Pet-keeping in childhood and adult asthma and hay fever: European community respiratory health survey

BACKGROUND: Whether pet-keeping early in life protects against or promotes allergy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the effects of childhood pet-keeping on adult allergic disease in a large international population-based study, including information on sensitization, adult pet-keeping, and pet prevalence in the populations. METHODS: We used information from structured interviews (n = 18,530) and specific IgE to common aeroallergens in blood samples (n = 13,932) from participants in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) to analyze the associations between keeping pets and adult asthma and hay fever. RESULTS: Keeping cats in childhood was associated with asthma only among atopic subjects, an association that varied between centers (P =.002) and was stronger where cats where less common (< 40% cats: odds ratio(wheeze) [OR(wheeze)] = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.31-2.57; 40%-60% cats: OR(wheeze) = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10-1.61; > or =60% cats: OR(wheeze) = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.73-1.33). Dogs owned in childhood or adulthood were associated with asthma among nonatopic subjects (childhood: OR(wheeze) = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.13-1.46; adulthood: OR(wheeze) = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.14-1.51; both: OR(wheeze) = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.40-2.04). In atopic subjects, those who had owned dogs in childhood had less hay fever (OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.73-0.98) and no increased risk of asthma (OR(wheeze) = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.87-1.17). Respiratory symptoms were more common in subjects who had owned birds during childhood (OR(wheeze) = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.02-1.23) independent of sensitization. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of pet-keeping in childhood varied according to the type of pet, the allergic sensitization of the individual, and the wider environmental exposure to allergen. Cats owned in childhood were associated with more asthma in sensitized adults who grew up in areas with a low community prevalence of cats. Dogs owned in childhood seemed to protect against adult allergic disease but promote nonallergic asthma.     

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination for treating male subfertility: a controlled study

In this randomized crossover trial we investigated whether the use of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with low-dose human menopausal gonadotrophin in couples with male subfertility leads to a higher probability of conception when intrauterine insemination (IUI) is applied. We also investigated whether the efficacy of IUI in natural or stimulated cycles was related to the severity of male subfertility. Seventy-four couples completed 308 treatment cycles. Thirteen pregnancies occurred after IUI in a natural cycle (pregnancy rate per completed cycle: 8.4%) and 21 after IUI in a stimulated cycle (pregnancy rate per completed cycle: 13.7%). The difference between the two treatment modalities was not statistically significant. The efficacy of IUI in stimulated cycles was related to the severity of the semen defect. In couples with a total motile sperm count < 10 x 10(6), ovarian stimulation did not improve treatment outcome, while it did in couples with a total motile sperm count > or = 10 x 10(6). Compared with the expected chance of conceiving spontaneously without treatment, both natural and stimulated cycles improved the probability of conception. We conclude that, for the group as a whole, ovarian stimulation did not improve the probability of conception. However, in couples with less severe semen defects, ovarian stimulation did improve the probability of conception.      

The impact of cross-border reproductive care or 'fertility tourism' on NHS maternity services

High order multiple pregnancies have substantial morbidity and mortality. Fertility treatment is commonly responsible for their conception and is available globally with variable regulation. We investigated cross-border fertility treatment in these pregnancies in a UK fetal medicine unit, recording mode of conception, country of fertility treatment, reason for non-UK treatment and fetal reduction. Over an 11-year period, 109 women had a high order multiple pregnancy. Ninety-four women (86%) conceived with fertility treatment of whom 24 (26%) had this performed overseas. Cross-border fertility treatment poses an increasing challenge to obstetricians. National data on its occurrence is urgently needed.     

Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol compared with fixed-dose salmeterol/fluticasone in moderate to severe asthma

BACKGROUND: Current asthma guidelines recommend that patients are educated to adjust their medication according to their asthma severity using physician-guided self-management plans. However, many patients take a fixed dose of their controller medication and adjust their reliever medication according to asthma symptoms. OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether asthma control improved if patients adjusted the maintenance dose of budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort Turbuhaler* 160/4.5 microg) according to asthma severity compared with traditional fixed dosing (FD) regimens. METHODS: Symptomatic patients with asthma (n = 658, mean symptom score 1.5, mean inhaled corticosteroids 735 microg/day, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV(1)] 84% predicted) were randomised after 2 weeks' run-in to either: budesonide/formoterol adjustable maintenance dosing (AMD), budesonide/formoterol FD or salmeterol/fluticasone (Seretide Diskus dagger 50/250 microg) FD. In a 4-week double-blind period, both budesonide/formoterol AMD and FD groups received two inhalations twice daily (bid) and salmeterol/fluticasone FD patients received one inhalation bid. In the following 6-month open extension, both FD groups continued with the same treatment. Patients in the AMD group with well-controlled asthma stepped down to one inhalation bid; others continued with two inhalations bid. All AMD patients could increase to four inhalations bid for 7-14 days if symptoms worsened. All patients used terbutaline or salbutamol for symptom relief throughout. The primary variable was the odds of achieving a well-controlled asthma week (WCAW). RESULTS: The odds ratio for achieving a WCAW did not differ between the FD regimens; however, during the open period, budesonide/formoterol AMD increased the odds of achieving a WCAW vs. budesonide/formoterol FD (odds ratio 1.335; 95% CI: 1.001, 1.783; p = 0.049) despite a 15% reduction in average study drug use. Budesonide/formoterol AMD patients had a lower exacerbation rate over the study: 40% lower vs. salmeterol/fluticasone FD (p = 0.018); 32% lower vs. budesonide/formoterol FD (NS). During the double-blind period, there were no clinically relevant differences between the budesonide/formoterol FD and salmeterol/fluticasone FD groups. Budesonide/formoterol AMD patients used less reliever medication in the open extension: 0.58 vs. 0.92 occasions/day for budesonide/formoterol FD (p = 0.001) and 0.80 occasions/day for salmeterol/fluticasone FD (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol provides more effective asthma control by reducing exacerbations and reliever medication usage compared with fixed-dose salmeterol/fluticasone.     

北京市549名中学生参与式急救知识技能培训效果评估

目的了解参与式中学生急救知识技能培训效果,探索适合中学生的急救培训模式。方法选取北京市14所完全中学的549名中学生,运用参与式培训方式进行急救知识技能培训,并对培训效果进行评价。结果急救培训后,培训对象的急救知识水平有所提高,合格率从培训前的40.4%提高到了96.1%(P0.05)。在24个知识点中,有20个知识点的正确率与培训前相比有不同程度的提高(P值均0.05)。72.6%的培训对象认为急救培训课程的效果很好。72.5%的学生喜欢"分小组实习"的培训方式。无论校医还是急救中心培训教师,均对参与式培训效果感到满意。结论参与式急救培训能有效提高中学生急救知识水平,方法有效。     

Young age at first pregnancy does protect against early onset breast cancer in <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> mutation carriers

Purpose

Previous research assessing the impact of pregnancy and age at first pregnancy on breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers has produced conflicting results, with some studies showing an increased risk following early first pregnancy in contrast to the reduced risk in the general population of women. The present study addresses these inconsistencies.

Methods

Female BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers from North West England were assessed for breast cancer incidence prior to 50 years of age comparing those with an early first full-term pregnancy (< 21 years) to those without a full-term pregnancy. Breast cancer incidence per decade from 20 years and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed.

Results

2424 female mutation carriers (1278 BRCA1; 1146 BRCA2) developed 990 breast cancers under the age of 50 years. Women who had their first term pregnancy prior to age 21 (n = 441) had a lower cancer incidence especially between age 30–39 years. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed an odds ratio of 0.78 for BRCA1 (p = 0.005) and 0.73 for BRCA2 (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates a clear protective effect of early first pregnancy on breast cancer risk in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

     

熔融高速搅拌法制备氢氯噻嗪缓释微丸

通过对处方和工艺进行优化和筛选 ,采用熔融高速搅拌法制备了利尿药氢氯噻嗪的缓释微丸。结果表明 :以固体石蜡和单硬脂酸甘油酯为粘合剂 ,在 6 4℃、70 0r/min条件下操作 ,成粒子后再加入少量固体石蜡和钙盐 ,继续搅拌 ,降温整粒 8min可得圆整的缓释微丸。验证了应用熔融高速搅拌法制备氢氯噻嗪缓释微丸的适用性和技术特殊性 ,为工业生产奠定了基础。     

脑外伤患者发生院内肺部感染的危险因素及预防研究

目的探讨脑外伤患者发生院内肺部感染的危险因素,以针对危险因素加强临床预防措施。方法回顾性分析保定市第一医院2010年6月-2011年6月收治的97例脑外伤患者的临床资料,统计院内肺部感染的发生率并分析发生的危险因素。结果脑外伤患者院内肺部感染发生率为18．6％（18／97）,其发生与患者性别、体重、置尿管无明显关系（P〉0．05）,而受到患者年龄、格拉斯哥评分、激素应用、机械通气、气管切开、抗生素联用、置胃管的影响（P〈0．05）。结论临床上应注意脑外伤患者发生院内肺部感染的危险因素并采取针对性的预防措施,降低院内肺部感染发生率,促进患者的康复。     

MDM2-309多态与食管、胃及其双原发癌的发病关联

目的探讨MDM2-309基因多态性与食管、胃及其双原发癌发病风险的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法(PCR-RFLP),检测食管、胃及其双原发癌患者和正常对照个体的MDM2-309基因型,并记录研究对象上消化道癌家族史情况,结合分析其与食管胃双原发癌的发病关联。结果食管鳞癌组中,G/T基因型频率(25.6%)明显低于正常对照组(54.9%)(P=0.00);胃腺癌患者组中,G/G基因型频率(31.6%)明显高于正常对照组(16.2%)(P=0.005);食管胃双原发癌患者及正常对照组中MDM2-309位点3种基因型分布频率未见统计学差异。结论 MDM2-309G/T基因型可降低食管癌发病风险,G/G基因型可增加胃腺癌发病风险,未发现MDM2-309多态与食管胃双原发癌发病风险相关。     

Quality of measurements of acute surgical and traumatic wounds using a digital wound‐analysing tool

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of measurements using a wound‐analysing tool and their interpretability. Wound surface areas and tissue types, such as granulation, slough and necrosis, in twenty digital photographs were measured using a specific software program. The ratio of these tissue types in a wound was calculated using a wound profile. We calculated the intraclass coefficient or κ for reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable change (SDC). The inter‐rater reliability intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0·99 for surface area, 0·76 for granulation, 0·67 for slough and 0·22 for necrosis. The profiles gave an overall κ of 0·16. For test–retest reliability, the ICC was 0·99 for surface area, 0·81 for granulation, 0·80 for slough and 0·97 for necrosis. The agreement of the applied profiles in the test–retest was 66% (40–100). SEM and SDC for surface area were 0·10/0·27; for granulation, 6·88/19·08; for slough, 7·17/19·87; and for necrosis, 0·35/0·98, respectively. Measuring wound surface area and tissue types by means of digital photo analysis is a reliable and applicable method for monitoring wound healing in acute wounds in daily practice as well as in research.