Inhibitory effect of activated protein C on platelet aggregation induced by the prothrombin-converting reaction

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect on platelet aggregation of the prothrombin-converting reaction on platelets with or without activated protein C (APC). A reaction mixture of washed platelets from human individuals, Factor Xa and prothrombin markedly induced platelet aggregation; maximum aggregation rates, 31.3–92.5%, and times to reach to maximum aggregation, 11.6 to 20.1 min. This aggregation was inhibited by the addition of APC with 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of 14.4 U/ml. APC also inhibited thrombin generation in the reaction mixture in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 value of 0.96 U/ml. However, APC did not inhibit the thrombin (0.1 CU/ml)-induced platelet aggregation at concentrations of up to 30 U/ml. These findings suggest that APC has no direct inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation and that APC inhibits platelet aggregation through inhibition of thrombin generation.     

A case report of deficiency in an inhibitor of calcium-dependent association of protein S with C4B-binding protein suggested by a modified crossed immunoelectrophoresis

We have experienced a coagulation factor VIII-deficient patient whose plasma has normal protein S (PS) activity and masses of free PS and its bound form in complex with C4b-binding protein (C4BP). Although the patient's plasma showed a normal ratio of free PS to PS-C4BP complex in the presence of 5 mM EDTA, the plasma gave an abnormally retarding major C4BP peak together with a major PS peak in the crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) in the presence of 2 mM CaCl₂. It was revealed that the major peak was formed by a mixture of PS-C4BP complex and free form. The addition of normal human plasma (NHP) to the patient's plasma inhibited the retardation of the major PS-C4BP complex. These suggest that the patient's plasma lacks some component(s) to inhibit Ca²⁺-dependent association of PS with C4BP.     

Relationship between plantar pressure distribution under the foot and insole comfort

In this paper, four pairs of insoles with different comfort characteristics were used to investigate the relationship between the pressure distribution under the foot and running shoe comfort. Fourteen male subjects were tested in four insole conditions by walking and running on a treadmill. The pressure at the plantar surface of the foot was measured by using an EMED pressure-measuring insole. For walking there were significantly higher pressures and forces in the midfoot area and significantly lower pressures in the medial forefoot and hallux area by wearing the most comfortable insole compared with wearing the least comfortable insole. The shift of the pressure from forefoot to midfoot for the most comfortable insole provided an even distribution of the pressure at the plantar surface of the foot. The results also demonstrated that the path of centre of force at the plantar surface of the foot moved to the lateral aspect of the foot for the most comfortable insole. For running, only the pressure in the medial forefoot area was found significantly lower for the most comfortable insole than for the least comfortable insole. The results of this study indicated that the pressure distribution between the plantar surface of the foot and the shoe could detect the change of shoe comfort. Thus it is a suggestion that pressure measurement may be related to understand factors important for shoe comfort.

Comfort of sport shoes is important for the appropriate execution of sport activities. Additionally, comfort may influence fatigue and possibly the development of injuries. The quantification of comfort of sport shoes and the understanding of mechanical and/or biological functions related to it may be enhanced with the use of pressure measurements between the plantar surface of the foot and the shoe sole.     

不同分娩方式对早产儿影响的临床研究

目的：探讨妊娠小于34周早产分娩方式的选择。方法：妊娠小于34周早产患者126例分为剖宫产组67例和阴道分娩组59例，比较不同分娩方式对分娩结局的影响。结果：孕28—30＋6周时，阴道分娩组的新生儿死亡率明显高于剖宫产组（P〈0．05），其他两个孕周期间的两组新生儿死亡率比较无显著差异。阴道分娩组和剖宫产组的新生儿的死亡数随着出生体重的逐渐增加而不断减少，新生儿体重小于1500g时，两种分娩方式的死亡率之间比较存在显著性差异。结论：早产的主要原因是妊娠并发症，降低新生儿不良结局的根本措施还应延长孕龄，提高新生儿生存能力。     

基于多评价指标的萎胃宁浓缩丸提取工艺研究

目的优选萎胃宁浓缩丸制剂的最佳提取工艺。方法以芍药苷提取量、正丁醇浸出物、乙酸乙酯浸出物为指标，采用均匀设计法筛选最佳提取工艺。结果乙醇浓度60％，提取次数2次，溶剂用量16倍，每次提取时间65min为最佳提取工艺。结论所得提取工艺稳定性好，可用于萎胃宁浓缩丸的制备。     

Auditing your acute pain service—a UK NHS model

This audit has been conducted in order to provide an evidence base that clarifies the strengths and weaknesses of acute pain management at a UK hospital. Consequently, it sets the strategic direction for service improvement. Awarding up to three stars has identified the quality of each component that constitutes the acute pain service. Six different components were audited and star ratings have been awarded as shown below:

• Pain tool (including patient and staff understanding): no stars.

• Pain team (including education and clinical support): two stars.

• Intermittent opioid analgesia (sub-cut and oral morphine): two stars.

• Epidural patient controlled analgesia (EPCA): two stars.

• Intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IVPCA): two stars.

• Single-dose intrathecal opioid analgesia: three stars.

These star ratings were pulled together in order to award the acute pain service an overall rating. Consequently, the acute pain service was awarded two stars. The findings of this audit identify that this acute pain service provides a safe way to deliver hi-tech pain relief at ward level and can be relied upon to provide good quality pain management. However, too many patients are likely to miss out on the full benefits of the service due to the weaknesses as identified. The quality of the pain relief is impeded across the hospital due to low patient expectation and poor patient education, and also due to a lack of relevant knowledge amongst nursing staff. Developments in the role of the acute pain nurse, staff training and education programs, and a reduction in the variety of pain management pumps are combining to facilitate the opportunities required to address the weaknesses and to build on the strengths of the acute pain service.     

Distinct serumal proteomic patterns between ascending and descending types of loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma assessed by surface enhanced laser desorption ionization and artificial neural network analyses

Nacosoupnhtraierysn,geesaple cciaarllcyin oinm aEu (r oNpPeC a)nd is N roartrhe Ainm emriocsat(incidence rate below 1/100 000 people per year)·However, it has a high incidence in several southernareas in China, especially in the Cantonese region,including Guangzhou city, where the incidence rate isapproximately 30 -80/100 000 people per year·1Inthe high incidence areas, more than 95% NPCs arepoorly differentiated (WHO types 2 and 3), which aresensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy…     

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with retrograde intramedullary nailing

Nineteen patients (20 feet) with severe hindfoot and ankle deformity underwent tibiotalocalcaneal fusion with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail as a limb-salvage procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare the complication rates of this procedure in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients. There were 8 men and 11 women with preoperative diagnoses including Charcot neuroarthropathy, primary osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, equinocavovarus, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, and ankle malunion. Ten of 20 procedures were performed in patients with diabetes. The average patient age was 56 years, and the average postoperative follow-up was 19.8 months. Nineteen of 20 ankles (95%) achieved successful fusion with an average time of 4.1 months. Four patients (21%) required either a fracture brace or an ankle foot orthosis at final follow-up. Five patients (25%) had major complications and 11 patients had minor complications. Major complications included osteomyelitis (n = 2), Charcot arthropathy (n = 2), failure of fixation (n =1), soft-tissue necrosis (n = 1), cardiac arrest (n = 1), cerebral vascular accident (n = 1), and fatal pulmonary embolus (n = 1). All patients with major complications were diabetic, and 14 of 20 combined major and minor complications occurred in patients with diabetes. The complication rate was found to be high in diabetic patients with end-stage deformity undergoing a limb salvage     

Lung function, smoking and survival in severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, PiZZ

Lung function, smoking, age and mortality data in 158 adult severe alpha₁-antitrypsin deficient, PiZZ individuals, followed from 1963 to 1982 were analyzed. Low initial FEV₁ value was significantly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.005). A 3 yr mortality rate of 40% was found in individuals whose initial FEV₁ values were less than 30% of that predicted. In contrast, the corresponding 3-yr mortality among those whose initial FEV₁ values were between 30 and 65% of that predicted was only 7%. Smokers were found to have significantly lower FEV₁ levels (p = 0.008) and higher mortality (p < 0.005) than non-smokers. The difference between current and ex-smokers in mortality and FEV₁ level were not statistically significant (p = 0.9 and p>0.25, respectively). Cross-sectional analysis of the initial FEV₁ values indicated a significant decline (p < 0.005) of FEV₁ with increasing age. This decline was greater among smokers than non-smokers. Longitudinal analysis of FEV₁ rates of decline in 80 cases with follow-up FEV₁ measurements failed to detect any significant differences between smokers and non-smokers, but was performed late in the disease process. The application of these results to the planning of studies on replacement therapy, smoking intervention strategy and longitudinal follow-up is discussed.