OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic mechanism of Tiaoxin Recipe (TXR) and Bushen Recipe (BSR) in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSSixty patients with AD were divided into 3 groups according to their MMSE and ADL scores before treatment, using randomized block design. They were treated separately with TXR, BSR and Donepezil (Dp) for 12 weeks. The changes of MMSE score, ADL score, neuro-psychology amount table score, including FOM, RVR, DS and BD, as well as the overall operational evaluation before and after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTSThe recognition and daily life capacity of patients in the 3 groups were improved after treatment. MMSE score in the TXR group increased from 16.10 +/- 1.94 scores before treatment to 17.90 +/- 2.59 scores after treatment, in the BSR group, from 16.15 +/- 2.16 to 17.50 +/- 2.59, and in the Dp group, from 17.35 +/- 1.90 to 19.60 +/- 3.39, all showed significant difference (all P < 0.01). Change of ADL score showed that in TXR from 43.10 +/- 3.86 to 41.50 +/- 4.40, in the BSR group from 43.30 +/- 4.53 to 41.60 +/- 4.12 and in the Dp group, from 42.95 +/- 3.58 to 40.60 +/- 5.23, which also showed significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, increase of FOM, RVR and DS score was shown in the TXR and the Dp group, and increase of RVR and BD score was shown in the BSR group with significant difference in comparison of corresponding score before and after treatment, inter-groups comparison showed significant difference of FOM score between the BSR and the Dp group (P < 0.01). Overall operational evaluation (total effective rate) in the TXR group was 70%, in the BSR group 65% and in Dp group 75%, with no significant difference among them.

CONCLUSIONTXR and BSR are effective TCM drugs in treating AD.

Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

The main treatment strategies for chronic pancreatitis in young patients include therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) intervention and surgical intervention. Therapeutic ERCP intervention is performed much more extensively for its minimally invasive nature, but a part of patients are referred to surgery at last. Historical and follow-up data of 21 young patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection were analyzed to evaluate the outcomes of therapeutic ERCP intervention and surgical intervention in this study. The surgical complications of repeated therapeutic ERCP intervention and surgical intervention were 38% and 19% respectively. During the first therapeutic ERCP intervention to surgical intervention, 2 patients developed diabetes, 5 patients developed steatorrhea, and 5 patients developed pancreatic type B pain. During the follow-up of surgical intervention, 1 new case of diabetes occurred, 1 case of steatorrhea recovered, and 4 cases of pancreatic type B pain were completely relieved. In a part of young patients with chronic pancreatitis, surgical intervention was more effective than therapeutic ERCP intervention on delaying the progression of the disease and relieving the symptoms.

Objective:To examine the expression of nitric oxide synthase(NOS),the content of nitric oxide and blood flow in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs,so as to further investigate the mechanism of allergic rhinitis.Methods:One hundred and twenty guinea pigs were randomly divided into control group(injected with normal saline)and allergic group(nasal challenge with egg albumin).The guinea pigs were executed before and immediately,24,48,72 h after the last nasal challenge;the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and the content of nitric oxide were examined in mucosa tissues.The blood flow in the nasal mucosa was determined in animals before execution.Linear regression correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the nitric oxide content and blood flow in nasal mucosa.Results:The immunostaining for iNOS in surface epithelium of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs was markedly stronger than that of normal guinea pigs at all time points(P

Humans ; Sphenoid Bone ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Shenyin Oral Liquid (SOL) in relieving mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and decreasing the Alzheimer's disease (AD) transformation rate.

METHODSOne hundred and seventeen MCI patients were randomly assigned to the Chinese medicine group (42 cases), the vitamin E group (38 cases) and the placebo group (37 cases). The treatment course was 12 months and a 6-month follow-up was conducted after ending the treatment course.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of clock drawing test (CDT), nonsensical figure recognition and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) raised significantly in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the activity of acetylcholine esterase in erythrocytic membrane was lower in the Chinese medicine group than that in the placebo group and the Vitamin E group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Six months after the treatment, there were 2 and 5 cases in the placebo group and the vitamin E group which were diagnosed as AD, respectively, and none in the Chinese medicine group.

CONCLUSIONSOL has an effect similar to cholinesterase inhibitor, it could improve cognitive function in MCI patients and reduce the AD transformation rate in them.

Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; prevention & control ; Cognition Disorders ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mental Status Schedule ; Middle Aged ; Nootropic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of propofol at doses for different anesthesia depths on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in different cerebral regions at propofol uptake equilibrium in dogs.

METHODSTwelve 12-18-month-old healthy hybrid dogs weighing 10-12 kg were randomly divided into light anesthesia group (n=6) and deep anesthesia group (n=6) with a single bolus dose of propofol (5.5 and 7.0 mg/kg, respectively) completed in 15 s followed by intravenous propofol infusion at a constant rate (55 and 70 mg·kg(-1)·h(-1), respectively). Blood samples (2 ml) were taken from the internal carotid artery and jugular vein to measure plasma propofol concentrations 50 min after the start of the infusion. The dogs were then sacrificed and tissues were taken from different brain regions and the cervical cord to measure GABA concentrations using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSThe plasma propofol concentrations in internal carotid artery and jugular vein were similar in both light anesthesia group (3.00 ± 0.31 and 3.10 ± 0.51 µg/ml, respectively, P>0.05) and deep anesthesia group (6.41 ± 0.05 and 6.40 ± 0.11 µg/ml, respectively, P>0.05). GABA concentrations in the brain regions were significantly higher in deep anesthesia group than in light anesthesia group (P<0.05). The dorsal thalamus and hypothalamus showed greater GABA variations [(83.83 ± 2.230%) and (85.83 ± 1.72)%] compared to other brain regions at different anesthesia depths (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn both groups, plasma propofol concentrations in the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein reach equilibrium at 50 min of propofol infusion. The variation of GABA is associated with the anesthesia depth of propofol, and GABA variation in the dorsal thalamus and hypothalamus plays an important role in propofol anesthesia.

Anesthetics, Intravenous ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Propofol ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the regional distribution of propofol in canine spinal cord under noxious stimulation.

METHODSTwelve healthy hybrid dogs (12-18 months old, weighing 10-12 kg) were randomly divided into control group (n=6) and stimulation group (n=6). All the dogs were anesthetized with a single bolus dose of propofol (7 mg/kg) in 15 seconds followed by propofol infusion at a constant rate of 70 mg/kg/h via the great saphenous vein of the right posterior limb. In the stimulation group, the tails of the dogs were clamped for 5 min after 45 min of propofol infusion. Blood samples were taken from the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein at 50 min after propofol infusion to detect plasma propofol concentrations by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The dogs were then immediately sacrificed by decapitation and the frontal horn, posterior horn, intermediate zone, frontal funiculus, posterior funiculus and lateral funiculus of the spinal cord were dissected for determination of propol content by HPLC.

RESULTSThe plasma concentrations of propofol in the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein were 5.07-/+0.23 and 5.03-/+0.10 microg/ml in the stimulation group, respectively showing no significant differences from those in the control group (5.09-/+0.03 and 5.08-/+0.03 microg/ml, P>0.05). In the control group, the propofol concentration was 5.09-/+0.08 microg/g in the frontal horm, 5.10-/+0.08 microg/g in the posterior horn, 5.05-/+0.19 microg/g in the intermediate zone, 5.06-/+0.14 microg/g in the frontal funiculus, 5.06-/+0.15 microg/g in the posterior funiculus and 5.06-/+0.41 microg/g in the lateral funiculus, showing no significant differences (P>0.05). The propofol concentrations in the frontal horn (7.65-/+0.47 microg/g) and posterior funiculus (7.06-/+0.82 microg/g) in the stimulation group were significantly higher than those in the other spinal cord tissues (P<0.05) and those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAt 50 min after intravenous injection of propofol at a constant rate of 70 mg/kg/h, plasma propofol concentrations in the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein reaches equilibrium with a balanced distribution in all the spinal cord regions. Propofol concentration can be higher in the frontal horn and posterior funiculus under noxious stimulation.

Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Nociceptors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Physical Stimulation ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the surgical methods and outcomes of the enlarged translabyrinthine approach in the removal of large acoustic neuromas. Methods: A large mastoidectomy involved complete exposure of the sigmoid sinus, the dura behind the sinus for at least 1 cm, the superior petrosal sinus and the middle fossa dura. The jugular bulb was exposed and pressed downwards if necessary. The internal auditory meatus was skeletonized and uncovered for at least 270°.The debulking of the tumor began inside the anterior and inferior poles in order to find the brainstem and the facial nerve root as early as possible, and then the dissection of the nerve was done medially to laterally. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring and postoperative CT and MRI were done in all cases. Results: Total removal was achieved in all 18 patients with tumors larger than 3 cm (mean size: 4.2 cm). There were no deaths or other complications such as intracranial infection and persistent cerebrospinal fluid leakage. There were no obvious cerebral sequelae. The facial nerve was preserved both anatomically and functionally in 14 cases, with Grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ in 8 cases, Grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ in 6 cases. Nerve interruption occurred in 4 patients who all had severe facial palsy or nerve interruption before operation. Sixteen patients resumed work within 1-3 months. Conclusion: Total removal of large acoustic neuroma could be acomplished via the translabyrinthine approach, with good preservation of facial nerve function and minimum incidence of morbidity.

OBJECTIVETo study the display of different types injuries of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in laryngeal electromyography (LEMG).

METHODSLEMGs of one hundred and forty-seven patients (147 sides) with traumatic unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) were studied. After LEMGs, the RLNs exploration operations were performed. The condition of RLNs injury and laryngeal muscles was observed and recorded during the operation.

RESULTSThe severe injuries of RLNs were found during operation. The types of injuries were listed as ligation (58 cases), adhesion (28 cases) and cut (61 cases). The waveform morphology of LEMG was recorded less in the patients with the RLNs cut than that in the patients with the RLN ligation or adhesion, respectively. 75.4% RLNs cut showed spontaneous waveform while 96.4% RLNs adhesion and 94.8% RLNs ligation. When the RLN was cut off, single pattern was showed oftener. When the RLN was adhered or ligated, mixed pattern was showed oftener. 92.9% RLN adhesion showed misdirect-regeneration-potentials while 70.7% RLN ligation and 24.6% RLN cut. There were significant difference between two types, but the compound muscular active potential (CMAP) amplitude wasn't significantly different. Evoked amplitude could be recorded in 91.4% patients with ligation and its amplitude was (23.6 +/- 8.1)%, in 85.7% patients with adhesion and its amplitude (16.3 +/- 5.2)%, in 29.5% patients with cut and its amplitude (2.6 +/- 4.2)%.

CONCLUSIONSThe display of different injuries of RLN in LEMG presents significant difference. If RLN was cut off, the CMAP might be recorded in most cases. The clinical injury of RLN often is followed by sub-clinic reinnervation.

Adult ; Aged ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Muscles ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; physiopathology ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective： To study the application of DSA in the diagnosis and treatment of ENT diseases. Methods： The diagnostic and therapeutic roles of DSA in ENT patients admitted from November 1995 to December 1999 were retrospectively studied. Results： Therapeutic vascular embolization using DSA was performed in 9/10 patients with severe epistaxis. The treatment was successful in 8/9 patients with a successful rate of 88.89%; embolization of tumor supplying vessels using DSA as a preoperative measure for reducing operative blood loss in 3 patients with nasopharyngeal fibrohemangioma obtained a total success; diagnosis was clarified in 2 patients using DSA. No patients were with severe complications. Conclusion： DSA is not only a safe and effective measure for diagnosis and therapy, but also effective in differential diagnosis of space occupying lesions. Preoperative selective embolization of tumor supplying arteries can reduce operative blood loss.