Growth and pubertal development in Down syndrome

Growth retardation and gonadal insufficiency are well-known features of Down syndrome. In this longitudinal study, 44 home-reared children and adolescents with Down syndrome, aged 10-24 years, living in the county of Uppsala, were followed yearly. The male patients had a mean final height above that reported previously, and a close correlation between target and final heights was found. The mean final height in the female patients was below that reported earlier. Mean peak height velocities in males and females were 8.5 and 7.3 cm year^-1, respectively, significantly lower than in healthy children. The mean ages at peak height velocity were 12.3 and 10.8 years, respectively, indicating early growth spurts. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, the small testes and the negative correlation between luteinizing hormone and testicular volume in the males may indicate some primary gonadal insufficiency. For the girls, mean menarcheal age corresponded closely to that of their mothers.     

Perioperative haemodynamic effects of an intravenous infusion of calcium chloride in children following cardiac surgery

Murdoch IA, Qureshi SA, Huggon IC. Perioperative haemodynamic effects of an intravenous infusion of calcium chloride in children following cardiac surgery. Acta Pzdiatr 1994;83:658–61. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5253
Twelve children received an infusion of 10% calcium chloride 0.1 ml/kg to a maximum dose of 5 ml, infused over 5 min, following open heart surgery. Blood ionized calcium, systemic arterial pH, cardiac index, mean systemic arterial blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance index were measured at baseline and repeated 20 and 40 min following completion of the infusion. There was considerable overlap, with no significant differences in the response to the calcium chloride infusion between children with ionized hypocalcaemia (< 1.1 mmol/l) and those with ionized normocalcaemia when its effect on percentage change in either the haemodynamic or biochemical measurements was assessed ( p>0.2 for all measurements; Mann-Whitney). For this reason they were treated as a single group. Significant changes from baseline were noted in mean systemic arterial pressure (p 10.02), cardiac index (p<0.01) and systemic vascular resistance index (p<0.01) after completion of the calcium chloride infusion when analysed using Friedman's two-way analysis of variance. A significant increase in mean systemic arterial blood pressure occurs after an infusion of 10% calcium chloride as a direct result of an increase in the systemic vascular resistance index with a concomitant decrease in cardiac index.     

自拟地仲骨坚汤联合碳酸钙D3+骨化三醇治疗OP肾虚血瘀证的临床疗效

目的 探讨自拟地仲骨坚汤联合碳酸钙D3+骨化三醇治疗骨质疏松症（OP）肾虚血瘀证的临床疗效。 方法 采用简单随机数字表及随机数余数分组法将2020年5月~2021年5月凉山彝族自治州第二人民医院收治的172例肾虚血瘀证OP患者分为联合组与对照组,每组86例。 对照组患者采用口服碳酸钙D3+骨化三醇治疗,联合组患者在对照组基础上联合使用自拟地仲骨坚汤治疗,两组患者均治疗3个月。〖KG-*6〗比较两组患者临床疗效,治疗前、治疗3个月后中医证候积分（腰背刺痛、腰膝酸软、下肢痿弱、步履艰难）、骨代谢标志物［骨钙素（BGP）、骨碱性磷酸酶（BALP）、Ⅰ型胶原C端肽（CTX-Ⅰ）、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶5b（TRACP-5b）］及不同部位骨密度（BMD）（股骨颈、股骨粗隆、腰椎L1-4、Ward三角）水平变化情况。 结果 治疗3个月后,联合组患者临床总有效率明显高于对照组（P＜0.05）,两组患者中医证候积分、BALP、CTX-Ⅰ、TRACP-5b水平均低于治疗前,且联合组低于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组患者BGP明显高于治疗前,且联合组高于对照组（P＜0.05;两组患者不同部位骨密度水平较治疗前均明显升高（P＜0.05）,联合组高于对照组,但差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论 自拟地仲骨坚汤联合碳酸钙D3+骨化三醇能有效改善肾虚血瘀证OP患者临床症状及骨代谢水平,提高骨密度,临床疗效显著。     

内蒙古地区中药治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎用药规律分析

目的:归纳整理和分析探讨内蒙古自治区中药治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)用药规律和特点.方法:收集国家卫生健康委员、国家中医药管理局以及内蒙古自治区卫健委官方网站公布的最新关于新型冠状病毒肺炎中药诊疗方案,下载相关文献并筛选符合纳入标准的中药处方,运用WPS office2016统计常用药物频数并分析整理高频药物的性味、归经以及功效.结果:一共收集整理处方14首,中药种类75种,使用总频数180次,使用频数5次及以上的前10味药分别是甘草、藿香、半夏、石膏、苍术、厚朴、麻黄、柴胡、生姜、杏仁,频数总占比为36.67％.使用频率最高的甘草属补虚药;藿香、苍术、厚朴属化湿药;麻黄、柴胡、生姜属解表药;半夏属化痰药;石膏属清热药;杏仁属平喘止咳药.除石膏大寒,柴胡微寒外,性味多为温、辛、苦,归经多归肺、胃、脾经.结论:内蒙古新型冠状病毒中药治疗方案主要以化湿、解毒为治疗目标;以宣肺平喘、清热泻肺为主,补脾益气为辅的综合治疗方法调节病患的机体,并且用药三因制宜才能更好的发挥中医药作用.     

Assessing microleakage of different class V restorations after Er:YAG laser and bur preparation

This study assessed in vitro marginal leakage of class V cavities prepared by turbine and Er:YAG laser and restored with different materials. Sixty cavities with enamel and dentine margins were prepared and assigned to six groups: I, II, III by turbine and IV, V, VI by Er:YAG laser. The following restorative systems were used: groups I and IV: Bond 1 + Alert; II and V: Fuji II LC; III and VI: SBMP + Dispersalloy. After finishing, specimens were thermocycled for 8 h and 45 min (500 cycles), isolated, immersed in a 0.2% Rhodamine B solution, sectioned oro-facially and analysed for leakage. The dye penetration means (%) were: occlusal I: 10.09 (+/- 21.28), II: 3.25 (+/- 10.27), III: 0, IV: 41.77 (+/- 42.48), V: 23.37 (+/- 33.79), VI: 12.66 (+/- 24.06); cervical I: 16.49 (+/- 26.67), II: 4.34 (+/- 13.71), III: 0, IV: 37.71 (+/- 30.47), V: 39.56 (+/- 43.35) and VI: 72.53 (+/- 37.79). The use of Er:YAG laser for cavity preparation yielded higher degree of marginal leakage, as compared with the use of conventional air-turbine. The enamel interface provided better marginal sealing, comparing with dentine/cementum margin. As to the cavity preparation device (i.e. laser or bur), the analysis of the results showed that bonded amalgam and Fuji II LC provided less infiltration, than Alert. On the other hand, for lased cavities, Alert provided the best results, similar to those of Fuji II LC and superior to those reached by bonded amalgam.     

Efficacy of disintegrating aspirin in two different models for acute mild-to-moderate pain: sore throat pain and dental pain

A recently developed fast-release aspirin tablet formulation has been evaluated in two different pain models. The dental impaction pain model and the sore throat pain model are widely used for assessing analgesia, including acute mild-to-moderate pain. Both studies were double-blind, randomized, parallel group and compared a single dose of 1000 mg aspirin with 1000 mg paracetamol and with placebo and investigated the onset and overall time course of pain relief. Speed of onset was measured by the double-stopwatch method for time to meaningful pain relief and time to first perceptible pain relief. Pain intensity and pain relief were rated subjectively over a 6-h (dental pain) and 2-h (sore throat pain) time period. In both models fast-release aspirin and commercial paracetamol were statistically significantly different from placebo for onset of action, summed pain intensity differences and total pain relief. Meaningful pain relief was achieved within a median of 42.3 and 42.9 min for aspirin and paracetamol, respectively, in the dental pain model. The corresponding numbers in sore throat pain were 48.0 and 40.4 min. All treatments in both studies were safe and well tolerated. No serious adverse events were reported and no subject was discontinued due to an adverse event. Overall the two studies clearly demonstrated efficacy over placebo in the two pain models and a comparable efficacy and safety profile between aspirin and an equivalent dose of paracetamol under the conditions of acute dental pain and acute sore throat pain. Trial registration These trials were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT01420094, registration date: July 27, 2011 and registration number: NCT01453400, registration date: October 13, 2011.     

Root canals and apical foramina of the buccal root of maxillary first premolars with longitudinal sulcus

In the present study, periapical radiographs were analyzed to investigate the number of canals of the buccal root of maxillary 1st premolars with longitudinal sulcus, and compare the number of apical foramina observed on the radiographs to that revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty-nine human maxillary 1st premolars had their crowns and palatal roots removed and the root canals (C) were explored with endodontic files until the tip of the instrument was visualized exiting the apical foramen/foramina (AF). Radiographs were taken with files inside the root canals and the specimens were classified as follows: 1C/1AF; 2C/2AF; 1C/2AF; 2C/1AF. Apices were examined under SEM and the number of apical foramina (considering those measuring >80 microm in diameter) was recorded. Only 17.1% (n=6) of the specimens had 1C/1AF; 77.2% (n=27) had 2AF in which 42.9% (n=15) had 2C and 34.3% (n=12) had 1C; 5.7% (n=2) had 2C/1AF. SEM examinations showed that 46.1% (n=18) of the specimens had 2AF; 23.1% (n=9) had 1AF; 23.1% (n=9) had 3AF; 7.7% (n=3) had 4AF. Radiographic and SEM findings for the number of AF coincided in 62.8% of the cases. A buccal longitudinal sulcus in the maxillary 1st premolar is usually accompanied by total bifurcation (42.9%) or apical bifurcation (34.3%) of the root canal. SEM identified a statistically higher number of apical foramina than radiographs (p<0.01).     

利用双重PCR.技术研究长爪沙鼠的微卫星结构

目的 为了建立快速检测长爪沙鼠群体遗传多样性的方法及获得Z:ZCLA长爪沙鼠封闭群现用微卫星位点的结构.方法 利用17个微卫星位点(9个来自长爪沙鼠,8个来自大小鼠)进行了PCR反应体系及反应条件的优化,组合了6组双重PCR及两个复合式点样,用上述8个组合对普通级z:ZCLA长爪沙鼠封闭群43、44、45三个世代核心群各.100只种鼠进行遗传检测.结果 三个世代的300只种鼠的检测结果表明,9个长爪沙鼠位点均为微卫星,其中7个位点为完全型的微卫星,1个为复合型,1个为不完全型,多态性主要表现在核心序列的重复;来自大小鼠的8个微卫星位点,有7个在z:ZCLA长爪沙鼠核心群中得到有效扩增,只有3个位点在三个世代中均有出现,对测序结果分析后发现,其核心序列均为小卫星.结论 来自长爪沙鼠的位点,无论结构还是遗传方式均符合微卫星遗传标记的特点,可用作检测长爪沙鼠的群体遗传多样性.     

Evaluation of Antifertility Effect and Recovery of the Seed Oil Constituents of Iranian Species of Melia Azadrach L. in Male Rats

Objective To evaluate the fertility effects of seed extract of Melia azadarach L. treatment effects on fertility indices in male Wistar rats.
Methods The seed oil extract had been prepared according to conventional methods. The rats were randomly divided into three study groups. Groups A and B received graded doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract oil, respectively on daily basis for 60 d. Animals in control group received I ml of maize oil. At the end of 60 d and 3 months treatment period, 6 animals per group were randomly selected and fertility was evaluated with mating test. GSI （gonadosomatic index） sperm motility, sperm viability, ESR （epididymal sperm reserves）, DSP（daily sperm production） and testosterone concentration were also assessed.
Results In the first stage, a significant reduction infertility indices especially in higher dose was observed compared with the control. During the next stage, the significant increase in fertility indices are the indication of reasonable recovery and reversibility of extract activity.
Conclusion The seed oil of Melia azadarach L. has antifertility activity, but its effects is reversible.     

The non‐neuronal and nonmuscular effects of botulinum toxin: a graceful opportunity for a deadly molecule to treat a disease in the skin and beyond

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are proteins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. There are different subtypes of these toxins, named from A to G. The A, B, and E subtypes cause botulism in humans, which is a potentially fatal disease. However, recently types of BoNT have been developed into injectable treatments used to relax facial muscles and therefore reduce wrinkles (for which it is often known by the brand name ‘Botox’). In addition to the well‐known cosmetic effects, types A and B have been used as treatments in various medical conditions, mainly related to muscle relaxation. This review, from the U.S, outlines the many treatments that involve use of BoNT, including skin disorders such as hyperhidrosis, Hailey‐Hailey disease, Darier disease, inversed psoriasis and Raynaud phenomenon. Experimental studies have demonstrated that BoNT/A may be able to help wound healing, decrease thicknesses of certain scars, and even reduce acne.