Relationships that Heal: Beyond the Patient-Healer Dyad in Mayan Therapy

Biomedicine fosters particular styles of interaction and behaviors, with the therapeutic relationship seen as occurring between a doctor and patient. In contrast, where alternative modalities of healing are practiced, relationships go beyond a dyadic interaction and include wider social networks. In this article, we propose the existence of a ‘therapeutic unit’ in Maya healing practices in Guatemala that binds healer, wellness seeker, family, and community members, along with the spiritual and natural realms, into a coherent system requiring all of these elements to achieve success. Drawing on interviews with 67 Maya healers, we describe healers’ understanding of raxnaq’il nuk’aslemal (well-being), and show how these interactions activate wider networks that play crucial roles during treatments. We highlight how holism is expressed in relationships typical of indigenous healing systems, and how an appreciation of this is important for developing culturally appropriate health care provision systems.     

脑后部可逆性脑病综合征(PRES)的临床MR诊断

目的：探讨MR对PRES的临床诊断价值。方法应用3.0 T MR对30例PRES患者进行常规扫描，其中19例同时行MRA检查，13例行MRV检查。结果 PRES病变主要累及顶枕叶，双侧基本对称；病变主要位于脑白质内，也可累及其它部位。PRES病变的特点是呈长T 1长T 2信号，边缘不清，无明显占位效应。MRA及MRV均无异常发现。结论 MR对PRES可以作出准确诊断，对临床有重要的指导意义。     

从中医角度探讨多囊卵巢综合征的发生与肺胃的相关性

对于“多囊卵巢综合征”中医病位的认识,学者们众说纷纭,主要涉及肺、肝、脾、肾、胃、冲任等。本文对其病位在“肺”“胃”这一观点提出质疑,并以多囊卵巢综合征现代文献资料为主要研究对象,确定多囊卵巢综合征的病变脏腑,提取多囊卵巢综合征的主要症状,总结多囊卵巢综合征的核心病机,从而探究多囊卵巢综合征的病位,讨论本病的发生与肺胃的相关性,加深对多囊卵巢综合征的中医认识。     

Correlates of Mental Illness and Health Categories among Older Adults in China: An Empirical Study Based on the Two Continua Model

Objective: Keyes’ two continua model is a useful concept in which mental health and mental illness exist on two separate axes. Based on this model, this study examined the prevalence and correlates of three mental health categories among older adults in China.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were derived from Wave 1 of the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health. Participants were categorized into complete mental health (CMH), complete mental illness (CMI), and moderate mental health (MMH) groups. Multinomial logistic regressions were used.

Results: The prevalence of CMH, CMI, and MMH in China was 18%, 16%, and 66%, respectively. Being female, unmarried, younger, and feeling unhealthy were more likely to result in placement in the CMI category. Employment, education, and cognitive function were identified as important protective factors of CMH. Age, income, urban or rural residence, and physical function difficulty were associated with all three categories.

Discussion: We demonstrated the utility of the two continua model in identifying mental health needs in Chinese contexts. The findings suggest that future policy reforms and clinical interventions should establish a more comprehensive mental health category as a screening tool nationwide. The promotion of social engagement could play an important role in treating mental illness and improving positive mental health.     

丹参川芎嗪注射液联合西药对急性缺血性脑卒中患者脑组织的保护作用及对预后的影响

目的:观察丹参川芎嗪注射液联合西药治疗对急性缺血性脑卒中患者脑组织的保护作用及对预后的影响。方法:以268例急性缺血性脑卒中患者为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为研究组和对照组各134例,2组均予西药治疗,研究组予以丹参川芎嗪注射液联合治疗,2组均随访至12周。治疗前后检测2组患者的血清炎症相关因子[超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)、白细胞介素-8 (IL-8)]、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)和S-100β水平,随访评定患者治疗12周内的美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分和日常生活能力量表(BI)评分。结果:治疗3周,2组hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平均低于入院时(P<0.01);研究组各因子水平均低于对照组(P<0.01)。2组血清NSE和S-100β水平均较入院时降低(P<0.01),而VEGF水平较入院时升高(P<0.01)。研究组血清NSE和S-100β水平均低于对照组,VEGF水平高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。2组治疗后一时间点的NIHSS评分均低于同组治疗前一时间点(P<0.01),而2组治疗后一时间点的BI评分均高于同组治疗前一时间点水平(P<0.01)。治疗6周和12周,研究组的NIHSS评分均低于对照组(P<0.01),而BI评分均高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:丹参川芎嗪注射液联合西药治疗可以有效减轻急性缺血性脑卒中患者的血管炎症反应程度、血管内皮细胞和脑组织的损伤程度,促进大脑神经细胞修复,提高患者卒中后的生活能力,防止卒中后肢体发生功能障碍,改善患者预后。     

Pharmacotherapeutic strategies for critical asthma syndrome: a look at the state of the art

ABSTRACT

Introduction

‘Critical Asthma Syndrome’ (CAS) is an umbrella term proposed to include several forms of asthma, responsible for acute and life-threatening exacerbations. CAS requires urgent and adequate supportive and pharmacological treatments to prevent serious outcomes.