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The identification of species primordium has been one of the hot issues in the identification of traditional Chinese medicine. Sea snake is one of the most valuable Chinese medicinal materials in China. In order to understand the origin and varieties of sea snake in the market, we studied the molecular identification of 46 sea snakes by cytochrome B(Cytb). After comparison and manual correction, the sequence length was 582 bp, and the content of A+T(58.9%) was higher than that of G+C(41.1%). There exist 197 variable sites and 179 parsimony-informative sites of the sequence. There are 44 kinds of sequence alignment with consistency equal to 100%, and 2 kinds equal to 96%. A total of 408 Cytb effective sequences were downloaded from GenBank database, with a total of 68 species. Phylogenetic tree of a total of 454 sea snake sequences with the samples in this study were constructed by neighbor-joining trees and Bayesian inference method, respectively, which can identify 42 samples of medicinal materials, while 4 samples can not be identified because of their low node support. The results showed that the species of the sea snake medicine were at least from 2 genera and 5 species, namely, Aipysurus eydouxii, Hydrophis curtus, H. caerulescen, H. curtus, H. ornatus and H. spiralis. This study suggested that the original species of commercial sea snake are very complex and can provide insight into the identification of sea snakes.
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Animals , Bayes Theorem , China , Cytochromes b/genetics , Elapidae , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , PhylogenyABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on constipation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods:From January, 2019 to November, 2020, 50 ASD children with constipation from Rehabilitation Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine were admitted and randomly divided into acupuncture-rehabilitation group (n = 25) and medicine-rehabilitation group (n = 25). For constipation, the acupuncture-rehabilitation group used scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture combined with rehabilitation; the medicine-rehabilitation group took probiotics orally combined with rehabilitation. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation for constipation and the core symptoms. Constipation was treated for eight weeks, and ASD symptoms was treated for twelve weeks. After eight weeks and twelve weeks, the efficacy of constipation and the scores of main symptoms of constipation were compared, and they were also evaluated with Autism Child Behavior Scale (ABC) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Scale (ATEC). Results:Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the main symptoms of constipation, nor the scores of ABC and ATEC between two groups (P > 0.05). Eight weeks after treatment, the main symptoms of constipation significantly improved (t > 5.473, P < 0.001); twelve weeks after treatment, the efficacy of constipation and the main symptoms of constipation were better in the acupuncture-rehabilitation group than in the medicine-rehabilitation group (Z = 2.848, t = -2.139, P < 0.05). Eight weeks after treatment, the scores of ABC and ATEC significantly decreased (t > 7.139, P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05); the score of behavior of ATEC significantly decreased in the acupuncture-rehabilitation group (t = 3.849, P < 0.01), and was lower than that of the medicine-rehabilitation group (t = -2.643, P < 0.05), and no significant difference in other items was found between two groups (P > 0.05); twelve weeks after treatment, the scores of ABC and ATEC were lower in the acupuncture-rehabilitation group than in the medicine-rehabilitation group (|t| > 2.156, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture-rehabilitation can improve the longer-lasting effect of constipation, and also improve the core symptoms of ASD, which is superior to medicine-rehabilitation.
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Objective:To design a type of wearable cephalic stimulator and verify its feasibility, safety and effectiveness. Methods:The wearable cephalic stimulator was designed based on transcranial electric stimulation and the meridian. From June 2015 to February 2018, 80 patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and treatment group (n = 40). The control group accepted routine rehabilitation, and the treatment group was treated with the wearable cephalic stimulator additionally, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment. While, the safety and stability of the device were observed, and the temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc. of the patient were recorded. Results:The prototype was successfully produced. There was no significant difference in the scores of FMA and MBI between two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). The scores of FMA and MBI significantly increased in both groups (t > 2.448, P < 0.05), and they were higher in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 2.202, P < 0.05) after treatment. The temperature, pulse, and breathing did not change during the treatment with this device, and blood pressure did not increase. Conclusion:The wearable cephalic stimulator is safe, reliable and operability, and could effectively improve the motor function and activities of daily living in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
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Objective:To study the effect of exercise preconditioning on the expression of autophagy-related protein Beclin 1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and apoptosis after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, to explore the mechanism of myocardial protection by exercise preconditioning. Methods:A total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and exercise preconditioning group, with twelve rats in each group. The exercise preconditioning group received electric treadmill training for four weeks before modeling. The model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion was made by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery 30 minutes and reperfusion. One hour after reperfusion, the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 protein in myocardium was detected by Western blotting, and apoptosis of myocardial cells was observed by TUNEL staining, then the apoptotic index was calculated. Results:Compared with the model group, the level of LC3-I protein in the myocardial ischemic area increased, the levels of Beclin 1 and LC3-II decreased, the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I decreased (P < 0.05); and the apoptotic index decreased in the preconditioning group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Exercise preconditioning could up-regulate LC3-I in ischemic area, down-regulate the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3-II, and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis after ischemia-reperfusion.
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Objective: To explore drug utilizing regularity of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in treating and preventing asthenopia by analyzing the patent status of TCM in the field of asthenopia control for nearly 20 years. Method: Global patents about TCM in treating and preventing asthenopia were systematic searched in IncoPat platform.The application trend,legal status and categories of patents were analyzed.Meanwhile,the oral prescriptions and external prescriptions were performed correlation index analysis by IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0,respectively;the difference of compatibility rules between them was compared. Result: The number of global patents in treating and preventing asthenopia gradually increased,and the proportion of patents from China was more than 99%.The main patent applications were pharmaceutical composition,oral preparation,external eye patch and so on,but the ratio of licensed patents in total patents was low.In term of drug utilizing regularity,the oral prescriptions paid much attention to using TCM for nourishing the liver and kidney,while external prescriptions highlighted relieving sickness heat and detoxification. Conclusion: Patents of TCM in treating and preventing asthenopia has been kept increasing in recent years,but the authorization rate is low.Formulation based on TCM theory can be statistically summarized,which can be helpful for the development of anti-asthenopia products.
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@#Calculating the intraocular lens(IOL)power in eyes with prior corneal refractive surgery(LASIK/PRK)is still a challenging task for all cataract ophthalmologists. The accuracy of the IOL power calculating is lower than virgin eyes, because the three generation formulae and traditional corneal instruments which measure central corneal radius of curvature in the paracentral 2.5-3.2mm zone are incorrect after myopic refractive surgery. There are three main sources of error in IOL calculation after refractive surgery: the radius measurement error, the keratometer index error and the IOL formula error. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the different available techniques to improve the accuracy of the IOL power calculation after refractive procedures.
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Objective:To observe the effects of exercise preconditioning on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and connexin 43 (Cx43) and pannexin 1 (Panx1) protein after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods:Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 18), model group (n = 18) and exercise preconditioning group (n = 18). The exercise preconditioning group was trained with treadmill for three weeks before modeling. The middle cerebral arteries were occluded in the model group and the exercise preconditioning group using the modified Koizumi suture. After reperfusion of 24 hours, the rats were assessed with modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS). The permeability of BBB was observed with Evans blue (EB). The expression of Cx43 and Panx1 was detected with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in the ischemic tissues. Results:Compared with the model group, the mNSS score decreased in the exercise preconditioning group (P < 0.05), while the Evans blue content and the expression of Cx43 and Panx1 decreased (P < 0.05), as well as the the positive areas of Cx43 and Panx1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Exercise preconditioning can improve the permeability of BBB in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats, which may associate with down-regulation of Cx43 and Panx1, to protect brain from injury.
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Pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability in terms of physiologic changes resulting in higher risk of oral infectious diseases. There is emerging evidence showing that irrational dental treatment and drug therapy are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including infant malformation or spontaneous abortion. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics of medications in pregnant women and the fetus and introduces a guideline for drug therapy and common dental drugs used during pregnancy.
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OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of domestic high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers on the concentrations of indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its elementary constituents in 20 residences in a district of Beijing during winter.@*METHODS@#From November 2015 to January 2016, 20 residences in a district of Beijing were selected, where indoor and outdoor PM2.5 data were collected simultaneously in three time periods according to the operating of air purifiers (Group 0 h: 24 hours before operating; Group 24 h: 24 hours after operating; Group 48 h: 24 to 48 hours after operating). The content of 21 elements in PM2.5 samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Indoor/outdoor particle concentration ratio (I/O ratios) and ΔI/O ratios were used to describe the pollution levels and the variation range of PM2.5 and its 21 elementary constituents. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurement data was applied to compare the I/O ratios of PM2.5 and its elementary constituents among the different groups, and Bonferroni method was used for comparison in pairs. Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired-samples was used to compare ΔI/O ratios of 21 elementary constituents with that of PM2.5.@*RESULTS@#The median I/O ratios of PM2.5 in the three groups were 1.27 (P25-P75: 0.50-2.68), 0.45 (P25-P75: 0.27-1.03) and 0.36 (P25-P75: 0.28-2.48), respectively. Compared with Group 0 h, the I/O ratios of PM2.5 in Group 24 h (P=0.042) and Group 48 h (P=0.006) decreased significantly. However, there was no significant difference between Group 24 h and Group 48 h. Significant differences were found comparing ΔI/O ratios of aluminium, ferrum and titanium to that of PM2.5, in both Group 24 h and Group 48 h (P<0.05). No significant change was found in the I/O ratios of these three elements among the three groups before and after air purifier operating (P>0.05). Distances from residences to traffic arteries could affect I/O ratios of some elements from traffic-related source (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Domestic HEPA air purifiers could effectively reduce indoor PM2.5 concentration, and the pollution level of PM2.5 tend to be stable after the purifier operating for a time. The purifiers had different effects on different elements, among which most showed statistical significances.
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Air Filters , Air Pollutants , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Beijing , Environmental Monitoring , Housing , Particle Size , Particulate Matter , SeasonsABSTRACT
Exosome is a hot topic in the field of medical research in recent years, which can serve as new carriers for cell-to-cell communication, and show great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke. microRNA containing in exosomes plays an important role in it. This article reviewed the research progress of exosomes in ischemic stroke on biomarkers, drug carriers, neurovascular remodeling, and treatment.
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Objective To observe the change of the relative concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the frontal cortex during cognitive processing in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD), and to discuss the neural mechanism and changes of working memory function of PSD preliminarily. Methods From February to August,2017,20 patients with PSD(PSD group)and 20 patients with non-depressive(con-trol group)were recruited.NIRSport portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy system was used to observe the change of the relative concentration of hemoglobin in the frontal cortex during the emotional face gender judgment task and"1-back"working memory task. Results Compared with the control group,the change of the relative concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the pre-frontal cortex was significantly lower after the negative emotion faces were presented in PSD group(t=3.872,P<0.001).In the implementation of the"1-back",the change of the relative concentration of oxygenated hemoglo-bin in the left prefrontal cortex was significantly lower in PSD group than in the control group(t=2.475,P<0.05), however,there was no significant difference in the change in the right prefrontal cortex between two groups(t=1.773,P=0.084). Conclusion The prefrontal cortex activity decrease in patients with PSD after the negative emotion faces were present-ed.The left prefrontal working memory function is impaired.The patients with PSD have disorder of oxygen me-tabolism in the prefrontal lobe.
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The concept of neurovascular units studies the interaction between neural cells and blood vessels, regards the blood-brain barrier as the core,and relates with the neurodegenerative diseases.This paper reviewed the relationship be-tween neurovascular units and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease,multiple sclerosis,etc.
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Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-re-perfusion (I/R). Methods A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=24), model group (n=24) and EA group (n=24). The rats in latter two groups were occluded the right middle cerebral arteries for two hours and reperfused. EA group was treated with EA at Baihui (GV20) for two weeks before modeling. They were as-sessed with modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) 24 hours after modeling. Then, the cerebral infarct volume was measured with TTC staining, the apoptosis was detected with TUENL assay, and the expression of p53, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in ischemic penumbra was detected with Western blotting. Results Compared with the model group, the score of mNSS, cerebral infarct volume and the number of TUNEL-posi-tive cells all significantly decreased (P<0.05) in EA group; while the expression of p53 and Bax proteins de-creased (P<0.05), Bcl-2 increased (P<0.05), and Bax/Bcl-2 decreased (P<0.05).Conclusion EA preconditioning can induce tolerance to cerebral I/R injury, which might associate with the inhibition of p53 protein and down-regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in ischemic penumbra, to inhibit cerebral cell apoptosis.
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AIM To prepare the silkworm pupa polysaccharide capsules.METHODS The crude silkworm pupa polysaccharide was extracted by alkali-assisted ultrasonic wave.After deproteinization and decolorization,it was dialysed,and then isolated and purified by SephadexG-150 column.Single factor test was applied to optimizing three influencing factors including ethanol concentration,soild-liquid ratio and drying temperature.The polysaccharide powder's angle of repose,bulk density and critical relative humidity were determined,after which the water content,load difference and disintegration time of obtained capsules were investigated.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 90％ for ethanol concentration,1 ∶ 1 for soild-liquid ratio,and 60 ℃ for drying temperature.For polysaccharide powder,the average angle of repose was 37.74℃,the average bulk density was 0.51 g/mL,and the critical relative humidity was 63％.With 6.87％ for water content,0.132 3 g for average load,and 12.12 min for average disintegration time,the capsules were qualified according to standard requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.CONCLUSION The good formability of silkworm pupa polysaccharide capsules demonstrates that this simple,stable and controllable technology can provide an experimental basis for the development of related drugs.
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Tibetan medicinal plants have been used for more than 2 000 years. In order to find their differences in antioxidant activity, total phenolics and total flavonoids between "hot-nature" and "cold-nature" herbs, we investigated the antioxidant activities of 40 Tibetan herbs from Qinghai plateau, with 20 herbs in cold-nature and 20 herbs in hot-nature. Antioxidant capacities were evaluated by the following methods: scavenging ABTS•(+) (2, 2'azinobis-(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), scavenging O2•(-), and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The effects on inhibition of mitochondrion lipid peroxidation were determined by measuring the formation of TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates). Total phenolics and flavonoids were estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu and NaNO2-Al(NO3)3-NaOH colorimetric methods. Interestingly, the cold-nature herbs displayed higher antioxidant activities than the hot-nature ones, corresponding to nearly three-fold higher total phenolic contents in the cold-nature herbs. Moreover, the antioxidant activities correlated linearly with the levels of total phenolics for both cold-nature and hot-nature herbs, but only with the levels of total flavonoids for the hot-nature herbs. The results suggested that the phenolic compounds, but not the flavonoids, play the major role in antioxidant capacities of the cold-nature herbs. These findings could shed new lights on the study the theory of Tibetan medicine.
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Humans , Antioxidants , Pharmacology , Benzothiazoles , Metabolism , Cold Temperature , Flavonoids , Pharmacology , Hot Temperature , Lipid Peroxidation , Magnoliopsida , Chemistry , Medicine, East Asian Traditional , Mitochondria , Metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Phenols , Pharmacology , Plant Extracts , Chemistry , Classification , Pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal , Chemistry , Sulfonic Acids , Metabolism , TibetABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the alkaloids of Macleaya cordata and their anti-tumor activities.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Alcohol and liquid-liquid extraction were used methods were used to extract the alkaloids constituents, and silica gel, reverse-phase octadecylsilyl (ODS), sephadex LH-20 chromatographic methods and HPLC were applied to isolate and purify compounds. MS, NMR spectroscopic methods were used to determine their structures. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these chemical components for MCF-7 and SF-268 cell lines was measured by MTT method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twelve alkaloids were isolated from the fruits of M. cordata, and their structures were identified as: maclekarpine E (1), 6-acetonyldihyrochelerythrine (2), cavidilinine (3), 6-acetonyldihyrosanguinnarine (4), O-methylzanthoxyline (5), 6-methoxy-dihydrosanguinarine (6), spallidamine (7), 6-hydroxyldihydrochelerythrine (8), arnotianamida (9), dihydrosanguinarine (10), protopine (11), and cryptopine (12).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1, 3, 7-9 were isolated from M. cordata for the first time, and compound 5 is a new natural product. The results of cytotoxic assay indicated that compound 6 showed strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and SF-268 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.61 μmol · L(-1) and 0.54 μmol · L(-1), respectively.</p>
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Humans , Alkaloids , Pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic , Cell Line, Tumor , Papaveraceae , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the application of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) to patients with severe craniocerebral injury for the purpose of nutritional support therapy and pulmonary infection prevention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 43 patients with severe craniocerebral injury admitted to our department from January 2008 to December 2012 received PEG followed by nutritional therapy. There were other 82 patients who were prescribed nasal-feeding nutrition. Nutrition status was evaluated by comparing serum albumin levels, and the incidence of pulmonary infection 1 week before and 2 weeks after operation was identified and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both PEG and nasal-feeding nutrition therapies have significantly elevated serum albumin levels (P<0.05). Serum albumin levels before and after nutritional therapies showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of pulmonary infection in PEG group was significantly decreased compared with that in nasal-feeding nutrition group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PEG is an effective method for severe craniocerebral injury patients. It can not only provide enteral nutrition but also prevent pulmonary infection induced by esophageal reflux.</p>
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Humans , Craniocerebral Trauma , Therapeutics , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Gastroscopy , Gastrostomy , Methods , Lung Diseases , Nutritional Support , Serum AlbuminABSTRACT
Chinese medicines (CMs) are increasingly being used for the treatment of tumors because of their unique advantages. The induction of tumor cell apoptosis is an important method of tumor treatment. Caspase-3 is a member of the caspase (cysteine aspartic proteinases) family of enzymes, which are the major inducers of apoptosis. Caspase-3 activity is often measured in the context of research into anti-tumor drugs that target apoptosis. Many studies have shown that CMs upregulate the expression of caspase-3 in tumor cells via extrinsic and/or intrinsic pathways, removing endogenous suppression of apoptosis and promoting tumor cell death. Therefore, several CMs fulfill the criteria for anti-tumor drugs. In this paper, we review the efficacy of 14 Chinese herbal medicines, across a wide range applications, and discuss their effects on caspase-3 activity in tumor cells.
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Humans , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Apoptosis , Physiology , Caspase 3 , Metabolism , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Plants, Medicinal , Physiology , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess zero drift of intraventricular and subdural intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring systems.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective study was conducted in patients who received Codman ICP monitoring in the neurosurgical department from January 2010 to December 2011. According to the location of sensors, the patients were categorized into two groups: intraventricular group and subdural group. Zero drift between the two groups and its association with the duration of ICP monitor were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 22 patients undergoing intraventricular ICP monitoring and 27 receiving subdural ICP monitoring were enrolled. There was no significant difference in duration of ICP monitoring, zero drift value and its absolute value between intraventricular and subdural groups (5.38 d+/-2.58 d vs 4.58 d+/-2.24 d, 0.77 mm Hg+/-2.18 mm Hg vs 1.03 mm Hg+/-2.06 mm Hg, 1.68 mm Hg+/-1.55 mm Hg vs 1.70 mm Hg+/-1.53 mm Hg, respectively; all P larger than 0.05). Absolute value of zero drift in both groups significantly rose with the increased duration of ICP monitoring (P less than 0.05) while zero drift value did not. Moreover, daily absolute value in the intraventricular group was significantly smaller than that in the subdural group (0.27 mm Hg+/-0.32 mm Hg vs 0.29 mm Hg+/-0.18 mm Hg, P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study demonstrates that absolute value of zero drift significantly correlates with duration of both intraventricular and subdural ICP monitoring. Due to the smaller daily absolute value, ICP values recorded from intraventricular system may be more reliable than those from subdural system.</p>