A 74-year-old man with memory loss and neuropathy who enjoys alcoholic beverages

Adverse effects of alcohol on the peripheral and central nervous system can be direct (ie, neurotoxicity) or indirect (eg, nutritional deficiency). Using the case of Mr E, an older, moderate to heavy drinker experiencing memory difficulty, the diagnostic considerations, which include mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer dementia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and "alcoholic dementia," are discussed. These disorders are not mutually exclusive, and in a patient with either mild cognitive impairment or dementia, the contributory role of alcohol can be difficult to determine. In fact, epidemiological studies suggest that mild to moderate intake of alcohol actually reduces the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia, including Alzheimer dementia. Appropriate management includes measures to reduce alcohol dependence (eg, behavioral or pharmacological therapy) and to delay progression of the cognitive impairment (eg, engaging in healthy behaviors such as cognitive leisure activities).      

固相微萃取气质联用法测定酒精饮料中氨基甲酸乙酯

目的建立顶空固相微萃取（HS—SPME）结合GC／MS分析酒精饮料中有毒污染物氨基甲酸乙酯（EC）的检测方法。方法试样中加入氘代同位素内标,萃取头采用70μm CW/DVB,2gNaCl,样品溶液pH7．0,70℃下萃取30min后。在气相色谱质谱仪进样口解析10min,DB—WAX毛细管柱气相色谱分离,选择离子监测（SIM）的质谱扫描模式进行定量分析。结果方法的线性范围在10—1000μg／L,检测限（s／N≥3）为1μg/L,定量限为10μg／L;不同基底样品中高低添加浓度的加标回收率为88．6％-94．7％,相对标准偏差值（RSD）为1．9％-3．6％。结论方法可靠、便捷且不需萃取溶剂,可全自动分析酒精饮料中氨基甲酸乙酯的含量。     

不同生理阶段乳腺乳汁淤积囊肿的声像图特点

目的:观察不同生理阶段乳腺乳汁淤积囊肿的超声声像图特点,提高乳汁淤积囊肿的超声诊断水平.方法:回顾性分析56例乳汁淤积囊肿患者的超声声像图资料,总结其声像图特征,比较乳腺不同生理阶段乳汁淤积囊肿的声像图表现.结果:哺乳期导管扩张较广泛,单纯乳汁潴留时扩大的导管内有浮动微细亮点,大片液性暗区有纤维间隔呈多房状;继发感染时脓腔可破溃,脓汁溢出.哺乳期后扩张乳管呈液性无回声或低回声,与滞留乳汁点、斑片状强回声形成混合性潴留囊肿.绝经后乳管变小,多年淤乳成干结或粉末,导管或实质内呈粗颗粒状或多条强回声带.结论:乳腺乳汁淤积声像图随乳腺生理阶段变化,与积乳时间、吸收、浓缩、干燥有关.     

Coordination of the upper-limb segments in physiological tremor with various external loads.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates coordination of the upper-limb segments with various external loads by frequency-domain analysis of physiological tremor during the maintenance of limb posture. Physiological tremor is an involuntary oscillation in every segment of a healthy human. MATERIAL/METHODS: A subject raised his right upper limb forward while extending his hand and fingers. Physiological tremor was measured by acceleration sensors attached to four segments: the index finger, hand, forearm, and upper arm. A balloon filled with helium gas was attached to the forearm as a minus-load condition. A weight band was attached as a plus-load condition. The measured signals were evaluated by frequency-domain analysis: power spectrum and coherence spectrum. RESULTS: The amplitude of upper-limb tremor measured from the four segments decreased with the minus-load and increased with the plus-load. However, the degree of the variation depended on the segment. The amplitude of upper-limb tremor measured from the forearm and the hand decreased remarkably with the minus-load, while the amplitude from the upper arm increased with the plus-load. Although adjacent segments were well coordinated, coordination between the segments varied depending on the external load. The minus-load at the forearm led to a lack of coordination between the upper arm and the forearm. To compensate for this, the movements of the forearm and the hand became coordinated. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental protocol of this study allowed implementing a method to estimate the physiological modification of the neuromuscular system under a hypo-gravitational environment.     

MicroRNA-125的生理功能及其在疾病中的作用

MicroRNAs（miRNAs）是一类小的非编码RNA分子,其可以在转录后水平调节基因表达。miR-125是在不同种属生物中高度保守的miRNA。miR-125家族的成员已经被证实能够在多种不同类型的疾病中表达改变,并调控疾病的发生。此外,miR-125在免疫宿主防御,尤其是在对细菌或病毒的感染中起到至关重要的作用。本文着重总结了miR-125家族的生理功能以及其在肿瘤以及免疫系统疾病、造血系统恶性疾病、心血管疾病中的作用,也讨论了miRNA家族在未来作为生物标志物和治疗靶点的发展前景。     

Caffeine content of beverages as consumed.

Quantitative analysis of beverages prepared at home by staff of the Addiction Research Foundation revealed a lower and much more variable caffeine content of both tea and coffee than had been reported in earlier studies, most of which were based on analysis of laboratory-prepared beverages. Median caffeine concentration of 37 home-prepared samples of tea was 27 mg per cup (range, 8 to 91 mg); for 46 coffee samples the median concentration was 74 mg per cup (range, 29 to 176 mg). If tea and coffee as drunk contain less caffeine than generally supposed, the potency of caffeine may be greater than commonly realized, as may the relative caffeine content of certain commercial preparations, including chocolate and colas. The substantial variation in caffeine content emphasizes the need to establish actual caffeine intake in clinical, epidemiologic and experimental investigations of caffeine effects.     

In vitro study on dental erosion provoked by various beverages using electron probe microanalysis

Tooth erosion is often based on chemical processes, among others the use of soft drinks or diverse beverages. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyse the erosive potential of different acidic beverages. Over a time span of 6 hours, dental slices (n=6 slices per tooth) from fully retained wisdom teeth were incubated with different beverages (coca cola, ice tea with lemon, apple juice and white wine). The controls were incubated with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution under the same conditions (37 degrees C, humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air). The quantitative elementary analysis for calcium, phosphorus, oxygen and other trace elements in the dental slices in various depths ranging from 5 to 50 microm was carried out using an electron probe micro-analyser (Jeol JXA 8900RL). A beverage-induced loss of minerals, particularly of the 2 main components calcium and phosphorus, especially in the uppermost layers of the enamel down to a depth of 30 microm could be observed. In the depth of 10 microm, the following total mineral loss could be determined: white wine (16%), coca cola (14.5%), apple juice (6.5%) and ice tea with lemon (6.5%). A direct correlation between the loss of minerals and the pH value of the beverages was not observed, because of the buffering effect of the drinks. The conversion of the weight percentages from the chemical analysis of Ca and P to their atomic percentages showed that during erosion the 2 main components were not dissolved in significantly different percentages. In this study the erosive potential of the tested soft drinks and other beverages could be demonstrated. However, it must be considered that numerous modifying factors influence the enamel surface, so an extrapolation from the in vitro study to an in vivo situation can only be applied with caution.     

凯西莱治疗酒精性肝病18例疗效观察

目的观察凯西莱治疗酒精性肝病的疗效。方法36例酒精性肝病患者随机分为A组(治疗组)和B组(对照组),分别用门冬氨酸钾镁和凯西莱治疗,疗程均为45天。结果治疗组总有效率83%,与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05),治疗组症状缓解率明显高于对照组(P<0.05),治疗组ALT、AST、GGT下降幅度明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论凯西莱治疗酒精性肝病疗效较好,优于门冬氨酸钾镁。     

蜂胶对慢性酒精性肝损伤的保护作用及其机制研究

目的探讨蜂胶对慢性酒精性肝损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法雄性SD大鼠30只,随机分为对照组、模型组、蜂胶组各10只。对照组用生理盐水灌胃,模型组用56％红星二锅头灌胃,蜂胶组在模型组的基础上同时给予蜂胶1．0g·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃,共12w。12w后处死大鼠,测定大鼠血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）和肝组织超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）和丙二醛（MDA）的活性。结果（1）血清ALT、AST水平：模型组的AST、ALT水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）,蜂胶组的AST、ALT水平显著低于模型组（P〈0．05）;（2）肝组织SOD、MDA水平：模型组SOD活性较对照组显著降低（P〈0．05）,蜂胶组SOD活性较模型组显著升高（P〈0．05）;模型组肝组织MDA含量显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）,蜂胶组MDA含量显著低于模型组（P〈0．05）。结论蜂胶能通过增强肝组织清除氧自由基的能力,降低肝组织脂质过氧化反应而对慢性酒精性肝损伤产生保护作用。     

肾上腺脊髓神经病变的感觉运动功能和轴突完整性

背景：肾上腺脊髓神经病变（AMN）的主要表现是步态异常和感觉运动障碍。然而，AMN与全身损伤和神经解剖学改变之间的关系尚不清楚。目的：了解感觉运动损伤如何导致活动障碍，并分析上述损伤如何与轴突完整性的特定指标相关。设计：对损伤进行评估的横断面研究，其中包括振动感、力量、痉挛状态以及步行和平衡的全面指标。测量各向异性分数以评估对应脑干束的完整性。受试者：AMN男性患者及健康对照受试者。结果：出现感觉缺失的受试者仅仅表现为轻微步行障碍，力量和感觉缺失导致患者步行缓慢，并且膝盖不能控制；增强的痉挛状态导致躯干运动过度和膝盖弯曲姿势（屈膝）。臀部力量是AMN患者步行速度的独立预测因素。感觉缺失受试者仅在站立平衡试验中出现较大的摇摆幅度，合并其他损伤时的摇摆幅度并不加大。摇摆幅度、拇趾振动感和脊柱各向异性分数之间无明显相关性。AMN患者的脑干各向异性分数与损伤呈显著负相关。提示AMN患者所有脊髓束的完整性都与感觉运动异常有关。结论：损伤指标包括步行和平衡的特异性异常，可被用于指导AMN患者的康复治疗。特异性脊髓束磁共振成像指标（如各向异性分数，用以评估结构功能关系）能明显反映AMN的严重程度。     

有机硒对大鼠酒精性肝纤维化防护作用

【目的】观察有机硒对酒精性肝纤维化的防护作用。【方法】大鼠随机分组后以白酒、橄榄油、吡唑的灌胃方法建立动物模型,研究有机硒对模型的防护作用。【结果】成功建立了大鼠早期肝纤维化动物模型,在给予有机硒预防和治疗的3组大鼠中SOD活性显著升高,与对照组和模型组差异极为显著(P<0.01),同时MDA含量明显低于模型组(P<0.05)。【结论】有机硒预先、同时灌胃均可以对肝细胞产生保护效应,有防止纤维化的发生,预先给予有机硒对酒精性肝纤维化具有明显的防护作用。     

白桦脂醇对大鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护作用

目的：观察白桦脂醇对大鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法：将SD大鼠随机分为6组,正常组和酒精性肝病（ALD）模型组、白桦脂醇低、中、高剂量组和阳性药物（益肝灵片）对照组。采用白酒灌胃的方法建立大鼠酒精性肝病模型后,白桦脂醇各剂量组(10、20 和40 mg•kg^-1•d^-1)灌胃15 d, 阳性药物对照组给予益肝灵片(含水 飞蓟宾100 mg•kg^-1•d^-1)灌胃15 d后,禁食12 h处死大鼠,检测各组大鼠血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、γ-谷氨酰基转移酶（GGT）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（CHO)、高密度脂蛋白（HDL）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL)以及血清、肝匀浆中甘油三酯（TG)水平,同时做肝脏的病理切片观察。结果：与正常对照组比较,ALD模型组的大鼠血清ALT、AST、ALP、GGT活性和TG、CHO、LDL含量均明显升高(P<0.01)/DL的含量明显降低(P<0.01);血清、肝组织匀浆TG含量明显升高;肝组织病理损伤严重,肝小叶结构紊乱,肝细胞索消失,细胞肿胀,呈气球样变,胞质内可见大小不一、数量不等的脂滴。中、高剂量白桦脂醇能明显地降低ALD大鼠血清中ALT、AST、ALP、GGT活性和TG、CHO含量,且显著降低血清、肝组织中TG含量,与ALD模型组比较差异均具有显著性（P<0.01）;高剂量白桦脂醇还能明显地改善由酒精引起的肝组织脂肪样变和坏死,与阳性药物对照组结果类似。结论：高剂量白桦脂醇对酒精性肝损伤有明显的保护作用,其作用机制可能为抗氧化、清除自由基代谢产物,抑制脂质过氧化反应;调节血脂、减少脂肪在肝脏的沉积。     

野菊花总黄酮对酒精性脂肪肝大鼠的防治作用

目的 探讨野菊花总黄酮(TFC)对大鼠酒精性脂肪性肝的防治作用及部分机制.方法 以酒精联合脂肪乳剂灌胃,每天2次,连续6周,制备大鼠酒精性脂肪性肝模型.TFC(84、168、336 mg/kg)组和凯西莱组同时灌服相应药物.于实验第6周末采血,检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆固醇(T...     

Effect of Pre-treatment of α-Ketoglutarate on Cyanide-induced Toxicity and Alterations in Various Physiological Variables in Rodents

Objective To investigate the effects of pre-treatment of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on cyanide-induced lethality and changes in various physiological parameters in rodents. Methods The LD50 of potassium cyanide (KCN) given orally (po), intraperitoneally (ip), subcutaneously (sc) or intravenously (iv) was determined in male mice, in the presence or absence α-KG given po, ip or iv. α-KG was administered 10, 20 or 40 min prior to KCN at 0.50, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg by po or ip route, and at 0.10, 0.20 or 0.40 g/kg by iv route. Protection index (PI) was calculated as the ratio of LD50 of KCN in the presence of α-KG (protected animals) and LD50 of KCN in the absence of α-KG (unprotected animals). In a separate experiment, several physiological variables viz. mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), neuromuscular transmission (NMT) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured in anesthetized female rats pre-treated (-10 min) with po (2.0 g/kg) or iv (0.125 g/kg) α-KG and then administered sub-lethal (0.75 LD50) or lethal (2.0, 4.0 or 8.0 LD50) doses of KCN (po). Results PI of 4.52, 6.40 and 7.60 at -10 min, 3.20, 5.40 and 6.40 at -20 min, and 1.40, 3.20 and 5.40 at -40 min of po administration with α-KG was observed for 0.50, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg doses, respectively, against KCN given by po route. When KCN was given ip, a PI of 3.38, 4.79 and 5.70 was observed for 0.50, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg α-KG given ip (-10 min), respectively. A lower PI of 3.37, 2.83 and 2.38 was observed when KCN given sc was challenged by 2.0 g/kg α-KG given ip at -10, -20 or -40 min, respectively. Similarly, a PI of 3.37, 2.83 and 2.0 was noted when KCN given sc was antagonized by 2.0 g/kg α-KG given po at -10, -20 or -40 min, respectively. No appreciable protection was observed when lower doses of α-KG (ip or po) challenged KCN given by sc route. Pre-treatment of iv or po administration of α-KG did not afford any protection against KCN given po or iv route. Oral treatment of 0.75 LD50 KCN caused significant decrease in MAP and HR after 15 min, RR after 30 min and NMT after 60 min. There was no effect on RT. No reduction in MAP, HR, RR and RT was observed when rats received 2.0 or 4.0 LD50 KCN after pre-treatment of α-KG (po; 2.0 g/kg). However, no protection was observed on NMT. Protective efficacy of α-KG was not observed on MAP, HR, RR, and NMT decreased by 8.0 LD50 KCN. Decrease in MAP and NMT caused by 2.0 LD50 KCN (po) was resolved by iv administration of α-KG. Conclusions Cyanide antagonism by α-KG is best exhibited when both α-KG and KCN are given by po route. The protective effect of α-KG on cyanide-induced changes in several physiological parameters also indicates a promising role of α-KG as an alternative cyanide antidote.