Demand patterns for HIV-tests in general practice: Information collected by sentinel networks in 5 European countries

This study describes a p. year international data collection on the demand pattern for HIV-antibody tests in general practice recorded by 6 sentinel networks in 5 European countries. The purpose of the recording was to evaluate the use of HIV-antibody testing by general practitioners and the demand for testing among the general population. Sentinel networks of general practitioners are a possible and available instrument for monitoring the perception of the HIV-test, and indirectly of the threat of the HIV-epidemic by the public and by the general practitioners (GPs). Differences were found between the countries in the frequency of testing, the person asking the test and the reason for testing. Possible explanatory factors, such as differences in the routine testing of specific groups, differences in the training and in the role of the GP, differences in the characteristics of prevention policy, are discussed. The European comparison also offers the opportunity to reflect on common medical practice in dealing with demands for HIV-tests.     

Impact of HIV antibody testing on changes in sexual behavior among homosexual men in The Netherlands.

Between October 1984 and May 1986, 746 homosexual men, living in and around Amsterdam, The Netherlands, were surveyed at three consecutive six months periods regarding their sexual behavior. At the start of the study all subjects, of whom 234 (31 per cent) were HIV-Ab seropositive, were informed about their HIV antibody status. Seropositives initially reported more sexual partners than seronegatives; they also showed a greater reduction in the number of sexual partners and the number of partners with whom all forms of sexual practices were performed than did seronegatives. In both groups subjects were more likely to terminate orogenital intercourse than anogenital intercourse and masturbation.     

Falsification of Thai dianabol.

The use of drugs to enhance performance in sport will continue despite drug testing procedures and information campaigns. No attention is paid to the quality of these illicit drugs, as they are obtained through a circuit not monitored by the official authorities. A falsification of 'Thai Dianabol', an anabolic steroid, is reported. The tablets contained methyltestosterone and clenbuterol instead of methandrostenolone. Two patients were admitted to the hospital with symptoms due to clenbuterol poisoning.     

ERK信号传导通路调控乙醛刺激的肝星状细胞Na+/Ca2+泵mRNA表达的研究

目的 :探讨Erk信号传导通路调控乙醛刺激的肝星状细胞 (HSC)Na /Ca2 泵mRNA表达的影响。方法 :用链霉蛋白酶和胶原酶原位灌流 ,Metrizamide密度梯度离心分离大鼠肝星状细胞 ,采用RT PCR测定PD980 5 9阻断乙醛激活的肝星状细胞Erk活性后Na /Ca2 泵mRNA表达。结果 :乙醛刺激后 ,HSC后明显促进Na /Ca2 泵mRNA表达 (P<0 0 1) ,不同剂量PD980 5 9对肝星状细胞Na /Ca2 泵mRNA表达的影响无统计学意义。结论 :Erk信号传导通路可能对乙醛刺激的肝星状细胞激活状态的启动无明显影响     

应用荧光探针H2DCF-DA检测光照致细胞内活性氧产生的初步研究

目的应用荧光显微镜及新型荧光探针H2DCF-DA检测在光源照射过程中人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(ECV304)内活性氧的产生情况。方法将ECV304细胞接种于35mm培养皿中,24h后加入H2DCF-DA,使其终浓度为10μmol/L,孵育30min。利用荧光显微镜的激发光源作为照射光源,在采集荧光图像的同时完成光源照射,光源输出波长范围为460～490nm,功率密度约为100mW/cm2。连续采集DCF的荧光图,观察细胞内DCF荧光的变化情况,采用计算机图像处理和分析技术,求得细胞内不同照射时间点DCF平均荧光强度,进而得到平均荧光强度-时间曲线。另外,使用线粒体特异标记探针MitoFluorRed589与H2DCF-DA共同孵育细胞,分别采集同一细胞的DCF的荧光图和MitoFluorRed589的荧光图,并利用像素-荧光强度分析方法来确定DCF荧光在细胞内的分布位置。结果在光源照射的开始阶段,ECV304细胞内的DCF荧光强度迅速增加,在第10s时便上升至第2s时的2.2倍,但是随着照射时间逐渐延长,荧光强度增幅逐渐变小,到第60s时上升至第2s时的4.7倍。观察时间进一步延长,DCF的荧光强度的变化似乎进入平台期,继而开始出现下降。考察DCF荧光在ECV304细胞内的分布位置主要通过比较细胞内不同区域的I1/I2值,通过图像分析与计算得到线粒体区、细胞核区以及细胞质非线粒体区内I1/I2值分     

Symptomatic reversible duodenal compression due to iatrogenic retroperitoneal hematoma

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are frequently employed to treat depression. However, although rarely, coagulation abnormalities have been described following the use of these compounds, and these effects appear to be enhanced by simultaneous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We describe a case of reversible symptomatic duodenal compression caused by a retroperitoneal hematoma after ingestion of sertraline and nimesulide.     

Bladder filling by autologous urine production during cystometry: a urodynamic pitfall!

AIMS: The rate of autologous urine production should not have a major disturbing influence on cystometric urodynamic parameters such as first filling sensation, normal desire to void, strong desire to void, and cystometric bladder capacity. Instructions to patients and drinking behavior can have considerable impact, especially if filling cystometry is preceded by free uroflowmetry. We studied the influence of autologous urine production during filling cystometry on total bladder volume. METHODS: Urodynamic investigations performed between September of 2000 and February of 2001 were analyzed. Only those urodynamic investigations for which total bladder capacity could be calculated were taken into account (i.e., catheterization before and after cystometry and no urine loss during the investigations). RESULTS: After screening, 186 investigations were used for further analysis. Mean filled volume (external infusion plus autologous urine production) was 346 +/- 152 mL, but mean real bladder capacity (i.e., voided volume + residual urine) was 391 +/- 170 mL. In all patients, 14% extra urine was produced due to autologous urine production (mean filling rate, 6.1 mL/min). In 42% of the investigations, the real bladder capacity was more than 110% of the infused volume. In 18% of the patients, the contribution of natural bladder filling was more than 25% of the infused volume. CONCLUSIONS: Natural bladder filling plays a substantial role during filling cystometry and has a disturbing influence on calculated urodynamic parameters. Attention should be paid to patient instructions before the urodynamic investigation. The combination of free uroflowmetry followed by filling cystometry should be avoided. This avoidance is especially important if interventional studies are performed. Careful interpretation of studies depending on bladder capacity parameters is mandatory, and such parameters should be corrected for autologous bladder filling.