Levocabastine compared with sodium cromoglygate eyedrops in children with both birch and grass pollen allergy

Fifty–five children 6–16 years old with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to both birch and grass pollinosis were randomized into 2 parallel groups, treated in double–blind fashion with either levocabastinc (LEV) eye–drops twice daily plus placebo eyedrops twice daily or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) eyedrops 4 times daily for 3 months. Spersallerg® (antazolini chloride + tetryzolini chloride) eyedrops were allowed as rescue medicine. All children received basic treatment with an antihistamine (terfenadine) during the complete trial period, and a local nasal corticosteroid if needed. Eye symptoms were recorded daily by the patients and at 4 visits by the investigator, at start and after 4, 10 and 13 weeks. Pollen counts were performed and a blood sample was collected at start and end of the treatment. The global evaluation of treatment was similar for the 2 groups, and there was no significant difference in any effect parameter except for the symptom, itchy eyes, which had lower score in the SCG group as evaluated by the investigator after 4 weeks. On days with low pollen counts the patients in the SCG group had fewer days with moderate or severe eye symptoms. It is concluded that even though LEV and SCG eyedrops were given in addition to systemic treatment with an antihistamine, no consistently significant differences in clinical effect were found between the 2 treatment groups, but the SCG group experienced slightly less eye symptoms throughout the trial. LEV eye–drops appear safe in long–term treatment in children, and no signs of tachyphylaxis were recorded.     

Single unit activity in the auditory cortex of a monkey performing a short term memory task

Summary Short term memory to tones (STMT) was investigated by recording single unit activity in the auditory cortex of a behaving monkey. The activity of each unit was studied in two behavioral conditions: a) During task performance, the monkey had to compare two tones separated by one second of silence (inter-stimulus interval), b) During a nonperforming period; the monkey heard the two tones but did not respond behaviorally. It was noted that the firing rate of many units during the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) was dependent on the frequency of the first tone. Such dependency was observed even towards the end of the ISI, both during task performance trials (50% of the units) and during the nonperforming period (32% of the units). The activity of these units could be the basis of STMT in both of these behavioral states. In 65% of all the units tested, the responses during the ISI were of a higher magnitude in the performance period than were the responses in the non-performance period. The activity of these units may be related either to general processes such as attention and expectation or to short-term memory processes. During task performance, the responses of 23% of the units to the second tone were dependent on whether its frequency was identical to that of the first tone. Such dependency was never observed during the non-performing period. These units may detect similarity or non similarity between two tones presented one second apart. Periodic patterns of firing were not found in the study, thus suggesting that the ISI responses were not generated by reverberatory activity in simple closed loops. On the basis of these results, several alternative mechanisms of STMT are suggested.     

Assessment of changes in 1-second forced expiratory volume in bronchial provocation testing

The question of whether functional residual capacity (FRC) falls in infants during active sleep has been clouded by studies using different subject groups and techniques for measurements of lung volume and determination of sleep state. Twenty healthy full-term infants within the first week of life participated in the present study. Neurophysiological and behavioral criteria were used to define sleep state, and measurements of FRC were made using a specially constructed closed-circuit helium dilution system. Regularity of respiration was recorded using magnetometers on the chest and a modified respirator monitor. Results showed that no significant changes in FRC occurred, related either to sleep state or to regularity of respiration. In addition, we failed to detect any differences in FRC between the sexes. Pediatr Pilmonol. 1989; 7:71–77 .     

LONG‐TERM OUTCOME OF ENDOSCOPIC BALLOON DILATION IN OBSTRUCTIVE GASTROINTESTINAL CROHN's DISEASE

Background: Gastrointestinal strictures are the most often and serious complication in Crohn's disease. Because of the frequent postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease, endoscopic therapy of gastrointestinal stricture is one of the best therapeutic options. Method: The present study sets out the results from a prospective study of endoscopic dilation therapy on 48 Crohn's disease patients with severe gastrointestinal stenoses. All patients who could not undergo endoscopic balloon dilation therapy (EBD) were operated on. Results: Long‐term success was attained in 32 of the 48 patients; cumulative avoidance of surgery after EBD was 86% at one year and 71% at three. Second, the most hazardous factor was recurrent inflammation causing restenosis. Patients who had strictures with oral luminal dilatation and patients with frequent recurrence had a tendency to be operated on. As a complication, perforation occurred in two cases (3.3%). Conclusions: EBD therapy for Crohn's stricture in the gastrointestinal tract is recommended before surgical intervention.     

宫腔镜诊治异常子宫出血432例中长期随访结果

目的 评价宫腔镜手术治疗异常子宫出血的中长期随访结果。方法 回顾分析我院2002年1月～2005年11月经宫腔镜诊治异常子宫出血且随访〉12个月的432例临床资料,诊断良性疾患391例[子宫内膜息肉96例（22.2%）,子宫黏膜下肌瘤38例（8.8%）,子宫内膜增生过长257例（59.5%）],行息肉或肌瘤切除、子宫内膜电切术;诊断子宫内膜腺癌41例（9.5%）,均为Ⅰ期,行经腹全子宫双附件切除、选择性盆腔淋巴结清扫术。结果 手术均获成功,未发生子宫穿孔等并发症。391例良性病变中,术后随访12～57个月,平均39个月,闭经占16.1%（63/391）,月经量少（每周期〈10片卫生巾）18.9%（74/391）,月经量正常（每周期10～20片卫生巾）58.3%（228/391）,术后改善不明显占6.6%（26/391）。26例月经量仍多者术后用孕酮治疗,7例有多发子宫肌瘤,术后32～44个月行全子宫切除术,8例复查阴道彩超子宫内膜厚度〉1.5 cm,术后5～19个月第2次行宫腔镜子宫内膜切除术,继续随访18～36个月,月经量少3例,闭经5例。41例子宫内膜癌Ⅰ期术后随访26～41个月,平均38个月,均无瘤存活。结论 异常子宫出血的治疗在结合病理学检查除外恶性病变后首选宫腔镜手术,严格B超监测是提高手术疗效和手术安全的保障。