The role of intraoperative monitoring of oculomotor and trochlear nuclei -safe entry zone to tegmental lesions.

OBJECTIVE: A safe entry zone to tegmental lesions was identified based on intraoperative electrophysiological findings, the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) from the extraocular muscles, and anatomic considerations. This entry zone is bordered caudally by the intramesencephalic path of the trochlear, laterally by the spinothalamic tract, and rostrally by the caudal margin of the brachium of the superior colliculus. METHODS: Four intrinsic midbrain lesions were operated upon via the safe entry zone using the infratentorial paramedian supracerebellar approach. All lesions involved the tegmentum and included an anaplastic astrocytoma, a metastatic brain tumor, a radiation necrosis, and a cavernous angioma. CMAP were bilaterally monitored from the inferior recti (for oculomotor function) and superior oblique (for trochlear nerve function) muscles. RESULTS: In three of four cases, CMAP related to the oculomotor nerve were obtained upon stimulation at the cavity wall after removal of the tumor. Stimulation at the surface of the quadrigeminal plate, however, did not cause any CMAP response. Using this monitoring as an indicator, the lesions were totally removed. CONCLUSIONS: In the surgery of tegmental lesions, CMAP monitoring from extraocular muscles is particularly helpful to prevent damage to crucial neural structures during removal of intrinsic lesions, but less so to select the site of the medullary incision. The approach via the lateral part of the colliculi is considered to be a safe route to approach the tegmental lesions.     

社区卫生服务:行走在点线面之间

2006开年,一个似曾相识的专有名词重返人们的视野——社区卫生服务,作为一种由政府强力推动的解困手法,被迅速纳入到有效缓解“看病难看病贵”的社会预期之中。由上而下的理论先导,只能经由行之有效的实践打磨才能得以还原。如果将整个社区卫生服务网络比作一个完整的神经系统,那么只有这个新     

大树倒了?

2004年8月26日,哈医大二院建院50周年庆典,位于哈市近郊的这所庞大的医院一扫往日的紧张忙碌,被欢快的乐、缤纷的鲜花、五色的气球和飞扬的条幅紧紧包裹。在庆典活动的中心——该院科技会馆,前去采访的本刊记者穿过络绎不绝的祝贺来宾和整齐划一的迎宾方阵,流连在会场外整齐摆放的各类奖杯、奖牌和科研成果宣传展板之间。这些被物化了的荣誉,几乎挤满了偌大的会堂一层走廊的每一寸角落,静静地宣示着这家医院半个世纪的所有自尊和自豪。在随后进行的庆祝仪式上,在医院各科室职工代表声情并茂的发言之后,哈医大二院院长张岂凡走上讲台。面对眼前如云的嘉宾和着装整齐统一的医护人员方阵,看得出这位著名的技术型院长难掩激情。他在题为“弘扬二院精神,再创世纪辉煌“的演讲词中这样形容：“50年的砥砺前行,50年的春华秋实,令天的哈医大二院已经成为我国医院之林中的一棵生机盎然的大树,根深叶茂,硕果累累。”命运总是在不动声色间逆转,谁能料到,一年后爆出的“天价医药费”事件,使曾经激情飞扬的哈医大二院再一次名动天下,所不同的是,再度亮相的哈医大二院,这一次坐在了被告席上。这棵生长了50年的医疗常青树,难道就此在瞬间轰然倒地?     

Genetic linkage analysis of pulmonary fibrotic response to silica in mice.

Inter-individual variations in the development of silicosis, even within the same environments, have been reported, which suggest the contribution of genetic factors in silicosis aetiology. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is any significant genetic influence on the development of silicosis. Furthermore, which genetic loci are responsible for the pulmonary response to silica exposure? Eight strains of inbred mice were used to examine the genetic influence on the lung fibrotic response to silica exposure. After intercross-breeding between the most susceptible and most resistant strains, a genome-wide linkage analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) was performed. Hydroxyproline was applied as an index, and genotypes of 167 marker genes were analysed by fragment analysis using a capillary-type sequencer. There was significant inter-strain difference in the mean concentration of hydroxyproline contents among the eight strains of mice. Breeding studies were conducted between the most susceptible, C57BL/6J, and the most resistant strain, CBA/J. A genome-wide linkage analysis of silica-exposed intercrossed cohorts identified significant QTL on chromosome 4 and suggestive QTL on chromosomes 3 and 18. The present study demonstrates that genetic factors may play a significant role in fibrotic-lung responses to silica; one significant and two suggestive quantitative trait loci were identified.     

Cause-specific and total mortality in the Canterbury (New Zealand) insulin-treated Diabetic Registry population: a 15-year follow-up study.

AIMS: To establish all-cause and cause-specific death rates, and risk factors for mortality in insulin-treated diabetic individuals living in the province of Canterbury, New Zealand. METHODS: Insulin-treated diabetic subjects (n = 995) on the Canterbury Diabetes Registry were followed up over 15 years and vital status determined. Death rates were standardized and hazard regression was used to model the effects of demographic covariates on relative survival time. RESULTS: There were 419 deaths in 11 226.3 person-years of follow-up with a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 2.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-2.2). Relative mortality was greatest for the group aged 0-29 years (SMR 3.0 (95% CI 2.4-3.7)). After controlling for diabetes duration and gender, a 10-year increment in age of onset was associated with a 33% decrease in relative hazard (95% CI 29-36%), indicating that excess mortality due to diabetes declines with rising age of onset. After controlling for age of onset and gender, each 10-year increment in duration of diabetes is associated with a 26% decrease in relative hazard (95% CI 24-29%), indicating that with longer survival the mortality hazard approaches the general population hazard. Relative mortalities were increased for cardiovascular, renal and respiratory disease, but not malignancy. Relative mortality from acute metabolic complications was increased in the subgroup with age of onset of diabetes < 30 years and requiring insulin within 1 year of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rates are high for insulin-treated diabetic individuals relative to the general population.     

Prevalence and risk behaviors of Chinese men who seek same-sex partners via the internet in Hong Kong.

To examine the prevalence of Internet sex networking among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hong Kong and risk behaviors associated with the behavior, a telephone survey of 15,230 Hong Kong Chinese men aged 18-60 was conducted. Of the 283 active MSM (having engaged in some MSM behaviors in the last 6 months) identified, 17.7% had networked for MSM partners via the Internet in the last 6 months. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] for age < or = 25 vs. age >25 = 4.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.35-9.28) and being an anal-sex MSM (OR = 4.72, 95% CI=2.36-9.44) were independent predictors of Internet sex networking. Being an Internet sex networker was associated with some risk behaviors such as having contracted a sexually transmitted disease (adjusted OR = 4.79, 95% CI = 1.34-17.11), having had > or = 3 MSM partners (adjusted OR = 4.74, 95% CI = 2.20-10.23), and having engaged in anal sex (adjusted OR = 3.95, 95% CI = 1.89-8.23). HIV prevention programs for MSM should thereby include Internet-based interventions.