黄连上清丸微生物限度检查方法验证浅析

目的：黄连上清丸为中国药典品种，分析进行陔品种微生物限度检查方法验证实验的必要性。方法：按2005年版中国药典的规定，采用7个生产企业生产的黄连上清丸进行该品种微生物限度检查方法的验证。结果：黄连上清丸对5株阳性代表菌株有不同程度的抗菌活性，但有的批无抗菌活性；即使同一厂家的不同批产品其抗菌活性亦有差异。结论：微生物限度检查方法验证是必要的；中成药质量的稳定性可能与原药材质量和工艺有关。     

IgE receptors

IgE receptors are implicated as important components of the immunological pathway in allergic and inflammatory diseases. Recent investigations have begun to unravel the structure, signal transduction and function of IgE receptors from different cell types in rodent and human systems. Studies of the mechanisms involved might provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention strategies in the treatment of allergic and hypersensitivity reactions.     

Multiple periapical dysplasias analyzed by cone-beam-computer tomography and 99Tcm-Scintigraphy.

Periapical cemental dysplasia (PCD) is considered a non-neoplastic proliferation of fibrous tissues and cementum-like hard tissues, usually occurring in the periapical regions of teeth. PCD is characterized by the presence of vital pulp and is often accidentally discovered during a general radiographic survey. PCD may arise from the tissue of odontogenic origin or occur as a reactive process in the periapical tissue. Multilocular occurrences in both jaws are rare. However, we encountered a case of multiple PCDs by orthopantomography, which showed different degrees of maturation in the mandible and maxilla by osteodensitometric detection via cone-beam computed tomography (CB-CT) validated by Tc-99m bone-scintigraphy (BS). Biopsies confirmed the radiological results. CB-CT osteodensitometry allows for the categorization and assessment of different stages of PCD maturation from beginning to florid, detection of remittent osseous changes, and evaluation in the clinical follow-up. When using the local cortical bone as a reference value of 100%, periapical dysplasias show density values of 75% in the mandible and 80% in the maxilla. Early classification of PCD is possible with CB-CT osteodensitometry.     

Associated diseases and differential diagnostic considerations in childhood atopic eczema

Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which affects 10 to 20% of children and 1 to 3% of adults. AE is usually diagnosed based on standard criteria such as those of Hanifin and Rajka, whereby the age-related variation must be considered. There are numerous other diseases which go along with AE or show a very similar clinical picture and represent important differential diagnostic considerations including parasitic diseases, immunodeficiency, nutritional diseases, certain neoplastic disorders and various corneal abnormalities. Additionally, it is important to consider diseases which can occur in association with AE, such as keratosis pilaris, alopecia areata or sweat disturbances.     

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) in children with specific language impairment (SLI). Central auditory tests

The aim of this project is to use central auditory tests for diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) in children with specific language impairment (SLI), in order to confirm relationship between speech-language impairment and central auditory processing. We attempted to establish special dichotic binaural tests in Czech language modified for younger children. Tests are based on behavioral audiometry using dichotic listening (different auditory stimuli that presented to each ear simultaneously). The experimental tasks consisted of three auditory measures (test 1-3)-dichotic listening of two-syllable words presented like binaural interaction tests. Children with SLI are unable to create simple sentences from two words that are heard separately but simultaneously. Results in our group of 90 pre-school children (6-7 years old) confirmed integration deficit and problems with quality of short-term memory. Average rate of success of children with specific language impairment was 56% in test 1, 64% in test 2 and 63% in test 3. Results of control group: 92% in test 1, 93% in test 2 and 92% in test 3 (p<0.001). Our results indicate the relationship between disorders of speech-language perception and central auditory processing disorders.     

A comparison of goal attainment scaling and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for paediatric rehabilitation research

PURPOSE: To investigate the relative utility of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (adapted for children) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) as outcome measures for paediatric rehabilitation. METHODS: A two-group pre-post design investigated the impact of a 3-month programme. Forty-one children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (mean 3.9 years; GMPM level 1; 21 boys, 10 girls) were randomized to occupational therapy only and occupational therapy plus one Botulinum Toxin A injection. The latter was considered a 'proven' intervention for the purpose of this instrumentation study. Intervention impact was investigated using GAS and COPM. Instrument sensitivity, convergent validity, goal/problem profiles and administration were evaluated. RESULTS: Both instruments were sensitive to within group change and detected significant between group change. Likert scale coding for GAS scores was more sensitive than the traditional weighted GAS or COPM. Different constructs were measured by each instrument. COPM was more time efficient in training, development and administration. CONCLUSION: Study aim, logistic and resource factors should guide the choice of COPM and/or GAS instruments as both are sensitive to change with a proven intervention and both evaluate different constructs.     

Treatment pathway analysis of newly diagnosed dementia patients in four electronic health record databases in Europe

Purpose

Real-world studies to describe the use of first, second and third line therapies for the management and symptomatic treatment of dementia are lacking. This retrospective cohort study describes the first-, second- and third-line therapies used for the management and symptomatic treatment of dementia, and in particular Alzheimer’s Disease.

Methods

Medical records of patients with newly diagnosed dementia between 1997 and 2017 were collected using four databases from the UK, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands.

Results

We identified 191,933 newly diagnosed dementia patients in the four databases between 1997 and 2017 with 39,836 (IPCI (NL): 3281, HSD (IT): 1601, AUH (DK): 4474, THIN (UK): 30,480) fulfilling the inclusion criteria, and of these, 21,131 had received a specific diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The most common first line therapy initiated within a year (± 365 days) of diagnosis were Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, namely rivastigmine in IPCI, donepezil in HSD and the THIN and the N-methyl-d-aspartate blocker memantine in AUH.

Conclusion

We provide a real-world insight into the heterogeneous management and treatment pathways of newly diagnosed dementia patients and a subset of Alzheimer’s Disease patients from across Europe.

     

Modeling the Physiological Factors Affecting Glucose Sensor Function in Vivo

For implantable sensors to become a more viable option for continuous glucose monitoring strategies, they must be able to persist in vivo for periods longer than the 3- to 7-day window that is the current industry standard. Recent studies have attributed such limited performance to tissue reactions resulting from implantation. While in vivo biocompatibility studies have provided much in the way of understanding histology surrounding an implanted sensor, little is known about how each constituent of the foreign body response affects sensor function. Due to the ordered composition and geometry of implant-associated tissue reactions, their effects on sensor function may be computationally modeled and analyzed in a way that would be prohibitive using in vivo studies. This review both explains how physiologically accurate computational models of implant-associated tissue reaction can be designed and shows how they have been utilized thus far. Going forward, these in silico models of implanted sensor behavior may soon complement in vivo studies to provide valuable information for improved sensor designs.