Viral kinetics of Enterovirus 71 in human habdomyosarcoma cells

AIM:To characterise the viral kinetics of enterovirus 71 (EV71).METHODS:In this study,human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were infected with EV71 at different multiplicity of infection (MOI).After infection,the cytopathic effect (CPE) was monitored and recorded using a phase contrast microscope associated with a CCD camera at different time points post viral infection (0,6,12,24 h post infection).Cell growth and viability were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assa...     

Emerging roles of endoglin/CD105 and angiogenic cytokines for disease development and progression in multiple myeloma patients

Angiogenesis is an essential process for the expansion of multiple myeloma (MM), in which many angiogenic factors participate. Endoglin (CD105) is a transforming growth factor‐β co‐receptor, being mainly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells and has been used as a marker of tumor angiogenesis, having prognostic potential. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of soluble CD105 (sCD105) in MM patients, both during diagnosis and after effective conventional chemotherapy, in the plateau phase, and to correlate them with the clinical stage of the disease, as well as with the known angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenin and interleukin‐18 (IL‐18). Serum levels of the aforementioned factors were measured, by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, in 56 newly diagnosed MM patients, in 35 of them who entered plateau phase and in 24 healthy controls. Bone marrow aspirations were also performed in all patients to determine plasma cell infiltration. All measured cytokines were higher in MM patients compared with controls and with advancing disease stage (p < 0.001 for all cases). Furthermore, the values of all factors decreased significantly in the plateau phase (p < 0.001 for all cases). Serum levels of sCD105 correlated with the other angiogenic cytokines, whereas only serum levels of angiogenin had prognostic value for the survival. In conclusion, CD105 and the angiogenic cytokines vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenin and IL‐18, seem to have emerging roles both in angiogenesis and tumor growth in MM. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The ethics of executive compensation in the Canadian public health system

The method of executive compensation in the Canadian public health system presently contains complex ethical issues related to transparency and fairness, not only within single organizations, but across provinces, and in comparison with other wage earners. The increasing interest of the public, elected officials, and health decision makers in public sector compensation will bring heightened scrutiny and intervention in the future. This article explores some of the current ethical issues of executive compensation and their implications and points to reform initiatives for the future.     

The illusive phantom: Does primary care meet patient need following limb loss?

Purpose:?Anecdotal evidence suggests that General Practitioners (GPs) vary in their understanding of phantom pain and associated factors in amputees. This has implications in that the GP's conception of the problem will determine what treatment or referral is offered.

Method:?The present study aimed to explore GP's knowledge and understanding of phantom limb pain using a postal questionnaire. A sample of 129 GPs responded resulting in a response rate of 38%.

Results:?The results suggest that GPs underestimate the prevalence, intensity and duration of phantom and residual limb pain. Moreover, inconsistencies in the reasons given for referral to specialist services for the management of phantom pain were reported.

Conclusion:?These findings have serious implications for the management of phantom limb pain, disability and psychological distress in amputees in that GPs not only provide first line treatment, but are also the gatekeepers for referral to other services. Given this, the role of other professionals within the primary health care team may prove an additional resource for providing both support and accurate information to amputees in the community.     

飞行人员脾脏海绵状血管瘤一例（摘要）

作者报道了飞行员的脾脏海绵状血管瘤一例,脾脏海绵状血管瘤在临床较为少见,其行成基础主要是脾血管瘤组织胎生发育异常,脾血管瘤一般多无临床症状,该病的诊断主要是通过结合超声等影像学检查手段。     

When benefits become barriers. The significance of welfare services on transition into employment in Norway

Historically, many individuals with disabilities in Norway faced exclusion from participation in mainstream society. A shift in disability policy from an emphasis on segregation to integration started taking place in the late 1960s, and “full participation and equality” became the overall objective from the early 1980s. In parallel, the government has developed and implemented several welfare services and programs to enhance this integration, particularly in the labor market. Based on in-depth interviews with persons with mobility disabilities, the article addresses their experiences of transitioning into mainstream employment, supported by, and navigating through a vast array of welfare services. Born in the 1970s and early 1980s, these study participants represent so-to-speak the first generation of integrated people with disabilities. Their stories are important when exploring how and to what extent the policy of integration enhanced labor market participation. Applying a structural perspective, the article discusses why welfare service delivery processes may become barriers along the road into mainstream employment. Informed by Fraser's (2003) “perspectival dualism,” it outlines how insufficient dimensions of redistribution and recognition impede a smooth transition into working life for persons with mobility disabilities, turning welfare services and programs into barriers.     

鼻内镜下鼻中隔穿孔修补15例临床分析

目的探讨经鼻内镜修补鼻中隔穿孔的手术方法及疗效。方法鼻中隔穿孔直径小于1.0 cm者鼻内镜下颞肌筋膜植入直接封闭,直径大于1.0 cm者鼻内镜下鼻底黏膜翻瓣或转移加筛骨垂直板和颞肌筋膜"三明治"式封闭,术后使用己烯雌酚纱布片贴附促进黏膜生长。结果直接封闭5例,翻瓣封闭6例,转移封闭4例,随访3~12个月,15例鼻中隔穿孔修补成功14例,成功率93.3%。结论鼻内镜下鼻中隔穿孔修补视野清晰,操作精细,大穿孔选用鼻底黏膜翻瓣或转移加筛骨垂直板和颞肌筋膜"三明治"式封闭成功率高。     

A southern analysis of Rh blood group genes: association between restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns and Rh serotypes

Polymorphisms within the Rh blood group system have been defined by serologic agglutination methods, but have not yet been defined at the DNA level. Two closely related genes associated with the Rh D antigen and with the Rh C/c and E/e antigens have been cloned. We used a Southern analysis incorporating probes to the 5' and 3' regions of the Rh C, E gene and D gene to identify polymorphisms associated with Rh C/c and E/e antigens, respectively. The D gene dosage could be determined by comparing the relative intensities of the D bands with bands from the 5' and 3' region of the Rh C, E gene. The concordance between restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns and serologic phenotypes for 102 randomly selected blood donors was 100% for C, e, and D, 94.8% for c, and 94.3% for E. The data are consistent with the sequences encoding the C/c epitopes residing on the 5' side of those for the E/e epitopes. All samples discordant for the 3' probe and E had the cE (r") serotype. These data show that the gene coding for the cE serotype is different in Rh-positive and -negative individuals. The study demonstrates that Rh DNA typing, including D gene dosage measurements and Rh gene haplotyping, may supplement traditional serotyping methods in transfusion medicine.