Changes in agent variability and time course of disease incidence during a year (as exemplified by dysentery)

The vulnerability of epidemic process during the period of minimum annual incidence of the disease is validated. Biological properties of Shigella sonnei are studied and their variability examined using the index for evaluation of the mean number of variations for a sign. Minimum agent heterogeneity coincides with minimum incidence of disease and maximum heterogeneity with its seasonal rises.     

Haemodynamic Adjustments to Mental Stress in Normotensives and Subjects with Mildly Elevated Blood Pressure

Cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, pre-ejection period, total peripheral resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and oxygen consumption were monitored or derived in young men with mildly elevated casual blood pressures and unambiguously normotensive control subjects before, during, and after exposure to a mental arithmetic stress. Measurements were also taken while subjects underwent graded dynamic exercise. This permitted cardiac output-oxygen consumption regression equations to be calculated and, as a consequence, cardiac output during mental stress to be represented as additional cardiac output. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher during all phases of the study in the mildly elevated blood pressure group. An overall groups effect during the mental stress phase of the experiment was observed for cardiac output and pre-ejection period, and the effect for stroke volume was close to significance. Significant Groups X Periods interactions were found for cardiac output and additional cardiac output, and the heart rate effect was nearly significant. Post-hoc comparisons here indicated that, in the main, group differences in these cardiac variables were more evident during the mental arithmetic stress than during the pre- and post-task baseline periods. Total peripheral resistance did not differ reliably between groups and the cardiac effects were specific to the mental stress phase of the study.     

Silent period to transcranial magnetic stimulation: construction and properties of stimulus–response curves in healthy volunteers

Silent period (SP) is widely used in transcranial magnetic stimulation studies. Methodologically, SP is usually elicited at stimulus intensities corresponding to a certain percentage of corticomotor threshold. Because this approach might lead to factitious SP changes, the present study was designed to develop, in a stepwise manner, a method for investigating SP independently of corticomotor threshold. First, stimulus–response (S–R) curves of SP against stimulus intensity (SI) were constructed and quantitatively described in healthy volunteers. Second, various methodological issues such as the optimum model for describing the relationship between SP duration and SI and the importance of the type of stimulating coil were addressed. Finally, the proposed method and a commonly used method (eliciting SPs at 130% MT SI) were directly compared for a group of epileptic patients for whom administration of oxcarbazepine resulted in significant corticomotor threshold elevation. Twenty-one subjects (eleven females, median age, 38 years) were studied. SPs were obtained with a figure-of-eight coil using a standardized procedure (recording, FDI). Pilot experiments indicated that at least four trials were required, at each intensity level, to estimate the mean SP duration within 10% of the true mean. Therefore, SPs were determined from the average of four trials with 5% increments from 5 to 100% maximum SI. In a second set of experiments, SPs were obtained for fifteen subjects using a circular coil. In a third set of experiments, eight epileptic patients were studied before and after administration of oxcarbazepine (mean dose 1553 mg, range 900–1800 mg). The S–R curves were fitted to a Boltzman function and to first-order to fourth-order polynomial and sigmoid functions. The Boltzman function described the data accurately (R²=0.947–0.990). In addition, direct comparison of the six models with an F-test proved the superiority of the first. The best-fit parameters of the reference curve, i.e. the maximum and minimum values, the slope, and V₅₀ (the SI at which SP duration is halfway between Min and Max) were 230.8±3.31 ms (x±SEM), –11.51±3.31 ms, 11.56±0.65%, and 49.82±0.65%, respectively. When the curves obtained with the circular coil were compared with those obtained with the figure-of-eight coil, there were differences between V₅₀ (51.69±0.72 vs 47.95±0.82, P<0.001) and SP threshold (31.15 vs 24.77, P<0.01) whereas the other best-fit values did not differ significantly. Oxcarbazepine increased corticomotor threshold from 45.3±5.8% at baseline to 59.4±10.4% (P<0.001). According to the commonly used method, the drug significantly prolonged SP (from 117.6±42.4 ms to 143.5±46.5 ms, P<0.001) and, consequently, enhanced brain inhibition. In contrast, study of the SP curves led to the conclusion that oxcarbazepine does not affect the Max value and slope but significantly increases V₅₀ and SP threshold (from 54.5±4.9% to 59.9±7.2% and from 29.1±6.4% to 34.6±6.8%, respectively, P<0.01). These findings imply that oxcarbazepine does not enhance brain inhibitory mechanisms. Thus, in situations characterized by significant changes in corticomotor threshold the proposed method provides results clearly different from a commonly used approach. It is concluded that S–R curves obtained with a figure-of-eight coil in 5% increments and fitted to a Boltzman function provide an accurate, comprehensive, and clinically applicable method for exploring SP.Presented in part at the meeting of the EFNS, Helsinki, September 2003     

The dependence of the latency relaxation on temperature in single muscle fibres of the frog

The time course of the latency relaxation was studied at various temperatures in the range 0–26°C. Over the entire range the time of onset of the drop in tension, t₁, was independent of sarcomere length. At temperatures above 12–15°C the falling phase had a point of inflexion, while at lower temperatures there was an interval during which the tension fell at a constante rate. The time when the rate of drop in tension had passed its maximum value t_1,2, the time to the maximurn drop in tension t₂, and the time when the tension crossed the resting level t₃, all showed linear dependence on sarcomere length in the range from 2.1 to 2.7–3.4 μm. In this range the durations of the intervals t_1.2-t₁, t₂-t₁, and t₃-t₁ were nearly proportional to the distance from the Z-line to the end of the zone of overlap between the thick and the thin filaments. This could be explained as the activation being a longitudinal process starting from the Z-line. The slopes (dt/dS) of the linear portions of the time variables t_1,2, t₂, and t₃ in a time-sarcomere length (S) diagram all had the same dependence on temperature giving a Q₁₀ of 1.75. Under the assumption that the activation process followed a diffusion of calcium from the Z-line region to the zone of overlap a diffusion coefficient was estimated. At room temperature it had a magnitude of about 1/20 of that for calcium chloride in water. It had a dependence on temperature corresponding to an Arrhenius activation energy of about 37 kJ/mol which is about twice the activation energy for a simple diffusion of calcium in water. The results can be interpreted in terms of the time course of the latency relaxation mainly reflecting a longitudinal diffusion of calcium ions in the sarcoplasm.     

The organization of the neonatal rat's brainstem trigeminal complex and its role in the formation of central trigeminal patterns

The present study delimits the relationship of primary trigeminal afferents to their targets, the brainstem trigeminal nuclei of the neonatal rat. Previously, the brainstem trigeminal complex of the rat has been subdivided on the basis of either cytoarchitectonics or patterns of succinic dehydrogenase activity into the principal sensory nucleus and the three subnuclei of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, oralis, interpolaris, and caudalis. In this paper, we demonstrate that each of these subdivisions can also be identified by its pattern of primary trigeminal afferents. In addition, we demonstrate that the terminations of these afferents are distributed in a punctate fashion which correlates with vibrissae-related patterns of histochemical staining. Further, vibrissae removal in the neonatal rat at any age studied results in a corresponding deafferentation of both the principal sensory nucleus and all subnuclei of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. This same procedure has a graded, age-dependent effect on the vibrissae-related pattern of cytochrome oxidase staining in somatosensory cortex. On this basis, we conclude that vibrissae-related pattern formation in the central trigeminal system can be best understood in terms of a single "sensitive" period for the entire system. We hypothesize that this is the period during which an interaction normally occurs between primary trigeminal afferents and target neurons of the principal sensory nucleus.     

Prevalence of mental disorder in an urban population in central Sweden

The principal reason for this epidemiological study was the lack of psychiatric morbidity studies in a predominantly urban population, by psychiatrists in direct interviews. The psychiatric examination, covering 1970-71, included a representative selection of 2,283 persons, 18-65 years old from "former" Stockholm County, and the 12-month prevalence of mental disorders was measured. The total of non-participants was 12%. Forty-seven percent had a psychiatric diagnosis - significantly more women (54%) than men (40%). Excluding the psychosomatic diagnoses, 31% of the population received a psychiatric diagnosis, which agrees closely with other contemporary studies of mental disorder in the Nordic countries. The primary diagnoses were: neuroses 26%, psychosomatic diagnoses 16%, schizophrenic/paranoid conditions or other psychoses 0.6%, affective disorders 0.2%, psychoorganic syndromes 1.2%, psychopathy 0.2%, character neurosis 1%, drug dependence 0.2% (as a primary or a secondary diagnosis 0.6%), alcoholism 1.4% (as a primary or a secondary diagnosis 3.1%) and mental retardation 0.4% (as a primary or a secondary diagnosis 0.8%).     

“Aggressive” Feeding of Very Preterm Neonates and Body Mass Index at School Age

Introduction: The effects of “aggressive” neonatal feeding policies of very preterm neonates (VPN) and the risk of metabolic syndrome later in life remain questionable. We aimed to evaluate the effect of our “aggressive” nutrition policies of VPN during hospitalisation on body mass index (BMI) at ages 2 and 8 years. Materials and Methods: Eighty four VPN, who received “aggressive” nutrition during hospitalisation in an effort to minimise postnatal growth restriction (PGR) (group A), and 62 term neonates, as controls (group B), were enrolled in the study. Group A was further divided in four subgroups depending on the type (A1: fortified expressed breast milk and preterm formula; A2: exclusively preterm formula) and quantity of milk received (A3: maximum feeds 180–210 mL/kg/day; A4: maximum feeds 210 and up to 260 mL/kg/day). BMI was calculated at ages 2 and 8 years and plotted on the centile charts. Results: There was no significant difference in BMI between groups A and B at 2 and 8 years, respectively, in both absolute BMI values and their centile chart distribution. There was no significant difference in BMI at 2 and 8 years either between subgroups A1 and A2 or between subgroups A3 and A4. Conclusions: “Aggressive” and individualised feeding policy for VPN did not affect the BMI and obesity rates at ages of 2 and 8 years in our study population. The type and quantity of milk feeds had no impact on their BMI at school age. Further larger studies are needed to confirm our results.     

2016—2019年常州地区无偿献血者酶免和核酸平行检测结果分析

目的分析ELISA和NAT平行的血液筛查模式对降低经输血感染病原体风险的有效性。方法收集常州市2016—2019年270215例无偿献血者血液标本,采用两次ELISA并行检测HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和抗TP。268264例ELISA双阴性标本采用6人份混样(pool)NAT进行HBV DNA、HCV RNA和HIV RNA的检测,核酸阳性的pool进行拆分单检。结果270215例无偿献血者HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和抗TP的阳性率分别为2.58‰(697例)、1.49‰(402例)、0.23‰(61例)和3.06‰(827例)。268264例酶免阴性无偿献血者HBV DNA、HCV RNA和HIV RNA阳性率分别为0.86‰(230例)、0.01‰(3例)和0.01‰(2例)。结论ELISA与NAT两种检测方法能相互补充,极大降低了输血感染病原体的残余风险,保障输血安全。NAT能进一步缩短血液传染性病毒的检测“窗口期”,检出隐匿性病毒。     

旋后肩法处置肩难产对产妇分娩后盆底肌功能改善的临床研究

目的探讨旋后肩法用于肩难产产妇,对其产后盆底肌功能的改善作用。 方法选择2018年7月至2020年1月,在宁波市妇女儿童医院采用旋后肩法完成肩难产助产的28例产妇为研究对象,并纳入研究组。选取同期在本院分娩,采用耻骨联合上加压法完成肩难产助产的25例产妇纳入对照组。采用表面肌电图(sEMG),获取2组产妇分娩8周后盆底肌收缩运动肌电值。采用成组t检验,对2组产妇一般临床资料、盆底sEMG检测结果进行统计学分析。采用χ²检验,对2组产妇分娩巨大儿所占比例等进行统计学分析。本研究遵循的程序符合病例收集医院伦理委员会制定的伦理学标准,得到该委员会批准[审批文号：[2018]伦审字(28)号]。与所有受试者签署临床研究知情同意书。 结果①2组产妇身高、体重,分娩时人体质量指数(BMI)、孕龄、年龄等一般临床资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②2组产妇分娩新生儿的出生体重和巨大儿所占比例分别比较,差异亦均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③研究组产妇前基线值、快肌收缩最大值、混合肌收缩最大值、混合肌收缩平均值、耐力肌收缩平均值、后基线值分别为(1.4±0.3) μV、(23.8±5.5) μV、(19.9±3.4) μV、(17.2±2.9) μV、(13.7±3.0) μV、(1.3±0.3) μV,均超过对照组的(1.3± 0.3) μV、(20.6±4.4) μV、(17.7±3.3) μV、(14.2±4.1) μV、(11.8±3.4) μV、(1.1±0.3) μV,并且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。而2组产妇耐力肌收缩最大值比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论旋后肩法用于肩难产产妇助产,较传统耻骨联合上加压法,可改善产妇产后短期内的盆底肌功能。     

新型冠状病毒肺炎潜伏期分析

目的 掌握新型冠状病毒肺炎的潜伏期,分析不同年龄、性别和临床类型的病例潜伏期有无差异。 方法 选取聚集性疫情中53例具有明确单源一次暴露史的患者,运用中位数、众数、四分位数间距及圆形分布法计算潜伏期。并运用χ²检验分析不同流行病学特征病例潜伏期有无差异。 结果 53例患者中最短潜伏期0 d,最长潜伏期18 d,其中50例患者潜伏期在14 d内,占94.34％。潜伏期中位数为8.5 d,众数为12 d,四分位数间距计算潜伏期为8 d,圆形分布法计算潜伏期为4.35 d(Z=1.83,P＞0.05)。不同年龄、性别和临床类型的病例潜伏期无差异(均P>0.05)。 结论 不同的方法计算潜伏期略有不同,但均在14 d内。年龄、性别和临床类型等因素对潜伏期的长短没有影响。