Successful treatment of pure red cell aplasia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus with oral danazol and steroid

We describe a middle-aged Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient developing steroid refractory and transfusion dependent red cell aplasia. Oral danazol 200 mg twice per day was started together with low-dose prednisolone therapy. There was no further recurrence of anemia 1 month after this combined therapy.     

HLA-G expression in trophoblast cells circulating in maternal peripheral blood during early pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the use of circulating trophoblast cells in maternal peripheral blood for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of numeric chromosomal aberrations. STUDY DESIGN: A combined procedure for immunocytochemical identification and deoxyribonucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization was used after a single enrichment step consisting of density gradient centrifugation. A specific HLA-G monoclonal antibody was used in combination with X and Y chromosome specific probes in deoxyribonucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization to confirm fetal identity of cells bearing HLA-G in the case of a male fetus. RESULTS: We detected fetal trophoblast cells expressing HLA-G in maternal blood starting at 9 weeks' gestation. In addition to fetal sex prediction with X and Y chromosome-specific probes, fetal aneuploidy was confirmed in peripheral blood from a pregnancy complicated by trisomy 21. CONCLUSION: Although the numbers of fetal cells were extremely low, the proof of concept was demonstrated. Early noninvasive prenatal screening for numeric chromosomal abnormalities with fetal trophoblast cells is feasible.     

Open septorhinoplasty approach for the excision of a dermoid cyst and sinus with primary dorsal reconstruction

Adult nasal dermoid cysts and sinuses are rare. Here we describe the surgical management of a 37-year-old patient with a longstanding nasal dermoid cyst and discharging sinus. A combination of an open rhinoplasty approach with a small dorsal incision was used to excise the lesion followed by primary reconstruction with septal cartilage.     

Mitochondrial tubulopathy: the many faces of mitochondrial disorders

We report a rare presentation of mitochondrial disorder in a child with recurrent carpopedal spasms due to hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, secondary to renal proximal tubulopathy and possible hypoparathyroidism. At least two mutant mitochondrial DNA species were identified, and abnormal mitochondria were found in the muscle and renal biopsy specimens. The case illustrates the spectrum and diversity of mitochondrial presentations, arising because of heteroplasmy of mutations and the type of organs affected. Received: 31 October 2000 / Revised: 16 April 2001 / Accepted: 17 April 2001     

Acetylcholinesterase-independent action of diisopropyl-flurophosphate in the rat aorta

Recent studies have shown that many organophosphates can bind competitively and noncompetitively to membrane muscarinic receptors. The present study investigated the responses of the rat aortic rings to diisopropyl-flurophosphate (DFP), an organophsophorus cholinesterase inhibitor, and the possible involvement of muscarinic receptors. DFP caused a concentration-dependent contraction when added cumulatively from 10(-8) to 10(-4) M. This contraction was inhibited in a noncompetitive manner by high concentrations of atropine (1.5 x 10(-6) and 1.8 x 10(-6) M) but was unaffected by similar concentrations of selective muscarinic receptor subtype antagonists, pirenzepine, 11-2[2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl-5, 11-dihydro-6H-rido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one (AF-DX116) and 4-Diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP). Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, was able to inhibit the DFP-induced contraction in a noncompetitive manner at a concentration of 10(-7) M. These findings suggested that the DFP-induced contraction in the rat aortic rings was mediated by norepinephrine that was released from sympathetic nerve terminals present in the aortic rings.     

急性心肌梗塞并室性心律失常130例

１　临床资料　１９９６～１９９８发病后１２ｈ就诊的住院ＡＭＩ患者１３０（男７６,女５４）例,年龄（５４．２±１５）岁．室性心律失常统计以ＡＭＩ后９６ｈ内为限．前壁心肌梗塞２８例,下壁心肌梗塞２８例,前间壁心肌梗塞１９例,高侧壁心肌梗塞１７例,后壁心肌梗塞２０例,广泛性心肌梗塞１８例．入院时首先描记第１份１２导联心电图,入院后依病情随时描记心电图变化情况,并持续心电监护９６ｈ,室性心律失常以出现频发室性早搏（３次／ｍｉｎ）,室性早搏在Ⅱ级以上（ＬＤＷＮＷＶ）级,成对室速,室性心动过速为观察对象．１…     

Mental health first aid training for the Chinese community in Melbourne,Australia: effects on knowledge about and attitudes toward people with mental illness

Background  

The aim of this study was to investigate in members of the Chinese community in Melbourne the impact of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on knowledge about mental disorders and on attitudes to people with mental illness. The hypotheses were that at the end of the training participants would have increased knowledge of mental disorders and related treatments, and decreased negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders.