Aconitum in Traditional Chinese Medicine-A valuable drug or an unpredictable risk?

Aconitum species have been used in China as an essential drug in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for 2000 years. Reviewing the clinical application of Aconitum, their pharmacological effects, toxicity and detoxifying measures, herb–herb interactions, clinical taboos, famous herbal formulas, traditional and current herbal processing methods based upon a wide range of literature investigations serve as a case study to explore the multidisciplinary implications of botanicals used in TCM. The toxicological risk of improper usage of Aconitum remains very high, especially in countries like China, India and Japan. The toxicity of Aconitum mainly derives from the diester diterpene alkaloids (DDAs) including aconitine (AC), mesaconitine (MA) and hypaconitine (HA). They can be decomposed into less or non-toxic derivatives through Chinese traditional processing methods (Paozhi), which play an essential role in detoxification. Using Paozhi, the three main forms of processed aconite – Yanfuzi, Heishunpian and Baifupian – can be obtained (CPCommission, 2005). Moreover, some new processing techniques have been developed in China such as pressure-steaming. The current development of fingerprint assays, in particular HPLC, has set a good basis to conduct an appropriate quality control for TCM crude herbs and their ready-made products. Therefore, a stipulation for a maximum level of DDA content of Aconitum is highly desirable in order to guarantee the clinical safety and its low toxicity in decoctions. Newly developed HPLC methods have made the accurate and simultaneous determination and quantification of DDA content interesting.     

从肝论治急性心肌梗死后心功能障碍的临床研究

目的探讨从肝论治急性心肌梗死（AMI）后心功能障碍的临床疗效。方法68例AMI患者随机分为2组，对照组33例给予单纯西医常规治疗，治疗组35例在对照组治疗基础上，予中药方剂代替血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂（ACEI）和β-受体阻滞剂，每日1剂，水煎服。2组均以2个月为1疗程。应用超声心动图检测2组AMI后15d和1个疗程后的各项心功自岂指标。结果2组AMI后15d的各项心功能指标比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；1个疗程后，2组二尖瓣前叶振幅（DE）、左室每搏量（SV）、每分钟排血量（CO）、左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室短轴缩短率（FS）、二尖瓣前叶斜率（MVEF）和二尖瓣口多普勒舒张早期最大流速与舒张末期最大流速比率（E／A）均明显改善，平均左室周径缩短率（MVCF）速度加快，左室舒张期及收缩期内径、二尖瓣前叶E峰与室间隔左室面的距离（EPSS）缩小，2组心功能改善情况比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），治疗组优于对照组。结论ACEI和β-受体阻滞剂与中药方剂均能改善AMI后心功能，中药从肝论治优于ACEI和β-受体阻滞剂。     

Amisulpride in the short-term treatment of depressive and physical symptoms in cancer patients during chemotherapies

Introduction Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide that, at low doses, selectively blocks D2 and D3 presynaptic dopamine receptors, enhancing dopaminergic transmission in frontal cortex and limbic areas. Many clinical studies versus placebo, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed amisulpride antidepressant effect, supporting its safety and rapid onset of action. In oncological population, depression is quite frequent and difficult to treat because of the particular sensitivity of cancer patients to the antidepressants’ side effects. Goals of work The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability of low doses of amisulpride (50 mg) in oncological, depressed patients during chemotheraphy. Materials and methods One hundred six consecutive cancer outpatients with depressive symptoms were treated in a prospective, intention to treat, 4-week study, and were evaluated in single-blind with Montgomery Asberg rating scale for depression (MADRS), clinical global impression (CGI) and dosage record treatment emergent symptom scale (DOTES) to assess side effects of treatment. Main results After 4 weeks of treatment, scores of MADRS and CGI significantly improved (p < 0.002; p < 0.001, respectively), with a reduction of depressive symptoms concerning both emotional (such as apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, etc.) and physical cluster (such as lack of appetite, reduction in weight, tiredness and insomnia) with good tolerability (only two patients dropped out). Conclusions This study is the first trial on the use of amisulpride in a cohort of oncological, depressed patients during chemotherapy. Amisulpride demonstrated high efficacy and safety. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.     

对《诸病源候论》毒邪症状界定的分析

《诸病源侯论》论毒邪篇幅之多,明目之清,发前人所未发,打破传统束缚,注重临床实际。如其提出毒邪判断要以阴阳为纲;毒邪向内为病重,向外为病轻;赤白为轻,青紫黑为重;过肘膝为重,以及伤肠胃心肝脾肾均有不同的症状特征,提示了六淫从化于毒,毒邪与六淫有不同表现等问题,值得一读。     

Analysis of the circumstances at the end of life in children with cancer: Symptoms, suffering and acceptance

BACKGROUND: In an effort to improve the quality of life of children with cancer, this study analyzes the signs and symptoms at the end of life in such children. It is hoped that these data will contribute to the development of appropriate programs to address the challenges faced by these children. PROCEDURE: Between 1994 and 2000, 28 children died after treatment for cancer at Hamamatsu University Hospital, Japan. The circumstances, signs and symptoms at the end of life of these children were analyzed through their medical records. RESULTS: Of the 28 children, the underlying diseases were leukemia/lymphoma (LL group; n=11), brain tumors (BT group; n=7), and other solid tumors (OST group; n=10). Records showed poor appetite (100%), dyspnea (82.1%), pain (75.0%), fatigue (71.4%), nausea/vomiting (57.1%), constipation (46.4%) and diarrhea (21.4%) among these children. Anxiety was reported in 53.6% of the entire group of 28 children; however, no child in the BT group manifested anxiety. However, disturbance of consciousness was reported in all children in the BT group, which was significantly greater than in the other groups. Awareness, fear or acceptance of the imminence of his/her own death as indicated by verbal expression was reported in nine children (32.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Using the data obtained in the present study, we describe situations faced in the terminal care of children. It is important to address the problems revealed by this analysis in order to achieve improvements in both the physical and psychological care of children with terminal cancer.     

吸烟对精神分裂症男性患者精神病理症状的影响

Objective To compare the differences of psychopathologic symptoms between smokers and non-smokers in chronic and first-episode,drug-nalve schizophrenics.then it was attempted to explain the reasons why there is higher rate of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.Methods In all.427 male chronic schizophrenic patients(332 smokers and 95 non-smokers)and 63 male first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia(22 smokers and 41 non-smokers)were collected.All patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).Results In chronic patients.the item scores of poor rapport and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers(3.9 ±1.5 vs.4.4±1.7;3.6±1.6 vs.4.0±1.7.respectively,P＜0.05),and so was the total scores of PANSS negative subscale(24.0±8.2 vs.26.3±9.5).In first-episode.drug-ndive patients.the itern scores of emotional withdrawal and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significant lower in smokers than non-smokers(2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.3:2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.4,respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested there are positive effects of cigarette smoking on the psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia,which misht be one of the mechanisms for higher rates of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.     

中西医结合治疗幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎临床观察

目的：观察中西医结合治疗幽门螺杆菌（Hp）相关性胃炎的临床疗效。方法：对照组24例，采用西医三联疗法（奥美拉唑、克拉霉素、阿莫西林）治疗，治疗组28例在西医三联疗法的基础上加用中药治疗，两组均用药7天，后口服奥关拉唑片至1个月。结果：两组总有效率及Hp根除率比较差异均有显著意义（P〈0．05），治疗组疗效优于对照组。结论：中西医结合治疗幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎疗效好。     

颅脑损伤患者脑疝前驱期特征性临床征象的研究

目的分析总结外伤性脑疝前驱期特征性临床征象及意义。方法回顾分析我科近5年238例脑疝发生前2h内的临床表现和辅助检查特点，并与同期198例未发生脑疝的重型颅脑损伤患者进行对比分析。结果脑疝组前驱期征象如昏迷加深、烦躁加重、尿失禁、侧脑室和外侧裂受压变窄伴脑基底池受压变窄、生命体征改变具有特征性，其发生率明显高于非脑疝组，两组差异有显著性意义（P〈0．01）。结论颅脑损伤患者出现脑疝前驱期特征性临床征象应作为超早期开颅的重要依据，是特殊的、迫切的手术指征。     

加强学科建设提高中医儿科教学质量

中医儿科是河南省重点学科,加强学科管理,健全各项管理规章制度,科学合理设置儿科课程,实现理论与实践的结合,课堂与临床见习的结合;提高教师人文素质、教学水平,是保证儿科教学质量的关键.     

前列腺增生症证型与体内性激素水平的临床研究

目的:研究前列腺增生症中医证型与体内性激素水平的相关性.方法:选择500例患者,中医辨证分为血瘀下焦、膀胱湿热、肾阴亏虚、肾阳不足、肺热气闭,均在就诊次日上午抽空腹血4 mL,进行血清性激素测定.结果:T值以血瘀下焦、肾阴亏虚证较高,肾阳不足证明显偏低,两者比较差别有显著性(P＜0.01);膀胱湿热证和肺热气闭证居中,与血瘀下焦、肾阴亏虚证比较差别也具有显著性(P＜0.05).E2值以肾阳不足证明显偏高,血瘀下焦和膀胱湿热证次之,肾阴亏虚和肺热气闭证较低.各组间比较差别具有显著性(P＜0.01).结论:前列腺增生症各证型与血清性激素水平变化有一定规律可循,同时也为证型客观化、微观化提供了相应证据.