Neurologic outcome after heart transplantation in Chagas' disease

Objective - To evaluate the neurologic morbidity after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), we examined consecutive Chagas' (Ch) and non-Chagas' (NCh) patients, before and after surgery. Material and methods - We undertook neurological and neuropsychological evaluations in Ch and NCh patients with end-stage cardiac failure, from September 1993 to September 1995. Results - Of 10 Ch patients (mean age=33.6 years; 7 male; mean follow-up=10.8 months) and 13 NCh patients (mean age=50.9 years; 12 male; mean follow-up=15 months) 3 died (rejection and sepsis) without neurologic symptoms. Neurologic complications occurred in 4 Ch and 5 NCh patients. Two Ch patients had skin and myocardial Chagas' reactivation successfully treated, without CNS involvement. NPS performance and return to work rates were similar in both groups. Conclusions - Although Ch patients are potentially at a higher risk of Trypanosoma cruzi reactivation, in addition to all known neurologic complications of OHT, early neurologic complications detected in this sample were similar in Ch and NCh patients and could not be specifically related to Chagas' disease.     

Why are children living in poverty getting fatter?

In recent decades, there has been a dramatic increase in unhealthy weight for both children and adults. The Canadian standard of living has changed in favour of more easily prepared, calorie-dense foods and sedentary practices. Many family characteristics have also changed over the past 50 years. More Canadian families are living in disadvantaged situations, forecasting a host of unhealthy behaviours and attitudes in adults. The poor are not only getting poorer, they are also becoming heavier. Children from disadvantaged families seem to be leading the trend in increasing prevalence of unhealthy weight. Because they live in neighbourhoods that are perceived as unsafe, these children are likely spending more time indoors. This is associated with watching more television, which not only displaces other forms of educational and active entertainment but also places them at risk of learning inaccurate information about proper eating. Social science research helps identify factors contributing most to the rise in excess weight within this population, thus providing essential clues for effective approaches to its eradication.     

对比因素对儿童分辨物体细节能力的影响

目的观察对比因素对儿童分辨物体细节能力的影响,了解儿童对比视力的状况。方法使用对比视力表,测量53名裸眼视力≥5.0的正常儿童92%,52%,30%对比水平处的对比视力。结果儿童的对比视力随对比度的降低而显著下降,对比度与视力之间存在显著相关;左、右眼的对比视力差异无统计学意义;男性和女性的对比视力差异无统计学意义。结论低对比的学习环境会增加儿童视觉负荷,在防治学生近视过程中应引起重视。     

丙硫咪唑治疗儿童华支睾吸虫及蛲虫感染的疗效观察

62例感染华支睾吸虫儿童应用丙硫咪唑治疗,每日400mg连服3或5日,停药1个月、3个月后复查,20例连服3日和42例连服5日的受染儿童,大便华支睾吸虫卵阴转率分别为55.O%和90.5%。140例感染蛲虫的幼儿园儿童用两种单剂丙硫咪唑进行驱虫,经3次肛拭复查,25例服200mg和115例服100mg的蛲虫卵阴转率依次为96.0%和92.2%。药物反应轻微。     

Caustic burns of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts

In a series of 51 children presenting with an accidental caustic burn, symptoms were analysed for their predictive value of significant i.e. necrotizing oesophageal lesions (grade II or III). For the whole group, the incidence of significant oesophageal lesions was 37%. Vomiting and/or respiratory distress were associated with high incidence of significant oesophageal burn (84% and 75% respectively). The particular location of each caustic burn was analysed for its association with caustic burns at other anatomical sites. Of the 18 patients with a laryngeal burn, 72% also had a grade II or III oesophageal burn. The 19 patients with a grade II or III oesophageal burn and the 18 patients with a laryngeal burn, all had lesions at other sites. In the group of 19 patients with a caustic lesion limited to one site, only 1 patient showed mild oesophagitis (grade I) without late sequelae.     

Pemberton手术为主多种辅助手段治疗大龄儿童先天性髋脱位

目的　应用Pemberton手术为主多种辅助手段治疗大龄儿童先天性髋脱位 ,从而降低术后髋关节脱位、僵硬和股骨头坏死发生率。方法　自 1989年 8月 - 1999年 8月 ,用Pemberton手术为主多种辅助手段治疗大龄儿童 (7～ 14岁 )先天性髋脱位 4 6例 (5 8髋 ) ,随访 2～ 9年 ,平均 5年 3个月。辅助手段包括 :①髂腰肌及内收肌切断 ,股骨髁上骨牵引 ;②股骨粗隆下旋转加短缩截骨 ;③单髋人字石膏制动 ;④髋关节早活动 ,晚负重 ;⑤术后被动活动髋关节加主动功能锻炼。结果　髋关节完全复位率10 0 % ,髋关节屈曲小于 90°者 4髋 ,占 6 9% ,按Salter提出的股骨头坏死诊断标准 4 6例 (5 8髋 )中 ,股骨头坏死 6髋 ,占 10 3% ,明显降低了大龄儿童先天性髋脱位术后髋关节僵硬、股骨头坏死率。结论　Pemberton手术为主多种辅助手段治疗大龄儿童先天性髋脱位疗效确切 ,优良率高。     

Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of coronary artery fistulas using detachable balloons

Three pediatric patients underwent successful transcatheter coronary artery fistula occlusion using the Debrun system. This latex balloon system offers several advantages over other occlusion systems. First, the balloon delivery and release is controlled. Second, “test occlusions” can be performed that allow simultaneous balloon inflation, coronary cineangiography, and electrocardiographic monitoring. Third, because the balloons are flow-directed, they are easily positioned in properly chosen locations. Finally, the balloons can be constructed to suit the size of the fistula. In this study, two patients received only one balloon; in the other patient two balloons were placed in the same fistula. All fistulas drained into either the right atrium or ventricle and were successfully occluded. After a follow-up period of up to 3 years, no local or systemic reactions to the balloons were recognized. We conclude that detachable balloon occlusion of coronary artery fistulas is a safe, effective alternative to surgical ligation in selected pediatric patients.     

心力衰竭患儿血浆心钠素浓度的研究

测定7例心力衰竭患儿及44例健康儿童血浆心钠素浓度,发现心力衰竭患儿血浆心钠素浓度较健康儿童增加,且与病情轻重有关,心力衰竭程度越重,心钠素浓度越高,此系心脏通过降低心脏前、后负荷以改善心功能的代偿机制。2个月至12岁健康儿童血浆心钠素水平不受性别及年龄的影响。     

婴幼儿良性颅内压增高症78例诊治分析

目的 :探讨婴幼儿良性颅内压增高症的促发因素及治疗。方法 :对 78例婴幼儿良性颅内压增高症患儿的临床资料进行分析。结果 :在促发因素中 ,发热性疾病或呼吸道感染占 41 .0 % ,药物因素占 34.6% ,中耳炎占 5 .1 %。反映感染性疾病和药物是诱发婴幼儿良性颅内压增高的重要因素 ,中耳炎所占比例下降 ;全部病例经积极治疗基础疾病 ,用甘露醇及地塞米松降颅压均全部痊愈。结论 :婴幼儿良性颅内压增高症呈良性预后 ,临床医生在小儿用药上要重视药物的剂量及不良反应。     

Neural networks in the study of the brain

Neural networks are models of the brain and have been used within Artificial Intelligence to provide alternative explanations to the symbolic explanations of cognition in which one assumes that an intelligent system has certain explicit representations of some aspect of the world and uses these in intelligent behavior. Obviously, if neural networks are indeed good models of the brain, and give a satisfactory account of cognition, then they could be a valuable tool to neuroscientists. This article gives a brief overview of the various neural network models, and critically reviews their status as models of the brain and of cognition.