Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release of the annular pulley in trigger digit

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate a new technique for ultrasound-guided percutaneous release of the annular pulley in trigger digit using a modified hypodermic needle. A total of 35 ultrasound-guided percutaneous releases were performed on 25 patients diagnosed and referred by hand surgeons in our institution over 16 months from October 2006. Inclusion criteria were as follows: adulthood, triggering present for at least 4 months, failure to respond to conservative management or steroid injections, no previous history of pulley release in the affected digit. Under ultrasound guidance, the affected pulley was released using a standard 19-gauge hypodermic needle bent at two points as the cutting device. Follow-up took place at 12 weeks and 6 months with improvement in triggering and clinically graded pain. At follow-up, no complications had occurred and all patients demonstrated improvement in their triggering, with complete resolution in 32 digits (91%), good improvement in 2 digits (6%) and some improvement in 1 digit (3%). This new technique uses a widely available and safe cutting device and is safe and can be used to provide definitive management for trigger finger, allowing the procedure to be performed in a variety of clinical settings.     

Total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and exercise

The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was examined in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. This was a cross-sectional population study (n = 1600) using a two-stage probability sample of the population. TRAP was calculated using the sum of the individual serum antioxidant concentrations (urate, protein thiols, ascorbate, alpha tocopherol and bilirubin) multiplied by their respective stoichiometric values. Physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity was recorded by computer-assisted interview. Mean serum TRAP concentrations were significantly higher in males (653 +/- 8.2 mumol/l, mean +/- SEM) compared to females (564 +/- 8.0 mumol/l) (p < 0.0001). Both male and female smokers had significantly lower TRAP values than non-smokers (males p < 0.0001, females p = 0.02). In females, there was a positive relationship of TRAP with age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p < 0.001) but a negative relationship with physical fitness (p < 0.05). The known beneficial effects of exercise and activity do not appear to be directly mediated through increased antioxidant status.      

In Vivo Feedback Predicts Parent Behavior Change in the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention

Understanding mechanisms and active ingredients of intervention is critical to training clinicians, particularly when interventions are transported from laboratories to communities. One promising active ingredient of parenting programs is clinicians’ in vivo feedback regarding parent–child interactions. The present study examined whether a form of in vivo feedback, in the moment commenting, predicted treatment retention and parent behavior change when the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention was implemented in a community setting. Observational data were collected from 78 parent–child dyads (96% mothers; M age = 29 years; 81% minority; infants’ M age = 12 months; 90% minority) across 640 sessions conducted by 9 clinicians (100% female, M age = 39; 67% minority) in Hawaii. Parental behavior was assessed with a semistructured play task before and after intervention. Clinicians’ in-the-moment feedback to parents was assessed from intervention session videos. Clinicians’ frequency and quality of in-the-moment feedback predicted change in parental intrusiveness and sensitivity at posttreatment. Frequency of in-the-moment feedback also predicted likelihood of retention. Hierarchical linear modeling demonstrated strong support for these associations at the between-clinician level, and limited additional support at the within-clinician (i.e., between-case) level. Thus, a hypothesized active ingredient of treatment, in-the-moment feedback, predicted community-based ABC outcomes. The results complement lab-based evidence to suggest that in vivo feedback may be a mechanism of change in parenting interventions. Helping clinicians to provide frequent, high-quality in vivo feedback may improve parenting program outcomes in community settings.     

Sensitive skin evaluation in the Japanese population

Sensitive skin syndrome was first described in 1977; however, no robust study has been carried out to evaluate its prevalence in Japan. A national representative sample of the Japanese population over the age of 18 years was taken. Individuals were questioned by telephone and selected according to the quota method. When asked “Do you have a sensitive skin?”, 52.84% of men and 55.98% of women answered “rather sensitive” or “very sensitive”. There was no significant difference (P = 0.22) between the two sexes. The non‐response rate among respondents was zero, suggesting that the term “sensitive skin” held a meaning for the majority of the population. Concerning questions about the onset of a rash, tingling or irritation in the presence of various factors, such as emotional issues, cold, heat, sun, dry air, air‐conditioning, water, air pollution and temperature variations, respondents with rather sensitive or very sensitive skin responded “yes” more often than others: approximately three‐times more often for water (18.97%/6.15%), air pollution (39.29%/12.45%) and warm climatic conditions (29.74%/9.8%). To our knowledge, this epidemiological study is the first to focus on sensitive skin among Japanese people of this century. It is of particular interest for two reasons: (i) it was conducted on a representative sample of the Japanese population; and (ii) the methodology used was identical to that used for sensitive skin assessment studies conducted in Europe and the USA, making it possible to draw certain comparisons.     

Correlations between Oxidative DNA Damage, Oxidative Stress and Coenzyme Q10 in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

The correlation of coronary artery disease (CAD) with pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxidative DNA damage was investigated.Seventy-seven patients with CAD and 44 healthy individuals as control were included in this study. The comparative ratios of ubiquinol-10/ubiquinone-10, 8-hydroxy-2^''-deoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine and the level of MDA measured by HPLC and the activities of GPX and SOD by colorimetric approach in blood samples obtained from patients with CAD were unraveled.8-OHdG/dG ratios, serum MDA level and GPX activity were found significantly elevated level in serum of CAD patients compared to control group. The SOD activity was observed in stable levels in CAD patients. Ubiquinol-10/ubiquinone-10 ratio was significantly lower in patients with CAD than the controls.The positive correlation was observed between 8-OHdG/dG ratios in both MDA levels and GPX activity, while the significant negative correlation was seemed between the ratio of 8-OHdG/dG and ubiquinol-10/ ubiquinone-10 as well as MDA levels and ubiquinol-10/ ubiquinone-10 ratio.We conclude that, both the disruption of pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxidative stress in DNA may play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.     

Self-Coding of Fidelity as a Potential Active Ingredient of Consultation to Improve Clinicians’ Fidelity

A key goal for implementation science is the identification of evidence-based consultation protocols and the active ingredients within these protocols that drive clinician behavior change. The current study examined clinicians’ self-coding of fidelity as a potential active ingredient of consultation for the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention. It also examined two other potential predictors of clinician fidelity in response to consultation: dosage of consultation and working alliance. Twenty-nine clinicians (97% female, 62% White, M age?=?34 years) participated in a year of weekly fidelity-focused ABC consultation sessions, for which clinicians self-coded fidelity and received consultant feedback on both their coding and their fidelity. Data from the ABC fidelity measure were available for 1067 sessions coded by consultants, and clinicians’ self-coding accuracy was calculated from 1044 sessions coded by both clinicians and consultants. Alliance was measured with the Working Alliance Inventory—Trainee and Supervisor Versions. The study was observational, and fidelity and self-coding accuracy were modeled across time using hierarchical linear modeling. Clinicians’ ABC fidelity, as well as their self-coding accuracy, increased over the course of consultation. Clinicians’ self-coding accuracy predicted their initial fidelity and growth in fidelity. Working alliance was also linked to fidelity and self-coding accuracy. These results suggest that clinician self-coding should be further examined as an active ingredient of consultation. The study has important implications for the design of consultation procedures and fidelity assessments.

     

Morphological and Morphometrical Description of Trichostrongylus Species Isolated from Domestic Ruminants in Khuzestan Province,Southwest Iran

Backgrounds

Genus Trichostrongylus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) is one of the most important zoonotic nematodes with wide geographic distribution in the world. The purpose of the present study was to describe morphological and morphometrical characteristics of male Trichostrongylus species, currently prevalent in domestic ruminants of Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran.

Methods

Gastro-intestinal organs of 1600 sheep, goats, cattle, and buffalos, slaughtered in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran, were examined for infectivity with Trichostrongylus species. For examination and measurements of helminthes, Azo-carmine staining was performed, followed by camera lucida drawings of morphological characters and measurements of morphometrical criteria with a calibrated microscope. Using valid nematodes systematic keys, almost all the parasites were identified at the level of species.

Results

Overall, 114 animals were found infected with at least one species of Trichostrongylus. Considering morphological characteristics of male Trichostrongylus, six species were identified including T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, T. probolorus, T. capricola, T. longispicularis and Trichostrongylus sp.

Conclusion

Although, compared to the previous decades, currently Trichostrongylus is much less prevalent in the domestic ruminants of the study area, but still different species occur in these animals.     

91例胃粘膜EB病毒感染的检测

ＥＢ病毒是一种肿瘤病毒，与人类鼻咽癌、淋巴瘤关系密切。近年来ＥＢ病毒相关性胃癌在国外已有报道。本文通过胃镜活检，对９１例胃粘膜行ＰＣＲ方法检测ＥＢ病毒感染。一、材料与方法：９１例患者均为我院１９９６年３月～６月门诊及住院胃镜检查者。男５８例，女３３例...