Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study(SCOTS) for retinal and optic nerve diseases: a case report of improvement in relapsing auto-immune optic neuropathy

We present the results from a patient with relapsing optic neuropathy treated within the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study （SCOTS）. SCOTS is an Institutional Review Board ap- proved clinical trial and has become the largest ophthalmology stem cell study registered at the National Institutes of Health to date （www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT 01920867）. SCOTS utilizes autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells （BMSCs） for treatment of retinal and optic nerve diseases. Pre-treatment and post-treatment comprehensive eye exams of a 54 year old female patient were performed both at the Florida Study Center, USA and at The Eye Center of Columbus, USA. As a consequence of a relapsing optic neuritis, the patient＇s previously normal visual acuity decreased to between 20/350 and 20/400 in the right eye and to 20/70 in the left eye. Significant visual field loss developed bilaterally. The patient underwent a right eye vitrectomy with injection of BMSCs into the optic nerve of the right eyeand retrobulbar, subtenon and in- travitreal injection of BMSCs in the left eye. At 15 months after SCOTS treatment, the patient＇s visual acuity had improved to 20/150 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Bilateral visual fields improved markedly. Both macular thickness and fast retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were maximally improved at 3 and 6 months after SCOTS treatment. The patient also reduced her mycophenylate dose from 1,500 mg per day to 500 mg per day and required no steroid pulse therapy during the 15-month follow up.

POST-STROKE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT STUDY A PRELIMINARY RESULT

Post-stroke Antihypertensive Treatment Study (PATS) was a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, which aimed at determining whether antihypertensive treatment could reduce the risk of fatal and nonfatal stroke incidence in patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TLA). 5 665 patients were randomized by a sealed envelope system. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ranged from 80 to 280 mm Hg and diastolic (DBP) from 50 to 150 mmHg. The average SBP was 154 mmHg and average DBP 93 mmHg. The mean age was 60 years. Among the patients, women accounted for 28%. In 71% the latest stroke was ischemic. Average follow-up approximated to 2 years. The three-year average SBP was 149 mmHg for the placebo group and 144 mmHg for the indapamide treatment group, and the three-year DBP was 89 mmHg and 87 mmHg respectively. The three-year first incidence of fatal and nonfatal stroke was 12.3 per 100 patients placebo treatment and 9.4 per 100 with indapamide. The relative risk by proportional hazards regression analysis was 0.71 (P=0.0009). For deaths from all causes, the relative risk was 0.91. (P>0.05). The findings of this trial indicate that in patients with a history of stroke or TLA, blood pressure reduction of 5 / 2 mmHg with 2.5 mg indapamide reduced the first incidence of fatal and nonfatal stroke by 29%, with three-year absolute benefit of 29 events per 1000 participants.

Clinical Study on Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease from the Vie wpoint of Xin and Shen

Objective: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Tiaoxin Recipe and Bushen Recipe (BSR, ) in treating Alzheimer’s d isease (AD). Methods: Sixty patients with AD were divided into 3 groups according to their MMSE and ADL scores before treatment, using randomized block design. They were treated separately with TXR, BSR and Donepezil (Dp) for 12 weeks. The changes of MMSE score, ADL score, neuro-psychology amount table score, including FOM, RVR, DS and BD, as well as the overall operational evaluation before and after treatment were analyzed. Results: The recognition and daily life capacity of patients in the 3 groups were improved after treatment. MMSE score in the TXR group increased from 16.10±1.94 scores before treatment to 17 90±2 59 scores after treatment, in the BSR group, from 16 15±2 16 to 17 50±2 59, and in the Dp group, from 17 35±1 90 to 19 60±3 39, all showed significant difference (all P<0 01). Change of ADL score showed that in the TXR group, it lowere d from 43 10±3 86 to 41 50±4 40, in the BSR group from 43 30±4 53 to 41 60±4 12 and in the Dp group, from 42 95±3 58 to 40 60±5 23, which also showed significan t difference (P<0 05 or P<0 01). Moreover, increase of FOM, RVR and DS score was shown in the TXR and the Dp group, and increase of RVR and BD score was shown in the BSR group, with significant difference in compar ison of corresponding score before and after treatment, inter-groups comparison showed significant difference of FOM score between the BSR and the Dp group ( P<0 01). Overall operational evaluation (total effective rate) in the TXR group was 70%, in the BSR group 65% and in Dp group 75%, with no significant difference among them. Conclusion: TXR and BSR are effective TCM drugs in treating AD

A Biochemical Study on Combined Treatment of Experimental Silicosis with Tetradrine-PVNO and Tetradrine-QOHP in Rats

A better understanding is needed to explain the mechanism of therapeutic effect of combined use of tetradrine-PVNO and tetradrine-QOHP which play very important roles in treatment of silicosis. Blood prolidase (PLD), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and plasminogen (PLG) in silicotic rats after treatment with tetradrine-PVNO or tetradrine-QOHP were measured. The values obtained were compared with the untreated silicotic rats. It was found that the silicotic rats that received tetradrine-PVNO showed significant increase in PLD and decrease in PLG, but no significant change in MAO. The PLD in plasma of silicotic rats that received tetradrine-QOHP were elevated significantly, but PLG and MAO did not change appreciably. These findings suggest that the combined use of tetradrine-PVNO and tetradrine-QOHP can accelerate the degradation of collagen in silicotic rats

Experimental Study on Treatment of SIV Infection by Zhongyan No. II In Monkeys

Objective: To investigate the curative effect of Zhongyan No. II (ZY II ) in treating SIVmac251 infection in macaques monkeys and evaluate the anti-viral effect of the drug as well as its protection on organism. Methods: Using SIVmac251 infected monkey model to detect the plasma SIVP 27 antigen level by viral isolation and ELISA; determine the T-lymphocyte subsets CD4 and CD8 by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, and investigate the serum content of neopterin and B2-mi-croglobulin B2-MG)by ELISA. The pathological examination was conducted as well. Results: ZY II

TEGAFUR PLUS MMC OR ACNU IN THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED GASTRIC CANCER-A PILOT STUDY

Twenty four cases of advanced gastric cancer were divided into two groups according to the general condition of the patients (PS 0-2 and 3-4), further subdivided into localized abdominal form, liver metastatic form, ascitic form and distant metastatic form. These patients were allocated randomly into Regimen A or B. Regimen A: Tegafur 600 mg daily and Mitomycin C (MMC) 5 mg/m2/1-2 weeks. Regimen B: Tegafur 600 mg daily and ACNU (Nimustine, water-soluble Nitrosourea) 60 mg/week for 2 weeks. After a course of ACNU, it was with drawn for 4 weeks and then resumed again. The response rate of Regimen A was 3/11 (27%), that of Regimen B was 3/13 (23%).

Clinical study of treatment of facial scar with ultrapulse CO2 laser and Erbium fractional laser

Objective To observe the effect of uitrapulse CO2 laser combined with Erbium fractional laser on treatment facial scars. Methods Total 70 cases with facial scars were treated with ultrapulse CO2 laser combined with Erbium fractional laser for 3 times with 2 ～ 3 months interval. Firstly,scar resurfacing was performed

Study of treatment of scapular fractures with associated clavicle fractures

To explore the treatment methods for scapular fractures associated with clavicle fractures.Methods Of 23 cases with scapular fractures associated with clavicle fractures,13 treated conservatively took the function exercise of shoulder joint after two months and 10 treated with open reduction and plate fixation reconstruction began the function exercise of shoulder joint four weeks after operation.The follow up averaged 12 months.Results All patients were healed up.18 cases were followed up,of them 8 cases were treated surgically,10 cases,conservatively.Of eight cases treated surgically,seven got excellent functional recovery of the shoulder joint and one satisfactory.In the meantime,of 10 cases treated conservatively,the recovery of shoulder joint was excellent in six,good in three and poor in one.Conclusion As for scapular fractures with associated clavicle fractures,open reduction and plate fixation reconstruction is a good treatment method for it can keep the stability and the balance of shoulder joint and is helpful for early functional exercise and recovery of the shoulder joint.7 refs,5 figs.

A clinical study on surgical treatment for perirolandic epilepsy and the predictor for good outcomes

Objective The purpose of the study was to investigate effective surgical procedure for perirolandic epilepsy and the predictor for good outcomes. Methods We collected 21 subjects who underwent epilepsy surgeries consecutively in Beijing Institute of Functional

Clinical study of polydloxanone suture tension band fixation for treatment of patellar fractures

To explore biomechanic characteristics and clinical outcome of absorbable polydloxanone (PDS) treating patellar fractures.Methods The tensile strength test of PDS 0-0 or PDS 1-0 sutures were made in WDW305 electro-universal tester.A total of 60 cases were classified randomly and equally into two groups:treatment group (treated with the absorbable PDS tension hand) and Kirschner wire metals tension band control group (control group).Anatomy reduction was performed with towel clip fixation during operation.Treatment group was managed with diameter 1.5 mm Kirschner wires drilling two pores on the near or distal segment of patellar fracture end are penetrating through two strands of absorbable PDS 0-0 or PDS 1-0 sutures for a satisfactory fracture fixation.Control group was treated with Kirschner wires (2.0 mm in diameter) and steel wire (1.0 mm in diameter) of type “8” tension band fixation.Results Tensile strength testing showed that the biggest tensile of a strand PDS 0-0 sutures was 71.50 N and that of PDS 1-0 97.48 N,when the length was three times more than the initial.Two groups were followed up and the mean fracture healing time was two months,without broken wire or dislocation.Treatment group showed excellent clinical results in 21 cases,good in six and fair in three;while control group showed excellent clinical results in 19 cases,good in seven and fair in four,with no statistical difference compared with treatment group (χ2=0.32,P>0.05).Conclusion Absorbable PDS tension band has better characteristics of mechanics and creepage in treating patellar fractures.It can avoid defects of secondary operation and complications like needle-tail pain and sharped skin resulted from metal tension band fixation.Meanwhile,it is economic and worthy of further clinical application.16 refs,4 figs.

Advances in TCM Treatment of Gastric Cancer and Studies on the Apoptosis

The significance of apoptosis in gastric cancer is now widely recognized, and the induction of apoptosis as a new approach to treat gastric cancer has aroused great interest. In recent years, studies on certain TCM drugs for treating gastric cancer and for inducing apoptosis have brought about great attention both at home and abroad. The following is a summary made in this aspect.

Studies on Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome by Astragalus and Angelica Mixture and Its Mechanism

Objective: To explore the effect, indication and mechanism of the mixture mainly consisted of Astragalus and Angelica (A&A) in treating ne-phrotic syndrome (NS). Methods: (1) Study the effect of A&A on model of chronic NS model induced by puromycin. (2) Study clinically and experimentally the effect of A&A on protein metabolic disorder in NS. (3) Study the effect of A&A on lipid metabolic disorder in NS using quick neph-

Studies on the influence of heat treatment on polyamide-1010 structure

In this work,the influence of heat treatment on Polyamide-1010 structure of aggregation state was studied by using WAXD and SAXS techniques.The results showed that the best crystallinity was obtained nearby T=175℃ for Polyamide-1010 samples with various annealing treatment.Through extrapolating method,the Tg obtained was approximately 58℃.Based on the one-dimensional electron density correlation function of partially crystalline polymers,some structural parameters of Polyamide-1010 were determined by SAXS.