定量检测慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织乙型肝炎病毒DNA的临床价值

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝内乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)DNA载量与血清HBV DNA、乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg)水平的相关性及其在抗病毒治疗中的意义.方法41例HBeAg阳性CHB患者,在干扰素α和拉米夫定联合治疗前进行肝穿刺,取肝组织分别进行HBV DNA检测及组织学检查,据肝组织HBVDNA载量小于等于或大于104fg/cm3将其分为两组,治疗前及治疗期间监测其肝功能、血清HBeAg及HBV DNA情况.结果(1)肝组织HBV DNA载量高于血清HBV DNA载量(对数值4.081±1.127与3.163±1.010,t=2.218,P＜0.05),二者高度相关(r=0.840,t=4.322,P＜0.001);肝组织HBV DNA载量与血清HBeAg亦呈正相关(r=0.459,t=3.056,P＜0.005).(2)肝组织HBV DNA载量与肝组织炎症活动度呈反向关系(x2=3.874,P＜0.05).(3)治疗期间两组患者血清HBV DNA水平均明显下降,治疗前肝组织HBV DNA水平低者效果较好;治疗1年时HBeAg、抗-HBe血清转化率以肝组织HBV DNA水平低者为高(HBeAg转阴率68.4%与36.4%,x2=4.194,P＜0.05;抗-HBe阳转率73.7%与40.9%,x2=4.447,P＜0.05).结论肝组织HBV DNA水平较血清HBV DNA、HBeAg水平更能准确反映肝组织HBV DNA复制情况,且能间接反映机体的免疫状态,可作为抗病毒治疗适应证选择及疗效预测因子.     

延长聚乙二醇干扰素疗程对普通干扰素治疗无应答的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的疗效

目的:观察研究延长聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(polyethylene glycol interferonα-2a,PEG-IFNα-2a)疗程对普通IFN治疗无应答的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(chronic viral hepatitis B,CHB)患者的疗效.方法:A组27例为普通IFN治疗无应答的HBeAg阳性CHB患者,采用PEG-IFNα-2a治疗,疗程72 wk.B组31例患者为普通IFN治疗失败的HBeAg阳性CHB患者,采用PEGIFNα-2a治疗观察,疗程48 wk.治疗结束随访24 wk.检测HBsAg和HBeAg、抗-HBe,乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)DNA及肝功能.结果:在治疗结束时,A组HBsAg阴转率、血清转换率、HBV DNA阴转率分别高于B组(14.8%vs 6.5%,48.1%vs 29.0%,66.7%vs45.1%,P0.05),差异有统计学意义.在治疗结束随访24 wk时,A组HbsAg阴转率、HBV DNA阴转率、HBeAg血清阴转率均高于B组(18.5%vs 6.5%,70.4%vs 38.7%,55.6%vs32.2%,P0.05),差异有统计学意义,A组ALT复常率高于B组,但两者差异无统计学意义.结论:延长PEG-IFNα-2a治疗疗程可以在普通IFN治疗无应答的HBeAg阳性CHB患者身上取得较好疗效,能帮助更多的患者获得理想的治疗终点.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a与聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎的效果及安全性比较

目的比较PEG-IFNα-2a与PEG-IFNα-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的效果和安全性。方法选取2017年1月-2018年6月在徐州医科大学附属医院感染科接受PEG-IFNα-2a(180μg/周)(n=34)和PEG-IFNα-2b(180μg/周)(n=32)治疗的CHB患者,观察2组治疗4、12、24、48周时HBsAg、HBV DNA、HBeAg、ALT水平及应答率等指标,将第48周抗病毒疗效结果作为主要观察指标,同时比较应答组与非应答组上述指标有无统计学差异。服从正态分布的计量资料2组间比较采用独立样本t检验;非正态分布的计量资料2组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验;计数资料2组间比较采用χ2检验或Fisher确切概率法检验。结果 PEG-IFNα-2a、PEG-IFNα-2b治疗48周时CHB患者的血清HBV DNA应答率分别为67. 6%、59. 4%,HBeAg血清学转换率分别为27. 3%、34. 6%,2组比较差异均无统计学意义(P值均 0. 05)。PEG-IFNα-2a组中,HBV DNA应答组较非应答组基线ALT水平更低,差异有统计学意义(Z=2. 390,P=0. 016); HBeAg应答组基线HBeAg水平比非应答组更低,差异有统计学意义(Z=2. 286,P=0. 021)。PEG-IFNα-2b组中,HBV DNA应答组较非应答组具有更低的基线HBV DNA水平、基线HBeAg水平(Z值分别为2. 154、2. 057,P值分别为0. 030、0. 041); HBeAg应答组较非应答组具有更低的基线HBV DNA水平(Z=2. 052,P=0. 042)。2组不良反应发生率差异均无统计学意义(P值均 0. 05),PEG-IFNα-2b治疗组1例发生Purtscher样视网膜病变,1例发生血小板减少,而PEG-IFNα-2a组未见Purtscher样视网膜病变和血小板减少相关不良反应。结论 PEG-IFNα-2a、PEGIFNα-2b治疗CHB均有较强的抗病毒疗效和免疫调节作用,治疗效果及安全性相近。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎72周疗程的疗效优于常规疗程

目的 评价聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a)治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)疗程对疗效的影响,探讨影响疗效的相关因素. 方法 收集2006年9月至2009年10月进行Peg-IFNα-2a(180 μg每周1次)治疗的HBeAg阳性CHB病例,将其分为常规治疗组(疗程48周)和延长治疗组(疗程72周).疗程结束后均随访24周.每3个月评估病毒学及生物化学应答直至疗程结束后24周.应用x2检验比较两组治疗结束时应答率,利用t检验、logistic回归探讨影响应答的因素.结果 完成本研究的患者86例,其中常规治疗组53例,延长治疗组33例,比较两组的人口学特征、性别、年龄、基线ALT水平、基线HBV DNA载量及基线HBeAg半定量(S/CO),P值均＞0.05,差异无统计学意义.治疗结束后,常规治疗组与延长治疗组比较:HBV DNA阴转率分别为41.5％、60.6％;HBeAg血清学转换率分别为32.1％、42.4％; HBsAg清除率分别为9.4％、18.2％;P值均＞0.05,差异均无统计学意义.治疗结束后随访24周,常规治疗组与延长治疗组比较:HBV DNA阴转率分别为62.3％、97.0％,x2=13.273 ; HBeAg血清学转换率分别为39.6％、57.6％,x2=6.765;HBsAg清除率分别为15.1％、36.4％,x2=5.155;复发率分别为58.5％、33.3％,x2=6.713;P值均＜0.05,差异均有统计学意义.根据logistic回归分析显示HBeAg清除与疗程(OR=3.702,95％CI为1.225～11.188)和性别(女性,OR=3.005,95％CI为1.038 ～ 8.696)呈正相关,与基线HBeAg水平(OR=0.999,95％CI为0.998～ 1.000)和年龄(OR=0.902,95％ CI为0.839 ～ 0.970)无关.结论 延长Peg-IFNα-2a治疗疗程可使HBeAg阳性CHB患者获得较高的HBV DNA阴转率、HBeAg血清学转换率、HBsAg清除率及更低的复发率,HBeAg清除与疗程及患者性别呈正相关.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a及聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎临床研究

目的探讨聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(PEG-IFNα-2a)及聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b(PEG-IFNα-2b)治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的疗效及安全性。方法用PEG-IFNα-2a治疗33例、PEG-IFNα-2b治疗22例慢性乙型肝炎。治疗期间定期监测血常规、生物化学指标、病毒学标志、甲状腺功能等。结果治疗48周,PEG-IFNα-2a及PEG-IFNα-2b组HBeAg血清学转换率分别为22.7%、42.9%;血清HBV DNA阴转率分别为63.6%、54.5%,两组HBV DNA阴转病例中12周转阴率分别为47.6%、50.0%。随访半年,HBVDNA复发率分别为14.2%、16.7%,HBeAg血清学转换者维持应答。PEG-IFNα-2a及PEG-IFNα-2b组停药后随访半年内HBeAg血清学转换分别为1例、2例。结论聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a及聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎具有免疫调节和抗病毒双重作用,均疗效显著,两组比较差异无统计学意义。前12周可作为疗效预测指标。停药后具有持续应答效应。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗多种核苷和核苷酸类药物耐药慢性乙型肝炎的效果观察

目的观察聚乙二醇干扰素(PEG-IFN)α-2a治疗对多种核苷和核苷酸类药物(NAs)耐药的HBe Ag阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的疗效。方法选取武警上海市总队医院2009年8月-2014年2月住院及门诊的对多种NAs耐药的HBe Ag阳性CHB患者120例,根据治疗方法不同将患者分为2组,每组60例。治疗组患者全部停用NAs,改用PEG-IFNα-2a治疗48周;对照组患者维持原有NAs治疗方案不变,加用PEG-IFNα~(-2)a治疗48周。观察治疗24、48周及停药后24周时乙型肝炎血清学标志物及HBV DNA变化情况。计数资料组间比较采用χ~2检验,计量资料组间比较采用t检验。结果 2组患者均取得了较为满意的疗效,治疗第24、48周及停药后24周时2组的血清HBe Ag阴转率、HBe Ag转换率、HBV DNA阴转率以及HBs Ag阴转率相比,差异均无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。PEG-IFNα-2a治疗过程中出现的不良反应包括发热、头痛、注射部位炎症、腹泻、中性粒细胞减少、贫血及抑郁,情况均不严重。结论 PEG-IFNα-2a治疗对多种NAs耐药的CHB安全有效,并可考虑直接换用PEG-IFNα-2a继续抗病毒治疗。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合阿德福韦酯治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎的临床研究

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN) α-2a联合阿德福韦酯(ADV)治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB) 96周的疗效及安全性. 方法 25例初治HBeAg阴性CHB患者接受Peg-IFN α-2a(135μg/周或180μg/周)联合ADV (10 mg/d)治疗.96周治疗结束时,如获得HBsAg血清学转换则停药随访,否则停用Peg-IFN α-2a,继续ADV维持治疗.所有患者随访至120周.基线和治疗过程中每12周检测HBV DNA和HBsAg水平.计数资料采用x2检验或Fisher's exact test检验. 结果 Peg-IFNα-2a联合ADV治疗48周时,100％ (25/25)的患者HBV DNA低于检测值(＜ 500拷贝/ml),且在治疗过程中始终保持不可检测水平;治疗48周时HBsAg血清学转换率为12％ (3/25),96周上升至28％ (7/25).随访至120周,HBsAg血清学转换率为32％ (8/25).延长治疗至96周未见新的不良反应发生,其安全性同48周.结论 Peg-IFNα-2a联合ADV并延长疗程可显著提高HBeAg阴性CHB患者的抗病毒疗效,尤其可以提高HBsAg血清学转换率,是值得探索的优化治疗策略之一.     

肝脂肪变对慢性乙型肝炎患者聚乙二醇干扰素α治疗临床疗效的影响

目的 探讨肝脂肪变对聚乙二醇干扰素α (Peg-IFNα)治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者临床疗效的影响.方法　96例HBeAg阳性CHB初治患者,经肝活组织检查证实合并肝脂肪变者34例(肝脂肪变组)、无肝脂肪变者62例(无肝脂肪变组),均用Peg-IFN α[治疗,疗程为48周,比较两组患者治疗结束时病毒学应答和生化学应答的差异.每组均数差异的比较采用t检验,率的比较采用x2检验.结果　HBV DNA滴度肝脂肪变组患者为(6.96±1.27) lg10拷贝/ml,无肝脂肪变组患者为(7.54±1.28) lg10拷贝/ml,两组比较,t=2.161,P=0.033,差异有统计学意义.Peg-1FN α[治疗48周时,HBeAg转换率、HBV DNA阴转率在肝脂肪变组分别为35.2％ (12/34)和44.1％ (15/34);无肝脂肪变组分别为38.7％ (24/62)和48.3％ (30/62),两组比较,差异无统计学意义.完全应答率在肝脂肪变组为26.5％,无肝脂肪变组为48.4％,两组比较,x2=4.373,P=0.037,差异有统计学意义.在45例HBV DNA转阴患者中,7例无生化学应答,其中肝脂肪变组有5例,无肝脂肪变组2例,无生化应答率肝脂肪变组显著高于无肝脂肪变组,P=0.032,差异有统计学意义. 结论 CHB患者合并肝脂肪变不影响Peg-1FN α[治疗48周时病毒学应答,但可能会影响其生化学应答.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2α联合胸腺肽 α1治疗对慢性乙型肝炎患者生存质量的影响

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素（PEG-IFN）α-2a联合胸腺肽α1（Tα1）治疗对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者生存质量（QOL）的影响.方法 选择2008年10月至2012年10月本科收治的CHB患者148例,随机分为观察组和对照组各组74例,对照组采用PEG-IFNα-2a治疗;观察组采用PEG-IFNα-2a联合Tα1治疗,比较分析两组患者治疗3、6、12个月时HBV DNA载量的变化情况,QOL及慢性肝病问卷（CLDQ）评分和不良反应.组间比较采用独立样本t检验,治疗前后比较采用配对t检验,计数资料比较采用χ2检验.结果 观察组治疗3、6、12个月时HBV DNA载量下降值和病毒学应答率均明显高于对照组（t=2.281,P=0.02;χ2=3.950,P=0 04;t=3 237,P=0.00;χ2=4.022,P=0.04;t=3.197,P=0.00; χ2=4.028,P=0.04）;观察组治疗6个月时总的QOL、生理、社会关系评分及乏力、焦虑评分明显高于对照组（t=2.039~3.472,P＜0.05）;观察组治疗12个月总的QOL、总的健康状况、生理、心理、社会关系评分及乏力、全身症状、活动、焦虑、环境评分明显高于对照组（t=2.020～3.201,P＜0.05）.结论 PEG-IFNα-2a联合Tα1治疗CHB可增强患者机体免疫力及抗病毒能力,提高机体清除HBV的能力,从而提高患者生存质量,值得临床推广.     

核苷(酸)类似物序贯干扰素治疗乙型肝炎病毒e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床观察

目的 观察HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者在核苷(酸)类似物抗病毒治疗基础上序贯聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(PEG IFNα-2a)治疗48周血清HBsAg的变化.方法 6例HBeAg阳性CHB患者中,3例采用核苷(酸)类似物序贯PEG IFNα-2a治疗48周,3例维持原核苷(酸)类似物治疗方案,每12周采用实时PCR定量检测HBV DNA,采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法检测HBsAg、抗-HBs、HBeAg、抗-HBe及抗-HBc.结果 核苷(酸)类似物序贯PEG lFNα-2a治疗48周后,3例序贯治疗患者血清HBsAg均消失,而维持原核苷(酸)类似物治疗患者血清HBsAg效价为100～320 IU/mL.结论 对核苷(酸)类似物治疗产生较好应答反应且伴有血清HBsAg效价明显下降的HBeAg阳性CHB患者,在核苷(酸)类似物抗病毒治疗基础上序贯PEG IFNα-2a治疗48周能有效促进血清HBsAg下降,并出现血清HBsAg消失的现象.     

胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点分析

目的胰岛素瘤是最常见的胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤，因其临床表现多样，导致诊断困难。影像学诊断尤其是超声内镜(EUS)在胰岛素瘤的诊断中起着重要作用，拥有较高的敏感性和特异性。本研究拟通过明确胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点，以期有助于提高影像学的诊断准确率和降低漏诊率，尤其是在教育和培训实践中对于EUS的学习者更具有指导价值。 方法回顾性分析解放军总医院第一医学中心病案资料数据库1993年1月至2019年11月经外科手术、病理确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者的临床资料，检索方法采取搜索术后病理诊断为"胰岛素瘤"的病例，通过查阅病例的方法，提取出胰岛素瘤的大小和解剖分布等数据，进一步分析其特点。 结果共检索到确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者116例，其中，男45例、女71例，年龄13～76岁，平均年龄(44.4±14.85)岁。胰岛素瘤单发110例(94.8%)、多发6例(5.2%)。位置分布：头颈部46例(39.7%)，单发45例、多发1例；体尾部68例(58.6%)，单发65例、多发3例；全胰腺多发2例(1.7%)。病变大小特点：最大径0.4～3.4 cm，平均大小(1.53±0.58)cm。≤1 cm 29例、>1 cm而≤1.5 cm41例、>1.5 cm而≤2.0 cm28例，≤3 cm 15例，>3 cm 3例。年龄与肿瘤的大小相关，≤44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.36±0.51)cm、>44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.70±0.60)cm，P<0.05。头颈部的肿瘤大于体尾部的肿瘤，头颈部肿瘤平均大小(1.66±0.63)cm，体尾部(1.42±0.52)cm，P<0.05。 结论胰岛素瘤在胰腺体尾部较头颈部更好发；绝大多数单发，但可以全胰腺多发；多数小于1.5 cm，肿瘤的大小与患者年龄和肿瘤的解剖分布相关。     

Pathogenesis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater

Most adenomas and carcinomas of the small intestine and extrahepatic bile ducts arise in the region of the papilla of Vater. In familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) it is the main location for carcinomas after proctocolectomy. In many cases symptoms due to stenosis lead to diagnosis at an early tumor stage. In about 80%, curative intended resection is possible. Operability is the most relevant prognostic factor. Most ampullary carcinomas resp. carcinomas of the papilla of Vater develop from adenomatous or flat dysplastic precursor lesions. They can be sited in the ampulloduodenal part of the papilla of Vater, which is lined by intestinal mucosa. They also can develop in deeper parts of the ampulla, which are lined by pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa. Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma and pancreaticobiliary-type adenocarcinoma represent the main histological types of ampullary carcinoma. Furthermore, there exist unusual types and undifferentiated carcinomas. Many carcinomas of intestinal type express the immunohistochemical marker profile of intestinal mucosa (keratin 7?, keratin 20+, MUC2+). Carcinomas of pancreaticobiliary type usually show the immunohistochemical profile of pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa (keratin 7+, keratin 20?, MUC2?). Even poorly differentiated carcinomas, as well as unusual histological types, may conserve the marker profile of the mucosa they developed from. These findings underline the concept of histogenetically different carcinomas of the papilla of Vater which develop either from intestinal- or from pancreaticobiliary-type mucosa of the papilla of Vater. Molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas are similar to those of colorectal as well as pancreatic carcinomas, although they appear at different frequencies. In future studies, molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas should be correlated closely with the different histologic tumor types. Consequently, the histologic classification should reflect the histogenesis of ampullary tumors from the two different types of papillary mucosa.     

Demonstration of the mechanism of action of biguanides

Summary Palmitic acid oxidation in rat diaphragm homogenate is depressed by biguanide concentrations that are still incapable of inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation. Glucose oxidation is not directly effected by the same biguanide concentrations: however, the inhibitory effect of palmitic acid on glucose oxidation is partly removed by biguanides. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, which accounts for most of the metabolic effects caused by these drugs, can be regarded as the fundamental mechanism of action of biguanides. There is some evidence suggesting that these drugs might interact with carnitine, thus preventing long-chain fatty acids from being transported across the mitochondrial membrane to the site of oxidation. Traduzione a cura degli AA.     

Lack of correlation of degree of villous atrophy with severity of clinical presentation of coeliac disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Both the clinical presentation and the degree of mucosal damage in coeliac disease vary greatly. In view of conflicting information as to whether the mode of presentation correlates with the degree of villous atrophy, we reviewed a large cohort of patients with coeliac disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We correlated mode of presentation (classical, diarrhoea predominant or atypical/silent) with histology of duodenal biopsies and examined their trends over time. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 499 adults, mean age 44.1 years, 68% females. The majority had silent coeliac disease (56%) and total villous atrophy (65%). There was no correlation of mode of presentation with the degree of villous atrophy (p=0.25). Sixty-eight percent of females and 58% of males had a severe villous atrophy (p=0.052). There was a significant trend over time for a greater proportion of patients presenting as atypical/silent coeliac disease and having partial villous atrophy, though the majority still had total villous atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Among our patients the degree of villous atrophy in duodenal biopsies did not correlate with the mode of presentation, indicating that factors other than the degree of villous atrophy must account for diarrhoea in coeliac disease.     

血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展

血吸虫童虫是宿主免疫系统攻击的重要靶标,包括皮肤型、肺型和肝门型童虫。宿主分子对童虫生长发育具有重要作用。童虫生长发育机制包括免疫调节、信号转导、性别发育及凋亡等。肌动蛋白、组织蛋白酶、烯醇化酶和葡萄糖基转移酶等分子为血吸虫童虫生长发育的重要分子。本文对血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展做一综述。     

氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性评价

目的评价氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性，为现场大规模应用灭螺提供依据。方法按照中华人民共和国国家标准GB 15670-1995《农药登记毒理学试验方法》和鱼类毒性试验方法进行。结果经口、经皮肤的LDso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000 mg/kg，经呼吸道的LCso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000mg/m3，该药经口、经皮肤、经呼吸道毒性均属微毒类药物；兔眼用药后，观察期内无不良反应，对眼无刺激性；皮肤用药后对皮肤无刺激性。与氯硝柳胺原药、氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐原药和氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂相比，氯硝柳胺悬浮剂对鱼急性毒性最低。结论氯硝柳胺悬浮剂属微毒类药物，对鱼的毒性低于其乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂，适合于现场应用。     

124例耐多药结核分枝杆菌基因突变特征分析

目的对临床分离的耐多药结核分枝杆菌相关基因的突变特征进行分析。方法对124例耐多药结核分枝杆菌以及50株敏感株的耐药相关基因(包括异烟肼inh A、kat G、oxyR-ahp C间隔区以及利福平rpo B)进行序列测定,分析其基因突变情况。结果异烟肼耐药inh A基因突变率为14.5%;kat G基因突变率为70.2%(87/124),主要位于315位;oxyR-ahp C间隔区突变率为15.3%;inh A、kat G两种基因同时突变率75.0%,三种基因同时突变率为89.5%。利福平rpo B基因突变的检出率高达95.2%,突变主要发生在531、526、516位点。结论我省耐多药菌异烟肼耐药相关基因最常见突变为kat G 315、inh A C-T(-15)、axyR-ahp C间隔区(-10)C-T,利福平为rpo B531、526、516。结合MDR-TB耐药相关基因的特征分析,可以建立一种快速、准确、特异的适合于我省的检测结核菌耐多药性的新方法。     

Assessment of quality of life of parents of children with juvenile chronic arthritis

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and the psychological status of parents of children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). The QOL, anxiety and depression of the parents of 28 children with JCA were evaluated and compared to those of the parents of 28 healthy children. Mothers of JCA children and mothers of healthy children reported similar QOL. The reported anxiety and depression levels were similar for mothers and fathers in both groups. The parents of children with pauciarticular-type JCA reported lower QOL and higher levels of anxiety and depression than the parents of children with other types, namely polyarticular and systemic JCA. These findings may be explained by the fact that the pauciarticular patients had shorter disease duration and were less frequently seen in the outpatient clinic. The QOL of mothers of children with JCA was found to be slightly impaired in the group of children with pauciarticular JCA. Future larger studies are needed to confirm these results, as the number of subjects in the three groups was rather low. Received: 26 September 2001 / Accepted: 8 February 2002     

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Rate of Change of Glucose on Measurement Error of Continuous Glucose Monitors

Background

A 5-day in-patient study designed to assess the accuracy of the FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System revealed that the level of accuracy of the continuous sensor measurements was dependent on the rate of glucose change. When the absolute rate of change was less than 1 mg•dl⁻¹•min⁻¹ (75% of the time), the median absolute relative difference (ARD) was 8.5%, with 85% of all points falling within the A zone of the Clarke error grid. When the absolute rate of change was greater than 2 mg•dl⁻¹•min⁻¹ (8% of the time), the median ARD was 17.5%, with 59% of all points falling within the Clarke A zone.

Method

Numerical simulations were performed to investigate effects of the rate of change of glucose on sensor measurement error. This approach enabled physiologically relevant distributions of glucose values to be reordered to explore the effect of different glucose rate-of-change distributions on apparent sensor accuracy.

Results

The physiological lag between blood and interstitial fluid glucose levels is sufficient to account for the observed difference in sensor accuracy between periods of stable glucose and periods of rapidly changing glucose.

Conclusions

The role of physiological lag on the apparent decrease in sensor accuracy at high glucose rates of change has implications for clinical study design, regulatory review of continuous glucose sensors, and development of performance standards for this new technology. This work demonstrates the difficulty in comparing accuracy measures between different clinical studies and highlights the need for studies to include both relevant glucose distributions and relevant glucose rate-of-change distributions.     

Study of constancy of hydrogen-consuming flora of human colon

The constancy of the hydrogen consuming flora of the human colon was studied in 15 healthy subjects via two measurements obtained 18 to 36 months apart. Hydrogen disappearance rate and the major products of H₂-consuming bacteria, methane and sulfide, were measured during incubation of fecal homogenates with excess hydrogen and sulfate. In 11/15, the hydrogen consumption rate and the predominant hydrogen-consuming pathway (methanogenesis, sulfate reduction, or neither) remained constant. However, major shifts in these pathways were observed in four subjects, with two losing and two gaining the ability to produce methane. Methanogenesis was associated with the highest hydrogen consumption rate. This study demonstrates that clinically unrecognizable, major alterations of the colonic flora occur in healthy subjects. Understanding of the factors responsible for these alterations might allow for therapeutic manipulation of the colonic flora.Supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs and NIDDKD RO1 DK 13309-25.