Synergistic effect of aqueous extract of Telfaria occidentalis on the biological activities of artesunate in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Background

Resistance to most antimalarial drugs has encouraged the use of herbal preparations along with prescribed orthodox drugs.

Objective

To investigate effect of co-administration of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaves; commonly used as antimalarial and haematinic agent in Nigeria and artesunate using P. berghei animal model.

Methods

In vivo curative antiplasmodial effect of T. occidentalis (200mg/kg) alone and combination with artesunate (2mg/kg) were evaluated using albino mice infected with 10⁶ parasitized erythrocytes of P. berghei intraperitoneally. The haematological parameters: haemoglobin level, red blood cells and white blood cells and packed cell volume were monitored using standard methods.

Results

Aqueous extract of T. occidentalis, artesunate and the combination gave 72.17±4.07%, 70.43± 4.27% and 85.43±3.65% reduction in parasitaemia after 48hours respectively. A significant enhancement of the PCV was obtained with the coadministration of artesunate and aqueous extract (p< 0.01). Similar trends were also observed with heamatological parameters at 72hours of administration.

Conclusion

This study revealed a synergistic effect of the co-administration on parasite clearance rate of P. berghei infection in mice, with a significant enhancement of haematological parameters within 48 hours of administration. This indicates a rapid rate of recovery from plasmodial infections with the co-administration.     

Epidemiologic investigation of burns in the elderly in Sichuan Province

Objective

This study analysed the epidemiology of burns in the elderly in Sichuan Province, China, with the objective of formulating a prevention programme.

Methods

A retrospective review of elderly patients admitted to the Burn Centre of West China Hospital during 2003–2009 was performed, including patient demographics, education and burn aetiology.

Results

A total of 103 patients, mean age 69.5 years (range 60–95 years; 58 male, 45 female) were admitted. The most common causes of burn were flames (51.5%), scalding (37.9%), electrical (4.9%) and chemical (2.9%), respectively. The majority occurred at home (68.9%), principally in the kitchen (35.9%), while 19.4% occurred in the workplace. Burns with total body surface area (TBSA) of 0–10% accounted for 52.5% of those admitted for treatment; 10–30% TBSA burns accounted for 20.3%; 30–50% TBSA burns accounted for 15.5%; and burns with a TBSA >50% accounted for 11.7%. Only 6% of patients received appropriate first aid, and 32% did not receive treatment until more than 24 h after injury. The education level was lower in the rural group. Both urban and rural groups had little knowledge of first aid for burns.

Conclusions

Burn-prevention programmes should promote improved living conditions and medical insurance, with prevention education for the elderly, especially in rural areas.     

河北省张家口市规模奶牛养殖场粪污处理现状调研及对策分析

为了解河北省张家口市奶牛规模养殖场粪污处理现状,采用实地调研方式,对30家奶牛养殖场的养殖,粪污的收集、处理等情况进行分析。针对张家口市奶牛规模养殖场粪污处理方式单一、程度低、积极性低,种植土地配套低等问题,提出粪污处理改进的建议和对策,为张家口市奶牛养殖业粪污的治理提供有益的参考。     

Cutaneous applied nano-ZnO reduce the ability of hair follicle stem cells to differentiate

The ability of metal oxide nanoparticles to penetrate the skin has aroused a great deal of interest during the past decade due to concerns over the safety of topically applied sunscreens that contain physical UV-resistant metal particles, such as nano-Zinc oxide (nZnO). Previous studies demonstrate that metal oxide nanoparticles accumulate in skin furrows and hair follicles following topical application while little is known about the consequence of these nanoparticles on skin homeostasis. The current investigation tested the effects of nZnO (0.5?mg/day mouse) on hair follicle physiology. Topical application of Vaseline containing nZnO, bulk ZnO (bZnO), or ionized Zn to newborn mice vibrissa pad over a period of 7 consecutive days revealed that nZnO accumulated within hair follicles, and this induced the apoptosis of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). In vitro studies also indicated that nZnO exposure caused obvious DNA damage and induced apoptosis in HFSCs. Furthermore, it was found that nZnO exposure perturbed genes associated with HFSC apoptosis, cell communication, and differentiation. HFSCs transplantation assay demonstrated that the potential of HFSCs to differentiate was reduced. This investigation indicates a potential risk of topically applied ZnO nanoparticles on skin homeostasis.     

Impact of Clinical Guideline Recommendations on the Application of Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography in Patients with Suspected Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Background:

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has been widely used in patients who are at intermediate risk for having stable coronary artery disease (SCAD), and 2013 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Management of SCAD (2013G) recommended the appropriate application of CCTA. However, 2013G has not been subjected to systematic analyses for subsequent impact on clinical practice.

Methods:

A total of 5320 patients suspected with SCAD were enrolled and scheduled for CCTA from March 2013 to September 2014. For each patient, pretest probability of SCAD was calculated according to updated Diamond-Forrester model (UDFM). Appropriate CCTA or appropriate stress test was determined as described in the 2013G. A generalized estimating equation model was used to determine the trends in the half-monthly rate of appropriate CCTA.

Results:

Overall, only 61.37% of patients received appropriate CCTA, and there was insignificant change over time (P = 0.8701). The application of CCTA in patients who should have had a stress test accounted for most of the inappropriate CCTA before (22.29%) or after (19.98%) the publication of the 2013G. In all patients or any subgroup, no significant change in the adjusted half-monthly rate of appropriate CCTA was found after the publication of the 2013G (odds ratio, 1.002; 95% confidence interval, 0.982–1.021; P = 0.8678).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that the 2013G have not, to date, been fully incorporated into clinical practice, and the clinical utilization of CCTA remains unreasonable to some extent.     

基于文献计量学和内容分析法的腹针研究现状与趋势分析

目的 分析目前已发表的腹针文献,了解腹针研究的现状、存在问题及未来趋势,为该领域的研究和治疗工作提供参考.方法 对国内外数据库进行全面检索,采用文献计量法和内容分析法了解文献内、外部特征.结果 最终获得目标文献1 356篇.腹针疗法已成为热点,但我国不同地区发展不均衡;相关研究涉及医、教、研等多个领域,可治疗疾病143种,颈椎病、腰椎间盘突出症等的研究尤为突出;研究类型以RCT/CCT居多(669篇);已发布腹针国家标准1项、出版专著4部.结论 腹针在临床、科研、教学等方面有非常好的发展,应进一步加强高质量循证研究、建立实践指南等工作,更好地为医疗保健服务.     

藻黄胶囊Ⅱ号延缓慢性肾功能衰竭进展的实验研究

目的 囊Ⅱ号液对人肾小球系膜细胞(GMC)、增殖及分泌纤维连接蛋白(FN)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的影响.方法 体外人GMC培养,细胞成熟后进行药物孵育,观察细胞增殖情况,检测藻黄胶囊Ⅱ号液对人GMC分泌的FN、TGF-β1的影响.结果 实验研究显示藻黄胶囊Ⅱ号液可明显抑制人GMC的增殖,明显抑制人GMC分泌FN、TGF-β1.结论 藻黄胶囊Ⅱ号液可抑制人GMC的增殖及FN、TGF-β1分泌,提示其可减少肾小球和肾间质细胞外基质的堆积.