In vitro and in vivo antidiabetic potential of extracts and a furostanol saponin from Balanites aegyptiaca

Context: Balanites aegyptiaca Del. (Zygophyllaceae) fruits are well-known antidiabetic drug in Egyptian folk medicine. Nevertheless, its mechanism of action is still unclear.

Objectives: Searching for the possible mechanisms of action of the plant and identification of its bioactive compounds.

Materials and methods: A bio-guided protocol based on the evaluation of α‐glucosidase (AG) and aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory activities was adopted to isolate the biologically active compounds from the methanol extract (MeEx). An in vivo antidiabetic study was conducted for the active extract, fraction and compound using streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino Wistar rats at two dose levels (100 and 200?mg/kg.b/wt) for 2 weeks.

Results: Three compounds were isolated and identified: a sterol, (1) stigmasterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside; a pregnane glucoside, (2) pregn-5-ene-3β,16β,20(R)-trio1-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside; a furostanol saponin, (3) 26-(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-22-O-methylfurost-5-ene-3β,26-diol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside. Only compound 3 possessed significant AG and AR inhibitory activities (IC₅₀?=?3.12?±?0.17 and 1.04?±?0.02?μg/mL, respectively), while compounds 1 and 2 were inactive. The in vivo antidiabetic study revealed that MeEx and furostanol saponin 3 possessed significant activities at a dose of 200?mg/kg through reducing the fasting plasma glucose level by 46.14% and 51.39%, respectively, as well as reducing the total cholesterol by 24.44% and 31.90%, respectively. Compound 3 also caused increment in insulin and C-peptide levels by 63.56% and 65%, respectively.

Discussion and conclusions: We presented a scientific base for using Balanites aegyptiaca, and shed the light on one of its saponins, as an antidiabetic agent in fasting and postprandial hyperglycaemia along with the improvement of diabetic complications.     

药品急需建立使用期限管理制度

本文针对我国没有规定有效期药品已经形成长期销售和使用的客观事实，提出药品急需建立使用期限管理制度，并对其必要性、可行性和基本构想进行了论述。     

减慢保存液添加速度对延长红细胞保存有效期的作用

目的：研究减慢红细胞保存液添加速度对延长红细胞保存有效期的作用，为进一步研究红细胞保存缓释技术提供依据。方法：取浓缩红细胞12袋各平均分成4袋(组)，对照组添加标准量的MAP红细胞保存液，实验各组添加不同比例的MAP，然后于25℃(4℃)保存并观察ATP等血液保存指标的变化，各实验组在保存中继续按不同速度添加红细胞保存液，至添加总量与对照组相等。结果：初始添加足够的红细胞保存液才能维持红细胞保存，控制血液保存液添加速度可以更有效地维持红细胞ATP，添加速度慢的比添加速度快的ATP维持久。结论：减慢保存液添加速度可有效延长红细胞保存期，提示缓释技术可应用于红细胞保存领域并很有研究价值。     

Efficacy of a flexible quit date versus an a priori quit date approach to smoking cessation: a cross-study analysis

Most treatment guidelines recommend that smokers should set a target quit date (TQD) at treatment onset because making a public commitment to quit on a given date should increase motivation. On the other hand, allowing smokers the flexibility to choose when to stop after starting treatment might allow smokers to better tailor their quit date and might improve the acceptability of treatment among smokers not willing to set a TQD. In a recent placebo-controlled study, we found varenicline effective when smokers were not required to set a quit date a priori; i.e., with a "flexible quit date" (FQD) approach. The current analysis compares the effect sizes and quit rates in this FQD study with those of nine prior varenicline randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used a TQD approach. The odds ratio for varenicline versus placebo in the FQD study was the 4th highest of the 10 trials and the incidence of continuous abstinence for varenicline was 5th highest. These results suggest that a FQD approach can produce quit rates similar to a TQD approach. Cross-study comparisons can have hidden bias; thus, a RCT of fixed versus flexible quit dates would provide a more valid test. Also, a study of whether different subpopulations of smokers may be more interested in or especially benefit from, one or the other approach to quitting is indicated.     

CARDIOMEGALY IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEONATAL HYPOGLYCAEMIA

Fifty-two infants with hypoglycaemia were seen over a 12 month period. Six of these infants had cardiac enlargement with signs of failure and pulmonary oedema in association with isolated hypoglycaemia. Signs and symptoms suggestive of cardiac failure corresponded to the period of hypoglycaemia and disappeared when blood sugar levels were raised by appropriate treatment.     

SZL－IA型数字皂膜流量计的研制

ＳＺＬ－ＩＡ型数字皂膜流量计是一种智能化的数字皂膜流量计，在单片机控制下，进行测量，数据处理，直接显示流量的数字量和故障情况，测量范围５ｍｌ／ｍｉｎ～５Ｌ／ｍｉｎ；精密度＜２％，该仪器性能稳定，使用方便，抗干拢性强，可以作为标定转子流量计的测量仪器，也可以直接在实验室使用。     

朝鲜族和汉族大学生艾滋病知识水平的流行病学调查

[目的 ]调查朝鲜族和汉族大学生的艾滋病知识水平 .[方法 ]采用整群抽样法 ,对 2 35名朝鲜族及汉族大学生进行艾滋病相关知识及态度现况调查 .[结果 ]在 2 0项艾滋病基础知识问卷中的第 14～ 17项上 ,朝鲜族学生的平均得分与汉族学生相比较 ,两者间具有显著性差异 ;在 2 4项艾滋病相关传播途径问卷中的多项问题上 ,朝鲜族学生平均得分与汉族学生相比较 ,两者间也具有显著性差异 .[结论 ]应尽快制定针对延边地区大学生的艾滋病健康教育计划 .     

数据仓库在医院应用的研究

目的：对医院信息进行全方位、多层次的查询和分析，为医院各类人员提供信息查询、数据分析和决策支持。方法：利用数据仓库(DW)技术，对“军字一号”医院信息系统中的数据进行提取、建模，并建立多维数据集。结果：建立了医院DW的构架，分析了各科室全费治愈患者平均住院费用和平均住院日。结论：DW技术是医院信思系统进一步的发展方向，将为医院决策支持提供最有用的信息。     

最大摄氧量平台出现概率及影响平台的生理学因素研究

目的:探讨最大摄氧量平台出现概率及影响平台出现的生理学因素。方法:以30名体育系大学本科生为研究对象,测试其最大摄氧量,通过采用不同的平滑方式探讨影响平台出现概率的方法学因素,并依据平台出现时间的长短将研究对象分为两组,同时记录心肺功能的相关指标;测试其无氧功率与400m跑运动成绩;通过对比两组人群的有氧能力与无氧能力探讨影响平台的生理学因素。结果:最大摄氧量平台出现的概率随采样时间间隔的延长而降低;两组人群的跑台持续运动时间、达到最大摄氧量的时间、达到最大摄氧量直至运动结束的时间均有显著性差异,而无氧能力无显著性差异。结论:在递增负荷运动过程中,采用不同采样间隔的数据平滑方法是影响平台出现概率的主要方法学因素,心肺功能动用的快慢是影响平台的生理因素,而无氧供能能力与平台无关。     

足月小样儿95例临床分析

目的：对足月小样儿(SGA)的预后、分娩注意事项及预防措施进行探讨。方法：通过对1998年1月至2001年12月间我院出生的95例足月小样儿的临床资料进行总结，分析其发生原因、分娩途径、羊水性状及体重与预后的关系以及足月小样儿的预防措施。结果：95例中阴道分娩77．89％(74／95)，剖宫产22．11％(21／95)。羊水性状越差、新生儿体重越低、其预后就越差。95例中死亡12例(包括2例畸形儿)，占12．63％(12／95)；转院34例，占35．79(34／95)。结论：我院SGA的发生率为2．65％(95／3580)。提高产前检查的质量、积极治疗胎儿宫内发育迟缓、对高危胎儿实行宫内转运等措施都是降低足月小样儿出生率、死亡率的重要手段。