Are neuropsychological deficits trait markers in OCD?

OBJECTIVE: Neuropsychological deficits are potential endophenotype markers. In obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there is impairment in executive functions and nonverbal memory. However, studies have largely examined neuropsychological functioning in patients during the symptomatic phase. The state independent nature of neuropsychological deficits in OCD is not established. For neuropsychological deficits to be endophenotype markers, they have to be state-independent. We compared neuropsychological functions in recovered OCD patients with matched healthy controls. METHOD: We assessed 30 recovered DSM-IV OCD patients without any concurrent comorbidity or lifetime history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, tics and alcohol/substance abuse and 30 healthy controls individually matched for age, sex and education. They were assessed on different neuropsychological dimensions: attention, executive function, memory and intelligence. For between-group comparisons, we employed univariate analyses, and to identify neuropsychological variables that differentiate cases and controls, we used backward conditional logistic regression for matched case-control design. RESULTS: Patients in the recovered phase of the illness had significant deficits in tests of set-shifting ability, alternation, response inhibition and nonverbal memory but had intact performance in other tests. In the logistic regression, scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test 'categories completed' and the Rey's Complex Fig. Test 'delayed recall' were significant after controlling for the possible confounding effects of age and education. There was no correlation between illness-related variables and neuropsychological deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Deficits in certain executive functions and nonverbal memory are possibly state independent. Neuropsychological deficits are possibly candidate endophenotype markers for OCD and may help clarify genetic contributions. Future studies should evaluate unaffected siblings to establish deficits are endophenotype markers. Prospective studies with serial measurements of cognitive deficits are also needed to assess whether these deficits are cumulative with the progression of illness.     

Interleukin-6 levels and HPA axis activation in breast cancer patients with major depressive disorder

An association or a casual link has been proposed between the neuroendocrinological and neuroimmunological changes attributed to either depression or cancer. This study investigated whether breast cancer patients with and without major depression exhibit plasma interleukin-6 abnormalities and dexamethasone suppression test results. Four groups, each consisting of 30 women (1--healthy women, 2--patients with major depression, 3--breast cancer patients without major depression, 4--breast cancer patients with major depression), were compared to each other. Psychiatric evaluations were made by structured clinical interview for DSM-IV. Severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 were measured. A dexamethasone suppression test was applied. Breast cancer patients with major depression had markedly higher plasma levels of interleukin-6 than the other group. All breast cancer patients with depression had abnormal dexamethasone suppression test results. These findings suggest a hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and plasma levels of interleukin-6 and plasma interleukin-6 elevation and plasma levels if interleukin-6 and plasma levels of post cortisol concentrations. Evidence for a casual link or association of major depression with immune and endocrinological activation needs to be investigated further.     

Association between obsessive-compulsive disorder and a variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in intron 2 of the serotonin transporter gene

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological studies indicate a dysregulation of the serotonergic system in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism with three alleles (Stin2.9, Stin2.10, Stin2.12) has been described in intron 2 of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene. This polymorphism has been associated with unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders including OCD. METHODS: The association between OCD and the polymorphism is examined in 97 OCD patients, 578 psychiatric controls and 406 healthy controls, all Spanish Caucasians. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies for the polymorphism were significantly different in OCD patients, psychiatric patients and controls. There was a significant excess of 12/12 and 12/10 genotypes in OCD patients compared to psychiatric patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a possible association between the Stin2.12 allele of the VNTR polymorphism and OCD.     

Renin-angiotensin-system gene polymorphisms and depression

Given the abundance of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components in the brain, their importance in behavior and cognition, and the data that implicates them in the etiology and treatment of depression, it is possible that those RAS gene polymorphisms associated with increased RAS activity may also be associated with depression. The frequencies of common polymorphisms of genes encoding for components of the RAS, namely angiotensinogen (M235T), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) (insertion, I; deletion, D), angiotensin receptor type I (A1166C), and angiotensin receptor type II (C3123A) were determined in DNA extracted from buccal cells from a Lebanese population of 132 depressed patients and their first-degree relative case-controls. The angiotensin receptor type 1 (A1166C) CC genotype was significantly associated with depression (p=0.036). None of the other common RAS-associated polymorphisms were significantly associated. The results support the hypothesis that increased RAS activity may increase relative risk of depression in that the angiotensin receptor type 1 (A1166C) CC genotype is associated with increased responsiveness to angiotensin II.     

近似法和精确法随机抽样的SPSS实验研究

为了解SPSS近似法随机抽样与精确法随机抽样的抽样效果,通过实例研究,将用两种随机抽样方法所得抽样数据进行分析,使用点估计值对两种抽样方法进行比较。在不需要精确样本含量的前提下,采用SPSS的近似法随机抽样会更加方便、实用。     

不育症患者的精液情况与怀孕可能性的关系分析

目的探讨不育症患者精液情况与怀孕可能性的关系，指导辅助生育的选择。方法运用SPSS10．0统计分析软件，对收集和整理不同病因男性不育症256例进行病因分析，检验常规结果和数据分析，建立数据模型。对病例怀孕可能性进行预测。结果不明原因不育占第一位，其次为精索静脉曲张。怀孕与年龄、精液量、精子密度、精子活率、精子活力A、精子活力A＋B相关。精液量虽然与怀孕有关，但量的多少与怀孕统计学上没有显著性差异（P〉0．05）。而不同年龄、不同精子密度、不同精子活率、不同精子活力A、不同精子活力A＋B与怀孕统计学上有显著性差异（P〉0．01）。模型预测的正确率为78．9％，模型的回归方程Prob=1／（1＋e^-z），Z=6．676-0．348age＋0．218volume＋0．24density-0．217survive＋0．64energy1＋0．774energy2。结论精液指标是目前评估男性生殖力的最直接方法，它的数据模型可作为辅助生育的筛选工具之一。     

SPSS在《预防医学》实习课程中的应用体会

医学统计方法是《预防医学》课程中的重要内容之一，而统计学是一门融基础性和应用性于一体的学科，它的理论基础则是建立在微积分和正态分布曲线原理等高等数学知识之上，有不少人认为它内容生涩、枯燥难学。《预防医学》课程的实习教学有别于医学类其他课程，它不仅要根据《预防医学》课程内容自身的特点，还要根据其不同专业的培养目标以及教学进度情况，安排其实习内容和实习形式。     

Does pin configuration matter in modified tension band wiring for transverse patellar fracture? A biomechanical study

BackgroundModified tension band wiring has been widely used for the treatment of transverse patellar fractures. The optimal position of a Kirschner wire (K-wire) in modified tension band wiring, however, has not yet been determined. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate biomechanically the effect of K-wire position in a modified tension band wiring technique.MethodsForty-two polyurethane foam patellae with a midway transverse fracture were assigned to six different fixation groups regarding different pin configurations in tension band wiring. The depth or sagittal position of the K-wire was divided into anterior and posterior. The coronal position of the K-wire was divided into central, medial and lateral. A specially designed set up simulated a knee with 60° flexion. All specimens were tested under axial traction. Loads at 2 mm and 4 mm fracture displacement and at the failure of the construct were recorded.ResultsAt 2 mm fracture displacement, anterolateral (AL) placement of K-wires revealed significantly less durability when compared with five other groups (P < 0.001). At 4 mm fracture displacement, the AL group also revealed inferior biomechanical strength when compared with other groups. Posteromedial (PM) K-wire placement group revealed more durability when compared with the posterolateral (PL) group (P < 0.05). At failure of the osteosynthesis, anteromedial (AM) and anterocentral (AC) groups revealed superior biomechanical strengths (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe coronal and sagittal position of K-wire affects the biomechanical characteristics of modified tension band wiring. Anterolateral placement of K-wires revealed inferior strength to all other constructs in modified anterior tension band wiring.     

医院门诊抗感染药使用频度差异分析

目的：分析医院门诊抗感染药使用频度的差异，探索门诊抗感染药物的使用规律，为监测该类药物应用提供一种新的途径与方法。方法：在药品计算机网络化管理基础上引入SPSSIO统计软件，分别以西药处方记录条和人日为单位进行抗感染药使用频度差异分析。结果：抗感染药的使用频度和次均费用在不同性别、年龄、医保类别病人和就诊科室之间存在差异。结论：利用统计分析方法开展抗感染药利用研究，对提高合理用药水平很有必要。     

SPSS在医院统计预测中的应用

目的　探讨SPSS 8.0统计软件包中回归、指数平滑及ARIMA等时间序列分析模块的建模及诊断方法。方法　根据某医院 1995年 1月— 2 0 0 1年 11月的门诊人次历史资料 ,建立对数模型、指数平滑模型和ARIMA乘积模型 ,并对三者的预测结果进行比较分析。结果　对数模型、指数平滑模型和ARIMA乘积模型的预测平均相对误差分别为 14 .34% ,8.14 %和 4 .89%。结论　ARIMA乘积模型适于对有趋势性和周期性的门诊量数据进行预测。SPSS 8.0统计软件包时间序列分析模块操作方便 ,在医院统计预测中有广阔的应用前景