Variation of multifocal electroretinogram with axial length

INTRODUCTION: The first-order kernel response of multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) decreases in myopia. A recent study indicates that the flash ERG is also reduced with increased axial length. The aim of this study was to investigate the variations in the first-order response (K1) and the first slice of second-order response (K2.1) across the retina for different axial lengths. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects with axial length from 23.72 to 28.13 mm (spherical equivalent refractive errors from plano to -10.50 D) were recruited for mfERG measurement using VERIS 4.0. All subjects were fully corrected after cycloplegic refraction and pupils were dilated prior to mfERG recording. There is one trough, n1, and one peak, p1, in the K1 response and three troughs, n1, n2, n3, and three peaks, p1, p2, p3, in the K2.1 response. The amplitudes and implicit times of K1 and K2.1 responses were analysed to determine the characteristic of the responses across retina and the correlation to axial length. RESULTS: The amplitudes of p1 (in the first-order kernel-K1) decreased in the central region and the paracentral region (ring 3) as the axial length increased. The central retinal region showed high rates of reduction in both n1 and p1 (in K1). The amplitudes of n1p1 and n2p2 (in the first slice of the second-order kernel-K2.1) were reduced in the paracentral region (from ring 2 to ring 5) as axial length increased. The average n1 and p1 in K1, and n1p1 and n2p2 in K2.1 mfERG responses are decreased in amplitude by 6-10% per millimetre elongation of axial length. CONCLUSION: Eyes with longer axial lengths, usually with high myopia, have a weaker mfERG response and this attenuation is across the measured retina (from central to paracentral regions) but different kernel responses show a different pattern of attenuation at different retinal eccentricities. The weaker mfERG responses may be related to the morphological changes associated with increased axial length.     

A comparative study on therapeutic method of traumatic epidural hematoma

Objective： To explore the therapeutic methods, surgical indications and clinical practice of minimally invasive surgery on traumatic epidural hematoma （EDH）. Methods： Retrospective study was made on 135 patients with traumatic EDH admitted into our hospital from June 2002 to August 2005. Sixty-five patients were treated with mini-invasive negative pressure drainage （treatment group）, 70 patients with comparable condition used traditional craniotomy （control group ）. The mean time of operation, average days in hospital, expenditure and prognosis of two groups were recorded and analyzed. Results： There was no significant difference in therapeutic efficacy between two groups. Patients in treatment group had a shorter hospital stay and less expenditure than those in control group. Conclusion： Mini-invasive negative pressure drainage is simple, effective, economical and applicable to some traumatic EDH patients.     

Suicide and unemployment: what are the missing links?

The suicide rate has been paralleled by an upward trend of unemployment in Hong Kong since 1997. This study aims to explore the unknown suicide-related factors among the unemployed. This information is useful in developing culturally specific suicide prevention initiatives related to unemployment. Seventy-six suicide deceased and 15 life subjects who were unemployed were selected from a previous psychological autopsy study. Logistic regression models were employed to estimate the relative suicide risks among the unemployed people. Among the unemployed, the suicide deceased were more likely to be male, had suffered from psychiatric illness, and had attempted suicide before. They also had acquired less competent social problem solving skills. Comparison with a small control group creates a generalizability problem. Suicide prevention for the unemployed could be done through mental health awareness programs; problem-solving skills training for attempters and males; and vocational training and job opportunities for discharged psychiatric patients and rehabilitees.     

Laparoscopic repair of recurrent childhood inguinal hernias after open herniotomy

Background Open repair of recurrent paediatric inguinal hernias (IH) is difficult and there is definite risk of damaging the vas deferens and testicular vessels during dissection of the previous open herniotomy field. Laparoscopic repair (LR) has the benefit of avoiding the previous operative site. Method Records of patients with recurrent IH that had LR after open repair were reviewed and evaluated retrospectively. The results were compared with data from cases in which the LR method was used in the initial IH repair. Results From September 2002 to October 2005, four boys and one girl (mean age 58.8 months) were treated in our institution for recurrent IH after open repair. Operative time, success rate and complications did not show any statistically significant difference when compared with our previous prospectively collected data for primary repairs. Conclusion Laparoscopic repair is the preferred operation for recurrent childhood IH after open repair.     

正位可控性去带盲结肠膀胱术的疗效观察

目的:探讨正位可控性去带盲结肠膀胱术的临床疗效.方法:对17例膀胱肿瘤患者行膀胱全切除术后,应用末段回肠及盲升结肠作贮尿囊行正位膀胱重建术.结果:17例中15例获随访6～24个月,平均14.5个月.全组无严重并发症,均无瘤生存;术后3周自主可控性排尿,日间排尿可控率为93.3%,1年夜间尿失禁22.2%.术后6个月尿动力学检查,膀胱容量336 ml、最大尿流率13.7 ml/s、剩余尿量42 ml,而充盈期膀胱压力明显低于尿道闭合压.输尿管反流1例,但无尿道、输尿管狭窄,肾功能正常.结论:正位可控性去带盲结肠膀胱术具有膀胱容量大、内压低,正位排尿,可控性好,且手术操作简单、并发症少等优点,患者易于接受,是一种较理想的尿流改道方式.     

Scale-up of Adhesive Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Pharmaceutical Research -     

中国内地城市和香港9～18岁学生心肺耐力及肌肉素质的比较研究

为了比较中国内地城市和香港青少年儿童的心肺耐力和肌肉素质，对两地的青少年儿童体质调查数据进行了比较研究。结果发现：内地各年龄组男女生的心肺耐力均优于香港同龄者；香港青少年儿童的肌肉素质除立定跳远外，其他项目的成绩均弱于内地青少年儿童。提示：随着生活水平的提高，应重视青少年儿童对体育活动的参与。     

Responses to questions by medical students about family practice

Medical students frequently have questions about the specialty of family practice. Responses to 30 questions commonly asked about family practice are presented with a review of recent literature. These responses may assist medical students and their advisors in considering the choice of family practice as a career.     

Pentasomy 8q in Myelodysplasia

Trisomy 8 and, less commonly tetrasomy 8, are karyotypic aberrations found in myeloid malignancies. We describe a unique case of acute myeloid leukemia with partial pentasomy 8 resulting from duplication of isochromosome 8q, and discuss its possible roles in leukemogenesis.