Analysis of the Surface Ozone During Summer and Autumn at a Coastal Site in East China

The levels and temporal variations of surface ozone at a coastal site in East China during summer and autumn were analyzed and the influences of meteorological parameters on ozone were investigated. An inland city was chosen as a comparison site. The main results and conclusions of this study are: (1) ozone pollution, with a maximum 1 h concentration of 150.98 ppbv, was severe during summer and autumn at the coastal site; (2) the ozone level was obviously higher at the coastal site than that at the inland site in September; (3) besides temperature and solar radiation, sea-land breeze circulation is an important factor influencing the ozone level at the coastal site, and sea breeze often induce high ozone levels (the average ozone concentration for sea breeze was about 13 ppbv higher than that for land breeze).     

Myasthenia Gravis Appearing After Thymectomy: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

A small proportion of thymoma patients without myasthenia gravis (MG) have been observed to develop MG after total removal of the thymoma. However, the underlying cause is not yet known due to the rarity of postoperative MG patients. We report a 39-year-old man in whom MG appeared after surgical removal of a thymoma. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed no signs of recurrent or metastatic thymoma. Administration of pyridostigmine bromide resulted in the prompt improvement of myasthenic symptoms. Our observations indicate that postoperative follow-up care with monitoring of possible postoperative MG is necessary after resecting a thymoma.     

Comparison of the effects of three different combinations of general anesthetics on the electroretinogram of dogs

The objective of this study is to compare the effects of three different anesthetic combinations on the electroretinogram in the same animals under similar laboratory conditions. Thiopental–isoflurane (TI), medetomidine–ketamine (MK), and xylazine–ketamine (XK) were used on each of 12 healthy miniature schnauzer dogs (MS) with a period of at least 3 weeks in between subsequent anesthesia protocols, using the Dog Standard Protocol. The scotopic ERGs consisted of scotopic low stimulus strength (S) responses designated S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5, at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after dark adaptation, respectively, and scotopic standard stimulus strength (S-ST) responses. The photopic ERGs consisted of a photopic single flash (P) response and 31 Hz flicker (P-FL) responses. For S-ST (2.5 cd s/m²), the amplitude of the a-wave using TI was significantly lower than that using MK (adjusted P = 0.05) and XK (adjusted P = 0.03), and the implicit time of the a-wave was significantly shorter than that using MK (adjusted P = 0.04). For P (2.5 cd s/m²), the amplitude of the b-wave using XK was significantly higher than that using MK (adjusted P = 0.01). The implicit times of the b-wave using TI was significantly longer and shorter than that of MK for S1, S2 and P-FL and for S4 and S-ST, respectively, and than that of XK for S2 and P-FL and for S5 and S-ST, respectively. The results of the present study showed that TI affected both the amplitude and the implicit time of the a-wave for S-ST and the implicit time of the b-wave relatively more so than was the case when using XK or MK. Therefore, it appears that either XK or MK could be advantageous to use rather than TI for clinical studies.     

Reversal of vascular 18F-FDG uptake with plasma high-density lipoprotein elevation by atherogenic risk reduction

Vascular 18F-FDG uptake marker represents inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions, but whether inflammation can be reversed by risk-modifying interventions has not, to our knowledge, been demonstrated. In this study, we evaluated the change of vascular 18F-FDG uptake in response to lifestyle intervention on serial PET/CT scans and further assessed how the findings relate to atherogenic risk reduction. METHODS: A total of 60 healthy adults underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scans and atherogenic risk-factor assessment at baseline and again after 17.1 +/- 8.3 mo of practicing lifestyle modification. The PET/CT images were evaluated for the presence of vascular 18F-FDG lesions, and vessel-to-blood-pool 18F-FDG ratios were measured. Indices from summed ratios of positive lesions were compared and correlated to atherogenic risk factors. RESULTS: At follow-up, significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), total cholesterol (P < 0.05), and low-density lipoprotein level (P < 0.05) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level (P < 0.0001) were demonstrated. On the initial PET/CT scan, 50 of 60 subjects showed 1 or more 18F-FDG-positive lesions (5.9 +/- 5.0/subject), leading to a total of 352 vascular sites. On follow-up, 18F-FDG-positive lesions were significantly reduced to 2.1 +/- 2.2 sites per subject (P < 0.0001) and a total of 124 sites (64.8% reduction). Follow-up 18F-FDG-positive rates were significantly reduced for the aorta and iliac arteries. In addition, significant reductions in the whole-body 18F-FDG index from 1.39 +/- 1.23 to 0.53 +/- 0.59 (P < 0.0001) and carotid 18F-FDG index from 0.08 +/- 0.16 to 0.03 +/- 0.06 (P = 0.01) were shown. The whole-body 18F-FDG index correlated with total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and HDL level (P < 0.05), and the magnitude of reduction in the 18F-FDG index closely correlated to the amount of increase in plasma HDL level (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that vascular 18F-FDG uptake is reversed in response to atherogenic risk reduction by lifestyle intervention and that the magnitude of improvement correlates to increases in plasma HDL levels. Thus, serial 18F-FDG PET/CT may be useful for monitoring improvements in the inflammatory component of atherosclerotic lesions in response to risk modification.     

血管介入仿真模拟器在心血管医生冠状动脉介入技术规范化培训中的作用

目的明确Angiomemor（美国Simbionix公司生产）血管介入仿真模拟器是否有助于冠状动脉造影技术的掌握和提高。方法选取16名无血管放射介入经验的心血管医生，接受相同课时的冠状动脉介入造影理论培训后，按随机表编码随机分为模拟器培训组与非培训组各8名，模拟器培训组8名医生接受Angiomemor血管介入仿真模拟器培训，模拟冠状动脉造影操作，非培训组8名心血管医生未接受仿真模拟器培训。在随后的真实临床环境中操作冠状动脉造影时，评价2组医生冠状动脉造影操作过程中错误的频数、平均造影时间、造影剂使用量及术中放射线剂量。结果相对于非培训组，模拟器培训组医生在冠状动脉造影操作中错误频数减少62．5％、平均造影时间减少44．0％、造影剂使用量减少44．0％，术中平均放射线曝光时间减少了57．7％，平均X线累计曝光剂量减少51．6％，单位面积X线累计曝光剂量减少了52．4％。结论Angiomemor血管介入仿真模拟器有助于医生较快地熟练掌握冠状动脉造影技术，是冠状动脉介入规范化培训的重要辅助手段之一。     

Intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in nonmyelopathic patients--a review of 1,039 cases.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring has been shown to reduce the incidence of new postoperative neurological deficits in scoliosis surgery. However, its usefulness during cervical spine surgery remains a subject of debate. PURPOSE: To determine the utility of intraoperative SSEP monitoring in a specific patient population (those with cervical radiculopathy in the absence of myelopathy) who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 1,039 nonmyelopathic patients who underwent single or multilevel ACDF surgery. The control group (462 patients) did not have intraoperative SSEP monitoring, whereas the monitored group (577 patients) had continuous intraoperative SSEP monitoring performed. OUTCOME MEASURE: A new postoperative neurological deficit. METHODS: SSEP tracings were reviewed for all 577 patients in the monitored group and all significant signal changes were noted. Medical records were reviewed for all 1,039 patients to determine if any new neurological deficits developed in the immediate postoperative period. RESULTS: None of the patients in the control group had any new postoperative neurological deficits. In the monitored group there were six instances of transient SSEP changes (1 due to suspected carotid artery compression; 5 thought to be due to transient hypotension) which resolved with the appropriate intraoperative intervention (repositioning of retractors; raising the arterial blood pressure). Upon waking up from anesthesia, one patient in the monitored group had a new neurological deficit (partial central cord syndrome) despite normal intraoperative SSEP signals. CONCLUSIONS: ACDF appears to be a safe surgical procedure with a low incidence of iatrogenic neurological injury. Transient SSEP signal changes, which improved with intraoperative interventions, were not associated with new postoperative neurological deficits. An intraoperative neurological deficit is possible despite normal SSEP signals.     

CT在外伤性胃肠道穿孔急诊中的价值

目的:探讨急诊外伤性胃肠穿孔的CT征象及诊断价值。方法:收集18例经手术证实的外伤性胃肠道穿孔的临床资料及CT征象,分析与总结胃肠道破裂穿孔CT扫描的各种有价值的表现。结果:18例外伤急诊患者中,胃、十二指肠、空回肠与结肠穿孔各1,2,12,3例,其中空回肠为多处破裂,CT主要征象为腹腔散在积液征、游离气腹征、肠系膜与肠壁增厚模糊征、造影剂外溢征。结论:CT扫描在外伤性胃肠道穿孔急诊患者的检查中有定性诊断价值,综合分析各种征象,会明显提高CT的诊断正确率。     

Pituitary adenomas: Trans‐sphenoidal experience of 300 cases

Objective: The main aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness and complication rate of the 1 cm right‐sided unilateral sublabial trans‐sphenoidal surgery for patients with pituitary adenoma equal to or greater than 5 mm in diameter. Method: A total of 350 patients were surgically treated for pituitary adenomas between December 1999 and December 2003 in an academic neurosurgical unit in China. Three hundred patients (86%) were treated with the 1‐cm right‐sided unilateral sublabial trans‐sphenoidal approach. The mean age of patients was 43 years (range 10–78 years) and female patients accounted for 59% of the total. One hundred and ninety‐six (64%) patients had functioning endocrine tumours and 104 (36%) patients had non‐functioning tumours or macroadenomas. Tumours which were outside this simple and basic classification were excluded from the study. Results: There were no operative mortalities. One patient developed hypopituitarism and 16 (5%) developed transient diabetes insipidus that required pituitrin treatment. The remission rate for macroadenoma was 85% and that for microadenoma was 98.5% during a medium term follow‐up of 1–5 years. One hundred and fifteen patients had prolactin secreting tumours and 90.4% achieved endocrine remission. Fifty‐six patients had growth hormone secreting tumours and 75.4% achieved endocrine remission. Preoperatively, one hundred and fifty‐one patients presented with visual impairment and 148 (98%) achieved a documented improvement in visual acuity. The mean duration of hospital stay was 4 days (range 3–7 days). Conclusion: This minimally invasive trans‐sphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas could be used as the primary treatment for small pituitary tumours. The effectiveness of the tumour removal and low morbidity rate compare favourably with the conventional sublabial approach as well as the more recently developed endoscopic endonasal approaches.     

Pituitary abscess in a pregnant woman.

Pituitary abscess is a rare and potentially lethal condition. Pituitary abscess in a pregnant woman has not been previously described. A 38-year-old pregnant woman (34 weeks gestation) with a pituitary mass complained of a progressive headache and sudden visual impairment. She was afebrile and had no inflammatory symptoms on admission. On MRI, the preoperative diagnosis was pituitary adenoma with sphenoid sinusitis. She underwent an uncomplicated transsphenoidal procedure for removal of the pituitary mass. The next day, labor commenced and a healthy preterm baby was delivered. Pathologic examination of the intrasellar mass showed polymorphonuclear cells, debris and no tumor cells. The sellar contents were cultured and Streptococcus viridans was grown. To our knowledge this is the first case of pituitary abscess reported during pregnancy. Although the patient was pregnant, the transsphenoidal approach was safe for the mother and the fetus. Surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy are required for the definitive treatment of this condition.     

不同器官细胞因子在多细菌感染性炎症时的基因表达和临床意义

目的探讨肝、肺细胞因子基因表达与腹腔吞噬细胞上清液、循环血中细胞因子含量的关系,为临床诊治多细菌感染引发的炎症提供实验依据.方法将30只小鼠分为假手术对照组(sham组)和盲肠结扎组(CLP组).采用RT-PCR法检测肝脏和肺脏肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素10(IL-10)的基因表达情况,采用ELISA法检测腹腔巨噬细胞上清液和循环血液中相应细胞因子含量.结果CLP组的TNF-α、IL-10基因表达和腹腔巨噬细胞上清液、循环血液中的相应细胞因子含量均高于sham组.CLP后18h组与4h组比较,TNF-α在腹腔巨噬细胞上清液、循环血液中的活性均有显著性差异(P＜0.05),在肝、肺中基因表达有非常显著性差异(P＜0.01);IL-10在腹腔巨噬细胞上清液和循环血液中的含量无显著性差异,而在肝、肺中基因表达有显著性差异.结论发生多细菌感染性炎症时,肝、肺参与细胞因子的表达;血液中细胞因子含量不能完全代表组织器官内的基因表达情况;多细菌感染性炎症治疗应考虑靶器官细胞因子的表达状态.