PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS Ⅰ. EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF OPEN NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS BY QUALITATIVE ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ISOENZYME IN AMNIOTIC FLUID

The measurement of amniotic fluid (AF) acetylcholinesterase isoenzyme (AChEI) is a relatively new method for early diagnosis of open neural tube defects (NTDs). As quantitative methods are of unproven reliability at present, the authors used a high resolving power qualitative method-vertical slab polyaerylamide gel electrophoresis. The benefits of this technique are: simplicity of operation, accuracy, unsophisticated equipment, and easily available reagents. Combined results of 9 NTDs studies revealed that samples from early pregnancy gave more accurate results than those from late pregnancy.     

Assessment of sublingual immunotherapy efficacy in children with house dust mite-induced allergic asthma optimally controlled by pharmacologic treatment and mite-avoidance measures

Although several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy in allergic asthma, few have shown the same benefit using sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in asthmatic patients. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of house dust mite (HDM) SLIT in addition to allergen avoidance and standard pharmacologic treatment. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 111 children (aged 5-15 yr) with HDM-induced mild-to-moderate asthma. After a 4-week baseline phase, patients were randomly assigned to receive SLIT with tablets of HDM extract (n = 55) or placebo (n = 56) for 18 months. Pharmacologic treatment was adjusted every 3 months following a step-down approach. Asthma symptom scores, reduction in use of inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled beta(2)-agonists, rhinitis symptoms, lung function tests, skin sensitivity to HDM, dust mite-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG(4), and quality of life (QoL) were assessed during the study. After 18 months of treatment, diurnal and nocturnal asthma symptoms scores did not show significant differences between SLIT and placebo groups. Inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled beta(2)-agonists use was reduced in both groups without significant differences between groups. There were no significant differences in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak flow rate variations) between groups. Rhinitis symptom score decreased in both groups, with no difference between the two groups. The severity dimension of QoL was significantly improved in the SLIT group (age 6-12 yr). SLIT induced a significant reduction of skin sensitivity to HDM (p < 0.01) and a significant increase in HDM-specific IgE and IgG(4) antibodies (p < 0.001) in the SLIT group compared with the placebo group. SLIT was well tolerated with mild/moderate local adverse events. No severe systemic reactions were reported. This study indicates that, when mild-moderate asthmatic children are optimally controlled by pharmacologic treatment and HDM avoidance, SLIT does not provide additional benefit, despite a significant reduction in allergic response to HDM. Under such conditions, only a complete, but ethically unfeasible, discontinuation of inhaled corticosteroid would have demonstrated a possible benefit of SLIT.     

Safety of levocetirizine treatment in young atopic children: An 18-month study

There are more than 40 H(1)-antihistamines available worldwide. Most of these medications have never been optimally studied in prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials in children. The aim was to perform a long-term study of levocetirizine safety in young atopic children. In the randomized, double-masked Early Prevention of Asthma in Atopic Children Study, 510 atopic children who were age 12-24 months at entry received either levocetirizine 0.125 mg/kg or placebo twice daily for 18 months. Safety was assessed by: reporting of adverse events, numbers of children discontinuing the study because of adverse events, height and body mass measurements, assessment of developmental milestones, and hematology and biochemistry tests. The population evaluated for safety consisted of 255 children given levocetirizine and 255 children given placebo. The treatment groups were similar demographically, and with regard to number of children with: one or more adverse events (levocetirizine, 96.9%; placebo, 95.7%); serious adverse events (levocetirizine, 12.2%; placebo, 14.5%); medication-attributed adverse events (levocetirizine, 5.1%; placebo, 6.3%); and adverse events that led to permanent discontinuation of study medication (levocetirizine, 2.0%; placebo, 1.2%). The most frequent adverse events related to: upper respiratory tract infections, transient gastroenteritis symptoms, or exacerbations of allergic diseases. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in height, mass, attainment of developmental milestones, and hematology and biochemistry tests. The long-term safety of levocetirizine has been confirmed in young atopic children.     

Multicenter Randomized Comparison of Xenon and Isoflurane on Left Ventricular Function in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

Background: Volatile anesthetics are commonly used for general anesthesia. However, these can induce profound cardiovascular alterations. Xenon is a noble gas with potent anesthetic and analgesic properties. However, it is uncertain whether xenon alters myocardial function. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate left ventricular function during anesthesia with xenon compared with isoflurane.

Methods: The authors performed a randomized multicenter trial to compare xenon with isoflurane with respect to cardiovascular stability and adverse effects in patients without cardiac diseases scheduled for elective surgery. Two hundred fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this trial, of which 252 completed the study according to the protocol. Patients were anesthetized with xenon or isoflurane, respectively. Before administration of the study drugs and at four time points, the effects of both anesthetics on left ventricular function were investigated using transesophageal echocardiography.

Results: Global hemodynamic parameters were significantly altered using isoflurane (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), whereas xenon only decreased heart rate (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). In contrast to xenon, left ventricular end-systolic wall stress decreased significantly in the isoflurane group (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening was decreased significantly in the xenon group but showed a more pronounced reduction during isoflurane administration (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). The contractile index (difference between expected and actually measured velocity of circumferential fiber shortening) as an independent parameter for left ventricular function was significantly decreased after isoflurane (P < 0.0001) but unchanged using xenon.     

特发性颈椎后凸畸形的手术治疗

目的 :明确颈椎前路手术治疗特发性颈椎后凸畸形的可行性和局限性。方法 :本文对 14例颈椎特发性后凸畸形患者采取手术方法进行治疗 ,所有患者均采用颈椎前路椎间盘切除减压 ,椎间隙植骨和前路钢板内固定。结果 :手术后患者临床体征明显改善 ,颈椎后凸畸形由手术前平均 -15 6°矫正为手术后平均 -6 4° ,矫正效果明显 ;手术后患者的短期随访表明颈椎矫正度数在随访中没有丢失。结论 :前路手术 ,延长颈椎前柱能够矫正颈椎的后凸畸形 ,改善临床症状和体征     

应用和推广烧伤皮肤再生医疗技术的体会(二)

目的：通过临床实践总结、分析、认识干细胞与再生医学理论在烧伤创疡中的作用与效果；方法：应用MEBT／MEBO观察烧伤创疡创面的再生修复变化。结果：MEBT／MEBO治疗77种创疡疾病冶愈率达92％以上，有效率达100％。结论：MEBT／MEN)治疗慢性体表性溃疡及皮肤病性皮肤损伤、感染性溃疡效果满意。     

浅析市场经济体制下的医院管理模式

阐述了在市场经济体制下医院管理面临的新情况,提出了新的医院管理模式应以分级管理为基础, “业务部制”式管理为重点,科室成本核算为核心,注重形象管理,服从政府宏观调控,确保医院的生存和发展。     

Utilization of care in haemophilia: a resource-based method for cost analysis from the Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS)

Summary.  The Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS) was created 10 years ago to examine the annual utilization and cost of haemophilia-related healthcare services. Retrospective chart reviews for 336 patients with haemophilia A receiving treatment in one of five comprehensive haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) during 1995 were completed through interview of the provider. This method provided adequate collection of data from patient charts without the abstractor having direct access to patient health information. Utilization data were used to impute the costs of different components of care (e.g. physician visits, factor VIII concentrate, emergency room, hospitalization). The total annual cost of care was $139 102 (SD $304 033). Factor VIII concentrate costs comprised the largest proportion of these costs; mean factor VIII concentrate use was 128 517 units per patient per year. Unbilled physician utilization accounted for 7.8% of the mean total physician costs per annum, while mean allied healthcare costs accounted for 33.5% of the total annual allied healthcare costs per patient. In the ordinary least-squares regression model, higher costs were associated with severe factor VIII deficiency, arthropathy, more comorbid conditions, an inhibitor to factor VIII concentrate, infusing through a port and prophylaxis. Although factor VIII concentrate is the most costly component, the treatment of haemophilia uses many healthcare resources. HUGS has demonstrated that patient clinical characteristics and physician practices predominantly drive the costs of haemophilia care. Specifically, patients with more severe arthropathy had greater healthcare costs. As future funding decisions are made, it is important to provide for all components of care.