Cognitive deficits in aged rats correlate with levels of L-arginine, not with nNOS expression or 3,4-DAP-evoked transmitter release in the frontoparietal cortex.

Aging is associated with altered neurotransmitter function in the brain. In this study, we measured release parameters for acetylcholine (ACh), norepinephrine and serotonin in the frontoparietal cortex of young and aged rats. We also determined cortical amino acid concentrations and nitric oxide (NO) synthase function. Prior to sacrifice, the rats had been tested for Morris water-maze performance. In aged, compared with young rats, we observed a reduction in both uptake of choline and acetylcholine release. Serotonin release and L-arginine concentrations (a precursor of NO) showed an aging-related increase; however, L-citrulline/L-arginine ratios were decreased in aged rats. Moreover, while most age-related changes in transmitter release or neurochemical markers were not related to the learning performance, L-arginine concentrations were positively correlated to cognitive deficits. NO synthase concentrations were not affected by aging. It is suggested that events related to L-arginine-to-L-citrulline/NO metabolism in the frontoparietal cortex may take part in age-related cognitive deficits.     

Student nurses' attitudes regarding older adults: Strategies for fostering improvement through academia

The increasing population of older adults is one of the main issues facing health care systems. Nurses caring for the elderly need to have a positive attitude toward older adults to provide optimal care. Yet, the literature reveals that student nurses' attitudes toward working with older adults tend to be negative. This article presents the current research on student nurses' attitudes toward caring for older adults and outlines practical suggestions for fostering positive attitudes.     

Long-term follow up of infliximab therapy in inflammatory arthritis

ObjectivesTo evaluate the long-term clinical response to infliximab in patients with inflammatory arthritis and to document any undesirable effects on follow-up.MethodsThis study was conducted in Command Hospital (Eastern Command) between June 2002 and May 2006. Cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who received infliximab after screening for tuberculosis and concurrent infections were followed up for a minimum period of 2 years after therapy. Infliximab was administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg for RA and JIA, and 5mg/kg for spondyloarthropathy (SpA) at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. Few patients received additional 8 weekly doses. Twelve patients with AS received only 3 mg/kg dose at 8–12 week intervals due to shortage of drug. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs were continued in all. Monthly follow-up was done to assess the disease activity and document any adverse effects.ResultsThere were 52 patients in total (32 males, 20 females). Of these, 18 had RA, 27 had AS, 4 had JIA and 1 had PsA. All except two showed subjective improvement lasting 6 weeks to 7 months. Adverse effects during infusion and in the immediate post-infusion period were few and not clinically significant. One patient had hypersensitivity reaction following the second dose. However, seven cases of tuberculosis (14%) occurred in the follow-up period from 6 weeks to 1 year after the commencement of infliximab therapy. All patients responded to 6 months of antituberculosis treatment. Two years after the last dose of infliximab, all patients had active arthritis and four patients had to undergo total hip replacement during that period.ConclusionsAnti-TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α) agent infliximab is effective in the management of inflammatory arthritis but the improvement can be sustained only by continuing its administration at intervals of 8–20 weeks. In our country, its long-term use may be limited by the high incidence of tuberculosis as shown in our study (14%). Close monitoring for tuberculosis is essential.     

Parental attachment,self-control,and depressive symptoms in Chinese and Italian adolescents: Test of a mediation model

The current study investigated the relationship between parental attachment and depressive symptoms as well as the mediating effect of self-control in two different cultures. Samples were 1305 Chinese and 1327 Italian adolescents. They completed the Inventory of Parental and Peer Attachment, the Self-Restraint Subscale of the Adolescents' Self-Consciousness Scale, and the Children's Depression Inventory that assessed parental attachment, self-control, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Results showed that: (1) Few cultural differences in depressive symptom were observed. (2) Parental attachment and self-control were negatively related to depressive symptoms in both cultures. (3) Self-control mediated the relations between parental attachment and depressive symptoms in both cultures. (4) The direct and indirect effects were invariant across cultures. In conclusion, parental attachment and self-control are important for adolescents' depressive symptoms in Chinese and Italian adolescents.     

Molecular genetic analysis of influenza A/H3N2 virus strains isolated in Western Siberia in the 2010–2011 epidemic season

Molecular genetic and antigenic features of influenza A/H3N2 virus strains isolated in Western Siberia in 2011 are similar to those of the vaccine strain A/Perth/16/2009 despite a number of unique amino-acid changes. The strains lack specific amino-acid changes in NA protein providing decrease of sensibility to NA inhibitors activity that used in medical practice. Based on phylogenic analysis of HA protein amino-acid sequences examined strains are similar to influenza A/H3N2 virus strains circulating at the moment in Eurasia.     

Population genetics of the malaria vector Anopheles aconitus in China and Southeast Asia

Anopheles aconitus is a well-known vector of malaria and is broadly distributed in the Oriental Region, yet there is no information on its population genetic characteristics. In this study, the genetic differentiation among populations was examined using 140 mtDNA COII sequences from 21 sites throughout Southern China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Sri Lanka. The population in Sri Lanka has characteristic rDNA D3 and ITS2, mtDNA COII and ND5 haplotypes, and may be considered a distinct subspecies. Clear genetic structure was observed with highly significant genetic variation present among population groups in Southeast Asia. The greatest genetic diversity exists in Yunnan and Myanmar population groups. All population groups are significantly different from one another in pairwise Fst values, except Northern Thailand with Central Thailand. Mismatch distributions and extremely significant F_s values suggest that the populations passed through a recent demographic expansion. These patterns are discussed in relation to the likely biogeographic history of the region and compared to other Anopheles species.     

藏药雪灵芝研究进展

讨论雪灵芝在藏药中的特定含义,综述了雪灵芝的药用沿革、药理活性、化学成分研究进展,提出雪灵芝深入研究开发的方向。     

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in treatment of hindfoot pain and deformity

BackgroundTibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is a salvage procedure for patients with severe disease of the ankle and subtalar joints.MethodsWe report a series of 26 consecutive patients (26 feet) operated on by a single surgeon in a single centre over a 4 year period with average follow up of 26 months (6–50 months). Average age of the patients was 57 years (28–72 years). Patients had combined ankle and subtalar joint arthrodesis by an intramedullary nail device. Indications for surgery were pain except for the Charcot joints. Only five patients did not have severe deformity pre-operatively. Patients were assessed by AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, SF-12, patient satisfaction scores and radiologically.ResultsTwo patients have died of unrelated causes. Clinically and radiologically 15 have solid union (65%). Six patients have signs of radiological non-union/delayed union but are clinically asymptomatic. Two patients required amputation. One patient has had revision surgery for infected non-union. Most patients are very satisfied with the procedure (79%) and would undergo the procedure again (83%).ConclusionMajority of cases with combined ankle and subtalar joint arthrosis and severe deformity can be salvaged.