Diabetic dyslipidaemia: current treatment recommendations

Insulin deficiency and hyperglycaemia in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus produce lipid abnormalities, which can be corrected by appropriate insulin therapy. Diabetic nephropathy, which is the main risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in type 1 diabetes, causes pro-atherosclerotic changes in lipid metabolism. Detection and treatment of elevated cholesterol levels is likely to be of benefit in these patients. Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism, even when glycaemic control is good and nephropathy absent. Elevated triglyceride levels, reduced high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and a preponderance of small, dense low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles are the key abnormalities that constitute diabetic dyslipidaemia. The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia is the same as for the nondiabetic population, but the relative risk of CHD is greatly increased at every level of cholesterol. Based on effectiveness, tolerability and clinical trial results, treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to lower LDL cholesterol is recommended as primary therapy. These agents are also moderately effective at reducing triglyceride and increasing HDL cholesterol levels. If hypertriglyceridaemia predominates, treatment with fibric acid derivatives is appropriate, although there is currently only limited clinical trial evidence that the risk of CHD will be reduced. In type 1 diabetes, but particularly in type 2 diabetes, lipid disorders are likely to contribute significantly to the increased risk of macrovascular complications. especially CHD. Management of the disordered lipid metabolism should be given a high priority in the clinical care of all patients with diabetes.     

Social anxiety disorder : current treatment recommendations

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent and disabling disorder associated with significant co-morbidity. An increased awareness of SAD over the past two decades has given impetus to advances in the pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic treatment options for this disorder. On the basis of consistent data from randomised controlled trials, present consensus supports the use of SSRIs as the first-line treatment in generalised SAD, partly because of established short- and long-term efficacy in this disorder, evidence for safety and tolerability, and ability to treat co-morbid conditions. There is more recent evidence that venlafaxine XR (extended release) may also be considered a first-line treatment in SAD. Second-line treatments include MAOIs (e.g. phenelzine) and reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (e.g. moclobemide), while some benzodiazepines and antiepileptics (e.g. clonazepam and pregabalin) may also be useful. Over the past two decades, cognitive behavioural therapies for SAD have gained increasing empirical support. The optimal approach to the management of treatment-refractory SAD patients requires additional study.     

Superficial fungal infections of the skin. Diagnosis and current treatment recommendations.

Superficial fungal infections are common. Most diagnoses of fungal infections of the skin can be made by physical examination, assisted by the use of a Wood's lamp, skin scrapings for microscopic examination, and fungal cultures. Dermatophyte infections are common at all ages, in both sexes, and they have a worldwide distribution. These infections include tinea capitis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea manuum and tinea barbae. Tinea versicolor, caused by Malassezia furfur, and candidal infections are also common. Treatment modalities include oral and topical agents. Good personal hygiene is an important adjunct to antifungal therapy. Decisions regarding the appropriateness of therapy in a given patient must take into account the extent and location of the infection, the benefits and risks of each of the treatments, and cost. Oral therapies include griseofulvin, ketoconazole, and itraconazole. There are a large variety of topical treatments, including nystatin, selenium sulfide, tolnaftate, haloprogin, miconazole, clotrimazole, and sodium thiosulfate. Important to successful treatment is compliance with what is sometimes a long course of treatment, and good personal hygiene.     

Respiratory infections and asthma: current treatment strategies

Infections such as lower respiratory illness potentially contribute to the initiation of asthma and are major factors in recurring acute exacerbations of the condition. Although typical bacterial respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae do not initiate asthmatic exacerbations, data from a subgroup of adults suggest a potential role for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in the onset of asthma. Common cold viruses, predominantly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in young children and rhinoviruses in older children and adults, are the major causes of acute exacerbations of asthma. These exacerbations are not prevented with maintenance therapies that are used for chronic asthma, but do respond to short courses of systemic corticosteroids. There are continued attempts to produce a successful vaccine and antiviral agents for the treatment of RSV that are more effective and more practical to use than ribavirin, which is currently the only available antiviral for RSV. The prevention and treatment of rhinovirus infections have focused on the major receptor for the virus, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is located on respiratory epithelial cells. A multivalent, recombinant, antibody fusion protein identified as CFY196 has high avidity for ICAM-1 and has the potential to protect against rhinovirus infection. Another approach for preventing and treating rhinovirus infection uses a recombinant, soluble, truncated form of ICAM-1 in which the transmembrane and intracellular domains of the protein have been deleted. An initial clinical study on this agent demonstrated clinical efficacy in ameliorating the symptoms of experimental rhinovirus infection in volunteers, but did not significantly prevent infection.     

Neuroblastoma: current drug therapy recommendations as part of the total treatment approach

Neuroblastoma represents one of the most challenging malignancies for treatment decisions because of its unusual biological behaviour. The features include spontaneous regression (regressive type), maturation to ganglioneuroma (maturative type) and largely treatment-resistant progression (progressive type). Current knowledge allows only partial prediction of type. For practical reasons, patients may be categorised as an 'observation', a 'standard risk' or a 'high risk' treatment arm. During the last 2 decades, 5-year survival rates for children with neuroblastoma have increased from 48 to 67%. The main achievements were the reduction of chemotherapy in patients with localised disease and the increased efficacy of chemotherapy in metastatic neuroblastoma stage 4 (5-year survival increased from 8 to 33%). Different goals for chemotherapy (e.g. stopping rapid progression, improvement of symptoms, induction and maintenance of remission) require different dosages and durations of treatment (range 1 week to 9 months). The main risks of chemotherapy are toxic death (rate up to 15%) predominantly during the periods of bone marrow depression and the development of secondary leukaemias (up to 7% cumulative risk after 4 years). In conclusion, the use of cytotoxic drugs can be completely omitted in a substantial proportion of low risk patients with neuroblastoma. On the other hand, for high risk patients with the disease, intensive polychemotherapy represents the basis and the backbone of treatment among other modalities.     

Clinical effect of cephems: cefoperazone in the treatment of postoperative infections

Cefoperazone (CPZ) has a broad antibacterial spectrum against Gram-positive, -negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms, it is also highly active against Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacter sp. which are hardly susceptible to current cephalosporins. The clinical studies on CPZ were performed in postoperative wound infections and abdominal cavity infections, and the following results were obtained. Overall clinical effect: The rates of effectiveness were 100% in postoperative wound infections and 71.4% in abdominal cavity infections. Bacteriological effect: The rates of eradication were 90% in postoperative wound infections and 80% in abdominal cavity infections. Side effects: Any side effects on marked changes in laboratory findings were not observed in any of the cases treated with CPZ. Based on the above results, we considered that CPZ is a highly useful antibiotic for the treatment of postoperative infections.     

Preventing relapse in the treatment of nicotine addiction: current issues and future directions

Although smoking-cessation rates have continued to increase, the vast majority of smokers who quit eventually relapse. Between 1974 and 1985, over 1.3 million smokers quit during each of those years. However, 75% to 80% of those individuals resumed smoking within six months. This article describes the dynamic phenomenon of smoking relapse within the context of cyclical episodes of smoking and quitting during an individual's lifetime. Theories of the determinants of smoking relapse are reviewed and methods designed to prevent relapse are described. Smoking relapse is discussed in terms of three aspects of tobacco addiction: (1) biological-addiction mechanisms, (2) conditioning processes, and (3) cognitive-social learning factors. The major determinants of smoking relapse are reviewed, including nicotine withdrawal, stress, weight gain, social influences, conditioning factors, causal attributions, and environmental variables. A trans-theoretical-developmental model is explored in the longitudinal investigation of the natural history of slips (lapses) and relapse episodes. Relapse prevention interventions are described that emphasize self-awareness, self-regulation, self-efficacy, affect regulation, social support, and lifestyle balance. Recent developments in pharmacological adjuncts to treatment are also examined. It is concluded that innovative relapse prevention methods need to be designed for hard-core smokers with histories of cessation failures, substance abuse and/or psychiatric impairment. These and other recommendations for future research on smoking relapse and relapse prevention are discussed.     

80例阑尾切除患者术后感染的防治措施

目的：探讨阑尾切除术后感染的防治措施。方法：对80例阑尾切除术的患者治疗情况进行分析。结果：急性化脓性阑尾炎出现1例肺部感染,1例尿路感染。急性穿孔性阑尾炎出现2例尿路感染,1例肺内感染。结论：通过严格的预防和治疗可有效地防止阑尾切除术后感染。     

Clinical studies on cefoxitin in the prevention of postoperative infections and the treatment of postoperative pulmonary and urinary tract infections

This clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and patient tolerance of cefoxitin (CFS) in 46 patients who were admitted to the hospitals from June 1983 to April 1984. The daily doses of CFX for 34 patients (ages ranged from 6 to 75 years old) were 2 to 8 g to prevent the infections and for 12 patients (ages ranged from 55 to 81 years old) were 2 to 6 g to treat the infections by intravenous drip infusion 1 or 3 times a day in divided doses. The following results were obtained. All of 34 patients with intracranial operation who received CFX for prevention of postoperative infections showed good results. Of 12 patients with postoperative pneumonia, infections of urinary tract and late meningitis, 11 patients showed good results. One patient was discontinued on the 3 days because of the drug eruption which improved 3 days after. The side effect was noted in only 1 patient. This was eruption which improved 3 days after the stop of the administration. The influences to the laboratory data due to CFX were not recognized. The results of this study demonstrated that CFX was an excellent drug for the prevention and treatment of the postoperative infections in the neurosurgical field because of high efficacy rate and safety.     

Preventing relapse in the treatment of nicotine addiction: current issues and future directions.

Although smoking-cessation rates have continued to increase, the vast majority of smokers who quit eventually relapse. Between 1974 and 1985, over 1.3 million smokers quit during each of those years. However, 75% to 80% of those individuals resumed smoking within six months. This article describes the dynamic phenomenon of smoking relapse within the context of cyclical episodes of smoking and quitting during an individual's lifetime. Theories of the determinants of smoking relapse are reviewed and methods designed to prevent relapse are described. Smoking relapse is discussed in terms of three aspects of tobacco addiction: (1) biological-addiction mechanisms, (2) conditioning processes, and (3) cognitive-social learning factors. The major determinants of smoking relapse are reviewed, including nicotine withdrawal, stress, weight gain, social influences, conditioning factors, causal attributions, and environmental variables. A transtheoretical-developmental model is explored in the longitudinal investigation of the natural history of slips (lapses) and relapse episodes. Relapse prevention interventions are described that emphasize self-awareness, self-regulation, self-efficacy, affect regulation, social support, and lifestyle balance. Recent developments in pharmacological adjuncts to treatment are also examined. It is concluded that innovative relapse prevention methods need to be designed for hard-core smokers with histories of cessation failures, substance abuse and/or psychiatric impairment. These and other recommendations for future research on smoking relapse and relapse prevention are discussed.     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病新药的临床研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)是临床上最常见的慢性肝病,全球发病率约为25%,NAFLD可进展为肝纤维化、肝硬化和肝细胞癌,严重威胁人类健康。目前中国尚未批准任何治疗药物上市,新药研发迫在眉睫。NAFLD发病机制复杂,单一用药很难取得好的疗效。几种不同作用机制的药物联合使用是治疗NAFLD的必然趋势。通过联合用药可能降低药物的不良反应,发挥协同作用产生更好的疗效。本文综述了NAFLD新药联合用药的最新临床研究进展,以期为后续NAFLD新药开发和临床合理用药提供参考。

     

Antioxidant nutrients: current dietary recommendations and research update

OBJECTIVE: To review the importance of antioxidant nutrients in the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of disease, with a focus on data pertaining to vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. A secondary objective was to discuss the new Dietary Reference Intakes released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for these nutrients. DATA SOURCES: IOM reports on the use of antioxidant vitamins were reviewed for nutrient recommendations. In addition, a MEDLINE search was performed to identify recent research and review articles on the topic, which were analyzed to identify key research findings in the area. DATA SYNTHESIS: The review discusses the biologic processes of oxidation reactions and antioxidants in biologic systems, provides an overview of information on selected antioxidant nutrients, and explores their role in the prevention and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, ocular disorders, and respiratory disorders. CONCLUSION: There appear to be significant health benefits from dietary antioxidants, as can be found in fruits and vegetables. Some prospective assessment of the effect of supplemental antioxidants also suggests benefit, especially for vitamin E; however, there are conflicting results in this area. Overall, it appears that antioxidant nutrients, especially those from food sources, have important roles in preventing pathogenic processes related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, cataracts, and asthma, and may enhance immune function.     

Staphylococcal skin infections in children: rational drug therapy recommendations

Staphylococcus aureus remains one of the most common and troublesome of bacteria causing disease in humans, despite the development of effective antibacterials and improvement in hygiene. The organism is responsible for over 70% of all skin and soft tissue infections in children and accounts for up to one-fifth of all visits to pediatric clinics. Skin and soft tissue infections that are predominantly caused by S. aureus include bullous and non-bullous impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis, carbunculosis, cellulitis, surgical and traumatic wound infections, mastitis, and neonatal omphalitis. Other skin and soft tissue infections may also be caused by S. aureus but are often polymicrobial in origin and require special consideration. These include burns, decubitus ulcers (particularly in the perianal region), puncture wounds of the foot, as well as human and mammalian bites. Treatment of staphylococcal skin infections varies from topical antiseptics to prolonged intravenous antibacterials, depending on severity of the lesions and the health of the child. The treatment of choice for oral antibacterials remains the penicillinase-resistant penicillins such as flucloxacillin. Cefalexin and erythromycin are suitable cost-effective alternatives with broader cover, although care must be taken with the use of macrolides because of development of resistance to multiple families of antibacterials, particularly the lincosamides. Other cephalosporins such as cefadroxil and cefprozil are also effective, can be given once daily and have a better tolerability profile -- while azithromycin has a further advantage of a 3-day course. However, all of these agents are more expensive. Although the antibacterials have been given for 10 days in most clinical trials, there is no evidence that this duration is more effective than a 7-day course. In children requiring intravenous therapy, ceftriaxone has a major advantage over other antibacterials such as sulbactam/ampicillin and cefuroxime in that it can be given once daily and may, therefore, be suitable for outpatient treatment of moderate-to-severe skin infections. Newer-generation cephalosporins and loracarbef are also effective and have a broader spectrum of activity, but do not offer any added benefit and are significantly more expensive. Skin and soft tissue infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are still relatively uncommon in children. Well children with community-acquired MRSA infections can be treated with clindamycin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole), but must be observed closely for potentially severe adverse effects. In severe infections, vancomycin remains the treatment of choice, while intravenous teicoplanin and clindamycin are suitable alternatives. Linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin are currently showing great promise for the treatment of multi-resistant Gram-positive infections. While the choice of antibacterial is important, supportive management, including removal of any infected foreign bodies, surgical drainage of walled-off lesions, and regular wound cleaning, play a vital role in ensuring cure.     

Acute bacterial skin infections in pediatric medicine: current issues in presentation and treatment

Bacterial skin and skin structure infections commonly encountered in children include impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis, carbuncles, wound infections, abscesses, cellulitis, erysipelas, scarlet fever, acute paronychia, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. If diagnosed early and treated appropriately, these infections are almost always curable, but some have the potential to cause serious complications such as septicemia, nephritis, carditis and arthritis if diagnosis is delayed and/or treatment is inadequate. During the initial evaluation, it is important to determine whether the infection is superficial or deep, and whether it is localized or spreading. Prompt treatment is essential if the infection appears to be spreading, as the sequelae can be life threatening. Once the proper diagnosis is made, the next important step is selecting the most appropriate therapy. In children presenting with mild or moderately severe bacterial skin and skin structure infections and not requiring inpatient management or urgent operative débridement, prompt provision of oral antimicrobial therapy avoids the risk of worsening infection or hospitalization. Empiric antimicrobial therapy should be directed at the most likely pathogens, (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes), although some infections (e.g. subcutaneous abscesses and cellulitis following animal or human bites) may have a polymicrobial origin. In choosing the appropriate antimicrobial therapy, one must take into account the resistance profile of the target pathogen, the agent's antibacterial profile and intrinsic activity against the target pathogen, and its pharmacokinetic properties (including absorption, elimination, and extent of tissue penetration). Other factors to consider include tolerability of the drug, convenience of the dosing regimen, and acceptability and palatability of the oral formulation administered. Any treatment plan for bacterial skin and skin structure infections should aim to minimize the emergence of resistant organisms so that the risk of their dissemination to others in the community is reduced. Oral antimicrobial agents currently available that may be considered include: beta-lactamase-stable penicillins (e.g. cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium), the macrolides (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin), and the cephalosporins. Cephalosporins are now the most commonly used class, particularly because of increasing resistance among strains of S. pyogenes to erythromycin (and by implication, the other macrolides). The second- and third-generation cephalosporins have many advantages, with their extended spectra of antimicrobial activity, favorable pharmacokinetic and tolerability profiles, and convenient dosage schedules. The third-generation agent, cefdinir, has good activity against a broad range of likely pathogens, including staphylococci, a twice-daily administration schedule, a favorable efficacy and tolerability profile, is well accepted by young children when administered as an oral suspension, and may be an attractive alternative in the pediatric setting.     

Diabetic foot ulcers: practical treatment recommendations

When treating diabetic foot ulcers it is important to be aware of the natural history of the diabetic foot, which can be divided into five stages: stage 1, a normal foot; stage 2, a high risk foot; stage 3, an ulcerated foot; stage 4, an infected foot; and stage 5, a necrotic foot. This covers the entire spectrum of foot disease but emphasises the development of the foot ulcer as a pivotal event in stage 3, which demands urgent and aggressive management. Diabetic foot care in all stages needs multidisciplinary management to control mechanical, wound, microbiological, vascular, metabolic and educational aspects. Achieving good metabolic control of blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure is important in each stage, as is education to teach proper foot care appropriate for each stage. Ideally, it is important to prevent the development of ulcers in stages 1 and 2. In stage 1, the normal foot, it is important to encourage the use of suitable footwear, and to educate the patient to promote healthy foot care and footwear habits. In stage 2, the foot has developed one or more of the following risk factors for ulceration: neuropathy, ischaemia, deformity, swelling and callus. The majority of deformities can be accommodated in special footwear and as callus is an important precursor of ulceration it should be treated aggressively, especially in the neuropathic foot. In stage 3, ulcers can be divided into two distinct entities: those in the neuropathic foot and those in the neuroischaemic foot. In the neuropathic foot, ulcers commonly develop on the plantar surface of the foot and the toes, and are associated with neglected callus and high plantar pressures. In the neuroischaemic foot, ulcers are commonly seen around the edges of the foot, including the apices of the toes and back of the heel, and are associated with trauma or wearing unsuitable shoes. Ulcers in stage 3 need relief of pressure (mechanical control), sharp debridement and dressings (wound control), and neuroischaemic foot ulcers may need vascular intervention (vascular control). In stage 4, microbiological control is crucial and severe infections need intravenous antibacterial therapy, and urgent assessment of the need for surgical drainage and debridement. Without urgent treatment, severe infections will progress to necrosis. In stage 5, necrosis can be divided into wet and dry necrosis. Wet necrosis in neuropathic feet requires intravenous antibacterials and surgical debridement, and wet necrosis in neuroischaemic feet also needs vascular reconstruction. Aggressive management of diabetic foot ulceration will reduce the number of feet proceeding to infection and necrosis, and thus reduce the number of major amputations in diabetic patients.     

Hypertensive nephropathy: prevention and treatment recommendations

Importance of the field: A worldwide epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) exists; hypertensive nephropathy is second only to diabetes as a leading cause of progressive CKD. Due to the increasing morbidity and mortality and escalating costs associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), novel therapeutic strategies are needed urgently to maximally reduce albuminuria, control blood pressure, and delay progression of hypertensive nephropathy to ESRD. In particular, rational use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone (RAAS) blockers and achieving blood pressure targets are crucial to reduce cardiovascular and renal outcomes.

Areas covered in this review: We discuss the pathophysiology of hypertensive nephropathy and review current research evidence in support of i) albuminuria reduction as a key factor to maximally slow CKD progression, ii) the blood pressure (BP) goal of < 130 mmHg, and iii) strategies for prevention and optimal treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.

What will the reader gain: Insight into the complexity of treating patients with hypertensive nephropathy and the effective strategies required for reducing albuminuria, achieving BP goals and delaying progression of hypertensive nephropathy.

Take home message: Patients with hypertensive proteinuric nephropathy need aggressive BP-lowering with multiple agents that should include RAAS blockers, calcium antagonists and diuretics to maximally slow progression to ESRD.     

氟氧头孢抗儿童术后感染46例临床评价

目的:评价氟氧头孢对儿童术后感染的临床疗效。方法:以头孢噻肟作对照,回顾性观察氟氧头孢抗儿童术后感染的疗效及安全性。结果:氟氧头孢组有效率为93.5％,未见明显不良反应;头孢噻肟组有效率87.8％,有两例发生不良反应。结论:氟氧头孢对儿童术后感染安全有效。