Candida albicans osteomyelitis of the spine: progressive clinical and radiological features and surgical management in three cases

Candida albicans vertebral osteomyelitis is rare. Three cases are presented. Without antifungal treatment, they developed spinal collapse and neurological deterioration within 3–6 months from the onset of symptoms. There was a delay of 4.5 and 7.5 months between the onset of symptoms and surgery. All patients were managed with surgical debridement and reconstruction and 12-week fluconazole treatment. The neurological deficits resolved completely. The infection has not recurred clinically or radiologically at 5–6 years follow-up. Although rare, Candida should be suspected as a causative pathogen in cases of spinal osteomyelitis. Without treatment the disease is progressive. As soon as osteomyelitis is suspected, investigations with MRI and percutaneous biopsy should be performed followed by medical therapy. This may prevent the need for surgery. However, if vertebral collapse and spinal cord compression occurs, surgical debridement, fusion and stabilisation combined with antifungal medications can successfully eradicate the infection and resolve the neurological deficits.     

弱激光血疗法的发展及展望

本文主要介绍了弱激光血疗的机制及其在我国的发展过程.弱激光血疗法起源于前苏联的紫外光量子疗法,传入我国后经历了静脉内照射疗法,离体血液激光照射回输疗法,口咽部照射伴吸氧疗法,鼻腔内照射疗法等.本文对各种疗法的特点及临床应用进行了详细叙述.有些学者认为,中医的观点也能揭示激光血疗的机制.从中医辨证的角度,人的体质分为虚证和实证.结合中医针灸的虚则补之,实则泻之的原理,根据患者的虚实状况,采用含有中医补泻信息的调制激光照射血液,同时加照相关敏感穴位,促进疗效,以体现中医的辨证施治的原则可取得更好的疗效.     

川芎嗪对预防犬急性脊髓损伤神经保护作用的实验研究

目的研究川芎嗪对犬急性脊髓损伤模型的神经保护作用。方法Allen’s法打击犬胸13节段脊髓制成急性脊髓损伤模型，所有动物均行介入下选择性动脉插管至伤椎水平肋下动脉，留置导管作为局部给药途径。实验动物随机分为正常对照组、脊髓损伤组、川芎嗪治疗组。术后采用胥少汀脊髓功能评分标准对脊髓神经功能进行评分、MRI检查、血清和脑脊液中髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)和S-100B蛋白的测定来衡量脊髓损伤程度和药物治疗效果。结果川芎嗪治疗组在各时间点的神经功能评分高于脊髓损伤组并且在1W有统计学意义。核磁共振检查发现川芎嗪治疗组的相对信号值低于脊髓损伤组，在72h、1W有统计学意义。川芎嗪治疗组血清和脑脊液中MBP低于脊髓损伤组，并且MBP在72h时差异有显著性。结论川芎嗪对于急性脊髓损伤具有神经保护作用。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗后生存质量评估

目的了解慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者生存质量（QOL）状况,并通过抗病毒治疗对其QOL进行干预.方法采用横断面调查,选择2003年至2004年期间武汉大学人民医院感染科212例慢性乙型肝炎患者及健康人群185例,分别以健康状况问卷（SF-36）、医学应对问卷以及肝病特质问卷进行调查.结果与健康对照组比较,CHB患者除情感职能（RE）外,其他维度得分均明显低于健康对照者（P＜0.05）.CHB患者QOL与年龄、肝病特质问卷得分以及医学应对问卷中的屈服、面对因子分显著负相关（P＜0.01）.虽然不同抗病毒治疗方案对CHB患者QOL的影响差异无统计学意义,但完全应答组与无应答组比较,两组除社会功能（SF）（P＜0.05）以外其他维度的得分差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;部分应答组与无应答组比较,仅RE、躯体疼痛（BP）及一般健康状况（GH）维度的得分差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论CHB患者QOL多个纬度均有受损.有效的抗病毒治疗能提高患者的QOL.     

高迁移率族蛋白B1对大鼠脾脏树突状细胞表面共刺激分子表达的影响

目的观察高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)对树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC)表面共刺激分子表达的影响,并对其机制进行初步探讨。方法分离正常Wistar大鼠脾脏DC后置于96孔培养板(1×10~5/孔),采用HMGB1刺激,观察HMGB1刺激与DC表面共刺激分子CD80、CD86和主要组织相容性复合物(MHC)Ⅱ表达的时间-效应关系及剂量-效应关系。结果HMGB1刺激后,DC表面共刺激分子CD80、CD86和MHCⅡ表达分别于24～72 h明显上调(P＜0．05,0．01),其中以作用48 h后DC表面共刺激分子表达上调尤为显著(P＜0．01)；0．1μg/ml、1μg/ml、10μg/ml的HMGB1刺激均可诱导DC表面共刺激分子CD80、CD86和MHCⅡ表达增强(P＜0．05,0．01),其中HMGB1的浓度在1μg/ml时,大鼠DC表面共刺激分子CD80、CD86和MHCⅡ的表达增强最明显(P＜0．01)。结论HMGB1能诱导DC表面共刺激分子表达增强,HMGB1可能是诱导DC成熟的免疫刺激信号。     

颈动脉分叉血液动力状态的计算流体力学初步研究

目的应用计算流体力学（CFD）方法结合血管影像显示在体颈动脉分叉的血流动力状态.方法选取1例志愿者,采用Siemens多层螺旋CT机行左侧颈动脉CT血管成像检查（CTA）,扫描所得原始图像经计算机后处理后,用CFD方法计算并显示血液动力学各项指标.结果（1）该血管血液流率均值范围为0.04～0.36 m/s,颈外和颈内动脉的内侧壁（均以分叉顶点为参照）可见一高血流速区,球部可见较大片低血流速区;颈动脉分叉及颈内、外动脉近端均可见血液涡流与回流.（2）血液绝对压、静态压和动态压的均值范围分别为100 266.70～101 615.90 Pa、-10 58.34～290.88 Pa、6.12～553.25 Pa;（3）管壁切应力均值范围为0.59～5.35 Pa,在颈动脉球部及颈内动脉后壁显示大范围的低切应力区,最低约为0.25 Pa,颈外动脉前外侧壁存在一小范围低切应力区.结论CFD方法结合血管影像能计算并显示在体颈动脉分叉的个体化血液动力学指标.     

示范区创建活动与社区卫生服务长效机制的建立和可持续发展对策的思考

通过第三方评估全国社区卫生服务示范区是我国社区卫生服务发展史上的一大创举。此项活动的开展,极大的提高了各地政府对发展社区卫生服务的思想认识、政策理解和经费投入力度。通过创建和评估活动,系统总结了各申报地区社区卫生服务的经验和特色,分析了存在的问题和不足,提出了发展社区卫生服务的对策和建议,制定了社区卫生服务可持续发展的长效机制,取得了预期效果,达到了预期目的。随着《国务院关于发展城市社区卫生服务的指导意见》的出台,示范区的典型示范效应会日益凸显出来,对我国社区卫生服务的发展将起到不可估量的作用。     

主观症状及实验检查诊断早期干眼症

目的 分析主观症状及实验检查对早期干眼症患者诊断的意义。方法 对55例（109眼）已确诊的早期干眼症患者（无或仅伴有轻微体征）的临床症状及实验检查进行回顾性分析及比较。结果 患者中主观症状所占比率：干涩感94％，视疲劳感82％，异物感74％，明显高于其他症状（P〈0．05）。实验检查的阳性率：基础泪液分泌试验（Schirmer I test，SIt）35％，泪膜破裂时间检查（break-up time，BUT）85％，角结膜荧光素（fluorescent，FL）染色60％，其中BUT阳性率明显高于SIt和FL（P〈0．05）。结论 主观症状及实验检查可为早期干眼症诊断提供有利依据。     

Mini-open thoracoscopically assisted thoracotomy versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for anterior release in thoracic scoliosis and kyphosis: a comparison of operative and radiographic results

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Combining anterior release and interbody fusion with posterior instrumented fusion is an accepted treatment for severe rigid spinal deformity. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and mini-open thoracoscopically assisted thoracotomy (MOTA) are two minimally invasive approaches to the thoracic spine. Both reduce surgical trauma, improve cosmesis and provide effective exposure for release and fusion. Published data and the authors' surgical experience have demonstrated that both techniques are equivalent in degree of release to traditional open thoracotomy, but no comparison between these two minimally invasive alternatives has been published to our knowledge. PURPOSE: This study compared MOTA and VATS under the hypothesis that both result in similar corrections and comparable operative parameters when used in conjunction with posterior instrumented fusion. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective chart review of consecutive case series by two surgeons. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twenty-one (13 female, 8 male) patients underwent MOTA and 24 patients (17 female, 7 male) underwent VATS for anterior release, discectomy and fusion prior to posterior instrumented fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were measured at a minimum of 1-year follow-up and included radiographic Cobb measurements and operative parameters. METHODS: The indications for surgery included rigid and severe scoliosis or thoracic kyphosis. Data collection included preoperative demographics, number of levels released, primary curve correction, operative time and blood loss. Data were normalized per number of levels released anteriorly. Statistical analysis of results was done using a two-sample t test assuming equal variances with two-tail p values less than .05. RESULTS: More anterior levels were operated on average in the VATS group (6.33 vs. 4.38 levels). Curve correction per anterior level released was similar in both groups (8.7 and 8.8 degrees/level for MOTA and VATS, respectively). There was a significant difference in operative time with MOTA averaging 131.7 minutes and VATS averaging 162.8 minutes. However, a comparison of the operative time per anterior level operated, approached statistical significance in favor of VATS (33.0 vs. 28.4 minutes, p=.08). There was no significant difference in estimated blood loss during the anterior portion of the surgeries. There was a trend toward decreased blood loss per operated level favoring VATS (68.4 vs. 38.9 cc, p=.09). CONCLUSIONS: Both approaches resulted in corrections that compare favorably with open thoracotomy. We suggest that a factor in choosing between these two minimally invasive techniques is the number of thoracic levels requiring release. For four levels or less, MOTA provides an excellent alternative to standard thoracotomy. For five or more levels, VATS provides for excellent exposure of additional levels with the advantages of less operative time and blood loss per operated level.     

Cross-neutralisation of Australian brown and tiger snake venoms with commercial antivenoms: Cross-reactivity or antivenom mixtures?

Recently it has been suggested that the Australian snake antivenoms made by CSL Ltd. are in fact not truly monovalent and may contain antibodies to other snake venoms because the horses are injected with multiple snake venoms. It is unclear to what extent various monovalent antivenoms can neutralise the effect of other venoms, whether this is due to a mixture of antibodies or true cross-reactivity, and whether this has any clinical significance. We aimed to study the immunological and functional properties of brown snake (Pseudonaja spp.) antivenom (BSAV) and tiger snake (Notechis spp.) antivenom (TSAV) against their respective venoms using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and in vitro clotting studies. There was significant overlap between the two antivenoms with both TSAV and BSAV being detected by EIA on brown snake venom (BSV)-coated and tiger snake venom (TSV)-coated wells, respectively. In a competition EIA, increasing amounts of immunoaffinity-purified hen anti-brown antibodies (IgYp) mixed with TSAV reduced TSAV measured on TSV-coated wells. Both BSAV and TSAV prevented the clotting activity of both venoms. IgYp also prevented the clotting activity of TSV, suggesting true cross-reactivity. The cross-reactivity of TSAV and BSAV with BSV and TSV, respectively, was likely due to each being a mixture of anti-brown and anti-tiger antibodies, but there was partial cross-reactivity demonstrated by the effect of IgYp. Single-polyvalent antivenom for brown snake and tiger snake may be feasible in the future.