The stages of pain processing across the adult lifespan

The purpose of this study was is to examine age-related differences in a 4-stage model of the processing of chronic pain. This study used data collected from 1585 chronic pain patients that were divided into 3 age cohorts: younger adults 18–44 years old (n = 895), middle-aged adults 45–64 years old (n = 538), older adults 65–85 years old (n = 159). Using an analyasis of covariate analysis (ANCOVA) model, mean differences across the age cohort were found on the third (emotional distress) and fourth (pain behavior) stages of the pain processing model. The older adult group reported less emotional response to pain and less pain behavior than the younger or middle-aged groups. Age cohort differences in the linear relationship between stages were tested using structural equation modeling. The middle-aged group showed the highest association between their emotional responses to pain and pain behaviors, and the older group showed the least association. No differences in magnitude or association were found for the 2 initial stages of pain processing (usual pain intensity or pain unpleasantness). These differences are likely to be a function of differences in life circumstances, attitudes and beliefs about pain and/or aging, and age cohort-related differences in the methods used for coping with chronic pain.     

Extracellular water across the adult lifespan: reference values for adults

Extracellular water (ECW) is a large and clinically important body compartment that varies widely in volume both in health and disease. Interpretation of ECW measurements in the clinical setting requires consideration of potential influencing factors such as age, race, sex and other variables that influence fluid status. An important gap in physiological research is a lack of normative ECW values against which to reference perturbations in fluid homeostasis. The current study's aim was to develop conditional quantile equations for ECW based on weight, height, age, sex and race using a large (n = 1538, 854 females and 684 males) healthy adult multi-ethnic (African American, Asian, European American, Hispanic) sample. ECW was derived from total body water and potassium measured by isotope dilution and whole-body 40K counting, respectively. Quantile regression methods were used to identify five percentile levels (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th). Weight and height were significant variables at each quantile in both males and females; age made a significant contribution in the male but not the female sample. These regression equations provide ECW quantile reference values based on a large multi-ethnic adult population that should not only prove useful in clinical settings and physiological research, but serve as a model approach for developing body composition normative ranges.     

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan: the child, adolescent, and adult

Management of a child, adolescent, college student, or adult with ADD/ADHD (ADHD) is reviewed with emphasis on pharmacologic approaches in the adult. Psychological treatment includes psychotherapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, support groups, parent training, biofeedback, meditation, and social skills training. Medications are reviewed that research has revealed can improve the core symptomatology of a child or adolescent with ADHD. These medications include stimulants (psychostimulants), antidepressants, alpha-2 agonists, and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Psychopharmacology approved and/or used in pediatric patients are also used in adults with ADHD, though most are not officially FDA-approved. It is emphasized that ADHD management should include a multi-modal approach, involving appropriate educational interventions, appropriate psychological management of the patient of any age, and judicious use of medications. Such an approach is recommended to benefit those with ADHD achieve their maximum potential across the human life span.     

β淀粉样蛋白对神经干细胞酪氨酸蛋白激酶A表达的影响

目的:观察不同浓度的Aβ1-40对C17.2神经干细胞TrkA表达的影响方法:分别应用舍终浓度为0、20、40、60、80、100 nmol/L Aβ1-40的培养液孵育C17.2神经干细胞24 h,MTT法检测各组细胞活性,Western blot观察各组神经干细胞TrkA表达情况.结果:MTT法检测结果显示各组细胞活性差异不明显;Western blot结果显示终浓度为20、40、60 nmol/L Aβ1-40组的神经干细胞TrkA表达有不同程度的增加,100 nmol/L Aβ1-40组细胞TrkA表达较对照组减少,80 nmol/L Aβ1-40组细胞TrkA表达较对照组差异无统计学意义.结论:Aβ1-40对神经干细胞TrkA表达的影响呈浓度依赖性.     

Effects of aging on adult hand function.

The effects that normal aging have on adult hand function and functional performance are not well understood. An empirical study was conducted examining relationships between prehension pattern type and frequency, hand strength, and performance time in functional tasks. Four groups of 10 adults were selected by age and gender, ranging from 24 to 87 years. Subjects were asked to pour milk into a cup and remove money from a wallet while being videotaped. Prehension patterns were identified with a functionally based classification system. Grip and three types of pinch were measured with a dynamometer and a pinch gauge. Prehension pattern selection did not seem to differ with age. Statistically significant differences in age were found for prehension pattern frequency, hand strength, and performance time. Nondysfunctional older subjects were observed resetting identical prehension patterns secondary to lateral pinch weakness, which contributed to increased prehension pattern frequency and performance time. Hand function seemed to remain stable until age 65 years, after which it diminished slowly. After age 75 years, age differences in performance were most apparent.     

Obesity across the lifespan among persons with spina bifida

Purpose. Identify risk factors for obesity across the lifespan for individuals with spina bifida.

Methods. Cross sectional chart review study of 203 patients aged 6–58 years. Obesity was based on body mass index. Rates were calculated for children aged 6–11 years; adolescents aged 12–19 years and adults aged > 20 years. Chi-square analyses were used to determine differences in obesity rates among subgroups. An ordered logistic regression model was developed for the three age groups to estimate the probability of a change in BMI classification from normal weight to overweight or overweight to obese, controlling for sex, functional motor level, shunt status and insurance status.

Results. Obesity rates for children, adolescents and adults were 18, 8 and 37%, respectively. Obesity rates were higher among adults (χ² = 27, p < 0.01) and for individuals who were publicly insured (χ² = 7.2, p < 0.03). The ordered regression model for children demonstrated no independent association between sex, shunt status, functional motor level or insurance status and change in BMI category. For adolescents, lower functional motor level (i.e. sacral) increased the risk of becoming obese (Odds Ratio: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.12–4.06; p < 0.02). Among adults, female sex increased risk (OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.03–5.04; p < 0.04).

Conclusions. Obesity rates for children and adolescents with spina bifida are similar to the general population; however, obesity rates are higher among adults, particularly women. Risk factors are similar to those observed in the general population.     

Managing ADHD across the lifespan in the primary care setting

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurobehavioral condition that affects most patients throughout their lives and is associated with occupational underachievement, psychiatric comorbidity, and substance abuse. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are at the forefront of helping patients with ADHD manage symptoms and overcome functional impairments. In this article, the problems of recognizing and effectively managing ADHD are explored through the presentation of 2 composite patient cases based on real patients in the authors' practices. Both cases highlight maturational changes in ADHD-related problems as patients develop through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. The striking differences between the cases serve to illustrate the highly varied clinical presentation and developmental trajectories of ADHD, moderated by family environment, patient characteristics, and life events. Emphasis is placed on understanding the crucial developmental turning points from early childhood through adulthood at which patients with ADHD are most likely to need increased support and specialized behavioral interventions. Diagnosis of adult ADHD is also reviewed, including an overview of potentially clinically relevant patient characteristics that should alert PCPs to the possible presence of ADHD and use of the World Health Organization's rapid 6-item adult ADHD Self-Report Scale as a screening device. The present discussion challenges PCPs to recognize the varied presentations of what ADHD "looks like," and describes the need for PCPs to establish and maintain working partnerships with families, patients, and mental health care professionals in their local communities to successfully treat ADHD across the lifespan.     

安定对丝光绿蝇寿命影响的实验研究

目的通过不同剂量安定对丝光绿蝇寿命影响的实验研究探讨安定对人体寿命的影响。方法分别用正常和从耳缘静脉注入1/4、1/2、1倍致死量安定的兔肉饲养丝光绿蝇幼虫,待羽化后成蝇饲以糖和奶粉,观察丝光绿蝇成蝇寿命。结果 1/4与1/2致死量安定组的成蝇平均寿命较对照组明显延长;1倍致死量安定组成蝇的平均寿命较对照组短,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论不同剂量安定对丝光绿蝇寿命影响不同。     

盐酸丁螺环酮对脑卒中后情感障碍及神经功能的影响

目的:评价盐酸丁螺环酮治疗脑卒中后情感障碍及其对神经功能的影响。方法:收集2001-05/2002-06石河子大学医学院第一附属院神经内科收治的脑卒中并焦虑、抑郁患者72例,随机分为治疗组(加用盐酸丁螺环酮)和对照组各36例,治疗并观察4周。于治疗前,治疗2周末,4周末进行汉密顿焦虑量表、汉密顿抑郁量表,美国心脏病协会卒中结局量表测定,并观察盐酸丁螺环酮的不良反应。结果:治疗组治疗后2周汉密顿焦虑量表[(14.3±4.6)分],汉密顿抑郁量表[(16.5±3.3)分]分值较治疗前[(22.7±5.2),(24.6±4.7)分]下降(P<0.05),4周(汉密顿焦虑量表:6.5±3.1,汉密顿抑郁量表:8.3±2.8)下降明显(P<0.01),随焦虑、抑郁的改善,神经功能也于4周末明显改善(P<0.05)结论:盐酸丁螺环酮治疗脑卒中后焦虑、抑郁有效,且能改善患者的预后,起效较快。     

Death across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety

Many studies have found age-related declines in death-related anxiety. Why do death-related thoughts and anxiety decline across the lifespan when exposure to, and likelihood of, death increase over time? In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey of 2,363 adults, death-related thoughts declined across the lifespan. In Study 2, a longitudinal study of 9,815 adults followed over a 4-year period, death anxiety declined across the lifespan. Further, greater social support predicted lower levels of death anxiety over time, after controlling for self-rated health and chronic illnesses. Close relationships serve emotion regulation functions to decrease death anxiety and thoughts across the lifespan.     

Abuse across the lifespan: prevalence, risk, and protective factors

The results of abuse may include repeated abuse, chronic pain, and physical and emotional illnesses. For some, the result is death, but others thrive. Males and females are abused at similar rates, but males are more likely to experience physical assault and females are more likely to experience sexual assault. Males and females experience psychological abuse at the same rates and there is evidence that the effects of psychological abuse are as detrimental to long-term functioning as the effects of physical abuse. This article discusses partner violence in adults and adolescents, child maltreatment, and peer abuse in children and adolescents.     

社区三级康复改善脑卒中患者神经功能的疗效观察

目的：探讨社区三级康复改善脑卒中患者神经功能的疗效。方法：将49例脑卒中患者按社区随机分为康复组和对照组,康复组在常规内科治疗的基础上给予规范的社区三级康复治疗,对照组给予常规内科治疗,没有进行规范的社区康复治疗。分别在入组时和第2个月末进行临床神经功能缺损程度（NIM）评定。结果：规范的社区三级康复治疗2个月后,康复组患者的临床神经功能缺损程度评分平均降低了3.26分,对照组平均降低了1.08分,康复组患者改善程度显著优于对照组（P<0.01）。结论：社区三级康复治疗可显著改善脑卒中患者神经功能缺损程度,促进神经功能的恢复。