Pelvic ultrasound measurements in normal girls

Pelvic ultrasound scans were carried out in 153 normal girls aged between 3 days and 14.9 years, in order to obtain reference data for ovarian volume, uterine length and uterine configuration. The right ovary was significantly larger than the left (by about 17%). Ovarian volume increased exponentially with age, over this age range. No relationship with pubertal stage (independent of age) could be demonstrated. Uterine length decreased from birth to 4 years, before steadily increasing. The fundalcervical ratio (FCR) decreased initially then increased to lie above 1.0 by 15 years of age. A midline endometrial echo was seen in half of the subjects aged less than 6 months, but otherwise it was not seen before 11.8 years of age or at Tanner stage B2. Smoothed reference centile curves for uterine length, right and left ovarian volume were produced, allowing z scores (or SD scores) to be calculated for each measurement.     

Duration of growth suppressive effects of regular inhaled corticosteroids

The growth of 50 children receiving regular inhaled corticosteroids was segregated into divisions of six weeks from the start of treatment and compared with their growth when not receiving regular corticosteroids using a random effects regression model. Growth suppression was most marked during the initial six weeks after starting treatment, with most suppression occurring during the initial 18 weeks. Thereafter the children's growth was similar to their growth when not receiving treatment. These findings have important consequences for patterns of treatment of asthma in children.     

1—溴丙烷工厂工人健康状况调查及接触生物标记物的研究

目的 分析1-溴丙烷毒性并评价其危险度，探讨适宜的接触生物标记物，方法 对37名工人进行问卷调查。血液学指标和血生化指标的测定。包括垂体激素和性激素测定。以该工厂工人为接触组，食品厂工人为对照组，比较两组间的血浆，脶酸激酶（CK）活性和血浆肌酸激酶M亚基（CK-M）。尿中1-溴丙烷用气相色谱仪检测，个体暴露蓄积水平用个体采样器估测。结果 接触组工人出现眼，鼻，口腔，喉的粘膜刺激症状。部分工人出现眩晕，可能是神经系统的反应。结论 接触1-溴丙烷引起的主诉症状提示它能刺激上呼吸道粘膜，在约100mg/m^3浓度水平可影响中枢神经系统，尿1-溴丙烷浓度有望成为接触的生物标记物。     

电解治疗慢性前列腺炎8例

目的 观察电化学治疗慢性非细菌性前列腺炎的临床效果。方法 将前列腺电化学治疗仪电极经尿道留置在前列腺尿道部，膀胱内持续灌注生理盐水，以提供电化学反应之电解质及冲洗膀胱，通电后在电极周围形成电场，产生的电化学(强碱)反应使部分前列腺组织变性坏死，破坏膀胱颈部及前列腺部尿道丰富的α-肾上腺素能受体，解除痉孪，达治疗目的。结果 8例慢性非细菌性前列腺炎患者经电化学治疗后，尿路刺激等临床症状缓解，前列腺液涂片镜检示白细胞数量恢复正常。结论 电化学治疗慢性非细菌性前列腺炎的疗效有临床意义。     

The nitric oxide hypothesis of migraine and other vascular headaches

The molecular mechanisms of migraine pain remain to be determined. Our studies of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)-induced and histamine-induced headaches have led us to propose that nitric oxide (NO) may be the causative molecule in migraine pain. We also propose that substances capable of inducing experimental vascular headache do so with NO as the common mediator. Finally, we suggest that drugs with antimigraine activity inhibit NO and the cascade of intracellular reactions triggered by NO. We believe these observations provide new insight into the mechanisms of vascular headache. The importance of NO as a potential initiator of the migraine attack indicates new directions for the pharmacological treatment of migraine and other vascular headaches.     

Ear-related problems among children attending the paediatric and otorhinolaryngology out-patients clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital,Enugu

BackgroundEar related diseases are commonly seen in clinics worldwide especially among children. They are associated with significant morbidity and frequent hospital visits. Limited data exists regarding the burden of ear disease among Nigerian children.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of ear-related problems among children presenting at the Paediatric and Otorhinolaryngology clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.ResultsThree thousand and twenty-one children were seen during the study period. Out of these, 248 children (8.2%) presented with ear-related problems. Chronic otitis media (30.5%), acute otitis media (29.9%), cerumen auris (11.3%), otitis externa (10.1%), hearing impairment (7.3%) and foreign body in the ear (5.7%) were the most commonly diagnosed ear-related problems.ConclusionEar-related problems among children presenting at the UNTH Enugu were not uncommon. However, otitis media was the most commonly diagnosed ailment affecting the ears in children.     

Pilot Trial Evaluating Mid-Regional Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide as a Marker of Sepsis after Abdominal Surgery

Introduction

Mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR pro-ANP) has been shown to be a diagnostic marker for sepsis. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the potential of MR pro-ANP in the diagnosis of postoperative sepsis.

Methods

We enrolled 18 patients with postoperative sepsis, 19 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery without sepsis and 9 healthy individuals as control subjects. MR pro-ANP, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured on the day of inclusion in the study, and at days 3, 7 and 10.

Results

The mean levels of MR pro-ANP were significantly higher in patients with postoperative sepsis than in patients without sepsis (two-way ANOVA p <0.0001). The best cut-off level for MR pro-ANP was determined to be 162.5 pmol/l, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 68%. On the day of inclusion in the study, MR pro-ANP detected postoperative sepsis equally as well as PCT (Youden test P = 0.17). MR pro-ANP levels in patients with postoperative sepsis remained significantly elevated for 10 days, regardless of the clinical state, whereas falling levels of IL-6 and PCT indicated improvement of sepsis. The overall correlation of MR pro-ANP with IL-6 and PCT was therefore low (Pearson´s r 0.15 and 0.36, respectively).

Conclusions

MR pro-ANP may contribute to the diagnosis of postoperative sepsis, as its level can differentiate between elevation of other inflammatory markers due to abdominal surgery alone or postoperative sepsis.

     

Clinical and immunologic effects of sublingual immunotherapy on patients with allergic rhinitis to house-dust mites: 1-year follow-upp results

目前亚洲还没有关于舌下免疫疗法(sublingual immunotherapy,SLIT)治疗粉尘螨引起变应性鼻炎(AR)患者的资料。本研究旨在探讨韩国患者SLIT治疗12个月后的有效性和免疫学变化。对58例患屋尘螨及粉尘螨过敏的AR患者进行12个月SLIT,分别记录SLIT前及治疗12个月后患者的症状评分;此外,也     

Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix in healthy female volunteers

The gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix is in advanced clinical development for the control of endogenous gonadotrophin secretion during the course of a fertility programme. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Cetrorelix following single and multiple s.c. administration of different doses. Thirty-six healthy female volunteers received either 0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 mg Cetrorelix, in a first menstrual cycle as single dose and in a second cycle as multiple dose (daily between cycle days 3 and 16). Frequent blood samples were collected for determination of Cetrorelix, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. Follicular growth was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. After single administration of each dose, maximum Cetrorelix concentrations (Cmax) were reached after 1 h, and Cmax and area under curve (AUC) increased linearly with the dose. The median terminal half-life ranged from 5 to 10 h in the three different dose groups. FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were suppressed, with a nadir at 6-12 h after Cetrorelix administration. During multiple administration, Cmax and AUC also showed dose-linearity. The median terminal half-life of Cetrorelix varied between 20 and 80 h. A dose-dependent suppression of FSH, LH and oestradiol concentrations was observed during treatment. After multiple administration, ovulation was delayed for 5, 10 and 13 days in the 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mg dose groups, respectively. In conclusion, Cetrorelix showed linear pharmacokinetics, and effectively delayed the LH surge.