 (NJAU-01) exhibited antioxidant effects in a D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mouse model. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be unveiled. This study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of NJAU-01 against oxidative stress induced by D-gal. The results showed that NJAU-01 could reverse the tendency of a slow body weight gain induced by D-gal. NJAU-01 relieved hepatic oxidative stress via increasing the hepatic total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was reversed after NJAU-01 supplementation. The proteomic results showed that there were 201 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between NJAU-01 and D-gal groups. NJAU-01 regulated the expressions of glutathione S-transferase Mu 5 (Gstm5), glutathione S-transferase P2 (Gstp2) and NADH dehydrogenase 1α subcomplex subunit 7 (Ndufa7) related to oxidative stress, and autophagy protein 5 (Atg5) and plasma alpha-L-fucosidase (Fuca2) involved in autophagy, etc. 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that NJAU-01 supplementation could regulate the gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by D-gal via increasing the relative abundances of the phylum Firmicutes and the genus Lactobacillus and reducing the relative abundances of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genera Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group as well as Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, etc.. Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the altered gut microbiota composition had a significant correlation with antioxidant enzyme activities and the DEPs related to oxidative stress. Overall, NJAU-01 alleviated hepatic oxidative stress induced by D-gal via manipulating the gut microbiota composition and hepatic protein expression profile.

The Effect of Roll Circular Vection on Roll Tilt Postural Responses and Roll Subjective Postural Horizontal of Healthy Normal Subjects.

Background: Falls and related injuries are critical issues in several disease states, as well as aging, especially when interactions between vestibular and visual sensory inputs are involved. Slow support surface tilt (0.6 deg/s) followed by subjective postural horizontal (SPH) assessments have been proposed as a viable method for assessing otolith contributions to balance control. Previous assessments of perceived body alignment to vertical, including subjective visual vertical, have suggested that visual inputs are weighted more when vestibular information is near the threshold and less reliable during slow body tilt. To date, no studies have examined the influence of visual stimuli on slow roll-tilt postural responses and the SPH. Therefore, this study investigated how dynamic visual cues, in the form of circular vection (CV), influence postural responses and the perception of the horizontal during and after support surface tilt. Methods: Ten healthy young adults (6 female, mean age 23) wore a head-mounted display while standing on a tilting platform. Participants were asked to remain upright for 30 s, during which (1) the visual scene rotated, inducing roll CV clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) at 60°/s; (2) the platform only (PO) rotated in roll to test SPH (0.6°/s, 2°, CW or CCW); (3) a combination of both; or (4) neither occurred. During SPH trials, participants used a hand-held device to reset the position of the platform to 0.8°/s to their perceived SPH. The angular motion of body segments was measured using pairs of light-emitting diodes mounted on the head, trunk and pelvis. Segment motion, prior to platform motion, was compared to that at peak body motion induced by platform motion and when SPH had been set. Results: When the support surface was tilted 2°, peak upper body tilt significantly increased for congruent CV and platform tilt and decreased at the pelvis for incongruent CV when compared to PO, leading to significant differences across body segments for congruent and incongruent conditions (p ≤ 0.008). During PO, participants' mean SPH deviated from horizontal by 0.2°. The pelvis deviated 0.2°, the trunk 0.3°, and the head 0.5° in the direction of initial platform rotation. When platform tilt and CV directions were congruent or incongruent, only head tilt at SPH reset under congruent conditions was significantly different from the PO condition (1.7° vs. 0.5°). Conclusions: Roll CV has a significant effect on phasic body responses and a less significant effect on tonic body responses to lateral tilt. The SPH of the support surface was not altered by CV. Responses during tilt demonstrated enhanced reactions for congruent and reduced reactions for incongruent CV, both different from responses to CV alone. Tonic body displacements associated with SPH were changed less than those during tilt and were only slightly larger than displacements for CV alone. This study supports the hypothesis of weighted multisensory integration during dynamic postural tasks being highly dependent on the direction of visual cues during tilt and less dependent on tonic SPH offsets. These techniques could be used to examine vestibular and visual interactions within clinical populations, particularly those with visual vertigo and dizziness.

Food and light availability induce plastic responses in fire salamander larvae from contrasting environments.

Phenotypic plasticity has been proposed as a mechanism facilitating the colonisation and adaptation to novel environments, such as caves. However, phenotypic plasticity in subterranean environments remains largely unexplored. Here, we test for plasticity in growth and development of fire salamander larvae (Salamandra salamandra) from subterranean and surface habitats, in response to contrasting food availability and light conditions. We hypothesized that: (i) low food availability and absence of light decrease larval growth and delay metamorphosis, (ii) light conditions mediate the effects of food availability on growth and time to metamorphosis, and (iii) larval response to contrasting light and food conditions is shaped by the habitat of origin. Our study showed that reduced food availability significantly delayed metamorphosis and slowed total length and body mass growth rates, while exposure to constant darkness slowed body mass growth rate. However, larvae slowed growth rates and increased time to metamorphosis without compromising size at metamorphosis. The effect of food availability on growth and time to metamorphosis did not change under different light conditions. Fire salamanders from subterranean and surface habitats responded differently only in relation to contrasting food availability conditions. Specifically, larvae from the surface habitat grew faster in high food conditions, while growth in larvae from the subterranean habitat was not influenced by food availability. Initial size also appeared to be an influential factor, since larger and heavier larvae grew slower, metamorphosed faster, and the size advantage was maintained in newly-metamorphosed juveniles. Overall, the results of our experiment suggest that plasticity and local adaptation favor the exploitation of aquatic subterranean habitats for breeding by fire salamanders, allowing successful development even under food shortage and day-length constraints, without compromising metamorphic size. Our findings have implications for conservation because they confirm that phenotypic plasticity plays a critical role in allowing fire salamanders to overcome altered environmental conditions.

Dissipative Instability of Magnetohydrodynamic Sausage Waves in a Compressional Cylindrical Plasma: Effect of Flow Shear and Viscosity Shear

The shear flow influences the stability of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. In the presence of a dissipation mechanism, flow shear may induce an MHD wave instability below the threshold of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, which is called dissipative instability. This phenomenon is also called negative energy wave instability because it is closely related to the backward wave, which has negative wave energy. Considering viscosity as a dissipation mechanism, we derive an analytical dispersion relation for the slow sausage modes in a straight cylinder with a discontinuous boundary. It is assumed that the steady flow is inside and dynamic and bulk viscosities are outside the circular flux tube under photospheric condition. When the two viscosities are weak, it is found that for the slow surface mode, the growth rate is proportional to the axial wavenumber and flow shear, consistent within the incompressible limit. For a slow body mode, the growth rate has a peak at a certain axial wavenumber, and its order of magnitude is similar to surface mode. The linear relationship between the growth rate and the dynamic viscosity established in the incompressible limit develops nonlinearly when the flow shear and/or the two viscosities are sufficiently strong.

Apatinib induces zebrafish hepatotoxicity by inhibiting Wnt signaling and accumulation of oxidative stress.

Apatinib, a small-molecule VEGFR2-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown potent anticancer activity in various clinical cancer treatments, but also different adverse reactions. Therefore, it is necessary to study its potential toxicity and working mechanism. We used zebrafish to investigate the effects of apatinib on the development of embryos. Zebrafish exposed to 2.5, 5, and 10 μM apatinib showed adverse effects such as decreased liver area, pericardial oedema, slow yolk absorption, bladder atrophy, and body length shortening. At the same time, it leads to abnormal liver tissue structure, liver function and related gene expression. Furthermore, after exposure to apatinib, oxidative stress levels were significantly elevated but liver developmental toxicity was effectively ameliorated with oxidative stress inhibitor treatment. Apatinib induces down-regulation of key target genes of Wnt signaling pathway in zebrafish, and it is found that Wnt activator can significantly rescue liver developmental defects. These results suggest that apatinib may induce zebrafish hepatotoxicity by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway and up-regulating oxidative stress, helping to strengthen our understanding of rational clinical application of apatinib.

Is Balance Training Using Biofeedback Effective in the Prophylaxis of Falls in Women over the Age of 65?

The paper aims to investigate the usefulness of training in improving mobility and reducing the risk of falls of patients with osteoarthritis by using a force plate and virtual reality as rehabilitation tools. The study involved 72 women randomly divided into two equal groups: the force plate training group, which underwent virtual balance training with visual motor feedback, and the gym training group, which received conventional balance training only. The functional balance assessment was performed before and after the rehabilitation by computerized posturography in a relaxed upright position with open and closed eyes, with visual motor feedback. In the FPT group in the feedback measurement, the mean radius of sways was 30% smaller after rehabilitation (p < 0.00002); the feedback coordination coefficient was more than 10% bigger after rehabilitation (p < 0.001) and reached 92%, which is excellent for elderly people. Total stagnation and stumbling reported by patients decreased after rehabilitation compared to the first examination. Both tested forms of training can contribute to reducing the risk of falls. However, a more significant improvement was obtained in the force plate training group perhaps because the physical effort on a force plate trains the precise movements needed to reposition the centre of gravity without generating excessive inertia forces responsible for loss of balance and falls. Perhaps the most desirable method of intervention is to train a person's ability to perform slow but definite body movements.

Surface waves at a fluid/double-porosity medium interface

SUMMARYWe consider surface-wave propagations at an interface separating a fluid layer and a double-porosity medium embedded with cracks. The theory is based on a generalization of the Biot-Rayleigh model from spherical cavities to penny-shaped cracks randomly embedded into a host medium, where mesoscopic local fluid flow (LFF) plays an important role. We derive closed-form dispersion equations of surface waves, based on potentials and suitable boundary conditions (BCs), to obtain the phase velocity and attenuation by using numerical iterations. Two special cases are considered by letting the thickness of the fluid (water) layer to be zero and infinity. We obtain pseudo-Rayleigh and pseudo-Stoneley waves for zero and infinite thickness and high-order surface modes for finite nonzero thickness. Numerical examples confirm that the LFF affects the propagation at low frequencies, causing strong attenuation, whereas the impact of BCs is mainly observed at high frequencies, due to the propagation of slow wave modes. The crack density mainly affects the level of attenuation, whereas the aspect ratio the location of the relaxation peak. The fundamental mode undergoes a significant velocity dispersion, whose location moves to low frequencies as the thickness increases. In all cases, there also exist two slower surface modes that resemble the two slow body waves, only present for sealed BCs.

Physical function, nutritional status, and quality of life before and after chemotherapy in patients with malignant lymphoma.

This study investigates the efficacy of and gender differences in exercise therapy in patients with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy. Twenty-six patients (13 men, 13 women) received physical therapy (based on the Borg Scale 13) during hospitalization. Physical function was measured using grip and knee extension strength, 6-minute walking distance, and body composition; nutritional status assessed via Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®); and serum albumin levels analyzed. Fatigue was evaluated using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, and health-related quality of life was assessed with the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36v2). The analysis of all patients indicated that the right grip strength, skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, and leg muscle mass significantly decreased, whereas the serum albumin level, MNA® score, and scores of many items of the SF-36v2 significantly increased after chemotherapy. In a gender-specific analysis, only men showed significant declines in the skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle index, and improvement in the MNA® score after chemotherapy. In the SF-36v2, there were significant improvements in general health and physical component summary scores among men, and general health and mental component summary scores among women. Exercise therapy at a Borg Scale intensity of 13 may not prevent muscle mass decline in patients with malignant lymphoma, especially male patients. In addition, this study revealed that there is a gender difference in the effect of exercise therapy on quality of life. Thus, gender should be considered in exercise therapy for patients with malignant lymphoma.

Effects of radon exposure on gut microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids in mice

Radon (222Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Forty percent of the natural radiation to which the human body is exposed comes from radon gas. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of radon induces systemic damage. However, the effect of such exposure on gut microbiota still remains unclear. We explored the effects of radon exposure on gut microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in BALB/c mice by cumulative inhalation of radon at 30, 60, and 120 working level months (WLM). The radon-exposed mice showed slow body weight gain, decreased serum triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, decreased diversity, lower community structure, and altered abundance of the gut microbiota. Lachnospiraceae, Amaricoccus, and Enterococcus could differentiate the IR30, 60, and 120 WLM groups, respectively. Meanwhile, radon exposure affected the metabolic functions of the gut microbiota, mainly carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolic pathways. The altered abundance of microbiota and resulting reduced levels of SCFAs may aggravate the damage caused by radon exposure.

Program Pendidikan Kesehatan Tentang Gizi pada Balita di Desa Duman Kecamatan Lingsar Kabupaten Lombok Barat

Indonesia is experiencing 2 major nutritional problems. Apart from being malnourished, we are also starting to be overnourished. Deficiency and excess nutrition both have a negative impact. Malnutrition is closely related to slow body growth (especially in children), low immune system, lack of intelligence and low productivity. PSG results data in 2017, the prevalence of stunting in the Province of NTB was 37.2% higher than the national average of 29.6%. This figure also increases when compared to the year. 2016, namely 29.9% or an increase of 7.29%. For the highest stunting prevalence in Sumbawa Regency, which is 41.9%, followed by Central Lombok 39.9%, Dompu 38.3%, Mataram City 37.8%, North Lombok 37.6%, Bima 36.6%, Bima City 36 .3%, West Lombok 36.1% and East Lombok 35.1%. The method of implementing this service consists of tree stages. The first is the planning of activities to be carried out and the second stage is the implementation of community service activities. The implementation of community service activities in the form of health counseling about Nutrition in Toddlers has a positive impact in the form of increasing the mother's knowledge of Nutrition in Toddlers.

Slow mode oscillations in curved arcade loops

ABSTRACT In this work we theoretically investigate the effect of curvature on the slow-mode oscillations in coronal loop arcade. A simple model of an arc circle magnetic slab is used to simulate curved coronal magnetic structures. Solving the set of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations for a compressible plasma, we obtain the dispersion relation that governs the compressible MHD modes in the model. A band of slow body modes with phase speeds close to the internal tube speed and a single hybrid slow mode with phase speed close to the external tube speed are found to exist under typical coronal circumstances. The principal slow body and hybrid modes both produce radial kink-like displacements of the slab axis and distort its cross-section. These motions are accompanied with the dominating longitudinal oscillations. Such mode properties may result in Doppler shift and intensity oscillations as well as oscillating spatial displacements, observed in coronal loops. A number of observations of long-period oscillations in arcade loops are interpreted on the basis of the developed theory.