多级图像对比度放大技术在膝关节摄影中的应用

目的:分析评价膝关节摄影中多级图像对比度放大技术(MUSICA)参数设定的成像效果,为实际临床应用提供理论指导。方法:随机抽取膝关节侧位软拷贝图像70例,以骨皮质、骨小梁、肌间隙、髌上囊、皮下脂肪为比对目标,由三位观察者对其显示情况进行分析,并对结果进行统计分析。结果:MUSICA处于较小值(0～2)时,适合于软组织显示,但图像锐利度欠缺;处于较高值时(4～6)适合于观察骨皮质、小梁等细节信息,但较多地出现伪影,共25例;处于2～4时整体影像对比度适中,如实反映人体密度结构。结论:作图像处理时应将MUSICA为2～4设定为常规,实际应用通常情况下可以选择该处理方法,但应根据具体要求适当调整MUSICA参数值。     

Familial long thoracic nerve palsy: a manifestation of brachial plexus neuropathy

Long thoracic nerve palsy causes weakness of the serratus anterior muscle and winging of the scapula. It is usually traumatic in origin. Isolated long thoracic nerve palsy has not been recognized as the major manifestation of familial brachial plexus neuropathy, but I have studied the syndrome in four members of three generations of one family. One individual suffered an episode of facial paresis. The inheritance pattern was autosomal dominant.     

Transferrin receptors and natural killer cell lysis. A study using Colo 205 cells exposed to 60 Hz electromagnetic fields

The role of target cell transferrin receptors (TfR) in natural killer (NK) cell-induced cytolysis has been studied using Colo 205 cells in which prior exposure to 60 Hz electromagnetic fields produced constitutive expression of maximum numbers of TfR. It was found that NK cell cytolysis was decreased in those cells expressing the highest levels of TfR, while cells expressing the lowest level of TfR were lysed to the greatest extent. Furthermore, pretreatment of target cells with, and the continued presence in the assay medium of, iron transferrin produced, in general, only a slight decrease in cytolysis. Incubation of cells with apotransferrin also produced only a slight decrease in cytolysis, while incubation with zinc transferrin produced a greater decrease in cytolysis. This latter effect was particularly dramatic for cells that had been exposed previously to either a 60 Hz magnetic field alone (1.0 gauss) or to a combined electric + magnetic field (current density 300 mA/m2, 1.0 gauss). In addition to indicating a discordance between TfR expression on target cells and their sensitivity to NK cell cytolysis, the data presented provide a further indication of cellular membrane changes produced by exposure to 60 Hz electromagnetic fields.     

What do you do for a living? Toward a more succinct definition of health services research

This commentary discusses the need for, and the advantages of, a more concise, revised definition of the field of health services research. It argues for a definition that includes not only the topics on which health services research focuses but also the goals of health services research. A number of condensed definitions are provided for consideration.     

Uveal melanoma radiation. 125I brachytherapy versus helium ion irradiation

The optimum radiation therapy for uveal melanoma is uncertain. Both helium ion irradiation and 125I brachytherapy have been used to treat this neoplasm. This investigation analyzed the control and complication rates of uveal melanomas treated with helium ions of 125I plaques. In both a retrospective and a prospective dynamically balanced study, the control rates appeared to be similar. There were more posterior segment complications after 125I plaques and more anterior segment complications, including neovascular glaucoma, after helium ion irradiation. The follow-up period is too short to draw definitive conclusions on the radiation complications. Overall, approximately 89% of eyes were retained and less than 4% of treated eyes were removed because of failure to control the tumor.     

Controlled study of haloperidol, pimozide and placebo for the treatment of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome

The results of this controlled study of the treatment of 57 patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome suggested that both haloperidol and pimozide were more effective than placebo, but that haloperidol was slightly more effective than pimozide. Adverse effects occurred more frequently with haloperidol vs placebo than with pimozide vs placebo, but the frequency was not significantly different for haloperidol compared with pimozide. Clinically significant cardiac effects did not occur at a maximum dosage of 0.3 mg/kg or 20 mg/d for pimozide and 10 mg/d for haloperidol. However, the QTc interval was prolonged during pimozide treatment compared with that during haloperidol treatment, although the values for both medications were not in an abnormal range.     

还原型谷胱甘肽降低糖尿病大鼠心肌NF-κB和诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达

以链脲佐菌素制备糖尿病大鼠模型，造模后以还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）治疗12周，结果显示GSH治疗组较糖尿病组心肌组织病理学损害改善，NF—κB活性降低，诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达下降。     

Assessment of extraocular muscles position and anatomy by 3-dimensional ultrasonography: a trial in craniosynostosis patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3D US) provides information about anatomy and position of extraocular muscles to better guide surgeons approaching strabismus in patients with craniosynostosis who often have anomalous or absent eye muscles. METHODS: The 4 rectus eye muscles were imaged using 3D US for 7 children with craniosynostosis before or after strabismus surgery. Reconstructed 3D images were interpreted as having normal or abnormal anatomy and position, based on comparison with images acquired from 6 normal eyes. Interpretation was validated against the intraoperative findings from strabismus surgery. RESULTS: A total of 34 scans from the study group were used for comparison and validation purposes. Accuracy of anatomical assessments was 85% +/- 12% (percentage +/- confidence interval) and of positional assessments was 62% +/- 16%. Sensitivity and specificity of anatomical assessments was 80% +/- 14% and 88% +/- 10%, respectively. Anatomic anomalies detected by 3D US included excessively thick, thin, scarred and fibrotic, and absent muscles. Sensitivity and specificity of positional assessments was 48% +/- 17% and 85% +/- 12%, respectively. Positional anomalies such as muscle displacement off the normal clock hour axis or posteriorly displaced insertion were also detected. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D US may have an adjunctive role in determining anatomy and position of rectus muscles in patients with craniosynostosis, although it was more accurate in assessing anatomic features rather than positional features of rectus muscles.