Antidiabetic activity of Helicteres angustifolia root

Context The root of Helicteres angustifolia L. (Sterculiaceae) has been used as folk herbal drug to treat cancer, bacterial infections, inflammatory, and flu in China. However, there is no report on its antidiabetic activity.

Objective This study evaluates the antidiabetic activity of ethanol extract from H. angustifolia root.

Materials and methods The promoting effect of H. angustifolia root ethanol extract (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL) on glucose uptake was evaluated using HepG2 cell, differentiated C2C12 myotubes, and differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The antidiabetic activity of the extract was assessed in vivo using STZ-induced diabetic rats by orally administration of the extract (200 and 400?mg/kg b.w.) once per day for 28 d. Blood glucose, TG, TC, TP, HDL-C, UA, BUN, AST, ALT, insulin, and HOMA-IR were analyzed.

Results The results showed that the extract increased glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes with an IC₅₀ value of 79.95 and 135.96 μg/mL, respectively. And about 12%, 19%, and 10% (p < 0.05) in HepG2 cells when compared with the control at the concentration of 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. After 28 days’ treatment with the extract, significant reduction was observed in blood glucose, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, UA, BUN, AST, and ALT levels, while the levels of TP and HDL cholesterol increased.

Discussion and conclusion These results suggest that H. angustifolia root ethanol extract possess potent antidiabetic activity, which is the first report on antidiabetic activity of this plant.     

Additional bedtime H2‐receptor antagonist for the control of nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough: A Cochrane systematic review

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of additional bedtime H₂‐receptor antagonists (H₂RAs) in suppressing nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough (NAB) via a systematic review. METHODS: Eligible trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1966–June 2004), EMBASE (January 1980–June 2004) and CINAHL (January 1982–June 2004). Additional hand‐searching was conducted on the proceedings of correlated conferences, eight important Chinese journals and references of all included trials. All randomized controlled trials evaluating H₂RAs for the control of NAB were eligible for inclusion. The systematic review was conducted using methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration. RESULTS: Only two randomized crossover studies, comprising 32 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Because the design, dosage and duration of the treatments were different between the studies, it was not possible to conduct meta‐analysis. There were no consistent conclusions found between the two included studies in evaluating H₂RAs for the control of NAB. CONCLUSIONS: No implications for practice at this stage can be concluded. Appropriately designed large‐scale randomized controlled trials with long‐term follow up are needed to determine the effects of additional bedtime H₂RAs in suppressing NAB.     

Pulmonary Lophomonas blattarum infection in patients with kidney allograft transplantation

The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical manifestation and management of pulmonary Lophomonas blattarum infection in four allograft transplantation recipients retrospectively. Four patients with pulmonary L. blattarum infection were diagnosed by using Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) examination. Their clinical manifestation and management are summarized. Four cases of pulmonary L. blattarum were found during the period from the second month to the third month after transplantation. Concurring infection by other pathogens was found in three of them. Common initial symptoms included fever (>38 degrees C) without cough and breathlessness. Lower lobe shadowing could be found on chest X-ray. Body temperature decreased to the normal range in three patients and to 37.5 degrees C in the other one, after intravenous injection of metronidazole and tapering immunosuppressant. Radiological examination confirmed improved health condition of the patients afterwards. Two patients received repeated FOB and only dead L. blattarum was found. Pulmonary L. blattarum infection in allograft transplant recipients carry relatively obscure initial symptoms. Possible L. blattarum infection needs to be screened in post-transplantation pulmonary infection patients with similar symptoms, especially in those who respond poorly to anti-infection treatment. Microscopic examination of BAL fluid can help to identify pulmonary L. blattarum infection and metronidazole is an ideal treatment choice.     

腰椎管狭窄症术后下肢残留麻木的发生率及影响因素

[目的]探讨腰椎管狭窄症术后下肢残留麻木的发生率和影响因素。[方法]2001年1月～2003年2月手术治疗56例腰椎管狭窄症患者，术后随访10d，1、3个月、1年和2年，记录患者神经功能和残留症状。[结果]术前82．1％的患者有下肢麻木，术后10d，1、3个月、1年和2年分别有43．6％、39．I％、36．6％、35．3％和35．7％的患者下肢残留麻木，与病程、术前JOA评分和椎管狭窄类型有关，与年龄和神经根直径无关。[结论]腰椎管狭窄症患者术后1个月内下肢麻木恢复最快，术后1年和2年下肢麻木发生率为35．3％和35．7％，推测神经组织的潜在恢复能力影响下肢麻木的发生率。     

深化工科物理教学改革培养创新型人才

分析近年来国内高校教育形式的变化，肯定扎实学生基础、培养创新型人才的重要性，结合多年来在工科物理教改中的探索经验和初步成果，提出了深化工科物理教学改革、培养创新型人才的思路和实现途径。     

东南欧国家旋毛虫病的流行现状

旋毛虫病在东南欧的巴尔干半岛及临近国家的流行现状各不相同,在保加利亚、塞尔维亚和黑山、罗马尼亚及克罗地亚,猪和人的旋毛虫感染率均较高;在波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那则具有中度的旋毛虫感染率;在匈牙利已有多年未发现人体旋毛虫病,但近2年来已发现了散发的猪旋毛虫病。旋毛虫病在东南欧国家的再度肆虐,提示旋毛虫病能够突破食品安全体系和兽医检疫的薄弱环节,从而可导致地区性、全国性甚至国际性的旋毛虫病扩散。该文对旋毛虫病在东南欧国家的历史、分布、流行现状、感染来源、虫种及再度肆虐的原因等进行了综述。