The Rise of a New Psychoactive Agent: Salvia divinorum

Since the 1990s, there has been a rise in the availability and recreational use of a herbal plant called Salvia divinorum. Numerous internet websites have advertised it for sale as a legal herbal alternative to illegal hallucinogens. Initial data surveying use has indicated many young adults are obtaining and using this herb for its psychoactive properties. Reported methods of ingestion for the plant include chewing, and smoking leaves or fortified extracts. Subjective effects of the plant include, affect changes, psychedelic-like changes in perception, and even loss of consciousness. Although the pharmacological properties and possible antidepressant effects have been studied in recent years, little information is known about potential negative impact resulting from recreational use, and scant information about Salvia divinorum currently exists in the psychological and substance abuse literature. While Salvia divinorum appears to be a substance with some therapeutic potential, it also poses some significant dangers as a substance of varying legal status with a potential for abuse.     

中药醇提物对血液透析效果的影响

①目的　观察中药醇提物 (HD组方 )对血液透析效果的影响。②方法　选择我院终末期肾衰竭 (ES RD)病人 6 6例 ,已行维持性血液透析治疗 1年以上 ,随机分为常规组 32例 ,中药组 34例。常规组继续进行常规血液透析 ,中药组在常规透析的基础上 ,将透析液中加入HD组方 ,疗程均为 6个月。定期观察各组病人透析前、后血清尿素氮 (BUN)、肌酐 (Cr)、平均时间尿素氮浓度 (TACurea)、蛋白分解率 (PR)及G S指数 (KT/V值 )。③结果　中药组治疗后BUN、Cr水平与常规组同期比较明显降低 ,差别具有显著性 (t=2 .5 6 1、2 .4 98,P <0 .0 5 )。中药组治疗后TACurea较治疗前明显降低 ,差别具有极显著性 (t=2 .797,P <0 .0 1 ) ;而PR、KT/V值较治疗前明显升高 ,差别具有显著性 (t=2 .36 1、2 .4 98,P <0 .0 5 )。④结论　中药HD组方在透析液中的应用可提高ESRD病人透析效果及生活质量     

Gait patterns of a patient with myoclonus of a lower limb,when OFF and ON treatment with antiepileptic drugs

Abstract We describe kinematics, kinetics and electromyographic patterns of a patient with spinal myoclonus of the left lower limb, during walking. Gait analysis was performed when the patient was OFF and ON his treatment with antiepileptic drugs. When OFF, we mainly observed clonic bursts and out-of-phase activations of m. tibialis anterior and m. rectus femoris, with increased hip flexion, reduction of knee flexion during swing and excessive ankle dorsal flexion. Furthermore, large oscillations of knee moment of force and power during stance phase were also observed. These abnormal patterns markedly recovered when ON drugs.     

Levetiracetam monotherapy in Alzheimer patients with late-onset seizures: a prospective observational study

Levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy was investigated in 25 patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD) and new-onset epileptic seizures in a prospective open-label study. At a daily dose of 1000–1500 mg, 72% were seizure-free for at least one year; 16% discontinued for untolerability; 8% were unresponsive; 4% were lost to follow-up. These results suggest the need for controlled studies to confirm if LEV can be a first-choice drug in AD.     

原发性高血压患者应用抗高血压药物不良事件原因分析

目的 探讨原发性高血压患者应用抗高血压药物不良事件及其原因。方法 将243例观察对象按照用药正确与否分3组，应用面对面横断面调查方法，分析比较组间不良事件发生率及其原因。结果 导致原发性高血压患者发生不良事件的主要原因是经常停药、他人介绍用药、媒介宣传用药、经济原因停药、配伍不合理、测量值不正确、用一种药物时间过长和药物个体适应性差等原因。结论 合理正确应用抗高血压药物对于保护高血压患者靶器官具有重要意义。     

骨松宝胶囊治疗老年人胸腰椎压缩性骨折疗效分析

微创球囊扩张椎体后凸成形术,是治疗老年骨质疏松脊柱压缩骨折安全有效的方法[1]。然而,由于经济的问题以及观念的影响,大量的老年患者还是选择了保守治疗的方式。针对这类患者,我们寻求有效合理的药物,以达到缩短病程、早期康复的目的,发现采用保守治疗的同时辅以中成药骨松宝     

Cholinergic therapy in dementia

After reviewing the evidence for cholinergic pathology in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, this paper reviews strategies for treating dementia using cholinomimetic drugs. Special attention is paid to cholinesterase inhibitors, particularly tacrine, the drug recently approved by the FDA. New studies suggesting that muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptor active drugs may be more effective will be reviewed. Brief mention will be made of strategies to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.     

Critical review of treatment trials in hypertension

Summary: Despite numerous deficiencies in some antihypertensive drug treatment trials, and some questionable selections of studies for inclusion in several meta-analyses, undoubtedly such trials have shown treatment benefits from reducing hypertension. Complications that can be corrected or prevented include malignant hypertension, hypertensive heart failure, stroke and coronary artery morbidity. the all-cause mortality has been lowered in several trials. the benefits have been seen in subjects aged over 60 years, in women and men, and in patients with isolated systolic hypertension. the benefits have been achieved using a wide range of drugs, not only with beta-blockers or diuretics. Non-pharmacological means of lowering blood pressure have not been evaluated in relation to morbidity.     

Selective Effect of Adjuvant Arthritis on the Disposition of Propranolol Enantiomers in Rats Detected Using a Stereospecific HPLC Assay

Nonstereospecific studies have indicated that the pharmacokinetics of propranolol (PR) are altered in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. However, as the kinetics and dynamics of PR are stereoselective, we examined the effect of adjuvant arthritis (AA) on the disposition of the individual enantiomers. A novel normal-phase stereospecific HPLC assay for PR was developed involving chiral derivatization with S-(naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate and fluorescence detection. Oral and iv doses of racemic PR were administered to control and AA rats (n = 6). AA had no significant effect on either clearance or S:R ratio after iv doses. On the other hand, after oral doses, clearance was significantly decreased in AA. Although significant for both enantiomers, this effect was more pronounced on the less active R-enantiomer. The AUC R:S ratio was, therefore, significantly altered (AA, 14 ± 3.0; control, 4.3 ± 1.2). Increased total (S + R) plasma concentrations of PR in AA, possibly due to a reduced intrinsic clearance, therefore, reflect mainly increased concentrations of the less active R-enantiomer.     

不同时程给予抗精神病药物对大鼠脑内AchE活性的影响

目的 探索常敏和超敏状态时乙酰胆碱酯酶活性的变化及该变化与锥体外系症状（ＥＰＳ）的可能关系。方法 应用分光光度法测定大鼠脑皮层、海马和纹状体ＡｃｈＥ催化碘化乙酰硫代胆碱水解的速率而确定酶的活性。结果 急性给予利血平、氯氮平、氟哌啶醇对大鼠纹状体、海马和皮层的ＡｃｈＥ活性无显著影响；以相同剂得的利血平、氯氮平和氟哌啶醇连续给药７ｄ和２１ｄ，利血平和氟哌啶醇显著降低纹状体和海马ＡｃｈＥ活性，氯氮平仅在