Association between sensitized to food allergens and childhood allergic respiratory diseases in Taiwan

BackgroundSensitization to allergen has long been known to be relate to childhood allergic diseases. Polysensitised children have more severe atopic diseases, whereas allergic rhinitis or asthma children with cosensitized to food and inhalant allergens were under-researched.ObjectiveTo realize the association between sensitization to food allergens and pediatric allergic rhinitis and asthma in Taiwan.MethodsWe included 138 participants with sensitized to allergen as assessed by serum-specific IgE. 87 of 138 participants had allergic rhinitis and 51 participants had asthma. All participants underwent a physical examination and measurement of serum total and specific IgE values. Besides, nasal peak expiratory flow rate (nPEFR) that was performed by the participants with allergic rhinitis and were requested to complete the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaires (PRQLQ). Lung function test and asthma control test (ACT)/child asthma control test (C-ACT) were performed by the participants with asthma.Results39 of 87 allergic rhinitis participants with sensitized to food and inhalant allergens (AR food group), 48 of 87 allergic rhinitis participants with sensitized to inhalant allergen alone (AR inhalant group). The AR food group had significantly lower nPEFR values and higher total IgE values (p < 0.05) compared with the AR inhalant group. The AR food group had higher PRQLQ scores than the AR inhalant group. 24 of 51 asthma participants with sensitized to food and inhalant allergens (Asthma food group), 27 of 51 asthma participants with sensitized to inhalant allergen alone (Asthma inhalant group). The Asthma food group had significantly higher total IgE values (p < 0.05) compared with the Asthma inhalant group. The Asthma food group had lower lung function test values and asthma control test (ACT) scores than the other group.ConclusionsChildren with cosensitized to food and inhalant allergens have more severe clinical symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings. Sensitization to food allergen was more related to pediatric allergic rhinitis than asthma. We may need larger, longer and extended studies to confirm these findings.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: Comparison of arterial vs. venous activated clotting time

When arterial blood samples for activated clotting time (ACT) are difficult to obtain from the arterial sheath during coronary intervention, venous ACT serves as a substitute. Data are lacking on whether arterial and venous ACT are identical and whether one can serve as an effective substitute for the other. Forty-eight patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were prospectively evaluated to answer this question. Simultaneous arterial and venous ACT samples were drawn from femoral artery and vein vascular sheaths before and during each procedure, and ACT values were determined with a Hemochron automated electronic timer. Porcine heparin dosing was guided by arterial ACT in the first 25 patients and by venous ACT in the last 23 patients. The target ACT value used for continued heparin dosing was 400 sec. At baseline and throughout the study up to 60 min, venous ACT was slightly and significantly greater than arterial ACT. Despite this statistical difference in ACT values, there was no difference in complication rate between the two groups, and the amount of heparin used during either guiding regimen was the same. Therefore, although venous ACT values are slightly higher than arterial, the more convenient venous ACT can be safely used to guide heparin dosing during PTCA when using a target ACT value of 400 sec. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Survey of consumer and non-consumer mental health service providers on assertive community treatment teams in Ontario

Reflecting the increasing trend of consumers as providers in mental health services, the standards for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Ontario, Canada require the hiring of at least 0.5 full-time equivalent consumer as a service provider. Through a mail-out survey, we explored how the consumer position has been integrated into these ACT teams. It was found that despite some variation in the roles and degree of integration of the consumers on these teams, consumers were generally well-incorporated team members with equal or better job satisfaction as compared to other employees.     

哮喘控制测试在中国应用的可行性研究

目的探讨哮喘控制测试表在中国应用的可行性。方法对44例支气管激发试验或支气管舒张试验阳性并闻及哮鸣音的支气管哮喘患者按GINA的治疗规范治疗2,3个月后,测定FEV1及FEV1%并同时填写5分制哮喘生存质量量表和ACT量表,并以生存质量量表数据分组进行统计学处理,比较两种量表的趋同性和一致性,并用FEV1%数据进行对比验证,同时通过相关分析对两种量表进行相关度和可信度检验。结果5分制哮喘生存质量量表与ACT和FEV1%具有良好的趋同性和一致性,且生存质量量表与ACT量表呈明显的正相关关系并具显著意义(r=0.709,P=0.000)。结论ACT完全可在中国应用,尤其在乡镇基层文化程度不高的患者群和欠缺肺功能测定设备的卫生院,ACT不失为一种可信度高的哮喘控制评价工具。另一方面,哮喘控制良好与否与患者吸入气雾剂或干粉的方法有密切关系,医务工作者有必要将正确的吸入方法交授给支气管哮喘患者。     

A comparison study of autism spectrum disorder referrals 1997 and 1989

A number of overseas studies have indicated an increase in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the Australian Capital Territory, information (number, age, sex, final diagnosis) was gathered on all children referred for suspected ASD to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service during 1997, and the findings were compared with those from a similar study in 1989. It was found that (1) there was a 200% increase in positive diagnoses of ASD in 1997 despite a 0.5% decrease in population, (2) there was a wider age range in the 1997 cohort, (3) there was a 26% increase in milder cases in 1997, and (4) the ratio of boys to girls decreased from 8:1 in 1989 to 3.5:1 in 1997. These findings are compared with those overseas, and questions are raised for further exploration.     

Prothrombin activity and concentration in healthy subjects with and without the prothrombin G20210A mutation

A synthetic pentasaccharide, containing an intact antithrombin III (ATIII) binding site that is in clinical studies a specific antifactor Xa agent, serves as a substrate for a heparin lyase (heparinase I, EC 4.2.2.7) from Flavobacterium heparinum. Heparinase I, currently being assessed as a heparin reversal agent, also reverses the antifactor Xa activity of this synthetic pentasaccharide by breaking it down to inactive disaccharide and trisaccharide products.     

不同病种心脏手术时肝素、鱼精蛋白的应用探讨

目的探讨各病种心脏手术体外循环中肝素、鱼精蛋白的应用剂量和方法。方法将我院近三年119例左房粘液瘤、房室间隔缺损、法四和风心病分成A,B、C、D四组，观察比较符组术中肝素和鱼精蛋白的用量。结果A组肝素用药量融著高于其它各组（P〈0．01），而其鱼精蛋白中和剂量显著低于其它符组（P〈0．01）。结论左房粘液瘤病例体外循环手术中存在肝素相对耐药现象；不同病种的心脏手术时鱼精蛋白拮抗肝素的比例不能一概相同。     

Editor's choice: A phase II,multicenter trial of rindopepimut (CDX-110) in newly diagnosed glioblastoma: the ACT III study

Background

The epidermal growth factor receptor variant III deletion mutation, EGFRvIII, is expressed in ∼30% of primary glioblastoma and linked to poor long-term survival. Rindopepimut consists of the unique EGFRvIII peptide sequence conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. In previous phase II trials (ACTIVATE/ACT II), rindopepimut was well tolerated with robust EGFRvIII-specific immune responses and promising progression-free and overall survival. This multicenter, single-arm phase II clinical trial (ACT III) was performed to confirm these results.

Methods

Rindopepimut and standard adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy were administered to 65 patients with newly diagnosed EGFRvIII-expressing (EGFRvIII+) glioblastoma after gross total resection and chemoradiation.

Results

Progression-free survival at 5.5 months (∼8.5 mo from diagnosis) was 66%. Relative to study entry, median overall survival was 21.8 months, and 36-month overall survival was 26%. Extended rindopepimut vaccination (up to 3.5+ years) was well tolerated. Grades 1–2 injection site reactions were frequent. Anti-EGFRvIII antibody titers increased ≥4-fold in 85% of patients, and increased with duration of treatment. EGFRvIII was eliminated in 4/6 (67%) tumor samples obtained after >3 months of therapy.

Conclusions

This study confirms, in a multicenter setting, the preliminary results seen in previous phase II trials of rindopepimut. A pivotal, double-blind, randomized, phase III trial (“ACT IV”) is under way.