浅谈中医治疗无症状高血压

无症状高血压是高血压病中常见的一种情况,因患者无临床症状,常常被忽视,进而产生严重后果,影响患者生存质量甚至危及生命。中医对无症状高血压的认识较早,在《金匮要略》中就提出了"脉病形不病"的观点。文章从现代文献的角度概述了无症状高血压的概念、特点、危险因素以及血脂、冠脉血储备能力等方面的研究进展;同时,阐述了中医"脉病形不病"理论对防治无症状高血压的重要性,并针对无症状高血压的中医病机特点进行治疗,为今后临床诊疗和科学研究无症状高血压提供借鉴。

Non-surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is an infrequent motility disorder characterized by a progressive stasis and dilation of the oesophagus; with subsequent risk of aspiration, weight loss, and malnutrition. Although the treatment of achalasia has been traditionally based on a surgical approach, especially with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques, there is still some space for a medical approach. The present article reviews the non-surgical therapeutic options for achalasia.

Clinical significance of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Occult hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection(OBI) is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver(with or without detectable HBV DNA in serum) for individuals testing HBV surface antigen negative.Until recently,the clinical effect of OBI was unclear on the progression of liver disease;on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma;and on the risk for reactivation or transmission of HBV infection.Several studies suggest a high prevalence of OBI among patients with cryptogenic chronic liver disease,but its role in the progression to cirrhosis remains unclear.Although OBI has been well documented in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) -positive patients,especially among those coinfected with hepatitis C virus,further studies are needed to determine its current clinical impact in HIV setting.

Protein-loosing enteropathy associated with rotavirus infection in an infant

Rotavirus is an acute enteric pathogen in infants and children. We reported a rare case of a 6-mo-old infant with protein-loosing enteropathy (PLE) caused by rotavirus gastroenteritis, and evaluated the immunological profile in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Laboratory examinations showed lymphopenia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and elevation of alpha-1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) clearance. Lymphocytes subpopulation study revealed the reversal of CD4+/CD8+ ratio with the selective decrease of CD4- positive lymphocytes. Moreover, the excessive increase of T cells producing IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) was found, which plays an important role in the protection against viral infection. The primary or secondary activation of immune system by rotavirus may influence structural integrity and vascular permeability, which may play a triggering role in protein-loosing enteropathy.

Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is the most commonly diagnosed primary esophageal motor disorder and the second most common functional esophageal disorder. Current therapy of achalasia is directed toward elimination of the outflow resistance caused by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax completely upon swallow- ing. The advent of minimally invasive surgery has nearly replaced endoscopic pneumatic dilation as the fi rst-line therapeutic approach. In this editorial, the rationale and the evidence supporting the use of laparoscopic Hel- ler myotomy combined with fundoplication as a primary treatment of achalasia are reviewed.

Role of perioperative parenteral nutrition in severely malnourished patients with Crohn's disease

AIM： To evaluate the effect of perioperative parenteral nutrition on serum immunoglobulin, weight change, and post-operative outcome in severely malnourished patients with Crohn＇s disease. METHODS： Thirty-two severely malnourished patients with Crohn＇s disease who had undergone surgery in our hospital were reviewed. Sixteen patients who received perioperative parenteral nutrition were enrolled in the study group, and the other 16 patients who did not receive parenteral nutrition were enrolled in the control group. Serum immunoglobulin, body mass index （BMI）, liver function, weight change, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS： Serum IgM levels elevated 1 wk before surgery in both groups, and decreased to normal value （from 139±41 to 105±29 mg/dL, P = 0.04） 4 wk after operation in the study group, while no significant changes was noted in the control group （from 133±16 to 129±13 mg/dL, P = 0.34）. There were no significant changes in concentrations of IgG and IgA. The BMI of the study group increased from 13.9±0.6 to 15.3±0.7 kg/m^2 （P = 0.02） with no significant change in the control group （14.1±0.7 and 14.5±0.5, respectively, P = 0.81）. The percentage of resuming work was higher in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSION： Perioperative parenteral nutrition possibly ameliorates the humoral immunity, reverses malnutrition, and facilitates rehabilitation. 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Bioinformatic approach for understanding the heterogeneity of cholangiocytes

It is remarkable that microarray technologies have nearly reached a pinnacle. Establishment of further analysis and management of enormous data derived from microarray technology is currently the highest priority. The heterogeneous functions of cholangiocytes regulate the pathophysiology of the biliary epithelium in relation to secretory, proliferative and apoptotic activities. Distinct expression profiles of two murine cholangiocyte lines, termed small and large have been revealed by microarray analysis. The features of the two cholangiocyte cell lines, categorized partly according to gene ontology, indicate the specific physiological role of each cell line. The large cholangiocytes are characterized as “transport” and “immune/ inflammatory responses” In contrast, small cholangiocytes are associated with properties of limited physiological functional ability and proliferating/migrating potential with specific molecules like Eph receptors, comparable to mesenchymal cells. ＇Omic study will be of great help in understanding the heterogeniety of cholangiocytes.

Subtypes of functional dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is a common clinical condition characterised by chronic or recurrent upper abdominal pain or discomfort commonly associated with a variety of associated gastrointestinal symptoms and a normal endoscopy. To standardise research-based approaches, an initial categorisation of into sub groups was agreed to, based on clusters of symptoms. However the early expectation that these subgroups would be associated with distinct pathophysiologies amenable to specific therapy has not been realised. A classification based on the most troublesome symptom has been suggested but the utility of this is also unclear. More recent data suggest that some of the pathophysiologic dysfunctions may be associated with specific symptoms and so provide a better tool for grouping patients. But this approach remains incomplete as current insights into the pathogenesis are still too limited for this to be satisfactory. In conclusion, no classification provides for an adequate treatment-based approach to the syndrome of functional dyspepsia. As a consequence treatment remains largely empiric.

Giardiasis in patients with dyspeptic symptoms

AIM： To investigate the prevalence of giardiasis in patients with dyspeptic symptoms. METHODS＂ Clinical records of consecutive patients who attended Gastroenterology Department at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2000 to June 2003 and had esophagogastroduodenoscopy （EGD） with duodenal biopsies and international classification of diseases 9th revision with clinical modifications （ICD-9-CM） coded with giardiasis were studied. RESULTS： Two hundred and twenty patients fulfilled the above criteria. There were 44% （96/220） patients who were giardiasis positive, 72% （69/96） of them were males and 28% （27196） of them were females. There were 65% （81/124） males and 35% （43/124） females who were giardiasis negative. The mean age of patients with giardiasis was 28±17 years, while that of giardiasis negative patients was 40±18 years （P〈0.001）. In patients with giardiasis, abdominal pain was present in 71% （68/96） of patients （P = 0.02） and diarrhea in 29% （28/96） （P = 0.005）; duodenitis in 25% （24/96） on EGD （P = 0.006） and in 68% （65/96） on histopathology （P = 0.002）. CONCLUSION： Giardiasis occurs significantly in young people with abdominal pain, while endoscopic duodenitis is seen in only 25% of giardiasis positive cases, which supports routine duodenal biopsy.

Association between Helicobacter pylori and end-stage renal disease: A meta-analysis

To investigate the prevalence and association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).METHODSSA comprehensive literature search was completed from inception until October 2016. Studies that reported prevalence, relative risks, odd ratios, hazard ratios or standardized incidence ratio of H. pylori among ESRD patients were included. Participants without H. pylori were used as comparators to assess the association between H. pylori infection and ESRD. Pooled risk ratios and 95%CI was calculated using a random-effect model. Adjusted point estimates from each study were combined by the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.RESULTSOf 4546 relevant studies, thirty-seven observational studies met all inclusion criteria. Thirty-five cross-sectional studies were included in the analyses to assess the prevalence and association of H. pylori with ESRD. The estimated prevalence of H. pylori among ESRD patients was 44% (95%CI: 40%-49%). The pooled RR of H. pylori in patients with ESRD was 0.77 (95%CI: 0.59-1.00) when compared with the patients without ESRD. Subgroup analysis showed significantly reduced risk of H. pylori in adult ESRD patients with pooled RR of 0.71 (95%CI: 0.55-0.94). The data on the risk of ESRD in patients with H. pylori were limited. Two cohort studies were included to assess the risk of ESRD in patients with H. pylori. The pooled risk RR of ESRD in patients with H. pylori was 0.61 (95%CI: 0.03-12.20).CONCLUSIONThe estimated prevalence of H. pylori in ESRD patients is 44%. Our meta-analysis demonstrates a decreased risk of H. pylori in adult ESRD patients.

Importance of nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） results from the interaction between an individual＇s immune response and precipitant environmental factors, which generatean anomalous chronic inflammatory response in thosewho are genetically predisposed. Various feeding practices have been implicated in the origin of IBD based on epidemiological observations in developed countries, but we do not have solid evidence for the etiological role played by specific food types. IBD is associated with frequent nutritional deficiencies, thepattern and severity of which depends on the extent,duration and activity of the inflammation. Nutritional support allows these deficiencies in calories, macro and micronutrients to be rectified. Enteral nutrition is also aprimary therapy for IBD, especially for Crohn＇s disease,as it allows the inflammatory activity to be controlled,kept in remission, and Drevents or delays the need forsurgery. Nutritional support is especially important in childhood IBD as an alternative to pharmacological treatment. This report discusses the complex relationship between diet and IBD.

五片桃酥

这是一件令我终生难忘的故事,现在回想起来依然历历在目。上世纪70年代,我在村南3华里的联中读初中,由于是离村上学,中午必须自带干粮。那时的干粮根本就没有什么好吃的可带,除了过年、过节,家里有看欢启、赶生日,将媳妇、打发闺女等时候能拿块饽饽以外,其余时间全是拿粑粑。而生活条件差的粑粑也拿不起,只能用小手巾包一包地瓜干。由于中午长期干吃凉粑粑,也没有菜,母亲通常将菜包在粑粑里,或将菜搀在粑粑里。