干扰素β-1b对多发性硬化患者生活质量影响的1年随访

目的观察干扰素β-1b(IFNβ-1b)治疗复发缓解型多发性硬化(MS)患者的疗效并进行生活质量评估,进一步探索生活质量的相关因素。方法选择接受IFNB-1b治疗的MS患者13例,并于治疗后第1个月、3个月、6个月、9个月、12个月对患者进行随访,评估包括扩展的功能缺损状况(EDSS)评分、多发性硬化患者生活质量量表(MSQOL-54)及汉密尔顿焦虑抑郁量表(HAMA、HAMD)评分。结果经IFNB1b治疗的MS患者在第1、3、6、9、12个月随访时生活质量、EDSS、HAMA、HAMD评分与治疗前比较均无明显变化(P0.05)。治疗前生活质量中躯体功能、性功能及对性生活满意度与EDSS评分呈负相关(P值均0.05);情绪致角色受限、疼痛与病程呈正相关(P值均0.05);躯体功能、情绪状况、社会功能、性功能及对性生活满意度与HAMA评分呈负相关(P值均0.05);认知、应激与HAMD评分均呈负相关(P值均0.05)。躯体致角色受限、精力、健康认知、总体生活质量及健康变化与病程、EDSS、HAMA、HAMD各项无相关性,年龄与MSQOL-54无关(P值均0.05)。结论 IFNB-1b短期内可能对MS患者生活质量无明显影响,生活质量与患者的EDSS评分、焦虑抑郁症状相关。     

Spinal root avulsion: an excellent model for studying motoneuron degeneration and regeneration after severe axonal injury简

<正>Spinal root avulsion is an excellent model for studying the response of motoneurons to severe injury to their axons(Koliatsos et al.,1994).In this model(‘Avulsion Model’),spinal roots are torn off from spinal cord without removing the vertebra at     

Analysis of Dosage Mutation in PARK2 among Korean Patients with Early-Onset or Familial Parkinson's Disease

MethodsWe performed a gene-dosage analysis of PARK2 using real-time polymerase chain reaction for 189 patients with early-onset PD or familial PD, and 191 control individuals. In the case of PD patients with heterozygous gene-dosage mutation, we performed a sequencing analysis to exclude compound heterozygous mutations. The association between heterozygous mutation of PARK2 and PD was tested.ResultsWe identified 22 PD patients with PARK2 mutations (11.6%). Five patients (2.6%) had compound heterozygous mutations, and 13 patients (6.9%) had a heterozygous mutation. The phase could not be determined in one patient. Three small sequence variations were found in 30 mutated alleles (10.0%). Gene-dosage mutation accounted for 90% of all of the mutations found. The frequency of a heterozygous PARK2 gene-dosage mutation was higher in PD patients than in the controls.ConclusionsHeterozygous gene-dosage mutation of PARK2 is a genetic risk factor for patients with early-onset or familial PD in Koreans.     

Left atrial appendage occlusion: Initial experience with the Amplatzer™ Amulet™

Background

The Amplatzer™ Amulet™ (Amulet) is the evolution of the Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug, a dedicated device for percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion. The new device has been designed to facilitate the implantation process, improve the sealing performance and further reduce the risk of complications. The objective of the study was to describe the initial experience with the Amplatzer Amulet for percutaneous LAA occlusion.

Methods

This was a prospective single-center study of patients undergoing percutaneous LAA occlusion. The indication for LAA closure was a formal contraindication for oral anticoagulation or previous history of stroke due to INR lability. All procedures were done under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed 24 h after the procedure in order to rule out procedural complications before discharge. Further follow-up was done with a clinical visit and TEE at 1–3 months.

Results

Between July-2012 and June-2013, 25 patients with a mean CHA₂DS₂-VASC of 4.3 ± 1.7 underwent LAA occlusion with the Amplatzer Amulet. The device was successfully implanted in 24 patients (96%) without any procedural stroke, pericardial effusion or device embolization. None of the patients presented any clinical event at follow-up. Follow-up TEE showed complete LAA sealing in all patients with no residual leaks > 3 mm and no device embolization. One patient (4.1%) presented a device thrombosis at follow-up without clinical expression.

Conclusion

In this initial series of patients, the Amulet showed a remarkable acute and short-term performance in terms of feasibility and safety as depicted by the high successful implantation rate and the low incidence of complications.     

Effects of fermented Sorghum bicolor L. Moench extract on inflammation and thickness in a vascular cell and atherosclerotic mice model

Journal of Natural Medicines - Atherosclerosis is a major cause of coronary heart disease. As a result of the development of atherosclerotic lesions, the walls of blood vessels become thicker and...