Ectasia and severe atherosclerosis: relationships with chlamydia pneumoniae, helicobacterpylori, and inflammatory markers

To date, there has been no convincing evidence for an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori and ectasia. In this case-control study, we have investigated the association of H. pylori and C. pneumoniae seropositivity with ectasia, severe coronary atherosclerosis, and normal vessels, which were so classified by coronary angiography. We have also evaluated the influence of these infections on inflammatory markers such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Of the 796 patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemic heart disease, 244 patients were recruited. Of these, 91 had normal vessels, 88 had 3 or more obstructed vessels, and 65 had ectatic vessels without atherosclerosis. Eighty-seven atherosclerotic patients (98.9%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgG, as were 64 ectatic patients (98.5%) and 76 controls (83.5%) (P < 0.001). Forty-two atherosclerotic patients (47.7%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgM, as were 43 ectatic patients (66.2%) and 43 controls (47.3%) (P = 0.036). Seventy-two atherosclerotic patients (81.8%) were positive for H. pylori IgA, as were 26 ectatic patients (40.0%) and 44 controls (48.4%) (P < 0.001). High-sensitive CRP levels were significantly higher in ectatic patients (5.639 mg/L) than in controls (4.390 mg/L) (P = 0.032), and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in atherosclerotic patients (33.92 U/L) than in controls (14.01 U/L) (P < 0.001). Interleukin-6 levels were higher in H. pylori seropositive patients, and hsCRP levels were higher in C. pneumoniae seropositive patients, when compared with seronegatives. We suggest that, as in atherosclerosis, C. pneumoniae infection is related to ectasia, with raised CRP levels.     

Efficacy of clofibrate on severe neonatal jaundice associated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (a randomized clinical trial)

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may cause severe hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubin encephalopathy unless intervention is initiated. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of clofibrate in full term G6PD deficient neonates with jaundice. A randomized clinical trial study was performed in two groups of full-term G6PD deficient jaundiced neonates (clofibrate treated group, n = 21; control group, n = 19). Infants in the clofibrate group received a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg clofibrate, whereas control group received nothing. Both groups were treated with phototherapy. Serum total and direct bilirubin levels were measured at the onset of treatments, 16, 24 and 48 hours later. On enrollment, the mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) level in the clofibrate treated group was 18.40 +/- 2.41 and in the control group was 17.49 +/- 1.03 (p = 0.401). At 16, 24 and 48 hours of treatment, the mean TSB in the clofibrate group were 15.2 +/- 1.9, 12.6 +/- 2.4, and 10.1 +/- 2.4 and in the control group were 16.5 +/- 1.2, 13.3 +/- 2.2 and 11.4 +/- 2.4, respectively (p = 0.047). At 48 hours, 7 (33%) cases in the clofibrate group and one (5%) case in the control group were discharged with a TSB < 10 mg/dl (p = 0.031). No side effects were observed on serial examinations during hospitalization, or on the 1st and 7th days after discharge. The results show that clofibrate induces a faster decline in serum total bilirubin level, a shorter duration of phototherapy, and hospitalization with no side effects in full-term G6PD deficient neonates with jaundice.     

质量控制检测在血液净化设备预防性维护中的作用探讨

本文对血液净化设备的常见故障进行分类讨论,并通过分析其质控数据,发现质控数据的偏移量和设备故障发生率之间存在相关性。血液净化设备发生流量故障时,设备质控数据在300 mL/min及500 mL/min两检测点存在较大偏移;发生电导率故障时,设备质控数据在13.5 ms/cm及14.5 ms/cm两检测点存在较大偏移。因此,可根据血液净化设备质控数据的偏移情况,有针对性的对设备进行预防性维修,从而减少设备故障发生率,提高设备安全水平。     

顺铂化疗联合用药的增效减毒作用研究进展

摘 要 顺铂在临床上应用于多种肿瘤的治疗,也会引起广泛的不良反应如肾毒性、肝毒性、耳毒性等,限制了其临床应用,因此临床上主张联合用药以达到增效减毒的作用。本文概述了近些年来关于化学药及中药（中药成分、单味中药及中药复方）对顺铂的增效解毒作用方面的研究进展,为化疗药联合用药研究和临床给药方案的制定提供参考依据。     

白细胞黏附抑制实验在核糖核酸药物免疫活力测定中的应用研究

摘 要 目的： 建立核糖核酸类药物免疫活力测定方法。方法: 选用小鼠白细胞黏附抑制试验,对实验重要参数,如小鼠品系、药物作用浓度,黏附时间,缓冲液成分和细胞密度等进行探讨研究,初步建立了该类药物的免疫活力测定方法。并用该方法对核糖核酸Ⅰ、核糖核酸Ⅱ和核糖核酸Ⅲ各2批样品进行了免疫活力测定。结果: 确定了适合该类产品免疫活力测定方法的实验参数：小鼠品系对实验结果无影响,药物作用浓度为10 mg·ml^-1,黏附时间为2 h,缓冲液中必须含钙镁离子,细胞密度约为4×10⁷个/ml。用该方法对该类产品进行免疫活力测定,3次重复实验,结果均合格,RSD均低于20%。结论:白细胞黏附抑制试验可作为评价核糖核酸类药物免疫活力的方法。     

Antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz (wild service tree) fruits

In this study, the antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz fruits were evaluated. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothioazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and superoxide anion radicals scavenging activities and ferric-reducing antioxidant power of water, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol extracts were determined for the measurement of the antioxidant activity. Quercetin and α-tocopherol were used as standard antioxidants. The inhibitory effect of the water extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was evaluated using the Ellman method and galantamine was used as a standard. Water extract had the highest total phenolic concentration and the strongest antioxidant activity followed by ethyl acetate and acetone extracts whereas methanol extract has the lowest phenolics and weakest antioxidant activity. Moreover, water extract showed moderate ability to inhibit AChE. It was concluded that fruits of S. torminalis have antioxidant and anti-AChE activities and that the plant might be a natural source of antioxidants and AChE inhibitors.     

Impact of binocular integrated visual field defects on healthy related quality of life in glaucoma

To investigate the impact of different types of binocular integrated visual field defects on the quality of life in glaucoma.Ninety-six patients with primary glaucoma were divided into 5 groups with 25, 24, 11, 15, and 21 patients according to types of the binocular integrated visual field (BVF) defects. The criteria for BVF grouping included mild visual field defect in binocular eyes, mild visual field defect in 1 eye and moderate or advanced defect in the other, moderate and non-overlapping visual field defect in both eyes, overlapping and moderate visual field defect in binocular eyes, and severe defect in both eyes, respectively. The visual field (VF) evaluation was based on H-P-A visual field grading system. Visual acuity, visual field tests and Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 Questionnaire (GQL-15) were performed for enrolled patients, and binocular visual field results were integrated. The changes and correlations of the Visual field index values and quality of life scores were compared among the 5 groups. The main factors affecting the quality of life in glaucoma were analyzed by multiple regression analysis.The best binocular integrated visual field index (BVFI) and optimal quality of life were observed in group A. The BVFI of group B was better than that of group C or group D, but the peripheral vision glare and dark adaptation were worse. No significant difference was noted between group C and group D in terms of BVFI. However, the glare and dark adaptation in group C were better than that in group D. The BVFI was the lowest and the quality of life was the worst in group E. In all, BVFI and decibels (dB) values were negatively correlated with GQL-15 scores and positively correlated with patients’ quality of life.Binocular integrated visual field accurately reflects the visual function in glaucoma. Higher binocular integrated visual field indices represent a better quality of life for patients with glaucoma. Mild to moderate synchronous or complementary binocular VF defects had a slight effect on the quality of life, while severe and non-compensated VF loss significantly impacts on quality of life in glaucoma patients.     

Naked mole-rats maintain cardiac function and body composition well into their fourth decade of life

GeroScience - The prevalence of cardiovascular disease increases exponentially with age, highlighting the contribution of aging mechanisms to cardiac diseases. Although model organisms which share...