Sensitization to horse hair, symptoms and lung function in grooms

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the rate of occupational sensitization to horse hair in grooms and whether occupational exposure to horse hair increases respiratory and allergic symptoms and affects lung function in grooms or not. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred grooms were randomly selected among 1000 grooms working in Veliefendi Hippodrome of Istanbul. One hundred and twenty-five subjects agreed to enter the study. Ninety-two workers who worked in the different parts of this hippodrome enrolled as the control group. A detailed questionnaire including respiratory and allergic symptoms was filled in, physical examination, skin prick tests and pulmonary function tests were performed. RESULTS: Sensitization to horse hair was 12.8% in grooms and 4.3% in controls. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0035). Asthma was found in 14.4% of the grooms and 5.4% of the controls, allergic rhinitis in 42.4% of the grooms and 18.4% of the controls, allergic conjunctivitis in 35.2% of the grooms and 15.2% of the controls, and allergic skin diseases in 32.8% of the grooms and 13% of the controls. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.043, P = 0.0002, P = 0.001 and P = 0.0008, respectively). The means of FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FVC parameters were significantly lower in the groom group (P = 0.006, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, being in the groom group and working years were found to be predictive factors for impairments of lung function (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to horse increases the sensitization to horse hair, induces asthma and allergic symptoms and also impairs lung functions.     

A randomized, double‐blind trial of the effect of glucocorticoid, antileukotriene and bβ‐agonist treatment on IL‐10 serum levels in children with asthma

BACKGROUND: Levels of an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are reduced in asthmatic airways, potentially contributing to more intense inflammation. Triamcinolone has anti-inflammatory properties and the anti-inflammatory effects of montelukast and formoterol have been discussed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the effect of treatment with triamcinolone, montelukast and formoterol on the serum level of IL-10, eosinophil blood counts, eosinophil cationic response (ECP) and clinical parameters (symptom score, FEV1 and PC20H) in children with moderate asthma. METHODS: An 8-week, placebo-controlled and randomized, double-blind trial was carried out. The subjects were 91 children with moderate atopic asthma who were allergic to dust mite. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 400 microg triamcinolone (n = 19), 5 or 10 mg (according to age) montelukast (n = 18), 24 microg formoterol (n = 18) or placebo (n = 36). RESULTS: Seventy-nine children completed the study. After treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast the level of IL-10 in blood serum significantly increased, eosinophil blood counts and ECP levels significantly decreased and all clinical parameters improved; treatment with formoterol had no effect on IL-10 level, eosinophil blood counts in serum and bronchial hyper-reactivity; ECP level significantly decreased after treatment and asthma symptoms and FEV1 improved significantly. Mean IL-10 levels in serum before and after treatment with triamcinolone were 7.23 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.74 -7.72% and 14.24 pg/mL with 95% CI, 11.6-16.88%, respectively (P < 0.001); with montelukast they were 6.59 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.26-7.23% and 10.94 pg/mL with 95% CI, 8.24-12.65%, respectively (P < 0.002); with formoterol they were 7.06 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.61-7.52% and 7.04 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.15-7.93%. We found statistically significant correlations between serum level of IL-10 and serum level of ECP after treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that one possible way by which triamcinolone and montelukast contribute to inhibition of inflammation is by increasing IL-10 levels.     

Specific sensitization to common allergens and pulmonary function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

BACKGROUND: The role of atopy in the evolution to chronic obstructive disease remains controversial. AIM: We aimed to assess the association between individual sensitization to common allergens and lung function. METHOD: We analysed data from 12,687 subjects aged 20 to 44 years, from 34 centres in 15 countries participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Participants performed a blood test, lung function test, methacholine challenge, and answered an administered questionnaire. The relationships between specific IgE, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio were assessed for each study centre stratified by sex, followed by random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Asthmatics sensitized to house dust mite had a lower FEV1 (-119 mL in women and -112 mL in men) and FEV1/FVC ratio (-1.95%, and -2.48%) than asthmatics without sensitization. Asthmatics sensitized to cat had a lower FEV1 (statistically significant for women only) and a lower FEV1/FVC ratio. Asthmatic women sensitized to grass had a lower FEV1 and a lower ratio, and those sensitized to Cladosporium had a lower FEV1. A weak association was found with sensitization to cat and to Cladosporium among non-asthmatic women, which disappeared after adjusting for BHR. CONCLUSION: We conclude that atopy was related to a lower lung function, which was only apparent among asthmatics. This relationship was explained by specific sensitization to cat and to house dust mite, the latter being homogeneous across areas.     

儿童输液中心患儿家属心理需求调查分析

目的 探讨儿童输液中心患儿家属的心理需求，方法 采用问卷调查的方法。结果 家属对患儿所患疾病知识的了解需求十分强烈，占100%，技术服务需求占93%，65%的家属担心输液时出现不良反应，75%的要求发放保健知识手册，根据上述需求，采取相应的护理措施，家属的满意度达到了99%。结论 通过对家属心理需求调查分析及采取相应措施，能提高服务质量。     

CpG DNA预防小鼠哮喘模型的形成

目的　研究含胞嘧啶鸟嘌呤核苷酸的免疫刺激元件 (CpGDNA)能否预防卵蛋白致敏小鼠哮喘模型的形成。方法　将 18只BALB/c小鼠均分为 3组 ,其中卵蛋白致敏哮喘组 (OVA组 )和CpG预防组 (CpG组 )皮下注射卵蛋白致敏制作哮喘模型 ,然后用卵蛋白激发 2次 ;阴性对照组 (NS组 )皮下注射生理盐水 ,然后生理盐水激发 2次。CpG组在致敏前腹腔注射CpGDNA 10 0 μg/ 10 0 μL ,其他两组不作干预。 3组分别在第 2次激发后 2 4h测外周血OVA特异性IgE、IgG1、IgG2a,并处死小鼠测肺泡灌洗液 (BALF)中的细胞总数及嗜酸性粒细胞 (EOS)计数 ,肺组织病理切片观察形态学改变 ,并测定脾细胞培养上清液中OVA特异性IFN γ。结果　CpG组BALF中细胞总数和嗜酸性粒细胞明显低于OVA组 ,P <0 .0 5 ;CpG组肺组织炎症反应较OVA组明显减轻 ;CpG组脾细胞培养上清液中OVA特异性IFN γ的浓度明显高于OVA组 ,P <0 .0 5 ;CpG组外周血OVA特异性IgE和IgG1均低于OVA组 ,P <0 .0 5 ;CpG组IgG2a较OVA组为高 ,P <0 .0 5。结论　CpGDNA能预防卵蛋白致敏小鼠哮喘模型的形成     

8—2岁市区学龄儿童感觉统合失调与不良行为及家庭因素调查分析

目的：调查本市区小学儿童感觉统合失调现状与不良行为及家庭因素的关系。方法：用感觉统合诊断量表和自制儿童生长发育调查表对1775名学龄儿童进行心理行为问题调查。结果：感觉统合轻度失调23．4％，重度失调13．5％，男童失调发和率（42．86％）明显高于女童（31．36％）P＜0．0），前庭功能失衡发生率最高（21．30％）；统合失调组儿童不良行为发生率高达64．38％明显高于统合正常组（31．11％）P＜0．01，失调组不良行为各因子的发生率亦明显高于统合正常组P＜0．01；学习能力不足儿童与父母文化程度和不同职业有关P＜0．01。结论：儿童感觉纺合失调现状易成为成人心理障碍的潜在因素，应引起重视。     

甲基强的松龙联合静注丙种球蛋白治疗小儿格林巴利综合征

目的:现察甲基强的松龙联合静注丙种球蛋白治疗小儿格林巴利综合征的疗效。方法:选择1999～2001年的26例格林巴利综合征患儿给予甲基强的松龙联合两种球蛋白静注作为治疗组,与1996～1998年的25例作为对照组,观察其用药后症状、体征改善情况。结果:甲基强的松龙配合丙种球蛋白静注治疗后症状、体征尤其是呼吸困难、肢体无力、饮水呛咳的开始缓解时间(约8～12h)较对照组明显提前(P<0.01),总有效率(100％)明显高于对照组(36％)(P<0.01),病死率(0％)和致残率(0％)低于对照组(8％、16％)(P<0.05),治疗组肌力、行走完全恢复正常的时间平均14、23d,对照组平均58、35d。两组对比差异显著(P<0.01)。结论:甲基强的松龙联合静注丙种球蛋白治疗小儿格林巴利综合征疗效显著,值得推广应用。     

哮喘患儿血清嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白改变及其意义

目的：评价变应性哮喘患儿血清嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白（S-ECP）水平改变及其意义。方法：测定25例哮喘发作期患儿糖皮质激素吸入治疗12周前后，及20例未予糖皮质激素吸入治疗的哮喘缓解期患儿S-ECP水平，并对发作期患儿S-ECP水平变化与血嗜酸性粒细胞计数（B-EOS）、肺功能一秒用力呼气量（FEV1）、一秒用力呼气量比用力肺活量（FEV1/FVC）及症状评分的关系作相关性分析。结果：哮喘发作组治疗后S-ECP水平较治疗前显著降低，与对照组（健康儿童10名）比较差异无显著性；哮喘缓解组S-ECP水平明显高于发作组治疗后，但明显低于发作组治疗前。哮喘发作组治疗前S-ECP水平变化与B-EOS无相关性，与FEV1、FEV1/FVC呈负相关，与症状评分呈正相关。结论：监测S-ECP水平可作为评价哮喘气道炎症程度、病情预后和指导抗炎治疗的有效指标。     

儿童颈椎间盘钙化症的影像诊断

目的 探讨儿童颈椎间盘钙化症的影像表现及诊断价值，并提高对本病的认识。方法 回顾分析16例儿童颈椎钙化性椎间盘病的影像表现。结果 16例患均行颈椎平片检查，5例行CT扫描并作了三维重建，8例行MRI检查。16例平片均显示了椎间盘钙化灶，均为单发，CT平扫加三维重建显示4例钙化呈卵圆形，1例钙化为不规则形。MRI检查不仅显示了椎间盘内改变还清晰显示了病变相邻椎体边缘信号改变，在T1、T2加权像上呈低信号。结论 平片检查可以显示椎间盘钙化；CT平扫加三维重建能清晰显示了钙化灶的大小、形态；MRI检查在显示受累椎体及周围组织的改变方面明显优于CT和平片。     

儿童髓母细胞瘤中VEGFR-2的表达

目的：探讨血管内皮生长因子受体VEGFR－2在儿童髓母细胞瘤中的表达及临床意义。方法：采用免疫组化LSAB法检测84例获随访的儿童髓母细胞瘤中的VEGFR－2表达，按术后生存期3，5，10年分为A，B，C三组，使用Cox回归统计分析。结果：84例儿童髓母细胞瘤中，VEGFR－2阳性表达74例（88．09％），A，B，C三组间VEGFR－2阳性表达分别为100％，88．89％，55．33％（P＜0．01），Cox回归分析显示VEGFR－2是影响生存时间的一个独立的预后因子，它与预后存在负相关关系。结论：VEGFR－2表达水平可作为儿童髓母细胞瘤的预后指标之一。