Bacteriology and disinfection of porcine skin

The microbial flora and counting were studied in split porcine skin. The results indicated that the routine method for the preparation of porcine heterograft could not reduce the indigenous flora in the dermal appendages efficiently. The indigenous flora of porcine skin consists of not only Gram positive cocci and Gram negative rods, fungus are the another predominant ones, the later may contribute to the frequent complication of fungal infection and the early rejection of porcine heterograft. A tincture of iodine compound was prepared and used for the purpose of disinfection, a better result was obtained.     

Location of lectin UEA-I receptors in histological diagnosis of nasopharyngeal precancerous lesion.

Three kinds of lectins (UEA-I, ConA, PNA) were used to study normal, dysplastic, neoplastic nasopharyngeal epithelium by lectin affinitive histochemical method. UEA-I (ulex europeus agglutinin-I) displayed membrane distribution in normal squamous epithelium, but most of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells were negative. Notably, severe dysplastic epithelium (precancerous lesion) exhibited a strong membranous and cytoplasmic affinity, which contrasted sharply with the normal epithelium and carcinoma cells. The statistically significant difference in the content and distribution of lectin UEA-I in these three groups suggest that UEA-I is a hopeful marker for diagnosing precancerous lesion of the nasopharynx. However, PNA and ConA are of less diagnostic value.

     

Efficacy of short‐term oral cobalamin therapy for the treatment of cobalamin deficiencies related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption: A study of 30 patients

Background: It has been suggested that oral cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) therapy may be an effective therapy for treating cobalamin deficiencies related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption. However, the duration of this treatment was not determined. Patients and method: In an open‐label, nonplacebo study, we studied 30 patients with established cobalamin deficiency related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption, who received between 250 and 1000 μg of oral crystalline cyanocobalamin per day for at least 1 month. Endpoints: Blood counts, serum cobalamin and homocysteine levels were determined at baseline and during the first month of treatment. Results: During the first month of treatment, 87% of the patients normalized their serum cobalamin levels; 100% increased their serum cobalamin levels (mean increase, +167 pg/dl; P < 0.001 compared with baseline); 100% had evidence of medullary regeneration; 100% corrected their initial macrocytosis; and 54% corrected their anemia. All patients had increased hemoglobin levels (mean increase, +0.6 g/dl) and reticulocyte counts (mean increase, +35 × 10⁶/l) and decreased erythrocyte cell volume (mean decrease, 3 fl; all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that crystalline cyanocobalamin, 250–1000 μg /day, given orally for 1 month, may be an effective treatment for cobalamin deficiencies not related to pernicious anemia.     

Survival of Dairy Cows After Surgery to Correct Abomasal Displacement: 1. Clinical and Laboratory Parameters and Overall Survival

The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and laboratory consequences of left and right displacement of the abomasum (LDA and RDA), short‐ and long‐term survival after surgery and the findings in cows, that could not be cured by omentopexy. Data from 564 cases of displaced abomasum (466 LDA, 98 RDA) were analysed retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between the two manifestations of DA. Survival was assessed after 10 days and after 15 months. Necropsy was carried out on cows that died or were killed. On arrival at the clinic, left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) cows had been recognized as diseased for longer. LDA occurred earlier in lactation, and more cows with right displacement of the abomasum (RDA) were pregnant. Overall clinical symptoms were more severe in RDA than in LDA cows. Heart rate was higher, body temperature was lower, inanition, abnormal faeces and ruminal stasis were more frequent in RDA cows. Leucocyte counts were higher, and potassium and chloride levels were lower in RDA cows. Acetonuria was more frequent in LDA cows. More LDA than RDA cows were released from the clinic as cured (82.0% versus 74.5%). However, survival after the early post‐surgical period was similar for RDA and LDA cows. At necropsy, diseases of the gastrointestinal system were the predominant finding in RDA cows, while in LDA cows, diseases of the liver and other concurrent diseases were more important.     

Potential contribution of nuclear factor-kappaB to cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a key role in inflammation, which is involved in the development of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the present study, we assessed the potential role of NF-kappaB in regulation of cerebral vasospasm. Nuclear factor-kappaB DNA-binding activity was measured in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) treated with hemolysate and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, 80 micromol/L), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Forty-two rabbits were divided into three groups: control, SAH, and PDTC groups (n=14 for each group). The caliber of the basilar artery was evaluated. Nuclear factor-kappaB DNA-binding activity and the gene expression levels of cytokines and adhesion molecules in the basilar artery were measured. Immunohistochemical study was performed to assess the expression and localization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and myeloperoxidase (MPO). It was observed that NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity was significantly increased by treatment with hemolysate in cultured VSCMs, but this increase was suppressed by pretreatment with PDTC. Severe vasospasm was observed in the SAH group, which was attenuated in the PDTC group. Subarachnoid hemorrhage could induce increases of NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity and the gene expression levels of TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, ICAM-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, which were reduced in the PDTC group. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that the expression levels of TNF-alpha, ICAM-1, and MPO were all increased in the SAH group, but these increases were attenuated in the PDTC group. Our results suggest that NF-kappaB is activated in the arterial wall after SAH, which potentially leads to vasospasm development through induction of inflammatory response.     

一种新的正交参数选优法及其在非线性回归分析中的应用

非线性回归分析是工程中经常采用的一种用来估计数学模型参数的方法，该方法能否顺利运用与参数初始值的选择有极大关系。本研究提出一种新的正交参数选优法——阻尼正交表法，它不仅可以保证非线性回归分析算法的顺利收敛，而且能够显著提高后者的收敛速度，进而极大改善非线性回归分析算法的应用性能。本研究的数值试验及心肌造影超声心动图定量分析应用实例表明，作为对传统正交参数选优法的一种改进，阻尼正交表法在科学与工程计算或信号与信息处理领域有着很好的应用前景。     

Questionnaire analysis of the swallowing‐related outcomes following total laryngectomy

Objective: To determine the effects of a total laryngectomy on the swallow and subsequent quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. Design: Cross‐sectional single centre cohort study. Setting: Head and Neck Oncology Unit, Tertiary Referral Unit. Patients: Sixty‐two patients who underwent total laryngectomy at our centre participated in the study. Methods: Subjects were stratified by age, sex, tumour stage, other procedures such as myotomy and nerve re‐implantation. Pharyngectomy, glossectomy, flap reconstruction, neck dissection and previous radio‐ and chemotherapy were also assessed to see if they affected swallow and subsequent quality of life. Main outcome was measured using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory questionnaire. Results: Responses were received from 46 males and 16 females (response rate of 80.5%) with a mean age of 64.7 years (SD 9.4). Median follow‐up in patients was 90 months (range 1–276). The mean MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory total score in our series of patients was 77.7 (SD 16.6). MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory global score was 79.4 (SD 22.6), Emotional score was 77.7 (SD 17.8), Functional score 81.3 (SD 15.9) and Physical score was 74.1(SD 18). Statistically significant differences were seen between the emotional scores of glossectomised and non‐glossectomised patients (Mann Whitney, P = 0.04). No significant correlation was seen between the subscale scores and the remaining treatment variables such as age, gender, site, tumour stage, myotomy, nerve implantation, radiotherapy, reconstruction and major complications. Conclusion: This questionnaire study is the largest of its type to assess the swallow of patients who have undergone laryngectomy at a single centre. The overall result confirmed that most patients had a subjectively good swallow. Only glossectomy and the method of PE segment closure were shown to significantly affect swallowing outcomes following surgery. We recommend further work especially prospective studies pre and post surgery using this or similarly validated instruments to fully assess swallow in the laryngectomy population.