Increased bladder permeability in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

The definition of interstitial cystitis (IC) has evolved over the years from being a well-defined entity characterized by diagnostic lesion (Hunner’s ulcer) in the urothelium to a clinical diagnosis by exclusion [painful bladder syndrome (PBS)]. Although the etiology is unknown, a central theme has been an association with increased permeability of the bladder. This article reviews the evidence for increased permeability being important to the symptoms of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and in treating the disorder. Recent work showing cross-communication among visceral organs is also reviewed to provide a basis for understanding IC/PBS as a systemic disorder of a complex, interconnected system consisting of the bladder, bowel and other organs, nerves, cytokine-responding cells and the nervous system.     

Computer-aided design of dry powder inhalers using computational fluid dynamics to assess performance

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are gaining popularity for the delivery of drugs. A cost effective and efficient delivery device is necessary. Developing new DPIs by modifying an existing device may be the simplest way to improve the performance of the devices. The aim of this research was to produce a new DPIs using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The new DPIs took advantages of the Cyclohaler® and the Rotahaler®. We chose a combination of the capsule chamber of the Cyclohaler® and the mouthpiece and grid of the Rotahaler®. Computer-aided design models of the devices were created and evaluated using CFD. Prototype models were created and tested with the DPI dispersion experiments. The proposed model 3 device had a high turbulence with a good degree of deagglomeration in the CFD and the experiment data. The %fine particle fraction (FPF) was around 50% at 60?L/min. The mass median aerodynamic diameter was around 2.8–4?μm. The FPF were strongly correlated to the CFD-predicted turbulence and the mechanical impaction parameters. The drug retention in the capsule was only 5–7%. In summary, a simple modification of the Cyclohaler® and Rotahaler® could produce a better performing inhaler using the CFD-assisted design.     

Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and BRAF alteration status in individuals with optic pathway/hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytomas

Background and purposeMost individuals with optic pathway/hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma (OPHPA) harbor either the BRAF V600E mutation or KIAA1549-BRAF fusion (K-B). This study aimed to investigate the imaging characteristics of OPHPA in relation to BRAF alteration status.Materials and methodsSeven cases of OPHPA harboring either the BRAF V600E mutation or K-B fusion were included in the study. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was assessed for degree of T2 hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) and the ratio of nonenhancing T2 or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintense area to the contrast enhanced area (CE) on gadolinium-enhanced-T1 weighted images (T2/FLAIR-CE mismatch). The T2 signal intensity was normalized to cerebrospinal fluid (T2/CSF) for both the V600E and K-B group and compared. T2/FLAIR-CE mismatch was assessed by calculating the proportion of the tumor volume of nonenhancing high T2 signal intensity to the whole lesion (nonenhancing and enhancing components).ResultsFour and three cases of OPHPA harboring the BRAF V600E mutation and K-B, respectively, were analyzed. The T2/CSF value was higher in the K-B group than in the V600E group. Moreover, the V600E group had a larger T2/FLAIR-CE mismatch than the K-B group.ConclusionsThe BRAF alteration status in individuals with OPHPA was associated with preoperative MRI by focusing on T2 signal intensity and T2/FLAIR-CE mismatch. The BRAF V600E mutation was associated with a lower T2/CSF value and larger T2/FLAIR-CE mismatch, whereas K-B fusion was associated with a higher T2/CSF value and smaller T2/FLAIR-CE mismatch.     

全身型幼年特发性关节炎合并肺间质病变概述

全身型幼年特发性关节炎是儿童常见的风湿性疾病之一， 肺间质病变是指以肺间质和远端气隙重构为特征， 进而导致异常气体交换的疾病。近年来， 国内外对全身型幼年特发性关节炎合并肺间质病变的报道有增多趋势。该文总结了近年来报道中全身型幼年特发性关节炎儿童合并肺间质病变的情况， 并对儿童肺间质病变的临床表现， 影像学表现， 诊断和治疗进行综述，旨在对该类疾病有更深刻的认识， 有助于肺间质病变的早期诊治。     

“耳脑脏腑相关”理论构建＊

通过系统整理中医传统理论中耳与脑、脏腑与脑、耳与脏腑之间的联系，结合体表刺激耳迷走神经-孤束核-默认网络脑效应机制研究，将传统针灸与现代医学相融合，提出“耳脑脏腑”相关理论。刺激耳甲的耳穴心不仅可以直接调节心神，通过耳脑相关机制调理脑与脑神，还可以配合或间接刺激耳甲区的五脏，调理五脏之神（心神、肝魂、肺魄、脾意和肾志），从而实现神脑并调和体用兼治之功，对于脑失常、神失常、五脏神失常类的疾病，理论上来说，具有较好的临床疗效。“耳脑脏腑相关”理论的提出，对于揭示采用耳穴心治疗脑系疾病和相关脏腑病提供了理论支持，对于加强中医原创理论创新提供典型范例，实现了继承与创新的结合，对于现代拓展脑病、脑科学和相关脏腑病研究提供了新方向和新思路。     

Variables associated with subjective cognitive change among Iraq and Afghanistan war Veterans with blast-related mild traumatic brain injury

Introduction: This study investigated variables associated with subjective decline in executive function among Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) following a history of blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Method: Fifty-six male U.S. Veterans (M_Age = 35.3 ± 8.8 years) with a history of blast-related mTBI (6.6 ± 3.2 years post injury) completed a battery of self-report questionnaires and neuropsychological measures. Participants rated current and retrospectively estimated pre-mTBI executive function difficulties on the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe). A difference score (post- minus pre-mTBI ratings) was the dependent variable (?FrSBe). Linear regression models examined variables predicting ?FrSBe, including: pre-injury characteristics (education, premorbid intelligence), injury-related characteristics (number of blast exposures, losses of consciousness), post-injury clinical symptoms (PTSD Checklist–Military version; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and post-injury neuropsychological performances on executive function measures (Trail Making Test Part B; Controlled Oral Word Association Test; Auditory Consonant Trigrams; Wisconsin Card Sorting Test).

Results: While 11% of participants had a clinically elevated pre-injury FrSBe total score, 82% had a clinically elevated post-injury FrSBe total score. Only self-reported PTSD symptom severity independently predicted perceived change in executive function.

Conclusions: Many OEF/OIF/OND Veterans with a history of blast-related mTBI experience subjective decline in executive function following injury. Perceived executive function decline was associated with higher PTSD symptom severity, aligning with previous research associating PTSD with cognitive complaints. Results did not support a correspondence between perceived cognitive change and neuropsychological performances.     

Evaluation of Central Venous Access with Accelerated Seldinger Technique Versus Modified Seldinger Technique

Background

Central vein catheter (CVC) placement using the modified Seldinger technique is a common procedure in the emergency department, but can be time consuming due to the multiple pieces of equipment included in central line kits and the number of steps in the procedure. Preassembled devices combine a needle, guidewire, dilator, and sheath into one unit and potentially simplify the process and reduce time required for CVC placement using the accelerated Seldinger technique.

脑脊液降钙素原及乳酸测定在早期诊断颅脑术后颅内感染的意义

目的研究降钙素原(PCT)及乳酸水平在早期诊断颅脑术后颅内感染的意义。方法颅脑术后颅内感染患者(n=20)和非颅内感染患者(n=20)的脑脊液和血液样本,检测脑脊液和血清PCT,脑脊液和血液乳酸水平等指标并进行统计分析。结果感染组脑脊液和血清PCT、乳酸水平较非感染组显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。脑脊液PCT和乳酸水平诊断敏感性及特异性均较血清PCT和乳酸水平高。结论脑脊液PCT、乳酸在颅脑手术术后颅内感染的诊断中均有意义,其中脑脊液PCT较乳酸敏感性更高,临床应用价值更大。     

小胶质细胞极化在热损伤介导的早期神经损伤中的相关研究

目的观察小胶质细胞在热损伤介导的早期神经损伤中的极化状态并探讨其可能机制。 方法通过建立Beagle犬热射病动物模型，按随机数字表法将18只Beagle犬分为正常对照组（A组）9只，根据热损伤后不同时间点（1、6、24 h）分为B、C、D组各3只，B~D组置于动物体温维持仪的电热毯上，温度设置为40℃±0.5℃，每5 min监测1次直肠温度直至达到40℃。建模成功后转移到26℃±0.5℃温度和60%±0.5%湿度的环境。4组18只Beagle犬均取下丘脑进行Western blot检测，检测小胶质细胞特异性标志物CD45、iNOS及Arginase、CD206分别在4组小胶质细胞中的表达。进一步免疫组织荧光共定位观察CD45、Arginase表达。 结果A组检测出少许CD45及iNOS蛋白，B、C组两种蛋白标志物均显著高于A组（P<0.05），而D组较A组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；A组检测出少许Arginase及CD206蛋白，B、C、D组两种蛋白标志物均高于A组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。免疫组织荧光共定位CD45、Arginase，分别在热损伤后6 h和24 h荧光光密度显著增强，差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。 结论热射病后Beagle犬脑组织可见小胶质细胞极化活跃，中枢神经系统损伤早期1~6 h小胶质细胞活化主要以M1型为主，6 h后则转化为M2为主，热射病后24 h M2型占优势。M1/M2极化趋势与热射病早期脑损伤的相互关系可能成为热射病中枢神经损伤关键。