Comparison of yogurt, soybean, casein, and amino acid–based diets in children with persistent diarrhea

Although previous studies have shown successful treatment of persistent diarrhea (PD) with the use of yogurt-based diets, some recent ones speculate the need of special formulas for the nutritional management of PD complicated cases. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the consumption of 3 lactose-free diets, with different degrees of complexity, is associated with lower stool output and shorter duration of diarrhea when compared with the use of a yogurt-based one on the nutritional management of PD. A total of 154 male infants, aged between 1 and 30 months, with PD and with or without dehydration, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups. Throughout the study, the patients were placed in a metabolic unit; their body weights and intakes of oral rehydration solution, water, and formula diets, in addition to outputs of stool, urine, and vomit, were measured and recorded at 24-hour intervals. Four different diets were used in this study: diet 1, yogurt-based formula; diet 2, soy-based formula; diet 3, hydrolyzed protein-based formula; and diet 4, amino acid–based formula. Throughout the study, only these formula diets were fed to the children. The data showed that children fed the yogurt-based diet (diet 1) or the amino acid–based diet (diet 4) had a significant reduction in stool output and in the duration of diarrhea. The use of an inexpensive and worldwide-available yogurt-based diet is recommended as the first choice for the nutritional management of mild to moderate PD. For the few complicated PD cases, when available, a more complex amino acid–based diet should be reserved for the nutritional management of these unresponsive and severe presentations. Soy-based or casein-based diets do not offer any specific advantage or benefits and do not seem to have a place in the management of PD.     

A nationally representative survey of hospital malnutrition: the Italian PIMAI (Project: Iatrogenic MAlnutrition in Italy) study

Aim and methods  Nutrition, unhealthy lifestyles and cancer appear to be strictly related, but few authors have analysed the interest in dietary information of cancer patients and their families. This survey was conducted in the Veneto area (Italy) to investigate the concern of cancer patients and their family members about diet as a health tool before and after diagnosis of cancer. Results  Seven hundred and four questionnaires were collected: 380 from cancer patients and 324 from family members of cancer subjects. Breast cancer (BC) was the most frequent disease for patients (61.8%) as well as families (26.5%). Generally, the importance of having precise diet information after diagnosis is recognised by 40.3% of patients, with significant differences between the various types of cancer: gastric and colon/rectum cancer (GCC) patients were more concerned than BC women about precise information concerning a diet to follow immediately after diagnosis (p = 0.000, ODs = 3.10, CI 1.68–5.71) or during treatments (p = 0.001, ODs = 2.67, CI 1.46–4.89). The nutritional information is supplied to patients in 34% of cases and to relatives in 30.3%, often from non-medical sources. In total healthcare workers (family doctor, oncologist, surgeon, dietician) represented the exclusive source of dietary information for 24.9% of patients and 22.9% of family members. Diet after diagnosis changes in 69.1% of GCC patients and in 39.2% of BC women. Relatives, particularly women, report difficulties preparing patients’ meals in 30.7% of cases, changes in the eating habits of the entire family in 29.9% and discontent connected with patients diet in 13.9%. The concern about proper nutrition after diagnosis increases more in GCC subjects (p < 0.025) when compared to BC subjects and in patients with more recent diagnosis (p < 0.041) when compared with patients with diagnosis >5 years ago, while in family members the interest in diet after diagnosis increases more in women than in men (p < 0.030) without other differences regarding the degree of relationship, type of cancer or diagnosis time. Relatives (92.7%) have more interest in nutritional education than patients (74.9%). Cancer patients <65 years were more interested in educational initiatives concerning nutrition (p = 0.000, ODs = 4.46, CI 2.6–7.4) than older patients (>65 years) and female subjects were more concerned than male patients (p = 0.008, ODs = 2.11, CI 1.2–3.6). Conclusions  The interest in the dietary knowledge and in educational initiatives concerning nutrition is high in cancer patients and their relatives, although it decreases with the age. The poor attention paid to nutrition of cancer patients by various healthcare workers deserves consideration, since the psychophysical wellbeing and perhaps also survival of cancer patients can be improved by correct dietary management, as well as, naturally, by the principal treatments themselves.     

Enhancing Nurse Assessment of Alcohol and Drug Dependency: A Preliminary Study

The purpose of this project was to prepare nurses to provide brief interventions for clients with alcohol or other drug (AOD) dependency in order to reduce hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. The project was a collaborative process between a major medical center and a school of nursing. Nurses were surveyed for understanding of alcohol and other drug assessment, and a day long training was provided to teach techniques of brief interventions. The short-term results included increased knowledge of nurses about AOD assessment. Long-term results indicated that 95% of patients referred to the AOD team were confirmed to have AOD problems (Dunn & Ries, 1997). This project documents the need for nurses to have more knowledge about AOD problems and brief intervention techniques.     

PICC的X线分析

目的:旨在探索PICC末端位置的合理区间。方法:观察79例患者PICC末端位置、置管后的近、远期临床表现以及100例正常胸片肺门位置。结果:导管末端位于第一前肋端至右肺门上方时,少有不良反应。结论:导管末端位置以第一前肋端至右肺门上方为宜。     

粤东地区菊科药用植物资源研究

资源丰富,共有植物64属、115 种.文章介绍了的种类、生境、药用功效和利用现状,提出了保护及开发利用菊科植物资源的一些建议.     

清代名医的医德（二）

用生动事例介绍清代名医的医德，以供后人效法和学习。     

论《内经》中的“守神”“守机”“守气”

在针刺过程中,医者不能只拘守手部形式,针刺关键在于"治神"。治神是医者手法的核心,贯穿于整个施治过程中。以神"侯气"、"调气",进而"调神"、"调形体"。其理论在《内经》中已有叙述,具体包括:守神、守机和守气。这三者是对针灸医生针刺手法的要求,也是衡量针灸医生水平高低的标准之一。然而针道易陈而难入,针灸医生须认真钻研针刺手法和心法。针刺治神在于医者必须"心领神会",方能感悟。     

胸腺肽α1对老年晚期恶性肿瘤患者细胞免疫功能的影响

目的 :观察胸腺肽α1对老年恶性肿瘤患者细胞免疫功能的影响。方法 :30例老年恶性肿瘤患者 ,用胸腺肽α1治疗 2个月 ,第 1个月每日 1.6 mg,第 2个月隔日 1.6 mg,均为皮下注射 ,观察治疗前后 T细胞亚群及 NK细胞、患者生活质量、血常规及肝肾功能变化。结果 :30例患者用胸腺肽α1前 ,CD4、CD4 /CD8、NK细胞分别为 (32 .33± 6 .2 5 ) %、(0 .77± 0 .2 3) %、(16 .0 5± 6 .79) % ,治疗后为 (39.4 2± 9.2 6 ) %、(1.19± 0 .5 3) %、(2 4 .37± 8.2 3) %。治疗前后比较均有显著意义 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,患者生活质量分值治疗后比治疗前显著提高 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论 :胸腺肽α1能提高老年晚期恶性肿瘤患者的细胞免疫功能 ,是较理想的免疫增强剂。     

第2足趾腓侧皮瓣移植的应用解剖及在手部皮肤缺损中的应用

目的探讨第2足趾腓侧皮瓣移植的应用解剖及临床应用的适应证、手术方法和优缺点等。方法新鲜成人尸体足左、右各10只,经灌注、解剖、测量,了解皮瓣的血供范围和相关血管、神经的外径。临床应用17例修复手部皮肤缺损,了解皮瓣的成活及功能恢复情况。结果灌注剂可达整个第2足趾及相邻趾蹼,测得第2足趾跖趾关节处腓侧固有动脉、趾背静脉分别为(1.0±0.2)mm、(0.9±0.2)mm;临床应用17例移植皮瓣全部成活,手、足部均无感染。经半年以上随访,被修复手指外观、颜色接近正常,供足无疼痛和植皮破溃现象发生。结论第2足趾腓侧皮瓣血供可靠,口径适于吻合,质地好,适于手指皮肤确实的修复。