Objective To observe the effects of the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in different proportion on hemodynamic and balance of Th1/Th2 cells of Qi deficiency and blood stasis rat model. Methods Qi deficiency and blood stasis rats were caused by restricted diet, forced swimming and norepinephrine subcutaneous injecting, and treated by compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in different proportion of 5∶1, 3∶1, 1∶1 and 1∶2 for 21 days. The indexes of hemorheology were detected with hemorheological analyser, and the level of IFN-γand IL-4 in serum were tested by ELISA. Results Compared with model group, the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in proportion of 1∶1, 3∶1 and 5∶1 groups reduced the low shear blood viscosity. The spleen index of model group decreased, and compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in 5∶1 proportion group increased spleen index. The level of IL-4 increased and IFN-γ decreased in the serum of model group, the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in proportion of 3∶1 group increased the level of IFN-γ. Astragalus angelica 5∶1 group decreased the level of IL-4 and increased the level of IFN-γ. Conclusion The compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis can improve hemorheology, adjust the balance of Th1/Th2 cells of Qi deficiency and blood stasis rats. The effects were better when Radix Astragali’s dosage greater than that of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and the group of 5∶1 proportion was the best.

We present four cases of concomitant early (modified Ficat-Arlet stage I) avascular necrosis of the femoral head and acute bacterial arthritis of the hip joint by Gram-negative enteric bacilli. This was found in immunosuppressed oncologic patients whose clinical presentations and radiological findings were not entirely specific for joint sepsis. It is important to recognise the coexistence of these two pathologies, so as to avoid a delay in diagnosis and prevent significant morbidity and mortality.
Acute Disease ; Adenocarcinoma ; complications ; microbiology ; Adult ; Arthritis, Infectious ; complications ; diagnosis ; Bacillus ; isolation & purification ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Hodgkin Disease ; complications ; microbiology ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; complications ; microbiology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; microbiology ; Neoplasms ; complications ; microbiology ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

The mortality and morbidity rate of hemodialysis patients (HD) remain high. Among many factors, protein and calorie malnutrition has been shown to be a major risk factor for increased mortality in the HD patients population. Malnutrition can be caused by insufficient amino acid intake, nutrient losses in dialysate, oxidant stress and muscle catabolism. In this study, we evaluated the association of markers of nutritional status and essential amino acids intake in HD patients. We investigated nutritional status of 41 HD patients (mean age: 64.2 +/- 11.5 y, men: 24, women: 27) by measuring anthropometric, biochemical parameters and food intakes by using 24 hr recall methods. Subject's total energy intake and total protein intake were 1,648.0 +/- 397.31 kcal/day, 79.2 +/- 27.2 g/day, respectively. The animal protein intake was 42.7 +/- 22.1 g/day, essential amino acids intake was 23.4 +/- 9.92 g/day, and the ratio of essential amino acids to total protein intake was 29.6 +/- 5.42%. There were significantly positive correlation between muscle mass and lean body mass with serum creatinine level (r = 0.435, p < 0.01; r = 0.435, p < 0,01). There were also significant positive correlation in muscle mass and lean body mass with pre hemodialysis blood urea nitrogen (preHD BUN)(r = 0.329, p < 0.05; r = 0.329, p < 0.05). There were no significant correlation in total energy intake and total protein intake per kg ideal body weight (IBW) to muscle mass and lean body mass. However, there were significantly positive correlation between the ratio of essential amino acids and muscle mass and lean body mass (r = 0.368, p < 0.05; r = 0.405, p < 0.01). And serum hematocrit concentration was positively correlated with the ratio of essential amino acids (r = 0.032, p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that strong associations exist in essential amino acid intakes with malnutrition than total protein intakes in HD patient. In conclusion, specialized nutrition education should be necessary to efficiently improve the quality of protein intakes.
Amino Acids, Essential* ; Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Male ; Malnutrition ; Metabolism ; Mortality ; Nutritional Status* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Risk Factors

INTRODUCTIONThe present study aimed to assess the demographic, socioeconomic, medical and lifestyle factors associated with the progression of a threatened miscarriage to a complete miscarriage in the first trimester.

METHODSA prospective cohort study was conducted on 157 women who presented with vaginal bleeding in the fifth to tenth week of gestation. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for progression to a complete miscarriage within 16 weeks of gestation.

RESULTSOf the 139 women included for data analysis, 36 (25.9%) had a miscarriage, mostly within two weeks of presentation. The results of our study showed that women aged ≥ 34 years were more likely to miscarry (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.95). Compared to women whose partner was 20-30 years of age, women whose partner was ≥ 41 years of age also had a higher likelihood of experiencing a miscarriage (HR = 8.33). However, the presence of nausea (HR = 0.33) and a high stress score (i.e. ≥ 17) on the Perceived Stress Scale (HR = 0.49) were associated with a reduced likelihood of miscarriage.

CONCLUSIONOlder pregnant women experiencing a threatened miscarriage should be counselled about their higher risk of miscarriage, especially if they have an older partner.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Life Style ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Socioeconomic Factors