Efficacy of a Church-Based,Culturally Tailored Program to Promote Completion of Advance Directives Among Asian Americans

Having an Advance Directive (AD) can help to guide medical decision-making. Asian Americans (AA) are less likely than White Americans to complete an AD. This pilot study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a church-based intervention to increase knowledge and behavior change related to AD among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans. This study utilized a single group pre- and post-intervention design with 174 participants from 4 churches. Domain assessed: demographics; AD-related knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and intentions; AD completion; and conversations with a healthcare proxy. Data were analyzed using Chi square and multiple logistic regression techniques. We observed significant increases in participants’ AD-related knowledge, intentions, and a gain in supportive beliefs and attitudes about AD, resulting in 71.8 % AD completion, and 25.0 % having had a proxy conversation. Providing culturally-tailored intervention and step-by-step guidance can help to achieve significant changes in AD related knowledge and behavior in AA church goers.     

The epidemiology of hyperuricaemia and gout in Taiwan aborigines

To determine the prevalence of hyperuricaemia, gout and gout-related factors in Central Taiwan Atayal aborigines, 342 subjects over 18 yr old were interviewed and examined. A questionnaire was designed to screen for signs and symptoms of gout and gout-related risk factors. Serum uric acid, triglyceride and creatinine were measured in all subjects. The prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 41.4% and that of gout 11.7% in aborigines. The uric acid level was 7.9+/-1.7 mg/dl in males and 5.7+/-1.5 in females, and differed significantly under age 70 yr (P < 0.001). Significantly increased triglyceride, creatinine and alcoholism was found in gouty patients compared with non-gouty patients. In 40 cases with gout, 54% had tophi and 35% of their first- degree relatives had gout. The high prevalence of hyperuricaemia and gout in Taiwan Atayal aborigines, a significant family predisposition, increased creatinine level and alcoholism suggest multiple factors affecting the hyperuricaemia.      

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction as an initial presentation of systemic sclerosis in two children

Two children are reported in whom intestinal pseudo-obstruction was the initial manifestation of systemic sclerosis. Gastrointestinal symptoms and skin changes resolved or improved in both children following treatment with prednisone and penicillamine (case 1) or methotrexate (case 2), although radiological changes of the gastrointestinal tract persisted at 3 and 2 yr of follow-up, respectively.      

Identification of a germ-line pro-B cell subset that distinguishes the fetal/neonatal from the adult B cell development pathway

Studies presented here show that the expression of CD4, MHC class II (Ia,) and B220 cleanly resolves a major and a minor subset within the earliest pro-B cell population (germ-line pro-B) in adult bone marrow (BM). The major subset expresses intermediate B220 and low CD4 levels. The minor subset, which constitutes roughly 20% of the adult germ-line pro-B, expresses very low B220 levels and does not express CD4. Ia is clearly detectable at low levels on the major germ-line pro-B subset, both in wild-type adult mice and in gene-targeted mice (RAG2-/- and microMT), in which B cell development terminates before the pre-B cell stage. A small proportion of cells in the more mature pro-B cell subsets (Hardy Fractions B and C) also express Ia at this level. In contrast, Ia levels on the minor subset are barely above (or equal to) background. Surprisingly, the major germ-line pro-B cell subset found in adults is missing in fetal and neonatal animals. All of the germ-line pro-B in these immature animals express a phenotype (very low B220, no CD4, or Ia) similar to that of the minor pro-B cell subset in adult BM. Because B cell development in fetal/neonatal animals principally results in B-1 cells, these findings demonstrate that the B-1 development pathway does not include the major germ-line pro-B subset found in adult BM and hence identify a very early difference between the B-1 and -2 development pathways.     

Zinc chloride (smoke bomb) inhalation lung injury: clinical presentations, high-resolution CT findings, and pulmonary function test results

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Zinc chloride smoke inhalation injury (ZCSII) is uncommon and has been rarely described in previous studies. We hypothesized that structural changes of the lung might correlate with pulmonary function. To answer this question, we correlated findings from high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan and the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with ZCSII. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty patients who had been hospitalized with ZCSII-related conditions. MEASUREMENTS: The study included HRCT scan scores (0 to 100), static and dynamic lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)). RESULTS: HRCT scans and PFTs were performed initially after injury (range, 3 to 21 days) in all patients and during the follow-up period (range, 27 to 66 days) in 10 patients. The predominant CT scan findings were patchy or diffuse ground-glass opacities with or without consolidation. The majority of patients showed a significant reduction of FVC, FEV1, total lung capacity, and D(LCO), but normal FEV1/FVC ratio values. Changes of functional parameters correlated well with HRCT scan scores. Substantial improvements in CT scan abnormalities and pulmonary function were observed at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of our patients with ZCSII presented with a predominant parenchymal injury of the lung that was consistent with a restrictive type of functional impairment and a reduction in Dlco rather than with obstructive disease. Our results suggest that HRCT scanning and pulmonary function testing may reliably predict the severity of ZCSII.