Efficacy of Oral Zinc Sulfate Supplementation on Clearance of Cervical Human Papillomavirus (HPV); A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Aim: Human Papillomavirus is one of the most crucial infectious disease in gynecology disease. To assess the efficacy of supplemental zinc treatment in clearance of HPV infection. Methods: Eighty zinc-sufficient women between 21-55 years, with positive HPV DNA testing, and abnormal cervical cytology in Pap test (ASCUS or LISL) were randomly divided to case (n=40) and control group (n=40). Case group received oral tablets of zinc sulfate twice a day for 3 months while control group received no placebo. During follow-up patients underwent repeat HPV DNA test and PAP test and were evaluated for clearance/persistence of HPV infection and regression/progression in the lesion grading. Results: As far as demographics, serum zinc levels and the relevant risk factors for persistence of HPV were concerned, there was no significant difference between two groups, except for the frequency distribution of HR-HPV which was significantly higher in case  group. Zinc treatment for 3 months reduced the risk of persistence of HPV infection and progression from baseline cytology (OR = 0.130) (CI 95% 0.04-0.381; p <0.001) and 0.301 (95% CI 0.777-0.116; p = 0.012), respectively. Age, initial cytology, HPV type, and contraceptive method were not related to persistence of HPV. Serum zinc levels increased in the casr group as a result of oral zinc consumption for 3-month period, though without any statistical significance (p = 0.407). Conclusion: The results of the following study suggested that oral intake of zinc sulfate supplement for 3 months increases the rates of HPV clearance and resolution of pre-existing cervical lesion.     

The role of aquaporin-1 in idiopathic and drug-induced intracranial hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a common disorder affecting mainly healthy, young, overweight women. The pathogenesis of this condition is unknown, but it has been shown to follow treatment with several compounds including corticosteroids and vitamin A derivatives. This paper will offer a novel hypothesis and insight on the pathogenesis of drug induced intracranial hypertension following a review and analysis of the literature. Both corticosteroids and vitamin A derivatives have been shown to upregulate the expression of aquaporin 1, a water channel protein. Aquaporin 1 is widely distributed in the human brain and is associated with water secretion into the subarachnoid space. Aquaporin 1 was also shown to participate in the regulation of weight. Agents used for treating idiopathic intracranial hypertension reduce aquaporin 1 expression. Based on these observations, we propose that aquaporin 1 has a pathogenetic role in drug induced idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Over expression of this gene causes increased intracranial pressure, and downregulation reduces pressure and alleviates the symptomatology and complications of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定柏树叶中Zn Mn的含量

目的:测定柏树叶中Zn、Mn元素的含量。方法:HNO3∶HClO4(4+1)分解样品,火焰原子吸收光谱法测定柏树叶中微量元素Zn、Mn的含量。结果:柏树叶中含有丰富的微量元素Zn、Mn,含量分别为37.25μg/g,21.75μg/g,RSD<2.2%,加标回收率88.90%～108.00%。结论:柏树叶中含有丰富的微量元素且Zn的含量大于Mn。     

甲醛染毒对雄性大鼠脏器及血清微量元素的影响

目的探讨甲醛染毒对雄性大鼠脏器及血清微量元素的影响.方法选用体重(110～130)g Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为4组, 染毒浓度分别为,高浓度组:(119.6±15.4) mg/m3、中浓度组:(25.2±4.6) mg/m3、低浓度组:(4.8±1.3) mg/m3和对照组;室内空气,采用静式吸入法,每天染毒1h,连续染毒9w后处死,测定大鼠各脏器的脏器系数、甲醛浓度、及大鼠血清中Fe,Cu,Zn的含量.结果高剂量组雄性大鼠肺、肾和肝脏中甲醛浓度明显高于对照组,各染毒组雄性大鼠体重明显低于对照组(P<0.05),高剂量组雄性大鼠各脏器的脏器系数与对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05),雄性大鼠血清中锌含量明显降低、铜含量显著升高(P<0.05).结论长期高剂量吸入甲醛可影响雄性大鼠的生长及其血清Cu、Zn水平,并可损伤雄性大鼠的肝、肺、肾、心、脑、睾丸.     

论中医和希腊医学哲学理论的异同

中国和希腊,看似遥远的两个国家在古代哲学思想方面却近乎一致。古人一直在探寻自然现象的本质问题,并一直在试图回答这些系统联系的基础。在诸多问题中,他们最感兴趣的是天体运动,健康与疾病的相互关系,以及物质运动的原理。通过探究两种不同文化背景基础哲学理论的异同。     

天津蓟县山区药用植物根际及自然土壤无机元素含量测定

[目的] 通过对天津蓟县山区8个代表区域的土壤以及常用重点药材根际土壤中无机元素[铁、锰、铜、锌、钾、钙、镁、铅、镉(Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、K、Ca、Mg、Pb、Cd)]的含量测定,分析与评价土壤背景质量,为天津野生中药扩大种植奠定基础。[方法] 电热板湿法消解,火焰原子吸收光谱法测定Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、K、Ca、Mg的含量,石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定Pb、Cd的含量。[结果] 8个区域自然土壤样品中大量元素Fe、K、Ca、Mg的含量较多,Cu、Zn、Pb的含量水平相当。重金属元素Cu、Zn、Pb的含量均未超出标准,1个区域中Cd的含量稍有超标,但尚未对生态环境造成影响。药用植物根际土壤无机元素水平与蓟县山区自然土壤相当。[结论] 天津蓟县土壤无机元素含量适中,均达到自然背景水平,土壤整体质量较优。     

不同产地冻干地黄中5种重金属及有害元素的含量测定

摘 要 目的： 用火焰原子吸收分光光度计和原子双道荧光光度计分别对不同产地冻干地黄中的Pb、Cd、Cu、As和Hg 5种重金属和有害元素进行检测。方法: 采用硝酸-高氯酸对样品进行消化后,采用原子吸收分光光度法测定Pb、Cd和Cu含量,采用原子荧光光度法测定As和Hg的含量。 结果: 各元素线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.997 4,平均回收率为97.88%～100.90%,RSD为0.019%～4.20%（n=6）,同时发现10批样品中的4批样品部分重金属和有害元素超过《中国药典》限量标准。 结论:该方法准确度高,操作简便,快捷,适用于冻干地黄中重金属和有害元素的测定。     

Advances in hepatitis C: What is coming in the next 5 years?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Numerous advances have been made in the understanding of HCV replication, including detailed molecular characterization of its viral proteins and genomic RNA. The inability to grow HCV in cell culture had impeded the development of antiviral agents against this virus. To overcome this obstacle, a number of unique tools have been prepared, such as molecular clones that are infectious in the chimpanzee animal model of infection, and the development of a subgenomic replicon system in Huh7 cells. In addition, the major non-structural proteins have been crystallized, thus enabling rational drug design directed to these targets. Current developments in antiviral agents are reviewed in the context of these potential new viral targets for the future treatment of HCV in chronically infected individuals.     

Plasma Aluminum Concentrations in Pediatric Patients Receiving Long‐Term Parenteral Nutrition

Background: Patients receiving long‐term parenteral nutrition (PN) are at increased risk of aluminium (Al) toxicity because of bypass of the gastrointestinal tract during PN infusion. Complications of Al toxicity include metabolic bone disease (MBD), Al‐associated encephalopathy in adults, and impaired neurological development in preterm infants. Unlike the United States, there are no regulations regarding Al content of large‐ and small‐volume parenterals in Canada. We, therefore, aimed to present our data on plasma Al concentration and Al intake from our cohort of pediatric patients receiving long‐term PN. Methods: Plasma Al concentration was retrospectively gathered from the patient charts of all 27 patients with intestinal failure (IF) receiving long‐term PN at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, and compared with age‐ and sex‐matched controls recruited for comparison. In addition, Al concentration was measured in PN samples collected from 10 randomly selected patients with IF and used to determine their Al intake. Results: The plasma Al concentration of patients with IF receiving long‐term PN was significantly higher than that of control participants (1195 ± 710 vs 142 ± 63 nmol/L; P < .0001). In the subgroup of 10 patients for whom Al intake from their PN solution was determined, mean ± SD Al intake from PN was 15.4 ± 15 µg/kg, 3 times the Food and Drug Administration upper recommended intake level, and Al intake was significantly related to plasma Al concentration (P = .02, r² = 0.52). Conclusion: Pediatric patients receiving long‐term PN for IF in Canada are at risk for Al toxicity.