Variability of measurements of visual acuity in a large eye clinic

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the variability of visual acuity in a large eye clinic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using 50, consecutively presenting adult patients with visual acuity of at least 6/60 and aged between 18 and 75 years was performed. Measurements of visual acuity obtained under normal clinical conditions were compared to measurements obtained using standard clinical research protocols. The variability of visual acuity was assessed by determining the 95% limits of agreement between test and retest measures. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between test-retest measurements of visual acuity, either aided or unaided. Pearson r correlation coefficients between test and retest measurements were high for both aided and unaided visual acuity. The 95% limits of agreement revealed repeatability of about +/-1.5 logMAR or 1.5 lines on a standard logMAR chart. CONCLUSION: In large eye clinics, in order to be confident that a real change in visual acuity has occurred between measurements, a difference of at least 0.15 logMAR (8 letters on a standard logMAR visual acuity chart) is required.     

Pain and pain management in newborn infants: a survey of physicians and nurses

BACKGROUND: Despite an increased awareness among clinicians regarding pain and pain management for infants undergoing surgery, pain associated with procedures performed outside the operating room may not be adequately managed. PURPOSE: To examine the beliefs and self-described behavior of physicians and nurses regarding the management of procedural pain in newborn infants. METHODS: A survey was distributed to 467 clinicians (nurses and physicians) working in 11 level II and 4 level III nurseries in a large metropolitan area. Respondents were asked to rate the painfulness of 12 common bedside nursery procedures and how often pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic (comfort) measures are currently used and should be used for those procedures. Demographic data were also collected. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 374 clinicians (80% response rate). Physicians and nurses believe infants feel as much pain as adults and that 9 of the 12 listed procedures are moderately to very painful. Neither pharmacologic nor comfort measures are believed to be used frequently, even for the most painful procedures. Physicians and nurses believe both pharmacologic and comfort measures should be used more frequently, but nurses believe comfort measures should be used more frequently than do physicians. Beliefs about infant pain and procedural pain were related to pain management preferences. Physicians' but not nurses' ratings were associated with significant personal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their beliefs that infants experience significant procedure-related pain, clinicians believe pain management for infants remains below optimal levels. Barriers to more consistent and effective pain management need to be identified and surmounted.     

Non-invasive detection of fecal protein kinase C betaII and zeta messenger RNA: putative biomarkers for colon cancer

We have developed a non-invasive method utilizing feces, containing sloughed colonocytes, as a sensitive technique for detecting diagnostic colonic biomarkers. In this study, we used the rat colon carcinogenesis model to determine if changes in fecal protein kinase C (PKC) expression have predictive value in monitoring the neoplastic process. Weanling rats were injected with saline or azoxymethane (AOM) and 36 weeks later fecal samples and mucosa were collected, poly A+ RNA isolated, and quantitative RT-PCR performed using primers to PKC betaII and zeta. Fecal PKC betaII and zeta mRNA levels were altered by the presence of a tumor, with tumor-bearing animals having a 3-fold higher (P < 0.05) PKC betaII expression as compared with animals without tumors. In addition, AOM-injection increased mucosal PKC betaII mRNA expression compared with saline controls. No effect of tumor incidence on mucosal PKC betaII expression was observed. In contrast, fecal PKC zeta expression was 2.5-fold lower (P < 0.05) in animals injected with azoxymethane versus saline. Since tumor incidence exerts a reciprocal effect on fecal PKC betaII and zeta mRNA expression, data were also expressed as the ratio between PKC betaII and zeta. The isozyme ratio was strongly related to tumor incidence, i.e. ratio for animals with tumors was 2.18 +/- 1.25, animals without tumors was 0.50 +/- 0.16, P = 0.025. We demonstrate that the expression of fecal PKC betaII and zeta may serve as a noninvasive marker for development of colon tumors. A sensitive technique for the detection of colon cancer is of importance since early diagnosis can substantially reduce mortality.      

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目的 报告成功实施腹腔镜迷你胃旁路术治疗单纯性肥胖并2型糖尿病病人1例。方法 第二军医大学附属长海医院微创外科于2007年11月对1例伴有2型糖尿病的单纯性肥胖症病人行腹腔镜迷你胃旁路术。结果 病人手术顺利，手术时间135min，术中出血20mL。术后30d内无手术并发症，随访30d，体重下降15kg，体重指数（BMI）减少4．9。术后第8天停用一切降糖药物，各项糖尿病检查指标均正常。结论 腹腔镜迷你胃旁路术是相对安全、简单的术式，近期减重效果良好，对2型糖尿病具有很好的治疗效果。     

Two-incision technique for minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty

Recently, there has been considerable interest and debate over the application of minimally invasive surgical approaches to primary total hip arthroplasty. The 2-incision technique employs intermuscular and internervous planes to gain access to the hip joint while minimizing the disruption of muscles and tendons. Through the anterior incision, the femoral neck is osteotomized and the head removed, followed by preparation and cementless reconstruction of the acetabulum. The posterior incision permits femoral preparation and reconstruction with a cementless stem. The potential benefits of this technique include decreased perioperative blood loss and pain, more rapid recovery of hip function and return to normal activity, a reduced length of hospital stay, and cosmetically appealing small scars. Other essential considerations include appropriate patient selection, adherence to surgical principles, and familiarity with specialized instruments and implants.