Protection against corneal hyperosmolarity with soft-contact-lens wear

Hyperosmotic tear stimulates human corneal nerve endings, activates ocular immune response, and elicits dry-eye symptoms. A soft contact lens (SCL) covers the cornea preventing it from experiencing direct tear evaporation and the resulting blink-periodic salinity increases. For the cornea to experience hyperosmolarity due to tear evaporation, salt must transport across the SCL to the post-lens tear film (PoLTF) bathing the cornea. Consequently, limited salt transport across a SCL potentially protects the ocular surface from hyperosmotic tear. In addition, despite lens-wear discomfort sharing common sensations to dry eye, no correlation is available between measured tear hyperosmolarity and SCL-wear discomfort. Lack of documentation is likely because clinical measurements of tear osmolarity during lens wear do not interrogate the tear osmolarity of the PoLTF that actually overlays the cornea. Rather, tear osmolarity is clinically measured in the tear meniscus. For the first time, we mathematically quantify tear osmolarity in the PoLTF and show that it differs significantly from the clinically measured tear-meniscus osmolarity. We show further that aqueous-deficient dry eye and evaporative dry eye both exacerbate the hyperosmolarity of the PoLTF. Nevertheless, depending on lens salt-transport properties (i.e., diffusivity, partition coefficient, and thickness), a SCL can indeed protect against corneal hyperosmolarity by reducing PoLTF salinity to below that of the ocular surface during no-lens wear. Importantly, PoLTF osmolarity for dry-eye patients can be reduced to that of normal eyes with no-lens wear provided that the lens exhibits a low lens-salt diffusivity. Infrequent blinking increases PoLTF osmolarity consistent with lens-wear discomfort. Judicious design of SCL material salt-transport properties can ameliorate corneal hyperosmolarity. Our results confirm the importance of PoLTF osmolarity during SCL wear and indicate a possible relation between PoLTF osmolarity and contact-lens discomfort.     

Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.     

Slow-wave photic stimulation relieves patient discomfort during esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Background and Aim: Although pretreatment with a sedative drug is effective in relieving pain during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), such drugs can cause significant side‐effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of slow‐wave photic stimulation on discomfort and/or pain felt during EGD. Methods: Forty consecutive patients (25 men and 15 women) who underwent diagnostic EGD in our hospital were included in the study. Twenty patients received photic stimulation for 25 min, and underwent electroencephalographic recording, in addition to the usual premedications. Twenty control patients received the same treatment but without photic stimulation. All patients evaluated the discomfort/pain felt during endoscopy against a five‐grade scale in comparison with what they had experienced in their previous examination. Results: Patients with an improved discomfort/pain score were 18/20 and 3/20 in the treated and control groups, respectively. Overall comparison of pain scores between both groups was significant (P < 0.0001). The proportion of slow‐wave activity recorded in patients’ electroencephalograms significantly increased in the treated group compared to control values (36.6 ± 6.8% vs 29.1 ± 3.4%, P < 0.001). There was a close correlation between the degree of discomfort/pain felt during endoscopy and the proportion of slow‐wave activity (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Slow‐wave photic stimulation shows promise as a treatment for relieving the discomfort and/or pain felt by patients undergoing EGD.     

An evaluation of the gum elastic bougie

This study was designed to evaluate the routine use of a gum elastic bougie for tracheal intubation. The median time to intubation with the gum elastic bougie while simulating an 'epiglottis only' view was only 10 s longer than the time taken during conventional intubation with an optimum view. Three of the patients required a gum elastic bougie-assisted intubation after attempts at conventional visual intubation had failed. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness between the two groups. We recommend that anaesthetists should use the gum elastic bougie whenever a good view of the glottis is not immediately obtained.     

纤维支气管镜与间接喉钳手术治疗声带疾病

目的进一步研究声带小结与息肉的治疗手段。方法采用日本OlimpusBFp20型纤支镜和国产FF-99光电子内窥镜显示仪，配合间接万向喉钳治疗声带小结和息肉57例。结果治愈率92％，病人痛苦小。结论纤支镜配合间接喉钳手术治疗声带小结和息肉效果良好。     

喷他佐辛对颅脑外科手术患者的麻醉效果及导尿管相关膀胱刺激征的影响

目的 探讨喷他佐辛对颅脑外科手术患者的麻醉效果及对导尿管相关膀胱刺激征(CRBD)的影响。方法 选取2021年1月—2022年12月在贵州省黔东南州人民医院行颅脑外科手术的患者120例。采用随机数字表法将患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组60例。所有患者行全身麻醉,观察组术毕给予喷他佐辛,对照组给予等量生理盐水。观察两组患者拔管前(T₁)、拔管即刻(T₂)、拔管后5 min(T₃)、拔管后10 min(T₄)的平均动脉压(MAP)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、心率(HR)和氧饱和度(SpO₂),分析两组苏醒期Ramsay评分、躁动评分、CRBD的变化。结果 观察组与对照组T₁、T₂、T₃、T₄时的MAP、SBP、DBP、HR和SpO₂比较,结果：(1)不同时间点MAP、SBP、DBP、HR和SpO₂比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05...     

Prevalence of hepatitis-C virus RNA in serum and throat washings of children with chronic hepatitis

Serum samples from 46 children with chronic and probably transfusion acquired hepatitis were tested for the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by a “nested” polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, to judge a possible risk of HCV transmission from these patients. In 73% of the samples, viral RNA was detected, indicating a high virus prevalence in this patient group. High titers of HCV-RNA were observed in some sera as shown by the detection of virus in some samples even at dilutions of 10^?3. Comparison of simultaneously obtained PCR results and ALT values revealed no significant correlation between virus presence in serum and higher ALT levels. It was, however, shown that unusually high ALT values may reflect a high titer of viral RNA in serum. To investigate the prevalence of viral RNA in saliva, which could be a vehicle of virus transmission, 35 throat washing samples from the HCV-infected children were screened by PCR. Using three different sample preparation procedures, 20% of the throat washings were found to be positive for HCV-RNA. This indicates a prevalence of virus in this fluid lower than that reported previously. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

探针ASPCR检测肺炎支原体 微量耐药突变A2063G方法的建立

[摘要]　目的　 建立能够特异性检测微量肺炎支原体（Mycoplasma pneumoniae, MP）A2063G耐药突变基因的特异性扩增等位基因的探针法实时定量PCR（probe-based allele-specific real-time PCR, 探针ASPCR）方法。方法?建立特异性检测A2063G耐药突变位点的探针ASPCR方法,并验证其灵敏度、特异度及准确度等性能。结果?特异性扩增2063G和非特异性扩增2063A/G的引物/探针组合分别扩增105拷贝野生基因型（2063A）模板的Ct值的差(△Ct)高达10.93,能够特异性检测A2063G突变。探针ASPCR方法检测2063G基因型占总MP的比例的准确度可低至1％;检测MP的灵敏度低至10拷贝,检测A2063G耐药突变比例的灵敏度低至0.01％。探针ASPCR方法与前期建立的染料ASPCR方法检测临床样本的MP感染结果一致,MP阳性检出率均为94.83%（55/58）,高于传统巣式PCR联合测序方法的检测结果（75.86%,44/58）;探针ASPCR和染料ASPCR 2种方法检测MP耐药率分别为63.64%（35/55）、70.91%（39/55）,高于传统巣式PCR联合测序方法检测结果59.09%（26/44）。结论?新建探针ASPCR方法是一种具有高特异度、准确度和灵敏度的快速检测MP微量A2063G耐药突变的方法;与染料ASPCR方法相比,探针ASPCR方法检测耐药MP的灵敏度略低,但其临床样本检测复查率也低于染料ASPCR方法,且其结果判读简单,更适合在临床中应用推广,能够为临床制定MP及耐药MP感染的治疗方案提供理论依据。     

12~36月龄幼儿胃肠道功能情况及其影响因素研究

目的描述12~36月龄幼儿胃肠道功能情况,探讨潜在影响因素。方法2018年9月—2019年1月在北京市朝阳区某社区卫生服务中心招募12~36月龄幼儿385名,收集幼儿及母亲基本信息,采用简版《婴幼儿胃肠道症状问卷》评估幼儿胃肠道功能。问卷共10个问题,反映幼儿胃肠道症状(6个问题)和相关行为(4个问题)。胃肠道功能总评分为10~60分,其中胃肠道症状6~36分、胃肠道相关行为4~24分,评分越高提示胃肠功能越弱;将总评分等于或高于第二个三分位数(17分)定义为轻度胃肠不适。采用多因素logistic回归分析幼儿轻度胃肠不适的可能影响因素。结果幼儿胃肠道功能总评分、症状评分和相关行为评分的中位数(四分位数间距)分别为13.0(11.0~19.0)分、6.0(6.0~10.0)分和6.0(5.0~8.0)分。小月龄(12~17月龄14.5分,18~23月龄13.0分)比大月龄(24~29月龄12.0分,30~36月龄12.5分)、母亲为初产妇(14.0分)比经产妇(12.0分)的幼儿中位胃肠道功能总评分高(P<0.05)。轻度胃肠不适幼儿124名(32.2%),母亲为初产妇(36.8%)比母亲为经产妇(21.8%)的幼儿轻度胃肠不适发生率显著升高(P=0.004)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,12~17月龄幼儿与30~36月龄幼儿相比(调整OR,2.32;95%CI,1.14~4.71)、母亲为初产妇的幼儿与经产妇的幼儿相比(调整OR,2.05;95%CI,1.19~3.52),轻度胃肠不适风险显著升高。幼儿性别、分娩方式、母乳喂养时长和母亲分娩年龄对轻度胃肠不适发生风险无显著影响。结论幼儿胃肠道功能整体较好,幼儿月龄及母亲产次影响幼儿胃肠功能,小月龄及母亲为初产妇的幼儿易发生轻度胃肠不适。