Combination therapy of tacrolimus,high doses of glucocorticosteroids,and cyclophosphamide against existing historical treatment for patients in severe conditions of interstitial lung diseases complicated with dermatomyositis: A retrospective analysis

The high-dose glucocorticosteroid (GC) treatment is the first choice for dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial lung disease (DM-ILD) but patients are resistant to the high-dose GC monotherapy. Besides, the high dose of GC, the secondary immunosuppressive agent(s) is necessary but there is controversy for the selection of immunosuppressive agent(s). The objectives of the study were to analyze the efficacy of different therapeutic options for DM-ILD to identify the optimal therapy. A total of 60 patients had received intravenous 1.0–2.0 mg/ kg/day prednisolone for DM-ILD. In severe conditions, patients had received oral 1 to 3 mg/day tacrolimus (TAC), 500 mg/ m²/month cyclophosphamide (CY), and/or 1 g/ day methylprednisolone pulse (TI cohort, n = 24). In severe conditions, patients had received 1 g/day methylprednisolone pulse and 2–3 mg/ kg/day cyclosporine A (CsA) and/or 500 mg/ m²/month CY (existing historical treatment; CT cohort, n = 36). Patients of the TI cohort did not receive CsA. Patients in the CT cohort were received CY in significantly fewer numbers than those of the TI cohort during treatment (P = .0112). A total of 11 (46%) patients from the TI cohort and 14 (39%) patients from the CT cohort were developed relapsed. At the end of the 30-months, higher numbers of patients of the TI cohort had an event(s) free survival than those of the CT cohort (7 (29%) vs 2 (6%), P = .0229). Also, higher numbers of patients of the TI cohort had survived irrespective of an event(s) than those of the CT cohort (21 (87%) vs 22 (61%), P = .0399). Patients of the TI cohort had developed herpes zoster (2 (8%)) and cytomegalovirus (4 (17%)) infections. Patients of the CT cohort developed renal dysfunction (10 (28%)). Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and fracture (GC-related toxicities) were also reported in both cohorts and these toxicities were fever in the TI cohort. The addition of TAC to high doses GC with CY is an ideal treatment for severe conditions of DM-ILD (Level of Evidence: III; Technical Efficacy Stage: 4).     

The Role of Resveratrol in Eye Diseases—A Review of the Literature

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trans-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin belonging to the stilbene family. It is commonly found in grape skins and seeds, as well as other plant-based foods. Oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in the initiation and progression of age-related eye disorders (glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration) that lead to a progressive loss of vision and blindness. Even though the way resveratrol affects the human body and the course of many diseases is still the subject of ongoing scientific research, it has been shown that the broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of resveratrol has a beneficial effect on eye tissues. In our research, we decided to analyze the current scientific literature on resveratrol, its possible mechanisms of action, and its therapeutic application in order to assess its effectiveness in eye diseases.     

单双侧椎弓根螺钉固定经椎间孔椎体间融合术治疗腰椎退行性疾病的效果比较研究

目的 分析UPS术、BPS术联合TLIF治疗腰椎退行性疾病(LDD)的效果.方法 选取2013年5月至2014年6月于本院骨科治疗的118例LDD患者作为研究对象,分为UPS术组与BPS术组,每组59例,分别采用两种不同的手术方法进行治疗.结果 UPS术组优良率为91.53％,BPS术组为77.97％,两组优良率比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 UPS术联合TLIF治疗LDD的疗效优于BPS术,治疗LDD患者时可应用UPS联合TLIF的手术方法.     

Advances in brain drug targeting and delivery: limitations and challenges of solid lipid nanoparticles

Introduction: With the advancement in the field of medical colloids and interfacial sciences, the life expectancy has been greatly improved. In addition, changes in the human lifestyle resulted in development of various organic and functional disorders. Central nervous system (CNS) disorders are most prevalent and increasing among population worldwide. The neurological disorders are multi-systemic and difficult to treat as portal entry to brain is restricted on account of its anatomical and physiological barrier.

Areas covered: The present review discusses the limitations to CNS drug delivery, and the various approaches to bypass the blood brain barrier (BBB), focusing on the potential use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for drug targeting to brain. The methods currently in use for SLN production, physicochemical characterization and critical issues related to the formulation development suitable for targeting brain are also discussed.

Expert opinion: The potential advantages of the use of SLN over polymeric nanoparticles are due to their lower cytotoxicity, higher drug loading capacity and scalability. In addition, their production is cost effective and the systems provide a drug release in a controlled manner up to several weeks. Drug targeting potential of SLN can be enhanced by attaching ligands to their surface.     

心血管疾病干细胞治疗的疗效判断方法

干细胞治疗可增加冠状动脉血液灌注,增加心肌收缩力,在严重缺血性心脏病的治疗中发挥重要作用。本文对干细胞治疗的疗效判断方法及干细胞治疗对左心室功能、心肌灌注、心肌存活等的作用作一综述。     

Studies on exposure status of inhabitants to water-arsenic valence states in areas with endemic arsenism in the Datong basin in Shanxi

This study aimed to describe the distribution of water-arsenic (As) valence states and its relationship to areas with endemic arsenism in the Datong basin. Drinking water samples of patients with endemic arsenism and a control group were examined using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). We analyzed the data using SPSS10.0 for Windows. The As(III)/As ratio was 52.1% in the water sample, exceeding the national standard of 0.05 mg/L. The As(III)/As ratio significantly varied among the different stages in the disease-state groups, and with the control group (χ ² = 22.4, P<0.01). The As(III)/As(V) ratio significantly varied in the four groups (χ ² = 26.19, P<0.01), with a tendency to increase along with the seriousness of the disease state. The most common type of drinking water arsenic valence state was As(III) in the endemic disease-areas. Endemic arsenism was positively correlated with As(III). This led us to conclude that the fraction of each water-arsenic valence state should be studied when determining the arsenic content of drinking water. Translated from Chinese Journal of Endemiology, 2006, 25(1): 64–66 [译自: 中国地方病学杂志]     

氟康唑与伏立康唑治疗念珠菌肺炎的疗效比较

目的 比较伏立康唑与氟康唑治疗肺部念珠菌感染的疗效与安全性.方法 79例肺念珠菌感染患者按照住院号顺序分为伏立康唑组与氟康唑组,观察患者症状和体征变化,评价感染治愈率及治疗安全性.结果 伏立康唑组总体有效率为93.1％,明显高于氟康唑组的65.9％(x2=7.51,P＜0.01),痊愈率分别为65.1％和36.1％,差异均有统计学意义(x2 =6.60,P＜0.05).伏立康唑组不良反应发生率为14.0％,氟康唑组不良反应发生率为16.7％,两组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 伏立康唑治疗肺部念珠菌感染效果优于氟康唑,两者安全性均较高.     

Why Should Pistachio Be a Regular Food in Our Diet?

The pistachio is regarded as a relevant source of biologically active components that, compared to other nuts, possess a healthier nutritional profile with low-fat content composed mainly of monounsaturated fatty acids, a high source of vegetable protein and dietary fibre, remarkable content of minerals, especially potassium, and an excellent source of vitamins, such as vitamins C and E. A rich composition in terms of phytochemicals, such as tocopherols, carotenoids, and, importantly, phenolic compounds, makes pistachio a powerful food to explore its involvement in the prevention of prevalent pathologies. Although pistachio has been less explored than other nuts (walnut, almonds, hazelnut, etc.), many studies provide evidence of its beneficial effects on CVD risk factors beyond the lipid-lowering effect. The present review gathers recent data regarding the most beneficial effects of pistachio on lipid and glucose homeostasis, endothelial function, oxidative stress, and inflammation that essentially convey a protective/preventive effect on the onset of pathological conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, CVD, and cancer. Likewise, the influence of pistachio consumption on gut microbiota is reviewed with promising results. However, population nut consumption does not meet current intake recommendations due to the extended belief that they are fattening products, their high cost, or teething problems, among the most critical barriers, which would be solved with more research and information.     

鼻源性头痛临床分析

目的 探讨鼻源性头痛诊断及鼻内镜手术治疗的疗效。方法 分析63例以头痛为主诉的病人的鼻内镜和鼻窦CT扫描等资料及其鼻内镜下手术治疗的方法。结果 鼻内镜及CT扫描检查发现钩突、筛泡变异和窦口鼻道复合体区域的病变最为明显。鼻内镜术后随访6个月～5年，46例头痛完全消失，15例术后头痛明显减轻，2例无效。结论 窦口鼻道复合体解剖变异和病变是引起头痛的主要原因，鼻内镜结合鼻窦CT扫描，可较准确地发现引起鼻源性头痛病灶的确切部位，及时行鼻内镜手术治疗可获良好效果。     

中国人视网膜色素变性1基因突变频率及其与视网膜色素变性的关联分析

目的 研究常染色体显性遗传视网膜色素变性(ADRP)患者和散发视网膜色素变性（RP）患者RP1基因突变频率及特征，并探讨它们在RP发病机制中潜在的作用。 方法 运用聚合酶链反应和直接测序方法，对7个ADRP家系的55例成员、散发RP患者30例及75名健康成年人进行了RP1基因全编码区和邻近剪切位点的内含子区域序列突变的检测。运用单因素分析、多因素Logistic回归分析研究RP1基因突变位点对RP的作用。 结果 ADRP家系成员和散发的RP患者在RP1基因的第四外显子上均检测出852、872、921和939共4个变异位点。在ADRP家系和散发的RP患者中RP1基因的R872H位点改变与RP之间存在显著相关性(χ²=4.469，P=0.03)。P903L位点的改变仅在家系成员中检出，散发病例及正常人中均未检测出。 结论 RP1基因R872H位点多态性可增高RP的危险性，具有潜在的致病性，考虑为家系和散发RP患者的易感基因。P903L位点改变是否为致病基因有待于进一步证实。