脊椎个性化模型的有限元分析：方法和精度的回顾

近十年来，通过医学图像的处理，建立脊椎个性化有限元模型的方法，随着计算方法的不断提高，得到了很大的发展。本文回顾了各种建模方法并对所生成模型的可靠精度做了评估。模型质量将受到网格密度和生成方法、材料属性分配和应用边界条件等诸多因素的影响。探讨了以上每个因素及其对模型误差所造成的影响。     

Effect of ecdystene on parameters of the sexual function under experimental and clinical conditions

The effects of ecdysterone and the related drug ecdysten on the sexual activity were studied under experimental and clinical conditions. A 10-day administration of ecdysterone (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) improved behavioral characteristics of the sexual function in rats, the effect being especially pronounced during the fist days of experiment. The administration of ecdysten to men with the infertility diagnosis (disturbed spermatogenesis as a complication of some urologic diseases) increased the copulative function and improved the sperm quality. The administration of ecdysten to patients in the stage of recovery upon myocardial infarction also improved the sexual function.     

Plasma levels of advanced glycation end products in children with renal disease

In adults, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) rise slowly in tissues and circulation during aging, and accumulate at an accelerated rate both in diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). We aimed to investigate the pattern of AGE accumulation in children/adolescents with CRI and on renal replacement therapy by dialysis and transplantation. Concentrations of fluorescent AGEs, carboxymethyllysine (CML) and lipofuscin-like substance (LFLS, a marker of lipid peroxidation) were followed. Data were obtained from 11 CRI patients on conservative treatment (age 12.6±1.7 years, serum creatinine: 205.7±17.5 μmol/l), ten patients on renal replacement therapy with dialysis (13.6±1.7 years, 698.2±48.9 μmol/l) and nine patients after kidney transplantation (15.9±1.1 years, 115.9±12.0 μmol/l) and comparison made with the data from 28 healthy controls (11.8±8.2 years, 44.1±8.2 μmol/l). In controls, an age-dependent rise of fluorescent AGE and CML levels was observed. In the CRI group, fluorescent AGEs [0.38±0.03×10⁵ arbitrary units (AU)] and CML (369±26 ng/ml) concentrations were doubled compared with controls (0.16±0.03×10⁵ AU and 189±42 ng/ml, respectively) and even higher levels were revealed in dialyzed patients (0.80±0.05×10⁵ AU; 650±94 ng/ml). Successful kidney transplantation significantly reduced but did not normalize fluorescent AGE levels (0.39±0.03 ×10⁵ AU), while the decline in CML levels (550±47 ng/ml) was insignificant. Plasma LFLS was elevated in CRI (19.6± 1.7 AU) and was even higher in dialyzed children (32.0±5.3 AU) compared with healthy controls (7.1± 1.4 AU). Kidney transplantation did not normalize LFLS levels (20.3±5.3 AU), pointing to persistently enhanced lipid peroxidation. Our study provides the first data on enhanced fluorescent AGEs and CML levels in children/adolescents with CRI and on dialysis. Successful renal transplantation decreased but did not normalize AGE levels, probably because of still-impaired renal function with enhanced oxidative stress, as well as the influence of immunosuppressive therapy. Received: 13 July 2000 / Revised: 8 June 2001 / Accepted: 12 July 2001     

Effect of a lipid concentrate from the aboveground portion ofAjuga turkestanica on the metabolic processes and dynamics of healing skin wounds experimentally

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal -     

Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of the leaves of Pueraria hirsuta L. grown in Georgia

Phenolic compounds from Pueraria hirsuta L. grown in Georgia were studied. The leaves yielded the flavonoids robinin, nicotiphlorin, rutin, and the isoflavone glycoside daidsin; the roots yielded the isoflavones daidsin, daidsein, phormononetin, ononin, and the coumestan mirificoumestan. The dominant flavonoid in leaves was robinin, with contents of up to 1.7%. Dry extract of Pueraria hirsuta leaves containing the whole complex of biologically active compounds decreased urea, residual nitrogen, and creatinine levels in serum both in intact rats and in rats with acute renal failure induced by mercury dichloride. In terms of its hypoazotemic activity, the extract was as active as the therapeutic agent lespenephril. The functional state of the monooxygenase system of the cytoplasmic reticulum of kidney cells plays the defining role in the mechanism of the hypoazotemic action of the extract. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 28–31, June, 2008.     

Trichotillomania ± trichobezoar: revisited

Trichotillomania is an intriguing psychosomatic entity in which there is an irresistible desire to pull out the hair from the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows and other parts of the body. The process results in an instant release of tension, a sense of relief and security. However, non-scaring alopecia is its clinical presentation. The development of trichobezoar following ingestion of the pulled hair is its salient complication in a few cases. Subsequently, it may cause symptoms pertaining to the gastrointestinal tract culminating in intestinal obstruction, perforation, pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. The Rapunzel syndrome (trichobezoar) may occur when gastrointestinal obstruction is produced by a rare manifestation of a trichobezoar with a long tail that extends to or beyond the ileocecal valve. In most cases in children, trichotillomania +/- trichobezoar is a habit disorder and thus has a better prognosis. However, in adults the psychopathology is usually deeper and thus entails a poor prognosis. The diagnosis is made after taking a thorough history, noting the clinical features and evaluating a hair-root examination, where telogen hair is (almost) completely lacking, which distinguish trichotillomania from other hair disorders. Treatment modalities vary in childhood and adult varieties. Apart from psychotherapy, the drug treatment involves several agents including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and domipramine. Trichobezoar/Rapunzel syndrome requires surgical intervention.     

Dietary nutrient intake comparisons for rural and urban Russian boys,ages 6, 9, and 15 years,living in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas

Dietary intake data were gathered on 123 rural and 111 urban males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, living in and near St. Petersburg, Russia. Data were analyzed to estimate intakes of kilocalories, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and percentage of kilocalories from protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Comparisons were made between nutrient intakes of urban and rural subjects; intakes were also compared with the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI) of the USSR Research Institute of Nutrition. There were no significant differences between rural and urban boys in energy intake at any age. Urban boys consumed more vitamin C at ages 6 and 9, had higher intakes of protein, calcium, and niacin at age 9, and consumed more protein at age 15. Rural boys had higher intakes of riboflavin and calcium than urban boys at age 6. Urban boys consumed larger proportions of energy as carbohydrate at age 6, protein at age 9, and both protein and fat at age 15 than rural subjects. Rural boys had higher proportions of kilocalories from fat at age 6 and carbohydrate at age 15 than urban boys. Mean nutrient intakes below the RDI were: energy for rural boys at 9 and 15 years; iron for rural subjects at ages 6 and 9 and urban boys at age 6; calcium for rural and urban boys at all ages; vitamin C for rural subjects at ages 6 and 9; vitamin A for rural and urban boys at age 15; and protein for rural boys at age 15. At age 6, rural boys had nutrient intakes superior to those of urban boys; urban nutrient intakes were better than rural at ages 9 and 15. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.