Factors affecting the performance of factor VIII coagulant activity assays. Results of proficiency surveys of the College of American Pathologists.

To evaluate sources of interlaboratory variation in factor VIII coagulant assays and the effects of uniform calibration on it, data were analyzed from Survey Set H2-C, 1987, of the College of American Pathologists, Northfield, Ill, into which the College of American Pathologists Reference Preparation for Factor VIII was incorporated. Peer group performance and its improvement by uniform calibration were evaluated by comparing means, precisions, and numbers of acceptable survey scores. Results showed a poorer performance by less experience laboratories and by those that used undesirable calibrators. Substantial improvement was seen with uniform calibration, especially among laboratories that had employed poorer calibrators. Although variance component analysis showed that the type of calibrator was the most important contributor to interlaboratory variation, it accounted for only 10% of total variability. Participant summaries and questionnaires that spanned several years revealed steady improvement in methodology but no striking changes in interlaboratory variation.     

Preservation of physical dimensions in a model of reactive synaptogenesis in the red nucleus

Electrical stimulation of the brainstem of 15 decerebrate cats produced stimulus-bound vomiting in only 4 animals. Vomiting was reproducible in only one cat. Effective stimulating sites were located in the solitary tract and reticular formation. Restricted localization of a 'vomiting center', stimulation of which evoked readily reproducible results, could not be obtained.     

Effects of beclomethasone dipropionate on tracheal mucous velocity.

Beclomethasone dipropionate (200 micrograms, administered by inhalation to conscious sheep, does not affect tracheal mucous velocity during a 60-min period.     

生活质量调查表在睡眠呼吸障碍儿童评价中的作用

目的探讨儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸障碍疾病特异性生活质量调查表(OSD-6)在儿童睡眠呼吸紊乱评价中的作用。方法前瞻性对照临床研究,61例OSD-6调查评分提示为阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)的儿童,平均年龄(6.4±0.61)岁,女28例,男33例。其中多导睡眠监测(PSG)阳性32例均经腺样体和扁桃体切除术(AT)治疗,PSG阴性儿童29例随机分别经AT治疗(n=15)或非手术治疗(n=14)。1～3个月后以同样的方式进行评价。结果平均随访时间为(2.8±1.3)个月。PSG阴性AT组儿童术后OSD-6调查总评分平均下降49(极值32～61)分,与非手术组儿童的平均变化总分8(极值-9～21)分比较差异有统计学意义。PSG阴性AT组中的86.7%儿童术后提示为临床无症状者(OSD-6调查总评分20分),而非手术组为14.2%两者比较差异有统计学意义。所有经手术治疗的儿童,术后身体症状的评分和睡眠障碍的评分明显下降。结论OSD-6调查评分提示为OSA但PSG为阴性的患儿,在AT治疗后生活质量评分可以明显改善。该调查表能够反映出SDB儿童手术治疗的疗效,可以作为睡眠呼吸障碍(SDB)儿童的临床评价和疗效观察的工具。