NICE’s recent guidelines on “the size of your waist” unfairly penalizes shorter people

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has just released its latest guidelines to assess and predict health risk, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease. Their latest advice is “Keep the size of your waist to less than half of your height”. We believe this advice is flawed and will seriously and unfairly penalize shorter people and lull taller people into a false sense of security. In this short communication, we provide this evidence. We consider this a serious oversight by NICE and feel strongly that this evidence needs to be made available in the public domain.     

左卡尼汀联合重组人促红素注射液治疗规律透析慢性肾功能衰竭合并贫血患者的临床效果

目的探究左卡尼汀联合重组人促红素注射液治疗规律透析慢性肾功能衰竭合并贫血患者的临床效果。方法选择2017年1月至2020年1月收治的100例规律透析慢性肾功能衰竭合并贫血患者,以计算机随机化法将其分为对照组和试验组,每组50例。对照组给予重组人促红素注射液治疗,试验组给予左卡尼汀与重组人促红素注射液联合治疗。比较两组患者的治疗效果。结果试验组的治疗总有效率为96.00%,高于对照组的80.00%(P<0.05);治疗后,两组患者的MCHC、MCH、MCV、SF、Hb、RBC水平均高于治疗前,且试验组高于对照组(P<0.05);两组患者的不良反应总发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论规律透析慢性肾功能衰竭合并贫血患者接受左卡尼汀与重组人促红素注射液联合治疗,可获得较好的效果,改善贫血相关生化指标水平,且不良反应发生率低,安全有效。     

正电子放射性药物自动分装注射系统的设计与测试

目的 设计研发新型正电子放射性药物自动分装注射系统,以实现精准药物活度注射,简化注射流程,降低职业照射。方法 选择钨合金作为屏蔽材料,采用基于单片机控制步进电机驱动技术,设计机械驱动模块、管路系统、控制软件。制作设备及相关配套装置。测量防护效能和性能。结果 自动分装注射放射性药物时间约60 s,设备50次稳定性测试空白试验的成功率100%。系统整体注射活度的分装误差≤3%;设备箱体屏蔽40 mmPb,台面屏蔽60 mmPb,隔离防护屏蔽15 mmPb,内置钨合金原液罐50 mmPb。距离运行中设备30 cm处平均剂量率为1.44 μSv/h。操作人员肢端辐射剂量较使用注射器防护套注射操作降低99%以上。结论 自动分装注射系统操作简便,分装精度高,重复性好,防护安全,达到设计功能和放射防护要求。     

Matrine,oxymatrine, and compound Kushen injection from the roots of Sophora flavescens: an overview of their anticancer activities

In the present review, we updated current information on the chemistry, contents, and anticancer properties of matrine (MT), oxymatrine (OMT), and compound Kushen injection (CKI). The anticancer properties were focused on lung, breast, and liver cancer cells because they are most susceptible. Sources of information were from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubChem, J-Stage, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Reference was also made on botanical websites, such as Flora of China and World Flora Online. MT and OMT are dominant quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) of the family Fabaceae. Against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, MT and OMT inhibit cell proliferation; induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy; restrict angiogenesis; and inhibit cell metastasis, invasion, and migration. The processes involve various molecular targets and signaling pathways. CKI is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) composed of root extracts of S. flavescens and Smilax glabra (Baituling) of the family Smilacaceae. With MT and OMT as major components, CKI has been approved for the treatment of cancer in China more than 20 years ago. In recent years, systematic reviews and meta-analysis have been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of CKI. When CKI is used alone and in combination with chemotherapy of western medicine, there is much to be learned concerning their interactions besides their individual and integrated efficacy. Some perspectives of MT, OMT, and CKI are discussed, and their suggestions for future research are provided.