新注射吸毒者及长期注射吸毒者共用针具的影响因素分析

目的 了解新注射吸毒者和长期注射吸毒者共用针具的影响因素.方法 对四川省注射吸毒者进行社区横断面调查.结果 3852名被调查者中,注射吸毒史<1年、1～3年和>3年者最近6个月共用针具比例依次为19.9%、29.1%和36.3%.注射吸毒<1年的被调查者共用针具的独市影响因素包括女性、少数民族、注射吸毒频率高、共用注射器/针头以外其他吸毒用具、有非同定性伴、固定性伴注射吸毒、未自愿做过艾滋病检测、招募年、招募地区;注射吸毒1～3年的被凋查者共用针具的独立影响因素包括文化程度低、注射频率高、共用注射器/针头以外其他吸毒用具、有非固定性伴、固定性伴注射吸毒、未使用安全套、未参与技能培训、招募年、招募地区;注射吸毒>3年的被调奋者共用针具的独立影响因素包括文化程度低、注射频牢高、共用注射器/针头以外其他吸毒用具、有非同定性伴、有商业性伴、固定性伴注射吸毒、未使用安全套、未参与针具交换、招募年、招募地区.结论 新注射吸毒者和长期注射吸毒者共用针具及无保护性行为比例均较高,长期注射吸毒者较新注射吸毒者有更多共用针具行为和无保护性行为,针对两类人群的干预应有不同侧重.     

Renal Uptake,Excretion, and Retention of Mercury

A modification is proposed for the conventional pH stat assay for human plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterases. Principal advantages for the micromodification are smaller sample size afforded by collection of specimens in microhematocrit tubes and reduction in subsequent sample-handling time. Red blood cell (RBC) washing and recentrifugation steps are eliminated. Although the basic assay procedure remains unchanged, titration parameters are changed to accommodate smaller sample volumes. Results from either assay procedure are comparable, as shown by statistically significant regressions of micromodification assay data upon those of conventional pH stat procedure.     

Role of histamine release in nonspecific vasodilatation during anodal and cathodal iontophoresis

Nonspecific vasodilatation during iontophoresis is an important confounding factor in experimental pharmacology. In this investigation, we studied the involvement of sensory nerves and histamine-related reactions in causing nonspecific vasodilatation in a model of anodal and cathodal iontophoresis of sodium chloride. Firstly, we applied a mixture of local anesthetic (EMLA) cream to confirm its suppressive effect on nonspecific vasodilatation and to measure its efficacy in three different dosages (duration: 1, 2, and 3 h). We then investigated the role of histamine in nonspecific vasodilatation by giving an oral antihistamine drug (cetirizine) to subjects who had and had not been given EMLA. We found substantial suppression of the nonspecific vasodilatation in all EMLA-treated groups (all dosages) compared with untreated controls (with suppression rates of 60-65%). Dosage had no significant effect. A further suppression of nonspecific vasodilatation was seen after oral cetirizine during anodal and cathodal iontophoresis in both EMLA-treated and untreated groups. The antihistamine effect was most pronounced during anodal iontophoresis. These results suggest a histaminergic increase in perfusion that may be independent of neurogenic mechanisms and depend on polarity (anode or cathode). Local nerve blocks (EMLA) together with cetirizine may therefore be used to reduce nonspecific vasodilatation in both anodal and cathodal iontophoresis.     

Electrophysiological studies on rat dorsal root ganglion neurons after peripheral axotomy: Changes in responses to neuropeptides

The effect of three peptides, galanin, sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide, and neurotensin (NT), was studied on acutely extirpated rat dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) in vitro with intracellular recording techniques. Both normal and peripherally axotomized DRGs were analyzed, and recordings were made from C-type (small) and A-type (large) neurons. Galanin and sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide, with one exception, had no effect on normal C- and A-type neurons but caused an inward current in both types of neurons after sciatic nerve cut. In normal rats, NT caused an outward current in C-type neurons and an inward current in A-type neurons. After sciatic nerve cut, NT only caused an inward current in both C- and A-type neurons. These results suggest that (i) normal DRG neurons express receptors on their soma for some but not all peptides studied, (ii) C- and A-type neurons can have different types of receptors, and (iii) peripheral nerve injury can change the receptor phenotype of both C- and A-type neurons and may have differential effects on these neuron types.     

Universal nevirapine upon presentation in labor to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in high prevalence settings

OBJECTIVE: To assess the uptake of and adherence to nevirapine to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission among women of unknown HIV serostatus presenting in labor. We also assessed preliminary efficacy of the approach. DESIGN: Women of unknown HIV serostatus presenting in labor were offered single-dose nevirapine in a prospective cohort study. Two additional contemporaneous comparison populations were also studied. METHODS: We measured uptake by counting the number of women that accepted enrollment when offered. We measured adherence with cord blood nevirapine assay. We measured preliminary efficacy with HIV DNA polymerase chain reaction of infant blood spots at 4-6 weeks of life. RESULTS: Of 1591 women approached in labor, 634 (40%) took up the intervention and received nevirapine, of whom 185 (29%) were HIV infected. Of 179 cord blood specimens from HIV-exposed infants that could be evaluated, 178 (99.4%) had nevirapine detected. This was higher than the 73 of 98 (74%) adherence rate observed in a comparison cohort in which women self-administered nevirapine before presenting to the labor ward (P < 0.001). Of 145 available infant specimens, 17 (11.7%) showed evidence of infection at 4-6 weeks, compared with 12 of 60 (20%) infants born immediately prior to study commencement whose HIV-infected mothers did not receive nevirapine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nevirapine without HIV testing upon presentation in labor was accepted by two-fifths of women. Because therapy is directly observed, adherence is nearly perfect. Labor ward dosing to enhance nevirapine coverage should be considered as an adjunct to antenatal nevirapine administration for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.     

Radium-223 dichloride for the treatment of bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: an evaluation of its safety

Introduction: Approximately 10 – 20% of prostate cancer cases ultimately progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), for which there is a poor prognosis and a therapeutic need. Radium-223 dichloride (radium-223 [Xofigo]) is a first-in-class α-emitting radiopharmaceutical shown to significantly prolong overall survival in patients with CRPC with symptomatic bone metastases and no visceral metastases. Current treatment guidelines recommended it in both pre- and post-docetaxel settings.

Areas covered: Radium-223 mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and key efficacy and safety data are reviewed. The evaluation of adverse events reported in the Phase III ALSYMPCA trial is summarized for the overall population and patient subpopulations (prior docetaxel, concomitant external beam radiation therapy and baseline opioid use). An evaluation of how radium-223 is being incorporated into the CRPC treatment paradigm and the implications of its safety profile for future use are provided.

Expert opinion: The pronounced efficacy and safety profile of radium-223 positions it as a valuable new therapeutic tool in the CRPC armamentarium. Its novel mechanism of action underlies low rates of hematologic adverse events. Radium-223 treatment will become common in the majority of pre-docetaxel symptomatic CRPC cases, as it has proved to be highly efficient with few safety concerns earlier in the course of disease.     

Effectiveness of diclofenac versus paracetamol in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial in primary care

Background

The effectiveness of diclofenac versus paracetamol in primary care patients with pain caused by knee osteoarthritis is unclear.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of diclofenac compared with paracetamol over a period of 2, 4, and 12 weeks in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design and setting

Randomised controlled trial in general practice.

Method

There were 104 patients included in the study, they were aged ≥45 years consulting their GP with knee pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomly allocated to diclofenac (n = 52) or paracetamol (n = 52) for at least 2 weeks. Primary outcomes were daily knee pain severity, and knee pain and function measured with the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

Results

Over a period of 2- and 4-weeks follow-up, no significant difference in daily knee pain was found between the patient groups: estimated differences of 0.5 (95% CI = −0.2 to 1.3) and −0.2 (95% CI = −1.0 to 0.7), respectively. Over the 12-weeks follow-up, no significant differences were found between both groups for KOOS pain: estimated difference of −2.8 (95% CI = −10.7 to 5.1) and KOOS function of −2.7 (−10.6 to 5.0).

Conclusion

Over a period of 2- and 4-weeks follow-up no significant difference in daily measured knee pain severity was found between primary care patients with knee osteoarthritis taking paracetamol or diclofenac. Also, over a period of 12-weeks follow-up no significant differences were found regarding KOOS pain and KOOS function between both groups. Patients more frequently reported minor adverse events after taking diclofenac (64%) than paracetamol (46%).