Tolerance and dependence to opiates

In the 19th century, investigators recognized that addiction to opiates involves tolerance and dependence. In the United States, the National Academy of Sciences and the Public Health Service initiated systematic investigations into opiate addiction in 1929. Tolerance and dependence to morphine, the prototype for opiate drugs, were the emphasis of human studies for the next fifty years. This presentation highlights salient features of tolerance and dependence learned in these studies and relates these findings to clinical use in treating pain.     

Comparative study of TRUE Test and Finn Chamber patch test techniques in Singapore

This is a report on a comparative study of the reactivity of TRUE Test and Finn Chamber patch test techniques. 413 patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic in Singapore were simultaneously patch tested with panels 1 and 2 of the TRUE Test standard series and with corresponding allergens (Hermal, Hamburg) using Finn Chambers. The left/right application of the TRUE Test and Finn Chambers was randomized. The concordance of positive patch test reactions to the 2 test techniques was studied. The number of patient with positive reactions was 38% and 42% for TRUE Test and Finn Chamber techniques, respectively (n.s.). The overall concordance of positive patch test reactions was 64% (209/328). 13% (42/328) of positive reactions appeared on TRUE Test only and 24% (77/328) on Finn Chamber only. When only relevant positive reactions were considered, the concordance rate was 67%; 11.6% of positive reactions appeared on TRUE Test only and 21% on Finn Chamber only. Positive reactions to p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and neomycin were more frequent with the Finn Chamber technique than with TRUE Test, i.e., false negative reactions to PPD and neomycin were more likely to occur with TRUE Test. It appeared that the TRUE Test and Finn Chamber techniques were comparable when used for patch testing. However false negative and false positive patch test reactions can occur when using either technique.     

Immunological and respiratory reactions in workers exposed to organic dusts

The relationship of skin reactivity and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and to ventilatory capacity is examined in workers exposed to different organic aerosols. The results from group of control workers similarly tested are also presented. Workers exposed to occupational allergens had positive skin tests more frequently than did controls, except for soy bean workers. Workers with positive skin tests to occupational allergens had a higher prevalence of almost all symptoms than those with negative skin tests although the differences did not always reach statistical significance. Workers with positive skin reactions in general had significantly higher serum IgE levels than did workers with negative skin reactions. There were across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity in all groups of exposed workers, varying for forced vital capacity from 1.7% to 13.3%, for forced expiratory volume from 0.4%–21.9%, for maximum flow rates at 50% from 1.5% to 16.1% and for maximum flow rates at the last 25% of control vital capacity from 0% to 24.9%. There was, however, no correlation between acute and chronic lung function changes and skin reactivity or IgE values. Our data suggest that although exposure to organic aerosols may be associated with frequent immunologic reactions, these findings do not predict objective respiratory impairment.The research was supported in part by grant no. JBP 733 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., USA, and by grant no. RO1 OHO-2593-04 from the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga., USA     

Epidemiology of abdominal symptoms in a random population: Prevalence,incidence, and natural history

The study presents results from a five-year follow-up on abdominal symptoms in an age and sex stratified random sample of 4,581 Danes. Abdominal pain occurred significantly more often among women (prevalence: 49%, incidence: 21%) compared to men (prevalence: 38%, incidence: 15%). Five years later the pain had disappeared in 43% of the men and 31% of the women (p=0.003). Distension, borborygmi, and altering consistency of stools occurred with a prevalence of approximately 50% and an incidence of approximately 30%, significantly more often among women compared to men. Five years later these symptoms had disappeared in about 20%. Prevalence of both heartburn and acid regurgitation were significantly higher among men (38%) than women (30%), whereas no sex difference was observed regarding incidence of these symptoms (16%). Approximately 30% of subjects who had experienced heartburn or acid regurgitation did not do so five years later. In conclusion, abdominal symptoms occur frequently and recurrently in the general population. This information is of importance to doctors when they evaluate patients with abdominal complaints, but no obvious organic etiology.     

凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌检测在慢性前列腺炎中的意义

目的　研究慢性前列腺炎与凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌 (CNS)的关系 ,探讨前列腺液中CNS检测的临床意义。　方法　对 4 2 8例慢性前列腺炎患者采用Meares Stamey四段取样法作前列腺液细菌培养和药敏试验。患者年龄 18～ 4 6岁 ,平均 31岁。病程 3～ 32个月 ,平均 6个月。慢性前列腺炎症状指数 (NIH CPSI)平均 2 3.2分。　结果　 4 2 8例均行细菌培养 ,其中 2 4 8例 (5 7.94 % )分离出细菌。革兰阳性菌 195例 (78.6 3% ) ,其中葡萄球菌 16 0例 (6 4 .5 2 % ,16 0 / 2 4 8) ,CNS 89例 (35 .89% ,89/ 2 4 8) ;CNS中以表皮葡萄球菌为主者 81例 (32 .6 6 % ) ,其次为腐生葡萄球菌 3例和溶血性葡萄球菌 2例 ;NIH CPSI积分与细菌培养结果无明显相关。CNS对常用抗菌药物 (β 内酰胺类、喹诺酮类、氨基糖苷类 )耐药率较高 (5 1.9%～ 10 0 % )。　结论　CNS为慢性前列腺炎的主要致病菌 ,应引起高度重视 ;适时监测前列腺液病原菌及药敏试验对临床诊断和治疗慢性前列腺炎具有重要意义。     

Klinefelter's Syndrome: Hypogonadism,abnormal carbohydrate metabolism. Is it a result of biotin deficiency?

The aetiology of Klinefelter's Syndrome is not known. The causative factor(s) must explain the hypogonadism, low androgen levels, the disordered carbohydrate metabolism and the commonly associated psychiatric conditions. A biotin deficient/dependent state can account for the above. A biotin deficient Klinefelter's Syndrome patients with the above is described. The possible role of biotin in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of Klinefelter's Syndrome needs further research.     

HBcAg显性失活突变体质粒的构建及体外表达

目的：探讨HBcAg显性失活突变体质粒pCDNA4-C-GFP的构建及体外表达。方法：选择编码乙肝核心抗原C基因片段及绿色荧光蛋白（green fluorescent protein,GFP)基因片段，利用基因重组技术构建成DNA质粒pCDNA4-C-GFP,并将该质粒转染肝癌细胞株HepG2。结果：通过RT－PCR检测到其RNA的表达，Confocal观察到GFP绿色荧光。结论：HBcAg显性失活突变体质粒pCDNA4-C-GFP的构建成功可以进行对HBV作用的研究。     

Responsiveness and calibration of the general well-being adjustment scale in patients with hypertension

We examined the discriminant ability and responsiveness of the General Well-Being Adjustment Scale in patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of antihypertensive therapy. We also tried to translate the effects of physical symptoms on general well-being. This secondary analysis used demographic, clinical, physical symptom, and general well-being data for 545 white, male hypertensive patients. General well-being was measured by the General Well-Being Adjustment Scale (GWB) collected on 2 occasions over 8 weeks of treatment. Patients with any one of 14 physical symptoms or problems, compared to those without symptoms, had lower GWB scores (p < 0.003 to p < 0.0001). Decreases of 2.83–8.76 points in GWB scores were observed in patients developing physical symptoms over the 8 week study period (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001). These effects were demonstrated in patients developing cold sensitivity, sexual problems, chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of taste, nausea, hot or cold spells, numbness and tingling, dry mouth, blurred vision, and dizziness. We conclude that the GWB is responsive to clinically meaningful changes in symptoms and may provide a more complete evaluation of the effects of medical treatment. The GWB is a valid and responsive measure of health status outcomes in the evaluation of antihypertensive treatment.     

高频电刀负反馈装置的临床应用研究

本文介绍了一种高频电刀负反馈装置，以解决经尿道前列腺汽化手术中存在的缺陷，保证手术的彻底性和病人的安全。