Niemanncoffey2866

OBJECTIVE To investigate neuropsychological features of post-stroke cognitive impairment with no dementia (PSCIND) patients with different Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes. METHODS We recruited 50 patients with PSCIND between April 2012 and March 2013. Patients were divided into different groups according to TCM classifications. Patients were assessed using neuropsychological tests, including cognitive screening (mini-mental state examination), memory testing (auditory verbal learning test), executive/attention [shape trails test, stroop color-word test (SCWT), reading the mind in the eyes test, the digit ordering test-A (DOT-A), and symbol digit modalities test], language (action naming test, Boston naming test, famous face test, similarity test, and verbal fluency test), and visuospatial functioning [complex figure test (CFT)]. RESULTS We found no significant differences between patients with and without a diagnosis of turbid phlegm blocking the upper orifices on neuropsychological test performance. Patients diagnosed with upper hyperactivity of liver Yang syndrome scored significantly lower on the SCWT-C executive test and the CFT-delayed recall memory test. Patients with excess syndrome scored significantly lower on the SCWT-C executive test, and significantly higher on the DOT-A executive test. CONCLUSION Neuropsychological characteristics differ between PSCIND patients with different TCM classifications.OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness a cream onjoint pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The cream, topically used, in was prepared with Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), Mangxiao (Nalrii Sulfas), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), stir-frying with liquid adjuvant Ruxiang (Olibanum), and stir-frying with liquid adjuvant Moyao (Myrrh). METHODS Patients were 1∶1 randomized to add-on TwHF cream twice a day or placebo for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was achievement rate of 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 4. Secondary endpoints were ACR50, 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) improvement and safety profiles. Statistical analyses were performed using intention to treat analysis (ITT) set. RESULTS A total of 70 active RA patients were enrolled. Baricitinib clinical trial At week 4, the ACR20 was 34.3% (12/35) in TwHF cream group and 11.4% (4/35) in placebo group (P = 0.015). Similarly, a higher ACR50 responder proportion was seen in TwHF cream group with 17.1% (6/35) comparing to it in placebo group with 2.9% (1/35) (P = 0.046). The TwHF cream group also had more improvement than the placebo group on DAS28-ESR (1.1 vs 0.5, P = 0.001), DAS28- CRP (1.4 vs 0.7, P = 0.001), tender joint count (5.5 vs 2.6, P = 0.018), swollen joint count (3.5 vs 1.6, P = 0.003) and Physician's global assessment (25.8 vs 13.0, P = 0.002), as well as C-reactive protein (11.2 vs 2.7, P = 0.048). Except 2 skin allergy events in TwHF cream group, no other substantive adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION On the short term, TwHF cream is likely to be an effective and safety complimentary treatment in patients with active RA.OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Qiangxin Huoli decoction on rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) induced by adriamycin (ADR), and to investigate the underlying mechanism of this effect. METHODS Ninety-six healthy Wistar rats were divided into six groups control, CHF model, CHF treated by Shenfu injection, and three CHF groups treated with Qiangxin Huoli decoction at high, medium, and low doses, respectively. Qiangxin Huoli decoction was administered orally to protect the stomach in the three Qiangxin Huoli decoction groups, while the control group and the CHF model group were administered the same volume of 0.9% physiological saline, and the Shenfu group wereadministered the same volume of Shenfu injection. Ten days later, the CHF model was then induced in all groups except the control group by intraperitoneal injection of ADR at gradient dose intervals. The bodyweights were recorded on days 10, 20, 30, and 40. Hemodynamic indices were recorded, including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), leftly increased Bax expression (P less then 0.05) and significantly decreased Bcl-2 expression (P less then 0.01), indicating less apoptosis. The high dose Qiangxin Huoli decoction group and the Shenfu group showed the most significant improvements. CONCLUSION In the rat model of CHF, Qiangxin Huoli decoction significantly reduces the abnormal hemodynamics, improves cardiac function, reduces plasma BNP concentration, regulates the expression of apoptosis proteins, inhibits the apoptosis of myocardial cells, and plays a protective role.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture points (acupoints) on the expression of glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1) in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as measured by combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT). METHODS Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into model, Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture, and sham groups. Additionally, Tokyo Wistar rats were used as the control group. Changes in blood pressure were recorded in different groups of rats before and after the corresponding treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to study basic morphological changes, and immunohistochemistry was used to determine GLUT1 expression in the hypothalamus. Further, PET-CT was utilized to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism after acupuncture at the Taichong (LR 3) acupoints. RESULTS PET-CT indicated activation of the hypothalamus. Measurement of blood pressure showed that acupuncture at the Taichong (LR 3) acupoints lowered blood pressure. HE staining did not show any significant pathological changes, although differences in cell number were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated a GLUT1 downregulation in the SHRs of the Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture group after the treatment. CONCLUSION Acupuncture at Taichong (LR 3) acupoints lowered blood pressure in SHRs, with possible mechanisms being changes in cell number and GLUT1 expression in the hypothalamus.