Health and development of children born after oocyte donation compared with that of those born after in-vitro fertilization, and parents' attitudes regarding secrecy

The health, growth and development of a cohort of children (n = 59) aged 6 months to 4 years and born after oocyte donation (OD) was compared with that from a group of children born after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (n = 126). The study was performed by questionnaire, and the response rate was 100% in the OD group and 95% in the IVF group. All OD children were healthy. Three IVF children had a neurological disorder. Surgical intervention had been carried out in 8% of the OD and 13% of the IVF children. Height and weight development were normal, and eating and sleeping disorders were uncommon in both groups of children. The IVF mothers more often expressed concern about the child's behaviour than did the OD mothers. Thirty-eight percent of the OD parents and 60% of the IVF parents intended to tell the child about the nature of its conception (P < 0.01). Although oocyte recipients appear to have more complications during their pregnancies than conventional IVF patients, the general health status of OD children aged <5 years is at least as good as that of IVF children. Growth and development in both groups of children is similar to that of the general population.      

Gastric intramucosal pH during lower body circulatory arrest under open distal anastomosis with selective cerebral perfusion in aortic arch repair

Selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) and open distal anastomosis (OD) with hypothermia has been used as a popular means for circulatory assistance in aortic arch surgery. Although SCP has become accepted for brain protection, the influence of OD accompanying circulatory arrest on lower body ischemia is not known. We studied gastric tonometry (gastric intramucosal pH [pHi]) to estimate splanchnic ischemia during OD, and its relationship to postoperative organ function. In five patients (pts) (range, 65-78 years; mean, 71 years; group OD) who underwent arch replacement using SCP and OD with moderate hypothermia (25 degrees C) during the period from March to August of 1999, pHi was measured precardiopulmonary bypass (pre-CPB), 30 min of CPB (CPB30), 10 min after OD (OD10), at end of CPB, and post-CPB. Eight pts (range, 52-78 years; mean; 66 years) who underwent standard CPB (33 degrees C) during the same period (coronary artery bypass surgery in six and valve surgery in two) served as controls (group C). In group OD, pHi was significantly decreased at OD10 (7.35 +/- 0.03 at CPB30 vs. 7.23 +/- 0.07 at OD10, p < 0.05) but recovered by the end of CPB (7.32 +/- 0.02). Creatinine clearance on the first postoperative day (1POD) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in group OD (82 +/- 40 ml/min) than in group C (126 +/- 25 ml/min), although there was no significant difference in preoperative values between the two groups. The pHi at OD10 did not correlate with the duration of OD (range, 30-47 min; mean, 38 min), whereas pHi at OD10 significantly correlated with BUN (r = -0.973, p = 0.0054), Cr(r = -0.977, p = 0.0043), and CCr (r = 0.908, p = 0.0328) on 1POD. One patient in group OD developed paraplegia and renal failure postoperatively. His pHi at OD10 was severely decreased to 7.11. These results suggest that intraoperative monitoring of pHi may be useful for the evaluation of visceral organ ischemia during OD in arch replacement and may contribute to improved technique for circulatory assistance in aortic surgery.     

Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction enzyme immunoassay for diagnosis of disseminated Candidiasis

A polymerase chain reaction enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) was developed for the semiquantification of circulating candidal DNA in disseminated candidiasis due toCandida albicans. Polymerase chain reaction was based on primers from the internal transcribed ribosomal region. Binding of the product to a streptavidin-coated microtitration plate was mediated by a biotinylated capture probe. The product was digoxigenylated during PCR; this was the tag to which antibody was bound in the subsequent EIA. The optical density (OD) endpoint was <0.1 in 15 sera from patients with no evidence of candidal infection (group 1) and in 13 of the 16 sera from colonised patients (group 2); it was >0.1 in the other three sera from group 2 blood culture-negative patients who required intravenous amphotericin B for cure. The OD was positive in 28 patients with disseminated candidiasis (group 3), defined as positive blood cultures and successful treatment with amphotericin B (n=11), positive blood culture confirmed at autopsy (n=11), or negative blood culture first proven at necropsy (n=6). In patients from whom multiple samples were available, recovery correlated with an optical density of <0.1 by day 4 in four patients and by day 13 in the rest. In the five patients with fatal outcome from whom multiple samples were available, the mean OD rose from 0.174 to 0.668. Samples seeded withCandida albicans blastoconidia demonstrated that an OD of 0.220 was equivalent to 10 cfu. Assay of the group 3 sera by a commercial antigen detection test gave a corresponding sensitivity of 60%, which rose to 67.9% when an in-house reverse passive latex agglutination test was used.     

Cognitive Therapy versus Fluvoxamine as a Second-Step Treatment in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Nonresponsive to First-Step Behavior Therapy

Background: To compare the effectiveness of second-step treatment with cognitive therapy (CT) versus fluvoxamine in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who are nonresponsive to exposure in vivo with response prevention (ERP). Methods: A 12-week randomized controlled trial at an outpatient clinic in the Netherlands comparing CT with fluvoxamine in OCD. Of 118 subjects with OCD treated with 12 weeks of ERP, 48 appeared to be nonresponders (Y-BOCS improvement score of less than one third). These nonresponders were randomized to CT (n = 22) or fluvoxamine (n = 26). The main outcome measure was the Y-BOCS severity scale. Statistical analyses were conducted in the intention-to-treat sample (n = 45) on an 'as randomized basis' and in the per-protocol sample (n = 30). Due to selective dropout in the fluvoxamine group, two additional sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Complete data could be obtained from 45 subjects (94%) after 12 weeks. Fifty percent of the patients refused fluvoxamine after randomization compared to 13% who refused CT [χ(2)(1) = 7.10; p = 0.01]. CT as a second-step treatment did not appear to be effective in this sample of nonresponders. Fluvoxamine was significantly superior to CT in the intention-to-treat sample, in the per-protocol sample and in the two separately defined samples in which the sensitivity analyses were performed. Conclusions: OCD patients who are nonresponsive to ERP may benefit more from a switch to treatment with an antidepressant instead of switching to CT. In clinical practice, it may be important to motivate this subgroup of patients to undergo psychopharmacological treatment, as this may improve their outcome considerably.     

Once-daily mometasone furcate aqueous nasal spray (Nasonex™) in seasonal allergic rhinitis: an active- and placebo-controlled study

Mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray (Nasonex™) was compared with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) aqueous nasal spray in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-dummy, parallel-group study of adults with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis. Patients allergic to at least one tree and/or grass aeroallergen received one of the following regimens for up to 4 weeks: mometasone furoate 100 μg once daily [OD] ( n = 126) or 200 μg OD ( n = 126), BDP 200 μg twice daily ( n = 126), or only placebo spray ( n = 123). Physician-rated nasal and total symptom scores, and global evaluation of overall condition and therapeutic response by physicians and patients, showed that the three active treatments were equally effective, and all three were significantly superior to placebo at most time points. Overall, mometasone furoate 200 μg OD demonstrated somewhat greater numerical, but not statistical, superiority to mometasone furoate 100 μg OD at the earliest evaluation time point. At the end of treatment, complete or marked relief was obtained in 77% of patients with mometasone furoate 100 μg/day, 79% with mometasone furoate 200 μg/day, and 74% with BDP, compared with 54% of placebo vehicle control patients. Mometasone furoate and BDP were equally well tolerated. It was concluded that mometasone furoate adequately controls symptoms of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis, offers the advantage of OD treatment, and is well tolerated.     

Serological diagnosis of bovine, caprine, and ovine mastitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting Listeria monocytogenes antibodies in bovine (n = 35), caprine (n = 27), and ovine (n = 30) milk samples was evaluated by comparison with bacteriological examination. Microtiter plates were coated with proteins obtained from culture supernatant, and antibodies were revealed with a monoclonal antibody able to react with the immunoglobulins belonging to the three animal species. The arithmetic mean optical density (OD) of milk samples infected with L. monocytogenes was above that of uninfected milk samples or milk samples infected with pathogens others than L. monocytogenes. With an OD threshold of 0.2 for goat and ewe milk samples, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 100 and 88%, respectively. The choice of a different OD threshold (0.5) for cows allowed the discrimination of all of the infected cows and yielded no false positives, and both sensitivity and specificity were 100%.     

The role of relaxin in the pregnancy associated reduction in plasma osmolality

Recent data suggest that the ovarian peptide relaxin is responsiblefor the pregnancy-associated fall in plasma osmolality in therat. In order to test whether relaxin has the same role duringhuman pregnancy, plasma osmolality, electrolytes, urea and creatininewere measured in samples obtained at 10, 20 and 30 weeks gestationfrom singleton pregnancies conceived following ovum donation(OD, n = 12), spontaneously (N, n = 12) and following in-vitrofertilization and embryo transfer (IVF, n = 14). These groupswere chosen, as relaxin concentrations throughout pregnancyare undetectable (OD), elevated (IVF) or normal (N). Thus, ifrelaxin alone is responsible for the fall in plasma osmolalityassociated with pregnancy in the human, then plasma osmolalitywould be expected not to fall during pregnancy in the OD groupand to show a consistent decline from OD to N to IVF throughoutpregnancy. Plasma osmolality fell significantly during pregnancyin both the OD and N groups, but not the IVF group. In addition,plasma osmolality was only significantly greater in OD whencompared with IVF group at 10 weeks gestation; thereafter therewere no significant differences between the groups with regardto plasma osmolality. Similarly, at 10 weeks the plasma concentrationsof sodium and potassium were significantly higher in the ODthan in either the N or IVF groups. Thus, although relaxin maybe important in the initial control of plasma osmolality, otherfactors, probably derived from or regulated by the feto-placentalunit, supersede it as pregnancy advances.     

Therapeutic comparison of chemotherapy and surgery for early stage diffuse large B-cell gastric lymphoma

PURPOSE: The use of surgery versus stomach-preserving treatment for primary gastric lymphoma has caused controversy among doctors. This retrospective, single center study aims to evaluate the efficacy and benefit of stomach-preserving treatment against surgery for early stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of stomach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 1991 to January 2006, 43 cases of early-stage diffuse large B-cell gastric lymphoma were reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven cases were treated with chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus radiation (CT +/- RT), 17 were treated with surgery alone (OP), and 15 were treated with surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy (OP + CT). The complete remission and response rates were 63.6% and 90.9% in those treated with CT +/- RT (7 complete responders, 3 partial responders, 1 non-responder), 100% and 100% in those treated with OP, and 100% and 100% in those treated with OP + CT, respectively. Five-year overall survival rates were 85.7%, 87.5%, and 100% in those treated by CT +/- RT, OP, and OP + CT, respectively (p=0.76). The five-year disease free survival rates were 100%, 87.5% and 100% in those treated by CT +/- RT, OP, and OP + CT, respectively (p=0.99). There was no significant difference in overall survival and disease free survival between modalities. Even though there are no definite differences in the number of complications between those treated by CT +/- RT or OP, these facts reflect little concern on complications after surgery. CONCLUSION: In preventing morbidity arising from early or late complications from surgery and promoting quality of life, chemotherapy should be a primary consideration for early stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the stomach.     

书写表达积极情绪对幸福感和应对方式的效用

目的:探讨书写表达积极情绪对幸福感和应对方式的效用。方法:把自愿参加实验的80名大学生随机分配到实验组和对照组,每组40人。对实验组实施书写表达积极情绪干预,每天30～45分钟,持续4周。对照组不采取任何措施。实验采用事前、事后控制组设计。实验前、实验后和实验结束5个月后均采用牛津幸福感问卷(OHI)和特质应对方式问卷(TCSQ)进行测量。结果:书写表达积极情绪显著提高了大学生的幸福感(F=18.79,P<0.01),改善了大学生的应对方式(积极应对:F=19.40,P<0.01;消极应对:F=9.47,P<0.01),干预结束5个月后效果依然显著(幸福感:F=25.79,P<0.01;积极应对:F=6.15,P<0.05;消极应对:F=3.68,P=0.059)。结论:书写表达积极情绪对大学生的幸福感和应对方式有促进作用,且具有长效影响。     

多排螺旋CT低剂量扫描高分辨率重建在新型冠状病毒肺炎筛查中的应用

目的:探讨多排螺旋CT（MDCT）低剂量扫描高分辨率重建在新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）筛查中的应用价值。方法:选取2020年2月1日~3月1日间就诊的66例疑似COVID-19肺炎患者作为研究对象,将66例患者随机平均分为2组,分别实施胸部常规剂量CT扫描（n=33, 120 kV, 300 mAs）和胸部低剂量CT扫描（n=33,100 kV,70 mAs）,其中常规剂量组采用512×512矩阵,低剂量组采用1 024×1 024矩阵。同时对胸部低剂量组用4种不同权重的迭代算法进行处理（30%、50%、70%、90%）,对比两种检查模式的辐射剂量和图像质量。结果:低剂量组的有效辐射剂量为（1.81±0.14） mSV,与常规剂量组（6.83±0.68） mSV相比降低73.5%（P<0.05）;采用1 024大矩阵、90%权重迭代算法的低剂量组图像的CNR、SNR均略低于采用512常规矩阵、90%权重迭代算法的常规剂量组,但差异无统计学意义（SNR:5.11±0.75 vs 5.38±0.41,CNR:5.37±0.33 vs 5.44±0.51, P>0.05）;低剂量组患者的肺窗、纵膈窗图像质量主观评分低于常规剂量组,但差异无统计学意义（肺窗:3.30±0.72 vs 3.39±0.78;纵膈窗:3.15±0.90 vs 3.36±0.82, P>0.05）。结论:使用MDCT进行胸部低剂量扫描,同时采用高分辨率重建技术及90%权重迭代算法可用于COVID-19肺炎筛查,可在保证图像质量的前提下显著降低患者所受辐射剂量。     

Relationship between tissue plasminogen activator,plasminogen activator inhibitor and CT image in chronic subdural hematoma.

The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and the CT images in 23 cases of chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs). The concentrations of t-PA and PAI-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chronic SDHs were divided into five groups according to their appearance on computed tomography: high-density (n = 4), isodensity (n = 8), low-density (n = 5), mixed-density (n = 3), layering (n = 3) types. The volume of hematoma was measured with an image analyzing software program. The concentrations of t-PA were higher in layering (41.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, mean +/- standard error of the mean) and high-density (40.0 +/- 1.1 ng/ml) types compared to those of low-density (23.3 +/- 4.1 ng/ml) and iso-density (25.1 +/- 3.7 ng/ml) types. The concentrations of PAI-1 were lower in layering (95.9 +/- 1.0 ng/ml) and high-density (103.4 +/- 34.5 ng/ml) types compared to that of low-density (192.5 +/- 2.6 ng/ml) type. So the ratio between t-PA and PAI-1 (t-PA/PAI) was greater in layering and high-density types. The volume of hematoma was larger in mixed-density and layering types but statistically insignificant. These results presumably suggest that the ratio between t-PA and PAI concentration may contribute to the pathogenesis of the chronic SDH.     

Plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 may determine the onset of early and late ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a life-threatening condition associated with ovarian stimulation. Its pathophysiology is unknown and its treatment continues to be empirical. Early (E)- and late (L)-OHSS occur in women at risk, though not in all cases. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is related to increased vascular permeability in OHSS. We analysed the dynamics of the VEGF system in E- and L-OHSS. METHODS: A prospective cohort of women undergoing IVF-ICSI treatment were divided into groups. E-OHSS: Nonpregnant patients classified as women not at risk (group 1) (n = 11) and patients at risk who did not (group 2) (n = 18) and did (group 3) (n = 8) develop severe OHSS. Blood was drawn on the day of ovum retrieval (day 0) and 3, 6, 10 and 14 days later. L-OHSS: Single pregnancies classified as women who did not (group 4) (n = 8) and did develop (group 5) (n = 4) OHSS. Single pregnancies after oocyte donation (OD) (n = 4) were compared with groups 4 and 5 (IVF-ICSI). Blood was obtained weekly (weeks 4-12). Total VEGF (VEFG-A), free (f)-VEGF and soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1) in plasma and in serum alpha2-macroglobulin (M) were also measured. RESULTS: Group 3 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher VEFG-A and f-VEGF than group 1 on day 6 because of lower sVEGFR-1 secretion. Similarly, group 5 had significantly (P < 0.05) more VEFG-A and f-VEGF and less sVEGFR-1 than group 4. Oocyte donation was associated with decreased sVEGFR-1 secretion, and alpha2M was not relevant in OHSS development. CONCLUSION: In E- and L-OHSS, the ability to secrete sVEGFR-1 and bind VEGF seems to be the determinant factor in OHSS. f-VEGF acts locally in the ovary.     

Lung cancer screening with low-dose helical CT in Korea: experiences at the Samsung Medical Center

To determine overall detection rates of lung cancer by low-dose CT (LDCT) screening and to compare histopathologic and imaging differences of detected cancers between high- and low-risk groups, this study included 6,406 asymptomatic Korean adults with >or=45 yr of age who underwent LDCT for lung cancer screening. All were classified into high- (>or=20 pack-year smoking; 3,353) and low-risk (3,053; <20 pack-yr smoking and non-smokers) groups. We compared CT findings of detected cancers and detection rates between high- and low-risk. At initial CT, 35% (2,255 of 6,406) had at least one or more non-calcified nodule. Lung cancer detection rates were 0.36% (23 of 6,406). Twenty-one non-small cell lung cancers appeared as solid (n=14) or ground-glass opacity (GGO) (n=7) nodules. Cancer likelihood was higher in GGO nodules than in solid nodules (p<0.01). Fifteen of 23 cancers occurred in high-risk group and 8 in low-risk group (p=0.215). Therefore, LDCT screening help detect early stage of lung cancer in asymptomatic Korean population with detection rate of 0.36% on a population basis and may be useful for discovering early lung cancer in low-risk group as well as in high-risk group.     

Serotonin-related gene expression in female monkeys with individual sensitivity to stress

Female cynomolgus monkeys exhibit different degrees of reproductive dysfunction with moderate metabolic and psychosocial stress. In this study, the expression of four genes pivotal to serotonin neural function was assessed in monkeys previously categorized as highly stress resistant (n=3; normal menstrual cyclicity through two stress cycles), medium stress resistant (n=5; ovulatory in the first stress cycle but anovulatory in the second stress cycle), or low stress resistant (i.e. stress-sensitive; n=4; anovulatory as soon as stress is initiated). In situ hybridization and quantitative image analysis was used to measure mRNAs coding for SERT (serotonin transporter), 5HT1A autoreceptor, MAO-A and MAO-B (monoamine oxidases) at six levels of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Optical density (OD) and positive pixel area were measured with NIH Image software. In addition, serotonin neurons were immunostained and counted at three levels of the DRN. Finally, each animal was genotyped for the serotonin transporter long polymorphic region (5HTTLPR). Stress sensitive animals had lower expression of SERT mRNA in the caudal region of the DRN (P<0.04). SERT mRNA OD in the caudal DRN was positively correlated with serum progesterone during a pre-stress control cycle (P<0.0007). 5HT1A mRNA OD signal tended to decline in the stress-sensitive group, but statistical difference between averages was lacking in analysis of variance. However, 5HT1A mRNA signal was positively correlated with control cycle progesterone (P<0.009). There was significantly less MAO-A mRNA signal in the stress-sensitive group (P<0.007) and MAO-A OD was positively correlated with progesterone from a pre-stress control cycle (P<0.007). MAO-B mRNA exhibited a similar downward trend in the stress-sensitive group. MAO-B OD also correlated with control cycle progesterone (P<0.003). There were significantly fewer serotonin neurons in the stress-sensitive group. All animals contained only the long form of the 5HTTLPR. Thus, all serotonin-related mRNAs examined in the dorsal raphe to date were lower (SERT, MAO-A) or exhibited a lower trend (5HT1A, MAO-B) in the stress sensitive animals, which probably reflects the lower number of serotonin neurons present.     

The prevalence of serum IgG antibodies against HTLV viruses type I and II in sarcoidosis patients

The pathogenesis of sarcoidosis remains still unknown. Among numerous factors viruses are considered as potential causes. The aim of the study was investigation of human T-cell lymphotopic virus type I (HTLV-I) in sarcoidosis patients. Studied group (I) consisted of 52 patients: 29 women and 23 men aged from 24 to 62 years; mean age 40 years. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed by histologic examination in 46 patients and on the base of clinical, HRCT--chest scan and BAL findings in 6 patients. Control group (II) consisted of 92 various pulmonary disorders patients and healthy subjects in the aged from 20 to 83 years; mean age 54 years. In both groups the ELISA test detecting antibodies against HTLV-I/II was performed with the use the diagnostic kit produced by Organon Teknika, Belgium. Results were interpreted by measuring the optical density (OD). The cut-off point 0.386 was established according to the rule defined by kit's producent. The values of OD ranged in group I from 0.061 to 0.384 and in group II from 0.047 to 0.213; thus, no positive results of the test were observed. The values of OD did not differ significantly in both groups (p = 0.59). CONCLUSION: In our region the participation of HTLV-I in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is doubtful.     

Influence of Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyp on the Lower Airway of Subjects Without Lower Airway Diseases

Purpose

Upper and lower respiratory tract pathologies are believed to be interrelated; however, the impact of upper airway inflammation on lung function in subjects without lung disease has not been evaluated. This study investigated the association of CT finding suggesting chronic sinusitis and lung function in healthy subjects without lung disease.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from 284 subjects who underwent a pulmonary function test, bronchial provocation test, rhinoscopy, and osteomeatal unit computed tomography offered as a private health check-up option.

Results

CT findings showed that the sinusitis group had a significantly lower FEV1/FVC ratio than subjects without sinusitis finding (78.62% vs 84.19%, P=0.019). Among the sinusitis group, subjects classified by CT findings as the extensive disease group had a slightly lower FEV1/FVC than those of the limited disease group (76.6% vs 79.5%, P=0.014) and the associations were independent of the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness. The subjects with nasal polyp had also lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC than subjects without nasal polyp (FEV1: 100.0% vs 103.6%, P=0.045, FEV1/FVC: 77.4% vs 80.0%, P=0.005).

Conclusions

CT findings suggesting chronic sinusitis and nasal polyp were associated with subclinical lower airway flow limitation even in the absence of underlying lung disease.     

脑利钠肽水平联合肺动脉CT评估老年心力衰竭患者预后的价值

目的:研究脑利钠肽（BNP）水平联合肺动脉电子计算机断层扫描（CT）评估老年心力衰竭（HF）患者预后的价值。 方法:选取100例HF患者,根据5年随访的患者生存情况将其分为存活组（n=54）和死亡组（n=46）。检测并比较两组血清 BNP 水平;回顾肺动脉CT 结果,比较右肺动脉直径（RPAD）、室间隔厚度（IVST）、升主动脉直径（AA）、降主动脉直径 （PA）、左肺动脉直径（LPAD）以及主肺动脉直径（MPAD）。结果:与死亡组比较,存活组血清BNP水平、RPAD、LPAD显著 降低,IVST显著升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;血清BNP水平与RPAD、LPAD呈正相关,与IVST呈负相关,差异均具 有统计学意义（P<0.05）;与单一指标评估相比,BNP水平联合肺动脉CT评估的灵敏度、特异性、准确度、阳性预测值、阴性 预测值、ROC曲线下面积显著升高（P<0.05）。结论:BNP水平联合肺动脉CT评估老年HF患者预后的特异性、灵敏度以 及准确度更高,具有较高的临床参考价值。     

He-Ne激光穴位照射治疗慢性乙型病毒性肝炎HBeAg阳性的临床观察

目的:观察He-Ne激光穴位照射治疗慢性乙型病毒性肝炎HBeAg阳性的疗效.方法:治疗组66例患者在维生素、利肝丸等保肝综合治疗基础上加用He-Ne激光穴位照射治疗.每次照射30分钟,每天1次,15天为一个疗程.对照组34例,采用常规保肝治疗.治疗一个疗程后,休息5天,再治疗一个疗程,每个疗程后检查1次乙肝病毒(HBV)标志物和肝功能.结果:治疗组66例中,39例转阴,转阴率为59.1%:对照组34例中,7例转阴,转阴率为20.5%.两组HBeAg转阴率比较,有显著性差异(P＜0.05).结论:He-Ne激光穴位照射治疗慢性乙型病毒性肝炎HBeAg阳性有一定疗效.     

Role of mesangial fibrinogen deposition in the pathogenesis of crescentic Henoch-Schonlein nephritis in children

AIMS: To clarify the role of mesangial fibrinogen deposition in crescentic Henoch-Sch?nlein nephritis (HSN). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 21 children with HSN treated with immunosuppressants. Serial renal biopsies were performed before and after treatment. They were divided into two groups according to the immunofluorescent course of fibrinogen deposition: group I (n = 9), no or decreased deposition; group II (n = 12), persistent or increased deposition. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in renal manifestations or laboratory and histological findings at presentation. However, the activity index after immunosuppressive treatment was significantly decreased in group I (mean, 7.9 (SEM, 0.7) v 2.9 (0.4); p = 0.008) and unchanged in group II (mean, 6.8 (SEM, 0.3) v 6.0 (2.1)). The chronicity index was unchanged in group I, but increased in group II (mean, 0.8 (SEM, 0.3) v 1.8 (0.3); p = 0.02). Univariate analysis revealed that the only factor significantly related to persistent or increased fibrinogen deposition was age more than 9 years (p = 0.03). Furthermore, the intensity of fibrinogen deposition at the second biopsy correlated positively with the age at onset (R2= 0.306; p = 0.009) and changes in the percentage of crescents (post-treatment crescents (%) minus pretreatment crescents (%)) correlated positively with the intensity of fibrinogen deposition at the second biopsy (R2= 0.193; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that fibrinogen deposition has an important role to play in renal injury of crescentic HSN and reflects persistent severe histological activity.     

First trimester biochemical screening for Down's syndrome in singleton pregnancies conceived by assisted reproduction

BACKGROUND: Serum biochemical markers [free betahCG (fbetahCG); pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A)] used in first trimester Down's syndrome screening have not been fully investigated in pregnancies achieved by assisted reproduction techniques. We present data on pregnancies conceived by all types of assisted reproduction techniques, including pregnancies following ovum donation (OD) and a large sample by ICSI. METHODS: First trimester Down's syndrome screening was performed in 1054 normal singleton pregnancies: natural conception (n = 498), ovulation induction (OS, n = 97), IVF (n = 47), ICSI (n = 222) and OD (n = 190). RESULTS: No differences in maternal levels of fbetahCG and PAPP-A, measured by the Kryptor system, appeared between naturally conceived pregnancies (n = 498) and those obtained with assisted reproduction techniques (n = 556). Several differences were apparent when comparing fbetahCG levels between different technologies but PAPP-A levels only differed between OS and IVF pregnancies (P < 0.05). In a further small study, no differences were observed using frozen embryos (n = 37), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (n = 53) or sperm from testicular biopsy (n = 21). CONCLUSIONS: Data accumulated so far suggest that first trimester biochemical markers either do not need any adjustments (e.g. in pregnancies obtained after OS and ICSI), or have very little impact (e.g. IVF pregnancies) or no impact (e.g. OD pregnancies) on the false positive rates.