Acute bronchodilatory effect of salmeterol on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in childhood asthma

Abstract A review of the literature highlights the need for research, particularly on the acute bronchodilatory effect of salmeterol on bronchoconstriction in the pediatric age group. The present study attempted to evaluate the acute bronchodilatory effect of salmeterol on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in childhood asthma and to compare it with the effect of salbutamol. Forty-four asymptomatic children with mild-to-moderate asthma (23 boys and 21 girls; aged7–17 years) were studied. At the beginning, the baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) was measured, and the methacholine challenge was performed by doubling the dose to determine PC₂₀ (provocative concentration of inhaled methacholine required to reduce FEV! by 20%). At the same time, the transcutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (S_ao₂) was also measured. Each subject inhaled a single dose of 25 μ salmeterol (n: 23, group I) or 100 μg salbutamol (n: 21, group II) following the Sp₂ measurement. The same measurements (FEV₁, S_ao₂) were repeated 5 and 20 min after the inhalation. After inhalation of salmeterol or salbutamol, the differences between the values of FEV₁ and S_aO₂ after 5 and 20 min were insignificant in both group I and group II (P > 0.05), although there was a significant improvement in both FEV₁ and S_aO₂ after 5 and 20 min (P < 0.005). From these findings it was concluded that salmeterol can be considered as effective as salbutamol on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction.     

In vitro measurements of aerodynamic characteristics of an improved tracheostoma valve for laryngectomees

Tracheostoma valves are often required in the rehabilitation process of speech after total laryngectomy. Patients are thus able to speak without using their hands to close the tracheostoma. The improved Groningen tracheostoma valve consists of a “cough” valve with an integrated (“speech”) valve, which closes for phonation. The cough valve opens as the result of pressure produced by the lungs during a cough. The speech valve closes by the airflow produced by the lungs, thus directing air from the lungs into the esophagus at a deliberately chosen moment. An experimental setup with a computer-based acquisition program was developed to measure the pressure at which the cough valve opened and the flow at which the speech valve closed. In addition, the airflow resistance coefficient of the tracheostoma valve was defined and measured with an open speech valve. Both dry air from a cylinder and humid expired air were used. Results showed a pressure range of 1–7 kPa to open the cough valve and a flow range of 1.2–2.7 l/s to close the speech valve. These values were readily attained during speech, while the flow range occurred above values reached in quiet breathing. The device appeared to function well in physiological ranges and was optimally adjustable to an individual setting. No significant differences were measured between air from a cylinder and humid expired air. Findings showed that methods used to obtain results could be employed as a reference method for comparing aerodynamic characteristics of tracheostoma valves. Received: 13 February 1997 / Accepted: 16 September 1997     

仙龙冲剂的抗肿瘤活性及其作用机理的研究

目的:研究仙龙方的体内、体外抑癌作用及机理。方法:用 BALB/C 小鼠,荷肝癌和艾氏癌实体瘤,经口给药,观察肿瘤的抑制程度和动物的生存状况。结果:给药组肿瘤生长曲线明显低于对照组。仙龙方还能延长荷瘤动物的生存期,生命延长率为30%～69%。体外实验显示仙龙方对人癌细胞的抑制有一个良好的剂量—效应关系,肝癌的曲线之回归系数 r=0.9983,IC_(50_值为14.8±2.8μg/ml;胃癌曲线的系数 r=0.9995,IC_(50)值为9.7±5.1μg/ml,表明胃癌细胞更敏感些。细胞学研究发现癌细胞的不同程度的损伤、核染色质的凝聚现象及内质网肿胀,流式光度术分析 DNA 组方图上出现了凋亡峰。结论:仙龙方有诱导癌细胞凋亡作用。     

中西医结合治疗溃疡性结肠炎经验

溃疡性结肠炎(UlcerativeColitis UC)又称非特异性结肠炎,是一种病因尚不十分清楚的直肠和结肠慢性非特异性炎症性疾病.其病变主要限于大肠粘膜和粘膜下层,临床表现为腹泻、黏液脓血便、腹痛等,是临床常见的疑难杂症之一.笔者从2003年3月～2005年6月应用四神丸治疗该病48例,效果满意.     

针刺取穴与骨折愈合疗效关系初探

目的:初步探讨针刺取穴与骨折愈合疗效的关系,为临床研究和应用提供参考,方法选用48只体重2.0～2.5 kg的雄性纯种大耳白家兔,手术造成新鲜桡骨骨折模型,用区组随机法分为局部和邻近取穴组(A组)、远道和辨证取穴组(B组)、局部和邻近取穴加远道和辨证取穴组(C组)、空白对照组(D组)共四组,术后第一天开始对治疗组分别做电针治疗,于术后7 d、14 d、28 d取材做血液生化学、生物力学、放射学、组织学的观测.比较各组间上述指标的差别.结果:血清碱性磷酸酶含量14 d时A组和C组明显高于B组和D组(P＜0.01),骨折标本抗弯强度在28 d时A组和C组明显高于B组和D组(P＜0.01),X线量化评分14 d和28d时A组和C组明显高于B组和D组(P＜0.05),在各个时段各个指标A组与C组、B组与D组比较均无显著差异(P>0.05).结论:局部和邻近取穴能明显促进骨折愈合,而且具有操作简便,易于推广等优点,远道和辨证取穴则效果不明显,与前者合用也没有明显增强前者的疗效.     

Lamotrigine-induced tic disorder: report of five pediatric cases

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical spectrum of lamotrigine (LTG)-induced tics (an uncommon side effect) in children. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients from our hospital-based practice who developed tics while on LTG. Data obtained from medical records, interviews with parents, video-EEGs, and homemade videotapes. RESULTS: Three males and two females (range, 2.5-12 years; mean, 6.9 years) developed a movement disorder within the first 10 months of therapy (maintenance doses, 4-17 mg/kg/day). Four patients exhibited simple motor tics; one patient experienced mostly vocal (i.e., gasping sounds) tics. Laryngoscopic evaluation of one 2.5-year-old with repetitive gasping sounds was normal. In three cases, tics resolved completely within 1 month of drug cessation; tics recurred in two of these patients after reintroduction of LTG. A fourth patient experienced gradual improvement after stopping LTG over 4 months; the fifth patient's simple motor tics improved spontaneously with a reduction in medication. None of the patients had clinical features of a neurodegenerative disorder, and none met diagnostic criteria for Tourette syndrome. Two patients, however, had a diagnosis of acquired epileptic aphasia syndrome, and one patient had nonprogressive expressive and receptive language dysfunction. A fourth patient had global static encephalopathy, and the fifth patient had only attentional problems. In all patients, tics were not associated with ictal EEG changes. CONCLUSIONS: LTG may infrequently induce simple motor tics, vocal tics, or both. Patients with severe language dysfunction may be particularly susceptible to this uncommon side effect. Further studies are necessary to clarify the population at risk.     

Rehabilitation in Charles Bonnet syndrome: a review of treatment options

People with vision loss sometimes experience visual hallucinations associated with Charles Bonnet syndrome. The appearance of these hallucinations often causes anxiety for the sufferer and can be difficult for the attending eye care professional to manage. A review of the literature highlighted a range of visual, pharmacological and social management regimes that may alleviate these hallucinations, albeit using small samples in uncontrolled trials. Eye care practitioners should be aware of methods of rehabilitation in Charles Bonnet syndrome that may lead to resolution of the visual hallucinations.     

陕西省农村沼气建设及其综合利用卫生效果与健康需求调查研究

目的了解农户沼气综合利用知识和相关卫生知识、态度、行为,沼气综合利用对农户卫生状况、健康状况的影响及相关信息来源、需求。方法采用专题小组访谈的定性方法,对骨干人群、乡村医生进行访谈。运用现场观察和随机抽样问卷调查的定量方法对农户进行调查。同时在每县采集样本,进行虫卵实验室检测。结果已建沼气的农户卫生状况和健康状况显著好于未建的农户(P<0.05);沼气相关知识知晓率和对沼气的认可态度持有率显著好于未建的农户(P<0.05);已建户和未建户沼气综合利用知识仅限于沼气做饭、沼液种植、沼渣施肥,其余用途知晓率较低(均不足45%);被调查对象对健康相关知识需求不高;农户相关信息主要获得途径为电视、广播等大众传媒、传单等健康教育宣传品和同伴宣传;除了希望从上述途径获得信息外,还希望从讲座、健康教育课等途径获得。结论农村沼气综合利用能够有效改善农村卫生条件和农户健康状况,节约能源、增加收入;以全国亿万农民健康促进行动为平台,加强多部门合作,利用各种群众喜闻乐见、易接受的传播途径,普及沼气相关知识和健康相关知识收到满意效果。     

在美欧非洲用中医治疗HIV、AIDS的体会

中医药具有纯天然、很少毒副作用和抗药性,并价廉适应面广特点,据笔者近10多年在美欧非洲几十个国家和地区的千余例HIV、AIDS病人的临床实践证实,中医中药、针灸对治疗HIV、AIDS疗效显著。     

岗梅根清喉颗粒的制备及临床疗效观察

目的研究岗梅根清喉颗粒的制备方法,并观察其临床疗效。方法与草珊瑚含片对照比较,观察其治疗咽喉炎症的临床疗效,并进行动物急性毒性试验。结果符合颗粒的质量要求。动物试验LD50>1208g生药/kg。治疗组与对照组总有效率均在85%以上,两者对咽喉炎症均具有明显的治疗作用。结论本颗粒组方合理,工艺可行,无毒性;临床疗效满意。