The Titrated Mannitol Improved Central [Tc] Tc TRODAT-1 Uptake in an Animal Model-A Clinically Feasible Application.

[Tc]Tc TRODAT-1 is a widely used single photon emission tomography (SPECT) radiopharmaceutical in Asian practice for early detection of central dopaminergic disorders. However, its imaging quality remains sub-optimal. To overcome this problem, mannitol, an osmotic agent was used to observe its effect on improving striatal [Tc]Tc TRODAT-1 uptake in rat brain by titrated human dosages to investigate a clinically feasible way to improve human imaging quality.

A Retrospective Comparison of Three Patient-Controlled Analgesic Strategies: Intravenous Opioid Analgesia Plus Abdominal Wall Nerve Blocks versus Epidural Analgesia versus Intravenous Opioid Analgesia Alone in Open Liver Surgery.

Background: Adequate pain control is of crucial importance to patient recovery and satisfaction following abdominal surgeries. The optimal analgesia regimen remains controversial in liver resections. Methods: Three groups of patients undergoing open hepatectomies were retrospectively analyzed, reviewing intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) versus IV-PCA in addition to bilateral rectus sheath and subcostal transversus abdominis plane nerve blocks (IV-PCA + NBs) versus patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).

Isolable Tin(II) Hydrides Featuring Sterically Undemanding Pincer-Type Ligands and Their Dehydrogenative Sn-Sn Bond Forming Reactions to Distannynes Promoted by Lewis Acidic Tri--butylborane.

Unlike isolable tin(II) hydrides supported by bulky ligands reported in the literature, this research describes the synthesis and characterization of thermally stable tin(II) hydrides () and () stabilized by sterically undemanding N,N,N-coordinating pincer-type ligands ( = 2,5-dipyridyl-3,4-diphenylpyrrolato; = 2,5-bis(6-methylpyridyl)pyrrolato). The results from previous reports reveal that attempts to access tin(II) hydrides containing less-bulky ligands have had limited success, and decomposition to tin(I) distannynes often occurs. The key to the successful isolation of and is the identification of the role of Lewis acidic BBu, generated upon delivering hydride from commonly used hydride reagents M[BBuH] ("selectrides", M = Li or K).

Counteracting Cisplatin-Induced Testicular Damages by Natural Polyphenol Constituent Honokiol.

Cisplatin, despite its anti-cancer ability, exhibits severe testicular toxicities when applied systemically. Due to its wide application in cancer treatment, reduction of its damages to normal tissue is an imminent clinical need. Here we evaluated the effects of honokiol, a natural lipophilic polyphenol compound, on cisplatin-induced testicular injury.

Changes in Plasma Amyloid and Tau in a Longitudinal Study of Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Changes in cerebrospinal fluid, neuroimaging, and cognitive functions have been used as diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the temporal trajectories of plasma biomarkers in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and patients with AD relative to healthy controls (HCs).

Methods: In this longitudinal study, 82 participants (31 HCs, 33 MCI patients, and 18 AD patients) were enrolled.

Honokiol, a Polyphenol Natural Compound, Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Cytotoxicity in Renal Epithelial Cells Through Cellular Oxidative Stress and Cytoskeleton Modulations.

Cisplatin is a potent anti-cancer drug that has been widely used in the treatment of various cancers; however, cisplatin administration results in severe nephrotoxicity and impedes its clinical applications. In this study, we showed that honokiol, a polyphenol constituent extracted from exhibited a short-term protective effect against cisplatin-induced damages in renal epithelial cells . The protective effects of honokiol were resulted from the combination of (1) reduced cellular oxidative stress ranging from 53 to 32% reduction during a 24-h incubation, (2) the maintenance of cellular antioxidant capacity and (3) the stabilization of cytoskeletal structure of the kidney epithelial cells.

The effects of type I collagenase on the degelification of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) semen plug and sperm quality.

Background: Semen from the chimpanzee species becomes a colloidal solid after ejaculation. The formation of this copulatory plug is believed to prevent additional spermatozoa of subsequent mating events from accessing the ova. However, this naturally preserved strategy hampers the processes for sperm preparation.

[Effect of health education of schistosomiasis control with Yi-Han bilingualism].

Objective: To evaluate the intervention effect of Yi-Han bilingual health education of schistosomiasis control.

Methods: Baimiao Village in Daqing Town, Xichang City, where Yi Nationality inhabited, was chosen as a pilot to carry out Yi-Han bilingual health education of schistosomiasis control from 2012 to 2015. The villagers and students in the pilot area were investigated by questionnaires before and after the intervention to understand their awareness and correct behavior status on schistosomiasis control.

[Impact of ecological protection construction on schistosomiasis transmission of Qionghai Lake wetland in Xichang City].

Objective: To understand the impact of Qionghai Lake wetland ecological protection construction on the prevalence of schistosomiasis, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the strategies for schistosomiasis control and prevention.

Methods: A retrospective survey of the construction of Qionghai Lake wetland was performed, and eleven villages around the wetland were surveyed for schistosomiasis endemic situation. The influence of the wetland project on the schistosomiasis prevalence and Oncomelania hupensis snail status were investigated.

Post-insult valproate treatment potentially improved functional recovery in patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction.

Animal stroke models suggest that valproate has multiple neuroprotective mechanisms against ischemic brain damage. This study investigated whether valproate improves functional recovery in patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. This was an open-label controlled trial.

Clinical and radiologic manifestations of H1N1 virus infection associated with neurological complications: a case report.

Encephalitis complicating novel influenza A (H1N1) viral infection is rare and has only been reported in children. We present cerebral magnetic resonance imaging findings from a confirmed adult case with H1N1 infection who presented with acute encephalitis and subsequent respiratory failure. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense abnormalities in the bilateral globus pallidus in T1-weighted images, and multiple hyperintense abnormalities in the right insular cortex, right parahippocampus, and the pontine tegmentum in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images.

[Water exposure modes and times of different populations in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic areas near Qionghai lake].

Objective: To investigate water exposure modes and times of different populations in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic areas and to inform about the control strategies.

Methods: All 1054 residents from populations around Qionghai Lake were randomly sampled according to occupation for a retrospective questionnaire survey in November 2001. Each individual was interviewed for his/her mode, frequency, and duration of water exposure occurring between April and October 2001.