Polypharmacy in the management of patients with schizophrenia on risperidone in a tertiary-care hospital in Malaysia

The present study was conducted primarily to determine the occurrence of polypharmacy in patients with schizophrenia on risperidone. The secondary aim was to ascertain the incidence of inappropriate prescribing with anticholinergics. A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who were being followed up at the out-patient clinic of a tertiary-care hospital in Malaysia was conducted. Only patients who were being prescribed risperidone between 1 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 were included in the study. Demographic data such as patient’s age, gender and race were obtained from the patient’s medical records. In total, 113 patients met the selection criteria. Polypharmacy was found to occur in 34 patients (30.09%), with the majority (76.47%) being on two antipsychotics. In total, 27 patients (34.18%) on monotherapy with risperidone were prescribed an anticholinergic on scheduled dosing, while 19 patients (24.05%) were prescribed it on an as-needed basis. Of the patients on polypharmacy, 26 (76.47%) were on scheduled dosing of anticholinergics, while three (8.82%) were taking the medication on an as-needed basis. Polypharmacy should be avoided, and the use of anticholinergics should be closely reviewed. By adopting more efficient prescribing practices, costs can be reduced and financial resources can instead be channelled towards more beneficial areas for the patients.     

Efficacy Comparison of TAT Peptide-Functionalized PEGylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in C26 and B16F0 Tumor Mice Models

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (Dox) functionalized with TAT peptide through...     

Influence of phenolic compounds on Agrobacterium vir gene induction and onion gene transfer

Eight chalcones and benzalacetones were tested for their virulence induction on Agrobacterium tumefaciens. With one exception, they had a strong action, and in particular 4-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-but-3-en-2-one (10a) was very effective with a virulence induction about 1.5–2 times that of acetosyringone (AS). When applied to Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer of onion, both 10a and AS at 250 μM, led to increased gene transfer of between 25 and 35% when compared with the control. Many derivatives of AS were tested and the indispensable chemical functions required to induce vir genes were determined; for example, the presence of at least one methoxy group and a carbonyl group as in acetyl, aldehyde and acid functions. The most effective vir-inducing compound used was the original AS with two methoxy groups and an acetyl function. By testing the corresponding β-glucosides and glucosyl esters (from acids), we established that a phenolic function was also essential for virulence induction. These glucosides led to a decreased toxicity to the bacteria in relation to the original product. However, the presence of a β-glucosylated phenol function led to the total loss of vir induction while the corresponding esters, particularly the glucosyl sysingate ester, conserved a good vir induction.     

The development of plant-parasitic nematode infestations on micro-propagated banana plants following field control measures in Côte d'Ivoire

Of the weeds that were found in banana production areas, only Asystasia gangetica was parasitised by Radopholus similis; Helicotylenchus multicinctus and Hoplolaimus pararobustus were able to parasitise all weed species. Field trials were carried out in Cote d'Ivoire to assess the potential for using nematode-free micro-propagated banana plants following cultural and chemical methods for nematode control. Banana (Musa acuminata) cv. Poyo was examined for nematodes after weed fallow, flooding and chemical treatment. Before replanting bananas, nematode assays showed that: i) all nematode species declined but were not eliminated after a 1,3-dichloropropene soil treatment; ii) H. multicinctus, H. pararobustus and Cephalenchus emarginatus were still present after either a 2-year weed fallow (dominated by Chromolaena odorata or Asystasia gangetica) or a 10-week flooding; iii) R. similis did not persist after fallowing or flooding. All nematode species were found in plots treated with 1,3-dichloropropene and that had been planted with bullheads, suckers or nematode-free micropropagated plants. After both fallow and flooding, R. similis was reintroduced on infested planting materials (bullheads and suckers) even when they were pre-treated with a nematicide. When fallow and flooded plots were planted with nematode-free materials (vitro-plants), R. similis did not appear in the roots for two vegetative cycles. The other species, still present in the soil, invaded the roots and increased slowly in numbers. These results were confirmed in commercial banana plantations.     

“海洋微生物学实验”课程思政探索和实践

"海洋微生物学实验"课程是高等院校海洋科学类专业的重要基础课程,在海洋科学人才培养过程中发挥重要作用。开展"海洋微生物学实验"课程的思政建设,是落实高校全员全程全方位培养青年海洋微生物人才的重要途径。本文以"海洋微生物学实验"课程为例,挖掘提炼课程中蕴含的思政元素,从课程建设、教学理念、教学目标、教学方法、考核评价体系、教学反思等方面开展课程思政教育的探索和实践,旨在将专业知识和思政元素有机融合,实现知识传授和价值引领同频共振。     

不同训练负荷太极拳运动对早中期帕金森病患者康复疗效

目的 通过对比对照组和太极拳运动组，评价太极拳运动在早中期帕金森病患者康复作用。方法 45例帕金森病患者随机分为：对照组（n=15），不接受干预；太极拳1组（n=15）采用24式简化太极拳练习，40 min/次，3次/周；太极拳2组（n=15）采用24式简化太极拳练习，60 min/次，3次/周。在基线、12周、24周运动后采用患者跌倒功效量表（FES）、起立-行走计时测试（TUGT）、Berg平衡量表评分（BBS）、统一帕金森病评定量表（UPDRS） Ⅲ评分、汉密尔顿焦虑抑郁量表评分（HAMD、HAMA）、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数评分（PSQI）进行评估。结果 太极拳1组，24周对比基线在TUGT、BBS评分的改善上有统计学意义（P<0.05）。太极拳2组，24周对比基线在TUGT、 BBS评分的改善上有统计学意义（P<0.05）,24周对比12周在TUGT的改善上有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 太极拳运动可以改善早中期帕金森病患者的平衡障碍，可降低跌倒风险。