Effect of Wei's triple nine needling on eye regulation in patients with presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between Wei's triple nine needling combined with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops and esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops alone for presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency.@*METHODS@#Forty-six cases (92 eyes) with presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into an observation group (23 cases) and a control group (23 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The cases in the observation group were treated with Wei's triple nine needling and esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops. The acupoints included Shangming (Extra), Chengqi (ST 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2) to Jingming (BL 1), Sizhukong (TE 23) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc; the needling was given once every other day, three times a week, and the eye drops were given one drop each time, three times a day. The cases in the control group were only treated with the eye drops. Both groups were treated for 7 days as one course of treatment, and 2 courses of treatment were given. The visual fatigue core symptoms score, adjustment amplitude, adjustment lag and best average corrected visual acuity were observed in the two groups before treatment, 1 week and 2 weeks into treatment, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the visual fatigue core symptoms scores in the two groups were decreased after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P<0.05); in the observation group, the adjustment amplitude was increased after 2-week treatment (P<0.05), while in the control group, the adjustment amplitude was increased after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P<0.05); in the observation group, the adjustment lag was decreased after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P<0.05). After 2-week treatment, the visual fatigue core symptoms score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, and the adjustment amplitude was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in adjustment lag and best average corrected visual acuity between the two groups after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Wei's triple nine needling combined with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops could improve the visual fatigue and eye regulation ability in patients with presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency, and the effect is better than esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops alone.

A New Stereoisomeric Monoterpene Glycoside from Clematis heracleifolia leaves

A new stereoisomeric monoterpene glycoside and five already-known compounds were isolated from the n-BuOH soluble fraction of Clematis heracleifolia leaves. On the basis of spectral data, the structures of the isolated compounds were identified as protocatechuic acid (1), ferulic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), aesculin (4), (6Z)-9-hydroxylinaloyl glucoside (5), and 9-hydroxylinaloyl glucoside (6) and these were isolated for the first time from this plant. Among these compounds, (6Z)-9-hydroxylinaloyl glucoside (5) is a newly isolated from plant source.

Quantitative method for simultaneous assay of four coumarins with one marker in Fraxini Cortex / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a new quantitative method for simultaneous determination of multi-coumarins in Fraxini Cortex by using one chemical reference substance, and validate its feasibilities.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The new quality evaluation method, quantitative analysis of multi-components by singer-marker (QAMS), was established and validated with Fraxini Cortex. Four main coumarins were selected as analytes to evaluate the quality and their relative correlation factors (RCF) were determined by HPLC-DAD. Within the linear range, the values of RCF at 340 nm of aesculin to asculetin, fraxin and fraxetin were 1.771, 0.799, 1.409, respectively. And the contents of aesculin in samples of Fraxini Cortex were authentically determined by the external standard method, and the contents of the three other coumarins were calculated by their RCF. The contents of these four coumarins in all samples were also determined by the external standard method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Within a certain range, the RCF had a good reproducibility (RSD 2.5%-3.9%). Significant differences were not observed between the quantitative results of two methods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is feasible and suitable to evaluate the quality of Fraxini Cortex and its Yinpian by QAMS.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents from stem barks of Fraxinus paxiana / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of Fraxinus paxiana.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by chromatographic techniques and the structures of the compounds were identified with or by spectroscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fifteen compounds were obtained from the methanol extract of F. paxiana and their structures were elucidated as esculin (1), esculetin (2), fraxin (3), fraxetin (4), salidroside (5), osmanthuside H (6), liriodendrin (7), 3-(4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methoxy)-phenyl-2E-propenol (8), threo-syringylglycerol (9), euscaphic acid (10), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (11), omega-hydroxypropioguaiacone (12), sinapyladehyde (13), betulinic acid (14) and mannitol (15).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.</p>

HPTLC method for the determination of some natural compounds in phytopharmaceuticals

High performance thin layer chromatographic method for quantitative estimation of esculin and capsaicin in some phytopharmaceuticals was presented. Acid hydrolysis of esculin and alkaline hydrolysis of capsaicin were carried out for the preparation of their degradation products. The degradates were isolated, identified and confirmed by UV, Mass and IR spectroscopy. The proposed method based on the determination of esculin in presence of its degradates at 365 nm using mobile phase; butanol: glacial acetic acid: water [5:1:4:v/v/v], linearity range is 2.0 - 10.0 micro g/spot. Capsaicin was determined in presence of its degradates at 254 nm using mobile phase; toluene: diethyl ether: dioxane, [62.5: 21.5: 16 v/v/v], linearity range is 4.0 - 16.0 microg/spot. The suggested method was applied for the determination of esculin and capsaicin in pure form, and different dose forms as stability indicating method. The validity was assessed by applying the standard addition technique, and all validation parameters were performed according to ICH guidelines. Statistical analysis was carried out recording an accurate, precise, and reproducible results compared to the published methods

Prescription pattern for treatment of hemorrhoids under the universal coverage policy of Thailand.

The Universal Coverage Policy (UCP) or "30 Baht Scheme" was launched in Thailand in 2001. The policy caused a cutback in the budgets of all public hospitals and health service centers. Traditional medicine was then viewed as an alternative to save costs. This study examines whether this had any influence on hemorrhoid treatment prescription patterns, ratio of traditional/modern medicine, or the cost of hemorrhoid treatment after the UCP was implemented at a community hospital. The traditional medicine prescribed was Petch Sang Kart and the modern alternative was Proctosedyl. All hemorrhoid prescriptions at a community hospital from October 2000 to January 2003 were surveyed. Segmented Regression Analysis was applied to evaluate prescription trends, the ratios between the types of medicine, and the hemorrhoid treatment cost. A total of 256 prescriptions were analyzed. The average number of traditional medicine prescriptions per month were more than modern medicine (41 versus 16). During the study period, the trend of modern medicine use and the treatment cost was decreased (p < 0.01). The ratio of traditional/modern medicine increased 0.2 times (p = 0.02).

Biochemical characterization of the aeromonas species isolated from food and environment

Very few studies have been carried out to comprehensively characterize Aeromonas isolates. This study reports biochemical and enzymatic characterization of 60 isolates belonging to seven Aeromonas species. Seven types of API [Analytab Production Incorporation, France] strips [API 20 E, API 20 NE, Rapid ID 32 E, API 50 CH, ID 32 GN, ID 32 C, Rapid ID 32 A] were used for the biochemical characterization of the isolates. These strips provided an extensive biochemical profile of the isolates. AI 20 E gave reliable results. The H [2] S tubule of this strip was added with gelatin-cysteine-thiosulfate medium and got excellent results for H [2] S production from cysteine. Esculin formulation in ID 32 C was proved most reliable as no false positive or as many false positive and false negative results were given by it. All other strips provided test profile and some of the characteristics in them appeared as significant in differentiation of the various species

Randomized, double-blind trial comparing topical nitroglycerine with xylocaine and Proctosedyl in idiopathic chronic anal fissure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare symptomatic relief, healing, and changes in maximal anal resting pressure with the use of topical formulations in patients with chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Sixty-four consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure were randomized into 4 groups that received, in a double-blind manner, a topical ointment that contained 0.2% nitroglycerine (GTN), 5% xylocaine, Proctosedyl (hydrocortisone acetate, heparin, framycetin sulfate, esculoside, ethoform, butoform) or petroleum jelly (Vaseline), to be applied twice daily. Patients were reviewed at 2-week intervals for 6 weeks. Anal manometry was done before, and 20 minutes after, the first application of the ointment. RESULTS: There was significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in mean anal resting pressure after application of GTN, but not any other ointment. Of 16 patients receiving GTN, complete pain relief occurred in 6 and 15 patients after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, respectively; this was more frequent than in the other 3 groups. At 6 weeks also, complete pain relief occurred more often with GTN than with Vaseline or xylocaine. After 4 weeks of treatment, 3 patients on GTN had complete healing of fissure as compared to one each in the xylocaine and Proctosedyl groups and none in the Vaseline group. At 6 weeks, healing of fissure had occurred in 15 of 16 patients receiving GTN as compared to 4 receiving Vaseline, 11 receiving xylocaine, and 12 on Proctosedyl. CONCLUSIONS: Topical nitroglycerine produces 'chemical sphincterotomy' with reduction in mean anal resting pressure. Pain relief and healing of fissure occurred earlier with GTN than with other treatments. GTN should be considered as the treatment of choice for the non-surgical management of patients with chronic anal fissure.

Chemical constituents from Alyxia sinensis (II) / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To demonstrate the chemical constituents of Alyxia sinensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents were isolated by column chromatography and identified by advanced physical and spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds have been isolated and elucidated as bauereny acetate(18), scopletin(19), liriodendrin(20), pinoresinol-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(21), daucosterol(22), flaxetin(23), esculin(24), aseculin(25).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These compounds were found from the plant for the first time, and compound 20,21,23-25 were found from Alyxiae genis for the first time, and compound 18 is firstly been isolated from natural source.</p>

Correlation of the suicide phenomenon in Aeromonas species with virulence and enteropathogenicity.

Certain strains of mesophilic Aeromonads like A. hydrophila, A. veronii biotype sobria and A. caviae when grown in broth containing 0.5% glucose, undergo growth inhibition concomitant with acetate accumulation. As these strains become nonviable after 24 h, this phenomenon is termed suicide. We investigated suicidal strains of Aeromonas species as means of understanding animal virulence and enteropathogenicity. Non suicidal strains of A. Hydrophila showed and overall 88.8% lethality rate and non suicidal strains of A. veronii biotype sobria showed 83.3% lethality rate and was nil for its suicidal part. Of the two suicidal A. caviae strains tested, none were lethal. The present data suggest that the suicide phenomenon may explain strain specific [A. veronii biotype sobria, A. hydrophila] and species specific [A. caviae] virulence and enteropathogenicity.

Intestinal Colonization of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded a 20-fold increase in the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) associated with nosocomial infections between 1989 and 1991. Although VRE has been reported in Korea since 1992, infections caused by these organisms are still extremely rare in Pusan, Korea. Therefore, a point prevalence culture survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of intestinal colonization with VRE among patients admitted to Kosin Medical Center, which can predict the appearance of clinical infections with VRE. METHODS: Between July 1997 and August 1997, stool specimens were obtained from 303 patients. Specimens were placed in bile esculin azide broth containing vancomycin (64 microgram/mL) and aatreonam (60 microgram/mL). Cultures were done for 48 hours at 37degrees C, and turbid solutions were subcultured on blood agar. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of vancomycin and teicoplanin to Enterococcus isolates were determined by Etest on Mueller-Hinton agar. For amplification of the vanA, vanB, and vanC genes, polymerase chain reactions were performed. RESULTS: VRE isolates were isolated from 6 of the patients (2%). Four of them were identified as E. faecium, and 1 was identified as E. avium, and 1 was identified as Enterococcus spp. All of them were highly resistant to vancomycin (MICs >256 microgram/mL), and they were also resistant to teicoplanin (MICs 32-->256 microgram/mL). All of 6 VRE strains carried vanA gene. CONCLUSION: The colonization of VRE was not infrequent among the patients of a university hospital in Pusan, Korea. Moreover, a large proportion of the colonizing VRE was revealed Enterococcus faecium with vanA gene, which implies quite a possibility of a sudden rising of infections by this organism in the near future. So we propose that the vancomycin susceptibility test should be done for every enterococcal isolate from clinical specimens and the intestinal colonization rate of VRE should be closely monitored at regular intervals for the purpose of surveillance 50 that proper establishment of plans for the prevention of this troublesome pathogen's spread can be promptly made.

Fish meal extract bile esculin agar (FMBE) a selective medium for Bacteroides fragilis group.

Fish meal extract bile esculin agar (FMBE) is prepared using Fish meal extract concentrate as the basal substance, for the selective isolation and presumptive identification of B.fragilis group. The efficiency of the medium was evaluated by growing stock cultures of B.fragilis groups as well as inoculating clinical specimens and comparing the results with Bacteroides bile esculin agar (BBE). All the 87 stock cultures of B.fragilis grew on FMBE and BBE. No other anaerobes tested grew on the medium. However 7 out of 65 neomycin resistant aerobes grew on the FMBE. From the 100 clinical samples, 62 strains of B. Fragilis group were recovered on FMBE and BBE, and 53 strains on supplemented BHIBA. The cost effectiveness, selectivity and the ability to detect esculin hydrolysis will enable FMBE as a suitable medium as comparable to that of BBE, if not superior.

Two Cases of Bacteremia Caused by Leuconostoc citreum / 대한임상병리학회지

Two strains of vancomycin-resistant Leuconostoc species were isolated from blood cultures in two compromised patients. The isolates produced gas from Lactobacillus MRS booth, hydrolysed esculin, and produced no ammonia from arginine, thus fulfilling the major criteria as Leucorostoc spp. We recommend that clinical laboratories should perform susceptibility test to vancomycin for clinical isolates (especially from cerebrospinal fluid and blood) which resemble streptococci so as not to confuse Leuconostoc spp. with more commonly isolated pathogens such as streptococci.

Evaluation of different techniques for the differentiation of pathogenic and non pathogenic strains of Yersinia enterocolitica

Diferentes métodos e testes para avaliar o potencial patogênico de Y. enterocolitica de sorotipos diversos têm sido utilizados. Testamos 60 cepas do microrganismo, sendo 25 de origem humana (sorotipo 03 biotipo 4 e sorotipo 05 biotipo 1): 6 de origem animal (sorotipo 03 biotipo 4 ); 19 isoladas do meio ambiente (sorotipo 05.27 biotipos 1 e 2 ) isoladas de alimentos (sorotipo 05 biotipo 1 e sorotipo 05.27 biotipo 1 ). Foram utilizados testes relacionadosà expressäo de genes plasmidiais (autoaglutinaçäo, dependência ao cálcio a 37ºC e absorçäo do corante Vermelho Congo), de genes cromossomais (presença de enzima pirazinamidase, fermentaçäo da salicina e hidrólise da esculina) além do teste de invasäo em células HEp-2. Todas as Y enterocolitica 03 exceto uma, foram potencialmente patogênico frente aos testes pirazinamidase-salicina-escalina, o mesmo näo ocorrendo com os testes relacionados a genes plasmidiais, quando os resultados näo foram täo uniformes, provavelmente pela perda do plasmídeo; o teste de invasibilidade em células HEp-2 apresentou os resultados monos uniformes. As cepas de Y. enterocolitica 05 também tiveram comportamento uniforme, sendo näo potogênicas frente aos dois grupos de testes (plasmidiais e cromossomais); em relaçäo ao teste de invasäo em células HEp-2 näo houve uniformidade. As cepas do sorotipo 05.27 biotipo 1, mostraram-se uniformes em relaçäo aos testes cromossomais, sendo näo patogênicas; näo apresentaram no entanto, resultados conclusivos nos testes relacionados à genes plasmidiais e invasäo em células HEp-2. Conclui-se que os testes relacionados a genes cromossomais (esculinasalicina-pirazinamidase) säo simples e muito eficazes na detecçäo de Y. enterocolitica potencialmente patogênicas, originárias de caos clínicos

Incidencia de cepas de Stretococcus bovis y estreptococos del grupo "viridans" bilis-esculina positivas en materiales clínicos: propuesta de un esquema mínimo de pruebas para su diferenciación / Incidence of Streptococcus bovis and \"viridans\" group bile-esculin positive streptococci in clinical specimens: identification of species by using minimal schedule test

Streptococcus bovis comparte muchas características bioquímicas con algunas especies del grupo "viridans". En ese sentido, algunas de éstas son capaces de dar positiva la prueba de bilis-esculina (BE+). Debido a la implicancia clínica que tiene la correcta diferenciación de estos microorganismos, se estudió su incidencia en materiales clínicos y se evaluó una marcha mínima de pruebas bioquímicas para su identificación. Sobre 172 aislamientos sucesivos, tipificados según un esquema descripto previamente por los autores, se encontraron 59 cepas (34 por ciento) BE+, 23 (13 por ciento) fueron S. bovis y 36 (21 por ciento) fueron especies del grupo "viridans". La distribución de cepas BE+ dentro de las mismas fue: S. anginosus, 22 por ciento (9/41), S. sanguis, 26 por ciento (6/23), S. mutans, 72 por ciento (13/18), S. vestibularis 4/7 y S. salivarius 4/6 cepas. El 41 por ciento de las 59 cepas BE+ se aisló de hemocultivos. El esquema propuesto identificó correctamente todas las cepas BE+. Utilizando sólo las pruebas de bilis-esculina y desarrollo en caldo CINa (6,5 por ciento), se cometería un error del 60 por ciento en la identificación presuntiva de S. bovis. Creemos que este estudio sugiere la necesidad de incluir pruebas adicionales a las de identificación presuntiva de este microorganismo. Considerando la comprobada asociación de S. bovis con patología gastrointestinal, el esquema propuesto podría ser de interés para el laboratorio de bacteriología clínica, ya que permite llegar al nivel de especie con bajo riesgo de error

Utilización de la esculina en la identificación de bacterias / Use of esculin for identification of bacteria

La prueba bioquímica de hidrólisis de la esculina es usada en bacteriología principalmente en la identificación de Streptococcus grupo D. En este estudio con 554 cepas bacterianas el 98%de Klebsiella pneumoniae y 92,3%de Serratia sp. dieron resultados positivos. Presentaron bajos porcentajes Enterobacter sp. , Salmonella sp. y Aeromonas hydrophila y resultados negativos Escherichia coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus sp., Proteus sp. y Shigella sp. consideramos que en nuestro medio esta prueba tiene valor en la clasificación de Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus sp. gama hemolíticos y serratia sp.

Comportamento bioquímico de amostras de Streptococcus beta hemolítico / Biochemical behavior of beta hemolytic Streptococcus strains

Avaliamos o comportamento de 165 amostras de Steptococcus beta hemolítico grupadas sorologicamente, frente às provas fisilógicas recomendadas para a sua identificaçäo presuntiva (teste de sensibilidade à bacitracina, teste CAMP, hidrólise do hipurato de sódio, teste da bile esculina e tolerância ao caldo hipercloretado). O teste de sensibilidade à bacitracina mostrou-se altamente sensível para a identificaçäo presuntiva do grupo A (100%), embora tenha fornecido resultados falso-positivos para os grupos B (23,2%), C (100%) e G (58,8%). O teste CAMP identificou 97,5% das amostras do grupo B, tendo sido observado um percentual de 13,5% de provas positivas para o grupo A. Näo houve falso-positivos para o teste de hipurato de sódio, que identificou 84,2% dos Sterptococcus do grupo b., todos os grupos foram negativos para o teste da bile esculina, enquanto 23,2% das amostras do grupo B foram tolerantes ao calcio hipercloretado. Pela análise do emprego simultâneo dos testes mencionados, verificamos que apenas para as amostras de Streptococcus do grupo B, com determinadaos padröes de comportamento, foi possível a identificaçäo definitiva . Para os demais grupos torna-se necessário a utilizaçäo de testes fisiológicos adicinonais ou a grupagem sorológica para o diagnóstico de certeza

Testes fisiológicos para a diferenciaçäo de estreptococos beta hemolíticos de interesse humano / Physiological tests for differentiation of beta hemolytic streptoccci of human significance

Alguns testes fisiológicos para a diferenciaçäo de Streptococcus beta hemolíticos humanos dos sorogrupos A, B, C, D e G foram avaliados. Cento e oitenta e seis amostras foram estudadas e grupadas sorologicamente, correspondendo a 50 grupo A, 60 grupo B, 15 grupo C, 38 grupo D e 23 grupo G. Observa-se boa correlaçäo quando consideramos a sensibilidade à bacitracina, teste CAMP, hidrólise do hipurato, produçäo de pigmento, crescimento na presença de bile esculina e em caldo com NaCL a 6,5% e, a sorogrupagem das amostras estudadas. A sensibilidade ao teste da bacitracina foi de 86% para o grupo A, mas foram encontradas reaçöes falso-positivas para os Streptococcus dos grupos C e G. O comportamento das amostras do grupo A distribuiu-se entre 9 padröes, quando consideramos todos os testes fisiológicos. O teste CAMP, produçäo de pigmento e hidrólise do hipurato (método ráoido) foram igualmente sensíveis em relaçäo ao grupo B, sendo os dois primeiros testes os mais específicos para o grupo (73,3 e 80%, respectivamente). Vinte e dois padröes foram encontrados entre as amostras do grupo B. A sensibilidade dos testes NaCl 6,5% e bile esculina foi de 100% para o grupo D, com reaçöes falso-positivas observadas no grupo B. Sete padröes de comportamento foram observados para o grupo D. Esquemas simples para diferenciar os estreptococos dos grupos A, B e D säo apresentados, com base na experiência relatada acima. As amostras dos grupos C e G foram reconhecidas principalmente por serem inativas na maioria dos testes usados

A Numerical Coding System(MCRCODE-N) for Identification of Glucose Nonfermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli / 영남의대학술지

The glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli encountered about 10% of all gram-negative bacilli isolated from clinical material. Therefore, a rapid and correct identification of glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli is impotent for a better management of infectious disease. There are many conventional systems for the identification of glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli but most of them have problems and difficulties. Commercial Kit Systems exist and they are too expensive for daily use in Korea because of high cost. Based on 12 selected tests we propose a new code system, MCRCODE-N for rapid and inexpensive identification of glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli. The selective 12 tests are oxidase, glucose oxidation motihty, urease, DNase arginine dehydrolase, nitrate reduction, gelatin Liquefaction, esculin hydrolysis, mannitol oxidation, maltose oxidation, Lactose oxidation. The 12 tests are divided 4 group and then each group has 3 tests. The result of each group is expressed by the number as below. The positive test is given by specific number (1st test=1, 2nd test=2, 3rd test=4), while any negative result is 0. Each 3 numbers of one group are added and make number of 1 digit. Four digit number is referred to the code book of MCRCODE-N system or MCRCODE system using computer (Apple-II model) created by authors. This MCRCODE-N system is suitable ones for out use in Korea. We propose the MCRCODE-N system for clinical use.