Survey to determine the efficacy and safety of guideline-based pharmacological therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients not previously receiving maintenance treatment

Objective: To investigate the potential beneficial effects of guideline-based pharmacological therapy on pulmonary function and quality of life (QOL) in Japanese chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients without prior treatment.

Research design and methods: Multicenter survey, open-label study of 49 Japanese COPD patients aged ≥ 40 years; outpatients with >10 pack years of smoking history; ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70%; predicted FEV₁ < 80%; treated with bronchodilators and/or inhaled corticosteroids as maintenance therapy until week 48.

Main outcome measures: The primary endpoint was change in pulmonary function (trough FEV₁, trough FVC); secondary endpoints were QOL and physical activity at 48 weeks after initiation of therapy.

Results: Airway reversibility was confirmed in untreated patients. Significant changes over time were not observed for FEV₁ and FVC, indicating lung function at initiation of treatment was maintained during the observation period. COPD assessment test scores showed statistical and clinical improvements. Cough, sputum, breathlessness, and shortness of breath were significantly improved.

Conclusions: Lung function and QOL of untreated Japanese COPD patients improved and improvements were maintained by performing a therapeutic intervention that conformed to published guidelines.     

Endoscopically assisted transoral resection of a Bailey type IV second branchial cleft cyst: A case report

Rationale:The diagnosis of type IV branchial cleft cyst (BCC) according to the Bailey classification is very challenging due to lack of specific clinical manifestations in the early stage of the disease. Here, we present the transoral surgical route of endoscopic resection of second BCC in the parapharyngeal space (PPS) with good outcomes.Patient concerns:A 21-year-old man with a 1-year history of snoring complained about sore throat for 1 month and a fever that lasted for 3 days.Diagnoses:On admission, physical examination revealed a temperature of 39°C, pain when swallowing accompanied with a lump sensation in the throat, and inability to open mouth more than 3 cm. Blood testing revealed 19.29 × 10⁹ white blood cells (WBCs)/L and 14.94 × 10⁹ neutrophils/L. A cervical computed tomography (CT) examination revealed a mass with liquid density of 6.2 × 4.0 × 7.7 cm³ in the left parapharyngeal space (PPS) and pharyngeal cavity stenosis. Postoperative pathology showed the existence of lymphoepithelial cysts (left PPS), which was in accordance with the diagnosis of BCC.Interventions:The patient was administered 1.5 g ceftazidime every 12 hours, anti-inflammatory drugs, and incision drainage was performed subsequently. Then, endoscopy-assisted resection of the left PPS was performed via the transoral route. We used low-temperature plasma and an 8-Fr Foley catheter with a water capsule during the surgery.Outcomes:After resection of the mass, the patient''s blood results returned to within the normal range and his symptoms improved. Five days postoperatively, the incision made in the palatine arch of the pharynx opened up by 1 cm, and eventually the wound and laceration healed. Normal oral eating was restored, and no complications were observed.Lessons:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and color Doppler ultrasound can be useful to diagnose BCC in PPS, which rarely occurs in the clinical setting. Extended endoscopy provides a satisfactory surgical field for trans-oral resection allowing complete resection of the BCC without serious postoperative complications.     

Impact of amniotic fluid “sludge” on the risk of preterm delivery

Objective: To evaluate the impact of amniotic fluid “sludge” (AFS) on the risk of preterm delivery and to describe the effect of antibiotic treatment in that situation.

Methods: Case–control study including singleton pregnancies with or without AFS, between 15–32 weeks of gestation. Factors associated with preterm delivery before 32 weeks, 34 weeks and 37 weeks were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Since all women with AFS in this study were treated with antibiotics, a historical comparison was performed with similar patients with AFS found before 2007 and not treated with antibiotics.

Results: AFS was observed in 90/1220 patients (7.4%). AFS was associated with shorter cervical length, greater body mass index, cervical cerclage and preterm birth before 28 weeks. However, after adjustment, AFS did not remain associated with preterm delivery before 32 or 34 weeks. The historical comparison suggested that azithromycin could significantly reduce the risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks (odds ratio: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.04–0.92).

Conclusions: AFS, treated with azithromycin, was associated with a higher risk of prematurity, but not independently after adjustment for cervical length and second trimester vaginal bleeding. Further studies need to evaluate the effect of antibiotics in pregnancies with AFS.     

Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional ultrasound for fetal nasal bone evaluation in the second trimester

Objectives: To compare two-dimensional with three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of the fetal nasal bone in the second trimester.

Methods: A prospective, non-interventional study was conducted, in 55 singleton fetuses, between 18 and 24 weeks’ gestation. Fetal nasal bone length was measured in the midsagittal plane by two-dimensional imaging and in the midsagittal and coronal plane with three-dimensional ultrasound. All three measurements were compared with one another using one-way repeated samples-measures ANOVA and paired samples t-test.

Results: The average fetal nasal bone length (mean?±?SD) as determined by the three methods was 7.01?±?0.94?mm for the two-dimensional midsagittal, 6.96?±?1.34?mm for the three-dimensional midsagittal, and 6.98?±?1.32?mm for the three-dimensional coronal plane; comparisons between one another were not statistically significant. Unilateral hypoplasia and bifid shape of the fetal nasal bone were detected in 8.2% and 20.4% of cases, respectively, by three-dimensional ultrasound, whereas all cases evaded detection with two-dimensional ultrasound (p?<?0.001 and p?=?0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: Fetal nasal bone length measured with two-dimensional ultrasound does not differ significantly from three-dimensional measurements. However, three-dimensional ultrasound is superior in detecting unilateral nasal bone hypoplasia or absence and in assessing fetal nasal bone shape. Hence, fetal nasal bone examination in the second trimester should include three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation.     

200例超声在瘢痕子宫再次妊娠分娩方式选择的意义

目的：探究200例超声在瘢痕子宫再次妊娠分娩方式选择的意义。方法选取2010年9月至2013年9月该院接收的200例均有1次剖宫产史的妊娠晚期孕妇进行回顾性分析,所有病例均先采取经腹部或阴道超声,再将腹部联合阴道超声检测,并将联合超声检测结果与剖宫产术中验证结果进行比较,同时观察子宫瘢痕分级对其妊娠分娩结局进行观察对比。结果（1）观察组200例孕妇联合超声检测子宫瘢痕显影率（100．0％）显著高于单纯经腹超声检测（92．0％）和单纯经阴道超声检测（96．5％）,差异有统计学意义（ P＜0．05）;联合超声检测子宫瘢痕分级诊断与术中验证瘢痕分级进行比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。（2）Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级瘢痕组孕妇剖宫产率、术中出血量及术后24 h出血量均显著高于Ⅰ级瘢痕组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。结论联合超声检测能有效提升子宫瘢痕检测诊断符合率,明确瘢痕愈合情况有效选择分娩方式。     

Cluster Analysis of Vulnerable Groups in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Objective

To analyze the complex relation between various social indicators that contribute to socioeconomic status and health care barriers.

Frequency of small-colony variants and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in cystic fibrosis patients

Background

Small-colony variants (SCVs) are a distinct phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus, known for their role in chronic, difficult to treat infections, including cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. The goal of this study was to characterize SCV MRSA infection in an adult and pediatric CF population and to identify antibiotic susceptibility patterns unique to SCV MRSA.

Safety assessment for octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionate (CAS Reg. No. 2082-79-3) from use in food contact applications

Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (CAS Reg. No. 2082-79-3), currently marketed as Irganox 1076 (I-76), is a sterically hindered phenolic antioxidant used in a variety of organic substrates, including those used in the manufacture of food contact articles. In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS), initiated a post-market re-evaluation of the food contact applications of I-76. This project aimed to ensure that current dietary exposures from the use of I-76 in food contact articles are accurately captured and the safety assessment considered all relevant and available toxicological information. To accomplish these aims, the USFDA reviewed the available toxicological studies and chemistry information on food contact applications of I-76. Based on this in-depth analysis, a NOAEL of 64 mg/kg-bw/d (female rats) from a chronic rat study and a cumulative estimated dietary intake (CEDI) of 4.5 mg/p/d, was used to calculate a margin of exposure (MOE) of ∼850. We concluded that the previous and current exposure levels provide an adequate margin of safety (MOS) and remain protective of human health for the regulated uses.