Analysis of Implantation in Assisted Reproduction Through the Use of Serial Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Measurements

Purpose: Our purpose was to examine implantation of singleton pregnancies achieved following various assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) through the appearance and rising titers of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Methods: A total of 114 singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination was analyzed. Patients were divided into five groups according to the type of ovarian stimulation protocol [gonadotropin stimulation with/without the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), long protocol, or flare-up technique] and to the day of embryo transfer (day 2 or day 3 after oocyte retrieval). Serial serum hCG levels were measured between 10 and 25 days after fertilization and log-transformed. Linear regression analyses were performed and extrapolated to hCG = 10 mIU/ml (hCG ₁₀ ), which was used as an estimate of detectable implantation. The slopes of the regression lines were used to estimate the rising speed of hCG. Results: There were no significant differences in the days of hCG in maternal serum to reach 10 mIU/ml (implantation) or in the slopes of the regression lines for all five studied groups. Conclusions: The appearance of hCG in maternal serum was used to assess the time of clinically detectable implantation. Furthermore, because hCG production is a marker of trophoblastic activity, its serum doubling time was used as an indicator of embryo quality. Results showed that in various ART protocols with and without GnRHa, there were no significant differences in implantation time or embryo quality. Embryo development in early pregnancy follows a preprogrammed-timing schedule and depends mainly on the embryonic age of the health, successfully implanted conceptus.     

Endovascular stent implantation in patients with stenotic aortoarteriopathies: early and medium-term results.

Data regarding stent implantation for stenotic aortoarteriopathy (SAA) are incomplete. We report on nine patients with this rare syndrome who underwent arterial stent implantation. Indications, results, and complications for patients with SAA were reviewed. Nine patients underwent 11 procedures. Twenty-two stents were implanted in the aorta or brachiocephalic vessels. Five patients had diffuse stenoses, three patients had middle aortic syndrome, and one patient had thoracic and abdominal coarctation. Associated diagnoses included Williams syndrome (2), neurofibromatosis (2), Takayasu's (1), and congenital rubella (1). Median gradient was 60 mm Hg (20-140 mm Hg). Poststent gradient was 15 mm Hg (0-60 mm Hg; P < 0.001). Additional stents were implanted in two patients and five underwent stent redilation. Two patients (22%) were found to have aneurysm formation. Stent implantation effectively provides gradient relief in SAA. Gradient reduction persists or is amenable to redilation. Importantly, however, uncomplicated stent implantation does not preclude aneurysm formation and may be more common than in traditional patient groups.     

心脏瓣膜置换术后中远期疗效分析

目的　分析探讨心脏瓣膜置换术的中远期疗效。方法　 1978年至 2 0 0 1年 12月 ,行瓣膜置换手术 2 14 1例 ,同期随访 16 81例 ,计 80 2 1 1人·年 ,平均 4 77人·年。通过回顾病因、手术方式、瓣膜类型等因素 ,观察术后病人心功能改善情况 ,病死率及并发症等 ,采用t检验 ,多因素回归等统计学方法分析。结果　 92例死亡。总体生存率 5年为 (92 3± 2 2 ) % ,10年生存率为 (90 1± 2 7) %。并发症有血栓栓塞、机械瓣膜功能障碍、瓣周漏、溶血、机械瓣膜感染性心内膜炎。术后心功能 (NYHA)与术前比较有明显的提高。结论　 1.机械瓣置换术后中远期疗效满意 ,病死率及并发症均较低 ;与术前心功能和手术种类直接相关 ;2 .使用保留瓣下结构及三尖瓣成形术对术后心功能恢复有明显效果 ;3.术中良好心肌保护是提高手术成功率的关键。     

暂时性异位断足寄养再回植术

目的：报道2例采用暂时性异位寄养再植技术，挽救无一期再植条件的新足及在特殊条件下的断足再植方法，方法，对无一期再植条件的2例断足，采用暂时异位寄养的方法，分别植于健侧小腿下段，分别利用胫后动脉和大隐静脉作为受区血管，维持断足存活，待全身状态平稳和离断肢体近端条件允许时，再将断足自寄养部位二期回植于原来的解剖位置。结果：2例断足完体成活。经4－6个月随访，受伤的下肢恢复正常长度，足底感受恢复，能下地行走。结论：暂时性异位寄养再植技术为挽救特殊条件下的离断肢体提供了一种新的选择，特殊条件下的断足和小腿下段的离断是暂时性异位寄养断肢再植术的理想病例。     

A Comparison of a Monofocal Acrysoft IOL Using the “Blended Monovision” Formula with the Multifocal Array IOL for Glasses Independence After Cataract Surgery

We compared the Acrysoft monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) in the mini monovision formula (n = 20) with the Array multifocal intraocular lens (n = 20) for glasses independence after cataract surgery. The Acrysoft monofocal IOL group showed similar and even slightly better results than the Array multifocal IOL group. The monofocal Acrysoft IOL using the mini monovision (blended vision) formula is a good alternative for providing post-cataract surgery glasses independence. Drs. Chen, Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Neal H. Atebara are at University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Dr. Te Tsaw Chen, Past Professor & Director, was at Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, ROC. The authors have stated that they do not have a significant financial interest or other relationship with any product manufacturer or provider of services discussed in this article. The authors also do not discuss the use of off-label products, which includes unlabeled, unapproved, or investigative products or devices. The authors compared the Acrysoft monofocal intraocular lens in the mini monovision formula to the Array multifocal intraocular lens for glasses independence after cataract surgery.     

右室心内膜流入道永久性起搏电极植入的体会

目的 :探讨右室心内膜永久性起搏电极植入术中 ,心尖部起搏与流入道起搏二者在术中起搏参数比较 ,以及流入道起搏电极植入方法。方法 :选择本院行永久性心脏起搏器安置术的 67例患者为研究对象 ,在右室心尖部起搏电极不易固定或测试起搏参数不理想时 ,改为右室流入道起搏 (12例 )。结果 :①右室心尖部及流入道两种位置起搏阈值、R波振幅、心肌阻抗比较无显著性差异 ;②术后随访 2～ 14个月两组病例均未发生电极脱位、感知异常、膈肌收缩。结论 :①右室流入道起搏与心尖部起搏一样是电极植入的有效部位 ;②右室流入道起搏与心尖部起搏一样心室电极植入技术简单易行     

白内障形成机制研究

通过对老年性白内障、外伤性白内障、先天性白内障(共14例)及正常晶体(20例)的SOD测定,表明晶体内自由基产生增加,抗氧化能力障碍是白内障形成的重要原因之一。同时,对晶体内自由基的发生及致病机理进行了探讨,提示在白内障形成初期,给予抗氧化制剂在可能阻止或延缓白内障形成。     

Bilateral subclavian steal syndrome: Treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement

A 66-year-old man presented with bilateral subclavian steal syndrome (SSS) due to proximal subclavian artery occlusions. He was treated by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) and stent implantation in the left subclavian artery and by PTA alone in the right subclavian artery. We could demonstrate that interventional treatment of symptomatic bilateral SSS is possible. If PTA alone is insufficient, stent implantation should be considered.