Are chronic wheezing and asthma-like attacks related to FEV1 decline? The Cracow study

Analysis is presented of the relationship between decline in ventilatory function and possible symptoms of bronchial hypereactivity. Data comes from three consecutive surveys within a 13-year follow-up study of a population sample of 1747 persons (718 males and 1029 females) who completed spirometric testing and interviews. Chest symptoms recorded in the two initial surveys were used as baselines for the prognostic study on FEV₁ change. To evaluate changes in lung function the FEV₁ decline index, expressed as percentage of FEV₁ loss during the study period, was calculated. Chronic wheezing and asthma-like attacks were very strongly related to FEV₁ baseline level. Multiple linear regression analysis for each separate symptom including age and smoking habits as confounders and showed that the FEV₁ decline index was higher and more significant when wheezing and asthma-like attacks or chronic cough were present. When the combination of symptoms were introduced into the regression model, the effect of wheezing became insignificant. Only attacks of shortness of breath in both sexes and chronic cough in women were significantly associated with more rapid FEV₁ decline. However, the effect of persistent wheezing in men had a rather substantial impact on FEV₁ change. Comparing the effect of the number of cigarettes smoked with the effect of symptoms, one can see that FEV₁ decline due to attacks of shortness of breath is comparable to that seen with heavy smoking. There was no strong evidence that the symptoms under study precede the more rapid FEV₁ decline.     

Approved indications of lipo-PGE1 in Japan

For its peripheral vascular dilating effect and platelet agglutination inhibitory activity, prostaglandin E₁ is used in the treatment of diseases which are likely to cause peripheral circulatory failure or thrombus. In Japan, lipo-PGE₁, which was developed to give it a target-directed nature by modifying the conventional PGE₁, has been used and found to be useful in clinical practice. In this report, we attempt to describe the clinical benefits of lipo-PGE₁ focusing on the diseases which have been approved for its indications.     

Computed tomography features immediately after replacement of haematoma with oxygen through percutaneous subdural tapping for the treatment of chronic subdural haematoma in adults

Summary In an effort to achieve a simple and less invasive method for the treatment of chronic subdural haematoma, replacement of the haematoma with oxygen by percutaneous subdural tapping was employed in 36 patients. This study was conducted on 23 haematomas in 20 patients, whose computed tomography (CT) scans immediately following the treatment were available for evaluation, with particular regard to distinguishing between their findings and those seen with tension pneumocephalus. The CT features werde divided into two patterns according to the location of oxygen; a convexity type (19 haematomas) and an interhemispheric type (4 haematomas). Analysis of the CT appearances revealed the oxygen was exclusively confined to the haematoma cavity, distinguishing it from the findings in tension pneumocephalus. This observation indicates the safety of replacement of the haematoma with oxygen when combined with our percutaneuous subdural tapping technique which prevents lesions of the inner haematoma membrane.     

慢性活动性肝炎中单核性细胞超微形态研究

经电镜观察,慢活肝中主要为淋巴细胞及单核巨噬细胞浸润。淋巴细胞分3型,通过4种方式与肝细胞接触,可能代表杀伤肝细胞的动态过程。与肝细胞接触的主要为起细胞毒作用的T_8~+Ⅱ型淋巴细胞及单核巨噬细胞。多数T_4~+淋巴细胞为Ⅰ型淋巴细胞,可能为T辅助细胞。在肝细胞损伤中,淋巴细胞及单核巨噬细胞均起重要作用。     

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Bipolaris spicifera: An informative case

A case of phaeohyphomycosis caused by Bipolaris spicifera involving the brain and sinuses is presented. The patient survived following surgery and ketoconazole therapy, which successfully treated both the sinus and the brain infections.     

鸟氨酸-天门冬氨酸联合乳果糖治疗肝性脑病疗效观察

目的探讨鸟氨酸-天门冬氨酸(雅博司)联合乳果糖治疗肝性脑病的疗效.方法选择56例肝性脑病患者,在综合性治疗的基础上,给鸟氨酸-天门冬氨酸20g/d静脉滴注;乳果糖20ml口服或鼻饲,每日三次.另选36例患者作为对照组,给一般综合性治疗,同时给乙酰谷酰胺1.0g/d静脉滴注,分别治疗20天.结果治疗组病死率明显下降,与对照组相比,有显著性差异(x2=4.02,P＜0.05),在降低血氨及促进脑电图改善方面,两组也存在显著性差异.结论雅博司联合乳果糖治疗慢性重型肝炎合并的肝性脑病,疗效显著,值得研究和应用.     

早泄病人慢性前列腺炎的发生率调查

目的 :调查早泄男性中慢性前列腺炎的发生率。　方法 :对 10 6例早泄病人和 38例正常人前列腺按摩前后尿液标本及前列腺按摩液 (EPS)进行显微镜和 /或细菌学检查 ,并评估 12 0例慢性前列腺炎病人中早泄的发生率。　结果 :在早泄病人中发现 49例 (46 .2 %)有慢性前列腺炎 ,其中 34 .7%存在慢性细菌性前列腺炎 ,与对照组相比均有统计学差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。 12 0例慢性前列腺炎病人中 5 7例 (47.5 %)存在不同程度的早泄。　结论 :本研究结果提示慢性前列腺炎症在某些早泄病人的发病机制中可能具有一定作用 ,在针对早泄治疗前进行前列腺仔细检查具有重要意义。     

The Relative Contribution of Domains of Quality of Life to Overall Quality of Life for Different Chronic Diseases

This study examined the contribution of the quality of life (QoL) domains physical, social and psychological functioning to the explanation of overall QoL. Various disorders may differentially affect QoL domains due to disease-specific factors and, consequently, the relationship between QoL domains and overall QoL may vary between diseases. We therefore studied this relationship for several diseases as well as the differential impact of these diseases on QoL. The present study had a cross-sectional design. We selected patients (aged 57 years and older) with one of the following eight chronic medical conditions: lung disorder, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, back problems, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, or dermatological disorders. The total group of respondents included 1457 patients and 1851 healthy subjects. Regression analyses showed that the domain of psychological functioning contributed to overall QoL for all disorders, whereas physical and social functioning contributed to overall QoL for some disorders. Differences were found between most patient groups and healthy subjects with respect to physical functioning; with respect to social and psychological functioning some groups differed from the healthy group. Explanations for the findings and implications for clinical practice are discussed.     

凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌检测在慢性前列腺炎中的意义

目的　研究慢性前列腺炎与凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌 (CNS)的关系 ,探讨前列腺液中CNS检测的临床意义。　方法　对 4 2 8例慢性前列腺炎患者采用Meares Stamey四段取样法作前列腺液细菌培养和药敏试验。患者年龄 18～ 4 6岁 ,平均 31岁。病程 3～ 32个月 ,平均 6个月。慢性前列腺炎症状指数 (NIH CPSI)平均 2 3.2分。　结果　 4 2 8例均行细菌培养 ,其中 2 4 8例 (5 7.94 % )分离出细菌。革兰阳性菌 195例 (78.6 3% ) ,其中葡萄球菌 16 0例 (6 4 .5 2 % ,16 0 / 2 4 8) ,CNS 89例 (35 .89% ,89/ 2 4 8) ;CNS中以表皮葡萄球菌为主者 81例 (32 .6 6 % ) ,其次为腐生葡萄球菌 3例和溶血性葡萄球菌 2例 ;NIH CPSI积分与细菌培养结果无明显相关。CNS对常用抗菌药物 (β 内酰胺类、喹诺酮类、氨基糖苷类 )耐药率较高 (5 1.9%～ 10 0 % )。　结论　CNS为慢性前列腺炎的主要致病菌 ,应引起高度重视 ;适时监测前列腺液病原菌及药敏试验对临床诊断和治疗慢性前列腺炎具有重要意义。