“搓滚舒筋”练功疗法

“搓滚舒筋”练功疗法,是一种以竹筒为简易器械的脚底搓滚练功治疗“筋挛缩”症的方法。最早文献见于马王堆汉墓出土的帛书《五十二病方》,起码有两干多年的渊源。骨伤科常用之,内、外诸科亦有用之。这一传统疗法,筒、便、廉、验,值得弘扬。     

Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Induces Apoptosis through Down-Regulation of c-mycGene and Overexpression of p27Protein in Cervical Carcinoma

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to be a potent growth inhibitor for many cell types, including most epithelial cells. In skin keratinocytes, TGF-β1 has been shown to inhibit growth and to rapidly reduce c-mycexpression. However, the molecular mechanism of TGF-β1 action on cell growth of cervical carcinoma has not yet been elucidated. We thus assessed the effect of TGF-β1 on the growth of cervical carcinoma cell lines. Two cervical squamous carcinoma cell lines, CUMC-3 and CUMC-6, were incubated with varying concentrations of TGF-β1, and growth inhibition was evaluated with tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay. After culture in TGF-β1 for 24 h, inhibition of growth was detected in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0.1–10 ng/ml in both cell lines. This effect of TGF-β1 on cultured carcinoma cells was associated with apoptotic process including oligonucleosomal ladder DNA and apoptotic body formations. Northern blot analysis revealed c-mycmRNA expression was suppressed by 10 ng/ml of TGF-β1 following 3 h of treatment in both cell lines. Western blot analysis showed that the level of p27^Kip1protein was increased after TGF-β1 treatment in both cell lines. These results suggest that the mechanisms by which TGF-β1 inhibits the growth of cervical carcinoma are complex and may include effects on down-regulation of c-mycgene, and overexpression of p27^Kip1protein.     

A study of the relationship between ambient lead and blood lead among lead battery workers

 Objective: To examine the relationship between ambient lead levels and blood lead levels and to explore the modifiers of the relationship between ambient lead and blood lead. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two lead battery factories. Blood lead level and ambient lead concentration were measured for each participant concurrently. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect sociodemographic characteristics and occupational history. Design: Biological and personal environmental measurements of 219 lead-exposed workers were analyzed by both simple and multiple linear regression. A regression model was selected for interpretation. Results: A high correlation (r=0.62) between ambient lead (PbA) and blood lead (PbB) was observed. In addition, numerous factors, including age, sex, alcohol consumption, personal hygiene practice and type of lead exposure, were also found to influence blood lead levels. Although PbB was highly correlated with PbA, blood lead level may not be effectively lowered by reducing ambient lead level. Based on the regression coefficients, improvement of hygienic practice was more effective at lowering PbB than reducing ambient lead level. Good hygienic practice may be the preferential way to reduce lead exposure in current conditions. Conclusion: Education of correct work practice may be more important than engineering control in the developing countries to lower blood lead levels in lead battery factories. Received: 28 May 1996/Accepted: 30 August 1996     

A feasibility study on teaching evaluation system in medical education

The purpose of this study is to develop an evaluation instrument with high feasibility and acceptability, and to quantify the outcome of evaluation, in order to set up an efficient evaluation system. Teaching evaluation with questionnaire by students has been carried out in National Yang-Ming Medical College for two years. With the support of both teachers and students, the system has been established and conducted on a regular basis. The most important purpose of evaluation is to improve the quality of teaching. During the two academic years (Sep. 1986-June 1988) of the program, the overall response rate was 44.5%, the Department of Nursing had the highest response rate, followed by Dentistry, Medicine-Post Graduate, Medical Technology, and Medicine. Taking into consideration of the year and the class size, the regression analysis found that higher year or smaller size of the class had better response rate. The response rates dropped significantly after the first academic year regardless of department or year. A total of 23 classes were included in the evaluation program and 99 courses were evaluated. All questions in the questionnaire used a 0 to 4 ordinal scale, in which 0 (improvement needed) was the low end and 4 (excellent) the high end. The mean score of the seven questions of teaching evaluation was 2.47. As a whole, the students were satisfied with the teaching. As to the categories of courses, clinical courses had better mean score than basic medical courses, and basic medical courses had better mean score than common required courses. To evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching, students' achievement was used as the outcome variable. The most important predictive variable was the method of instruction, followed by the content of lecture such as degree of difficulty of the lecture and cognitiveness of the contents. The above 3 variables explained 76% of the variation of the students' achievement. However, the significant of teachers' speech, performance and attitude were not so influential. Analysis based on the characteristics of the teachers (sex, age, position, and teaching experience), the characteristics of students (department and year), teaching environments (time and place), and the 3 categories of courses (clinical, basic medical and common required courses) showed that all the above variables only explained less then 10% of the variation of the students' achievement.     

Early results for anatomic correction of transposition of the great arteries and for double-outlet right ventricle with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect

Fifty patients, 21 with transposition of the great arteries plus ventricular septal defect, four with double-outlet right ventricle plus ventricular septal defect, and 25 with transposition of the great arteries plus intact ventricular septum, have undergone anatomic correction. There were four hospital deaths, all in the patients with ventricular septal defects (overall mortality rate 8%). The Lecompte maneuver was used in all patients, and in the last 25 patients the coronary arteries were transposed to medially hinged trapdoor flaps created in the neoaorta. In 10 patients (20%) intraoperative adjustments were necessary to the great vessels and coronary arteries to achieve unobstructed coronary artery flow. There have been no late deaths. Postoperative cardiac catheterization in 19 patients has revealed stenosis on the new main pulmonary artery suture line to be the main early problem. Anatomic correction of transposition (with or without ventricular septal defect) and double-outlet right ventricle septal defect would seem to be a good operative alternative to the Mustard or Senning operation, with the advantage of incorporating the left ventricle into the systemic circulation.     

重症肌无力病人乙酰胆碱受体抗体的测定及临床意义

用ＥＬＩＳＡ（固相酶联免疫吸附）法测定１７２例ＭＧ病人血清乙酰胆碱受体抗体（ＡｃｈＲａｂ），结果显著高于健康献血员组和非ＭＧ病人组。不同性别、病程及临床类型与ＡｃｈＲａｂ无相关性，但４１～５０岁组的显著高于其他年龄组。６７例类固醇激素治疗组、２２例大剂量两种球蛋白治疗组、１２例胸腺切除术组及３例ＭＧ危象病人２４次血浆交换疗法（ＰＥ）组，治疗后伴随肌无力症状的好转，ＡｃｈＲａｂ均显著低于治疗前。结果表明：ＡｃｈＲａｂ测定为ＭＧ诊断提供了可靠的实验依据，为类固醇激素、大剂量丙种球蛋白、胸腺切除术和ＰＥ等治疗ＭＧ提供理论依据和疗效评定的实验指标，进一步证实了ＭＧ免疫学发病机理。     

Magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography changes in hypoglycemia-induced chorea.

We present two case studies, one of generalized chorea and one of hemichorea, both after severe hypoglycemia episodes. Both cases showed hyperperfusion in their SPECT scans. The MRI and SPECT findings serve as clues regarding the role of basal ganglion dysfunction associated with chorea.     

Identifying incident cases of parkinsonism among veterans using a tertiary medical center.

To better understand the impact of incident Parkinson's disease (PD) on the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) and to develop methods applicable to future epidemiological research, we performed a medical record review study at a tertiary referral VHA medical center. Searching the local data base, we identified 782 veterans with diagnostic codes for PD or secondary parkinsonism (SP) between 1998 and 2000. Based on structured medical record review, a movement disorders specialist confirmed diagnoses for incident parkinsonism cases. Among the 782, 191 incident parkinsonism cases were identified (100 PD, 75 SP, and 16 Parkinson's Plus). Incident PD cases were older at diagnosis (74.5 vs. 70.4 yr; P < 0.05) and more likely to be white (81% vs. 62; P < 0.07) than incident SP cases. Diagnostic codes were insufficient to distinguish between incident PD and SP (positive predictive value, 57% and 39%, respectively), and VHA sources failed to identify 21% of confirmed deaths among the incident PD cohort by November 2004. Although the large number of incident cases identified suggests PD is an important cause of disability among elderly VHA users, observed limitations of VHA sources for identifying incident PD cases and determining their vital status should be considered when designing future studies.