Relationship between left ventricle geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with untreated essential hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between different the left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with hypertension (HT). METHODS: We studied 84 patients (50.0+/-6.1, years) with HT and 24 healthy control subjects (48.6+/-3.3, years). Four different geometric patterns were identified in patients according to LV mass index and relative wall thickness. Peripheral lymphocyte DNA damages and plasma levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: DNA damage was increased in hypertensive patients compared with control group (p=0.001). The major increase in DNA damage was observed in concentric hypertrophic geometric pattern compared with all other geometric patterns (p<0.001, for all). In multiple linear regression analysis, lymphocyte DNA damage was independently correlated with only TAS (beta=-0.444, p<0.001), but not LV geometry (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The major increase in lymphocyte DNA damage was observed in concentric hypertrophic geometric pattern. This result may be related to increased oxidative stress.     

Prospective randomized trial comparing shock wave lithotripsy and flexible ureterorenoscopy for lower pole stones smaller than 1 cm

In this study, we aimed to compare the success and complications of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with its advanced technology and the accomplished method of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in the treatment of lower pole stones smaller than 1 cm. One hundred and forty patients were randomized as 70 undergoing SWL (Group 1) and 70 undergoing F-URS (Group 2). Patients were evaluated by plain X-ray and urinary ultrasound 1 week and after 3 months following SWL. The same procedure was done for F-URS patients 1 week after surgery and after 3 months. Success rates were established the day following the procedure and after 3 months. Fragmentation less than 3 mm was considered success. Mean operative time was 44 ± 7.4 min for Group 2 and mean fluoroscopy duration was 51 ± 12 s. In F-URS group, all the patients were stone free after 3 months (100 %). Group 1 had 2.7 ± 0.4 sessions of SWL. Sixty-four patients were stone free in that group after 3 months (91.5 %). The procedure yielded significant success in FURS group, even though patients underwent SWL for 2.7 ± 0.4 sessions and F-URS for 1 session (p < 0.05). With higher success and similar complication rates, fewer sessions per treatment, and advances in technology and experience, we believe F-URS has a potential to be the first treatment option over SWL in the future.     

卫生应急人员对突发事件风险评估的认知分析

目的 :了解我国卫生应急人员对突发公共卫生事件风险评估的认知状况,从文化程度、职称情况、单位性质、单位级别等方面进行比较,为提高卫生应急人员风险评估的认识和能力提供依据。方法 :采用问卷调查的方法,对全国(大陆地区)31个省(自治区、直辖市)承担突发公共卫生事件应急处置的卫生应急工作人员进行调查。采用描述性分析和χ2检验对调查数据进行分析。结果 :我国卫生应急人员对风险评估概念熟悉程度较低,且不同学历、不同职称、不同工作年限、不同机构、不同层级之间的认知存在一定差异;对风险评估工作内容的认知也存在分歧。结论 :应加强风险评估培训,健全风险评估制度,以全面提高卫生应急人员对风险评估的认知水平。     

A Rare Finding During a Common Procedure: Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a rare variant of chronic cholecystitis characterized by severe proliferative fibrosis and accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages in regions of destructive inflammation. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis clinically and radiologically mimics early-stage gallbladder cancer, with wall thickening on computed tomography. The study included 14 xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis patients that were identified following retrospective analysis of the records of 1248 patients that underwent cholecystectomy between 2005 and 2011. Mean age of the 5 male and 9 female patients was 56.7 years. All 14 patients had gallbladder stones; 10 had a history of acute cholecystitis, 1 had cholangitis, and 2 presented with obstructive jaundice. A right-upper quadrant mass was palpable in 2 patients. All patients underwent cholecystectomy. Open surgery was planned and performed in 6 of the 14 patients, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy was planned in 8 patients, but was converted to open surgery in 1 case. In total, 1 patient developed wound infection, 1 patient had postoperative pneumonia, and 1 patient developed intraabdominal hematoma. None of the patients in the series died. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is difficult to diagnose, both preoperatively and intraoperatively, and definitive diagnosis depends exclusively on pathological examination. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis should be a consideration in all difficult cholecystectomy cases.     

基于反向滤波器的倒谱法估计平均骨小梁间距

目的 探讨用改进的倒谱方法估计平均骨小梁间距(mean trabecular bone spacing,MTBS)的可行性.方法 提出了一种基于反向滤波器的改进的倒谱分析方法用于估计MTBS,并将该方法应用于仿真及离体牛胫骨松质骨中的实验信号.结果 改进的倒谱方法能有效减少超声换能器脉冲响应和组织散射特性对倒谱的干扰,而且实现简单,计算量小.结论 相比于传统的倒谱方法,改进的倒谱方法在估计MTBS时, 对弥散散射和噪声有更强的鲁棒性,因此估计MTBS的精度更高.