Diagnostic value of combined modified Alvarado scores and computed tomography imaging in the pathological types of acute appendicitis in adults / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnostic value of combined modified Alvarado scores (MAS) and computed tomography imaging in the pathological types of acute appendicitis in adults.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of a total of 396 adult patients with acute appendicitis confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively from June 2007 to July 2010. Case-control study was used to investigate the MAS. CT signs were studied in 115 patients who underwent preoperative CT scan. Univariable analysis was performed using each indicator among different pathological types. Discriminant classification was formed by applying significant variables identified from univariable analysis and a Fisher discriminant function was created.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty three variables were statistically significant among different pathological types after univariable analysis(P<0.05) and were selected for discriminant analysis. Six variables including temperature(X1), leucocyte count(X2), the proportion of neutrophil(X3), MAS points(X4), periappendiceal fat stranding(X5), and extraluminal air(X6) were enrolled. The discriminant function equation was Y1=0.012X1+0.041X2+0.069X3-0.039X4+2.653X5+1.418X6, Y2=0.327X1+0.041X2-0.034X3-0.140X4-1.114X5+2.982X6. The accuracy was 76.5%(88/115) in retrospective assessment and 77.8%(21/27) in prospective assessment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined use of MAS and CT imaging signs is useful in identifying the pathological types of acute appendicitis in adults, so it is helpful in choosing reasonable therapeutic option for surgeons.</p>

Comparison of kinetic behavior in both plasma and tissue after intravenous administration of alpha-asarone in lipid emulsion and aqueous solution in rats and mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of alpha-asarone in lipid emulsion and aqueous solution for injection and study the feasibility of lipid emulsion of alpha-asarone as the parenteral drug delivery system.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HPLC was used to determine the drug concentration in rat plasma and mice tissues after intravenous (i.v.) administration of lipid emulsion and aqueous solution of alpha-asarone at a single dose (40 mg x kg(-1)), respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The plasma concentration-time profiles of lipid emulsion and aqueous solution of alpha-asarone after intravenous administration of them are similar and the drug concentration-time data were fitted to a two-compartment open model. The results of tissues distribution showed that distribution contents of alpha-asarone from lipid emulsion and aqueous solution in vivo are similar in lungs but lipid emulsion increased the uptake in livers and spleens, and decreased the uptake in hearts and kidneys for alpha-asarone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The plasma concentration-time profiles of alpha-asarone in lipid emulsion and aqueous solution are similar, but lipid emulsion significantly altered the tissue distribution of alpha-asarone, which may be beneficial to decrease its potential toxicity to heart and kidney.</p>