Neuroprotective effects of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin in vitro and vivo models of ischemic injury

This study was conducted to demonstrate ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin’s neuroprotective effects on ischemic injury both in vivo and in vitro studies. In vitro, the effect of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin was tested in cultured PC12 cells exposed to Earle’s solution containing sodium dithionite, to identify its neuroprotection to PC12 cells damaged by oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). The cell injury was detected by the tetrazolium salt 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5 diphenyl‐2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In vivo, male Wistar rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion were evaluated for infarct volume followed by the treatment with ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin. The results in vitro showed that ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin significantly inhibited PC12 cells damage induced by OGD. Results in vivo showed that vein injection of Ultra‐Low‐molecular‐weight heparin at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg exerted significant neuroprotective effects on rats with focal cerebral ischemic injury by significantly reducing the infarct volume compared with the injury group. All the findings suggest that ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin might act as a neuroprotective agent useful in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.     

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF LOW‐DOSE ASPIRIN‐ASSOCIATED SMALL BOWEL INJURY USING A CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY SCORING INDEX

Aim: The major limitation of capsule endoscopy (CE) has been the lack of a standardized and validated severity scale for mucosal injury. The aim of the present study was to verify the usefulness of quantifying small bowel mucosal changes associated with giving low‐dose aspirin (LDA) using a CE scoring index. Methods: The CE score for small bowel mucosal injury was investigated to evaluate the severity of mucosal injury. Healthy volunteers and patients suspected of having small bowel disease were recruited for this study. The short‐term LDA group (V + S‐LDA group) consisted of volunteers who took low‐dose aspirin for 14 days; this group was then compared with healthy volunteers who did not receive LDA treatment (V‐Control group). The long‐term LDA group (L‐LDA group) consisted of patients with at least a 3‐month history of daily LDA use; this group was compared with non‐users of LDA (P‐Control group). Results: The CE score was significantly higher in the V + S‐LDA group than in the V‐Control group. In the V‐Control group, almost all the subjects were categorized as exhibiting a ‘normal’ change. ‘Mild’ changes were observed significantly more frequently in the V + S‐LDA group than in the V‐Control group. The CE score was significantly higher in the L‐LDA group than in the P‐Control group. ‘Mild’ or ‘moderate or severe’ changes were observed significantly more frequently in the L‐LDA group than in the P‐Control group. Conclusion: The CE scoring system was useful for evaluating LDA‐associated small bowel mucosal disease activity and for objectively scoring the small bowel inflammatory disease state.     

Maternal Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution and Term Birth Weight: A Multi-Country Evaluation of Effect and Heterogeneity

Background: A growing body of evidence has associated maternal exposure to air pollution with adverse effects on fetal growth; however, the existing literature is inconsistent.Objectives: We aimed to quantify the association between maternal exposure to particulate air pollution and term birth weight and low birth weight (LBW) across 14 centers from 9 countries, and to explore the influence of site characteristics and exposure assessment methods on between-center heterogeneity in this association.Methods: Using a common analytical protocol, International Collaboration on Air Pollution and Pregnancy Outcomes (ICAPPO) centers generated effect estimates for term LBW and continuous birth weight associated with PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 10 and 2.5 µm). We used meta-analysis to combine the estimates of effect across centers (~ 3 million births) and used meta-regression to evaluate the influence of center characteristics and exposure assessment methods on between-center heterogeneity in reported effect estimates.Results: In random-effects meta-analyses, term LBW was positively associated with a 10-μg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ [odds ratio (OR) = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05] and PM_2.5 (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.18) exposure during the entire pregnancy, adjusted for maternal socioeconomic status. A 10-μg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ exposure was also negatively associated with term birth weight as a continuous outcome in the fully adjusted random-effects meta-analyses (–8.9 g; 95% CI: –13.2, –4.6 g). Meta-regressions revealed that centers with higher median PM_2.5 levels and PM_2.5:PM₁₀ ratios, and centers that used a temporal exposure assessment (compared with spatiotemporal), tended to report stronger associations.Conclusion: Maternal exposure to particulate pollution was associated with LBW at term across study populations. We detected three site characteristics and aspects of exposure assessment methodology that appeared to contribute to the variation in associations reported by centers.     

Does Low-Dose Seretide Reverse Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Are the Benefits Sustained Over Time? An Open-Label Swedish Crossover Cohort Study Between 1999 and 2005

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) still poses a formidable challenge to patients and clinicians alike. A fixed-dose dry powder combination inhaler, Seretide/Advair, containing salmeterol and fluticasone, is licensed in the European Community for the treatment of moderate to severe COPD in the strength of 50/500 μg twice daily (BID). Several studies have investigated the effects of this combination and show improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), quality of life, and a decrease of exacerbations. Most of the studies have run for less than 1 year. The aim of this investigator-initiated, independent study was to elucidate if the combination containing 50 μg of salmeterol and 250 μg of fluticasone BID could be shown to have the same beneficial effect as the higher dosage, and if the effect could be sustained over time.     

化痰降浊汤对高脂血症血脂的影响

目的观察化痰降浊汤对高脂血症患者血脂的影响。方法选取60例患者,予化痰降浊汤口服(药物组成:泽泻15 g,山楂10 g,陈皮20 g。水煎取汁150 mL。消毒,灭菌,4℃保存备用),1次/d,连续30 d。结果服用化痰降浊汤后,总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇指标均下降,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇指标上调。结论化痰降浊汤具有调节血脂的作用。