Rhinitis Symptom Utility Index (RSUI) in Chinese Subjects: A Multiattribute Patient-preference Approach

Background: The Rhinitis Symptom Utility Index (RSUI), originally developed in the United States, consists of a patient-preference weighting scheme and a 10-item questionnaire measuring the severity and frequency of rhinitis related symptoms over a 14-day period. This study aimed to determine whether the Chinese RSUI could adopt the US-based multi-attribute utility function (MAUF) in scoring rhinitis symptoms. Methods: In a Hong Kong study, 116 Chinese adults with allergic rhinitis completed the RSUI questionnaire and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) after they had been seen by two otorhinolaryngologists for disease-severity ratings. Respondents then completed computer-administered direct preference measures, i.e., visual analogue scale (VAS) and standard gamble (SG) assessments. The VAS and SG data were used to estimate a MAUF for the Chinese-based RSUI. Results: The derived MAUF was somewhat different than the one developed for the US RSUI. Test–retest reliability for the Chinese RSUI was satisfactory (ICC = 0.71, p<0.001). Scores differentiated among cases with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms (p<0.001); and between those who did and did not require medications to control symptoms (p = 0.031). Findings were significantly correlated with SF-36 domain scores (r = 0.19 to 0.37; p=0.041 to <0.001). When the US-based scoring function was applied to the Chinese subjects, the resulting mean RSUI score was significantly lower (p<0.001). Comparisons between directly measured VAS and SG scores between the US and Chinese samples, demonstrated significant differences (all p<0.05), with the US subjects consistently rating rhinitis symptoms as worse than Chinese subjects. Conclusions: The Chinese RSUI has good measurement properties that reflect patient preferences from the Chinese. Results suggest that there are differences in preference rating between US and Chinese subjects and that use of the US-based preference function for the RSUI would bias the measurement of rhinitis symptom outcomes in Chinese subjects.     

Effect of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and kava kava (Piper methysticum) supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans.

Phytochemical-mediated modulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and other drug transporters may give rise to many herb-drug interactions. Serial plasma concentration-time profiles of the P-gp substrate, digoxin, were used to determine whether supplementation with goldenseal or kava kava modified P-gp activity in vivo. Twenty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a standardized goldenseal (3210 mg daily) or kava kava (1227 mg daily) supplement for 14 days, followed by a 30-day washout period. Subjects were also randomized to receive rifampin (600 mg daily, 7 days) and clarithromycin (1000 mg daily, 7 days) as positive controls for P-gp induction and inhibition, respectively. Digoxin (Lanoxin, 0.5 mg) was administered p.o. before and at the end of each supplementation and control period. Serial digoxin plasma concentrations were obtained over 24 h and analyzed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Comparisons of area under the curve (AUC)((0-3)), AUC((0-24)), C(max,) CL/F, and elimination half-life were used to assess the effects of goldenseal, kava kava, rifampin, and clarithromycin on digoxin pharmacokinetics. Rifampin produced significant reductions (p < 0.01) in AUC((0-3)), AUC((0-24)), CL/F, t(1/2), and C(max), whereas clarithromycin increased these parameters significantly (p < 0.01). With the exception of goldenseal's effect on C(max) (14% increase), no statistically significant effects on digoxin pharmacokinetics were observed following supplementation with either goldenseal or kava kava. When compared with rifampin and clarithromycin, supplementation with these specific formulations of goldenseal or kava kava did not appear to affect digoxin pharmacokinetics, suggesting that these supplements are not potent modulators of P-gp in vivo.     

Pancreatic cancer–Palliative therapy: surgery (bypass/resection)

Objective: We compare the outcome of palliative pancreaticoduodenectomy and palliative surgical bypass in patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma in our hospital. Recent published related articles are also reviewed. Methods: A respective analysis was performed comparing the perioperative parameters and outcome of 20 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with a gross suspected cancer residue and 30 patients who underwent a surgical bypass, all of the patients were diagnosed as in advanced stages intra-operatively. Results: The two groups were comparable with patient characteristics, including age, gender, initial symptoms and concomitant major organ diseases. Tumors are similar in size and intra-operatively diagnosed as in advanced stages in both groups. All of the patients in the resection group were microscopically proved having cancer residue. One postoperative mortality occurred in the resection group (5%), zero in the bypass group (P > 0.05). Overall complications were significantly higher in the resection group (30% vs. 0, P < 0.01), including 2 patients developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), zero in the bypass group (P < 0.01); hemorrhage and transfusions in the resection group were much more than that in the bypass group (P < 0.05). Hospital stay after resection was significantly longer than bypass (20 vs. 12 days, P < 0.01). Hospital fee after resection was 4 times more than after bypass (median 61.500 vs. 15. 300 yuan, P < 0.01). Survival was significantly longer after resection (median 12.2 vs. 7.1 months, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our results show that palliative resection in advanced pancreatic carcinoma lengthens the survival time of the patients, but this is paid for significantly higher complications than bypass.     

可调节型充气体位垫的制作和应用

手术中常用体位垫来调整体位及预防褥疮,但以往使用的软垫、海绵垫等却不可根据手术及术中的要求来调节高度,我科对其进行研究并利用现有材料,将其改进制成可调节型充气体位垫,投入临床试用,效果较好。现介绍如下。1材料与制作取上海百特医疗用品有限公司生产的3L容量的氯化钠溶液软包装袋一个,将其中一个出口封闭,使其不漏气。将一根长30cm~50cm长的橡胶管固定于另一个出口,使其不漏气,并将输血器调节器穿于橡胶管上,调节滚轴,起开关作用。连接气压止血器充气,即成可调节型充气调节体位垫。2使用方法根据手术要求将橡胶管连接于气压止血器…     

Omnitets EZ(R)及BIOSEN 5030临床验证报告

本文通过使用 Omnitets EZ 电子感应血糖仪及 BIOSEN 5030自动血糖/乳酸分析仪对糖尿病人和正常人血糖进行测定,从而对其精确性进行评估,探讨其临床应用的可能性.     

济川煎加味治疗老年糖尿病合并便秘24例

便秘是老年糖尿病患者的常见合并症之一.笔者自2006年6月～2007年6月以济川煎为基础方加味治疗老年糖尿病患者合并便秘24例,现报道如下. 　　……     

兔骨髓间充质干细胞Ⅱ型胶原表达的实验研究

目的探讨兔骨髓间充质干细胞表达Ⅱ型胶原的实验研究方法。方法利用β1转化生长因子腺病毒表达载体（Ad—TGFβ1）转染兔骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs），观察转染后的Ⅱ型胶原表达。结果细胞转染后Ⅱ型胶原在免疫印记和免疫组化检测下均呈强阳性表达。结论Ad—TGFβI转染兔骨髓MSCs可使其细胞内Ⅱ型胶原表达阳性。     

浅议中医理论的科学美

科学美是美学形态分类中的一种 ,它从本质上反映事物运动的内在联系 ,属于美的深层形式。中医理论中存在简明、对称、新奇等科学美