乙酸盐预处理对MPTP诱导亚急性帕金森病小鼠的神经保护作用

目的 初步探索乙酸盐(Ace)对1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)诱导亚急性帕金森病小鼠的神经保护作用及可能机制.方法 将24只小鼠随机分为对照组、MPTP组、MPTP+Ace组,每组8只,对照组和MPTP组饮用正常饮用水,MPTP+Ace组饮用水中添加1 mol/L Ace,连续7 d后,MPT...     

帕金森病小鼠模型行为学检测方法的比较研究

目的比较目前常用的5种帕金森病(PD)小鼠模型行为学检测方法在PD研究中的作用。方法用MPTP建立C57BL小鼠PD模型,通过行为学检测(自主活动计数、滚轴实验、游泳实验、爬杆实验、悬挂实验)、免疫组织化学和荧光分光光度法,对比5种行为学检测方法的平均数与变异系数,观察MPTP对PD小鼠模型的行为学、黑质多巴胺(DA)神经元和纹状体酪氨酸羟化酶免疫反应阳性(TH-ir)神经纤维以及纹状体DA水平的影响。结果给与MPTP后,小鼠行为学计数降低,爬杆实验未能得到检测结果,悬挂实验变异系数很高,结果有明显的偶然性,滚轴实验结果变异系数中等,平均数呈现一定的上升趋势,自主活动计数中移动与站立和游泳实验的平均数则呈现明显的下降趋势,变异系数很低,而黑质DA神经元数目减少约58%,纹状体TH-ir神经纤维密度减低,纹状体DA水平明显降低约88%,两组相比差异有显著性(P<0.01)。结论MPTP所致的C57BL小鼠的神经病理、生化改变与PD患者近似,自主活动计数和游泳实验优于其他行为学检测方法。     

不同手术方式治疗创伤性踝关节炎临床疗效对比

目的 分析比较3种不同手术方式治疗创伤性踝关节炎的临床疗效,旨在为临床治疗提供理论依据。方法 选取本院2011年1月～2013年4月收治的90例创伤性踝关节炎患者,按照不同治疗方式将患者分为3组,每组30例,分别采用人工全踝关节置换术（踝关节置换组）和踝关节融合外架固定术（踝关节融合外架固定组）、踝关节融合内固定术（踝关节融合内固定组）。踝关节置换组患者平均随访时间为（34.56±3.42）个月,踝关节融合外架固定组患者平均随访时间为（33.14±3.26）个月,踝关节融合内固定组患者平均随访时间为（36.78±4.57）个月。观察比较3组患者术前、术后AOFAS踝 后足评分、术后生活质量改善情况以及早期临床疗效。结果 3组患者在年龄、性别、随访时间、体重指数（BMI）、术前活动度等临床资料比较无差异（P>0.05）,但踝关节置换组术后踝关节活动度较术前明显改善（P<0.05）;术前3组患者AOFAS踝后足评分比较无差异（P>0.05）,术后3组患者AOFAS踝 后足评分均有升高,但踝关节置换组AOFAS踝 后足评分明显高于踝关节融合外架固定组及踝关节融合内固定组（均P<0.05）,而踝关节融合外架固定组及踝关节融合内固定组间AOFAS踝 后足评分比较无差异（P>0.05）;术前3组患者SF-36评分比较无差异（P>0.05）,术后3组患者SF-36评分均有升高,但踝关节置换组SF-36评分明显高于踝关节融合外架固定组与踝关节融合内固定组（均P<0.05）,而踝关节融合外架固定组与踝关节融合内固定组间SF-36评分比较无差异（P>0.05）;创伤性踝关节炎术后都存在一定的并发症,主要包括骨不连、假体松动、浅深部感染、对位对线不良等,踝关节置换组并发症发生率为20.00%,踝关节融合外架固定组并发症发生率为26.67%,踝关节融合内固定组并发症发生率为26.67%,3组并发症发生率比较无差异（P>0.05）。结论 采用人工全踝关节置换术治疗创伤性踝关节炎比踝关节融合术疗效更好,能更快地改善患者的生活质量,且没有增加患者术后并发症的发生率,可在临床推广应用。     

Frequency-specific Alterations of Large-scale Functional Brain Networks in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Background:

Previous studies have indicated that the cognitive deficits in patients with Alzheimer''s disease (AD) may be due to topological deteriorations of the brain network. However, whether the selection of a specific frequency band could impact the topological properties is still not clear. Our hypothesis is that the topological properties of AD patients are also frequency-specific.

Methods:

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 10 right-handed moderate AD patients (mean age: 64.3 years; mean mini mental state examination [MMSE]: 18.0) and 10 age and gender-matched healthy controls (mean age: 63.6 years; mean MMSE: 28.2) were enrolled in this study. The global efficiency, the clustering coefficient (CC), the characteristic path length (CpL), and “small-world” property were calculated in a wide range of thresholds and averaged within each group, at three different frequency bands (0.01–0.06 Hz, 0.06–0.11 Hz, and 0.11–0.25 Hz).

Results:

At lower-frequency bands (0.01–0.06 Hz, 0.06–0.11 Hz), the global efficiency, the CC and the “small-world” properties of AD patients decreased compared to controls. While at higher-frequency bands (0.11–0.25 Hz), the CpL was much longer, and the “small-world” property was disrupted in AD, particularly at a higher threshold. The topological properties changed with different frequency bands, suggesting the existence of disrupted global and local functional organization associated with AD.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that the topological alterations of large-scale functional brain networks in AD patients are frequency dependent, thus providing fundamental support for optimal frequency selection in future related research.     

Frequency of cognitive impairment and depression in Parkinson's disease: A preliminary case-control study

Background:

This study aimed to determine the frequency of cognitive impairment and depression in our Parkinson''s Disease (PD) and their relationship with disease severity and disability.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 40 PD patients and 40 age-, sex-, and educationally matched controls were studied. The Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Motor and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores and the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stage were documented. Depression was assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), while cognition was evaluated using a composite score of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and category fluency score.

Results:

A total of 55% (22/40) of PD and 10% (4 of 40) of controls had depression (P<0.001). A total of 60% of PD (24/40) and 5% of controls (2/40) had cognitive impairment (P<0.001). Both NMS coexisted in 16 of 40 PD (40%) compared with none of the controls (P<0.001). UPDRS (motor and ADL) scores and HY stage were significantly worse with impaired ZSDS scores - P 0.001. UPDRS ADL was significantly impaired by the presence of cognitive impairment. Coexisting depression and cognitive impairment were associated with significant worsening of all scores of severity and disability.

Conclusion:

Cognitive impairment and depression accompany our PD and are related to disability and worsening disease severity.     

The role of surgery for pancreatic cancer: a 12-year review of patient outcome

Introduction

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with <5% alive at 5 years, despite active surgical treatment. The study aim was to review patients undergoing pancreatic resection and assess the effect of clinical and pathological parameters on survival.

Patients and methods

All patients who had undergone radical pancreatic surgery, January 1996 to December 2008, were identified from the unit database. Additional information was retrieved from the patient records. The demographic, clinical, and pathological records were recorded using Microsoft Excel. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and predictors of survival determined by multinominal logistic regression and log rank test.

Results

126 patients were identified from the database. The majority (106) had a Whipple''s procedure, 14 had a distal pancreatectomy and 6 had local periampullary excision. The average age of the Whipple''s group of patients was 61.7 years (± 11.7) with most procedures performed for malignancy (n=100). Survival was worse with adenocarcinoma compared to all other pathologies (p=0.013), while periampullary tumours had a better prognosis compared to other locations (p=0.019). Survival decreased with poorer differentiation (p=0.001), increasing pT (p<0.001) and pN stage (p<0.001). Survival was worse with perineural (p=0.04) or lymphovascular invasion (p=0.05). A microscopic postive resection margin (R1) was associated with a worse survival (p=0.007). Tumour differentiation (p=0.001) and positive nodal status (p<0.001) were found to be independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

Tumour differentiation and nodal status are important predictors of outcome. A positive resection margin is associated with a poorer survival.     

Management of thyroid disorders

Autoimmune thyroid disease is the predominant form of thyroid dysfunction in the developed world. Although its precise cause is currently unclear, principles of management have been established. There is a vigorous debate about the management of the increasingly commonly recognised subclinical forms of thyroid dysfunction despite recent recommendations. Nodular thyroid disease and thyroid carcinoma have received wide attention. The effects of drugs and pregnancy on thyroid function have also been investigated widely. This short review attempts to give an overview and clarify the current management of common thyroid disorders.     

Asthma increase among farmers: a 12-year follow-up

Respiratory disease is a well known health hazard for farmers, but the long-term prognosis is less well known. This is a 12-year follow-up of an investigation of Swedish farmers, most of them dairy farmers. A questionnaire was mailed to all 418 farmers who were alive of the farmers originally participating in 1982. They were invited to an interview, spirometry, and blood sampling. Ninety-one per cent (380) of the farmers, 321 men and 59 women, responded to the questionnaire. The mean age was 56 years for the men and 55 years for the women. Of the group, 10% were smokers, 25% ex-smokers, and 65% had never smoked. The population estimate for asthma in the farmers was 8.9% in 1994 compared to 2% in 1982, and to 5.4%–6.6% in the general population in the region in 1982. Of the asthmatic subjects, one-third had positive RAST tests (radioallergosorbent tests). Almost 90% of the new onset asthma cases since 1982 had non-IgE-mediated asthma. Most of the IgE-mediated asthmatics had had symptoms for many years, while 70% of the non-IgE-mediated asthmatic farmers had no or only wheezing with colds 1982. Two new cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis were identified, and 7.3% had experienced inhalation fever during the last 12 years. In general, individuals with asthma and chronic bronchitis who had left farming were in better health in 1994 as compared to 1982. In conclusion, farmers have an enhanced risk to develop asthma increasing with age. Asthma in farmers is often non-IgE-mediated.     

Modifications to Norman's procedure for hypermobility of the TMJ

Background

Norman''s procedure is a well known surgical technique for the hypermobility of temporomandibular joint. In this procedure after performing glenotemporal osteotomy the augmentation of the zygomatic root of the temporal bone is done by placing a bone graft from the iliac crest to prevent forward movement of the condyle beyond the eminence. This paper describes the clinical outcome of two modifications added to Norman''s procedure. In addition to the conventional procedure inferiorly based pedicled flap from the temporal fascia was sutured to the antero-lateral aspect of the capsule. Intraorally pterygoid disjunction was carried out only in those case in which hypermobility was associated with painful temporomandibular joint disorder.

Methods

Modified Norman’s procedure was performed in 10 patients (4 females & 6 males), 7 of them were bilateral and 3 cases were unilateral under general anesthesia.

Results

After one year follow up in none of the cases graft failed or rejected though recurrence along with TMJ pain was noticed in 2 cases.

Conclusion

This technique is versatile but long-term follow up on a larger number of patients is necessary to be able to draw definitive conclusions.     

Investigation of Urination Disorder in Parkinson's Disease

Background:

Urination disorders are common in Parkinson''s disease (PD) and respond poorly to medication. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for urination disorders in PD.

Methods:

Ninety-one patients with PD (aged 34–83 years old) were recruited. Patients were assessed with the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr stage, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Micturition number was recorded, and Type B ultrasound was used to evaluate residual urine. Statistics was performed using binary logistic regression, bivariate correlations, and Chi-square and t-tests.

Results:

Of 91 patients, urinary dysfunction occurred in 55.0%. Among these, 49.5% suffered with nocturia, 47.3% with pollakiuria. Nocturia number had a positive linear relationship with HAMA score (odds ratio [OR] = 0.340, P = 0.001), HAMD score (OR = 0.323, P = 0.002), duration of L-dopa medication (OR = 0.328, P = 0.001), dose of L-dopa (OR = 0.273, P = 0.009), UPDRS-II (OR = 0.402, P = 0.000), UPDRS-III score (OR = 0.291, P = 0.005), and PSQI score (OR = 0.249, P = 0.017). Micturition number over 24 h was positively associated with HAMA (OR = 0.303, P = 0.004) and UPDRS-II scores (OR = 0.306, P = 0.003). Of patients with residual urine, 79.3% had a volume of residual urine <50 ml. Residual urine was present in 44.4% of the patients with nocturia, 46.5% of the patients with pollakiuria, and 80.0% of the patients with dysuria. More men than women had residual urine (35.2% male vs. 13.3% female; P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

Nocturia and pollakiuria were common micturition symptoms in our participants with PD. Nocturia was associated with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and severity of PD. Pollakiuria was associated with anxiety and severity of PD. Male patients were more prone to residual urine and pollakiuria.     

邬氏脱发方对雄激素性秃发的毛发生长周期及血液流变学的影响

目的：观察邬氏脱发方对雄激素性秃发的毛发生长周期及血液流变学的影响。方法：180例AGA患者随机分为三组,西药组予非那雄胺片口服,中药组予邬氏脱发方口服,联合组予邬氏脱发方联合非那雄胺片口服。观察比较治疗前后患者生长期头发计数情况及血黏度、红细胞压积、血沉的变化,同时评估临床疗效。结果：联合组生长期头发增量计数明显高于西药组和中药组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,西药组与中药组比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,。中药组、联合组全血黏度高切指数水平治疗后较治疗前明显下降,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,西药组治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。全血低切指数、中切指数、血浆粘度、Hct、ESR三组治疗前后比较无明显差异（P>0.05）。联合组总有效率（100%）明显优于西药组（74.1%）、中药组（77.8%）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：邬氏脱发方治疗雄激素性秃发可能是通过对毛发周期和血液流变学的改变达到治疗雄激素性秃发的目的,且邬氏脱发方联合非那雄胺治疗雄激素性发疗效更佳。     

Increased levels of anti-glycan antibodies in patients with cystic fibrosis

Background

The prevalence of Crohn''s disease (CD) is increased in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) have been suggested as a screening tool to detect CD in CF. Recently, several new anti-glycan antibodies have been reported in CD.

Materials and methods

The sera of 119 CF patients of various age groups were prospectively screened for ASCA type IgG (gASCA), anti-laminaribioside carbohydrate IgG antibodies (ALCA), anti-chitobioside carbohydrate IgA antibodies (ACCA), and anti-mannobioside carbohydrate IgG antibodies (AMCA). The frequency of these anti-glycan antibodies was then compared in patients with CD, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and healthy volunteers.

Results

A significant number of CF patients were positive for gASCA (51.3% [41.6-60.6]) and up to three other anti-glycan antibodies concurrently. Serum levels of anti-glycan antibodies in CF and CD were not related to parameters of inflammation. Despite the well-documented difference in clinical course between male and female CF patients no gender difference of anti-glycan antibodies was found. In contrast, there was a significant positive correlation between anti-glycan markers and age in CF patients.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate for the first time the increased frequency of a panel of anti-glycan antibodies in CF and provide a link between the presence of these serological biomarkers and patient''s age. Anti-glycan antibody profiling may therefore become a valuable tool in the care of patients with CF.     

Effects of Acupuncture on Alzheimer’s Disease: Evidence from Neuroimaging Studies

As the worldwide population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer''s disease (AD) increases. However, the results of promising medications have been unsatisfactory. Chinese acupuncture has a long history of treating dementia, but lack of evidence from well-designed randomized controlled trials that validate its efficacy and safety, as well as its lack of clear underlying mechanisms, contribute to its limited application in clinical practice. In recent years, brain imaging technologies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, have been used to assess brain responses to acupuncture in a dynamic, visual, and objective way. These techniques are frequently used to explore neurological mechanisms of responses to acupuncture in AD and provide neuroimaging evidence as well as starting points to elucidate the possible mechanisms. This review summarizes the existing brain imaging evidence that explains the effects of acupuncture for AD and analyzes brain responses to acupuncture at cognitive-related acupoints [Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), and Taixi (KI 3)] from perspectives of acupoint specificity and acupoint combinations. Key issues and directions to consider in future studies are also put forward. This review should deepen our understanding of how brain imaging studies can be used to explore the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in AD.     

Holistic Approach to Functional Constipation: Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine

Traditional Persian medicine (TPM) proposes a different viewpoint to the chronic diseases. Diagnosis and implemented treatment are based on individual differences among patients. Constipation or Ea''teghal-e-batn is a condition in which the patient develops difficult or painful defecation. Based on TPM concepts, the first digestion step starts from halq (oral cavity), and ends via defecation from the maq''ad (anus). Avicenna believed that four faculties, ha''zemeh (digestive), ja''zebeh (absorptive), ma''sekeh (retentive) and da''fe''eh (propulsive), are involved in the process of digestion and absorption of the ingested food and expelling the waste materials. The bowel movement and appearance of the stool is a measure for evaluating the gastrointestinal healthy function. Defecation should be with no pain and fecal material should have no burning and acuity. Low food intake or foods with dry temperament, dryness of gastrointestinal tract, diaphoresis and heavy exercise as well as intestine sensory loss were discussed as main causes of constipation. Management of constipation in TPM includes dietary schemes, oil massages and subsequently simple herbal medicines. According to TPM theories, the first step in treating a disease is the elimination of disease causes (asbab e-maraz) and also providing the causes of health (asbab-e-sehhat). Health care providers should know the proper condition which the herbal medicines should be administered in and be able to guide the patients about the benefits and hazards of herbal remedies, commonly used in their living origin.     

Sheehan's syndrome presenting as psychosis: a rare clinical presentation

Sheehan''s syndrome (SS) refers to the occurrence of varying degree of hypopituitarism after parturition (1). It is a rare cause of hypopituitarism in developed countries owing to advances in obstetric care and its frequency is decreasing worldwide. However, it is still frequent in underdeveloped and developing countries. Sheehan''s syndrome is often diagnosed late as it evolves slowly (2,3). Reports of psychoses in patients with Sheehan''s syndrome are rare. Herein, a case report of psychosis in a 31 year old woman who developed Sheehan''s syndrome preceded by postpartum haemorrhage is presented. Treatment with thyroxine and glucocorticoids resulted in complete remission after attaining euthyroid and eucortisolemic state.     

关于针对SARS的综合免疫治疗策略

采用鼻腔喷雾法(CCID50=105.7)研究了SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)对成年和幼年布氏田鼠的感染效果.成年动物攻毒后出现死亡,表现为口鼻有出血,肠道出血;肺组织呈出血性间质性肺炎改变,肝、脾、肾、胰腺组织均呈淤血性改变;存活动物肺组织呈间质性肺炎,局灶出血及肺气肿改变,其他脏器未见明显病变.幼年动物攻毒后未见死亡但行动较为迟缓,主要脏器未见明显异常;早期肺组织有局限性肺炎改变,且病毒分离为阳性;同居对照组的一只动物有肺组织局灶性肺炎.结果表明,SARS-CoV可以很强地感染布氏田鼠;成年布氏田鼠比幼年动物对SARS-CoV更敏感;布氏田鼠有望成为一种比较理想的小型SARS动物模型。     

A clinical report of entangled neonates' umbilical cord with queen's fur in Persian cat

A 3-year-old Persian queen was referred to Teaching Veterinary Hospital while 3 neonates'' umbilical cords were entangled with the queen''s tail hair. Close inspection of the cat showed that the umbilical cords of 3 kittens had twisted around together and entangled with the moms'' hairs in the base of tail region. Also this complex has been warped around the left tarsus of one of the involved kittens and caused swelling and skin darkness in the involved limb. Operation was carried out urgently. After cutting the queen''s involved hairs the kittens were released. Then the twisted umbilical cords and the hairs were isolated from the umbilical cord and the involved leg was released from the umbilical cords and the twisted umbilical cords were separated from each other. During one week follow up, dry gangrene occurred in the distal extremity of the injured limb and consequently, amputation was performed on the distal part of tibia. Our clinical findings suggest that long hair coats of queens could be a maternal life threatening factor for neonates'' life.     

Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups and the Risk of Sporadic Parkinson's Disease in Han Chinese

Background:

Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson''s disease (PD). However, the precise role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations is obscure. On the other hand, mtDNA haplogroups have been inconsistently reported to modify the risk of PD among different population. Here, we try to explore the relationship between mtDNA haplogroups and sporadic PD in a Han Chinese population.

Methods:

Nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which define the major Asian mtDNA haplogroups (A, B, C, D, F, G), were detected via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism or denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 279 sporadic PD patients and 510 matched controls of Han population.

Results:

Overall, the distribution of mtDNA haplogroups did not show any significant differences between patients and controls. However, after stratification by age at onset, the frequency of haplogroup B was significantly lower in patients with early-onset PD (EOPD) compared to the controls (odds ratio [OR] =0.225, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.082–0.619, P = 0.004), while other haplogroups did not show significant differences. After stratification by age at examination, among subjects younger than 50 years of age: Haplogroup B also showed a lower frequency in PD cases (OR = 0.146, 95% CI: 0.030–0.715, P = 0.018) while haplogroup D presented a higher risk of PD (OR = 3.579, 95% CI: 1.112–11.523, P = 0.033), other haplogroups also did not show significant differences in the group.

Conclusions:

Our study indicates that haplogroup B might confer a lower risk for EOPD and people younger than 50 years in Han Chinese, while haplogroup D probably lead a higher risk of PD in people younger than 50 years of age. In brief, particular Asian mtDNA haplogroups likely play a role in the pathogenesis of PD among Han Chinese.