Measurement of alveolar derecruitment in patients with acute lung injury: computerized tomography versus pressure–volume curve

Introduction  

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-induced lung derecruitment can be assessed by a pressure–volume (P–V) curve method or by lung computed tomography (CT). However, only the first method can be used at the bedside. The aim of the study was to compare both methods for assessing alveolar derecruitment after the removal of PEEP in patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome.     

平和和平和心态

在中国古代思想史上．“道”一直被人们视为是对认识客观世界最高境界的象征。以后又延伸到各个方面。     

Effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci is affected by previous use of oral contraceptives containing gestodene, and to determine whether changes in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression occur in adenomyosis during the menstrual cycle. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out in paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue obtained from patients with a histological diagnosis of adenomyosis obtained during the proliferative (n = 25) and luteal (n = 10) phases of the menstrual cycle and following the use of continuous oral contraception with gestodene/ethinyl estradiol (n = 7). COX-2 and aromatase expression were measured in both eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Aromatase expression was detected in 80% of the endometrial slices by immunohistochemistry. In positive cases, aromatase was mainly detected in the stromal cells of the eutopic endometrium, whereas in the adenomyotic foci this expression was negative in the majority of the cases. Oral contraceptives containing gestodene, on the other hand, were effective in suppressing aromatase expression in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium. COX-2 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in the glandular epithelium of both eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci and there were no significant changes in its intensity throughout the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: Aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci is suppressed by oral contraceptives containing gestodene. Increased aromatase activity may be responsible for the persistent COX-2 expression during the luteal phase.     

太阳病"汗法"初探

仲景所著《伤寒论》冠古绝今,书中398条原文,太阳病篇所占178条,足以突出太阳病篇在六经辨证中的重要性.众所周知,太阳病的基本病机是感受风寒,营卫失调;其基本治则为辛温解表;“汗法”在治疗中占有极其重要的地位.用之正确则药到病除,用之不当则变证从生.仲景在太阳病篇中对“汗法”有很详细的描述,初探如下.     

Left pulmonary artery evaluation through transesophageal echocardiography.

INTRODUCTION: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become increasingly useful in the study of patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of TEE in the study of the distal part of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) as well as the influence of this procedure on total echocardiographic exam duration. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study in two groups of consecutive patients referred for TEE with a one- year interval between evaluation of Group A: 33 patients, 17 male, mean age 54 +/- 24 years, and Group B: 42 patients, 20 male, mean age 48 +/- 27 years (p = NS). The procedure was considered long when it took more than 3 min to evaluate the distal part of the LPA. RESULTS: In group A we were able to visualize the distal part of the LPA in 24 patients (73%) without significant prolongation of total exam duration in 16 patients (48% of group A). In one of the patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism thrombi were only observed in the distal part of the LPA. In group B we were able to visualize the distal part of the LPA in 36 patients (86%) without significant prolongation of total exam duration in 26 patients (61% of group B). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Visualization of the distal part of the LPA was possible in more patients, and with TEE time prolongation in less patients, in group B. These differences can be accounted for by the training of the operator in this technique. 2. The importance of visualization of this part of the LPA in guiding treatment in the subset of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism confirms the usefulness of this specific procedure.     

体外诱导条件下大鼠骨髓基质细胞骨钙素和Ⅰ型胶原mRNA的表达

目的　研究体外培养大鼠骨髓基质细胞诱导条件下 ,成骨分化标志骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA水平的表达。方法　采用成骨诱导剂 (含地塞米松 10 - 8mol/ L、β甘油磷酸钠 10 mm ol/ L和抗坏血酸 AA 5 0μg/ml)对培养状态下的不同代大鼠骨髓基质细胞进行成骨诱导 ,提取 RNA,采用 RT- PCR方法 ,以β-肌动蛋白 c DNA为内参照 ,检测骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA的表达。结果　与对照组相比 ,接受成骨诱导剂作用的大鼠骨髓基质细胞随诱导时间的延长骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA出现高表达 ,且维生素 D为诱导骨钙素 m RNA表达的必需成分。结论　体外培养的大鼠骨髓基质细胞保持成骨未分化状态 ,无骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA的表达 ,诱导后可向成骨分化 ,骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA表达升高     

双波长紫外分光光度法测定贝母中腺苷和胸苷的含量

将4种贝母的甲醇提取物经薄层色谱法粗分离后,直接用双波长紫外分光光度法测定其含量。结果表明,该方法线性关系好,腺苷和胸苷标准曲线的相关系数均为0.9999,同时也发现平贝、炉贝和伊贝中腺苷都占核苷总量60%以上,而浙贝中仅占约40%,提示贝母生药的抗凝血活性可能与贝母中核苷类化合物的种类和含量的差别有关。     

非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病患者血清唾液酸的改变

测定20例NIDDM伴有心脑血管病变的患者、20例单纯NIDDM患者的血清唾液酸（SA）水平，并与20例正常人进行比较。结果发现所有NIDDM患者的血清SA水平均显著增高（P＜0．01），其中伴有心脑血管疾病患者的血清SA水平显著高于单纯NIDDM患者（P＜0．05），同时血清SA水平与血清胰岛素及C肽水平、收好压之间存在相关。提示血清SA水平与NIDDM患者的心脑血管疾病关系密切，可能是心脑血管并发症发生的一个危险因素。     

关于高等医学教育管理体制与学制改革的思考

高等医学教育管理体制与学制改革是二十一世纪社会发展的需要。文章阐述了医学教育小规模、长学制、高投入的基本特征,强调了遵循医学教育规律的重要性,分析了医学院在综合性大学的重要地位,医学院与附属医院以及相关院系的关系。文章还依据社会发展的需要和医学教育国际化的趋势,分析了医学教育学制调整的必要性以及学制调整思路。