Levocabastine compared with sodium cromoglygate eyedrops in children with both birch and grass pollen allergy

Fifty–five children 6–16 years old with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to both birch and grass pollinosis were randomized into 2 parallel groups, treated in double–blind fashion with either levocabastinc (LEV) eye–drops twice daily plus placebo eyedrops twice daily or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) eyedrops 4 times daily for 3 months. Spersallerg® (antazolini chloride + tetryzolini chloride) eyedrops were allowed as rescue medicine. All children received basic treatment with an antihistamine (terfenadine) during the complete trial period, and a local nasal corticosteroid if needed. Eye symptoms were recorded daily by the patients and at 4 visits by the investigator, at start and after 4, 10 and 13 weeks. Pollen counts were performed and a blood sample was collected at start and end of the treatment. The global evaluation of treatment was similar for the 2 groups, and there was no significant difference in any effect parameter except for the symptom, itchy eyes, which had lower score in the SCG group as evaluated by the investigator after 4 weeks. On days with low pollen counts the patients in the SCG group had fewer days with moderate or severe eye symptoms. It is concluded that even though LEV and SCG eyedrops were given in addition to systemic treatment with an antihistamine, no consistently significant differences in clinical effect were found between the 2 treatment groups, but the SCG group experienced slightly less eye symptoms throughout the trial. LEV eye–drops appear safe in long–term treatment in children, and no signs of tachyphylaxis were recorded.     

Single unit activity in the auditory cortex of a monkey performing a short term memory task

Summary Short term memory to tones (STMT) was investigated by recording single unit activity in the auditory cortex of a behaving monkey. The activity of each unit was studied in two behavioral conditions: a) During task performance, the monkey had to compare two tones separated by one second of silence (inter-stimulus interval), b) During a nonperforming period; the monkey heard the two tones but did not respond behaviorally. It was noted that the firing rate of many units during the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) was dependent on the frequency of the first tone. Such dependency was observed even towards the end of the ISI, both during task performance trials (50% of the units) and during the nonperforming period (32% of the units). The activity of these units could be the basis of STMT in both of these behavioral states. In 65% of all the units tested, the responses during the ISI were of a higher magnitude in the performance period than were the responses in the non-performance period. The activity of these units may be related either to general processes such as attention and expectation or to short-term memory processes. During task performance, the responses of 23% of the units to the second tone were dependent on whether its frequency was identical to that of the first tone. Such dependency was never observed during the non-performing period. These units may detect similarity or non similarity between two tones presented one second apart. Periodic patterns of firing were not found in the study, thus suggesting that the ISI responses were not generated by reverberatory activity in simple closed loops. On the basis of these results, several alternative mechanisms of STMT are suggested.     

中长跑和芭蕾舞运动中胫骨应力骨折的比较

胫骨应力骨折（ＳＦ）在芭蕾舞和中长跑运动员中均有一定发病率，作者调查某部新兵２６５人每日５０００米跑步，其胫骨应力骨折病发率为１１．６８％（３１／２６５人），骨折部位多在胫骨中段中后侧。芭蕾舞演员胫骨应力骨折病发率为８％（１５／６０人），骨折部位在胫骨下段前侧。应用新鲜尸体标本作负荷下胫骨多处的应变测定模拟跑步和足跟垫高模仿芭蕾舞时下肢负重位置的应变变化，分别于胫骨中段后侧测得有高压应力和胫骨下段前方有高张应力，此结果与调查中Ｘ线片病变部位相符。作者认为不同的运动使负重时胫骨所处姿势各不相同，而造成胫骨最大应力集中点位置各异，是造成芭蕾舞运动和中长跑运动中应力骨折部位不同的主要原因，预防和治疗工作应根据各自的应力性质和集中点部位来进行防治。     

Long QT interval syndrome with increased QT dispersion

This case report describes the anaesthetic management of a patient with sporadic-type long QT interval syndrome (LQTS), and increased QT dispersion, who presented for removal of an ovarian cyst. Beta adrenergic blockade and adequate depth of anaesthesia for successful management is emphasized. The Successful use of epidural administration of lignocaine and opioids in addition to general anaesthesia is described.     

The effect of supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy on breast milk immunoglobulin A, soluble CD14, cytokine levels and fatty acid composition

BACKGROUND: Breast milk contains many immunomodulatory factors (soluble CD14 (sCD14), IgA and cytokines) with the potential to influence infant immune development. OBJECTIVE: To determine if changes in breast milk omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) composition as a result of maternal dietary fish oil supplementation during pregnancy can modify levels of these immunological parameters in breast milk. METHOD: In a randomized controlled trial, 83 atopic women received either 4 g fish oil capsules (containing 3.7 g n-3 PUFA) (n = 40) or 4 g olive oil capsules (n = 43) from 20 weeks gestation until delivery. Breast milk was collected 3 days post-partum and fatty acids were analysed by gas liquid chromatography and IgA, sCD14 and cytokines (IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) were quantitated by ELISA or time resolved fluorescence (TRF). RESULTS: Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in breast milk from women supplemented with fish oil (n = 33, DHA mean 1.15%, SD 0.47% and EPA mean 0.16%, SD 0.07%) than in samples from the control group (n = 40, DHA mean 0.50%, SD 0.17% and EPA mean 0.05%, SD 0.02%). Breast milk arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6) levels were significantly lower (P = 0.045) in the fish oil group (mean 0.55%, SD 0.12%) compared with the control group (mean 0.61%, SD 0.14%). Breast milk IgA was positively correlated with DHA (P = 0.046) and 22:5n-3 (P = 0.003), but inversely correlated with linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) (P=0.034). Levels of sCD14 were also positively correlated with 22:5n-3 (P=0.009). Cytokines involved in IgA synthesis (IL-10 and IL-6) were also significantly correlated with both IgA and n-3 PUFA levels, although there were no differences in the levels of breast milk IgA, sCD14 or cytokines between study groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy significantly alters early post-partum breast milk fatty acid composition. omega-3 PUFA levels were positively associated with IgA and sCD14 levels, suggesting a relationship between fatty acid status and mucosal immune function.     

LONG‐TERM OUTCOME OF ENDOSCOPIC BALLOON DILATION IN OBSTRUCTIVE GASTROINTESTINAL CROHN's DISEASE

Background: Gastrointestinal strictures are the most often and serious complication in Crohn's disease. Because of the frequent postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease, endoscopic therapy of gastrointestinal stricture is one of the best therapeutic options. Method: The present study sets out the results from a prospective study of endoscopic dilation therapy on 48 Crohn's disease patients with severe gastrointestinal stenoses. All patients who could not undergo endoscopic balloon dilation therapy (EBD) were operated on. Results: Long‐term success was attained in 32 of the 48 patients; cumulative avoidance of surgery after EBD was 86% at one year and 71% at three. Second, the most hazardous factor was recurrent inflammation causing restenosis. Patients who had strictures with oral luminal dilatation and patients with frequent recurrence had a tendency to be operated on. As a complication, perforation occurred in two cases (3.3%). Conclusions: EBD therapy for Crohn's stricture in the gastrointestinal tract is recommended before surgical intervention.     

宫腔镜诊治异常子宫出血432例中长期随访结果

目的 评价宫腔镜手术治疗异常子宫出血的中长期随访结果。方法 回顾分析我院2002年1月～2005年11月经宫腔镜诊治异常子宫出血且随访〉12个月的432例临床资料,诊断良性疾患391例[子宫内膜息肉96例（22.2%）,子宫黏膜下肌瘤38例（8.8%）,子宫内膜增生过长257例（59.5%）],行息肉或肌瘤切除、子宫内膜电切术;诊断子宫内膜腺癌41例（9.5%）,均为Ⅰ期,行经腹全子宫双附件切除、选择性盆腔淋巴结清扫术。结果 手术均获成功,未发生子宫穿孔等并发症。391例良性病变中,术后随访12～57个月,平均39个月,闭经占16.1%（63/391）,月经量少（每周期〈10片卫生巾）18.9%（74/391）,月经量正常（每周期10～20片卫生巾）58.3%（228/391）,术后改善不明显占6.6%（26/391）。26例月经量仍多者术后用孕酮治疗,7例有多发子宫肌瘤,术后32～44个月行全子宫切除术,8例复查阴道彩超子宫内膜厚度〉1.5 cm,术后5～19个月第2次行宫腔镜子宫内膜切除术,继续随访18～36个月,月经量少3例,闭经5例。41例子宫内膜癌Ⅰ期术后随访26～41个月,平均38个月,均无瘤存活。结论 异常子宫出血的治疗在结合病理学检查除外恶性病变后首选宫腔镜手术,严格B超监测是提高手术疗效和手术安全的保障。     

Surgical treatment for carcinoma of the papilla of vater

Eighty of 89 patients who underwent radical resection (resectability 89.9%) for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater between 1976 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-three patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 7 underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). The postoperative mortality rate was only 3.8% (3 patients). The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 63.6% and 57.4%, respectively. Important factors influencing long-term survival were Stage (clinical stage = Stage), microscopic lymph node metastasis (n), duodenal wall invasion (d), vascular invasion (v), and the epithelium of origin. Early carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is defined as tumor in which invasion is limited within the papilla of Vater; in particular, carcinomatous invasion is within the muscle of Oddi (d₀) with n₀. PD and/or PPPD with radical lymph node dissection should be performed for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater, as these procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality.