Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in Singapore

INTRODUCTIONPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin and joints, and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis and determine whether there was a correlation between psoriasis severity and MetS in a Singapore population.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis, aged 18–69 years, who attended a tertiary dermatology referral centre in Singapore from October 2007 to February 2009. Fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and body mass index were measured. MetS was diagnosed in the presence of three or more criteria of the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.RESULTSAmong 338 patients with psoriasis, there were 238 (70.4%) men and 100 (29.6%) women, who were Chinese (n = 228; 67.5%), Malay (n = 52; 15.4%) and Indian (n = 58; 17.2%). The prevalence of MetS was 45.1%. MetS was 44% more prevalent in patients older than 50 years (p = 0.02). Malay patients with psoriasis were significantly more likely to have hypertriglyceridaemia, elevated fasting plasma glucose and abdominal obesity. There was no significant correlation between psoriasis severity and risk of MetS.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis in Singapore was 45.1%, or nearly threefold higher than the Singapore general population. Patients with psoriasis should be screened yearly for MetS and any modifiable cardiovascular risk factors should be actively controlled.     

灯盏乙素介入IP3R-Ca2+途径抑制β淀粉样蛋白诱导的神经细胞凋亡

目的：观察灯盏乙素（Scu）对β淀粉样蛋白（Aβ）诱导的细胞模型中1，4，5-三磷酸肌醇受体（IP₃R）-Ca²⁺途径的影响，探讨其在阿尔茨海默病（AD）病程中可能发挥的积极作用。方法：选用神经母细胞瘤细胞分为对照组、Scu处理组、Aβ处理组、Aβ+Scu （高、中、低）处理组及Aβ+IP₃R拮抗剂组，用CCK-8法筛选药物浓度并检测各组细胞生存率；用酶联免疫吸附法检测各组细胞中1，4，5-三磷酸肌醇（IP₃）的含量；用蛋白印迹和实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应方法检测各组细胞IP₃R和凋亡相关因子Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax的蛋白及mRNA的表达水平；用激光共聚焦显微镜观察各组细胞内Ca²⁺浓度的变化；用AnnexinV/PI双染法测定各组细胞的凋亡率。结果：与对照组和Scu处理组相比，Aβ处理组细胞存活率下降，IP₃含量升高，IP₃R、Bax和Caspase-3的蛋白及mRNA表达上调，Bcl-2蛋白及mRNA的表达下调，细胞胞浆内Ca²⁺浓度及细胞凋亡率升高；Aβ+Scu处理组细胞中各检测指标的变化与Aβ处理组的结果正好相反，IP₃R通道下游指标的变化与Aβ+IP₃R拮抗剂组基本一致。结论：Scu能够下调通路蛋白IP₃、IP₃R的表达，抑制Aβ介导的Ca²⁺内流所致的细胞凋亡，可能通过对IP₃R-Ca²⁺途径的调控来影响AD病程。     

外周动脉闭塞患者的交感神经皮肤反应

目的：描述胚胎种植前遗传诊断在1例携带Ⅰ型白细胞黏附缺陷病（LAD-1）携带者并完成健康妊娠夫妇中的应用。设计：病例报道。机构：大学医院生殖中心。患者：1例男女双方都是LAD-1携带者的夫妇，女方CD18基因的外显子4携带有G400A置换，男方的外显子5携带有C562T置换。干预：标准体外受精（IVF）后第3天行卵裂期活检和分裂球遗传分析以检测2处突变以及21号染色体标记物。主要观察指标：1个未罹患LAD-1婴儿的出生。结果：得到15个卵母细胞，其中10个受精。8个胚胎适宜胚胎活组织检查。     

后十字韧带重建后移植物组织学与胶原表型的变化

目的探讨采用半腱肌腱重建后十字韧带（posterior cruciate ligament,PCL）后移植物的组织学与胶原表型的变化.方法取20只成年新西兰大白兔,实验组18只切除右膝PCL后即刻用双股自体半腱肌腱重建,实验组于术后3、6、52周各处死动物2只,12、26周各处死动物6只,切取半腱肌腱移植物;对照组2只直接切取半腱肌腱和PCL.标本采用HE、甲苯胺蓝以及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原免疫组化染色观察移植物的组织学与胶原表型变化,并与正常半腱肌腱和PCL进行比较.结果常规组织化学染色显示正常半腱肌腱和PCL在细胞构成上有明显的差别,PCL内可见软骨样细胞;重建后的移植物经过坏死、细胞重新长入、胶原形成和重塑阶段,52周时形成的结构类似于正常PCL,但在纤维排列上与正常PCL仍有差异.免疫组织化学染色结果显示正常PCL纤维内部仅有Ⅰ型胶原表达,重建韧带Ⅰ型胶原染色随时间延长从少到多,Ⅲ型胶原染色从多到少,52周时移植物内局部仍有表达.结论采用半腱肌腱重建PCL 52周时移植物和正常PCL结构相似,但仍有差异.     

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines (HMs), as a monotherapy or adjunct therapy, compared to placebo or conventional approaches in the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from both conventional and alternative medicine sources. Outcome measures were overall improvement, quality of life, reduction of levodopa dose, and adverse events. Nine studies were included, each testing a different HM. Six of the trials had limited internal validity due to major flaws in design, including the lack of proper randomization; insufficient blinding; unclear inclusive criteria in terms of diagnostic criteria, baseline staging, and duration of disease; lack of proper sample size calculation; and insufficient data analysis. Imbalances in gender and ethnicity among the patients in the included trials were observed. No major adverse events emerged, and no specific pattern was detected from the trials describing such data. In addition to major methodological defects, heterogeneity in (1) HM tested, (2) control treatment, and (3) outcome measure hindered in-depth data analysis and synthesis. Current evidence is insufficient to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various HMs. Further studies with improved trial design and reporting, with assessment on cost-effectiveness, quality of life, and qualitative data are warranted.     

颈丛阻滞、硬膜外阻滞下甲状腺手术应激反应的比较

目的 :比较颈丛阻滞、硬膜外阻滞下甲状腺手术应激反应的大小。方法 :选择ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级 ,女性 ,甲状腺手术患者 30例 ,年龄 2 2～ 5 5岁 ,术前无呼吸、循环和内分泌疾病 ,随机分为颈丛阻滞组 (颈丛组 ) 15例 ,硬膜外阻滞组(硬膜外组 ) 15例 ;颈丛阻滞选用 0 .8%利多卡因和 0 .2 5 %布比卡因混合液 ,以C4一点法行双侧深浅丛阻滞 ;硬膜外阻滞选用 1.3%利多卡因和 0 .15 %丁卡因混合液 ,穿刺点选择C4～ 5或C5～ 6间隙 ,采用侧卧位直入法 ,并向头置管 3cm ;分别测定并记录麻醉前、麻醉后 2 0min、切皮、分上极、切腺体和术毕共六个时点的血糖、血压和心率的变化。结果 :两组病例各时点血糖均逐步上升 ,于分上极、切腺体和术毕血糖值与麻醉前比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1) ;硬膜外组只在分上极时SBP与麻醉前比较有差异外 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而颈丛组在分上极、切腺体时DBP与麻醉前比较有差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,SBP、MAP与麻醉前比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :本研究表明颈丛阻滞、硬膜外阻滞均不能完全抑制甲状腺手术的应激反应 ,在稳定甲状腺手术循环功能方面硬膜外阻滞优于颈丛阻滞