scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Scutellaria baicalensis on Migraine: Implications from Clinical Use and Experimental Proof

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Chung-Chih Liao ◽  
Ke-Ru Liao ◽  
Cheng-Li Lin ◽  
Jung-Miao Li
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Surface ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Scutellaria Baicalensis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Migraine Treatment ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Experimental Proof ◽  
Locomotor Behaviour ◽  
Grooming Behaviour

Background. Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), a traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory and painful conditions. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of SB on migraine. Materials and Methods. We examined the clinical applications of SB based on the data obtained from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database and confirmed that it was frequently used in Taiwan for the treatment of headaches. An experimental migraine model was established in rats by an intraperitoneal injection of nitroglycerin (NTG, 10 mg/kg). Pretreatment with SB was given orally 30 min before NTG administration. The rats were subjected to migraine-related behaviour tests that were video-recorded and analysed using EthoVision XT 12.0 software. Results. The frequency of exploratory and locomotor behaviour was comparatively lower in the NTG group than that in the control group, while the frequency of resting and grooming behaviour increased. These phenomena were ameliorated by pretreatment with 1.0 g/kg SB. The total time spent on the smooth surface was longer in the NTG group than that in the control group, but the time was shortened by pretreatment with 1.0 g/kg SB. Conclusions. Pretreatment with 1.0 g/kg SB relieved migraine-related behaviours in the experimental NTG-induced migraine model. The outcome therefore demonstrated that pretreatment with 1.0 g/kg SB is beneficial for migraine treatment.

scholarly journals Relationship of Hydroxychloroquine and Ophthalmic Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8154
Author(s):  
Hung-Chih Chen ◽  
Hung-Yu Lin ◽  
Michael Chia-Yen Chou ◽  
Yu-Hsun Wang ◽  
Pui-Ying Leong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Increased Risk

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) via the national health insurance research database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. All patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (n = 47,353) in the NHIRD (2000–2012) were enrolled in the study. The case group consists of participants with diabetic ophthalmic complications; 1:1 matching by age (±1 year old), sex, and diagnosis year of diabetes was used to provide an index date for the control group that corresponded to the case group (n = 5550). Chi-square test for categorical variables and Student’s t-test for continuous variables were used. Conditional logistic regression was performed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of DR. The total number of HCQ user was 99 patients (1.8%) in the case group and 93 patients (1.7%) in the control group. Patients with hypertension (aOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11–1.31) and hyperlipidemia (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.52–1.79) significantly increased the risk of diabetic ophthalmic complications (p < 0.001). Conversely, the use of HCQ and the presence of rheumatoid diseases did not show any significance in increased risk of DR. HCQ prescription can improve systemic glycemic profile, but it does not decrease the risk of diabetic ophthalmic complications.

scholarly journals The incidence of mental disorder increases after hip fracture in older people: a nationwide cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Yin Kuo ◽  
Po-Ting Hsu ◽  
Wen-Tien Wu ◽  
Ru-Ping Lee ◽  
Jen-Hung Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Fracture Group ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background People living with dementia seem to be more likely to experience delirium following hip fracture. The association between mental disorders (MD) and hip fracture remains controversial. We conducted a nationwide study to examine the prevalence of MD in geriatric patients with hip fractures undergoing surgery and conducted a related risk factor analysis. Material and methods This retrospective cohort study used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2012 and focused on people who were older than 60 years. Patients with hip fracture undergoing surgical intervention and without hip fracture were matched at a ratio of 1:1 for age, sex, comorbidities, and index year. The incidence and hazard ratios of age, sex, and multiple comorbidities related to MD and its subgroups were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 1408 patients in the hip fracture group and a total of 1408 patients in the control group (no fracture) were included. The overall incidence of MD for the hip fracture and control groups per 100 person-years were 0.8 and 0.5, respectively. Among MD, the incidences of transient MD, depression, and dementia were significantly higher in the hip fracture group than in the control group. Conclusions The prevalence of newly developed MD, especially transient MD, depression, and dementia, was higher in the geriatric patients with hip fracture undergoing surgery than that in the control group. Prompt and aggressive prevention protocols and persistent follow-up of MD development is highly necessary in this aged society.

Optimisation of the drill-in behaviour of the EcoFit® SC threaded cup

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-484
Author(s):  
Christoph Thorwächter ◽  
Matthias Woiczinski ◽  
Inês Santos ◽  
Florian Schmidutz ◽  
Alexander Paulus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Primary Stability ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Maximum Torque ◽  
3D Images ◽  
Universal Testing ◽  
Biomechanical Investigation

AbstractThreaded cups show good clinical results when implanted correctly. In clinical use, multiple cases with an incomplete placement of the EcoFit threaded cup (implantcast) were observed. This behaviour could not be explained intra- and postoperatively. The aim of this study was to compare and optimise the drill-in-behaviour of the EcoFit cup in a biomechanical investigation. EcoFit cup sizes 46, 50 and 54 mm were compared with the SC cup (Aesculap) size 50 mm. Foam blocks (Sawbones) of density 0.16 g/ml (pcf 10), 0.32 g/ml (pcf 20) and 0.48 g/ml (pcf 30) were used. After standardised placement using a universal testing system (n = 8 per group), the primary stability, the overhang of the cups and the drill-in behaviour were measured. Overreamings of 1 and 2 mm were performed (pcf 20, n = 8) for the EcoFit cup size 50 and the primary stability as well as the overhang measurements were examined. Measurements of the cup diameter, thread depth and thread pitch were performed on three-dimensional (3D) images of the cup size 50 mm. The drill-in behaviour was different between the EcoFit and the SC cups. Even with maximum torque, the EcoFit cup could not be positioned as deep as the SC cup in standard reaming conditions (overhang of 1.1 ± 0.4 mm for the EcoFit size 50 in pcf 20 and of −0.01 ± 0.2 mm for the SC cup). The primary stability was lower for the EcoFit cup in comparison to the SC cup (128.8 ± 3.2 Nm vs. 138.6 ± 9.1 Nm, p = 0.0291). With overreaming to 51 mm, a deeper positioning of the EcoFit was possible (overlap of −0.3 ± 0.1, comparable to the SC cup). The overreaming of the cavity also led to a significantly higher primary stability of 143.4 ± 3.7 Nm (p < 0.001) comparable to the unaltered condition (128.8 ± 3.2 Nm). Overreaming to 52 mm had no further advantage in terms of primary stability or overhang. The geometric measurements showed significant differences as well. The previously clinically observed difficulties in inserting the cup were confirmed by this study. By overreaming to 51 mm, the drill-in behaviour, the primary stability and the measured overhang were comparable to the reference cup. The obtained results suggest that the extension of the acetabulum cavity to 51 mm while using the implantcast EcoFit size 50 should be implemented in clinical applications.

scholarly journals Prevalence of autoimmune diseases in in-patients with schizophrenia: nationwide population-based study

2012 ◽  
Vol 200 (5) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaw-Ji Chen ◽  
Yu-Lin Chao ◽  
Chuan-Yu Chen ◽  
Chia-Ming Chang ◽  
Erin Chia-Hsuan Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Multiple Testing ◽  
Pernicious Anaemia ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Hypersensitivity Vasculitis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Specific Variation

BackgroundThe association between autoimmune diseases and schizophrenia has rarely been systematically investigated.AimsTo investigate the association between schizophrenia and a variety of autoimmune diseases and to explore possible gender variation in any such association.MethodTaiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was used to identify 10 811 hospital in-patients with schizophrenia and 108 110 age-matched controls. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, separately, to evaluate the association between autoimmune diseases and schizophrenia. We applied the false discovery rate to correct for multiple testing.ResultsWhen compared with the control group, the in-patients with schizophrenia had an increased risk of Graves' disease (odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67), psoriasis (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07–2.04), pernicious anaemia (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.04–2.80), celiac disease (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.12–5.27) and hypersensitivity vasculitis (OR = 5.00, 95% CI 1.64–15.26), whereas a reverse association with rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.76) was also observed. Gender-specific variation was found for Sjögren syndrome, hereditary haemolytic anaemia, myasthenia gravis, polymyalgia rheumatica and dermatomyositis.ConclusionsSchizophrenia was associated with a greater variety of autoimmune diseases than was anticipated. Further investigation is needed to gain a better understanding of the aetiology of schizophrenia and autoimmune diseases.

scholarly journals Advances in the automated synthesis of 6-[18F]Fluoro-L-DOPA

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ângela C. B. Neves ◽  
Ivanna Hrynchak ◽  
Inês Fonseca ◽  
Vítor H. P. Alves ◽  
Mariette M. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumours ◽  
Radiochemical Yield ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Molar Activity ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Improved Methods

AbstractThe neurotracer 6-[18F] FDOPA has been, for many years, a powerful tool in PET imaging of neuropsychiatric diseases, movement disorders and brain malignancies. More recently, it also demonstrated good results in the diagnosis of other malignancies such as neuroendocrine tumours, pheochromocytoma or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.The multiple clinical applications of this tracer fostered a very strong interest in the development of new and improved methods for its radiosynthesis. The no-carrier-added nucleophilic 18F-fluorination process has gained increasing attention, in recent years, due to the high molar activities obtained, when compared with the other methods although the radiochemical yield remains low (17–30%). This led to the development of several nucleophilic synthetic processes in order to obtain the product with molar activity, radiochemical yield and enantiomeric purity suitable for human PET studies.Automation of the synthetic processes is crucial for routine clinical use and compliance with GMP requirements. Nevertheless, the complexity of the synthesis makes the production challenging, increasing the chance of failure in routine production. Thus, for large-scale clinical application and wider use of this radiopharmaceutical, progress in the automation of this complex radiosynthesis is of critical importance.This review summarizes the most recent developments of 6-[18F]FDOPA radiosynthesis and discusses the key issues regarding its automation for routine clinical use.

scholarly journals The Risk of Mortality among Psoriatic Patients with Varying Severity: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Xiu Dai ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsu ◽  
Hsiao-Yun Hu ◽  
Yun-Ting Chang ◽  
Tzeng-Ji Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Psoriasis Patient ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Severe Psoriasis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Control Subjects

Background: Previous studies showed conflicting results regarding the mortality risk in psoriasis patients with respect to disease severity and presence of psoriatic arthritis. This study aimed to determine the mortality risk in patients with mild and severe psoriasis and patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted based on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2002 and 2012. Incident psoriasis subjects were classified into two groups: psoriasis without arthritis and psoriasis with arthritis. Patients who had received systemic therapy and/or phototherapy were classified as having severe psoriasis; otherwise, patients were classified as having mild psoriasis. Control subjects without psoriasis were selected to match each psoriasis patient from the database within the same observational period. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to compare the hazard ratio (HR) of time to death. Results: A total of 106,701 patients with psoriasis were included in this study. After controlling for demographics and comorbidities, psoriasis patients had a higher mortality risk compared with the control group (HR 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36 to 1.46). Compared with psoriasis alone, the mortality risk was not increased for PsA (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.10). Besides, severe psoriasis did not increase mortality risk compared with mild psoriasis (HR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.06). Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis had a higher mortality risk compared with control subjects, whereas psoriasis severity and presence of PsA had no impact on mortality risk in psoriasis patients.

scholarly journals Strategy of IFCC standardization and use of cardiac markers in acute coronary syndromes

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Ignjatovic
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Troponin ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndromes ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Clinical Event ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Creatine Kinase Mb ◽  
Coronary Syndromes ◽  
Definition Of

Although the use of troponin to diagnose acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been previously proposed, the Committee on Standardization of Markers of Cardiac Damage (C-SMCD) of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) made a recommendation in 1999 to expand on the enzyme diagnostic criteria for AMI to include cardiac-specific proteins. In September 2000, a joint committee of the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology (ESC/ACC) published a new definition of AMI that for first time officially included troponin. According to these criteria, as the best biochemical indicator for detecting myocardial necrosis is "a concentration of cardiac troponin exceeding the decision limit (defined as the 99th percentile of a reference control group) on at least one occasion during the first 24 hours after the onset of clinical event". The use of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), measured by mass assays, is still considered as an acceptable alternative only if cardiac troponin assays are not available. It is very important to standardize the clinical use of troponin in diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndromes and to clearly define decision thresholds. Two strategies have competed as the most appropriate for the use of new markers. The first relies on the use of a combination of two markers - a rapid rising marker such as myoglobin, and a marker that takes longer to rise but is more specific, such as cardiac troponin - to enable detection of AMI in patients who present early and late after symptom onset. In the second strategy, only measurement of cardiac troponin is suggested. One of the most important problems in the practical use of the cardiac-specific troponin is the right definition of decision limits. As diagnostic cut-off for clinical use, the IFCC C-SMCD recommends for troponin assays a total imprecision, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV), of <10% at the 99th percentile of a reference control group. For troponin assays that cannot presently meet the 10% CV at the 99th percentile value, a predetermined higher concentration that meets this imprecision goal should be used as cut-off for AMI until the goal of a 10% CV can be achieved at the 99th percentile. It is very important that clinically relevant biomarker, such as cardiac troponin, on which critical decisions will rest, can be measured with highly reliable and standardized methods. There are problems in assay standardization, imprecision interference, and of pre-analytical variability. Cardiac troponin is currently the most sensitive and specific biochemical marker of myocardial damage and is the best marker for diagnosis, risk stratification, and guidance of therapy in acute coronary syndromes.

scholarly journals Effects of Shaoyao-Gancao-Fuzi Decoction on the Pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4-Mediated Tofacitinib in Rats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Lin ◽  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Sennan Shao ◽  
Wen Lin ◽  
Dan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Oral Administration ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profiles ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Cocktail Approach

Abstract Background: The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine is commonly accepted in clinics in China. Shaoyao-Gancao-Fuzi decoction (SGFD) has been extensively used to dispel wind, eliminate dampness and treat paralysis. Tofacitinib is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. SGFD and tofacitinib could be used together for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: A cocktail approach was employed to assess the effects of SGFD on the activities of CYP450s. After pretreatment for 2 weeks with SGFD, a cocktail solution was given to rats 24 h after the last dose of saline or SGFD. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic profiles of oral administration of tofacitinib in rats, with or without SGFD pre-treatment were investigated.Results: The results showed that SGFD could induce the activity of CYP1A2 and inhibit the activity of CYP3A4. Furthermore, SGFD could significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of tofacitinib. Compared with control group, the AUC0-∞ of tofacitinib was increased from 13669.53 ± 4986.83 to 28706.69 ± 9563.13 ng/mL*h (p < 0.01), and the Cmax was increased from 8359.66 ± 1512.22 to 11332.51 ± 2791.90 ng/mL (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The system exposure of tofacitinib was increased by SGFD. The mechanism might be through inhibiting the activity of CYP3A4 and reducing the metabolism of tofacitinib in rats. The study will provide better guidance for the safe clinical use of SGFD and tofacitinib.

scholarly journals Towards the Immunogenic Hyperthermic Action: Modulated ElectroHyperthermia

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Andras Szasz ◽  
Andras Szasz
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Genetic Information ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Hyperthermia Treatment ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Trade Name

Hyperthermia treatment for solid tumors is a long-used, but poorly accepted method in clinical use. Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT, trade name: oncothermia®) changes the paradigm, introduces a novel, cellularly selective and immunogenic cell-ruination. The mEHT method produces tumor-vaccination, presenting the unharmed genetic information of cancer cells to immune cells [1]. The mEHT method is approved in more than 30 countries. Its phase II/III clinical applications indicate a broad perspective.

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