Simple screening test for risk of falls in the elderly

Background:   The aim of this study is to construct a simple screening test for the risk of falls in community-dwelling elder persons.
Methods:   A total of 1378 community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in five different communities in Japan were asked to answer a self rated questionnaire including 22 items covering physical, cognitive, emotional and social aspects of functioning and environmental factors. At a six-month follow-up, the outcome of fall occurrence and the number of falls was ascertained by social workers, health visitors or nurses.
Results:   Five out of 22 items were selected using a logistic regression model. Using this five-item version, a screening test was constructed, and at the best cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 68% and 70%, respectively. The validity of this scale was tested on persons with cognitive dysfunction.
Conclusion:   The simplicity and the predictive validity of the screening test support the use of this test in health check ups or general outpatient facilities.     

Treatment and prognostic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. Survival of patients depends on tumor extension and liver function, but yet there is no consensual prognostic model. AIMS: To evaluate the influence on survival of pretreatment parameters (clinico-laboratorial, liver function, tumor extension, Okuda and Cancer of the Liver Italian program (CLIP) staging) and treatment modalities. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 207 patients, diagnosed between 1993 and 2003. The initial treatment was: surgery--six patients; radiofrequency ablation--21; percutaneous ethanol injection--29; transarterial chemoembolization--49; tamoxifen--49; supportive care alone--53. Factors determining survival were assessed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models. RESULTS: Median survival was 24 months. In univariate analysis, Child-Pugh classification and Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), tumor size, number of lesions, Okuda and CLIP scores were all associated with prognosis (P < 0.001). Alpha-fetoprotein levels were not predictive of survival. Independent predictors of survival were ascites, bilirubin, PVT and therapeutic modalities (P < 0.001). In early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), survival was similar for both percutaneous ablation modalities, either radiofrequency or ethanol injection (P = NS). In advanced HCC, survival was better in patients receiving tamoxifen than supportive care alone (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the importance of baseline liver function (Child-Pugh classification and MELD score) in the survival of patients with HCC, although staging systems allowed the stratification of patients in different prognostic groups. Ascites, bilirubin and PVT were independent pretreatment predictors of survival. All treatments influenced the patient's outcome, whether in early or advanced stages.     

Lähmung des N. hypoglossus nach operativem Eingriff – Behandlung mit Akupunktur

Acupuncture is able to accelerate the process of healing significantly when employed in cases of nerve paresis as shown in the following analysis. The patient's constant condition of speech and swallowing impediment before treatment changed relatively fast after starting acupuncture treatment. It is self evident that we took into account the primary disease (AIDS) and its problems. The simplicity of a complementary treatment with acupuncture according to the possible results should make us consider the use of acupuncture as an important way to treat paresis in the early subacute phase and if possible during clinical stay.     

Total and free tissue factor pathway inhibitor in pregnancy hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role played by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in pregnancy hypertension. METHODS: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, hemostatic measurements were obtained for women with pre-eclampsia (n=51), nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (n=62), postpartum pre-eclampsia 24 h after childbirth (n=31), and no hypertension (healthy pregnant controls, n=100). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in circulating free TFPI levels in women with pre-eclampsia (9.7+/-6.2 ng/mL) or nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (8.3+/-5.3 ng/mL) compared with healthy controls (5.3+/-2.1 ng/mL). In women with pre-eclampsia the levels remained elevated after placental delivery (10.6+/-4.0 ng/mL). Free protein S levels were significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia (40.0%+/-10.7%), nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (37.1%+/-12.5%), or postpartum pre-eclampsia (39.3%+/-9.1%) than in healthy pregnant controls (32.2%+/-8.5%). CONCLUSION: Increased levels of the physiologically active free forms of TFPI and free protein S, 2 coagulation inhibitors, may protect women with pregnancy-induced hypertension from the risks of hemostatic activation.     

人心和山羊心脏上、下腔静脉肌袖大体解剖

目的:观测人和山羊上、下腔静脉肌袖结构特点,为治疗局灶性心房颤动积累解剖学资料。方法:采用大体解剖方法观测人心(20例)和羊心(40例)的上、下腔静脉及其表面的心肌纤维。结果:人心上腔静脉肌袖的长和宽分别为(1.91±0.39)cm、(2.41±0.26)cm,下腔静脉肌袖的长和宽分别为(1.32±0.32)cm,(3.06±0.52)cm;羊心上(前)腔静脉肌袖的长和宽分别为(1.41±1.00)cm、(1.05±0.26)cm,下(后)腔静脉肌袖的长和宽分别为(0.81±0.48)cm,(1.03±0.28)cm。人和羊心脏的上腔静脉肌袖出现率均为100%;下腔静脉肌袖的出现率分别为88.89%和98%。肌纤维多数来源于右心房前后壁,也有来自于左心房或左右心房的。结论:①上腔静脉肌袖是人和羊普遍存在的解剖结构,人的下腔静脉肌袖出现率明显低于羊,可能是上腔静脉肌袖引起局灶性心房颤动多于下腔静脉肌袖的解剖学基础。②上腔静脉肌袖是构成左右房的又一重要通路。     

白细胞介素6、信号传导和转录活化因子3和血管内皮生长因子在人脑胶质瘤中的表达及相关性研究

目的研究人脑不同级别胶质瘤中白细胞介素（IL）-6，信号传导和转录活化因子3（STAT3）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的表达，探讨IL-6、STAT3和VEGF与肿瘤病理级别和侵袭性的关系。方法采用免疫组织化学法，检测70例人脑胶质瘤，10例脑膜瘤和5例正常脑组织中IL-6、STAT3和VEGF的表达。结果胶质瘤中IL-6、STAT3和VEGF的表达水平在高级别组（Ⅲ、Ⅳ级）明显高于低级别组（Ⅰ、Ⅱ级），两组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），STAT3的表达与IL-6和VEGF的表达均呈正相关（P〈0．01）。结论IL-6、STAT3和VEGF的表达与胶质瘤的恶性程度有密切关系；且三者协同在胶质瘤发生、发展过程中起重要作用。三者的相关性证实VEGF基因由STAT3蛋白调节，而STAT3又由IL-6刺激活化。     

解构与重构思想政治工作在卫生部门实践社会主义荣辱观中的路径选择

社会主义荣辱观是当代中国社会发展的价值取向和道德支撑。树立社会主义荣辱观与思想政治工作的社会功能发挥休戚相关。思想政治工作如何在卫生部门实践社会主义荣辱观中发挥最大的社会功能．从对思想政治工作解构与重构的两条逻辑主线中，来探究思想政治工作在卫生部门实践社会主义荣辱观中的独特路径与价值意蕴。     

健脾疏肝利水法为主内外合治恶性腹腔积液

观察健脾疏肝利水为主的中医药内服外敷治疗恶性腹腔积液的疗效。设治疗组 3 8例采用内服中药加中药外敷腹部 ,配服西药利尿剂。对照组 2 7例 ,常规服西药利尿剂及对症治疗 ,疗程均为 1个月。结果 :治疗组有效率为65 7% ,对照组有效率为 48 1% (P <0 0 5 )。生存期 6个月以上、1年以上者 :治疗组分别为 12例、4例 ,对照组为 5例、0例。提示以中医药内外合治为主对恶性腹腔积液疗效明显高于单纯用西药利尿剂     

术后镇痛泵加新斯的明对胃肠功能影响

目的探讨术后硬膜外持续镇痛泵中加入新斯的明对剖宫产术后胃肠功能的影响。方法选择行剖宫产产妇240例,根据麻醉医师分组的不同将产妇分为两组,观察组126例,术后持续镇痛泵中加入麻醉药和新斯的明1.0mg;对照组114例,镇痛泵中仅有麻醉药,两组麻醉药配伍相同。观察两组产妇术后麻醉镇痛效果、肛门排气时间及腹泻、腹胀、大便失禁、恶心、呕吐等并发症发生情况。结果观察组肛门排气时间为(26.92±10.98)h,对照组为(33.78±12.61)h,两组比较差别有高度显著性(P<0.01);镇痛效果:观察组优为93.55%,对照组优为93.75%,两组比较差别无显著性(P>0.05);观察组恶心、干呕发生率为6.35%,明显低于对照组的19.3%(P<0.05),无一例发生呕吐,对照组有两例发生呕吐,三例发生腹胀;两组均无腹泻及大便失禁发生。结论术后硬膜外持续镇痛泵中加入新斯的明能促进胃肠功能,减少胃肠道并发症,有望为术后胃肠道并发症的防治提供一条新途径。     

食管癌与贲门癌术后胃排空障碍15例临床分析

目的：探讨食管癌、贲门癌术后胃排空障碍的病因、诊断及防治。方法：回顾性分析15例食管癌、贲门癌术后胃排空障碍的病因，区分功能性及机械性胃排空障碍的诊断，提出防治措施。结果：15例患者中11例功能性胃排空障碍，经保守治疗治愈。4例机械性胃排空障碍经手术治愈。常规行幽门成形术者，无胃排空障碍发生。结论：食管癌、贲门癌术后胃排空障碍的发生与手术方式、术中操作及迷走神经干的切断等因素有关。应规范手术操作，常规行幽门成形术及辅以胃肠动力药物等进行治疗。