Ductal origin of the left pulmonary artery in severe tetralogy of Fallot: Problems in management

Summary Cardiac catheterization in a neonate demonstrated tetralogy of Fallot and absence of anatomic origin of the left pulmonary artery from the main pulmonary artery. A central aortopulmonary shunt was performed in order to increase pulmonary blood flow. Because of the concern that the left pulmonary artery was actually being supplied by a ductus arteriosus, repeat catheterization was performed and this revealed closure of the ductus arteriosus with obliteration of arterial supply to the left pulmonary artery. A left Blalock-Taussig shunt was subsequently performed and this reestablished blood supply to the left pulmonary artery. This case report describes problems in management of congenital heart disease with absence of anatomic origin of the left pulmonary artery from the main pulmonary artery.     

Hypovitaminosis A in metropolitan Adelaide

Hypovitaminosis A is a well-recognized condition in many developing countries. However, in the developed world the diagnosis is frequently missed or delayed because of its rarity. A 67-year-old man from metropolitan Adelaide presented to us with gradual but severe bilateral visual loss. He had marked punctate epithelial keratopathy in both eyes. Hypovitaminosis was suspected because of his bizarre dietary habit, and this was confirmed by a combination of impression cytology of the ocular surface and biochemical testing of his venous blood. His vision responded dramatically to vitamin A supplementation. Hypovitaminosis A should be suspected in severe cases of 'dry-eye', especially in those patients with unusual dietary habit or malabsorption.     

What is the Atrioventricular Node? Some Clues in Sorting out its Structure‐Function Relationship

The anatomic and functional substrate underlying AV nodal rate-dependent and dual pathway properties remains highly controversial. This article focuses on some factors that impair the understanding of the AV nodal structure-function relationship and some clues toward sorting it out. A definition of the AV node that applies to both anatomic and functional studies, an orthogonal topographic representation of nodal structures, and the integration of rate-dependent and dual pathway behavior of the AV node are proposed as primary steps toward a better understanding of the AV nodal structure-function relationship. Further fact-based information is the key to the sorting out of this puzzle.     

眼结膜印迹细胞法(CIC)与血清VitA浓度测定法的比较研究

目的: 确定眼结膜印迹细胞法 (CIC法) 用于儿童群体亚临床VitA缺乏 (SVAD) 早期筛查的可行性。方法:采用CIC法, 对 438例 3~7岁学龄前儿童进行VitA营养状况评价, 评价结果与血清VitA水平相比较。结果: ①随着血清VitA水平的降低结膜印迹细胞异常程度也相应增加 (P<0. 05), 两者的符合率为 93.17%。②有 26. 38% (110 /410) 的研究对象结膜印迹细胞出现异常改变, 提示CIC法可以早期发现SVAD。结论: CIC法是一种能够有效地评价儿童机体VitA营养状况, 早期发现SVAD的快捷方法。     

雾化酸性氧化电位水消毒法对口腔印模尺寸精度的影响

目的:评价藻酸盐、硅橡胶印模分别接受雾化酸性氧化电位水消毒处理后尺寸精度的变化。方法:以同一个母模制取硅橡胶、藻酸盐印模各48个,各分成4组,每组12个,一组为对照组,不作处理,立即灌模,余3组分别接受15min、30min、45min的处理,以超硬石膏灌模,比较各组之间标准线段长度差异,单因素方差分析数据结果。结果:藻酸盐、硅橡胶印模经处理15min、30min、45min后,均无统计学意义的变形(P<0.05)。结论:雾化酸性氧化电位水消毒对口腔印模尺寸精度无影响。     

丫啶橙荧光染色结膜印迹细胞定量检测干燥性角结膜炎

目的应用丫啶橙荧光染色法进行结膜印迹细胞学检查,通过判断结膜细胞功能状态,对干燥性角结膜炎患者的眼部干燥程度进行定量检测,为临床的治疗提供实验室依据。方法选自我院眼科门诊已确诊的干燥性角结膜炎患者23例(38眼),用丫啶橙荧光染色结膜印迹细胞检查法进行检测,并用结膜印迹细胞检查结果评价标准进行评价,按Tseng分类法进行分级。结果干燥性角结膜炎患者23例(38眼)中,25眼细胞分级为Ⅱ～Ⅲ级,13眼细胞分级为Ⅲ—Ⅳ级。结论丫啶橙荧光染色法进行结膜印迹细胞学检查可以确认结膜细胞鳞状化生的程度,为干燥性角结膜炎病变程度提供临床分级、定量诊断,指导临床用药。     

A framework for a streamline-based probabilistic index of connectivity (PICo) using a structural interpretation of MRI diffusion measurements

PURPOSE: To establish a general methodology for quantifying streamline-based diffusion fiber tracking methods in terms of probability of connection between points and/or regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The commonly used streamline approach is adapted to exploit the uncertainty in the orientation of the principal direction of diffusion defined for each image voxel. Running the streamline process repeatedly using Monte Carlo methods to exploit this inherent uncertainty generates maps of connection probability. Uncertainty is defined by interpreting the shape of the diffusion orientation profile provided by the diffusion tensor in terms of the underlying microstructure. RESULTS: Two candidates for describing the uncertainty in the diffusion tensor are proposed and maps of probability of connection to chosen start points or regions are generated in a number of major tracts. CONCLUSION: The methods presented provide a generic framework for utilizing streamline methods to generate probabilistic maps of connectivity.     

At first glance: social meanings of dental appearance

OBJECTIVES: An important factor in social interaction is physical appearance. Major elements in the evaluation of physical appearance are the mouth and teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tooth appearance on the development of a first impression of the other person, with regard to the sex of both the respondent and the target. METHODS: Eight facial photographs of individuals with intact upper teeth were manipulated: one set was left untouched and the other was professionally altered so that the front anterior teeth appeared decayed. The photographs were randomly aligned in sets of eight, each set consisting of four individuals with an original, intact dentition and four other individuals with a "decayed" dentition. The sets of photographs were then presented to 115 respondents (65 males and 50 females). Evaluations were made according to three categories of traits--esthetic, social, and professional. RESULTS: For all three evaluation categories, the difference in scores between decayed and intact dentition given to targets were significantly higher when participants of one sex evaluated targets of the opposite sex, as compared to evaluating targets of their own sex. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of tooth appearance on the physical attractiveness stereotype is more evident when males evaluate females and vice versa, rather than when evaluating their own sex.