Illustrations of neurosurgical techniques in early period of Ottoman Empire by Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu

Summary   Background. Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (A.D. 1385–1468) was the author of the first illustrated surgery atlas Cerrahiyyetü’l Haniyye (Imperial Surgery), which was written in Turkish in 1465. The purpose of this report is to present his unique contribution to modern neurological surgery. Methods. Cerrahiyyetü’l Haniyye consists of 412 pages in three chapters, in which there are a total of 191 sections dealing with a variety of surgical specialties, including neurosurgery. In each section of the book, a sentence written in rhyme and meter gives the diagnosis, classification and surgical technique in detail. Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu describes medical and surgical management of neurological diseases such as spinal trauma, epilepsy, migraine, facial palsy, hemiplegia, low back pain, cranial fracture, hydrocephalus and abscesses of the head in his textbook. Conclusions. Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu was a great surgeon in Turkish medical history and the sections on neurological diseases in Cerrahiyyetü’l Haniyye are of great importance in neurosurgery. Today, he is justified as a pioneer of surgery, an investigator and a medical illustrator in the early period of Ottoman Empire. His atlas is a modification of original contributions from earlier treatises.     

日本家庭医学的引入及发展介绍

家庭医学起源于英美等西欧国家,它不仅注重培养医学生的临床能力,还十分注重患者及其家庭环境或成员之间的相互关系对疾病所产生的影响。目前在西欧国家,家庭医学作为一个专业领域,已在医疗保健中占有十分重要的地位。日本对于家庭医学的认识尚浅,尚未正式引入医学教育模式。本文介绍家庭医学引入日本的状况及发展方向,为我国医学教育研究者提供新思路。     

Previous weight loss experiences of bariatric surgery candidates: how much have patients dieted prior to surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the dieting histories of bariatric surgery candidates. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One hundred seventy-seven individuals with extreme obesity who sought bariatric surgery completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory, a self-report instrument that assesses several variables, including weight and dieting history. Patients' dieting histories were further explored with an aided recall during a preoperative behavioral/psychological evaluation performed by a mental health professional. RESULTS: Participants who completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory reported an average of 4.7 +/- 2.9 successful dieting attempts, defined as those that resulted in a loss of 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or more. These individuals reported a mean total lifetime weight loss of 61.1 +/- 41.3 kg. Despite these efforts, their weight increased from 89.4 +/- 27.4 kg at the time of their first diet (age 21.2 +/- 10.1 years) to 144.5 +/- 30.8 kg at the time they underwent their behavioral/psychological evaluation (age 43.0 +/- 11.0 years). Results of the aided recall revealed that participants had made numerous other efforts to lose weight that were unsuccessful. Self-directed diets and commercial programs were used more frequently. DISCUSSION: Individuals who sought bariatric surgery reported an extensive history of dieting, beginning in adolescence, that was not successful in halting progressive weight gain. Thus, the recommendation often made by insurance companies that patients delay surgery to attempt more conservative treatment options may be unwarranted, particularly in the presence of significant obesity-related comorbidities. Weight loss histories should be routinely examined during a behavioral evaluation to determine whether additional attempts at non-surgical weight loss are advisable. Future studies also are needed to explore the potential relationship between dieting history and postoperative outcome.     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与脑梗死的相关性分析

目的　探讨载脂蛋白 E基因多态性与脑梗死的关系。方法　通过聚合酶链反应 -限制性片段长度多态性 (PCR- RFL P)分析结合 DNA直接银染技术检测 6 6例脑梗死 (CI)患者的载脂蛋白 E(Apo E)基因型 (其中家系中有明确脑梗死先证者的家族聚集性脑梗死 (FMACI)亚组 2 6例 ,家系中无脑卒中史的非家族聚集性脑梗死 (NF-MACI)亚组 4 0例 ) ,并与 90例健康对照组比较 ,同时检测血脂、脂蛋白 (a) [L P(a) ]及部分载脂蛋白。结果　脑梗死组ε3/4基因型频率明显高于对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ,ε3/3基因型频率明显低于对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ;两脑梗死亚组之间的ε3/4/ε3/3基因型频率虽有上升 /下降趋势 ,但未发现明显的统计学差异 ;FMACI组高密度脂蛋白 (HDL )水平明显低于 NFMACI组 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　 Apo E基因多态性与脑梗死的发生有关 ,ε4等位基因是脑梗死的易感因子 ,ε3等位基因对脑梗死的发生有保护作用 ;Apo E基因多态性和 HDL水平双重作用于家族聚集性脑梗死的发生。     

Natural history of extensive Mongolian spots in mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome): a survey among 52 Japanese patients

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have shown a correlation between extensive Mongolian spots and mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome). However, a statistical survey of the incidence and natural history of extensive Mongolian spots among the patients with Hunter syndrome is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of extensive Mongolian spots, to determine the natural course of the spots according to age in Japanese patients with Hunter syndrome, and to compare them with the results obtained from the patients' brothers who did not have Hunter syndrome. PATIENTS/METHODS: Fifty-two males with Hunter syndrome aged 3 to 40 years were studied. Twenty-five patients were examined in two clinics to determine the existence and characteristics of the spots. We interviewed their families about the spots in their neonates and the natural course of the spots according to their ages. The same survey was done among another 27 patients using a mailed questionnaire to their families. As control, we investigated 21 brothers of the patients by a mailed questionnaire to their families. RESULTS: The extensive Mongolian spots are identified in almost all the infants with Hunter syndrome and disappear extremely later in their life. The lesions had a high incidence of deep-blue hyperpigmentation. Regardless of age, the overall incidence was 78%. All of the brothers who did not have Hunter syndrome had common-type Mongolian spots in neonates, which regressed during their childhood. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm a strong correlation between extensive Mongolian spots and Hunter syndrome for the Japanese population. The presence of extensive Mongolian blue spots should alert the physician to the possibility of Hunter syndrome.     

KENNETH FITZPATRICK RUSSELL: THE FIRST READER TO THE GORDON CRAIG LIBRARY

A review of the life and achievements of Kenneth Fitzpatrick Russell, whose death in his 76th year robbed us of a civilized gentleman who was at the zenith of his creative output, would be a daunting task, if only because of the breadth of his hobbies and interests: art and medical literature; reading; sinology and seal carving; numismatics, medical philately; bookbinding, collecting bookplates; carpentry; metal work, including pewter casting and silversmithing; model ship building and cooking. Yet these various interests were simply a backdrop to his public career at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, where he laid the foundations of an international reputation as scholar and collector.     

Lesbianism in China

Lesbianism in China has a long but usually hidden history. This paper examines the historical and literary sources of the past to illustrate the history of lesbianism and then turns to a survey of lesbianism in the China of today. As in the past, lesbianism remains more or less hidden, and comes to light only occasionally. Data for contemporary China comes from a visit to an institution for delinquent young women, recent police records, and contemporary fiction. It has only been in the past 4 or 5 years that it was possible to talk about lesbianism and most lesbians are fearful of becoming identified.     

Natural history of IgE-mediated food allergy in fully breast-fed babies

We have studied 21 babies with IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) sensitized via breast milk. The diagnosis of IgE-mediated FA was based on the response to elimination diet and challenge tests, and was confirmed by positive RAST and skin tests. The children exhibited immediate symptoms, such as urticaria, angioedema, and asthma. Only 5/21 children developed tolerance to the offending food at the median age of 14 years. The children who failed to develop tolerance still have high levels of IgE antibodies towards the offending food. In conclusion, the results of our long-term follow-up study show that the natural history of FA in children sensitized via breast milk may be less optimistic than generally reported.