ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Leukotriene receptor antagonists have been used to prevent virus-induced asthma exacerbations in autumn. Its efficacy, however, might differ with age and sex. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether pranlukast added to usual asthma therapy in Japanese children during autumn, season associated with the peak of asthma, reduces asthma exacerbations. It was also evaluated the effect of age and sex on pranlukast's efficacy. METHODS: A total of 121 asthmatic children aged 1 to 14 years were randomly assigned to receive regular pranlukast or not according to sex, and were divided in 2 age groups, 1–5 years and 6–14 years. The primary outcome was total asthma score calculated during 8 weeks by using a sticker calendar related to the days in which a child experienced a worsening of asthma symptoms. This open study lasted 60 days from September 15 to November 14, 2007. RESULTS: Significant differences in pranlukast efficacy were observed between sex and age groups. Boys aged 1 to 5 years had the lower total asthma score at 8 weeks (p = 0.002), and experienced fewer cold episodes (p = 0.007). There were no significant differences between pranlukast and control group in total asthma score at 8 weeks (p = 0.35), and in the days in which a child experienced a worsening of asthma symptoms (p = 0.67). CONCLUSION: There was a substantial benefit of adding pranlukast to usual therapy in asthmatic children, especially in boys aged 1 to 5 years, during autumn season.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Asian People , Asthma , Leukotriene Antagonists , SeasonsABSTRACT
We conduct an outpatient escort program as a part of our early exposure curriculum for first-year medical students. Each student escorts one patient at the University of Tsukuba Hospital throughout his or her first visit. We evaluated this program from the points of view of both students and patients.<BR>1) A questionnaire was distributed to all participating patients and students in 2006.<BR>2) In their questionnaires, many students commented on the long waiting time, the structural problems of the hospital, and the attitudes of physicians.<BR>3) Results of the questionnaire showed that both students and patients rated this program highly.<BR>4) No significant differences were noted between the comments of the students and those of the patients. The patients tended to rate this program more highly than did the students. One patient, however, commented that being constantly accompanied by a stranger was somewhat stressful.<BR>5) We conclude that this program can be efficiently carried out without being too much of a burden to patients and is a valuable part of an early exposure program for first-year medical students.
ABSTRACT
We conducted an outpatient escort program as a part of our early exposure curriculum for first-year medical students. Each student escorted one patient at the University of Tsukuba Hospital throughout his or her first visit. This program enabled the students to experience and think about the system of a university hospital from a patient's point of view. We believe that this program is useful to motivate first-year medical students in their future studies.
ABSTRACT
Two cases of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treated with retroperitoneal approach are presented. Case 1 was a 73-year-old man with an infrarenal AAA of 44mm in diameter, and case 2 was a 73-year-old man with a 54mm pseudoaneurysm after graft replacement for AAA. Both patients had a history of previous laparotomy and their aneurysms had ruptured into only the right retroperitoneal space. A left retroperitoneal approach permitted wide and rapid exposure of the aorta with minimal damage to the intestines and respiratory function. Their postoperative courses were uneventful.
ABSTRACT
We report a case with successful surgical resection for a leiomyoma with an extension into the right atrium from the pelvic vein. The patient was a 54-year-old woman who presented with syncope in 1989. She had had a history of resection of a uterine leiomyoma 10 years previously. Preoperative angiograms showed a long tumor with an extension into the right atrium through the inferior vena cava originating from the right internal iliac vein. The diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis was made. The operation was performed through a median sterno-laparotomy using cardiopulmonary bypass with successful results. Histologic sections showed a benign leiomyoma. To our knowledge, 20 cases of resection of intravenous leiomyomatosis with the use of extracorporeal circulation have been reported in the literature. This rare condition was discussed with the review of the literature.