Lumbar Spinal Cord Stimulation Can Improve Muscle Strength and Gait Independently of the Analgesic Effect: A Case Report

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is widely used for pain relief in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and muscle weakness is a common finding in patients with chronic pain. We present here a single case report of a 47‐year‐old woman, who, after SCS for FBSS, had continuous improvement in lower leg muscle strength and gait, but only transient and minimal pain relief. To the authors’ knowledge, this is only the second published case report of significant improvement in “motor” function, independent of the analgesic effect following SCS in FBSS. If SCS, in fact, does improve muscle strength, new strategies for the management of patients with chronic pain might be opened up. Further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.     

The multiform and variable patterns of onset of orofacial granulomatosis

BACKGROUND: The recurrent chronic orofacial swelling caused by orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) can cause significant cosmetic and functional problems but can be prevented if the disease is diagnosed early and promptly treated. Although the enlargement of the lips is described to be the most common presenting complaint, the clinical onset of OFG may be characterized by minor associated mucosal and neurological manifestations, making early diagnosis very difficult or, sometimes, merely presumable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations of 19 patients with OFG, who were examined at our institution between 1998 and 2002, in order to determine their initial manifestations and presenting symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients showed classical recurrent enlargement of the lips (six lower; four upper) as presenting symptom. In the other nine patients, OFG onset was characterized by transient unilateral facial nerve palsy (two cases), intraoral manifestations (two cases), recurrent swelling of the periorbital area (two cases), of the chin (one case), of the zygomatic area (one case), and of the cheeks (one case). CONCLUSION: Our data underlined that OFG onset could be frequently characterized by widely variable, multiform, and temporary clinical findings. Involvement of atypical sites of the orofacial region and presence of single minor manifestations may occur as presenting symptoms, often preceding the development of traditional clinical findings.     

早期干预对高危儿在婴儿早期发育的影响

目的：探讨早期干预对高危儿在婴儿早期发育的影响。方法：采用自行设计的一套早期干预方法通过指导家长对实验组实施，分别在3个月、6个月时进行格体生长和行为发育的评估，另设对照组进行比较。结果：实验组和对照组在体重、身长、头围方面均无统计学差异，但实验组的5个能区行为发育商均值都高于对照组，除3个月的语言能区外，其余均有统计学差异。结论：早期干预在婴儿早期就能促进高危儿的行为发育，但对促进高危儿的体格生长无明显效果。     

Patient readiness for return to home: Discord between expectations and reality

This study examined the interface between acute hospital care and return to home in relation to elderly patients' perceived ability and preparedness to cope at home. Seventy-six (n = 76) elderly patients aged 60 years and over were randomly recruited from a large Queensland hospital and interviewed prior to discharge about their perceived health, functional status and their ‘readiness’ to cope at home. They were followed up at home 7–10 days post-discharge. Comparisons were made between a number of measures at discharge and post-discharge. Although the majority of patients indicated that they would cope very well upon discharge, a large number of patients reported experiencing considerable difficulty with activities of daily living, particularly instrumental activities of daily living prior to and especially after discharge. The self-reported health status of patients similarly deteriorated between discharge and follow-up. Despite a large number of patients experiencing functional limitations, few were referred to hospital or community-based therapy services. Some policy implications are explored.     

低剂量石英对大鼠肺泡灌洗液的早期影响

用支气管肺泡灌洗法研究低剂量石英对大鼠肺脏的影响。大鼠分别注尘2、10mg观察1、7、21天。结果表明低剂量石英可使灌洗液中细胞总数、有核细胞/红细胞比值、肺泡巨噬细胞显著增高,特别是泡沫型肺泡巨噬细胞随时间延长而明显增高。染尘动物灌洗液中蛋白、乳酸脱氢酶、碱性磷酸酶呈一过性升高,酸性磷酸酶在2mg石英组呈一过性升高,但在10mg石英组却持续上升。实验结果表明,肺泡巨噬细胞及其溶酶体膜的破坏在矽肺发生早期可能起一定的作用。     

汉语失写症的神经心理学研究及其意义

目的 探讨汉语失写症的神经心理语言学机制以及该研究对于汉语失写症病理行为的康复学意义。方法 采用汉语失语检查法和汉语失写检查法测试口语和书写能力，详细记录患者的书写、失写行为特征，区分言语障碍类型；运用计算机图像处理技术对病灶CT／MRI图像进行标准化、二维叠加、三维重建等处理，并与非失写对照组相减，显示不同失写类型病变的集中趋势。结果 左侧半球损害48例，其中失语30例，失写32例，后者中纯失写1例，失读并失写1例；右侧半球损害15例，其中失语失写3例。具体的资料分析表明：不同的失写类型有不同的病理行为特点。计算机图像处理结果显示：失语性失写病灶较集中的区域为左额顶叶深部白质。惰性失写主要集中在左外侧裂的前方、从额中下回向后部延伸。镜像书写则分散于左丘脑、基底节附近。结论 汉语失写症的病理行为特点与病损定位有密切的关系；双通道理论有可能符合汉语语言学机制；汉语失写症的神经心理学研究对汉语失写康复模式的制定有重要意义。     

染色内镜和放大内镜技术是提高早期大肠癌诊治水平的重要手段

应用常规内镜技术难以发现大肠平坦型病变和凹陷型病变。近年来染色内镜和放大内镜技术已经发展成熟,在国外已获广泛应用,可以发现大肠微小病变和早期大肠癌。应用腺管开口分型方法可以预测肿瘤病变的组织学类型及肿瘤的浸润深度,据此可确定行内镜下粘膜剥离术或分片粘膜剥离术将肿瘤切除,抑或行外科手术治疗。在当前我国的胃肠内镜医疗界,应广泛开展染色内镜和放大内镜的临床应用,以早期发现大肠病变,提高我国大肠癌的内镜诊治水平。     

On the Edge: a drama‐based mental health education programme on early psychosis for schools

Aims: On the Edge is a mental health education programme designed to support early intervention by increasing knowledge and understanding of early psychosis, reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues and improving awareness of avenues of help. The target audience was young people aged 14–22 years in schools and colleges. Methods: An interactive drama programme was developed through collaborative working across psychiatry, applied drama and those with direct experience of psychosis. A national tour engaged 2500 students in 71 performances that took place in 51 schools and colleges. The programme was evaluated against its aims with data collected both during and after the tour. Results: Quantitative and qualitative evaluation found significant gains with respect to all three aims. Thirty‐one schools developed supportive links with local mental health services. Conclusions: This programme shows the value and effectiveness of delivering health education on early psychosis through the medium of applied drama, and offers a model for a programme that can be incorporated into early intervention services. Lessons learned through delivering this programme are a valuable contribution towards future developments of mental health education programmes for schools.     

217例早期胃癌扩大胃切除与淋巴结清除术的回顾分析

目的评价早期胃癌不同扩大手术的实际意义，以选择合理的胃切除和淋巴结清除范围。方法以临床病理资料完整、施行规范D2及扩大手术的217例早期胃癌患者为研究对象。分析施行不同扩大手术的原因、淋巴结清除的必要性及第Ⅱ站淋巴结转移与临床病理因素的相关性。结果胃上部癌行全胃切除术6例，No．5、6淋巴结均未见转移；联合脾、脾动脉切除2例，No．10、11p、11d淋巴结均未见转移；胃下部癌联合横结肠系膜切除3例，No．15淋巴结未见转移。以上病例术中多数误认为进展期胃癌而扩大了胃切除或淋巴结清除范围，手术时间长，术中失血较多。胃下部癌清除的第Ⅱ站淋巴结中No．11p、12a、14v均未见转移；黏膜下癌（sm癌）中，No．7、8a淋巴结转移率明显高于黏膜内癌（m癌）（P〈0．05）；淋巴管癌栓阳性者No．7淋巴结转移较阴性者明显增多（P〈0．001），No．1、13淋巴结转移仅出现在淋巴结转移高危病例（sm、癌灶大于3．0cm、凹陷型，淋巴管癌栓阳性）。结论早期胃癌不需施行淋巴结扩大清除术和联合脏器切除。早期胃上部癌不需施行全胃切除术。早期胃下部癌中No．11p、12a、14v淋巴结不需清除．但对胃下部癌淋巴结转移高危病例，应行标准D2淋巴结清除术。