Baicalin from the extract of Scutellaria baicalensis affects the innate immunity and apoptosis in leukocytes of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

Scutellariae Radix (root of Scutellaria baicalensis) has a long history of application in traditional and in modern herbal medications. The major components of Scutellariae Radix are baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside and wogonin. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that Scutellaria has immunomodulatory effects and possesses compelling anticancer potential.Treatment of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) with Scutellaria extract (SBE) enriched in baicalin, reduced viability of PBLs obtained from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). SBE had no impact on the survival of healthy, control leukocytes. The immune system modulation by SBE resulted in increased production of IFNγ in PBLs, and reduced TNFα and IL-10 production in bone marrow cells (BMC), in ALL patients. SBE stimulated the nonspecific antiviral immunity, assessed by resistance of PBLs and BMC to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. SBE showed pro-apoptotic activity in NALM-6 cell line (B-type human leukemia). The number of cells expressing annexin V increased from 6% in control cultures to 29% and 52% after treatment with 100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml respectively. Increased percentage of apoptotic cells was observed when cells were treated with corresponding concentration of baicalin. SBE enhanced apoptosis of PBLs in BMC of leukemic children. The percentage of PBLs that underwent apoptosis and mean annexin V expression increased from 11% in the control to 17% and 24% for the doses of 100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml respectively. Importantly, SBE did not induce apoptosis of PBLs in the healthy, control group.     

降铅Ⅰ号对低水平铅暴露仔鼠脑细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨降铅Ⅰ号对低水平铅暴露仔鼠脑细胞凋亡的干预作用及神经行为改善的机制。方法成年Wistar大鼠按雌∶雄=2∶1比例交配后,随机分为正常组和实验组。从孕期第1天起,分别饮用蒸馏水和0.2%醋酸铅溶液,直至第21天仔鼠断乳,断乳仔鼠用于实验。实验组仔鼠随机分为铅模型组、EDTA对照组、降铅Ⅰ号低剂量组、降铅Ⅰ号中剂量组、降铅Ⅰ号高剂量组。正常组仔鼠作为空白组。各组给予相应干预。采用原子吸收分光光度石墨炉法测定血铅和脑铅含量,用Y迷宫观察用药后对仔鼠学习和记忆能力的影响。结果治疗后各治疗组仔鼠的血铅水平均显著低于铅模型组(P0.001);EDTA组、降铅Ⅰ号低剂量组的脑铅水平与铅模型组比较明显下降(P0.05),降铅Ⅰ号各组的脑铅水平与EDTA组比较无差异(P0.05);降铅Ⅰ号低剂量组的记忆保持率与空白组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。降铅Ⅰ号低剂量组、降铅Ⅰ号高剂量组的记忆保持率高于铅模型组(P0.05,P0.001)。降铅Ⅰ号低剂量组的记忆保持率高于EDTA组(P0.01),降铅Ⅰ号低剂量组的记忆保持率高于降铅Ⅰ号中剂量组(P0.05);各治疗组较铅模型组海马凋亡标记指数均显著下降,差异显著(P0.05,P0.01)。结论降铅Ⅰ号能降低低水平铅暴露仔鼠的血铅和脑铅含量,明显改善低水平铅暴露仔鼠的学习记忆能力。     

Repeatability and reliability of the diabetic foot self-care questionnaire in Arabic patients: A transcultural adaptation

PurposeThe diabetic foot self-care questionnaire is considered a self-care evaluation tool with 16 questions for assessing diabetic foot health disorders. To date, the DFSQ has been validated in different languages, but an Arabic version was lacking. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to translate and validate the Arabic version of the DFSQ (DFSQ-AR).MethodA suitable method was developed for the translation protocol and cross-cultural validation from Spanish to Arabic. Regarding the total marks from each sub-scale, agreement degrees and confidence were analyzed using Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. In addition, the mean ± standard deviation differences between pre and post-tests were calculated and completed using Bland-Altman distribution plots.ResultsExcellent agreement between the two versions was demonstrated based on Cronbach's α. Three sub-scales consisting of knowledge of foot hygiene, the appropriate use of footwear and socks, and podiatric self-care were added together to obtain the total score. Excellent retest reliability was shown for the total score. Test/retest reliability was excellent for the self-care and shoe and socks sub-scales. There were no significant differences among any domains (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences (P = 0.000) for the mean ± standard deviations (SD) between pre- and post-tests (98.09 ± 15.42) [93.75–102.43] and 97.96 ± 13.88 [94.5–101.86] points, respectively). Bland-Altman plots or clinically pertinent variations were not statistically significantly different.ConclusionsThe DFSQ-AR is considered a strong and valid questionnaire with adequate repeatability in the Arabic language population.     

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus following decompressive hemicraniectomy: Incidence and risk factors in a prospective cohort of severe TBI patients

BackgroundIn severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients undergoing decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC), the rate of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is high at 12–36%. Early diagnosis and shunt placement can improve outcomes. Herein, we examined the incidence of and predictors of PTH after craniectomy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of prospectively collected database of severe TBI patients at a single U.S. Level 1 trauma center from May 2000 to July 2014 was performed. Demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), bleeding pattern and time-to-cranioplasty were analyzed. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at 6 and 12-months were studied. Statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05.ResultsA total of 402 patients were enrolled and 105 patients had DHC. Twenty-two (21.0%) of 105 required ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS), compared to 18 (6%) of 297 patients without DHC. There was increased odds ratio for shunting after DHC at 3.62 (95%CI:1.62–8.07; p < 0.01). Mean age at time of DHC was 43.8 ± 17.7 years old, and 81.9% were male. Subdural hematoma (SDH) was most common at 57.1%. Median time from admission to cranioplasty was 63 days. Patients who experienced PTH after DHC were younger (35.5 ± 17.7 versus 46.0 ± 17.7 years, p < 0.01) and had higher ISS scores (35 versus 26, p = 0.04) compared to patients without shunt after DHC.ConclusionsAfter severe TBI requiring hemicraniectomy, shunt-dependent hydrocephalus was 21%. Younger patients and higher ISS score were associated with PTH. Shunt-dependent patients achieved similar 6- and 12-month outcomes as those without PTH. Early diagnosis and shunt placement can enhance long-term neurological recovery.     

系统性康复护理在脊髓损伤患者神经源性膀胱中的临床应用研究

目的 探讨系统性康复护理在创伤性脊髓损伤(traumatic spinal cord injury,TSCI)患者神经源性膀胱(neurogenic bladder,NB)中的临床应用。 方法 将2017年6月—2018年3月宁波大学医学院附属医院及宁波市第六医院收治的60例TSCI并发NB的患者作为研究对象，采用随机区组设计，按入院时间段分为干预组和对照组，30例对照组采用常规护理，30例干预组在常规护理的基础上，给予个体化膀胱功能训练、间歇导尿示范、心理干预、饮食护理、随访监督等系统性康复护理。连续干预6个月后评估2组患者的生活质量(quality of life，QOL)、膀胱功能评价、尿路感染发生率、护理工作满意率。 结果 2组患者并发尿路感染比较差异无统计学意义，但干预组发生感染的例数要低于对照组。干预组达到膀胱平衡状态所需时间明显短于对照组(P<0.05)，干预组护理工作满意率也较对照组明显提高(P<0.05)。2组QOL比较，缺陷与强制方面差异无统计学意义。干预组在焦虑与情感方面明显好于对照组(均P<0.05)。 结论 系统性康复护理干预可显著缩短NB患者达到膀胱平衡状态所需时间，减少尿路感染的发生，有利于减轻患者的焦虑状态，提高患者的生活质量和对护理工作的满意率，有效提高了神经源性膀胱康复效果。      

A Fatal Case of Thrombotic Microangiopathy Without Schistocytosis and Absent Biochemical Markers of Hemolysis

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with thrombocytopenia. In addition to the primary TMA syndromes, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with thrombocytopenia can be seen in many systemic diseases. Transplant associated TMA (TA-TMA) affects patients following stem cell or solid organ transplant. A 48-year-old male who underwent autologous stem cell transplant for nonsecretory multiple myeloma was admitted to our hospital with worsening anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction and hepatosplenomegaly. Initial blood work revealed rare schistocytes and normal lactate dehydrogenase and haptoglobin levels. He underwent an extensive workup looking for an infectious, inflammatory or malignant etiology but a definitive diagnosis could not be reached. Over his prolonged stay at the hospital, he suffered from multiorgan failure and eventually passed away. An autopsy revealed TMA involving all clinically affected organ systems and was deemed to be the cause of his demise. The absence of typical blood work suggestive of hemolysis does not rule out a diagnosis of TA-TMA. Knowledge of this rare disease entity will help physicians identify and treat this life-threatening condition early and effectively.