Chinese Med J Peking
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Chinese Med J Peking · Apr 2008
Spectrum and risk factors for invasive candidiasis and non-Candida fungal infections after liver transplantation.
Invasive fungal infections are an important cause of posttransplant mortality in solid-organ recipients. The current trend is that the incidence of invasive candidiasis decreases significantly and invasive aspergillosis occurs later in the liver posttransplant recipients. The understanding of epidemiology and its evolving trends in the particular locality is beneficial to prophylactic and empiric treatment for transplant recipients. ⋯ The leading etiologic species of invasive fungal infections are Candida and Aspergillus, which frequently occur in the first posttransplant month. Encephalopathy and postoperative bacterial infection predispose to invasive Candida infection. Posttransplant laparotomy and poor perioperative clinical status contribute to invasive Aspergillus infection. More studies are needed to determine the effect of prophylactic antifungal therapy in high risk patients.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Apr 2008
Human LINE1 endonuclease domain as a putative target of SARS-associated autoantibodies involved in the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a disease with a mortality of 9.56%. Although SARS is etiologically linked to a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and functional cell receptor has been identified, the pathogenesis of the virus infection is largely unclear. ⋯ Human LINE1 endonuclease domain was identified as a putative target of SARS-associated autoantibodies, which were presented in the serum of SARS patients and may be involved in the pathogenesis of SARS.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Apr 2008
Preoperative blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with gliomas involving the motor cortical areas.
Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) plays an important role in identifying functional cortical areas of the brain, especially in patients with gliomas. This study aimed to assess the value of fMRI in presurgical planning and functional outcome of patients with gliomas in the motor cortical areas. ⋯ Preoperative fMRI of the hand motor area shows a high consistency with intraoperative cortical electronic stimulation. Combined use of the two methods shows a maximum benefit in surgical treatment.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Apr 2008
Effect of dyspnea and clinical variables on the quality of life and functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are two chronic diseases that affect negatively the functional condition and quality of life of patients. We assessed the effect of symptoms and clinical variables on the functional capacity and quality of life in COPD and CHF patients. ⋯ It was revealed that symptoms have an impact on functional capacity and quality of life in both disease groups, however, objective indicators of disease severity do not show a similar relationship. Therefore, in addition to the objective data related to the disease, we recommend that symptoms should also be taken into consideration to assess cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program and during following-up.