Objective: To explore the clinical features of hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and compare clinical features of primary group with those of thyrotoxicosis secondary group. Methods: Clinical data of 44 patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Peking University First Hospital from 1996 December to 2008 December were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were 22 patients in primary group, and 22 in thyrotoxicosis group. Identical clinical features of both the groups; (1 ) It had a predilection in young men. (2)Main symptoms were limb movement disorder and fatigue, and paralysis recurrent attacked in most patients. (3) 40. 9% to 68. 2% patients had obvious incentives, and the common ones were a heavy meal, sweet drinks, or strenuous'exercise. (4) Serum potassium levels of the two groups were obviously lower than the normal range. (5) In 20% patients of primary group and 25% patients of thyrotoxicosis secondary group, CK levels were higher than normal, while LDH and HBDH levels were normal.(6) The doses of potassium replishment were not correlated to serum potassium levels at the onset. Different clinical features of the two groups; (1) Patients of thyrotoxicosis group had hypermetabolism symptoms and thyroid dysfunction. Patients of primary group had no hypermetabolism symptoms, and all of them were euthyroid. (2) Serum potassium levels of thyrotoxicosis secondary group were lower than those of primary group significantly [(2.25±.67) vs (2.78±.49) mmol/L, P=0;007]. (3) Hyperkalemia is easier than primary group to rebound in thyrotoxicosis secondary group, after replenishment of potassium. Conclusion: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis has its clinical features, and patients with early diagnosis and replenishment of potassium in time have good prognosis. The doses of potassium replenishment are not determined by serum potassium levels at the onset. Hyperkalemia is easier to rebound in thyrotoxicosis secondary group after replenishment of potassium, serum potassium levels should be monitored closely, and hyperthyrosis radically cured.

Objective To explore the influence of telephone follow-up after discharge on the re-admission rate of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods In total,161 patients were randomly divided into the observation(n=81)and control group (n=80).All participants received conventional guidance following discharge from our hospital.The patients in the observation group were subject to telephone follow-up for 6 months and individualized caring intervention.The re-admission rates after 6 months after discharge between two groups were statistically compared.Result The re-admission rate in the observation group was 30.9%, significantly lower compared with 42.5% in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The telephone follow-up combined with individualized caring intervention can reduce the re-admission rate among the patients with chronic heart failure.

AIM:To explore the therapeutic effect of a novel Rho kinase inhibitor WAR 5 on the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and its possible mechanism.METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into EAE group and WAR5 group.EAE model was induced by the application of MOG 35-55 peptide.WAR5 was in-jected intraperitoneally every other day from post-immunization (PI) day 3 to PI day 27.The clinical score and body weight were recorded every other day .On PI day 28, the animals were sacrificed and spinal cords were obtained for HE and mye-lin staining .The splenocytes were isolated and the expression of CD 16/32 and CD206 were analyzed by flow cytometry . The protein extracts from the brains and spinal cords were collected for the measurement of inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS) by Western blotting .RESULTS:The administration of WAR 5 delayed the onset of EAE and attenuated the clini-cal symptoms .The results of the pathological examination revealed that WAR 5 inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and improved myelination in spinal cords , accompanied with the poralization of M 1 macrophages to M2 phenotype in the spleen.WAR5 inhibited the expression of iNOS in the central nervous system , especially in the spinal cords .CON-CLUSION:The therapeutic effect of WAR5 on EAE may be related to the shift of M1 macrophages to M2 phenotype and inhibition of inflammation in the central nerve system .

OBJECTIVETo explore the interaction between herbal medicines and western drugs based on CYP3A4 enzyme metabolism by using testotesrone as a probe in liver microsome metabolism system in vitro.

METHODThe mixed liver microsome enzymatic system consisting of rat liver microsomes by ultra-high-speed centrifuge was established. The substrate testosterone was added into the system and enzyme CYP3A4 metabolic activity was expressed by the output of 6beta-hydroxy-testosterone which was measured by HPLC method. The proper conditions for testotesrone metabolism in liver microsome system included substrate concentration, incubation time, pH and incubation temperature. When the conditions in vitro were determined, three kinds of Chinese herbal medicinal ingredients (Tetrahydropalmatine, neferine, panax notoginseng saponins) were diluted into different concentrations and incubated with testotesrone in the liver microsomes incubation system, respectively. The results were measured through metabolite production with or without the presence of Chinese medicines. We assessed the Chinese herbal medicinal ingredients effect on the metabolism of CYP3A4 enzyme through 6beta-hydroxy metabolite of testosterone production.

RESULTLiver microsomes were incubated in the system, the testosterone metabolited into 6beta-hydroxy testosterone. The metabolism conditions were proper at the concentration of testosterone 200 micromol x L(-1) which was incubated for 3.5 hours at 37 degrees C in pH 7.0, PBS 0.1 mol x L(-1). The inhibition of tetrahydropalmatine and panax notoginseng saponins on testotesrone were weak with IC50 > 100 micromol x L(-1). The neferine had a little inhibition on testotesrone metabolism, IC50 < 100 micromol L(-1).

CONCLUSIONTetrahydropalmatine and panax notoginseng saponins had no obvious effect on testotesrone metabolism. Neferine had a little effect on testotesrone metabolism. It prompted that drug-interaction could not be apparent between two kinds of Chinese medicines and the CYP3A4 enzyme substrate, Neferine could bring about drug-interaction.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Microsomes, Liver ; chemistry ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testosterone ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics

Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) are regarded as major therapies of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and welcomed by increasing practitioners worldwide for their efficacy in various health issues. To better learn about the popularity of TCQ in the United States, the related data collected from 2007, 2012 and 2017 questionnaires of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were examined and analyzed. The result showed that adult TCQ practitioners in the US increased substantially from 2007-2017, the percentage of Tai Chi practitioners in adult population was 1.0% in 2007, and Qigong practitioners 0.3%; Tai Chi practitioners was 1.1% in 2012, and Qigong practitioners 0.3%; in 2017, Tai Chi practitioners was 1.5%, and Qigong practitioners 0.5%. The top three reasons for using TCQ were: 82.4% for general wellness or disease prevention, 64.6% to improve or enhance energy, and 35.1% recommended by family, friends or co-workers. The health benefits of TCQ, the demand for complementary therapies and increasing research evidences were positive factors for the growth, while there are also challenges including insufficiencies in scientific researches and lacking of standardized teaching system. To promote the future development of TCQ in the US and oversea countries, we should optimize the research methods and standardize the teaching system, encourage the exchange and training of TCQ related professionals, and promote the integration of TCQ into conventional medical system and other related industries.