Allergen Immunotherapy: Past,Present, and Future

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), although in clinical use for more than a century, is still the only causal treatment of allergic diseases. The safety and efficacy of AIT has been demonstrated in a large number of clinical trials. In addition to allergy symptom reduction AIT plays an essential role in preventing new allergies and asthma and shows long-term effects after discontinuation of treatment. Ideally, it is capable of curing allergy. However, AIT is not effective in all allergic individuals and is not equally effective in the treatment of various hypersensitivities to different allergens. For many years, the route of administration and the vaccine compositions have been evolving. Still there is a strong need for research in the field of new AIT modalities to increase its effectiveness and safety. Growing evidence on immunological effects of AIT, especially new T cell subsets involved in antigen/allergen tolerance, provides novel concepts for safer and more effective vaccination. Pharmacoeconomic studies have demonstrated a clear advantage of AIT over pharmacologic therapies.     

Artificial kidneys: Past,Present, and Future

The Past—The artificial kidney, the bioengineering substitution of a biological system necessary to maintain life, comprises four subentities: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, hemofiltration, and hemoperfusion. The main emphasis of this discussion will be on hemodialysis, however there are obvious corollaries with peritoneal dialysis, hemofiltration, and hemoperfusion and these will be discussed where relevant. The history and development of the four systems will be discussed. The Present—A better understanding of the limitations of artificial kidneys will be presented by a review of normal kidney function. A discussion of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) physiology and biochemistry including electrolyte metabolism and acid-base balance will be given. The Future—Initially, one might predict a continuing progression of technological sophistication applied to artifical kidney machines: microprocessor controlled functions such as osmolality changes, electrolyte homeostatis, and acid-base balance. However, the two distinct conceptually valid approaches for hemodialysis (and hemofiltration) are [1] daily or even continuous artificial kidney treatments and [2] increasingly sophisticated dialysis techniques used on an intermittent (thrice weekly) basis. These will be discussed in detail including uremic toxins, physiologic feedback controls and biochemistry servocontrols. The future of artificial kidneys is described as following two diverging courses. The first is that of daily or even continuous treatment, which renders redundant all but the simplest of servocontrol mechanisms. The second describes the evolution of logic of complex integrated closed-loop feedback controls for periodic artificial kidney treatments.     

并行磁共振成像的回顾、现状与发展前景

经过20多年的发展，磁共振成像已经成为临床医学影像学检查最重要的手段之一，但缩短采集时间仍然是磁共振成像研究的重要问题之一。最近10年，成像速度的提高主要依赖于多通道线圈采集技术的出现和并行成像算法的发展。本研究介绍了并行成像的发展历程，并对现有重建算法及其应用进行了阐述、比较与分析。     

Immunotherapy for Infectious Diseases: Past,Present, and Future

Passive immunotherapy for established infections, as opposed to active immunization to prevent disease, remains a tiny niche in the world of antimicrobial therapies. Many of the passive immunotherapies currently available are directed against bacterial toxins, such as botulism, or are intended for agents of bioterrorism such as anthrax, which fortunately has remained rare. The emergence of Ebola virus and multi-drug resistant pathogens, however, may breathe new life into the immunotherapy field as researchers seek non-antibiotic interventions for infectious diseases.     

Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Context: Past, Present, and Future

Baer's review (2003 ; this issue) suggests that mindf ulness-based interventions are clinically efficacious, but that better designed studies are now needed to substantiate the field and place it on a firm foundation for future growth. Her review, coupled with other lines of evidence, suggests that interest in incorporating mindfulness into clinical interventions in medicine and psychology is growing. It is thus important that professionals coming to this field understand some of the unique factors associated with the delivery of mindfulness-based interventions and the potential conceptual and practical pitfalls of not recognizing the features of this broadly unfamiliar landscape. This commentary highlights and contextualizes (1) what exactly mindfulness is, (2) where it came from, (3) how it came to be introduced into medicine and health care, (4) issues of cross-cultural sensitivity and understanding in the study of meditative practices stemming from other cultures and in applications of them in novel settings, ( 5 ) why it is important for people who are teaching mind-fulness to practice themselves, (6) results from 3 recent studies from the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society not reviewed by Baer but which raise a number of key questions about clinical applicability, study design, and mechanism of action, and (7) current opportunities for professional training and development in mindfulness and its clinical applications.     

Behavioral Medicine in Hungary: Past,Present, and Future

Abstract

During the socialist period before 1989, training in behavioral medicine and behavioral science was not a priority in Hungary's medical schools despite the nation's long tradition of psychosomatic and behavioral medicine. In this article, the authors review the development of behavioral medicine and behavioral science in Hungarian medical schools and outline some of the problems and future challenges these departments face. The resistance of faculty members has influenced the acceptance of behavioral medicine and behavioral science courses, attitudes toward the acceptance of departments of behavioral science, and evaluations of the staff's scientific research. Although research is emphasized in these departments of behavioral medicine, closer integration of teaching, research, and health policy is necessary. The primary message of this approach is that modern physicians should see beyond molecular substances and perceive humans from a total biopsychosocial perspective.     

Behavioral Treatment of Tourette Syndrome: Past, Present, and Future

Cook and Blacher (2007) provide the most comprehensive review to date of psychosocial treatments for patients with tic disorders and are to be congratulated for their fine effort. The authors' conclusion that habit reversal treatment warrants designation as well established based on the American Psychological Association's Division 12 Task Force criteria should spur increased clinical and research interest in this treatment. However, to fully realize the promise of Cook and Blacher's findings, it is first necessary to understand the broad historical context surrounding the conceptualization and treatment of Tourette syndrome (TS), including fluctuating perceptions within the TS community about the efficacy and utility of psychosocial interventions. In related fashion, this commentary also addresses several barriers, some methodological and others based on historical misconceptions about psychological treatments, that have constrained greater acceptance of such interventions in the past. Finally, we present a model approach for the development and dissemination of evidence-based psychosocial treatments designed to facilitate maximal understanding and acceptance of these interventions by the TS treatment community.     

尸体解剖作为教学方法：过去、现在，和将来

近30年来，关于解剖学其本身作用的讨论不乏存在。随着医学教育文化的变迁、科学的进展以及未来的发展趋势，现今医学院校里讲授解剖学教学的尸体解剖作用也正在发生变革和拓展。本文只讨论尸体解剖的作用，这个30年来一直讨论的问题。从不同观点考虑尸体解剖的重要性：教育、生物伦理学和人的价值等，还包括来自教授和学生们的不同意见。最后，概述美国和欧洲一些大学现行的尸体解剖办法，以更好展示尸体解剖作为学习方法的意义。     

Cancer Chemotherapy: Past, Present, and Future��Part I

Cancer is of major concern today because of its high mortality. It is estimated that 66 million people in this country will eventually develop cancer; 1983 estimates were 855,000 new cases and 440,000 deaths from cancer.     

Cancer Chemotherapy: Past, Present, and Future��Part II

Cancer is of major concern today because of its high mortality. It is estimated that 66 million people in this country will eventually develop cancer; 1983 estimates were 855,000 new cases and 440,000 deaths from cancer.