Rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy: effects of insulin, glucagon and epidermal growth factor.

This study evaluated the role of insulin, glucagon and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Male Wistar rats, weighing approximately 200 g, were used. A partial hepatectomy, with resection of the medial and left lateral lobes (67.31%), was performed on the control group and seven hormone-treated groups: insulin, glucagon, EGF, insulin plus glucagon, insulin plus EGF, glucagon plus EGF, and a combination of the three hormones. The hormones were administered subcutaneously two days prior to the partial hepatectomy. The groups administered insulin were allowed to drink 20% glucose in water. Another group of rats received simulated operations, i.e., only a laparotomy was performed. The rats were killed at six, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the operation. Remnant liver weight, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content, rate of DNA synthesis, mitotic index, blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured. The results showed that: 1) the effects of single hormone administration on posthepatectomy liver regeneration were not obvious; 2) combined administration of insulin and glucagon increased the weight of the remnant liver, the DNA content, and the rate of DNA synthesis; 3) the combined administration of insulin, glucagon, and EGF increased the regeneration based on the remnant liver weight and mitotic index; and 4) there was no concordance between the change in blood glucose levels and the effect of hormones during liver regeneration.     

Accidental ingestion of Ecstasy in a toddler.

Toddlers who ingest the drug of abuse 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'Ecstasy') are at particularly high risk of serious neurological and cardiovascular side effects. We report of a 20-month-old male toddler who accidentally ingested Ecstasy. He presented with fever and seizures, tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Urine amphetamine level was 2111 ng/mL. Treatment included rapid cooling, hydration, and support measures. Vital signs were regularly monitored. His condition became stable on day 2 and urine amphetamine level returned to normal on day 3 of hospitalization. His behavior, activity, and appetite had returned to their usual levels upon follow-up at our outpatient clinic. The incidence of drug abuse with MDMA has increased dramatically over the last decade in developed countries. It can be expected that accidental Ecstasy poisoning in children will increase as well. This case illustrates the need to consider the possibility of accidental Ecstasy ingestion in the differential diagnosis of a child suffering from convulsions with fever.     

Effects of new fish oil derivative on fatty acid phospholipid-membrane pattern in a group of Crohn's disease patients

Fish oil has been recently proposed as a possible effective treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, a lot of annoying side effects (ie, belching, halitosis, diarrhea, etc) affect patient compliance. We carried out a study of patient tolerance in a group of Crohn's disease (CD) patients with a new fish oil derivative consisting of 500-mg capsules of eicosapentaenoic-docosahexaenoic (EPA 40%-DHA 20%), a free fatty acid mixture (Purepa), and we also evaluated its incorporation into phospholipids, both in plasma and in red cell membranes. Five groups of 10 CD patients in remission received nine Purepa capsules daily in four different preparations (A: uncoated, B: coated, pH 5.5; C: coated, pH 5.5, 60 min time release; D: coated, pH 6.9) and 12 × 1-g capsules daily of a triglyceride preparation (Max-EPA, EPA 18%-DHA 10%), respectively. We coated three of the four Purepa preparations in order to delay the release of contents in an attempt to minimize the side effects. After six weeks of treatment, the group taking Purepa capsules, coated, pH 5.5, 60 min time release (group C) showed the best incorporation of EPA and DHA in red blood cell phospholipid membranes (EPA from 0.2 to 4.4%, DHA from 3.7 to 6.3%), and no side effects were registered, whereas in all other groups side effects were experienced in 50% or more of subjects. This new preparation will make it possible to treat patients for long periods.     

广西毛南族农村妇女铁营养状况调查

对450名广西环江县毛南族农村育龄妇女进行血清铁蛋白(SF)、红细胞游离原卟啉(FEP)及血红蛋白(Hb)3项铁指标测定.结果发现:铁缺乏症患病率为27.8%(其中ID4.2%,IDE 7.8%,IDA 15.8%).随着孕次或产次的增加,血红蛋白水平逐渐下降,铁缺乏症患病率逐渐增高.有妊娠或分娩史的妇女与未孕或未生育的妇女血红蛋白水平与铁缺乏症患病率比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05).     

Acute mastoiditis — Relevant once again

Summary During recent years, a significantly increased incidence of acute mastoiditis was observed at the University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany (1975–1979: 1.4 patients/year; 1987–1992: 4.2 patients/year; p<0.05). We therefore reviewed the records of all patients with acute mastoiditis (n=58) that had been treated at the Children's Hospital between 1975 and 1992 and at the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology between 1978 and 1992. The male to female ratio was 1.8:1 and 60.4% of the patients were younger than 24 months. Retroauricular swelling was more often observed (n=49) than protrusion of the pinna (n=45) and retroauricular redness (n=38).Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen. Several factors predisposing for the development of acute mastoiditis were identified. These included withholding antimicrobials for treatment of the preceding episode of otitis media; use of suboptimal agents for therapy of otitis media (penicillin and, possibly, erythromycin ethylsuccinate); and insufficient duration of treatment.

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Akute Mastoiditis — wieder ein aktuelles Problem

Zusammenfassung In den letzten Jahren wurde an der Univ.-Kinderklinik Tübingen eine signifikante Zunahme der Inzidenz der akuten Mastoiditis beobachtet (1975–1979: 1,4 Patienten/Jahr; 1987–1992: 4,2 Patienten/Jahr; p<0,05). Wir analysierten daher die Krankengeschichten aller Patienten mit akuter Mastoiditis (n=58), die zwischen 1975 und 1992 an der Universitäts-Kinderklinik und zwischen 1978 und 1992 an der Universitäts-Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik behandelt worden waren. Das Verhältnis von Jungen zu Mädchen betrug 1,8:1, und 60,4% der Patienten waren jünger als 24 Monate. Eine retroaurikuläre Schwellung wurde häufiger beobachtet (n=48) als ein abstehendes Ohr (n=45) und eine retroaurikuläre Rötung (n=38).Streptococcus pneumoniae war der häufigste Erreger. Mehrere für das Auftreten einer akuten Mastoiditis prädisponierende Faktoren wurden gefunden: die Nichtbehandlung der vorausgegangenen Otitis media mit Antibiotika, der Einsatz suboptimaler Antibiotika (Penicillin und möglicherweise Erythromycin-Ethylsuccinat) für die Otitis-Behandlung und eine ungenügende Therapiedauer.

     

对SARS抗体动态水平的系统观察

目的应用化学发光光度分析法对SARS抗体(SARS-Ab)动态水平进行观察.方法对432例SARS病人在恢复期的不同阶段进行检测.结果显示SARS病人的抗体检出率为94.0%(404/432).病人SARS-Ab在2,3,4周和2个月时,抗体检出平均光子数值为3.79,7.71,12.31和24.17;3～8个月SARS-Ab下降率分别为92.9%,83.3%,40.0%,26.7%,13.3%和7.0%.结论病人在患病初期,SARS-Ab呈上升趋势,3个月后逐渐下降,并能动态观察不同年龄组SARS-Ab的明显差异.     

A retrospective analysis of the stability and relapse of soft and hard tissue change after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular setback of 64 Taiwanese patients.

PURPOSE: This study was an analysis of the soft and hard tissue changes of the facial profile after bilateral sagittal splitting osteotomy for mandibular setback of Taiwanese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected pre- and postsurgical lateral cephalographs of 64 patients (28 males, 36 females) with skeletal Class III malocclusion who received combined orthodontic-surgical treatment with bilateral sagittal splitting osteotomy mandibular setback at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between 1994 and 2000. Nineteen cephalometric parameters of (14 linear, 4 angular, and the BS index) soft and hard tissues were measured at 1 week before treatment, and 2 months and 1 year after surgery, and analyzed by paired t test. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 20.0 +/- 1.6 years. The patients underwent an average of 7 mm mandibular setback at the osseous pogonion (Pog). Average setbacks at Pog and soft tissue pogonion (pog) were 5.54 mm and 4.85 mm, respectively, at 1 year after surgery. The setback ratio of Pog/pog was 1:0.88. The hard tissue relapse at Pog was 21% at 1 year after surgery. Improvement in prognathic profile was demonstrated by significant changes in the positions of Pog and pog, ANB angle, the distance from lower lip to esthetic line (E-L lip), and the BS index after surgery. However, compared with parameters obtained from a normal Taiwanese population, the cephalometric data of Pog, pog, and BS index still indicated mild prognathism. CONCLUSION: Although mandibular prognathism could be grossly improved by bilateral sagittal splitting osteotomy mandibular setback, a significant amount of relapse occurred within 1 year after surgery. The extent of the postoperatively preserved features showing mandibular prognathism should be a concern for both patients and physicians.