Objective To investigate the correlations between eosinophil counts in induced sputum and lung function (FENO) and evaluate these parameters in medication adjustment in patients with asthma.Methods Sixty-five outpatients with mild to moderate persistent asthma ( mild,32 ; moderate,33 ) from January to August 2008 were enrolled in the study.All were treated with combined medications comprising inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting β2 agonists for 1 year.Lung function (FEV1％ and PEF％ ),eosinophil counts in induced sputum,FENO,and Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores were obtained at regular follow-up intervals.Twenty-one healthy volunteers served as controls,and lung function,eosinophil counts in induced sputum,and FENO were also obtained.Results Sixty-three subjects completed 1-year or longer follow-up.Lung function of 63 subjects recovered quickly in the early days and improved slowly during the following 6 months.FENO decreased from (61 ± 25 ) nmol/L at baseline to ( 32 ± 19 ) nmol/L by the third month (q =7.32,P＜0.05) and to (22 ± 12) nmol/L by the sixth month,which showed significant difference from normal controls [ ( 13 ± 8) nmol/L; q =6.63,P ＜ 0.05 ].Eosinophil counts in induced sputum of the asthma group at baseline were (0.093 ±0.023) × 109/L and decreased to (0.032 ±0.011)× 109/L by the third month,which was significantly different from baseline and normal controls [ (0.005 ±0.003) × 106/ml; q =5.49,P ＜0.05 and q =5.87,P ＜0.05,respectively].FENO showed a significantly positive correlation with eosinophil counts in induced sputum in the first 6 months (r1 =0.612,r2 =0.558,r3 =0.675; all P＜0.05) and a negative correlation with FEV1 (r1 =-0.537,r3 =-0.658,r6 ＝ -0.623,r9 =-0.537,r12 =-0.597 ; all P ＜0.05 ) at any time point of the study.The ACT score of 63 subjects at baseline was 14 ±3,and the scores after treatment for 1,3,6,9,and 12 months were 18 ±5,19 ±7,23 ±2,24 ± 1,and 24 ± 1,respectively; at the same time,significant difference was found ( F =5.72,P ＜ 0.05).Effectiveness was found according to the ACT score only 1 month after treatment.Conclusion The parameters of FENO and eosinophil counts in induced sputum were sensitive in the detection of airway inflammation and may be useful in evaluation of the efficacy of treatment and adjustment of medication regimens.

Objective To evaluate the effects of clinical center-based health management on quality of life (QOL) of patients with asthma. Methods A total of 642 patients who had received standard antiasthma treatment over 3 years in our clinical center from September 2005 up to now were randomly assigned to the good compliance group ( group A, n = 326 ) and bad compliance group ( group B, n = 316 ). A questionnaire was used to estimate the awareness about asthma,medical therapy and disease control. Levels of QOL were compared at 6 months and 1 and 3 years after health education. Results In group A,uncontrolled,partly controlled, and completely controlled asthma were found in 21%, 47%, and 32% participants, respectively. Significant difference of QOL was shown between the 2 groups after the intervention ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). At 6 months, forced expiratory volume in one second ( FEV1 ), percentage of predicted FEV1 ( FEV1 % pre) ,and peak expiratory flow rate ( PEF)were significantly improved in group A ( all P ＜0. 05 ),although acute attack and hospitalization were largely reduced. In comparison with baseline,6 months and 1 year,self-reported QOL, limitation of motion, stimulus avoidance and response, and disease concerns were significantly changed at 3 years. Conclusions Clinic center-based health management could benefit disease control and QOL of patients with asthma.

Through forty years' sustained efforts in the prevention and treatment of malaria in Zhejiang Province, the malaria incidence dropped from 76. 65k in the Fifties to 0. 91 in the Eighties. Three malaria epidemics emerged in 1954 ,1962 and 1973, respectively, among them the epidemic in 1962 was the most serious one with 0. 88 million cases reported and an incidence of 330. The annual incidence of the overall counties/cities was below 1 after 1988. Only 172 malaria cases were found in 1992, the incidence being 0. 04. No indigenous malaria case was found in 38 counties in 1992, accounting to 43. 7% of the total malaria endemic counties. The number of imported malara cases was 3 829, amounting to 89. 2 % of the total number of cases. Through the spot-check of the Ministry of Public Health in 1993, it was confirmed that the criteria of basic elimination of malaria in the province was attained.

AIM: To establish a guinea pig asthma model and to evaluate the effect of airway remodeling on airway responsiveness. METHODS: The guinea pig asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge repeatedly. Bronchial provocation tests were conducted through intravenous injection of acetylcholine. The airway morphologic parameters were measured by computer image analysis system. White blood cells and the differential count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined. RESULTS: The resistance of airway was increased significantly after 4 weeks of OVA exposure, but the increase disappeared upon prolonged exposure. After 8 weeks of OVA exposure, fiber tissue in large airway was increased, and the thickness of smooth muscle layer of small airway was enlarged, as compared with that in control animals. CONCLUSION: Airway responsiveness has changed after prolonged OVA exposure in guinea pigs. This change is related to airway remodeling. [

OBJECTIVETo develop a new quality control method for cinnabar, in order to ensure the safety application of cinnabar.

METHODThree inorganic mercury compounds (HgS, HgO, and HgCl2) and cinnabar samples were analyzed by laser Raman spectroscopy. The cinnabar samples were identified by comparing the Raman band in the Raman spectrum with pure HgS.

RESULTDifferent Raman bands were observed among three inorganic mercury compounds. The Raman spectroscopic results indicated that cinnabar samples showed the same Raman band as pure HgS, consisting with the HgS contents by XRF analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe Raman spectroscopic method is simple, rapid, and reliable. It can be applied as an alternative quality control method for cinnabar.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Mercury Compounds ; chemistry ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the neuroprotective effects and mechanism of hyperin on CoCl2-induced hypoxic/ischemic PC12 cells.

METHODCoCl2 was used to treat rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) to investigate the protective effects of different concentrations of hyperin.

RESULTHyperin could significantly inhibit CoCl2-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis on PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner, by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, increasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and inactivating caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP).

CONCLUSIONHyperin could inhibit CoCl2-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis on PC12 cells, show neuroprotective effects on hypoxic/ischemic neural injuries.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cobalt ; toxicity ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; PC12 Cells ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of proportional assist ventilation (PAV) on tolerance and breathlessness in ventilated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to describe the patient-ventilator interaction, hemodynamic state, breathing pattern and work of breath during PAV and pressure support ventilation (PSV).

METHODSTen intubated COPD patients on weaning from mechanical ventilation were studied. Elastance and resistance were measured by both the inspiratory-hold technique during a brief period of volume control ventilation and runaway technique during PAV. Each assistance level of PAV (80%, 60% and 40%) and PSV was selected randomly. Patients' response, hemodynamics, blood gas and lung mechanics were monitored.

RESULTSTidal volume and respiratory rate didn't change in a consistent manner as the level of assist was decreased (P > 0.05). With the level of assist increasing, peak inspiratory pressure was increasing significantly (P < 0.05), while patients' work of breath had the tendency to decrease (P < 0.05). A significant difference in the Borg Category Scale was observed between PAV and PSV (0.50 [1.50] vs. 0.75 [2.00], P < 0.05) at the same degree of respiratory muscle unloading. PaCO(2) was significantly higher on PAV (54 [23] mm Hg) than on PSV (48 [23] mm Hg) (P < 0.05). Peak inspiratory pressure on PAV was significantly lower than on PSV (16 +/- 4 cm H(2)O vs. 21 +/- 3 cm H(2)O, respectively, P < 0.05). Hemodynamics and oxygenation remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONSPAV is a feasible method for supporting ventilator-dependent patients and was well tolerated. It can improve the breathing pattern and reduce inspiratory effort. At the same degree of respiratory muscle unloading, PAV can be implemented at much lower peak inspiratory pressure than PSV. It can also apply proportional pressure support according to the patients' ventilatory demand.

Aged ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; Pulmonary Gas Exchange ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Respiration, Artificial ; methods ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

This paper presents a design of multifunctional portable automated external defibrillator based on STM32F103VC SCM. The defibrillator mainly realizes the defibrillation and ECG analysis function, and according to the clinical actual need, increases information storage and transmission function, query of local records, the function of synchronous LCD display and voice prompt in the defibrillation process. The device uses the defibrillating electrodes to measure body resistance, ECG and so on. We detailedly researched and achieved the discharge module of biphasic defibrillation apparatus based on the damping of two order discharge circuit, and finished the real-time LCD display and voice prompt modules of defibrillation information based on the control of PIC24FJ256DA210 chip.
Automation ; Defibrillators ; Electric Countershock ; Electrodes ; Equipment Design

OBJECTIVETo estimate the feasibility and the efficacy of early extubation and sequential non-invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with exacerbated hypercapnic respiratory failure.

METHODSTwenty-two intubated COPD patients with severe hypercapnic respiratory failure due to pulmonary infection (pneumonia or purulent bronchitis) were involved in the study. At the time of pulmonary infection control window (PIC window) appeared, when pulmonary infection had been significantly controlled (resolution of fever and decrease in purulent sputum, radiographic infiltrations, and leukocytosis) after the antibiotic and the comprehensive therapy, the early extubation was conducted and followed by non-invasive MV via facial mask immediately in 11 cases (study group). Other 11 COPD cases with similar clinical characteristics who continuously received invasive MV after PIC window were recruited as control group.

RESULTSAll patients had similar clinical characteristics and gas exchange before treatment, as well as the initiating time and all indices at the time of the PIC window. For study group and control group, the duration of invasive MV was (7.1 +/- 2.9) vs (23.0 +/- 14.0) days, respectively, P < 0.01. The total duration of ventilatory support was (13 +/- 7) vs (23 +/- 14) days, respectively, P < 0.05. The incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) were 0/11 vs 6/11, respectively, P < 0.01. The duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was (13 +/- 7) vs (26 +/- 14) days, respectively, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSIn COPD patients requiring intubation and MV for pulmonary infection and hypercapnic respiratory failure, early extubation followed by non-invasive MV initiated at the point of PIC window significantly decreases the invasive and total durations of ventilatory support, the risk of VAP, and the duration of ICU stay.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercapnia ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; Respiration, Artificial ; methods ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Budesonide/formoterol to control asthma under real-life conditions.Methods A muhi-center, open label, non-interventional study was conducted.Asthma control after 12 week therapy with Budesonide/formoterol was assessed by Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and modified Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ5).Results A total of 360 asthma patients were recruited,including 228 adult patients and 132 child patients.After 12 weeks' therapy,all the patients' medium value of ACQ was decreased significantly from 2.03 (adults 2.20, children 1.74) at baseline to 0.60 (adults 0.78, children 0.29) (P < 0.0001), and the medium value of ACQ5 was also decreased significantly from 2.4 (adults 2.24, children 1.76) at baseline to 0.47 (adults 0.62, children 0.20) (P < 0.0001).Conclusion Budesonide/formoterol is effective in asthma treatment, by which most asthma patients obtain and maintain clineal control.