The effect of Benson’s relaxation response on sleep quality and anorexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial

Background and objectivesPatients with cancer experience many side effects due to its nature and usual treatments. Sleep disorders and anorexia are the most commonly reported symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Benson's Relaxation Response (BRR) on sleep quality and anorexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methodology and participantsIn the present clinical trial, a total of 84 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. Benson's relaxation response was administered to the experimental group twice a day over 5 consecutive days. Data was collected using St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ) and anorexia questionnaire with Visual Analog Scale (VAS).ResultsThe results of our study showed a significant improvement in the sleep quality in the experimental group at 24 (p = 0.02) and 48 (p = 0.001) hours after the intervention compared to the control group. Benson's relaxation response (BRR) also had a significant effect on the anorexia in the experimental group at 24 (7.5 ± 1.6) and 48 (6.9 ± 2.1) hours after the intervention compared to the control group. No side effects were reported during the study and follow-up period.ConclusionBenson's relaxation response as a complementary method may improve sleep quality and anorexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further studies with greater sample size and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the current findings.     

Sensory evoked potentials in patients with Rett syndrome through the lens of animal studies: Systematic review

ObjectiveSystematically review the abnormalities in event related potential (ERP) recorded in Rett Syndrome (RTT) patients and animals in search of translational biomarkers of deficits related to the particular neurophysiological processes of known genetic origin (MECP2 mutations).MethodsPubmed, ISI Web of Knowledge and BIORXIV were searched for the relevant articles according to PRISMA standards.ResultsERP components are generally delayed across all sensory modalities both in RTT patients and its animal model, while findings on ERPs amplitude strongly depend on stimulus properties and presentation rate. Studies on RTT animal models uncovered the abnormalities in the excitatory and inhibitory transmission as critical mechanisms underlying the ERPs changes, but showed that even similar ERP alterations in auditory and visual domains have a diverse neural basis. A range of novel approaches has been developed in animal studies bringing along the meaningful neurophysiological interpretation of ERP measures in RTT patients.ConclusionsWhile there is a clear evidence for sensory ERPs abnormalities in RTT, to further advance the field there is a need in a large-scale ERP studies with the functionally-relevant experimental paradigms.SignificanceThe review provides insights into domain-specific neural basis of the ERP abnormalities and promotes clinical application of the ERP measures as the non-invasive functional biomarkers of RTT pathophysiology.     

Inactivated influenza vaccine formulated with single-stranded RNA-based adjuvant confers mucosal immunity and cross-protection against influenza virus infection

Influenza vaccination is considered the most valuable means to prevent and control seasonal influenza infections, which causes various clinical symptoms, ranging from mild cough and fever to even death. Among various influenza vaccine types, the inactivated subunit type is known to provide improved safety with reduced reactogenicity. However, there are some drawbacks associated with inactivated subunit type vaccines, with the main ones being its low immunogenicity and the induction of Th2-biased immune responses. In this study, we investigated the role of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) derived from the intergenic region in the internal ribosome entry site of the Cricket paralysis virus as an adjuvant rather than the universal vaccine for a seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine. The ssRNA adjuvant stimulated not only well-balanced cellular (indicated by IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) and humoral (indicated by IgG1 and IL-4) immune responses but also a mucosal immune response (indicated by IgA), a key protector against respiratory virus infections. It also increases the HI titer, the surrogate marker of influenza vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, ssRNA adjuvant confers cross-protective immune responses against heterologous influenza virus infection while promoting enhanced viral clearance. Moreover, ssRNA adjuvant increases the number of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which can be expected to induce long-term immune responses. Therefore, this ssRNA-adjuvanted seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine might be the best influenza vaccine generating robust humoral and cellular immune responses and conferring cross-protective and long-term immunity.     

卒中后抑郁患者的交感神经皮肤反应与事件相关电位对照研究

目的探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)与事件相关电位(ERP)对卒中后抑郁患者的诊断价值。方法对55例卒中后抑郁患者和52例正常健康者分别进行了SSR和ERP测定,并将结果加以比较。结果卒中后抑郁组中SSR和ERP测定中的P300成分异常率分别为87.3%(48/55)和83.6%(46/55),两者异常吻合率为76.4%(42/55)。卒中后抑郁组SSR测定结果中,SSR潜伏期和波幅值较对照组延长和降低,其差异具有显著性(P<0.01),ERP测定中N2、P3波潜伏期和P3波幅较对照组分别延长和降低,存在显著性差异(P<0.01)。其中N2、P3波潜伏期与SSR测定中潜伏期以及波幅与波幅之间呈正相关(r=0.29~0.36,P<0.01),而两者潜伏期与波幅之间呈负相关(r=-0.32~-0.33,P<0.01)。结论交感神经皮肤反应和事件相关电位测定可作为卒中后抑郁患者的诊断指标应用于临床。     

腹腔镜和开腹结直肠手术的炎性反应比较

目的对比分析腹腔镜和开腹结直肠手术患者全身和腹腔炎性反应的差异,为腹腔镜手术对结直肠肿瘤中的应用提供理论依据。方法对51例2004年4-8月间收治的乙状结肠和直肠恶性肿瘤患者,采用腹腔镜辅助手术25例(LAP组),开腹手术26例(OPEN组)。术毕骶前留置引流管。观察并比较两组患者的一般情况和炎性反应及与手术相关的各项指标。结果两组患者在年龄、性别、ASA分级、术前血红蛋白及白蛋白水平、肿瘤Dukes分期和手术方式差异均无统计学意义(P＞0．05)。在切口长度、手术时间、肠道功能恢复时间、住院时间的比较中,LAP组占有明显优势(P＜0．05)。腹腔引流量在术后第1天,两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0．05)；而术后2-4 d,LAP组明显低于OPEN组(P＜0．05)。LAP组术后第1天,周围血中性粒细胞[(7．30±2．62)×10~9/L]、白介素(IL)-10[(19．46±3．31)pg/ml]和C反应蛋白(CRP)[(2．76±2．17)mg/dl]水平均显著低于OPEN组(P＜0．05)。术后第4天两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0．05)。术后第1天,两组腹腔引流液的IL-10、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)及CRP水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0．05),术后第4天LAP组IL-10 [(22．53±15．47)pg/ml]明显低于OPEN组(P＜0．05)。结论术后早期,腹腔镜结直肠手术的腹腔炎性反应与开腹手术相当,而全身炎性反应较开腹手术轻。腹腔镜结直肠手术临床上体现出恢复快、并发症少、住院天数少的优势。     

Incidence and Prognosis of Organ Failure in Severely Injured Children and Adult Patients

Abstract Background: Does there exist a difference in the outcome of severely injured children and severely injured healthy adults? Methods: The data of 1,566 severely injured patients, treated between May 1998 and December 2002 in our emergency department of the University Essen/Germany, were analyzed. Patients with an injury severity score (ISS) > 24 were included in the present study. Patients younger as 18 (17) years were located to the children group c. Patients aged 18 and up to the age of 54 were included in the adult group a. Results: Fifty-four children and 252 adults met the selection criteria. ISS and the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) before intubation were not statistically different in both groups. Seriously injured children stayed significantly shorter on the intensive care unit, required significantly less ventilator days. Furthermore, the incidence of single organ failure (SOF) and multiple organ failure (MOF) was significantly lower in the children group. Mortality in the children group (29.6%) was lower than that in the adult group (33.7%). There was no death due to MOF in the children group as compared to 2.4% (n = 6) in the adults. Conclusion: The incidence of SOF and MOF was significantly lower in the children group although there was no difference in ISS, GCS and injury patterns. The prognosis of severely injured children was found to be better than those of adults. Moreover, there was no death due to MOF in the children group.     

Clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma that occur after sustained virological response to interferon for chronic hepatitis C

Background and Aim: This study investigated the clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with sustained virological response to interferon for hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Methods: A total of 7715 patients with HCV infection were treated with interferon and followed up for more than 1 year after withdrawal of interferon in 64 Japanese hospitals and clinics between July 1988 and August 2001. Sustained virological response was obtained in 2515 (32.6%) patients. Of these 2515 patients, clinical data were collected for 38 patients in whom hepatocellular carcinoma developed. Sustained virological response was defined as HCV RNA negativity more than 6 months after the termination of interferon. Results: All patients were HCV RNA negative at the time of diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The median period until the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma was 4.7 years (range 1.4–9.0 years). There were significant improvements in hepatic function including serum albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, indocyanine green test, platelet count and histological activity grade in comparison with those before interferon therapy and at the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma. The maximum tumor size in patients without medical follow‐up for 1 year or more (median: 60 mm) was significantly larger than in patients who were periodically followed up for 6 months or less (median: 25 mm) (P = 0.002). Conclusions: The present findings emphasize the importance of regular medical follow up of patients with HCV infection, as even patients showing a sustained virological response to interferon and in whom hepatic function has improved have the potential to develop hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Sustained eosinophil cationic protein release into tears after a single high-dose conjunctival allergen challenge

Background The appearance of eosinophils is a hallmark sign of the allergic late-phase response (LPR). Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), a readily measurable product released from activated eosinophils, has so far not been evaluated in the ocular LPR. Objective Two sets of trials were performed in order to investigate changes of local and systemic eosinophil activity and their possible link with symptoms and hyper-reactivity in the allergic LPR in the eye. Methods In the first experiment, ECP was analysed in tears and serum and the clinical reaction was evaluated during a 72-h time–course after a single, high-dose allergen challenge out of season in one eye of 15 pollen-sensitized volunteers. In a second experiment, the hypothesis of an increased clinical response to an allergen challenge in an eye that had been provoked with allergen 48h previously was tested in nine sensitized individuals. Results In the first experiment, symptoms at 10 min and 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h significantly exceeded base line scores of the challenged eyes. Tear ECP was significantly elevated in challenged eyes compared to contralateral eyes at 6, 8 and 24 h. In addition, symptoms and ECP release correlated significantly at the 24-h evaluation. Serum ECP remained unchanged throughout the study period. In the second experiment, conjunctival hyperreactivity 48h after an allergen challenge was not confirmed. Conclusion ECP secretion occurs in the experimental ocular LPR and is in part associated with the magnitude of the clinical reaction, which suggests a truly pathogenic role of the activated eosinophil in pollen-induced allergic conjunctivitis.