Quality of Pulmonary Function Tests in Participants with Down Syndrome

IntroductionPeople with Down syndrome (DS) have high respiratory morbidity, evaluating their respiratory health with standardized, objective tests is desirable. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the technical quality of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to determine which ones are most suitable for this population.MethodsParticipants included children, teenagers and adults with DS, 5 years of age or older (n = 302). The technical quality of the impulse oscillometry system (IOS), forced spirometry, lung-diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO), and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were analyzed by age group. Capnography and pulse oximetry were included in the study. Technical quality was determined on the basis of current international PFTs standards.ResultsFifty-one percent of participants were males. A total of 184 participants (71%) who completed the IOS fulfilled the quality criteria, while 210 (70%) completed the 6MWT. Performance on forced spirometry and DL_CO was poor. All pulse oximetries and 96% percent heart rates obtained had good quality, but exhaled carbon dioxide (PetCO₂) and respiratory rate (RR) showed deficient repeatability.ConclusionsIOS appears to be the most reliable instrument for evaluating lung mechanics in individuals with DS.     

Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept in Dominican Immigration Residents in Spain and Florida

The Latin American population has a double way of immigration, one toward the United States by proximity and another toward Spain by sociocultural affinity. This population increase is affecting organ donation and transplantation in receiving countries.

硒抑制镍诱导的人肺成纤维细胞的DNA损伤

目的　探讨三氧化二镍(Ni2O3)对人肺成纤维细胞(human lung fibroblasts,HLF)的DNA损伤作用以及Na2SeO3的保护作用。方法　应用单细胞凝胶电泳(single cell gel electrophoresis,SCGE)检测DNA损伤。结果　Ni2O3 处理HLF细胞4 h,SCGE检测出DNA损伤程度高于对照组,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。而Ni2O3 Na2SeO3 处理组DNA损伤程度低于Ni2O3 组,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。结论　硒可抑制镍诱导的人肺成纤维细胞的DNA损伤。     

镍钛记忆合金锁骨钩环抱器治疗新鲜重度肩锁关节脱位

目的 评估镍钛记忆合金锁骨钩环抱器治疗新鲜重度肩锁关节脱位的临床疗效。方法 选择16例新鲜重度肩锁关节脱位患者，其中3例合并锁骨远端骨折，应用镍钛记忆合金锁骨钩环抱器治疗并进行临床疗效观察。随访6～12个月，平均7.6个月。结果 所有患者肩关节肌肉无萎缩，外观正常，肩关节活动范围正常，x线片示无再脱位征象。采用Karlsson术后疗效分级：A级15例，B级1例。结论 镍钛记忆合金锁骨钩环抱器治疗新鲜重度肩锁关节脱位创伤小，简便易行，疗效好，对合并锁骨远端骨折病人更具有独特优点，具有临床推广应用价值。     

Pharmacology of KB‐R7943: A Na+–Ca2+ exchange inhibitor

The Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchange (NCX) system plays a pivotal role in regulating intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in cardiomyocytes, neuronal cells, kidney and a variety of other cells. It performs a particularly important function in regulating cardiac contractility and electrical activity. One of the leading NCX inhibitors is KB‐R9743 (KBR) that appears to exhibit selectivity for Ca²⁺‐influx‐mode NCX activity (reverse mode of NCX). In this article we reviewed pharmacology of KBR and provide a brief summary of studies with other NCX inhibitors, such as SEA0400 (SEA) and SN‐6 (SN). Potential clinical usefulness of KBR and other NCX inhibitors is still controversial but the reviewed findings may be helpful in designing more selective and clinically useful NCX inhibitors for the treatment of cardiac, neuronal and kidney diseases.     

Exercice physique, carence estrogénique, monoxyde d'azote et remodelage osseux

Summary

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to emphasize the possible relationships established between estrogens and physical exercise and concerning bone metabolism. Nitric oxide (NO) might play an important role in such relationships.

Topics

Cellular metabolism of NO, as well as NO effects upon osteoblasts and osteoclasts have been summarized. Several studies indicate that NO deficiency might be implicated in various vascular diseases observed in post-menopausal women. Other works also indicate that NO deficiency induced by cessation of ovarian activity might be responsible for osteopenia associated with this condition. Thus, decreased production of NO would be responsible both for post-menopausal osteoporosis as well as for osteopenia sometimes observed in amenorrheic athletes. Moreover osteoblastic response to mechanical stimulation might implicate estrogenic receptor(s). The role of these receptors in the regulation of NO synthesis is still unknown.     

Lung Transplantation in Children. Specific Aspects

Lung transplantation has become in recent years a therapeutic option for infants with terminal lung disease with similar results to transplantation in adults. In Spain, since 1996 114 children lung transplants have been performed; this corresponds to 3.9% of the total transplant number. The most common indication in children is cystic fibrosis, which represents between 70-80% of the transplants performed in adolescents. In infants common indications are interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. In most children a sequential double lung transplant is performed, generally with the help of extracorpo-real circulation. Lung transplantation in children presents special challenges in monitoring and follow-up, especially in infants, given the difficulty in assessing lung function and performing transbronchial biopsies.There are some more specific complications in children like postransplant lymphoproliferative syndrome or a greater severity of respiratory virus infections. After lung transplantation children usually experiment a very important improvement in their quality of life. Eighty eight per cent of children have no limitations in their activity after 3 years of transplantation. According to the registry of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) survival at 5 years of transplantation is 54% and at 10 years is around 35%.     

Acceptance of the Xenotransplantation of Organs Among the Population of the Spanish Gypsy Ethnic Group

Introduction

Organ refusal rates among Gypsies is much higher than that of any other social group in Spain. However, their attitude toward new therapies related to transplantation, such as the xenotransplantation, is not known. This is especially important in countries such as Spain, where there are research and development units for xenotransplantation.