Objective To examine the correlation between the health-related quality of life measured by the St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) and the commonly used physiological measures in lymphangioleiomyomatosis(...Objective To examine the correlation between the health-related quality of life measured by the St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) and the commonly used physiological measures in lymphangioleiomyomatosis(LAM).Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the SGRQ scores and other measures(the Borg scale of breathlessness at rest,6-minute walking distance,blood oxygen levels,and pulmonary function) of patients diagnosed and confirmed with LAM.Altogether 38 patients between June 2007 and November 2009 were included.Results The mean values of the SGRQ three components(symptoms,activity,and impacts) and total scores in the LAM patients were 46.95±28.90,58.47±25.41,47.89±29.66,and 51.11±26.35,respectively.The SGRQ total or component scores were correlated well with the Borg scale of breathlessness,6-minute walking distance,partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood,spirometry and diffusion capacity of lung.There were poor correlations between SGRQ score and residual volume or total lung capacity.In our preliminary observation,sirolimus improved the SGRQ total and three component scores and the Borg scale of breathlessness significantly after 101-200 days of treatment(n=6).Conclusions The SGRQ score in LAM is correlated well with physiological measures(Borg scale of breathlessness,6-minute walking distance,blood oxygen levels,and pulmonary function tests).The SGRQ could therefore be recommended in baseline and follow-up evaluation of patients with LAM.Treatment with sirolimus,an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin,may improve the quality of life and patient's perception of breathlessness in LAM.展开更多
The construction industry is a sector that contributes a lot to the economic growth of Malaysia, as it is developing rapidly similar in fashion to other developing countries around the world. In line with the 9th Mala...The construction industry is a sector that contributes a lot to the economic growth of Malaysia, as it is developing rapidly similar in fashion to other developing countries around the world. In line with the 9th Malaysia Plan, development in Malaysia must meet current and future needs to achieve sustainability in economic development, as well as functioning as a social and environmental responsibility for prosperity without compromising the needs of future generations. To ensure that the government＇s objective is met, construction industry should implement the LCC （life cycle costing） method in structure and infrastructure projects so as to not cause losses to the industry itself and to the government. Through LCC, factors contributing to, and the associated cost of maintenance works for a building are identified at the design stage to obtain a more accurate projection of the total cost. This paper describes the LCC as a vital element in the construction industry since this method can drive quality improvement by taking into account the comprehensive cost of a project. The main aim of this paper is to aid in understanding the application of the LCC concept for the construction industry, particularly for the maintenance phase. This paper also identifies LCC processes involved in a building construction project and subsequently provides recommendation on appropriate measures to implement LCC in the construction industry in Malaysia.展开更多
基金Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (2009CB522106)
文摘Objective To examine the correlation between the health-related quality of life measured by the St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) and the commonly used physiological measures in lymphangioleiomyomatosis(LAM).Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the SGRQ scores and other measures(the Borg scale of breathlessness at rest,6-minute walking distance,blood oxygen levels,and pulmonary function) of patients diagnosed and confirmed with LAM.Altogether 38 patients between June 2007 and November 2009 were included.Results The mean values of the SGRQ three components(symptoms,activity,and impacts) and total scores in the LAM patients were 46.95±28.90,58.47±25.41,47.89±29.66,and 51.11±26.35,respectively.The SGRQ total or component scores were correlated well with the Borg scale of breathlessness,6-minute walking distance,partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood,spirometry and diffusion capacity of lung.There were poor correlations between SGRQ score and residual volume or total lung capacity.In our preliminary observation,sirolimus improved the SGRQ total and three component scores and the Borg scale of breathlessness significantly after 101-200 days of treatment(n=6).Conclusions The SGRQ score in LAM is correlated well with physiological measures(Borg scale of breathlessness,6-minute walking distance,blood oxygen levels,and pulmonary function tests).The SGRQ could therefore be recommended in baseline and follow-up evaluation of patients with LAM.Treatment with sirolimus,an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin,may improve the quality of life and patient's perception of breathlessness in LAM.
文摘The construction industry is a sector that contributes a lot to the economic growth of Malaysia, as it is developing rapidly similar in fashion to other developing countries around the world. In line with the 9th Malaysia Plan, development in Malaysia must meet current and future needs to achieve sustainability in economic development, as well as functioning as a social and environmental responsibility for prosperity without compromising the needs of future generations. To ensure that the government＇s objective is met, construction industry should implement the LCC （life cycle costing） method in structure and infrastructure projects so as to not cause losses to the industry itself and to the government. Through LCC, factors contributing to, and the associated cost of maintenance works for a building are identified at the design stage to obtain a more accurate projection of the total cost. This paper describes the LCC as a vital element in the construction industry since this method can drive quality improvement by taking into account the comprehensive cost of a project. The main aim of this paper is to aid in understanding the application of the LCC concept for the construction industry, particularly for the maintenance phase. This paper also identifies LCC processes involved in a building construction project and subsequently provides recommendation on appropriate measures to implement LCC in the construction industry in Malaysia.
