Synthesis and anti-tuberculous activity of diesters based on isosteviol and dicarboxylic acids

Diesters based on isosteviol and dicarboxylic acids were synthesized and tested for antituberculous activity. Isosteviol and some of its derivatives exhibit appreciable tuberculostatic properties in vitro, the activity being dependent on the length of the polymethylene spacer connecting two ent-beyeran fragments. The mechanism of the antituberculous action of isosteviol derivatives are discussed. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 12–13, September, 2006.     

Neuropsychological predictors of self-neglect in cognitively impaired older people who live alone.

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the accuracy of certain neuropsychological tests in the prediction of harm resulting from self-neglect in cognitively impaired seniors who lived alone. METHODS: The study included 130 participants, aged 65 and older, who scored less than 131 on the Dementia Rating Scale. Neuropsychological tests were administered at baseline, resulting in eight predictive scores. Informants and primary care physicians provided information about harm that occurred to the participants during the 18-month prospective follow up. An incident was defined as harmful if it occurred as the result of self-neglect or disorientation and resulted in physical injury or property loss or damage and required emergency interventions. Proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictive relationship between the eight neuropsychological tests and time to incident harm with age, sex, education, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the Mini-Mental State Examination included in the model as covariates. RESULTS: Twenty-seven participants experienced harm during the 18-month follow-up period. A proportional hazards model indicated that three neuropsychological tests, which measured recognition memory, executive functioning, and conceptualization, were independent risk factors for harm. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide insight into why harm occurred in these cognitively impaired elders who lived alone. They also support the ecologic validity of these tests and suggest directions for the development of intervention strategies for harm prevention.     

Clinical oncology—A new era

Rapid growth in biomedical research coupled with dramatic advancement in biotechnology has significantly improved our understanding of the molecular basis involving cancer development and progression. This improvement has led to the discovery of new molecular markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis as well as new molecular targets for cancer treatment and intervention. Continuous emergence of some new developing area in molecular profiling, new therapeutic agents, tissue microenvironment and systems biology have made significant progress in clinical oncology. Clinical research and investigation that focus on these new developments have begun to show exciting results that indicate future promises in improving patient management and survival.     

The Effect of Dry Cleared Extract from Licorice Roots on the Learning of Ovariectomized Rats

The influence of chronic administration of a dry cleared extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (DCEG) containing flavonoids on the behavioral status and learning of intact and ovariectomized adult female rats has been studied. The DCEG preparation was administered in low (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and high (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) daily doses over a period of 14 days and the results were evaluated on the passive avoidance situation model and in the open field test. It was established that the chronic administration of DCEG in both low and high doses produced correction of the passive avoidance performance in ovariectomized female rats. The administration of DCEG in a low dose also positively influenced the structure of purposeful behavior of females with deficiency of estrogens. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 8, pp. 27 – 29, August, 2005.     

苏励教授治疗强直性脊柱炎经验介绍

苏励教授认为，脊柱在人体的位置处于皮里膜外，半表半里。强直性脊柱炎病在脊柱，故痰瘀之邪也盘踞在半表半里。治疗宜内清外透结合，在清里基础上外透，使邪有出路，从而清除盘踞在半表半里之邪实。并结合外治法以增加疗效。