Temporomandibular joint: comparison of single- and double-contrast arthrography

Lower-space, single-contrast arthrography and dual-space, double-contrast arthrotomography were sequentially applied to 58 fresh temporomandibular joint (TMJ) autopsy specimens, and the findings were compared with observations in corresponding cryosections. Both modalities had high accuracy rates (greater than or equal to 84%) and no statistically significant differences between the two techniques were found. A side-by-side comparison of the two types of arthrograms, however, revealed that video tape recording of lower-space, single-contrast arthrography was superior in demonstrating joint dynamics and that dual-space, double-contrast arthrotomography was superior in demonstrating the soft-tissue anatomic features of the joint. It appears that lower-space, single-contrast arthrography can be recommended for examination of patients with clicking, catching, and intermittent locking, and that dual-space, double-contrast arthrotomography is preferable when information about morphologic alterations is clinically more important than information about joint dynamics.     

Bullous lesions in Henoch Schönlein Purpura as indication to start systemic prednisone

Henoch Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is usually mild and self‐limiting, but it may be accompanied by severe complications such as bullous lesions. We describe the use of systemic prednisone in two patients with bullous lesions in HSP. The first patient presented with progressive bullous lesions distributed on the limbs that evolved into painful ulcers and necrosis. These were further complicated by a secondary skin infection. He then received 1 mg/kg/day prednisone after 9 days. Patient 2, a 10‐year‐old boy, presented with HSP and bullous lesions and received intravenous prednisone 1 mg/kg/day within 48 h after appearance of the bullous lesions. He recovered rapidly without any complications. Conclusion: To reduce the severity of HSP related bullous lesions and their sequelae, we would propose starting prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) as soon as the bullae appear. In addition to prednisone, analgesics and specialist skin care for bullae should be started.     

大鼠脑局灶性缺血再灌注后梗死体积变化与低分子肝素的保护效应

目的:观察低分子肝素对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后不同时间点脑梗死体积的影响。方法:实验于2005-03/2005-06在华北煤炭医学院动物实验中心完成。①选用雄性SD大鼠90只,体质量280～330g。应用随机数字表法将大鼠分为3组:假手术组、缺血再灌注组、低分子肝素组,每组30只。假手术组:只游离右侧颈总动脉、颈内动脉、颈外动脉。缺血再灌注组和低分子肝素组:均采用改良Longa法制作大鼠右侧大脑中动脉闭塞局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型。缺血2h后分别腹腔注射生理盐水1mL和皮下注射低分子肝素(200IU/kg)生理盐水稀释液1mL。2组均于缺血2.5h后开始再灌注3,6,12,24,48h,每个时间点取6只进行观察。②分别称重应用四氮唑红染色法染成白色的梗死组织与染成红色的正常组织,以梗死组织占全脑湿重的百分比表示脑梗死体积。③采用两样本均数的t检验对两组间数据进行分析。结果:大鼠90只均进入结果分析。缺血再灌注组大鼠脑缺血再灌注3,6,12,24,48h时脑梗死体积分别为(17.28±2.69)%,(22.66±2.16)%,(30.17±4.17)%,(38.83±4.54)%,(43.75±2.66)%,低分子肝素组分别为(12.54±1.35)%,(19.83±2.32)%,(23.83±3.19)%,(30.33±2.50)%,(36.25±2.54)%,假手术组均为0。随着缺血再灌注时间的延长,缺血再灌注组脑梗死体积逐渐增大,低分子肝素组梗死体积较缺血再灌注同一时间组明显缩小(t=-2.376,-2.191,-2.96,-4.019,-4.446,P<0.05)。结论:脑缺血再灌注损伤随再灌注时间延长而加重,低分子肝素能减少脑梗死体积,缩小梗死范围,对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后具有保护作用。     

脱钙骨联合干细胞移植修复兔股骨缺损

目的:观察骨髓间充质干细胞与脱钙骨复合修复兔股骨的长段骨-骨膜缺损,以及修复负重骨缺损的可行性。方法:实验于2002-09/2003-10在哈尔滨医科大学中心实验室完成。①将24只新西兰大白兔从自体骨髓中分离出骨髓间充质干细胞,将第2代骨髓基质干细胞5×108L-1中加入小牛脱钙骨,轻轻混匀后用注射器抽吸走离心管内6～8mL空气,人为造成管内负压,培养4h,使细胞进入小牛脱钙骨孔隙内,制成骨髓基质干细胞复合物。②制备成兔双侧股骨中段10mm骨-骨膜缺损模型,常规钢板螺钉固定;取其中20只兔右侧股骨缺损处植入复合物作为实验组,左侧股骨缺损处植入小牛脱钙骨作为对照组,空白组不植入任何材料。③在8,12,16和24周各时间点(实验组和对照组各取5只)分别行标本的大体观察和骨密度测试,比较其修复骨缺损的能力。结果:①各组骨缺损修复标本大体观察:实验组8周骨缺损处有部分修复,12,16周骨缺损完全修复,对照组在8周时有少量新骨形成,12,16周植入物部分被新骨代替,骨缺损区塑形差;空白组骨缺损未修复。②实验组、对照组骨标本的骨密度值:8,12和16周时实验组的骨密度值均大于对照组(0.936±0.056比0.618±0.034,1.238±0.024比1.052±0.037,1.605±0.062比1.227±0.047,P<0.05);24周时实验组骨密度与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(1.635±0.033,1.563±0.112,P>0.05)。结论:骨髓间充质干细胞构建的组织工程骨早期修复骨缺损能力较强,且较单纯小牛脱钙骨成骨量大、迅速,能够对负重骨缺损进行有效的修复。     

游离足趾移植术中Ⅱ趾血供系统的特点

目的：游离足趾移植是拇指Ⅱ类以上缺损再造术的首选。分析与Ⅱ趾移植相关的足部供血系统的血管走行、分支情况及变异程度，并提出临床应用中为保证手术成功而采取的相应对策。方法：对1978—03/2007—06天津医院手、显微外科收治的91例Ⅱ趾移植再造拇（手）指患者进行回顾性分析，所有病例均为ⅡB-ⅢB类型拇指缺损，均为择期手术，对治疗方案知情同意。术中遇第一跖背动脉纤细型，采取足背动脉-足底深支-第一跖底动脉的第2套供血系统。当第一跖背动脉走行不定而误伤时，手术继续进行，完整切取Ⅱ趾后，进行第一跖背动脉吻合修复。注意第一跖背动脉至足趾的分支解剖特点，辨清与Ⅱ趾的关系，采取不同的手术对策。结果：91例拇指缺损患者获得了97．8％的成活率及优良的外形与功能恢复，移植术中Ⅱ趾的使用率是100％。Ⅱ趾的血供系统特点：①由足背动脉发出的第二跖背动脉很少见，足背动脉的弓状动脉分支也很少见。②第一跖背动脉起始、走行、口径虽不恒定，但是有章可循。③第一跖背动脉终末交通支及至Ⅱ趾的分支情况分为3型，各型对Ⅱ趾的血供也有其不同特点。结论：全面掌握与Ⅱ趾移植相关的足部供血系统的解剖特点，术中仔细游离并采取相应的处理方法，是保证手术成功的关键。     

逆转录病毒载体介导人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ在大鼠成肌细胞中的表达及分泌

目的:将经逆转录病毒载体的介导的人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ基因导入大鼠成肌细胞,观察其是否表达,为组织工程人工肌肉体内基因治疗打下基础。方法:实验于2005-10/2006-12在华中科技大学同济医学院协和医院心血管病研究所完成。①实验材料:PLghIGF1SN由本实验室保存,逆转录病毒包装细胞系GP E86购自Clontech公司,包装细胞PT67购自ATCC。②实验方法:选用新生SD乳鼠骨骼肌进行成肌细胞的原代培养,选用新生SD乳鼠心脏进行心肌细胞的培养。通过脂质体2000将人胰岛素样生长因子ⅠcDNA导入逆转录病毒包装细胞PT67,经过G418筛选获取稳定表达病毒的克隆,NIH3T3细胞测定病毒滴度,挑取滴度高的克隆扩增,收取高滴度的病毒上清液,转染成肌细胞。③实验评估:G418筛选转染过的成肌细胞,采用ELISA方法检测其上清液中人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的表达,采用MTT法检测人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的生物学活性。结果:①病毒滴度的测定:利用不同量的病毒上清感染1×105NIH3T3细胞,并经G418筛选,测得不同PT67克隆的培养上清中,病毒滴度最高为8×105cfu/mL。②ELISA方法检测人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的表达:在转染后大鼠成肌细胞分泌的上清液中可以检测到人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的表达,经过G418筛选2周后,收集培养液,人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ浓度最高在40μg/L,总量可以达到(150～200)ng/2×106/d。未转染成肌细胞组人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ浓度约在0.3μg/L。③MTT法检测人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的生物学活性:转染的成肌细胞培养上清液刺激心肌细胞后,心肌细胞活力明显增加。结论:人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ基因可在鼠成肌细胞内稳定表达并具有生物学效应,可用于心血管系统基因治疗的研究。     

特定培养基条件下大鼠脂肪间充质干细胞体外定向软骨细胞的分化

目的:体外诱导大鼠脂肪间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化,并对分化细胞进行相应鉴定,观察脂肪间充质干细胞作为软骨组织工程种子细胞的可行性。方法:实验于2005-05/2006-05在湘雅医院中心实验室完成。①取大鼠腹股沟脂肪,消化分离脂肪间充质干细胞进行原代培养。②流式细胞仪检测第3代脂肪间充质干细胞表面CD29,CD34,CD44表达。③传3代细胞进行微团培养1d,换用含体积分数为0.01的新生牛血清、10μg/L的转化生长因子β1、6.25mg/L的胰岛素、6.25mg/L的转铁蛋白、1×10-7mol/L的地塞米松、50mg/L的维生素C的高糖DMEM诱导液,为特定培养条件。④在诱导后4,7,14d应用阿尔新兰染色、蕃红O/固绿染色和Ⅱ型胶原免疫细胞化学评价软骨形成情况。⑤反转录-聚合酶链反应在诱导后0和14d检测脂肪间充质干细胞前Ⅱ型胶原蛋白和聚集蛋白聚糖mRNA的表达。结果:①脂肪间充质干细胞的形态特征:原代脂肪间充质干细胞呈短梭形、梭形及多角形,3代后呈均一长梭形。②脂肪间充质干细胞的表面标志鉴定:脂肪间充质干细胞表达CD29,CD44,基本不表达CD34。③脂肪间充质干细胞诱导后的形态特征:脂肪间充质干细胞经诱导后,由长梭形转变为三角形、多角形或短梭形,逐渐聚集成结节。④脂肪间充质干细胞诱导后的细胞化学染色结果:诱导后脂肪间充质干细胞胞外基质阿尔新兰染色、蕃红O/固绿染色、和Ⅱ型胶原免疫细胞化学着色阳性。⑤反转录-聚合酶链反应检测结果:反转录-聚合酶链反应检测未诱导脂肪间充质干细胞不表达前Ⅱ型胶原蛋白和聚集蛋白聚糖mRNA基因,而诱导后的脂肪间充质干细胞表达前Ⅱ型胶原蛋白和聚集蛋白聚糖mRNA基因。结论:脂肪间充质干细胞在由转化生长因子1、胰岛素、转铁蛋白等组成的特定培养基条件诱导下可以定向软骨细胞分化。     

Prevalence of non-healed and healed chronic leg ulcers in an elderly rural population

Background. A lesbian woman will have to choose whether to disclose or not in every new encounter, including when consulting her general practitioner (GP). She may fear a negative reaction in the doctor, based on knowledge of marginalization and prejudice of homosexuals throughout history. Objectives. To explore patients’ experiences concerning disclosure of their lesbian orientation to general practitioners (GPs), focusing on why they find it important, and what GPs can do to promote disclosure. Methods. One group interview was conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis was conducted by systematic text condensation inspired by Giorgi's phenomenological approach. Six women aged 28–59 years, who self-identified as lesbian, were recruited through a web-based, publicly accessible network for research on homosexuality. Main outcome measures. Accounts of experiences where the patient thought that information of a lesbian sexual orientation was of importance in the consultation with a GP. Results. Disclosure can imply information of medical relevance, explain circumstances, and generate a feeling of being seen as one's true self. The intentional use of common consultation techniques may facilitate disclosure. Conclusion. Lesbian patients may want to disclose their sexual orientation to the general practitioner but they experience certain barriers. These can be overcome when the GP provides an open and permissive context. GPs can benefit from knowledge concerning sexual orientation in their work with lesbian patients.     

Understanding persons with psychological distress in primary health care

The purpose of this study was to gain more knowledge and a deeper understanding of experiences of persons living with psychological distress who seek help in primary care. Psychological distress is a state of emotional suffering associated with stressors and demands that are difficult to cope with in daily life. The lack of effective care for and difficulty in identifying psychological distress is frustrating for patients and health professionals alike. The aim was therefore to gain more knowledge about the experience of living with psychological distress. Twelve persons (nine women and three men) aged 23–51 years were interviewed. Analyses were based on a phenomenological hermeneutic method and indicated that psychological distress may be seen as an imbalance (incongruence) between the self and the ideal self, which slowly breaks down a person's self‐esteem. This imbalance was described in three dimensions: Struggling to cope with everyday life, Feeling inferior to others and Losing one's grip on life. It seems to be associated with a gradual depletion of existential capacities and lead to dissatisfaction, suffering, poor self‐esteem and lack of control. As psychological distress may be a forerunner to mental, physical and emotional exhaustion, there is a need to initiate preventive or early interventions to avoid mental, physical and emotional chaos in such patients. Patients' with psychological distress need to be involved in a person‐centred salutogenic dialogue with health professionals to become aware of and strengthen their own capacities to regain health and well‐being.     

The Feasibility of Longitudinal Patient Contacts in a Large Medical School

Problem: Longitudinal patient contacts are being implemented worldwide as a way to enhance a patient-centered orientation among medical students. In large medical schools, longitudinal integrated clerkships may not be feasible, so other ways must be sought to expose students to prolonged contact with patients. Intervention: Medical students were attached to a family practice and assigned a panel of 4 patients to follow over the 3 years of their clinical training. Their role was that of companion on the patient’s medical journey. The program consisted of several encounters, joining the patient in the medical setting for significant events, and written assignments. This intervention was piloted with 35 students. We describe our experiences from the 1st pilot year of this program. Context: The intervention was performed with 3rd-year students—of a 6-year curriculum—at a large medical school in the Netherlands. Outcome: Finding enough patients per practice was feasible. On the whole, students fulfilled the program’s expectations regarding frequency of patient encounters and assignments. The most frequent problems encountered by the students were uncertainty about their role and setting boundaries in their contact with the patients. They needed more preceptor supervision and coaching than they received. Lessons Learned: For junior students, close and structured supervision led by the faculty is necessary to help them navigate and learn from a panel of patients. Students need guidance about what role they should take on and on how to manage both their own and their patient’s expectations. Guided reflection is necessary to help students give meaning to their experiences with patients.