苦红菇化学成分的研究

从野生真菌苦红菇(Russula rosacea(Bull)Grrayem,Fr.)子实体酸性部分得到两个新的四环三萜酸化合物,经光谱(IR,¹HNMR,¹³CNMR,MS)、尤其是二维核磁共振(¹³C-¹HCOSY,COLOC,NOEDIFF)谱解析,确定其结构分别如Ⅰ和Ⅱ所示,Ⅰ命名为苦红菇酸A(rosaceaacidA),Ⅱ为苦红菇酸B(rosaceaacidB)。     

接受激素替代疗法的绝经后亚洲妇女的干眼症

目的:比较接受和不接受激素替代疗法的绝经后妇女干眼症的发生情况。方法:采用横断面研究方法比较对照组和接受激素替代疗法的绝经后妇女干眼症的发生。对所有的受试者行泪液分泌实验,泪膜破裂时间和玫瑰红孟加拉染色检查。结果:总共54例妇女被纳入研究,其中接受激素替代疗法(第2组)30例(55.6%),对照组24例(44.4%)没有进行任何激素治疗(第1组)。在第2组中,11例服用雌激素(2A组),其余19例同时服用雌激素和孕酮(2B组)。在第1组组中有29.2%发生了干眼症,第2组为70.0%(P=0.003),进一步分析发现2B组(84.2%)较2A组(45.5%)更多发生了干眼症(P=0.042)。结论:本研究发现在绝经后服用激素的妇女中干眼症比较常见,它否定了先前激素替代疗法具有防止干眼症发生的假设。     

Estimation of hospital emergency room data using otc pharmaceutical sales and least mean square filters

Background  

Surveillance of Over-the-Counter pharmaceutical (OTC) sales as a potential early indicator of developing public health conditions, in particular in cases of interest to Bioterrorism, has been suggested in the literature. The data streams of interest are quite non-stationary and we address this problem from the viewpoint of linear adaptive filter theory: the clinical data is the primary channel which is to be estimated from the OTC data that form the reference channels.     

Ethnoveterinary Application of Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Puree on a Commercial Heifer Rearing Facility with Endemic Salmonellosis

We have previously reported that Morinda citrifolia (noni) puree modulates neonatal calves developmental maturation of the innate and adaptive immune system. In this study, the effect of noni puree on respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI), health in preweaned dairy calves on a farm with endemic salmonellosis was examined. Two clinical trials were conducted whereby each trial evaluated one processing technique of noni puree. Trials 1 and 2 tested noni versions A and B, respectively. Puree analysis and trial methods were identical to each other, with the calf as the experimental unit. Calves were designated to 1 of 3 treatment groups in each trial and received either: 0, 15 or 30 mL every 12 hr of noni supplement for the first 3 weeks of life. Health scores, weaning age, weight gain from admission to weaning, and weaned by 6 weeks, were used as clinical endpoints for statistical analysis. In trial 1, calves supplemented with 15 mL noni puree of version A every 12 hr had a higher probability of being weaned by 6 weeks of age than control calves (P = 0.04). In trial 2, calves receiving 30 mL of version B every 12 hr had a 54.5% reduction in total medical treatments by 42 days of age when compared to controls (P = 0.02). There was a trend in reduced respiratory (61%), and GI (52%) medical treatments per calf when compared to controls (P = 0.06 and 0.08, respectively). There were no differences in weight gain or mortality for any treatment group in either trial.     

Chronic 5-HT4 receptor activation decreases Aβ production and deposition in hAPP/PS1 mice

Lowering the production and accumulation of Aβ has been explored as treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), because Aβ is postulated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. 5-HT₄ receptors are an interesting drug target in this regard, as their activation might stimulate α-secretase processing, which increases sAPPα and reduces Aβ, at least according to the central dogma in APP processing. Here we describe a novel high-affinity 5-HT₄ receptor agonist SSP-002392 that, in cultured human neuroblastoma cells, potently increases the levels of cAMP and sAPPα at 100-fold lower concentrations than the effective concentrations of prucalopride, a known selective 5-HT₄ receptor agonist. Chronic administration of this compound in a hAPP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease decreased soluble and insoluble Aβ in hippocampus, but the potential mechanisms underlying these observations seem to be complex. We found no evidence for direct α-secretase stimulation in the brain in vivo, but observed decreased APP and BACE-1 expression and elevated astroglia and microglia responses. Taken together these results provide support for a potential disease-modifying aspect when stimulating central 5-HT₄ receptors; however, the complexity of the phenomena warrants further research.     

Clinical and radiological outcome of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with a semitendinosus autograft for patella instability

Background: Recurrent patellar instability is a common problem after dislocation. The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) contributes 40–80% of the total medial restraining forces. This study assessed the clinical and radiological outcome after a follow-up of 4 years after linear MPFL reconstruction using an ipsilateral Semitendinosus tendon autograft. Study design and methods: 15 knees in 12 patients were examined with a mean of 47 months after linear reconstruction of the MPFL at a mean age of 30 years. 3 knees underwent previous surgery. 3 patients had mild trochlear dysplasia grade I or II, according to the classification of Dejour. If preoperative tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TTTG) was more than 15 mm, patients underwent additional medialisation of the tibial tuberosity (n=8) creating a similar postoperative situation for all patients. All patients were available for a postoperative evaluation, which consisted of a subjective questionnaire, the Kujala score, and the recording of potential patellar redislocation and apprehension. Patellar height and tilt was measured on plain radiographs. Postoperative CT scans were performed in patients with an additional tibial tuberosity-transfer. Results: Postoperatively, one patient reported on recurrent bilateral redislocation. Physical examination however revealed no findings. Three knees presented with persistent patellar apprehension. Thirteen knees had improved subjectively after surgery. The mean Kujala score improved significantly from 55.0 to 85.7 points. The patellar tilt decreased significantly from 11.3° to 9.2°. Four knees had patella alta preoperatively, but only two at the latest follow-up visit. Previous surgery or additional trochlear dysplasia had no influence on the clinical outcome. Conclusion: MPFL reconstruction improves clinical symptoms, reduces the patellar tilt substantially, and may correct patella alta. Additional mild trochlear dysplasia did not compromise the outcome; however, this fact needs further attention in a larger study group.