A multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical study to examine the efficacy and safety of MAS063DP (Atopiclair) in the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adults

BACKGROUND: MAS063DP cream has received marketing authorization in the US and the European Union for symptom relief of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and contact dermatitis. DESIGN: A multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled, phase IV study was completed in the US. METHODS: 218 patients aged 18 to 84 years joined this 50-day study. Patients self-administered MAS063DP cream (N=145) or vehicle cream (N=73) 3 times per day to affected areas and those areas prone to be affected. The primary endpoint for efficacy was the change in EASI at Day 22 of treatment, comparing the 2 treatment groups. Secondary outcomes included EASI scores at other time points, IGA, pruritus (100mm VAS), % BSA, and the need for rescue medication. RESULTS: MAS063DP was statistically (p<.0001) more effective than vehicle in all outcomes at all time points. The incidence of rash was 2.1% in the MAS063DP group versus 5.5% in the vehicle group. Only 2 patients discontinued MAS063DP due to an adverse event. CONCLUSION: MAS063DP cream was confirmed to be a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adults.     

Results of a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+/interferon- gamma+ cytokine flow cytometry assay correlate with clinical evidence of protective immunity in patients with AIDS with CMV retinitis

To evaluate the potential clinical utility of a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+/interferon (IFN)- gamma+ cytokine flow cytometry (CFC) assay for patients with CMV retinitis (CMVR), stored peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens were obtained from patients with active CMVR (i.e., having clinical evidence of absent CMV-protective immunity), as well as from highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated patients with CMVR who were able to discontinue anti-CMV therapy without subsequent progression of retinitis (i.e., having clinical evidence of restored CMV-protective immunity). Positive CD8+/IFN- gamma+ T lymphocyte responses to CMV phosphoprotein 65 or immediate early peptide-pool stimulation were present in specimens from only 3 of 10 patients with active CMVR but were present in at least 1 specimen from all 20 patients with immunorestored CMVR, with a mean of 2.4 specimens/patient tested, spanning up to 6 months of observation (P = .0001). Among the patients with immunorestored CMVR, positive responses were present in all longitudinal specimens from 15 of the 20 patients. These data suggest that further testing of the CMV-specific CD8+/IFN- gamma+ CFC assay, for clinical utility in predicting incident and progressive CMVR disease, is warranted.     

Analysis of insertions and deletions in the gag p6 region of diverse HIV type 1 strains

Sequence variation in the gag p6 region in subtype B HIV-1 has been associated with changes in viral replication capacity and antiretroviral drug susceptibility. We examined sequence variation in the HIV-1 gag p6 region using plasma samples from 22 individuals with non-subtype B HIV-1 infection [subtypes A, C, D, F, and G, and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) CRF01-AE and CRF02_AG]. An additional 105 gag sequences from the Los Alamos National Laboratory database were also analyzed. Extensive length variation was observed in the p6 gag region. Specific patterns of insertions and deletions were observed in different subtypes and CRFs, and no two subtypes or CRFs had the same general pattern. PTAP duplications were more common in subtype C than other strains (3 of 14 in subtype C vs. 2 of 113 in other strains, p = 0.004), and KQE duplications were seen only in subtype B. Further studies are needed to determine whether such genotypic differences influence viral replication capacity, antiretroviral drug susceptibility, or other phenotypic properties of these strains.     

2型糖尿病的危险因素及干预综述

糖尿病是危害人类健康的疾病,2型糖尿病的发生是遗传因素和生活方式与行为因素共同作用的结果,遗传因素决定了个体对糖尿病的易感性,而不同的生活方式与行为因素可能是诱发糖尿病发生的外部原因;糖尿病所导致的严重并发症已给社会经济造成巨大负担,防止并发症是糖尿病治疗的目的,系统的心理行为干预对于糖尿病的防治起着举足轻重的作用。     

Quality of life in a clinical trial of highly active antiretroviral therapy alone or with intravenous or subcutaneous interleukin-2 administration

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of subcutaneous and intravenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with HIV-1 receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Twenty-two institutions from the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group. PATIENTS: One hundred forty-eight HIV-infected adults randomized, with baseline HRQOL data. METHODS: HAART (indinavir plus 2 nucleoside analogues) for 12 weeks, followed by 72 weeks of continued HAART alone, HAART plus subcutaneous IL-2, or HAART plus intravenous IL-2. OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores for 8 dimensions of HRQOL, an unweighted summary score, and a visual analogue health rating score. RESULTS: The IL-2 subcutaneous group had the best mean change in 6 of 8 dimension subscales and in the summary scale at 28 weeks (16 weeks after baseline). At 52 weeks, the IL-2 subcutaneous group had the best mean change in all the subscales and the summary scale. The differences were statistically significant for 3 subscales and the summary scale. Midcycle changes were statistically significantly worse for the subcutaneous IL-2 group for 4 subscales and the summary scale. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence of a short-term but not long-term adverse impact of IL-2 on HRQOL and some evidence of long-term benefit for the subcutaneous group.     

王旭高肝病论治特色

清代名家王旭高为疗肝病之大家，其肝病证治特点为：以肝气、肝风、肝火立论，注重脉证，强调外感六淫、内伤情志及痰饮痴血均可致肝病，疏畅条达以治肝气，柔体济刚以熄肝风，补虚泻实以治肝火。