Augmenting immune responses to varicella zoster virus in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial of Tai Chi

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a behavioral intervention, Tai Chi, on resting and vaccine-stimulated levels of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and on health functioning in older adults. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial with allocation to two arms (Tai Chi and health education) for 25 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, subjects were vaccinated with VARIVAX, the live attenuated Oka/Merck VZV vaccine licensed to prevent varicella. SETTING: Two urban U.S. communities between 2001 and 2005. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 112 healthy older adults aged 59 to 86. MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was a quantitative measure of VZV-CMI. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: The Tai Chi group showed higher levels of VZV-CMI than the health education group (P<.05), with a significant rate of increase (P<.001) that was nearly twice that found in the health education group. Tai Chi alone induced an increase in VZV-CMI that was comparable in magnitude with that induced by varicella vaccine, and the two were additive; Tai Chi, together with vaccine, produced a substantially higher level of VZV-CMI than vaccine alone. The Tai Chi group also showed significant improvements in SF-36 scores for physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Tai Chi augments resting levels of VZV-specific CMI and boosts VZV-CMI of the varicella vaccine.     

金花茶化学成分和药理作用研究进展

金花茶Camellia nitidissima为我国广西地区的少数民族常用药,具有清热解毒、利尿消肿等功效。近年来,对于金花茶开展了大量的化学成分和药理学研究,表明金花茶含有黄酮类化合物、多糖、皂苷等多种生物活性成分,该植物及其提取物具有抗肿瘤、抗炎、抗氧化、调血脂、降血糖、抗肥胖、降血压、抗过敏、抗衰老等药理作用。对金花茶化学成分和药理研究进展进行了归纳总结,为更好地利用该植物和新药研发提供理论参考。     

一贯煎联合薄芝糖肽、羟氯喹治疗干燥综合征合并血小板减少性紫癜血小板恢复正常1例报告

报告1例使用一贯煎联合薄芝糖肽、羟氯喹治疗干燥综合征合并血小板减少性紫癜血小板恢复正常。女,22岁;口干眼干,腮腺反复肿大,伴关节窜痛3年;PLT 18×109/L↓,MPV 16.2fL↑;IgA 3.47g/L↑,IgG 19.59g/L↑,IgM 1.41g/L↑,RF 404.8IU/mL↑,抗核抗体(ANA)(+),核颗粒型1:1000(++),抗SSA抗体(+),抗SSB抗体(-),抗Ro-52抗体(+)。一贯煎(黄芪、女贞子各20g,灵芝10g,生地30g,沙参15g,麦冬10g,枸杞子、当归各15g,白芍、石斛、郁金各10g,杜仲、菟丝子各20g,丹皮10g,川楝子15g,酸枣仁10g),1剂/d,水煎400mL,早晚口服;薄芝糖肽10mg/次,1次/d,静滴;羟氯喹,0.2g/d,2次/d,口服。连续治疗7.5月复查:PLT 136×109/L;口眼干涩症状缓解,无新发出血点。     

Comparison of the kinetic characteristics of standing and sitting Tai Chi forms

Purpose. To compare the kinetic characteristics of Tai Chi forms performed in standing and seated positions.

Methods. An experienced Tai Chi master was invited to perform the Tai Chi Qi Qong 18-form while standing and seated. Two force platforms were used to track the centre of pressure (COP) during the Tai Chi movements. Centre of mass (COM) displacement was measured using a video motion analysis system.

Results. In standing, the maximum COP displacements in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions ranged from 2.6% to 9.5%, and 0.3% to 29.6% of the subject's height, respectively. The maximum COP displacements in sitting were smaller, with mean displacements of 0.7% and 0.1% of height in the anteroposterior and ML directions, respectively. The subject's COM moved in the vertical direction in slow, coordinated and smooth patterns.

Conclusions. The kinetic data on each of the 18 Tai Chi forms studied can guide the choice of suitable Tai Chi forms for balance training. Sitting Tai Chi is recommended for rehabilitating the balance of frail older adults who have difficulty standing. Because of the minimal demands of sitting Tai Chi for balance control, progressing to practice in standing as quickly as possible is recommended.     

泰魄颗粒剂治疗慢性功能性便秘35例

目的　 探讨泰魄颗粒剂对慢性功能性便秘的临床疗效。 方法　 对慢性功能性便秘患者采用不含蒽醌类泻下药的泰魄颗粒剂治疗 ,并以麻仁丸作对照 ,进行临床观察。 结果　 治疗组和对照组有效率分别为 5 1 4%和 2 6 7% ,治愈率分别为 2 2 8%和 10 0 %。两组间临床疗效差异有显著性意义。泰魄颗粒剂并能改善长期服用刺激性泻下药的便秘患者肠电图抑制现象 ,治疗后肠电图的波幅、频率与治疗前相比差异分别达显著 (P <0 0 5 )和极显著 (P <0 0 1)水平。 结论　 泰魄颗粒剂能改善肠道运动功能 ,对刺激性泻下药耐受者有较好疗效。     

A randomized controlled trial of tai chi for tension headaches

This study examined whether a traditional low-impact mind–bodyexercise, Tai Chi, affects health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL)and headache impact in an adult population suffering from tension-typeheadaches. Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned toeither a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi instructionor a wait-list control group. HRQOL (SF-36v2) and headache status(HIT-6^TM) were obtained at baseline and at 5, 10 and 15 weekspost-baseline during the intervention period. Statisticallysignificant (P < 0.05) improvements in favor of the interventionwere present for the HIT score and the SF-36 pain, energy/fatigue,social functioning, emotional well-being and mental health summaryscores. A 15 week intervention of Tai Chi practice was effectivein reducing headache impact and also effective in improvingperceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.