Segmental fixation with U-shaped rod in the treatment of spondylolisthesis

Summary From 1987 to 1990 the authors treated 20 cases of spondylolisthesis by an improved operative procedure including excision of the medial part of the superior articular processes of the slipped vertebra, excision of the soft tissue between the ununited isthmi, and excision of the ligamentum flavum between the intervertebral space above the slipped segment. In some instances the lower portion of the lamina over the slipped vertebra should be resected. A U-shaped rod was used to hold sublaminar fixation of two segments above and below the slipped vertebra, with the slipped vertebra spared. Utilizing the U-shaped rod as support, bone strips were placed along the lateral and anterior sides of the rod to bridge the gap between the laminae of the displaced vertebra. Other bone grafts were focused on the facet joints. The patients were allowed ambulation early postoperatively. 19 cases could be evaluated at preliminary follow-up. All showed satisfactory results.     

Changes in the human vocal tract due to aging and the acoustic correlates of speech production: a pilot study.

This investigation used a derivation of acoustic reflection (AR) technology to make cross-sectional measurements of changes due to aging in the oral and pharyngeal lumina of male and female speakers. The purpose of the study was to establish preliminary normative data for such changes and to obtain acoustic measurements of changes due to aging in the formant frequencies of selected spoken vowels and their long-term average spectra (LTAS) analysis. Thirty-eight young men and women and 38 elderly men and women were involved in the study. The oral and pharyngeal lumina of the participants were measured with AR technology, and their formant frequencies were analyzed using the Kay Elemetrics Computerized Speech Lab. The findings have delineated specific and similar patterns of aging changes in human vocal tract configurations in speakers of both genders. Namely, the oral cavity length and volume of elderly speakers increased significantly compared to their young cohorts. The total vocal tract volume of elderly speakers also showed a significant increment, whereas the total vocal tract length of elderly speakers did not differ significantly from their young cohorts. Elderly speakers of both genders also showed similar patterns of acoustic changes of speech production, that is, consistent lowering of formant frequencies (especially F1) across selected vowel productions. Although new research models are still needed to succinctly account for the speech acoustic changes of the elderly, especially for their specific patterns of human vocal tract dimensional changes, this study has innovatively applied the noninvasive and cost-effective AR technology to monitor age-related human oral and pharyngeal lumina changes that have direct consequences for speech production.     

The effects of hyperthyroidism on oesophageal motility.

This study, evaluating the effects of hyperthyroidism (HT) in oesophageal motility, depended on an oesophageal radionuclide transit test. A modified standard method was used to calculate: (a) total mean transit time (MTT), (b) residual fraction (RF) and (c) retrograde index (RI) in a supine position. Eighteen untreated patients with HT and 25 normal volunteers (NV) with a similar age distribution were included in this study. The results showed that oesophageal motility in patients with HT was worse than in the normal controls (P < 0.05 by Student's t-test). The correlation of MTT, RF and RI with size and function of thyroid glands in the patients with HT were calculated to explain the effects of HT in oesophageal motility. The results showed that neither the size nor the function of the thyroid glands in HT affected oesophageal motility.     

Mediating effects of social support on firefighters' sense of community and perceptions of care

This study examined the relationship between psychological sense of community, social‐support networks, and care‐giver stress and satisfaction among firefighters. No significant gender differences were obtained, but zero‐order correlates demonstrated significant relationships among all four variables. In examining the mediating effects of social‐support satisfaction, partial mediation for psychological sense of community on care‐giver satisfaction was determined, as well as full mediation for psychological sense of community on care‐giver stress. Therefore, firefighters who are satisfied with the support they receive may experience less stress with their care giving than those who experience low levels of support satisfaction. Future studies should assess these relationships more extensively in other areas of civic responsibility among public‐service employees to delineate effective support avenues. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 32: 121–126, 2004.     

The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine and associated factors in Taiwan in 2002

Background Previous studies have noted that there is a high utilization rate of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services in Taiwan, China and in western countries, but few studies investigated factors associated with the utilization of TCM in Taiwan. This study analyzes the utilization rate and the factors associated with the utilization of TGM in Taiwan. Methods Data for this study were from the 2002 HPKAP Survey that conducted the face-to-face questionnaire interviews of people aged 15 years and over from October 2002 to March 2003 in Taiwan. This study analyzed the utilization of TCM outpatient services, including admission to the hospital and clinic visits. Results A total of 26 755 participants completed the survey in the six-month period. The data revealed that 10.4% of participants had utilized TCM services in the past one month while 4.2% of participants utilized TCM only (without using Western medicine outpatient services (WM) or Folk therapy (F'I')). The average visits of TCM services per patient was higher among people who had utilized TCM and FT services (2.68 visits) than among those who had utilized WM and FT services (2.15 visits) or TCM services alone (2.15 visits) during the previous one month. Younger people (odds ratio OR= 1.78, 95%C/= 1.47-2.16), women (compared with men), and people with higher education levels (OR = 1.58, 95%CI =1.25-1.98) were more likely to visit TCM than compared groups. People with self-reported poor health status (OR = 2.07,95%CI = 1.76-2.44) and people who exercise regularly (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.07-1.27) had higher ORs to visit TCM service than comparison group.Conclusions There is a high utilization of TCM in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to investigate the related factors and determinants between the utilization of TCM and the utilization of FT in Taiwan.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术后钛夹在腹腔内异位的观察

目的　观察腹腔镜胆囊切除术 (LaparoscopicCholecystectomy ,L .C)后钛夹在腹腔内异位。方法　前瞻性对2 0 0 2年 1～ 5月间 6 0例L .C病人进行追踪观察临床表现 ,采用B超、腹部X线检查等方法 ,观察钛夹位置的变化与肝外胆管的关系。结果　 6 0例L .C后病人中 5例钛夹发生位置改变。结论　①钛夹在体内 ,对胆道无压迫、无胆漏 ;②观察钛夹异位 ,以采用B超为最简单、经济的方法。     

Electrophysiological study on differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal stem cells into neuron-like cells in vitro by edaravone

To explore the electrophysiological proper-ties of differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived stromal stem cells (rBMSCs) to neuron-like cells in vitro by edaravone, a new type of free radical scavenger. Methods: Stromal stem cells were separated from rat bone marrow with Ficoll-Paque reagent and expanded in different culture medium in vitro, rBMSCs were induced by edaravone containing serum-free L-DMEM. Morphologic observation and Western blot analysis including the ex-pression of Nav1.6, Kv1.2, Kv1.3, Cav1.2 were performed, and whole patch-clamp technique was used. Results: Cyton contraction and long processes were shown in differentiated stromal stem cells. Nav1.6, Kv1.2, Kv1.3 and Cav1.2 were expressed in both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. However, the expression of channel proteins in differentiated cells was up-regulated. Consistently, their resting potential and outward currents were also enhanced in the differentiated cells, which was especially significant in the outward rectifier potassium current. Conclusion: In vitro, neuron-like cells derived from rBMSCs, induced by edaravone, possess electrophysiologi-cal properties of neurons.     

The major aeroallergens in Guangxi, China

Over a 2-year period we have identified pollen grains from 48 families of grasses, as well as mould spores and mite particles during air sampling in Guangxi Province. The major aeroallergens were Artemisia, Moraceae and Euophoribiacea, and the spores of Aspergillus, Penicillinum, Cephalosporium and Helminthosporium. Mites were probably also one of the major outdoor aeroallergens. Our investigations also included inspection of the vegetation of the geographical area involved, as well as skin testing on 774 subjects using extracts of 37 aeroallergens. We believe that this work has provided fundamental information on seasonal allergy in Southern China and South-east Asia.