Residual tactile sensitivity with self-directed stimulation in hemianaesthesia.

A case of hemianaesthesia caused by right hemisphere stroke was found to have good sensitivity and cutaneous localisation when she touched her impaired hand with her good contralateral hand or with a probe held by that hand. The capacity did not depend solely upon movement or positioning of her right arm, and she could also discriminate whether her own left fingers, as opposed to someone else's inter-digitated fingers, were being touched, but only when she did the touching. Thus, the threshold of the impaired hand appeared to be markedly affected by active involvement of the contralateral limb in delivering the stimulus.     

电脑比配色仪与比色板之间的相近性分析

目的：通过对比色记录的分析，比较Vita比色板、松风Vintage Halo比色板和电脑比配色仪之间的相近性和差异性。方法：随机抽取100名年龄在21～24岁的本地在校大学生，由男女两位测试者使用电脑比配色仪、Vita比色板和松风Vintage Halo比色板对被测试者的左上中切牙进行比色分析。结果：三种比色方法均以A色调最为集中，占总数的55％以上。其次是D色调占总数20％以上。男女测试者的选色在A、R、VR．系列中无明显差异。结论：电脑比配色仪、Vita比色板、松风Vintage Halo比色板均不能完全覆盖本地区青年天然中切牙的色度特征，只在A色调系列中重复率较高。     

Electrochemical polymerization of 3-phenylthiophene

Poly (3-phenylthiophene) (P3PhT) films have been electrochemically synthesized by direct oxidation of 3-phenylthiophene in the electrolyte of pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation potential of the monomer was measured to be 1.29 V (vs. SCE), and about 0.15 V lower than that measured in a neutral medium of acetonitrile. Free-standing P3PhT film with tensile strength of 32–40 MPa has been obtained for the first time. The morphology and the structure of the polymer film have been studied by scanning electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Raman spectral results demonstrated that the doping level of the P3PhT film increased with film thickness during electrochemical growth process.     

Newly developed hybrid suture without lubricant: noninvasive in vivo assessment of biocompatibility with multiparametric MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance (MR) relaxometry were used to assess noninvasively the tissue response of a new uncoated hybrid braided suture made from a combination of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) (PET) yarns in comparison to a silicone impregnated braided 100% polyester (PET) control suture (Ticron). Both biomaterials were monitored for a period of 30 days following implantation in both incised and nonincised paravertebral rabbit muscles. In all cases, MR images and relaxometry demonstrated that the hybrid suture elicited either a milder or a similar tissue and cellular response compared to the control suture. These findings were confirmed by conventional histological analysis of the surrounding tissues. They also demonstrated that the hybrid suture promoted faster healing in terms of collagen infiltration between the yarns and individual filaments. This milder inflammatory reaction and improved biocompatibility represent a real advantage in the healing performance of sutures for cardiac and vascular surgery, and support the need for continued research and development of hybrid structures. This study also demonstrated the ability of MRI techniques to noninvasively evaluate the biocompatibility of biomaterials. By extending the capacity of MR diagnostic tools from patients to experimental animals, it is now possible to validate the healing performance of foreign materials with statistical reliability and fewer animals.     

Satisfaction with Team Midwifery Care for Low‐ and High‐Risk Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT:Background: In 1996 a new model of maternity care characterized by continuity of midwifery care from early pregnancy through the postpartum period was implemented for women attending Monash Medical Centre, a tertiary level obstetric service, in Melbourne, Australia. This study's purpose was to assess the impact of this model on women's views and experiences of care during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods compared with views of women receiving standard maternity care. Methods: One thousand low‐ and high‐risk women who booked at the antenatal clinic and met the eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to continuity of midwifery care from a group of seven midwives in collaboration with medical staff, or to standard care from a variety of midwives and medical staff. Women's views of care were measured by means of a postal questionnaire at four months after the birth. Results: Team midwifery care was associated with increased satisfaction with antenatal, intrapartum, and some aspects of postpartum care. The differences were most obvious for antenatal care. Conclusions: Continuity of midwifery care is realistically achievable in a tertiary obstetric referral service and is associated with increased satisfaction. (BIRTH 30:1 March 2003)