Relationship of anxiety state with lymphocyte subsets and the effect of chinese medical treatment on anxiety in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective:To analyze the relationship of anxiety state with CD4~+ level and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio and to observe the effect of Chinese medicine(CM) treatment on anxiety in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients. Methods:The anxiety state of 120 CHB patients was evaluated based on Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA) scoring.According to the scores,63 patients with scores≥14 were classified to anxiety and 57 patients with scores<14 to non-anxiety.The differences in CD4~+ cells and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio between patients with anxiety and non-anxiety were analyzed.Moreover,63 patients with anxiety were randomized into two groups:31 in the control group were treated with lamivudine(100 mg per day) alone and 32 in the observation group were given equal dosage lamivudine combined with CM treatment depending on syndrome differentiation,all for 12 weeks. The effects of treatment on anxiety state and T-lymphocyte subsets as well as its impact on some CHB-related indices were observed and compared.Results:The anxiety state of CHB patients was negatively correlated with CD4~+ and CD4~+/CD8~+;the level of CD4~+ in patients with anxiety was significantly lower than that in non-anxiety patients(P<0.01 or P<0.05).After treatment,anxiety state in the observation group was significantly improved, with their HAMA scores significantly lowered(P<0.01),and the levels of CD4~+ and CD4~+/CD8~+ were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Moreover,the alanine transaminase recovery rate and the HBV-DNA-negative conversion rate in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusions:The anxiety state of CHB patients was related to CD4~+ and CD4~+/CD8~+ levels.CM treatment could improve the anxiety state and showed certain regulatory effect on the patients’ immune system.     

The influence of the total flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry on the proliferation, cell cycle, and expressions of p21Ras and proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene in erythroleukemia cell line K562

Objective:To investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry on the proliferation, cell cycle,and expressions of p21^Ras and proliferating cell nuclear antigen（PCNA） gene in erythroleukemia cell line K562.Methods:The effect of total flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry on K562 cell line survival was determined by the 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium（MTT） reduction assay.The time-and dosedependent manner was also observed.The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed with flow cytometry（FCM）. The immunocytochemistry method was applied to quantitatively analyze the effects of flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry on changes p21^Ras and PCNA gene expressions.Results:Flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry（20-100μg/mL） significantly inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.After K562 cells were cultured for 48 h,total flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry had no significant effect on the apoptosis of K562 cells but showed significantly inhibition（P<0.01）,indicating that total flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry could induce K562 cells arrested at G₀/G₁ and G₂/M phases.Compared with the control group,p21^Ras and PCNA gene expressions were decreased significantly in K562 cells treated with total flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry（40 and 80μg/mL,respectively） for 48 h.Conclusion:The inhibitory effect on proliferation of K562 cells was observed in the groups treated with flavonoids of Hedysarum polybotry,which might be related to cells arresting.     

Epidural abscess causing cauda equina syndrome

Background  

Spinal epidural abscesses are uncommon but are well documented in the literature as a serious causes of mortality and long-term neurological morbidity¹.     

The need for a national strategy for chronic pain management in Ireland

Background  

Chronic pain is defined as pain on a daily basis for more than six months.¹ It affects 13% of the Irish population.² Despite its prevalence and the impact on patient’s quality of life there is no national strategy for this problem.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis carinii</Emphasis> pneumonia in a patient on etanercept for psoriatic arthritis

Background  

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a rare form of pneumonia associated with immune-suppression. It is common in patients with AIDS and with a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm³. We report a case of PCP secondary to immune-suppression in a 41-year-old man with psoriatic arthritis being treated with the immune-modulatory agent etanercept.     

Effect of dingxin recipe on intracellular free calcium, membrane potential and mitochondria membrane potential in normal and hypoxia myocytes of rat

To elucidate the molecular mechanism on anti-arrhythmic function of Dingxin Recipe (DXR).

Methods  

Cardiac myocytes isolated by trypsin method were cultured and labeled with various fluorescence stains. DXR contained serum induced changes of cellular calcium concentration [Ca²⁺]i, cell membrane potential (MP) and mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) were determined with laser confocal microscopy.     

Clinical evaluation of immediate implants using different types of bone augmentation materials

Background

The immediate placement of implants into fresh extraction socket has proven to be a safe and predictable procedure. However, there is lack of scientific evidence regarding the healing pattern and osseointegration associated with immediate implants especially with different grafting materials.

Methods

A total of 30 patients male or female, with a mean age of 23.1 years ± 6.0 in the age group of 18–38 years, each having at least one tooth indicated for extraction (either maxillary or mandibular anterior teeth) were selected and randomly divided in to two groups. 30 Implants (Xive^® friadent, Germany) were placed into fresh extraction sockets during this study. Two types of graft materials namely Dembone^® (freeze-dried bone allograft) for group A and G-Bone^® (modified hydroxyapatite) for group B were used. After implant placement all implants were evaluated clinically and radiographically at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. All clinical and radiographic parameters were subjected to statistical analysis. Intragroup comparisons were made with paired ‘t’ test and intergroup comparisons with unpaired ‘t’ test (P > 0.05 NS, ≤0.05 S, ≤0.01 HS).

Result

During the 1-year interval, no implant was lost and the mean bone level at the implants was maintained or even improved.

Conclusion

Immediate restoration of single tooth implants placed in fresh extraction sockets could be considered a valuable option to replace a missing tooth. The graft materials used in both groups have been found to be equally effective.     

The effect of the anaesthetic agent isoflurane on the rate of neutrophil apoptosisin vitro

Background  

Volatile anaesthetic agents influence neutrophil function, and potentially, the inflammatory response to surgery.     

Perception of the risks of smoking in the general population and among general practitioners in Ireland

Background  

Data on perception of smoking risk amongst the Irish population are sparse.     

Facial nerve schwannoma of the internal auditory canal

Background  

Facial nerve schwannoma of the internal auditory canal is a very rare tumour.     

Ease of access is a principal factor in the frequency of paracetamol overdose

Background  

In Ireland, 30% of non-fatal overdoses involve paracetamol.     

The role of laparoscopy in the management of the impalpable testicle

Background  

Laparoscopy can identify patients who would benefit from further surgical intervention. Most importantly it is 100% sensitive in identifying the vanishing testicle.     

Catharanthus roseus: a natural source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles

Objective

To develop a simple rapid procedure for bioreduction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaves extracts of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus).

Methods

Characterization were determined by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction.

Results

SEM showed the formation of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 67 nm to 48 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the particles were crystalline in nature with face centered cubic geometry.

Conclusions

C. roseus demonstrates strong potential for synthesis of silver nanoparticles by rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag⁺ to Ag⁰). This study provides evidence for developing large scale commercial production of value-added products for biomedical/nanotechnology-based industries.     

Prospective,controlled assessment of the impact of formal evidence-based medicine teaching workshop on ability to appraise the medical literature

Background  

The ability to critically appraise the calibre of studies in medical literature is increasingly important for medical professionals.     

Scabies management in the community

Background  

Unidentified and undertreated cases of scabies are the source of continued spread.     

FDG-PET scanning in the management of cancer of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction: Early experience with 100 consecutive cases

Background  

The aim was to evaluate the impact of FDG-PET scan on tumour staging and management decisions in oesophageal cancer.     

Motility of the ureter of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Background  

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is a commonly used animal model of hypertension and transplantation studies provide evidence for a renal element to the aetiology of the hypertensive process.     

Primary lymphoma of the bladder: a report of three cases

Background  

Primary lymphoma of the bladder is rare and its management is an evolving field.     

Clinical evaluation of oral Fructus Bruceae oil combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of esophageal cancer

Objective  

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and side effects of oral Fructus bruceae oil combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer.     

Cardiac rehabilitation service provision in Ireland: the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation survey

Background  

The first national survey of cardiac rehabilitation services was conducted.