Objective To observe the effects of extracts of ginkgo leaves (EGL) on acute myocardial infarction, acute myocardial ischemia and blood hemorheology.Methods The effects of EGL on acute myocardial infarction were observed in dogs model induced by the ligation of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery; effects on acute myocardial ischemia were observed on rats model caused by intravenous injection of pituitrin and effects on blood hemorheology were observed in rabbits. Results EGL significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, decreased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase in dogs, reduced the elevation of ST segment of electrocardiogram in rats with myocardial ischemia and decreased whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in rabbits. Conclusion EGL has protective effect against myocardial ischemic injury and can improve the parameters of blood hemorheology in rabbits. Its mechanism may be concerned with the reduction of the myocardial infarction area and infarction degree and the relief of acute myocardial ischemia.

Objective To study the hemoprotective effects of a rotary magnetic field(RMF)with radiation- injured mice.Methods C57 BL6/J mice were randomly divided into a control group and a magnetic treatment group.The mice received total body irradiation with 7.0 Gy and 6.5 Gy ~(137)Cs?rays.The treatment group was trea- ted with a RMF for one hour at a time,twice a day.The intensity of the RMF was 0.6T.The survival rate was ob- served for 30 days.On day 7,10,14,21,28 after irradiation,the subjects' peripheral blood cells were counted.On day 12 and 16,the number of bone marrow mononuelear cells(BMNCs)was measured and their ability to form granu- locyte-macruphage colony-forming unit(CFU-GM)was assessed.The pathological sectioning of the femur was per- formed and the expression level of bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs)in the bone marrow were evaluated.Re- sults The RMF treatment increased the survival rate and duration among the irradiated mice and the number of blood cells in their peripheral blood.Also,RMF treatment could increase the number of BMNCs and improve their ability to form CFU-GM on days 12-16.Furthermore,RMF could improve angiogenesis and the expression level of BMPs. Conclusion The RMF treatment had an obvious protective effect against the effects of irradiation,and it accelerated the recovery of hematopoiesis and the hematopoietic microenviroment in mouse bone marrow.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of disc extrusion and neurologic deficit, the relation between disc extrusion and neurologic deficit and the treatment results according to our basic treatment principles in lower cervical facet joint fracture and dislocations MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients were evaluated, 8 male and 4 female with an average age of 41 years comprised the group. Six injuries were attributable to automobile accidents, 5 to fall from building, bed, floor and hill, and one to stand on her head. One case was distractive-flexion stage (DFS) 1, 9 cases with DFS 2 and 2 cases with DFS 3. Plain X-ray, CT, Myelo CT and MRI were used as a diagnostic tools. As a treatment criteria, feasibility of closed reduction, status of neuroglogic injury, and stability of injured spine were considered. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in accompanied disc extrusion, posterior reduction and fusion with triple wiring in unreduced dislocation, and anterior decompression and fusion in incomplete cord and root injury were selected as a basic treatment principles. RESULTS: Ten out of 12 cases (83%) showed neurologic deficits, 2 complete cord injury, 1 incomplete cord injury, and 7 radiculopathy. Nine out of 12 (75%) demonstrated disc extrusion and all disc extruded patients had neurologic deficits. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) were performed in 5 cases, ACDF and posterior reduction with triple wiring (PRTW) in 4 cases, PRTW in 1 case, and skull traction and philadelphia brace in 2 cases. Seven radiculpathy patients were completely recovered and one incomplete cord injury patient can ambulate with spastic gait after surgery. There were 2 bed sore and 1 pneumonia in complications. CONCLUSION: Soft disc extrusion should be evaluated carefully with MRI and CT in lower cervical spine injury with the facet joint fracture-dislocations before the decision of treatment. As disc extrusion always accompanies neurologic deficit, it must be surgically treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Automobiles ; Braces ; Decompression ; Diskectomy ; Dislocations* ; Female ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pneumonia ; Pressure Ulcer ; Radiculopathy ; Skull ; Spine ; Traction ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

ObjectiveTo study the hemoprotective effects of rotating and stationary magnetic field(RSMF) in mice treated with 5-Fluorouracil(5-FU).MethodsThe BalB/C mice were randomly divided into control group and RSMF-treated group.The mice were injected with 5-FU,the dose were 150,180,210,250 mg/kg respectively. RSMF-treated group was exposed to RSMF for 1 h a time,twice a day during 30 consecutive days,and the magnetic intensity was 0.6 T.The survival rate and survival days during the 30 days were observed.7,10,14,21,28 days after injection,the peripheral blood cells were counted.On day 8,10 and 14,the number of bone marrow mononuclear cells(BMNC) and the forming ability of colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage(CFU-GM) were measured.The pathological section of femur and the expression level of bone morphogenic proteins(BMPs) in bone marrow were evaluated.ResultsRSMF could increase the survival rate and survival days of mice treated with 5-FU,and induce an increase in hemoglobin concentration,white blood cell count(WBC),red blood cell count(RBC) and platelet number.Also,RSMF could increase the number of BMNC and improve the forming ability of CFU-GM on days 8～14.Furthermore,RSMF could improve the bone marrow angiogenesis and the expression level of BMPs.ConclusionRSMF have an obvious protective effect against chemotherapeutic injury,and it can accelerate the recovery of hematopoiesis and hematopoietic microenvironment in mouse bone marrow.

Objective To explore the changes of the plasma motilin(MTL)and serum gastrin(GAS)levels and their relationship with course of disease,the severity,the complication of digestive system in neonates with intracranial haemorrhage(ICH).Methods The objects were 26 cases of term newborns with ICH,the healthy control group contained 30 cases of healthy term newborns.Plasma motilin and serum gastrin concentration were measured by radioimmmunoassay in 26 cases of newborns with ICH in the 2 d,3-5 d,7-10 d,and 12-15 d after birth,and compared with the healthy control group.Results Compared with healthy control group,the blood GAS and MTL levels of neonatal ICH group increased dramatically(Pa

Nefazodone, a newer antidepressant is a phenylpiperazine derivative that inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, and antagonizes 5-HT2A and alpha1 adrenergic receptors. Compared with SSRIs nefazodone caused the fewer activating symptoms, adverse gastrointestinal effects(nausea, diarrhea, anorexia) and adverse effects of sexual function, but is associated with the more dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances and confusion. We report on 4 cases of visual disturbances and hallucinations in patients taking nefazodone. 1) Nefazodone, as a 5-HT2A antagonist, might induce visual disturbances. 2) mCPP, metabolite of nefazodone might contribute to the hallucination through action on 5-HT receptor. 3) Dopaminergic enhancing activity of nefazodone might cause hallucination. The case report raises the possibility that dose-related perceptual disturbances may exist with nefazodone. The fact emphasizes the need to pay close attention to all possible drug interactions, particularly in patients treated with multiple psychoactive agents, older patients, and patients with decreased hepatic function.
Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Dizziness ; Drug Interactions ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Mouth ; Norepinephrine ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Serotonin ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

We noticed a group of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine fractures showing a unique fracture pattern that consisted of 1) superior disc injury, 2) crush fracture of the upper half of the vertebral body, 3) sagittal fracture of the lower half of the vertebral body, 4) bone fragments in the spinal canal, and 5) lamina fracture. Some of these fracture patterns were present in type B burst fracture of Denis classification. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference between crush-cleavage fracture and type B burst fracture in the viewpoint of neural canal involvement and neurologic status, and functional outcome with surgical treatment. Ten cases were identified as crush-cleavage fractures in 22 type B burst fractures during a 5 year period from Mar. 1989 to Jun. 1993 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital. Four out of 10 crush-cleavage fractures and 4 out of 12 type B burst fractures were paraparetic. Crush-cleavage fracture must be an unstable thoracolumbar comminuted fracture, but there were no significant differences in the neural canal involvement, incidence of neurologic deficit, and in the functional outcome, compared with type B burst fracture (P>0.05). It could be classified as a progressed form of type B burst fracture in Denis classification, or as a burst-split fracture in Magerl classification in the anatomical viewpoint. In conclusion, crush-cleavage fracture must be a variant of burst fracture.
Classification ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Incidence ; Jeollabuk-do ; Neural Tube ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Orthopedics ; Spinal Canal ; Spine

Monocytes and macrophages regulate host immune system against infectious pathogens. Activated macrophages play an important role in restricting the multiplication and dissemination of pathogens. The concept of alternative activation of macrophages might provide useful insights into pathology of infectious diseases. M1 macrophages (classically activated macrophages) and M2 macrophages (alternatively activated macrophages) are associated with responses to tissue remodeling, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions in various infectious diseases. However, the relevance of macrophage polarization in several infectious diseases was not revealed clearly. Macrophage plasticity and polarization should be considered as a useful conceptual framework for understanding the unknown pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Here we reviewed the recent progress on macrophage polarization and its characters in infectious diseases.
Communicable Diseases ; Immune System ; Macrophages* ; Monocytes ; Pathology ; Plastics

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to explore the impact of nurse staffing level and oral care on pneumonia in elderly inpatients in long-term care hospitals (LTCHs). METHODS: Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services (HIRA) including the profiles of LTCHs, monthly patient assessment reports and medical report survey data of pneumonia patients by HIRA in the fourth quarter of 2010. The sample consisted of 37 LTCHs and 6,593 patients. RESULTS: Patient per nurse staff (OR=1.43, CI=1.22~1.68) and no oral care (OR=1.29, CI=1.01~1.64) were significantly related with hospital acquired pneumonia. The difference in percent of oral care by hospital was not significant between high and low group in nurse staffing level. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce the occurrence of pneumonia in eldery patients, effective nursing interventions are not only required but also nurse staffing levels that enable nurses to provide the intervention.
Aged ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Insurance, Health ; Long-Term Care* ; Nursing ; Pneumonia*