Latent structure of intermittent explosive disorder in an epidemiological sample

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is characterized by distinct periods of impulsive aggression marked by assaultive acts or destruction of property. However, impulsive aggression is also a feature of other disorders, all of which are viewed in diagnostic nomenclature as qualitatively distinct from IED. This state of affairs is problematic for categorical models unless it is demonstrated empirically that IED-related impulsive aggression is qualitatively distinct from impulsive aggression observable in other axis I and II disorders. The current study addresses this question using taxometric methods to examine the latent structure of IED. Participants were respondents on the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys, which obtained data on a range of disorders including intermittent explosive disorder (N = 20,013) and a range of psychological variables. Indicator variables used were drawn from the survey items and submitted to select taxometric methods (MAMBAC and MAXEIG) to determine the relative fits of a taxonic versus dimensional model. The results of taxometric analyses provided support for a taxonic, rather than dimensional, structure for IED symptoms in the epidemiological sample. Taxon group membership was associated with treatment seeking, family history of anger attacks, lower age of onset of anger attacks, and male biological sex, providing strong support for the validity of the IED taxon.     

The role of cilostazol in the treatment of intermittent claudication

SUMMARY

This paper represents a review, by experts, of current opinion and information on intermittent claudication (IC) and the role that cilostazol plays in its treatment. IC is a common and debilitating condition that has a significant adverse impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). It is currently under-recognised as a powerful marker of increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The clinical priority is secondary prevention – sometimes referred to as best medical therapy aimed at reducing CV risk. However, the priority for most patients (often overlooked by clinicians) is symptom relief: an increase in walking distance leading to an improvement in HR-QoL. The symptoms of IC may be improved by exercise, pharmacotherapy, and when these are unsuitable or unsuccessful, endovascular or surgical intervention.     

双相气道正压通气治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征

目的:探讨双相气道正压通气在治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)的安全性和有效性。方法:随机将26例ARDS患者分为BIPAP组和IPPV组,分别行机械通气,BIPAP14例,IPPV12例,观察两组在治疗前、后24h、治疗1周后不同时段血气分析、呼吸力学、血流动力学变化及两组镇静剂用量和治疗情况的比较。结果:17例(65.4%)治愈出院,9例死亡。BIPAP组机械通气时间[(11±6.2)d对(19±8.5)d]和镇静剂用量显著低于IPPV组(P<0.05)。IPPV组RR、PIP均显著高于BIPAP组(P<0.05)。两组治疗24h后PaO2均比治疗前明显升高,BIPAP组改善更明显。两组血流动力学无明显差异。结论:BIPAP人机协调好,肺损伤小,改善氧合,能有效、安全应用于治疗ARDS。     

微波对凡士林油纱条间歇灭菌的试验观察

目的:观察微波间歇灭菌对凡士林油纱条的灭菌效果。方法:将枯草杆菌黑色变种芽胞菌片放入10、20、30层凡士林油纱条的上、中、下层,微波(频率2 450MHz,功率650W),照射30、40、45、50min,于24~48h后再照射相同时间,每次照射后,取出菌片接种于无菌肉汤管中,37℃培养72h,观察有无菌膜生长,并测试温度和记录耗水量。结果:微波照射50min,经3次灭菌,可将各层凡士林油纱条的枯草杆菌黑色变种芽胞全部杀灭;30层油纱条照射45min,第2次灭菌,即可将枯草杆菌黑色变种芽胞全部杀灭;温度在75℃~85℃之间,耗水量为205~285ml。结论:30层内的凡士林油纱条经微波间歇灭菌3次,每次50min,可全部达到灭菌。     

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation in critically ill neonates: 3 years of experience

A heterogeneous group of 45 neonates with severe pulmonary disease and inadequate gas exchange on conventional intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) was treated with a high-frequency oscillator combined with an IMV (HFO-IMV) system (Emerson Airway Vibrator connected to a BABYBird 1 ventilator). The mean gestational age was 33 weeks (25.5–43) and mean birth weight 2.02 kg (0.66–4.24). Primary diagnoses included respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 23), pneumonia (12), persistent fetal circulation (PFC; 6), diaphragmatic hernia/hypoplastic lungs (4). The IMV rate was reduced from 78 to 29 BPM (P0.0005), while maintaining lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) (P<0.005) and higher partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) (P0.0025). Active air leaks were present in 20 infants and these infants responded most favourably to HFO-IMV. HFO-IMV failed to improve ventilation in neonates with diaphragmatic hernia/hypoplastic lungs. Complications during HFO-IMV were increased pulmonary secretions (11), worsening or recurrence of pre-existing air leaks (11), or occurrence of new air leaks (10). In 4 patients death was related to major air leak complications. Twenty-four infants died, 18 of them of a respiratory cause. Twenty-one infants finally survived. We assembled a well-tolerated system to provide HFO-IMV and to successfully ventilate neonates with severe respiratory disease, who failed to respond to conventional IMV. Initiation of HFO-IMV earlier in the course of the disease in this type of infant may improve survival.Abbreviations BPM breaths per minute - FiO₂ fraction of inspired oxygen - HFI high-frequency flow interrupter - HFJ(V) high-frequency jet (ventilation) - HFO high-frequency oscillation - HFO-IMV high-frequency oscillation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation - HFPP(V) high-frequency positive pressure (ventilation) - IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation - P(a)CO₂ partial pressure of (arterial) carbon dioxide - P(a)O₂ partial pressure of (arterial) oxygen - Paw mean airway pressure - PFC persistent fetal circulation - PIE pulmonary interstitial emphysema - PIP peak inspiratory pressure - RDS (infant) respiratory distress syndrome     

Recurrent nonstatus generalized seizures alter the developing chicken brain

PURPOSE: Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the evolution of seizure-induced pathology in epileptic, carrier, and normal chickens. Our objective was to determine whether repetitively evoked seizures in an epileptic fowl model of generalized seizures resulted in altered brain development. METHODS: Data were obtained from seizure and control groups at 45, 90, and 180 days after hatching. RESULTS: At 180 days, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the optic tectum and archistriatum of the stimulated epileptic chicks were reduced, whereas ADC values in the nonstimulated group remained unchanged. The mean brain volume of epileptic chickens from the stimulated group was smaller than that from the nonstimulated group at 90 and 180 days. CONCLUSIONS: These findings establish that recurrent seizures modify the brain matrix.     

PAD. Epidemiology and pathophysiology

The real prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is considerably underestimated if only symptomatic patients (i.e those with Intermittent Claudication) are taken into account instead of subjects with instrumental abnormalities such as a low Ankle–Branchial Index (ABI). The risk of both—fatal and non-fatal—cardiovascular events is particularly high in these patients either presenting with symptoms or asymptomatic. On the contrary the tendency to local worsening (need of revascularization or amputation of leg) is reduced. PAD is markedly prevailing in elderly, with a peak of incidence after the fifth decade of life. Owing to this, Owing to this, the prevalence is not significantly different in men compared to women. The risk factors related to PAD are the same as those observed in the other locations of atherosclerosis but cigarette smoking and diabetes seem to be more often associated to PAD than the remaining factors.     

A Spanner in the works: the use of a new temporary urethral stent to relieve bladder outflow obstruction after prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE: Assessment of the Spanner, a new temporary urethral stent to relieve bladder outflow obstruction and urinary symptoms after brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Five patients with unusually severe urinary morbidity after (125)I brachytherapy were recruited. The mean time after implant was 40 days (range 25-90). Spanner intraprostatic stents were introduced using topical anesthetic without complication. RESULTS: All patients were able to void spontaneously with no post-void residual volume of urine. The flow rates increased in all cases (p=0.03) and the International Prostate Symptom Scores were significantly improved after stent insertion in all patients (p=0.03). All patients experienced some degree of pain or dysuria during stent use. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder outflow obstruction was effectively treated with the Spanner intraprostatic stent, however pain limited the use of the device in the early post-brachytherapy patient group. Pharmacotherapy, stent design modification, or smaller stent diameter may increase the utility of stents after brachytherapy.     

实现节能、高效和高收率的现代化连续中药生产线

介绍一种节能、高效和高收率的紧凑而又节省投资的连续化中药生产线。