Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.     

Zolpidem induced nocturnal sleep‐related eating disorder (NSRED) in a male patient

Nocturnal Sleep‐Related Eating Disorder (NSRED) is a well‐documented sleeping disorder where the person is reported to experience bizarre eating behavior during sleep. Although various causes are implicated in this disorder, role of drugs cannot be ruled out. Here we narrate an interesting rare case report of a drug‐induced new onset NSRED, where a 45‐year‐old man on zolipdem performed an unexpected and bizarre eating behavior during somnambulistic state, type of which has not been reported earlier in the literature. The case falls under even rarer category as such behavior in sleep is reported mainly in woman. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009     

肿瘤转移相关蛋白在甲状腺乳头状腺癌伴淋巴结转移组织中的原位表达研究

利用免疫组化ＡＢＣ法，研究甲状腺乳头状腺癌，甲状腺腺瘤和正常甲状腺组织中的肿瘤转移相关基因蛋白ＣＤ４４ｖ６，ＥＧＦＲ，转移抑制基因ｎｍ２３－Ｈ１和抑癌基因ｐ５３蛋白的原位表达。结果发现ＣＤ４４ｖ６和ＥＧＦＲ表达上调与肿瘤转移密切相关（Ｐ＜０．０５，Ｐ＜０．０１），而ｎｍ２３－Ｈ１的表达与肿瘤转移抑制密切相关（Ｐ＜０．０１）。这提示肿瘤转移相关基因和转移抑制基因之间的表达失衡是甲状腺乳头状腺癌易发生转移的重要原因。     

Influence of urbanization of the western coast of the United Arab Emirates on trace metal content in muscle and liver of wild Red-spot emperor (Lethrinus lentjan).

We hypothesized that increased ambient concentrations of metals, as a consequence of escalating urbanization and industrialization of the Gulf region will respond in increased contamination of edible fish species. In this study, we report concentrations of chromium, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead in meat and liver of wild Red-spot emperor (Lethrinus lentjan) from three sampling points at the UAE coast. Analysis was performed by the ICP-MS/microwave digestion. Our study has shown that meat and liver metal content was significantly higher in areas with higher industrial activity, although metal values did not exceed permitted levels of fish for human consumption.     

Non-HIV-Related Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): A Tertiary Cancer Center Experience

In the course of 1 year at a tertiary cancer center, 3 patients (2 men; 1 woman; age 51-75 years) were seen in neurological consultation (1.5% of all consultations). Clinical course in all patients was of a progressive neurologic disorder not consistent with either a primary or secondary malignancy. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was most informative with respect to diagnosis and subsequent management. Brain biopsy was performed in all patients to assist in both diagnosis and prognostication. All patients were determined to have progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) by brain biopsy.     

龟羚帕安丸治疗血管性帕金森综合征疗效观察

目的 :观察龟羚帕安丸治疗血管性帕金森综合征 ( VP)临床疗效。方法 :治疗组 5 4例给予龟羚帕安丸和脉络宁注射液 ,对照组 36例单给脉络宁注射液 ,分别观察其综合疗效及改良UPDRS评分比较。结果 :治疗组总改善率 83.3% ,明显高于对照组的 5 8.3% ,P<0 .0 1。治疗组改良 UPDRS积分减少 ,明显优于对照组 ,P<0 .0 1。结论 :龟羚帕安丸治疗 VP确有一定疗效。     

About the centrality of mood lowering in mood disorders : Plenary Lecture ECNP Congress, Monte Carlo, October 1991

5-HT disturbances in depression (as exemplified by lowered CSF 5-HIAA) are not syndrome specific but related to components of the depressive syndrome, specifically to increased anxiety and aggression. These 5-HT disturbances are probably core pathogenetic processes not derivative features. I hypothesized that in this subtype of depression, i.e. in “5-HT related depression”, the key psychopathological disturbances are dysregulation of anxiety and aggression, while mood lowering is a “by-product”. Based on this hypothesis it was predicted that agents which ameliorate anxiety and/or aggression via harmonization of 5-HTergic transmission will, in addition, exert overall antidepressant effect in “5-HT related depression”. The study of the relative “weight” of the various psychopathological components of depression is a basic exercise in understanding the nature of that condition and could, as such, greatly facilitate the goal-directed search for new and innovative antidepressants.     

Outcome of live related and live unrelated renal transplants

Summary: This study compares the outcomes of 229 renal transplants, of which 156 were live related renal transplants done at our centre and 73 unrelated transplants done at other centres but followed up at our centre. All the patients were on triple immunosuppression for periods varying between 9 months and 1 year. Patient characteristics, rejections, infections and 1 and 5 years patient and graft survival were analyzed in the two groups. the outcome of patients who continued on cyclosporine beyond 1 year was compared to those who discontinued cyclosporine at 1 year. Males predominated (191 vs 38) in both groups, while younger patients (<50 years) predominated in live related group (152 vs four). There was no difference in the incidence of infection, rejection, graft dysfunction, graft loss or death between the two groups. the 1 and 5 year patient survival in the related and unrelated group, (93.7% and 71.4% vs and 85% and 66%) and graft survival (90.4% and 69.4% vs 83.3% and 65.4%) were similar. However, in the unrelated group, patients who discontinued cyclosporine had a higher incidence of rejections (38% vs 14%) and graft loss (43% vs 11.8%), while in the related group no such difference was found. It is concluded that 1 and 5 year patient and graft survival is comparable between live related and live unrelated transplantation. However, in the unrelated group it is necessary to continue cyclosporine beyond 1 year in order to achieve comparable results.     

社区居民健康相关行为讨论与分析

目的了解当前社区居民中健康认知和主要健康相关行为，为深入开展健康教育提供科学依据。方法对黄浦区8个街道117个居委2546名居民分别召开座谈会，讨论并分析健康认知与健康相关行为。结果在2546名居民中对健康有正确认识的948人，占37．2％．自我评价身体状态为健康的531人，占20．9％，个人不健康行为位于前三位的是吸烟、不合理膳食和缺乏运动。团体不健康行为位于前三位的是出售不健康食品、食品污染和公共场所脏乱。结论健康相关行为受多因素及其多水平的影响，必须运用健康教育行为改变理念，采纳健康相关行为的生态学的观点，结合相关学科的方法，开展健康教育，促进人们的健康行为。