Prevalence of Balantidium coli infection in sows in Hunan province, subtropical China.

Balantidium coli is a cosmopolitan parasitic-opportunistic pathogen that can be found throughout the world. However, little information is available about prevalence of B. coli in pigs in China. In the present study, the prevalence of B. coli in pigs was investigated in Hunan province, subtropical China, between January 2012 and August 2014. A total of 3925 diarrheic fecal samples from nine representative administrative regions in Hunan province, subtropical China, were examined for the presence of B. coli cysts and/or trophozoites using microscopy after sedimentation with water. The overall prevalence of B. coli in pigs was 36.9 % (1450/3925). The present survey revealed high circulation of B. coli in pigs in Hunan province, subtropical China, which poses potential threats to human health. The results of the present investigation have important implications for the control of B. coli infections in pigs in Hunan province, subtropical China. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report of B. coli prevalence in sows in Hunan province, subtropical China.

Modified subintimal plaque modification improving future recanalization of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Subintimal plaque modification (SPM) is often performed to restore antegrade flow and facilitate subsequent lesion recanalization. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of modified SPM with traditional SPM. METHODS: A total of 1454 consecutive patients who failed a chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO PCI) attempt and underwent SPM from January 2015 to December 2019 at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-four patients who underwent SPM finally were included in this study. We analyzed the outcomes of all the patients, and the primary endpoint was recanalization rate, which was defined as Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grades 2-3 flow on angiography 30 to 90 days post-procedure. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. In the follow-up, the recanalization rate was noticeably higher in the modified SPM group compared with the traditional SPM group (90.9% vs. 62.5%, P < 0.05). The proposed strategy in the modified group was more aggressive, including a larger balloon size (1.83 ± 0.30 vs. 2.48 ± 0.26 mm, P < 0.05) and longer subintimal angioplasty (0.59 ± 0.16 vs. 0.92 ± 0.12 mm, P < 0.05). Also, the common use of a Stingray balloon and guide catheter extension resulted in improvement of patients in the modified SMP group (12.5% vs. 100%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified SPM, which is associated with a high likelihood of successful recanalization, is an effective and safe CTO PCI bail out strategy.

[Clinical study on a randomized, double-blind control of Shenwu gelatin capsule in treatment of mild cognitive impairment].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Shenwu gelatin capsule (compound Chinese ginseng and fleeceflower root etc) in the treatment on senile mild cognitive impairment. METHOD: 166 patients meeting criteria for mild cognitive impairment were selected from patients in Dongzhimen Hospital and were randomly assigned into a treatment group (n = 83 cases), given 5 capsules of Shenwu gelatin capsule, and a positive control group (n = 83 cases) , given 2 capsules of aniracetam with 3 placebo capsules. All subjects took this medication 3 times a day for 3 months, double-blind and double-moulding control were used in this study. At a baseline and end (three months later), all subjects were assessed using a battery consisting of MMSE and clinical memory scale (CMS). RESULT: Both Shenwu gelatin capsule and aniracetam can remarkably increase the score of memory quotient (MQ), P < 0. 01. They have the similarly effectiveness, there are no statistical difference between the two groups in effectiveness of increasing memory scores. CONCLUSION: Shenwu gelatin capsule has certain effects on mild cognitive impairment.

[A clinical study on a randomized, double-blind control of Chinese medicine granules in treatment of vascular dementia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese medicine granules (Compound Chinese extract from herbs) in the treatment on senile vascular dementia. METHOD: One hundred and twenty patients meeting criteria for vascular dementia were selected from patients in Dongzhimen Hospital and were randomly assigned into a treatment group (n = 70 cases), given 1 package of Chinese medicine granules with 1 placebo tablets, and a positive control group (n = 50 cases), given 1 tablets of Duxil with 1 package of placebo. All subjects took this medication 3 times a day for 2 months. Double-blind and double-moulding control were used in this study. At a baseline and end (two months later), all subjects were assessed using a battery consisting of MMSE and Blessed behavior measuring scale. RESULT: Both Chinese medicine granules and Duxil could remarkably increase the score of cognition and activity (P < 0.01). They had Similarly effectiveness and there was no statistical difference between the two groups in effectiveness of increasing memory scores. Chinese medicine granules was better than Duxil in increasing the scores of behavior (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine granules has certain effects on vascular dementia. And it has remarkable effectiveness in ameliorating the status of total body. And it can relieve the symptoms in vascular dementia.