Osteosarcoma: use of MR imaging and MR spectroscopy in clinical decision making

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 14 patients with histologically proved osteosarcoma (mean age, 14.4 years). There was excellent correlation of intramedullary tumor extent as determined with MR imaging and pathologic examination (r = 99%). This was facilitated by the presence of a chemical shift artifact at the tumor-marrow interface on the T1-weighted images. The correlation between CT and pathologic findings was not as good (r = 84%). In a single patient, however, a 10-cm length of sclerotic bone was incorrectly interpreted as being tumor. If this case is excluded, the correlation between CT and pathologic findings improves significantly (r = 96%). T2-weighted images were optimal in demonstrating soft-tissue bulk and breach of the epiphysis or cortex. Vascular involvement was also readily defined. The T2 value of the tumor soft-tissue component decreased in patients who were deemed to have responded well to therapy. Two patients with very high T2 values after chemotherapy developed wide-spread metastatic disease and died. Phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy of five patients with osteosarcoma showed elevated levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and phosphodiesters (PDEs). PME and PDE peak areas decreased in three patients after chemotherapy, while Pi peak areas increased.     

An in vivo comparison of a catheter mounted pressure transducer system with conventional balloon catheters.

In the assessment of respiratory muscle function balloon catheters have been widely used for pressure measurements. However, this type of investigation is poorly tolerated by acutely ill patients. This study assessed the performance of a possible alternative, a catheter-mounted miniature pressure transducer (CMT). The assessment consisted of a laboratory study of the linearity, frequency response, and stability of gain and baseline of the CMT system, and an in vivo study directly comparing the CMT and balloon catheter systems in seven normal subjects for a range of respiratory manoeuvres. These were: 1) maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures against a closed airway, 2) twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure elicited by cervical magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation, and 3) tidal breathing, sniffs and coughs in five body positions. The agreement of the two systems was analysed for measurements of 1) absolute pressures, 2) magnitude of changes in pressure, and 3) rate of change of pressure (maximum relaxation rate after sniff manoeuvres). The CMT system was linear, with a high frequency response and stable gain, but showed baseline drift. The two systems agreed well for measurements of change and rate of change of pressure, but less well for measurements of absolute pressure. The CMT system tested is potentially useful for studies of acute changes in respiratory pressures, or studies of respiratory muscle strength, but would be less useful where accurate measurements of absolute pressures are required.     

白花丹参化学成分的研究

从白花丹参(Salvia miltiorrhiza f.alba)中分离出14个二萜醌类化合物,其中2个为新化合物,由光谱分析推定为1,2,15,16-四氢丹参醌(Ⅰ)和丹参醛(Ⅱ);另一个化合物Ⅲ与R₀-090680的结构相同。化合物Ⅰ和Ⅲ对淋巴白血病细胞P₃₈₈均有较强的抑制作用。     

Aged venous thrombi: radioimmunoimaging with fibrin-specific monoclonal antibody

Radioimmunoimaging of fresh canine venous thrombi with a murine monoclonal antibody specific for human and dog fibrin has been reported. Successful imaging of canine deep venous thrombi 1, 3, and 5 days old at the time of antibody injection is reported. Images were positive in all dogs, and the uptake of fibrin-specific antibody was equivalent to that of fresh thrombi.     

The maximal sniff in the assessment of diaphragm function in man

We studied diaphragm function in a total of 64 normal subjects, who had no past or present respiratory or neuromuscular impairment. We measured transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) during maximal sniffs and compared these values with Pdi during maximal static inspiratory efforts (PImax.). The range of Pdi during maximal sniffs (82-204 cm H2O) had better defined lower limits than Pdi during PImax. (16-164 cm H2O) and a higher mean value: mean +/- SD for maximal sniffs was 137 +/- 28 cm H2O and for PImax. was 90 +/- 37 cm H2O. The reproducibility of sniff Pdi was assessed in eight randomly chosen subjects over 3 days: the mean coefficient of variation was 7.2%. By comparison the coefficient of variation of Pdi during PImax. was 13.0% in seven subjects. The maximal sniff is a spontaneous manoeuvre, easily performed, repeatable without tiring, and reproducible. Its measurement provides a more reliable quantitative method for assessment of diaphragm strength, which has potential in clinical practice.     

福建省高校贫困大学生心理健康水平与人格特征

目的:了解贫困生的心理健康现状和人格特征。方法:于2005-09/11随机抽取福州大学、福建师范大学、福建农林大学、福建中医学院、闽江学院2002-2004级学生2400名。男1478名,女922名,平均(20±1)岁。根据2004-11-04福建省福州市政府办公厅正式下发的《福州市人民政府关于提高城区城镇及农村居民最低生活保障标准的通知》中的规定,即城镇多人户每人每个月210元、单人户230元;农村多人户每人每月155元、单人户175元,本文把家庭人均月收入较少,有一定数额债务,只能缴纳部分学杂费,基本生活费接近于当地居民最低生活保障线(如上规定,本文以230元为基准)的学生定为“贫困生”。采用精神症状自评量表和16种人格因素问卷对高校贫困生的心理健康和人格特征进行调查。结果:发放问卷2400份,收回有效问卷2111份。其中贫困生539份。①贫困生精神症状自评量表的躯体化、强迫、人际敏感、抑郁、焦虑、敌对、恐怖、偏执、精神病性、其他、总症状指数得分均高于非贫困生(贫困生:1.61±0.56,2.02±0.64,1.92±0.63,1.71±0.56,1.65±0.58,1.73±0.68,1.57±0.62,1.81±0.65,1.67±0.54,1.76±0.63,1.74±0.49;非贫困生:1.48±0.45,1.89±0.56,1.79±0.57,1.61±0.51,1.54±0.50,1.61±0.56,1.44±0.49,1.66±0.54,1.54±0.46,1.61±0.53,1.62±0.41,P<0.01)。男女贫困生之间各因子分差异均不显著(P>0.05)。②福建省高校贫困大学生的心理问题检出率为24.5%,其中轻度心理问题(2≤因子分<3)为22.6%;中度心理问题(3≤因子分<4)为1.7%;重度心理问题(4≤因子分<5)为0.2%。心理问题以强迫、人际敏感、偏执、忧郁、敌对、焦虑等心理问题最为突出。③16种人格因素问卷中,贫困生乐群性、聪慧性、兴奋性、敏感性、怀疑性上得分低于非贫困生,有恒性、忧虑性、独立性得分高于非贫困生(贫困生:5.20±1.77,4.70±1.93,5.49±1.87,6.46±1.79,4.29±1.71,4.60±1.63,6.64±1.82,5.07±1.82;非贫困生:5.39±1.74,4.95±1.99,5.82±1.91,6.66±1.75,4.55±1.77,4.36±1.69,6.43±1.94,4.89±1.77,P<0.05～0.01)。④影响贫困生心理健康水平的主要人格因素按其影响作用从大到小有怀疑性、忧虑性、稳定性、兴奋性、自律性。结论:福建省高校贫困大学生的心理健康状况令人担忧,其人格特征对心理健康水平有重要影响。