Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity: Implications for immunoadjuvant potential

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Shatavari in vernacular) are widely used in Ayurveda as Rasayana for immunostimulation, galactogogue as also in treatment of conditions like ulcers and cancer. Various studies have indicated immunomodulatory properties of Shatavari root extracts and formulations.

Aim of the study

To study the effect of standardized Asparagus racemosus root aqueous extract (ARE) on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity of SRBC sensitized animals.

Materials and methods

We used HPTLC to quantify steroidal saponins (Shatavarin IV, Immunoside^®) and flow cytometry to study effects of ARE on Th1/Th2 immunity. SRBC specific antibody titres and DTH responses were also monitored as markers of Th2 and Th1 responses, respectively. We also studied lymphocyte proliferation. Cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide and levamisole were used as controls.

Results

Treatment with ARE (100 mg/(kg b.w. p.o.)) resulted in significant increase of CD3⁺ and CD4/CD8⁺ percentages suggesting its effect on T cell activation. ARE treated animals showed significant up-regulation of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-g) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines suggesting its mixed Th1/Th2 adjuvant activity. Consistent to this, ARE also showed higher antibody titres and DTH responses. ARE, in combination with LPS, Con A or SRBC, produced a significant proliferation suggesting effect on activated lymphocytes.

Conclusion

The study suggests mixed Th1/Th2 activity of ARE supports its immunoadjuvant potential.     

盐生肉苁蓉栽培品中苯乙醇苷类的指纹图谱研究

  目的 为规范化种植盐生肉苁蓉药材的质量研究提供基础研究资料。 方法 选择 RP-HPLC 建立盐生肉苁蓉补肾助阳功能特征成分的指纹图谱，并进行栽培品与野生品、不同生长期、不同药用部位指纹图谱的比较研究，采用计算机辅助相似度评价软件分析了相似度。 结果 种植基地药材的指纹图谱具有较高的相似度，其化学组成相似，相对比例也基本稳定。不同生长期和不同部位药材的指纹图谱也具有较好的一致性，但特征峰的含量存在明显差异。 结论 利用 RP-HPLC 指纹图谱可以较为全面地反映盐生肉苁蓉补肾助阳功能整体特征成分的内在质量，方法重现性好。     

采用改良McBride与Greer手术治疗严重(足母)外翻

目的探讨采用改良McBride与Greer手术(第1跖骨截骨术)治疗严重足母外翻的临床效果。方法采用改良McBride与Greer手术治疗严重足母外翻19例(32足)。术后根据足母外翻矫正情况进行评价。结果随访19例,时间为1.5个月~6年,所有患者术后外形明显改善,复发1足。结论采用改良McBride与Greer手术治疗严重足母外翻是一种安全、有效的治疗方法。     

辽宁满族和汉族指纹白线正常值分析

本文报告了辽宁满族和汉族人指纹白线的调查结果。满族和汉族人的指纹白线出现率分别是7.14％和31.73％。满族人的指纹白线出现率低于汉族、维吾尔族、德国人、波兰人和美国白人。作者注意到满族人的指纹白线不存在左右手间和性别间的差异,而汉族人性别间差异显著。十指均有白线频率为1.91％(满族)和10.5％(汉族)。十指均有白线的白线平均数满族为39.3±6.6,汉族为35.5±10.6。五指中指纹白线出现率从高到低的顺序在满族为Ⅰ、Ⅳ、Ⅲ、Ⅱ、Ⅴ,在汉族为Ⅳ、Ⅲ、Ⅱ、Ⅰ、Ⅴ。存在民族间的差异。     

Primary aspergillosis of the sphenoid sinus with pituitary invasion – a rare differential diagnosis of sellar lesions

Summary Aspergillosis belongs to the group of mycotic diseases of paranasal sinuses. The invasive forms, and particularly the fulminant forms, are potentially fatal. Isolated aspergillosis of the sphenoid sinus or the clivus is a difficult diagnosis, since the often misleading clinical manifestations of this rare disease develop late. These patients become apparent by neurological signs such as cavernous sinus syndrome, pseudotumor of the pituitary or the orbit. Diagnosis is often made intra-operatively or on histological examination. We report a case of invasive aspergillosis uniquely involving the sellar area revealed by clinical features suggesting a pseudotumor of the pituitary. Although such lesions are almost always seen in immune suppressed subjects, in our case, the patient was immune competent and had no past history of sinusitis. The question of whether, and when to perform limited or extensive surgery remains an issue for discussion, owing to the rarity of this disease honed by lack of experience. It depends on several factors: the kind of disease, the immunity, the subtype of invasive fungal sinusitis and the degree of tissue invasion.     

积极开展客户管理 努力提高健康体检客户满意度

健康体检有利润高、风险小的特征，具有非常好的市场前景。广州新海医院积极进行市场营销，开展客户管理，正确区分客户类型，建立客户资料数据库，合理确定客户组合，整合医院人力资源、业务流程及专业技术，对不同需求和消费层次的客户，采取不同的服务和管理策略，提供个性化、人性化的优质服务，主动搜集客户意见，认真处理客户投诉，不断改进医院健康体检工作方法，完善客户管理工作机制，使客户满意度不断提高，产生了良好的经营业绩，提高了医院的市场竞争力和品牌形象。     

前臂肌腱部分移位修复桡尺远侧关节脱位的应用解剖

目的为前臂肌腱部分移位修复桡尺远侧关节脱位提供解剖学依据。方法30侧成人上肢标本,将尺侧腕屈肌腱、尺侧腕伸肌腱、桡侧腕长伸肌腱、肱桡肌腱作形态学测量,将尺侧腕屈肌腱、尺侧腕伸肌腱进行力学测试。结果尺侧腕屈肌腱长(16.7±2.7)cm;尺侧腕伸肌腱长(14.9±2.5)mm;桡侧腕长伸肌腱长(19.0±2.0)cm;肱桡肌腱长(11.7±2.4)cm。力学测试:尺侧腕屈、伸肌腱其全肌腱破坏载荷分别为(2.4±0.9)Mpa、(3.1±0.9)Mpa,半肌腱破坏载荷分别为(2.2±0.9)Mpa、(2.5±0.8)Mpa,t检验无显著性差异。结论前臂肌腱部分转位有足够的长度和强度修复桡尺远侧关节脱位。     

Lower limb blocks for children

Femoral and lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh blocks have been performed in a group of 50 children; the method has not previously been described in paediatric practice. The technique was judged to have been successful in 48 (96%) of the children. There were no early or late complications. It is concluded that these blocks are easy to perform, even in small children and infants, and that they can produce reliable postoperative analgesia for a variety of orthopaedic and plastic procedures.     

对药代动力学实验的两点改进

通过具体的实验数据，讨论在药代动力学实验中如何加入曲线下面积（AUC）的计算，以帮助学生理解并掌握这一概念；在实验室设置不同剂量组，给药后比较剂量与浓度是否呈等比例关系，以此加深学生对于一级动力学消除及其临床意义的理解。