New frontiers in applied veterinary point‐of‐capture diagnostics: Toward early detection and control of zoonotic influenza

Among the chief limitations in achieving early detection and control of animal‐origin influenza of pandemic potential in high‐risk livestock populations is the existing lag time between sample collection and diagnostic result. Advances in molecular diagnostics are permitting deployment of affordable, rapid, highly sensitive, and specific point‐of‐capture assays, providing opportunities for targeted surveillance driving containment strategies with potentially compelling returns on investment. Interrupting disease transmission at source holds promise of disrupting cycles of animal‐origin influenza incursion to endemicity and limiting impact on animal production, food security, and public health. Adoption of new point‐of‐capture diagnostics should be undertaken in the context of promoting robust veterinary services systems and parallel support for operationalizing pre‐authorized plans and communication strategies that will ensure that the full potential of these new platforms is realized.     

Effects of the Clearing the Lung and Dissipating Phlegm Method in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the clearing the lung and dissipating phlegm method in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and to provide evidence for the treatment of the disease. Materials and Methods: Literature was searched from the United States National Library of Medicine(PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database(Wanfang), and the Full?Text Database of Chinese Scientific and Technical Periodicals(VIP).A comprehensive collection was made of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) before June 2018, in which the treatment groups used either the clearing the lung and dissipating phlegm formulas only or combined it with routine Western medicine therapy, and the control group adopted routine Western medicine therapy only for the acute exacerbation of COPD. The Cochrane risk of bias method was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. The data were analyzed and retrieved independently by two reviewers before meta?analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.3 software to evaluate the primary outcome measures, including the total clinical effective rate, and the secondary outcome measures such as the pulmonary function(forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the 1 s [FEV1], percentage of FEV1 [FEV1%], and FEV1/FVC)and blood gases(PaO_2 and PaCo_2). Results: A total of 13 RCTs involving 990 patients(496 in the treatment group and 494 in the control group)were included in this study. Meta?analysis revealed significant difference in the efficacy of the group that adopted solely the routine Western medicine method and the group that combined the Western medicine with the clearing the lung and dissipating phlegm method. Outcome measures including the pulmonary function(FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, and FEV1/FVC) and the blood gases(PaO_2 and PaCo_2) were significantly improved as compared to the control group(P 0.00001). However, adverse effects in the treatment group using combined traditional Chinese medicine were not reported due to the short observation time of the study. Conclusion: The clearing the lung and dissipating phlegm method can improve the efficacy in the treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD, the outcome measures of the pulmonary function and the blood gases,as well as the life quality of the patients. However, due to the fact that the existing studies are generally of poor quality in which randomization and its implementation were not properly carried out, more high?quality RCTs are necessary to confirm the findings of this study.     

Efficacy of istradefylline for gait disorders with freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease: A single-arm,open-label,prospective, multicenter study

Background: Gait disorders are common in Parkinson’s disease patients who respond poorly to dopaminergic treatment. Blockade of adenosine A_2A receptors is expected to improve gait disorders. Istradefylline is a first-in-class selective adenosine A_2A receptor antagonist with benefits for motor complications associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Research design and methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-group, prospective interventional study evaluated changes in total gait-related scores of the Part II/III Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q) in 31 Parkinson’s disease patients treated with istradefylline. Gait analysis by portable gait rhythmogram was performed.

Results: MDS-UPDRS Part III gait-related total scores significantly decreased at Weeks 4–12 from baseline with significant improvements in gait, freezing of gait, and postural stability. Significant decreases in MDS-UPDRS Part II total scores and individual item scores at Week 12 indicated improved daily living activities. At Week 12, there were significant improvements in FOG-Q, new FOG-Q, and overall movement per 48 h measured by portable gait rhythmogram. Adverse events occurred in 7/31 patients.

Conclusions: Istradefylline improved gait disorders in Parkinson’s disease patients complicated with freezing of gait, improving their quality of life. No unexpected adverse drug reactions were identified.

Trial registration: UMIN-CTR (UMIN000020288).     

Ventilatory support in the intensive care unit

This article focuses on the functional features of positive-pressure ventilators, the modes of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and the main ventilator settings. It also highlights the potential complications of mechanical ventilation, the basic principles of weaning, and the pathophysiological basis of patient-ventilator dyssynchrony.     

建设世界一流科技期刊的策略——基于Nature、Science、The Lancet和Cell的分析

【目的】 探索建设世界一流科技期刊的策略,以助力中国科技期刊冲刺世界一流水平。【方法】 通过研读相关政策和研究文献,结合对Nature、Science、The Lancet、Cell等不同类型的世界一流科技期刊的分析,解析世界一流科技期刊的概念及内涵,探讨建设世界一流科技期刊的充分条件和必要条件,提出建设世界一流科技期刊的建议。【结果】 卓越的办刊理念、全方位的国际化水平、世界一流的人才队伍、先进的经营管理水平以及汇聚一流前沿成果、卓著的科学声望是建设世界一流科技期刊的必要条件。“高、精、尖”和“稳、准、狠”的办刊策略,是建设世界一流科技期刊的充分条件。建设世界一流科技期刊要理性且准确地认知其内涵,始终坚持卓越的办刊理念、国际化战略、人才战略、质量战略和集群化战略。【结论】 中国科技期刊既要扎根祖国大地,又要学习世界一流期刊的成功经验,从办刊的硬实力和软实力方面吸收借鉴,才能探索出具有中国特色的世界一流科技期刊建设路径。