Vitamin E and memantine in Alzheimer's disease: Clinical trial methods and baseline data

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with both oxidative stress and excessive glutamate activity. A clinical trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of (i) alpha-tocopherol, a vitamin E antioxidant; (ii) memantine (Namenda), an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist; (iii) their combination; and (iv) placebo in delaying clinical progression in AD.MethodsThe Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program initiated a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in August 2007, with enrollment through March 2012 and follow-up continuing through September 2012. Participants with mild-to-moderate AD who were taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor were assigned randomly to 2000 IU/day of alpha-tocopherol, 20 mg/day memantine, 2000 IU/day alpha-tocopherol plus 20 mg/day memantine, or placebo. The primary outcome for the study is the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study/Activities of Daily Living Inventory. Secondary outcome measures include the Mini-Mental State Examination; the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive portion; the Dependence Scale; the Neuropsychiatric Inventory; and the Caregiver Activity Survey. Patient follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years.ResultsA total of 613 participants were randomized. The majority of the patients were male (97%) and white (86%), with a mean age of 79 years. The mean Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study/Activities of Daily Living Inventory score at entry was 57 and the mean Mini-Mental State Examination score at entry was 21.ConclusionThis large multicenter trial will address the unanswered question of the long-term safety and effectiveness of alpha-tocopherol, memantine, and their combination in patients with mild-to-moderate AD taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The results are expected in early 2013.     

Changes in Spectral Characteristics and Copper (II)-Binding of Dissolved Organic Matter in Leachate from Different Water-Treatment Processes

The aim of the present study was to investigate the fluorescence properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from four leachate samples, which were disposed by regulating tank (RTK), anaerobic treatment (ATT), oxidation ditch (ODH), and membrane bioreactor and to assess their binding capacities and stability constants by Cu(II). The results showed that five fluorescent peaks, including three humic-like peaks (peaks A, C, and E) and two protein-like peaks (peaks B and D), were identified. Most fluorescent components can be degraded after ODH. Fluorescence-quenching titration showed that the modified Stern–Volmer model can be used to fit the quenching data and calculate conditional stability constants (log K) and the % of fluorophores (f %) between DOM and Cu(II). DOM–Cu(II) complexes had relatively high log K values in the RTK and ATT disposals. After the ODH-treatment process, log K values showed a marked decrease. The f % values of protein-like materials were evidently greater than those of humic-like substances. The results showed the impact of the water treatment on the metal-binding ability of various fractions.     

Analysis and Study on 47 Cases of Adverse Reactions of Chinese Medicine Injection

Background

Along with efficacy, Chinese medicine is increasingly being known to people, Chinese medicine and its preparations are increasingly widespread in clinical use. People generally believe that Chinese medicine has few side effects and is safe, especially Chinese medicine injections. Due to the direct injection in blood, rapid onset and good efficacy, they are welcomed by people. However, with increased use, adverse reactions are increasing, even causing serious consequences. The objective is to learn about the characteristics and laws of the adverse effects of Chinese medicine injections, provide references for the clinical safe drug use, and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.

Materials and Methods

The method was established to analyze the data of 47 cases of adverse reactions caused by Chinese medicine injections in our hospital from the year, 2009 to 2010.

Results

The organs / systems involved in the 47 cases of adverse reactions are primarily skin and its accessories and secondly systemic damage, involving a total of eight varieties of drugs.

Conclusion

The adverse reactions of Chinese medicine injections are mostly in Chinese patent drugs, which should be paid attention to, to find out the problems and laws, use the drugs rationally, and reduce the incidence of the adverse reactions.     

咬合抬高对后牙重度磨耗患者咀嚼肌表面肌电值的影响

目的：探讨后牙重度磨耗患者咬合抬高后对咀嚼肌表面肌电反应的影响。方法：随机选取2012年1月至2014年1月在我北京航空总医院口腔诊疗中心就诊的,伴有双侧后牙重度磨耗的患者40名为受试对象,其中男性23名,女性17名,年龄40-50岁,治疗前及咬合抬高不同距离后分别进行咬肌及颞肌的肌电检查,并对结果采用多样本均数比较的单因素方差分析进行统计学处理。结果：切牙区颌间距离增加1mm时,双侧咬肌,双侧颞肌肌电值差异无统计学意义。切牙区颌间距离增加2mm时,左侧咬肌,右侧咬肌,左侧颞肌肌电值差异无统计学意义,右侧颞肌肌电值有所增加（17.08±3.27 VS 24.66±3.18,P〈0.05）。切牙区颌间距离增加3mm时,除右侧咬肌肌电值差异无统计学意义外（22.35±3.14 VS 27.74±4.26,P〉0.05）,左侧咬肌,左侧颞肌,右侧颞肌肌电值差异均有统计学意义。切牙区颌间距离增加4mm时,双侧咬肌,颞肌肌电值差异均有统计学意义。结论：切牙区颌间距离增加2mm时对咬肌和颞肌肌电值影响不大,切牙区颌间距离增加3mm会对咬肌和颞肌肌电值产生较大影响。     

Enhanced nitrite accumulation under mainstream conditions by a combination of free ammonia-based sludge treatment and low dissolved oxygen: reactor performance and microbiome analysis

Partial nitritation under mainstream conditions is one of the major bottlenecks for the application of deammonification processes to municipal wastewater treatment plants. This study aimed at evaluating the combination effect of a side-stream free ammonia (FA) treatment and low dissolved oxygen (0.2 ± 0.1 mg L⁻¹) on inhibiting nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) from enhancing nitrite accumulation in long-term lab-scale experiments. Two continuous floccular sludge reactors treating low-strength synthetic wastewater (60 mg N–NH₄⁺ L⁻¹ without COD) with a fixed nitrogen loading rate of 0.22 ± 0.03 g N per L per day were operated in a varied temperature range of 7–31 °C, with one acting as the experimental reactor and the other as the control. Side-stream sludge treatment with a stepwise elevation of FA concentration (65.2–261.1 mg NH₃ L⁻¹) was carried out every day in the experimental reactor; the nitrite accumulation ratio (NAR, (NO₂–N/(NO₂⁻–N + NO₃⁻–N) × 100%)) in the experimental reactor was always about twice that in the control one. Quantitative PCR (q-PCR) and high-throughput sequencing analyses showed the dominant NOB was mostly Nitrobacter, while there was an alternating trend between Nitrobacter and Nitrospira. Even though the whole microbial communities of each experimental stage between the two reactors were relatively clustered due to an incomplete NOB washout, three abundant metabolisms (amino acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and nitrogen metabolism) and key functional genes of nitrification predicted by PICRUSt in the experimental reactor were enriched, providing a better understanding of nitrite accumulation. These results have demonstrated that the positive hybrid effects of FA side-stream sludge treatment and a low DO could enhance nitrite accumulation. It is expected that a complete washout of NOB would be achieved after further process optimization.

An introduction of the combination of side-stream sludge treatment using FA and low DO could more effectively enhance nitrite accumulation than single low DO.     

阿托伐他汀对高脂血症患者血脂、血清一氧化氮和血浆内皮素的影响及停药后各项指标的变化

目的探讨阿托伐他汀对高脂血症患者血脂和血清一氧化氮(NO)、血浆内皮素(ET-1)的于影响及停药后各项指标的变化。方法 40例原发性高脂血症患者每日服阿托伐他汀10mg共用8周,第9周停药。分别于服药前、8周末及停药4周末取空腹静脉血,均行血三酰甘油(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、NO、ET-1测定。另选本院同期健康体检者40例作为对照组,要求采血前两周未服用任何药物。结果高脂血症患者血NO水平显著低于对照组,ET-1水平明显高于对照组(均P<0.01)。治疗8周末两组血HDL-C、NO水平显著升高、TG、TC、LDL-C、ET-1水平明显降低(P<0.01)。停药4周末TG、TC、LDL-C、和ET-1均较治疗8周末明显升高,而HDL-C、NO明显下降,差异有统计意义(P<0.01)。结论阿托伐他汀钙能够改善高脂血症患者血脂及内皮功能,且需要长期坚持服用。     

阴道试产的超高龄孕妇分娩孕周对母婴结局的影响

目的 探讨有阴道试产条件的超高龄孕产妇(分娩年龄≥40岁)分娩孕周对母婴结局的影响.方法 选择2016年6月至2020年5月期间在航空总医院分娩的有阴道试产条件的、年龄≥40岁的孕产妇124例为研究对象.根据分娩孕周是否>40周将其分为两组,1组:分娩孕周为37～40周,82例;2组:分娩孕周>40周,42例.分别对两...     

大气污染暴露与儿童青少年血脂代谢的关系研究

背景 目前较缺乏中国儿童青少年中大气污染暴露水平与血脂代谢的关系研究.目的 分析大气污染暴露与儿童青少年血脂代谢的关系.设计横断面调查.方法 研究对象来自2014年1项关于中国儿童青少年心血管健康研究的横断面调查,纳入上海市方便抽样的4所中小学校中年龄7～18岁、经监护人知情同意后采集静脉血并完成血脂检测的在校学生.血...     

脑出血临床特点研究

目的探讨脑出血发病特点与规律,以进一步提高其诊治水平,减少致残率及病死率。方法分析434例脑出血病人临床表现、辅助检查、治疗结果。结果 81%病例有诱因,发病急,首诊血压明显升高,与同期829例脑梗死病人比较差异明显。近半数病人血糖、白细胞总数及中性粒细胞升高。本组痊愈率及病死率分别为19.8%与16.5%。结论依据高血压或头痛史,突然发病,血压高,则首先考虑脑出血,如伴血糖、白细胞总数及中性粒细胞明显升高,则不仅支持脑出血诊断,且提示预后不良。此外,出血病灶部位、大小,患者意识状态以及肺部感染、消化道出血等并发症亦影响预后。