Is interleukin-2 an optimal marker for diagnosing tuberculosis infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a huge reservoir for the deadlier TB disease. Accurate identification of LTBI is a key strategy to eliminate TB. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis approach was used to assess diagnostic potential of IL-2 for LTBI.     

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on neural differentiation of stem cells offer new hope for neurological disease treatment

Stem cell transplantation has brought new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases.The key to stem cell therapy lies in inducing the specific differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.Because the differentiation of stem cells in vitro and in vivo is affected by multiple factors,the final differentiation outcome is strongly associated with the microenvironment in which the stem cells are located.Accordingly,the optimal microenvironment for inducing stem cell differentiation is a hot topic.EGb761 is extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree.It is used worldwide and is becoming one of the focuses of stem cell research.Studies have shown that EGb761 can antagonize oxygen free radicals,stabilize cell membranes,promote neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors,and replicate the environment required during the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.This offers the possibility of using EGb761 to induce the differentiation of stem cells,facilitating stem cell transplantation.To provide a comprehensive reference for the future application of EGb761 in stem cell therapy,we reviewed studies investigating the influence of EGb761 on stem cells.These started with the composition and neuropharmacology of EGb761,and eventually led to the finding that EGb761 and some of its important components play important roles in the differentiation of stem cells and the protection of a beneficial microenvironment for stem cell transplantation.     

补肾柔肝养心法治疗更年期综合征临床观察

目的对比观察熟地菟丝子汤与更年安片治疗更年期综合征的疗效及安全性.方法选取有明显临床症状的患者68例,随机分为治疗组和对照组.治疗组38例,应用自拟熟地菟丝子汤,水煎取汁300ml,每日分2次口服;对照组30例,口服更年安片,6片/次,每日2次.两组均以4周为1个疗程,2个疗程为观察期.结果治疗组治愈11例,显效17例,有效9例,无效1例,总有效率为97.30%;对照组治愈5例,显效8例,有效12例,无效5例,总有效率为83.30%.两组比较有非常显著性差异(P＜0.01).结论运用补肾柔肝养心法治疗更年期综合征疗效确切、安全.     

张琪治疗疑难血证的经验

导师名老中医张琪教授从事内科疑难杂病研究多年,尤其对于血证的治疗具有真知灼见,以疗效显著闻名于杏林.笔者有幸从师侍诊,于其博大精深中觅得一鳞半爪.介绍如下. 1 再生障碍性贫血     

后循环缺血性事件患者预后的临床分析

目的 评估206例后循环缺血性事件患者30d预后,探讨不同病变部位及受累血管与30d预后不良的相关性.方法 收集206例后循环急性脑梗死和短暂性脑缺血发作患者的临床资料.全部患者均在入院时进行美国国立卫生院神经功能缺损量表(NIHSS)、改良Rankin残障量表(MRS)评估,病后30d进行MRS评估,分析患者30d预后;系统评价病变部位及受累血管,并与预后不良进行相关性分析.结果 本组206例,病后30d病死率为4.9%,致残率为18%,颅脑近中远段同时受累(r=9.270,P＜0.001)、基底动脉急性闭塞(r=5.106,P＜0.001)及颅内病变个数＞1个(r=2.491,P＜0.001)的患者预后不良.结论 不同病变部位、血管引起的后循环缺血性事件预后不同,大部分预后良好.     

Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosing Simulations of Ceftazidime in Chinese Neonates

An accurate dosage determination is required in neonates when antibiotics are used. The adult data cannot be simply extrapolated to the pediatric population due to significant individual differences. We aimed to identify factors impacting ceftazidime exposure in neonates and to provide drug dosing guidance to clinicians. Forty-three neonates aged less than 60 days with proven or suspected infections were enrolled in this study. After intravenous administration, blood samples were collected, and plasma ceftazidime concentration was determined using a HPLC method. Pharmacokinetic data were fitted using a nonlinear mixed-effects model approach. One-compartmental model could nicely characterize the ceftazidime in vivo behavior. The covariate test found that the postmenstrual age (day) was strongly associated with systemic drug clearance (L/h), and the effect of body weight (kg) was identified as the covariate on distribution volume (L). Compared with the base model, the addition of covariates improved the goodness-of-fit of the final model. Model validation (bootstrap, visual predictive check, and prediction-corrected visual predictive check) suggested a robust and reliable pharmacokinetic model was developed. Personalized dosage regimens were provided based on model simulations. The intravenous dose should be adjusted according to postmenstrual age, body weight, and minimum inhibitory concentration.     

A Mathematical Model and Experimental Verification of Optimal Nozzle Diameter in Needle-Free Injection

Needle-free injection (NFI), as an alternative drug delivery strategy, owns great potential. It is able to reduce complaints about needle phobia and avoid the occurring of accidental needle stick injuries. The nozzle diameter is inherently important in determining the injection dose, injection depth, and pain associated with NFIs. In this work, needle-free injectors with nozzle diameters of 0.17, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 mm were studied in the simulation and experiment. This article optimizes the mathematical model for spring-powered NFI by considering the hydraulic loss due to the abrupt change in the nozzle exit area and the friction force between the piston and ampoule. We explore the dispersion pattern in gels with different nozzle diameters. Mice insulin injection was conducted to investigate the pharmacological effect of different injection methods. The experimental results show that there is the best dispersion effect and available injection depth while the nozzle diameter is 0.30 mm, which is in agreement with the result predicted by the mathematical model. Also, there is a satisfactory pharmacological effect on the mice insulin injection under the same injection condition. Undoubtedly, the mathematical model is capable of predicting the suitable nozzle diameter under the given conditions.