复方盐酸伪麻黄碱缓释胶囊治疗季节性变应性鼻炎的临床研究

目的　观察复方盐酸伪麻黄碱缓释胶囊治疗季节性变应性鼻炎患者的临床疗效和安全性。方法　采用开放、多中心临床研究设计。患者每次口服 1粒复方盐酸伪麻黄碱缓释胶囊、每日 2次、间隔 12h ,连服 7d ,然后观察患者症状和体征的改善情况。结果　本研究最终有 370例患者可供疗效分析 ,371例患者可供安全性分析。与服药前相比 ,患者服药第 1～ 7天各临床症状 (包括鼻塞、流涕、鼻痒、打喷嚏、流泪、眼痒、耳 /腭痒 )及体征 (包括鼻甲、鼻黏膜情况和眼部充血 )评分的改善均有统计学意义 (P <0 0 0 1)。复方盐酸伪麻黄碱缓释胶囊治疗季节性变应性鼻炎症状和体征的显效率分别为 70 %和 6 8% ,总有效率分别为 89%和 80 %。在用药过程中共有 5 4例患者报告了 6 1例次不良反应 ,主要为轻、中度困倦和口干。未出现严重不良反应。结论　复方盐酸伪麻黄碱缓释胶囊可持续有效控制季节性变应性鼻炎患者的症状和体征 ,疗效较高 ,耐受性较好     

Production of lactic acid by respiratory muscles

We measured blood lactate in normal subjects after 10 minutes of sustained maximum voluntary ventilation (SMVV) with end-tidal Pco₂ kept constant and after breathing against a big added respiratory load for 200 breaths. With SMVV subjects sustained on average 68% of the predicted maximum breathing capacity and achieved final lactate concentrations of 1·9 mmol/l (17·1 mg/100 ml), representing an average increase of about 1·0 mmol/l (9·0 mg/100 ml) over resting values. There was a wide range between individuals, from no increase at all to 2·7 mmol/l, despite similar levels of ventilation. Breathing against added loads produced much smaller changes in blood lactate.     

Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE: To report the anatomic and functional results of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for the treatment of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (PsRD). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized surgical technique study. METHODS: One hundred eyes of 98 patients with PsRD were operated by vitrectomy alone. Internal subretinal fluid drainage, cryocoagulation and/or endolaser and fluid-air exchange with sulfur hexafluoride 20% was applied in all cases. The preoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed. Main outcome measures were anatomic success rates after initial surgical intervention and after reoperation for primary failures, visual outcome at the last follow-up visit, and complications. RESULTS: Mean follow-up +/- standard deviation (SD) was 12 +/- 6.3 months (range, seven to 36 months). Mean final visual acuity +/- SD was 0.42 +/- 0.45 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) compared with 0.95 +/- 0.73 logMAR before surgery (P < .01). Mean number +/- SD of retinal breaks found before surgery was 1.36 +/- 1.12 (range, zero to five), and an additional 1.58 +/- 2.26 (range, zero to 15) retinal breaks were found during surgery. The retina was reattached successfully after a single surgery in 92 eyes (92%). Recurrence of retinal detachment occurred in eight eyes (8%), caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy in six eyes (75%) and by new breaks in two eyes (25%). Final anatomic reattachment was obtained in these cases after a mean of 1.75 subsequent operations. Three eyes required permanent silicone oil tamponade so that final anatomic success was achieved in 97 eyes (97%). The most common postoperative complication was ocular hypertonia of more than 21 mm Hg, observed in 36 (36%) eyes, which was managed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling provides a high anatomic success rate in eyes with PsRD and is associated with few complications.     

Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome following simultaneous hepatitis-A and yellow fever vaccination

PURPOSE: To report a case of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) following simultaneous hepatitis-A virus (HAV) and yellow fever (YF) vaccination. METHODS: Review of the clinical, laboratory, photographic, and angiographic records of a patient suffering from MEWDS. RESULTS: A healthy 50-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive left-eye visual loss, associated with photopsias and a para-central scotoma, one week after receiving simultaneous HAV and YF vaccination. Both anterior segments and right-eye fundus were unremarkable. Fundus examination of the left-eye disclosed papillitis with multiple, small, white, outer-retinal lesions. Angiographic tests were pathognomonic for MEWDS. Perimetry revealed left-eye blind spot enlargement. Initial inflammatory/infectious work-up was negative. Signs and symptoms resolved spontaneously within 6 weeks, with concomitant normalization of ancillary exams. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation and the benign course were consistent with the diagnosis of MEWDS. No other aetiopathogenic factor than simultaneous HAV and YF immunization was identified, suggesting an autoimmune basis for MEWDS in predisposed patients.     

Peer Reviewed: Design and National Dissemination of the StrongWomen Community Strength Training Program

Background

Physical activity is essential for maintaining health and function with age, especially among women. Strength training exercises combat weakness and frailty and mitigate the development of chronic disease. Community-based programs offer accessible opportunities for strength training.

Program Design

The StrongWomen Program is an evidence-informed, community-based strength training program developed and disseminated to enable women aged 40 or older to maintain their strength, function, and independence. The StrongWomen Workshop and StrongWomen Tool Kit are the training and implementation tools for the StrongWomen Program. Program leaders are trained at the StrongWomen Workshop. They receive the StrongWomen Tool Kit and subsequent support to implement the program in their communities.

Dissemination

Program dissemination began in May 2003 with a three-part approach: recruiting leaders and forming key partnerships, soliciting participant interest and supporting implementation, and promoting growth and sustainability.

Assessment

We conducted site visits during the first year to assess curriculum adherence. We conducted a telephone survey to collect data on program leaders, participants, locations, and logistics. We used a database to track workshop locations and program leaders. As of July 2006, 881 leaders in 43 states were trained; leaders from 35 states had implemented programs.

Conclusion

Evidence-informed strength training programs can be successful when dissemination occurs at the community level using trained leaders. This research demonstrates that hands-on training, a written manual, partnerships with key organizations, and leader support contributed to the successful dissemination of the StrongWomen Program. Results presented provide a model that may aid the dissemination of other community-based exercise programs.     

Dedicated MR receiver coils: a simple design and construction method

We describe a simple method for design and construction of dedicated receiver coils for use in magnetic resonance imaging. We have been successful in constructing dedicated coils for multiple regions of the body using this method.     

Effective peer-to-peer support for young people with end-stage renal disease: a mixed methods evaluation of Camp COOL

Background

The Camp COOL programme aims to help young Dutch people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) develop self-management skills. Fellow patients already treated in adult care (hereafter referred to as ‘buddies’) organise the day-to-day program, run the camp, counsel the attendees, and also participate in the activities. The attendees are young people who still have to transfer to adult care. This study aimed to explore the effects of this specific form of peer-to-peer support on the self-management of young people (16–25 years) with ESRD who participated in Camp COOL (CC) (hereafter referred to as ‘participants’).

Methods

A mixed methods research design was employed. Semi-structured interviews (n?=?19) with initiators/staff, participants, and healthcare professionals were conducted. These were combined with retrospective and pre-post surveys among participants (n?=?62), and observations during two camp weeks.

Results

Self-reported effects of participants were: increased self-confidence, more disease-related knowledge, feeling capable of being more responsible and open towards others, and daring to stand up for yourself. According to participants, being a buddy or having one positively affected them. Self-efficacy of attendees and independence of buddies increased, while attendees’ sense of social inclusion decreased (measured as domains of health-related quality of life). The buddy role was a pro-active combination of being supervisor, advisor, and leader.

Conclusions

Camp COOL allowed young people to support each other in adjusting to everyday life with ESRD. Participating in the camp positively influenced self-management in this group. Peer-to-peer support through buddies was much appreciated. Support from young adults was not only beneficial for adolescent attendees, but also for young adult buddies. Paediatric nephrologists are encouraged to refer patients to CC and to facilitate such initiatives. Together with nephrologists in adult care, they could take on a role in selecting buddies.

     

Cavernous sinus thrombosis elicited by a central retinal vein venous stasis retinopathy

Background Central retinal vein occlusion is a relatively common retinal disorder in the elderly, and those with cardiovascular or thrombophilic risk factors are at increased risk. Although still unsatisfying, some treatments for the acute and chronic phases have been established based on randomized studies. However, for rare conditions mimicking central retinal vein occlusion, treatment of the acute phase should be targeted at etiology. A rare condition mimicking central retinal vein occlusion in a 70-year-old man is presented and discussed.Methods A 70-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for isovolemic hemodilution related to a central retinal vein occlusion of the elderly, after a sudden decrease in visual acuity to 0.1.Results Clinical and laboratory work-up demonstrated a venous stasis retinopathy, related to an atypical cavernous sinus thrombosis of undetermined origin. The patient had experienced in the past 6 months intermittent diplopia and an irreducible conjunctival hyperemia. Hemodilution was dismissed. Soon after initiation of anticoagulation therapy, the patients clinical signs and symptoms improved. Final visual acuity was 0.8.Conclusion Venous stasis retinopathy secondary to cavernous sinus thrombosis is rare. However, careful clinical examination and extensive laboratory work-up is needed to exclude central retinal vein occlusion not associated with common vascular pathologies of the elderly.No financial interest. No grant.     

Non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty for hyperopia: two-year follow-up

PURPOSE: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) for the treatment of mild to moderate hyperopia without astigmatism. METHODS: A prospective, non-comparative case series included 50 eyes of 28 patients (aged > or =40 years) who had stable refraction and an astigmatic component < +0.50 diopters (D). We applied the non-contact pulsed holmium:YAG laser to treat the hyperopic spherical component using the Hyperion LTK System. All patients had minimum 12-month follow-up and 64% (18 patients) had 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 48.4 +/- 8.23 years (range: 40 to 62 years). The preoperative hyperopic mean spherical equivalent refraction was +2.32 +/- 0.975 D (range: +1.00 to +4.75 D). Postoperatively, the subjective manifest refraction decreased from the preoperative mean value of +2.32 D to a mean -0.09 D at 1 month after surgery and regressed to +0.315 D at the last follow-up examination, resulting in a mean correction of +2.005 +/- 0.81 D at 24 months after surgery. Preoperatively, mean uncorrected visual acuity in LogMAR units was 0.798 +/- 0.353 and at 12 months after surgery, it was a mean 0.108 +/- 0.136. Keratometric power increased from 42.595 +/- 1.949 D before surgery to 44.605 +/- 1.626 D at 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Holmium:YAG LTK was an acceptable alternative for the correction of mild to moderate hyperopia in this middle-aged population.