Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma General and medical management with special attention to exacerbations

The general management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma is discussed. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchial obstruction and inflammation are briefly described. The importance of preventive measures is emphasized. Medicine prescribed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, their relative place in treatment schedules and route of administration are reviewed. Finally, the importance of maximal bronchodilatation in exacerbations is stressed and the few indications for antibiotic treatment are discussed.     

Soma size and oxidative enzyme activity in normal and chronically stimulated motoneurones of the Cat''s spinal cord

In normal adult cats we measured the density of staining for the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH staining) in ventral horn cells of different sizes. The measurements were restricted to that part of the lumbar ventral horn (L6-L7) which is known to contain motoneurones of the peroneal nerve. A statistically significant tendency was found for the SDH staining to be denser in smaller than in larger neurones within the size range of a motoneurones (soma diameter greater than 40 microns). These results are consistent with recently published evidence for ventral horn cells of rats and qualitatively similar relationships between size and SDH staining have also been observed among skeletal muscle fibres (confirmed for mixed muscle of cat in present study). In hindlimb muscles, size as well as SDH staining are known to be markedly activity-dependent. We tested whether this is the case for peroneal motoneurones as well by analyzing the effects of chronic nerve stimulation on the properties of neurones within the appropriate region of the ventral horn. Prior to the final acute experiment, these cats had been subjected to a left-side dorsal rhizotomy and hemispinalization. By aid of a portable mini-stimulator, the left-side common peroneal nerve was activated by repetitive pulses during 50% of total time per day (intra-activity rate: 10, 20 or 40 Hz). After 8 weeks of such treatment, cell sizes as well as the densities of SDH staining showed hardly any differences between peroneal ventral horn cells of the experimental and control sides of the spinal cord.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

623例慢性前列腺炎患者的性功能状况调查

目的:了解慢性前列腺炎对早泄(PE)和勃起功能障碍(ED)的影响,探讨它们之间的关系。方法:依据美国国立卫生研究院慢性前列腺炎症状指数评分表(NIH-CPSI)、中国早泄患者性功能评分表(C ISFPE)、国际勃起功能问卷评分表(IIEF-5);采用和患者面对面交谈、询问,并分别记录623例慢性前列腺炎患者的NIH-CPSI评分、C ISFPE评分、IIEF-5评分。结果:623例18~57岁的慢性前列腺炎患者中,PE发生率为39.0%,其中轻度占26.2%、中度占12.0%、重度占0.8%;ED发生率为16.9%,其中轻度占14.9%、中度占1.0%、重度占1.0%。慢性前列腺炎患者PE的发生率以年轻者为多,18~29岁组为42.9%(103/240)、30~39岁为37.0%(95/257)、40~57岁组为35.7%(45/126);ED发生率以年龄高者为多,18~29岁组为13.8%(33/240)、30~39岁为11.3%(29/257)、40~57岁组为34.1%(43/126)。统计学分析发现,NIH-CPSI评分与早泄评分以及与IIEF-5评分均无明显相关性。结论:慢性前列腺炎的症状轻重与PE和ED的轻重程度无明显的相关性。     

Performance and comparison of the Cockcroft-Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate in a Chinese Type 2 diabetic population.

AIMS: Our aim was to assess performances of the Cockcroft-Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Chinese diabetic populations and their association with vascular risks. METHODS: A total of 1009 patients with Type 2 diabetes were categorized into low estimated GFR groups (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and control groups by the two equations. The performances of these formulae were assessed at different stages of kidney function. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy or albuminuria were compared among the groups. The ability of these formulae to identify established vascular risk markers using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were also compared. RESULTS: The prevalence of low estimated GFR was 32.7% with the Cockcroft-Gault formula and 5.2% with the MDRD formula, respectively. In low estimated GFR subjects by the MDRD formula, IMT was significantly thicker than those by the Cockcroft-Gault formula (1.2 mm vs. 1.0 mm; P < 0.05), with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (78.4 vs. 52.8%, P < 0.05) and diabetic retinopathy (46.5 vs. 30.5%; P < 0.05). The Cockcroft-Gault formula gave a specificity of 71.7% and a sensitivity of 37.0%, and the MDRD formula gave a specificity of 96.6% and a sensitivity of 7.9% in estimating low GFR relevant for established vascular risks. CONCLUSIONS: These formulae performed differently in Chinese diabetic populations. The simplified MDRD formula is minimally superior to the Cockcroft-Gault formula for its high specificity and positive predictive values in estimating low GFR relevant for vascular risks.     

National Study of Emergency Department Visits for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 1993–2005

Objectives: Little is known about recent trends in U.S. emergency department (ED) visits for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) or about ED management of AECOPD. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of ED visits for AECOPD and to evaluate concordance with guideline‐recommended care. Methods: Data were obtained from National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). ED visits for AECOPD, during 1993 to 2005, were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes. Concordance with guideline recommendations was evaluated using process measures. Results: Over the 13‐year study period, there was an average annual 0.6 million ED visits for AECOPD, and the visit rates for AECOPD were consistently high (3.2 per 1,000 U.S. population; P_trend = 0.13). The trends in the use of chest radiograph, pulse oximetry, or bronchodilator remained stable (all P_trend > 0.5). By contrast, the use of systemic corticosteroids increased from 29% in 1993–1994 to 60% in 2005, antibiotics increased from 14% to 42%, and methylxanthines decreased from 15% to <1% (all P_trend < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed patients in the South (vs. the Northeast) were less likely to receive systemic corticosteroids (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4 to 0.9). Conclusions: The high burden of ED visits for AECOPD persisted. Overall concordance with guideline‐recommended care for AECOPD was moderate, and some emergency treatments had improved over time.     

The use of the Impact on Sibling scale with families of children with chronic illness and developmental disability

Objective   This study evaluated the Impact on Sibling scale, a six-item measure of parents' perception of the effects of a child's illness on healthy siblings.
Methods   Participants were 122 parents of a child with chronic illness, developmental disability, or autism spectrum disorder, and a well sibling aged 4–13 years. Parents completed the Impact on Sibling scale and the Child Behavior Checklist about the sibling, and completed the revised Impact on Family scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory about themselves.
Results   The Impact on Sibling score was correlated with measures of sibling, parent and family functioning. The internal consistency of the Impact on Sibling scale was higher for families with children with chronic illness compared with the other two diagnostic groups.
Conclusion   The Impact on Sibling scale is a brief set of items that can help identify siblings who are negatively affected by a brother/sister's illness. Findings support further research on the Impact on Sibling scale, particularly with families of children with chronic illnesses.     

体外短波热疗联合前列腺灸及哈乐治疗非细菌性前列腺炎和前列腺痛疗效观察

目的 探讨慢性非细菌性前列腺炎（CNP）和前列腺痛（PD）的治疗方法。方法 应用体外短波热疗联合前列腺灸及α1A-肾上腺素能受体阻滞剂哈乐治疗CNP和PD患者26例，疗程8周。观察治疗前后前列腺炎症状评分（CPSI）与最大尿流率（MFR）变化。结果 有效率为80．8％。治疗前后CPSI和MFR均有显著改善（P〈0．05）。结论 体外短波热疗联合前列腺灸及哈乐治疗CNP和PD安全有效。     

应用个体化营养方案对COPD患者病情影响的研究

目的　研究应用个体化营养方案对慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (COPD)患者进行营养治疗后的病情变化 ,评价个体化营养方案对病情的影响 ,阐明个体化营养方案的治疗价值。方法　选择 80例COPD患者 ,随机分为实验组与对照组 ,实验组应用个体化方案进行营养治疗 ,对照组采用普通膳食 ,观察营养状况、临床表现、病情急性发作次数、住院次数、治疗费用、并发症、呼吸衰竭发生率、死亡率、肺通气功能的变化。结果　实验组营养状况显著好于对照组P <0. 0 5 ,实验组病情急性发作次数、住院天数减少 ,治疗费用降低 ,与对照组比 ,差异显著P <0 . 0 5 ,实验组临床表现减轻 ,与对照组比差异显著P <0 . 0 5 ,实验组患者肺功能有所改善 ,差异显著P <0 . 0 5 ,实验组并发症、呼衰发生率、死亡率与对照组比显著降低P <0 . 0 5。结论　个体化营养方案简便易行、科学、经济 ,患者易接受 ,应用该个体化营养方案对COPD患者实施营养支持 ,营养效果明显 ,能确切改善患者病情。     

氨溴索对慢性阻塞性肺疾病大鼠模型肺的保护作用

①目的　探讨氨溴索对肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF α)在慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (COPD)大鼠模型肺内表达与分布的影响以及肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞超微结构的影响。②方法　实验大鼠随机分为 3组 :健康对照组 (n =8) ,COPD模型组 (n =1 2 ) ,氨溴索干预组 (n =1 2 )。采用熏吸香烟并气管内注入脂多糖法建立大鼠COPD模型 ,氨溴索干预组于COPD模型开始建立时腹腔注射氨溴索溶液 4 0mg/ (kg·d) ,连续 4 0d。观察各组气道炎症的病理特点、超微结构特点、血气指标、肺泡平均内衬间隔、平均肺泡数。应用原位杂交法检测TNF α基因表达的相对含量。③结果　所建COPD模型的病理以及病理生理学改变符合人类COPD的特点。氨溴索干预组肺泡平均内衬间隔、平均肺泡数、TNF α表达强度与健康对照组、COPD模型组比较差异有显著性 (F =3.2 4～ 1 1 .1 1 ,q =4 .74～ 36 .2 2 ,P <0 .0 1 ) ;动脉血氧分压、二氧化碳分压差异亦有显著性 (F =3.30、8.79,q =3.5 0～ 8.6 9,P <0 .0 5 )。 ④结论　长期应用氨溴索对COPD大鼠模型气道炎症有明显的抑制作用     

慢性丙肝患者干扰素治疗前后血清细胞因子的变化

目的 :探讨细胞因子在慢性丙型肝炎发病机制中的作用。方法:2 0例慢性丙型肝炎患者应用干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒治疗 2 4周。于治疗前后用 EL ISA法检测血清 IL- 2、IFN- γ、IL- 4、IL- 10水平 ,同时检测生化和病毒指标并观察不良反应。结果:抗病毒治疗后 IL- 2、IFN- γ、IL- 4、IL- 10水平发生了明显变化。与治疗前比较 ,IL- 2、IFN- γ水平逐渐升高 ,IL- 4、IL- 10水平逐渐降低 ,其中 IL- 2、IL- 10水平变化具有统计学意义 (P<0 .0 1)。对干扰素完全应答者 15例 ,IL- 2、IL- 10水平变化具有统计学意义 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;无应答者 5例 ,IL- 2、IFN- γ、IL- 4、IL- 10水平变化无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。抗病毒治疗过程中无严重不良反应。 结论:IL - 2、IL - 4、IL - 10、IFN-γ共同参与了丙型肝炎的发病。干扰素联合利巴韦林通过调整机体的免疫状态而发挥抗病毒效应 ,IL - 2、IL - 10可以作为预测抗病毒疗效的指标之一。