Intraoperative thalamocortical tract monitoring via direct cortical recordings during craniotomy

ObjectiveNeuromonitoring of primary motor regions allows preservation of motor strength and is frequently employed during cranial procedures. Less is known about protection of sensory function and ability to modulate movements, both of which rely on integrity of thalamocortical afferents (TCA) to fronto-parietal regions. We describe our experience with TCA monitoring and their cortical relays during brain tumor surgery.MethodologyTo study its feasibility and usefulness, continuous somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) recording via a subdural electrode was attempted in 32 consecutive patients.ResultsMedian and posterior tibial SSEP were successfully monitored in 31 and 17 patients respectively. SSEP improved lesion localization and prevented unnecessary cortical stimulation in 9 and 16 cases respectively. A threshold of ≥30% SSEP amplitude decrease influenced management in 10 patients while a decrement of ≥50 % had a sensitivity of 0.89 and specificity of 1 in detecting worsening of sensory function. Simultaneous motor evoked potentials (MEP) and SSEP monitoring were performed in 10 cases, 9 of which showed short-lived fluctuations of the former.ConclusionDirect cortical SSEP monitoring is feasible, informs management and predicts outcome.SignificanceEarly intervention prevents sensory deficit. Concomitant MEP fluctuations may reflect modulation of motor activity by TCA.     

《临证指南医案》痹证用药特点分析

目的探讨《临证指南医案》痹证用药特点。方法 运用数据挖掘技术统计药物使用频次、性味归经并进行关联规则、聚类、复杂网络分析等。结果 筛选出83首处方,共涉及中药125味，使用频次前5位依次为桂枝、茯苓、白术、当归、苦杏仁，功效类别以补虚药为主，性味以甘温最多，归经主要涉及肺、脾、肝、心、肾、胃；关联规则得到10对常见组合，高频中药聚为4类，复杂网络分析得到1个核心组合。结论 叶氏常从络病角度治痹，或通、或补、或通补皆施，重视肺脾，注重调和气血营卫，擅长通补奇经治法。     

番泻叶、聚乙二醇和二甲基硅油联合应用对胶囊内镜检查可见度及检出率的影响

目的探讨番泻叶、聚乙二醇和二甲基硅油联合应用对于胶囊内镜(CE)检查可见度及检出率的影响。方法选取该院2016年6月-2018年9月拟行CE检查的患者126例,采用随机数表法分为对照组(n=62)与观察组(n=64),两组检查前禁食3 d,对照组予以聚乙二醇和二甲基硅油作为肠道准备,观察组在此基础上给予口服番泻叶。比较两组胃排空时间、小肠转运时间、胃和小肠的染色节段长度、绿色条带长度、肠道清洁程度、两组病变检出情况及不良反应发生情况。结果两组患者胃排空时间、小肠转运时间、胃和小肠的染色节段无明显差异(P0.05);观察组全小肠和远端小肠绿色条带长度短于对照组,差异均有统计学意义[(5.53±2.93) vs (6.74±2.76)cm;t=2.39,P=0.019;(3.37±2.04) vs (5.56±2.13)cm;t=5.90,P=0.000];两组近端小肠清洁程度差异无统计学意义(P0.05),观察组远端小肠(89.06%vs59.68%,χ2=14.35,P=0.000)和全小肠(87.50%vs 48.39%,χ2=22.23,P=0.000)清洁率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义;观察组病变总检出率明显高于对照组(92.18%vs 72.58%,χ2=8.40,P=0.004);两组不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义(17.74%vs 18.75%,P0.05)。结论添加番泻叶可有效提高聚乙二醇和二甲基硅油对于CE的检查可见度和检出率。     

骨髓脂肪组织与疾病相关性及机制的研究进展

骨强度不仅与骨密度(BMD)、骨微结构相关,还受骨髓微环境的影响。骨髓脂肪组织(MAT)与骨小梁、造血细胞、神经血管组织共同存在于骨髓腔中,对骨重建、骨髓造血、维持骨髓微环境的稳定起重要作用。近年研究表明,MAT可通过分泌脂联素等细胞因子参与介导代谢性疾病、血液系统肿瘤、癌症等疾病的发生发展,为疾病预防、治疗及监测提供了新的思路。本文拟对MAT生物学特性、影像学测量方法、MAT与疾病相关性及可能的作用机制予以综述。     

Travelers’ tropical skin diseases: Challenges and interventions

Tropical regions receive a significant part of the traveling population. It is very important that health professionals are familiar with the main tropical skin diseases and able to advice patients appropriately. This article reviews the main tropical diseases of travelers, with an emphasis on diagnosis, management, and prevention. Among others, cutaneous larva migrans, myiasis, tungiasis, Chagas disease, Dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis, filariasis, and leishmaniasis are discussed. Increasing awareness among travelers and health care professionals can help reduce morbidity and mortality. Continued research on new drugs and vaccines is needed to reduce the risks of tropical diseases.     

呼吸专科护士慢性呼吸疾病管理现状调查

目的调查呼吸专科护士慢性呼吸疾病管理现状,为提高慢性呼吸疾病的管理水平提供参考。方法依据《中国成人慢性呼吸疾病患者护理管理指南》设计调查问卷,对重庆、四川、贵州、陕西、河北、湖北、海南7省市的205名呼吸专科护士进行问卷调查。结果呼吸专科护士慢性呼吸疾病管理总分为(140.72±23.90)分。慢性呼吸疾病管理得分最低的3个条目有评估工具应用、个性化管理计划的实施、慢阻肺随访的次数及指导哮喘患者使用峰流速仪;呼吸专科护士所在单位慢性呼吸疾病管理平台建设均低于50%。结论呼吸专科护士慢性呼吸疾病管理处于中等偏下水平,评估是慢性呼吸疾病管理的薄弱点。需加强呼吸专科护士专业能力培养,规范慢性呼吸疾病全程管理,强化医院平台建设等,提高慢性呼吸疾病的管理水平。     

Cavum velum interpositum cysts in normal and anomalous fetuses in second trimester of pregnancy: Comparison of its size and prevalence

ObjectiveCavum veli interpositi (CVI) is a potential space below the splenium of corpus callosum and sometimes presents as a cyst.Materials and methodsIn this prospective cross-sectional study, 360 fetuses with normal second trimester scan and 152 s trimester fetuses with structural abnormalities were included.ResultsThe CVI cysts were more common in fetuses with brain anomaly compared to normal fetuses and fetuses with extra-central nervous system (CNS) anomalies (23% vs 18.3% and 18% respectively; p value < 0.01). The mean size of cysts in normal fetuses, fetuses with extra-CNS anomalies and fetuses with brain abnormalities was 4.6 mm, 5.8 mm and 9.2 mm respectively. There was a significant difference between cysts size in normal fetuses and fetuses with brain anomalies (p value < 0.01) and the cut-point was 7.1 mm.ConclusionThe prevalence of CVI cysts is more in fetuses with brain anomaly. Fetuses with a cyst size >7.1 mm need a more detailed brain examination.     

Molecular mechanisms and cellular events involved in the neuroprotective actions of estradiol. Analysis of sex differences

Estradiol, either from peripheral or central origin, activates multiple molecular neuroprotective and neuroreparative responses that, being mediated by estrogen receptors or by estrogen receptor independent mechanisms, are initiated at the membrane, the cytoplasm or the cell nucleus of neural cells. Estrogen-dependent signaling regulates a variety of cellular events, such as intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, mitochondrial respiratory capacity, ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, autophagy and apoptosis. In turn, these molecular and cellular actions of estradiol are integrated by neurons and non-neuronal cells to generate different tissue protective responses, decreasing blood-brain barrier permeability, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity and promoting synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, neurogenesis, remyelination and neuroregeneration. Recent findings indicate that the neuroprotective and neuroreparative actions of estradiol are different in males and females and further research is necessary to fully elucidate the causes for this sex difference.     

Motor and language deficits correlate with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging networks in patients with brain tumors

Background and purpose

Evidence of pre-operative resting state functional magnetic resonance (RS-fMRI) validation by correlating it with clinical pre-operative status in brain tumor patients is scarce. Our aim was to validate the functional relevance of RS-fMRI by investigating the association between RS-fMRI and pre-operative motor and language function performance in patients with brain tumor.