Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control

BACKGROUND: Tiantai I consists of gastrodia, Chinese angelica root, areca seed. It has been considered as the roles of invigorating the liver, nourishing marrow, heightening the intelligence and causing resuscitation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tiantai Ⅰ on the abilities of learn ing and memory and the activity of central cholinergic system in mice withspontaneous Alzheimer disease. DESIGN: A randomized control observation. SETTING: Shenzhen Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine. MATERIALS: Male Kunming mice of 13 months old were raised to 21 months old, of which 52 with spontaneous Alzheimer disease werescreened. They were randomly divided into blank control group, westerndrug control group, Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groups, 13 mice in eachgroup. Another 13 aged mice with normal learning and memory abilitieswere selected as the normal control group at the same time. METHODS: Mice in the western drug control group were treated with0.6 mg/Kg Hydergine, those in the Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groupswere given intragastric administration of Tiantai Ⅰ of 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg, respectively, and those in the normal control group and blank control groupwere given double distilled water of the same volume. The learning andmemory results were examined by the step-down test. Freezing sections ofbrain tissue were prepared, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) fiber was showedaccording to the Hedreen method, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was detected with Burt and Silver methods, the automatic image analysissystem for biomedical application was applied in the quantitative analysisof AChE fiber and ChAT activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Effect of Tiantai Ⅰ on the abilities of learning and memory in mice with Alzheimer disease; ② AChE fiberarea density in temporal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region; ③ ChAT ac tivity in Meynert nuclei of basal forebrain. RESULTS: ① Tiantai Ⅰ in ameliorating the abilities of learning and mem ory in mice with spontaneous Alzheimer disease: The error times in theTiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groups, normal control group and westerndrug control group were obviously fewer than that in the blank controlgroup (5.08±2.18, 3.77±1.48, 3.25±1.27, 6.17±3.12, 9.31±3.65, P ＜ 0.05). ② AChE fiber area density: The AChE fiber area densities in temporalcortex were obviously higher in the Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groups, normal control group and western drug control group than in the blankcontrol group (20.19±4.18, 25.01±6.44, 26.38±6.52, 19.44±4.33, 14.36±3.21, P ＜ 0.05). The AChE fiber area densities in hippocampal CA1 region were obviously higher in the Tiantai Ⅰ 20.41 g/kg groups and nor mal control group than in the blank control group, western drug controlgroup and Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 g/kg group (13.88±3.07, 14.11±4.36, 6.57±2.30, 10.13±2.94, 9.63±2.40, P ＜ 0.05). ③ ChAT activity: It was obviously high er in the TiantaiI 20.41 and 6.80 g/kg groups, western drug control groupand normal control group than in the blank control group (0.683±0.179, 0.589±0.179, 0.552±0.173, 0.705±0.141, 0.354±0.131, P ＜ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tiantai Ⅰ can significantly improve the disturbances oflearning and memory in mice with spontaneous Alzheimer disease, and itcan increase the activity of central cholinergic system in a dose-dependentmanner.

Objective To systematically review the efficiency of 18 F-FDG PET in glioma grading by using Meta-analysis. Methods Retrieval in PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)was performed. Relevant papers concerning with glioma diagnoses with 18 F- FDG PET were selected. Paper quality was evaluated according to the standard of diagnostic test recommended by Cochrane Workshop. The data of glioma malignancy degree defined as semi-quantitatively and qualitatively were extracted from the papers. Meta-analysis was conducted with the Meta-Disc software to calculate pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence interval (CI). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results Seven hundred and fifty-three patients from 17 papers ( 16 in English, 1 in Chinese) were included. Two hundred and seventy-two patients from 11 papers were using semi-quantitative (tumor to cortex ratio, T/C; tumor to white matter ratio,T/W) method and 481 patients from 9 papers were using qualitative method (visual observation, some of the papers had 2 or more methods). After heterogeneity test was done, different effect models were selected. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% CI for T/C group was 0. 952 (95% CI: 0. 903 -0. 980), 0. 409 (95% CI: 0. 318-0. 504) and 11. 746 (95% CI:5. 368-25. 702) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and DOR with 95% CI for T/W group was 0. 857 (95% CI: 0. 768-0. 922), 0. 538 (95% CI: 0. 431 -0. 642) and 22. 066 (95% CI:7. 077-68. 800) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)with 95% CI for qualitative method was 0.810 (95%CI: 0.757-0.855), 0.870 (95%CI: 0. 819-0.911 ) and 15.282 (95% CI: 3. 716-62. 851 ) respectively. The AUC for T/C group, T/W group and qualitative method was 0.8604, 0. 8373 and 0. 8724 respectively. Conclusions Grading glioma by 18 F-FDG PET with semi-quantitative method may provide high diagnostic sensitivity. If qualitative method is used, the diagnostic specificity may be higher.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics and antibiotics resistance of nosocomial infection caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia after open-heart operation.METHODS The clinical data of 324 patients with microbiologically documented nosocomial infection from Jan 2004 to Dec 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS There were 34 infected cases caused by S.maltophilia,and accounted for 10.5% of all infections during the same period.All infected patients had serious original heart diseases,and received previous glucocorticoids and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.Thirty patients prolonged mechanical ventilation time for over 2 weeks.Results of susceptibility test showed that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,ticarcillin-clavulanic acid and levofloxacin were the most active antibiotics,followed by ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin.S.maltophilia presented high resistantce to carbopenems and aminoglycoside antibiotics.CONCLUSIONS Nosocomial S.maltophilia infection is associated with the severity of preoperative underlying heart diseases,prolonged mechanical ventilation and longer period of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy,especially carbopenems antibiotics.

Objective To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Propolis alcohol-extract (PAE) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute hepatic damage in mice and to explore the possible mechanism.Methods Sixty-three C57BL/6 MT(-/-)mice were equally randomized into 9 groups.The normal control group and the model group received gastric gavage of normal saline (20 mL?kg-1),four PAE groups were given PAE in the dose of 12.5,25,50 and 100 mg?kg-1 respectively,alcohol +APAP group and alcohol control group received 20 %alcohol 20 mL?kg-1 and PAE control group was given PAE in the dose of 100 mg?kg-1 qd,for 4 consective days.Thirty miniutes after last administration,the mice in the normal control group,PAE control group and alcohol control group received saline 10 mL?kg-1,and the mice in other groups received APAP 380 mg?kg-1 to induce acute hepatic injury.The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined,and the liver tissues were collected for histopathological assessment by HE staining under light microscope.The ratio of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG),and the content of GSH,GSSG and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenate were also measured.Results Compared with the model group,PAE could markedly decrease serum ALT,AST and LDH activity,reduce the MDA level in liver homogenate,and increase hepatic GSH content and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in the liver homogenate.The hepatic histopathological changes in liver were also significantly ameliorated.In PAE control group,GSH content and the ratio of GSH/GSSG were also increased.However,the above indexes remained unchanged in alcohol control group.Conclusion The propolis alcohol-extract can prevent the liver from PAP-induced acute hepatic injury.

A large ischemic stroke caused by malignant middle cerebral artery infarction can lead to severe cerebral edema, even cerebral hernia. This condition deteriorates and progresses rapidly, usually leading to death. Due to limitations of conservative treatments, decompressive hemicraniectomy becomes a favored option in clinic. Recent years, a series of ex?perimental studies and clinical trials achieved reliable evidence that decompressive hemicraniectomy is an effective treat?ment for patients who suffer from malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. With the successful surgical procedure, most patients benefit from a reduced mortality and improved functional outcome without severe disability. Nevertheless, plenty of issues about decompressive hemicraniectomy still need to be solved. Here, we reviewed researches of early diagnosis of ma?lignant middle cerebral infarction and the application of decompressive hemicraniectomy as its treatment.

Background There are two types of different questionnaires in dry eye diagnosis.But the associations about two questionnaires or questionnaire and clinical examination are still unclear.To effectively quantize the symptoms is helpful for a correct diagnosis of dry eye disease.Objective This survey was to evaluate the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) and Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI) questionnaire for the diagnosis of dry eye and investigate the correlation between the clinical examinations and questionnaires. Methods A perspective cohort study was designed.Sixty-six patients were enrolled in this study.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Peking University First Hospital,and written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any ocular examination.SPEED-based and OSDI-based questionnaires were used to score the dry eye symptom and grouped according to severity of complains.Corneal fluorescence staining,tear film breakup time(BUT),Schirmer I test and tear film interferometry were performed in all patients.The correlations between two questionnaires scores and their association with clinical examinations were evaluated.Results The negative correlations were found between the SPEED-based score or OSDI-based score with BUT value(r=0.390,P=0.001 ;r=-0.395,P=0.001 ),but no significant correlations were seen between the SPEED-based score or OSDI-based score with Schirmer test( r=-0.081,P=0.515; r=-0.080,P=0.525)and tear film interferometry score(r=0.158,P=0.204;r=0.219,P=0.077).The BUT was significantly prolonged in mild symptom group compared with serious group(t=2.339,P=0.022),but no significant difference was seen in Schirmer Ⅰ test and tear film interferometry scores using SPEED-based questionnaire ( t =0.404,P =0.687 ; t =- 0.947,P =0.347 ) ; while the positive fluorescence staining rate between two groups was significantly different (x2 =0.164,P =0.685 ).When using OSDI-based questionnaire,significant difference in BUT was seen among mild,moderate and serious symptom groups ( F =11.871,P =0.000 ),and BUT in mild symptom group was delayed in comparison with moderat and serious groups( P=0.000,0.000).No significant differences were found in Schirmer Ⅰ test,tear film interferometry scores and fluorescence staining rate among three groups(F=1.432,P =0.246; F =2.799,P =0.068; x2 =6.026,P =0.050).SPEED score showed a positive correlation with OSDI score ( r =0.697,P =0.000 ). Conclusions Both OSDI and SPEED are effective tools for the evaluation of symptoms of dry eye.The two types of questionnaires are consistent in symptoms evaluation.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of IBI302 on experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV).Methods Affinity of IBI302 to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family cytokines (including VEGF-A165,VEGF-A121 and placental growth factor PlGF) and complements (C3b,C4b) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The antagonist effect of IBI302 on VEGF was measured by proliferation,migration and tube formation tests of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).The anti-complement activity of IBI302 was measured by hemolysis test mediated by complement classical pathway and alternative pathway.Rhesus laser-induced CNV model was divided into 5 groups including model control group,bevacizumab group,IBI302 0.25 mg group,IBI302 0.50 mg group and IBI302 1.25 mg group.Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography were performed on these monkeys at 14 and 28 days after drug delivery to observe the fluorescein leakage area and retinal thickness.The aqueous VEGF concentration was measured at 29 days after drug delivery.Results IBI302 showed good affinity to VEGF-A165,VEGF-A121 and PlGF,as well as C3b and C4b.IBI302 significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration and tube formation of HUVEC induced by VEGF-A165.IBI302 inhibited the hemolysis induced by complements obviously.At 14 and 28 days after drug delivery,the area of fluorescein leakage and retinal thickness in IBI302 0.25 mg group,IBI302 0.50 mg group,IBI302 1.25 mg group were reduced.The differences of the area of fluorescein leakage and retinal thickness in three IBI302 groups were not significant (P＞0.05).At 29 days after drug delivery,the VEGF concentration in the aqueous of rhesus monkey in bevacizumab group [(38.644 ± 6.521) pg/ml] was decreased than that in model control group [(94.203± 17.360) pg/ml],the difference was significant (P＜ 0.05).The VEGF concentration in the aqueous of rhesus monkey in three IBI302 groups were less than 31.300 pg/ml.Conclusion IBI302 inhibited experimental CNV through blocking the activity of VEGF and complement.

Disability is one of the common geriatric syndromes.Researches addressing elderly disability are still in starting stages.Both opportunities and challenges occur in this field.In this review,we summarized the definition and diagnostic criteria popular assessment tools for the diagnosis of elderly disability,the disease burden and relevant studies regarding elderly disability.

Objective To explore the expression of COX-2 and p38MAPK in patients with trauma MODS. Methods Forty MODS patients were evaluated. The levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cells COX-2 and p38MAPK in MODS patients and 40 normal controls was detected by enzyme linked immunosor-bent assay (ELISA). RT-PCR was used to measure the COX-2 mRNA and p38MAPK mRNA expression of in PBMCs. ANOV and correlation analysis were used in statistical analysis. Results The levels of COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs and the mRNA expression in MODS group were higher than in control group (all P <0.05). The levels of COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs and the mRNA expression in dead group were higher than in survival group( all P <0.05). The levels of COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs were positively correlated, (r =0.6 147, P<0.01). The expression of COX-2 mRNA, p38MAPK mRNA of PBMCs and APACHE I scoring were positively correlated (r1 =0.5 009, P1 <0.05,r2 =0. 5 316, P2 <0. 05). Conclusions COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs take part in the onset of MODS, and may service as index to judge the prognosis of MODS.