The practice of breast self-examination results in the earlier detection and better clinical course of Japanese women with breast cancer

Using a questionnaire survey, we analyzed the relationship between the frequency of breast self-examination (BSE) and the clinical stage and course of breast cancer in Japanese patients. BSE had been performed monthly by only 5.4% of the patients (M group), occasionally by 35.4% (O group), and not at all by 59.2% (N group). There was a positive relationship between more frequent BSE and an earlier clinical stage, the percentages of Tis/stage 0 and I for the M, O, and N groups being 83%, 44%, and 36%, respectively (P<0.05). The mean maximum tumor diameters for the three groups were 1.7cm, 2.5cm, and 3.0cm, respectively. The tumor size in the M and O groups was significantly smaller than that in the N group atP<0.01 andP<0.05, respectively. The percentages of patients in the M, O, and N groups who underwent breast-conserving therapy were 42%, 11%, and 19%, respectively, with patients who had performed monthly, BSE more frequently undergoing breast-conserving therapy (P<0.05). At a median follow-up time of 34 months, 0%, 3.8%, and 7.6% of the patients from the M, O, and N groups, respectively, had died of breast cancer, the overall survival curve of the M group being significantly better than that of the N group (P<0.01). This retrospective study suggests the positive correlation of BSE frequency with earlier detection, and a more favorable clinical course in Japanese breast cancer patients.     

大鼠癫痫持续状态后水通道蛋白-4的表达

目的 探讨癫痫持续状态（SE）后大鼠水通道蛋白-4（AQP4）的表达变化与脑水肿形成之间的关系。方法 54只SD大鼠随机分为对照组（n=6），SE后6h，12h，24h，48h，72h，96h，120h，168h组（n=6）。腹腔注射锂-匹罗卡品建立大鼠SE模型，免疫组织化学染色和逆转录PCR方法检测AQP4蛋白和基因在SE形成后的表达。结果 SE后AQV4蛋白和mRNA24h表达水平明显增加，48h达到高峰，持续72h后下降，168h时仍有表达。SE后AQP4表达变化和脑水肿形成过程在时间上呈明显的正相关（r=0．73，氏0．05）。结论 SE后AOP4表达明显增强，在时间上与脑水肿形成呈正相关，提示AQP4在SE后脑水肿形成过程中起着重要作用。     

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes among Korean adults: The 2001 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey

This study aimed to identify risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Korea, a rapidly changing country. Data of 5,132 adults aged 20-85 were used from the 2001 Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to identify risk factors for T2D. Three models were specified: (i) socioeconomic and demographic factors (model 1: age, gender, education, poverty income ratio, employment), (ii) behavioral risk factors and covariates (model 2: obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary quality, family history of T2D, co-morbidity) and (iii) socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors (model 3). The prevalence of T2D was 7.4%. Less education (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.84), age (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.56-3.08 in 40-59 yrs, OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.76-5.95 in 60 yrs + comparing to 20-39 yrs) and abdominal obesity (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.79-2.82) were risk factors for T2D even after controlling for other factors simultaneously. There was a significant association of T2D with ever smoking (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.67). The relationship of age with T2D was modified by gender in model 1 and the relationship of smoking with T2D was modified by obesity in model 2. Less educated, older, obese or ever smokers were more likely to have T2D. Gender mediated the relationship of age, and obesity mediated the relationship of smoking, with T2D. Intervention programs for T2D in Korea should take the interactions among risk factors into account.     

成人顽固性癫痫持续状态的临床分析

目的 探讨成人顽固性癫痫持续状态（RSE）的危险因素、临床特点、治疗及预后。方法 54例癫痫持续状态（SE）．58次发作事件，分为RSE组和非顽固性癫痫持续状态（NRSE）组．对病因、诱因、临床表现、辅助检查、预后等进行对比分析。结果 RSE占SE的43．1％，病毒性脑炎是RSE最主要的病因（P=0．001），相反，既往癫痫发作在NRSE中更常见（P=0．000），相应地药物治疗的改变引起的SE多为NRSE（P=-0．003）；RSE组GCS评分及预后较NRSE组均差（均P=0．000）。结论 SE经一、二线抗癫痫药治疗后仍有很大一部分难以控制，病毒性脑炎是导致RSE的一个重要病因，其预后较差．目前对RSE的治疗还缺乏十分合理的方案。     

Practice of orthokeratology by a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong

Purpose: The aim of the study was to provide information about the characteristics of three main types of orthokeratology (ortho‐k) lenses used in Hong Kong and to report on their performance based on the clinical impressions of a group of ortho‐k practitioners. Method: Twelve ortho‐k practitioners were interviewed between 1 March and 30 June 2001. Results: Most ortho‐k lenses were ordered from three manufacturers: DreimLens, Fargo and Contex. The median maximum myopia reduction reported for DreimLens, Contex and Fargo lenses were 6.25 D, 6.00 D and 4.50 D respectively. The time to reduce myopia by up to 4.00 D could be up to three weeks for Contex and DreimLens and up to four weeks for Fargo. For reduction of myopia by up to 4.00 D, the treatment usually required only one or two lenses per eye for all three types of lenses. The incidence of lens binding and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction was reported to be higher with the DreimLens design. Good centration, less lens binding, relatively lower incidence of complications and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction were reported with the Fargo lenses. Conclusions: DreimLens tended to be more effective for myopia reduction. However, some practitioners were concerned with the aggressiveness of myopia reduction using this lens design and the higher potential for ocular complications. Selection of the lens design is dependent on various factors, in particular, practitioners need to be comfortable with the design they choose and to consider the needs of their patients and the final goal of the treatment.     

高血压患者脑出血的发病与遵医行为的关系分析

目的:了解高血压患者脑出血发病与遵医行为的关系。方法:采用自制高血压病患者遵医行为调查问卷表,对161例高血压(其中包括61例脑出血)的患者遵医行为及其相关因素情况进行调查。结果:表明文化程度、家庭经济水平和病程长短等遵医行为相关因素是影响脑出血疾病发生的重要因素。结论:为护理人员如何帮助高血压患者提高遵医率,减少脑出血的发病率提供依据。     

Changes in microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) expression during development and after status epilepticus in the immature rat hippocampus

In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal expression patterns of the high-molecular weight (MAP2a and b) and low-molecular weight (MAP2c and d) cytoskeletal microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) isoforms with Western blotting, and the cellular localization of the high-molecular weight MAP2 isoforms with immunocytochemistry in the hippocampi of 1- to 21-day-old rats. Moreover, the temporal profile (from 30 min to 1 week) of MAP2 isoform reactivity to kainic acid-induced status epilepticus was studied in P9 rats. During development, the expression of the high-molecular weight MAP2 isoforms significantly increased, while the low-molecular weight isoforms decreased, the most prominent changes occurring during the second postnatal week. This developmental increase in the high-molecular weight MAP2 expression was also confirmed with immunocytochemistry, which showed increased immunoreactivity, particularly in the molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, and in CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum. In 9-day-old rats, status epilepticus resulted in a rapid transient increase (about 210%) in the high-molecular weight MAP2 expression, without any effect on the low-molecular weight MAP2. Moreover, disturbed dendritic structure in the CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum was manifested as formation of varicosities 3h after the kainic acid treatment. The strictly developmentally regulated MAP2 isoform expression suggests different functional roles for these proteins during the postnatal development in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, high-molecular weight MAP2s may play a role in nerve cell survival during cell stress.     

广东省输精管绝育技术应用状况调查

为分析影响输精管结扎术推广应用技术因素,了解基层手术点的手术质量,1994年～1995年对23个基层手术点作现场调查,发现影响男性结扎手术质量的一些因素,例如部分基层手术点操作不规范,未能按《节育手术常规》操作,手术管理制度不够严格。建议:①加强男性结扎术操作规范化的培训。②推广新型的手术消毒剂和先进的操作方法。③重视心理咨询和心理护理。④强调节育效果是手术质量的主要指际。⑤完善手术管理制度。     

Nationwide investigations of intestinal obstruction in Japan

Two nationwide questionnaire surveys of intestinal obstruction in Japan were undertaken, covering two two-year periods, from January, 1975 to December, 1976 and from January, 1985 to December, 1986, respectively. The findings of a comparative review of these two surveys indicated that although the overall mortality of intestinal obstruction had not changed between 1975/76 and 1985/86, being 6.8 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively, simple adhesive obstruction had decreased from 3.2 per cent in 1975/76 to 2.0 per cent in 1985/86. The main cause of adhesion was laparotomy and in cases of both simple adhesive obstruction and strangulated adhesive obstruction, the rate of adhesion secondary to laparotomy of the upper gastrointestinal tract and colon and rectum had increased between 1975/76 and 1985/86. Obstructions caused by neoplasms had increased from 8.2 per cent in 1975/76 to 10.0 per cent in 1985/86, while those caused by adhesions had incresed further still, from 42.5 per cent in 1975/76 to 60.8 per cent in 1985/86. Among the latter group, nonoperatively treated cases had increased, which may be accounted for by the fact that facilities which adopt non-operative treatment using intestinal decompression as the first choice for simple adhesive obstruction cases have increased. In both surveys, the mortality of cases receiving nonoperative treatment was lower than that of operative cases.     

Treatment of Status Epilepticus

Summary: Status epilepticus, particularly the convulsive form, is a medical emergency, warranting prompt and aggressive treatment. To do this, one must have a thorough understanding of the pharmacology of the anticonvulsant agents. Therapy should be directed toward rapid termination of the status epilepticus, prevention of seizure recurrence, and treatment of any underlying cause. Most importantly, one should establish and adhere to a standard treatment protocol for best results.