A longitudinal study of age-associated memory impairment

An 8-year longitudinal study of elderly people has provided data concerning age-associated impairment (AAMI). In 1985 a random sample of 146 persons aged 65 years or more, living in their own homes, were assessed using the Guild Memory Test the Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) and other ratings. After excluding 21% of the sample because they scored less than 24 on the MMSE, and another 34% who fulfilled other exclusion criteria, some 48% of the remainder (22% of the total sample) clearly fulfilled NIMH criteria for AAMI and a further 36% (16% of the total sample) were recorded as forgetful. The NIMH criteria are appropriate for certain research purposes but not in assessing prevalence of memory disorders. Follow–up interviews were conducted after 2, 4, 6 and 8 years. The mortality rate and development of dementia among those fulfilling criteria for AAMI appeared similar to the other non-demented groups of subjects; the mortality rate of those with MMSE scores below 24 was significantly higher. Guild test results at 2-yearly intervals showed considerable changes; half of those scoring least well who were retested showed improvement.     

Correlation of pressure measurements with angiographic characteristics predisposing to hemorrhage and steal in cerebral arteriovenous malformations.

PURPOSETo determine whether there is a physiologic explanation for the predisposition of patients with certain angiographic characteristics to symptoms of hemorrhage and steal.METHODSSuperselective transcatheter feeding arterial pressure and mean arterial pressure measurements were obtained before embolotherapy in 32 patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Pressures were correlated with previously described angioarchitectural characteristics predisposing to hemorrhage and steal. These included size of the arteriovenous malformation, feeding artery length, venous drainage pattern, and angiomatous change.RESULTSThe feeding arterial pressure and feeding arterial pressure/mean arterial pressure ratios were significantly decreased in patients with angiomatous change. Feeding arterial pressure and feeding arterial pressure/mean arterial pressure ratios progressively decreased as lesions went from peripheral, to mixed, to central venous drainage. A trend for lower feeding arterial pressure was also demonstrated with greater feeding pedicle length. A statistically significant correlation could not be demonstrated between feeding arterial pressure or feeding arterial pressure/mean arterial pressure ratios and size of the arteriovenous malformation, hemorrhage, or symptoms of steal.CONCLUSIONSFeeding arterial pressure measurements help provide a physiologic basis for the relationship between certain angiographic characteristics and hemorrhage and steal symptoms in patients with arteriovenous malformation.     

Structure-function studies in a series of carboxyl-terminal octapeptide analogues of anaphylatoxin C5a.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of C-terminal octapeptide analogues of anaphylatoxin C5a have been studied. The introduction of hydrophobic amino acids into the N-acetylated native octapeptide (N-Ac-His-Lys-Asp-Met-Gln-Leu-Gly-Arg-OH) (1) has led to an analogue with 100 times more activity than the native octapeptide in inhibiting the binding of 125I-labeled anaphylatoxin C5a to human neutrophil membrane receptors. The observed apparent binding Ki's for the compounds (8-10) are in the range of 1-3 microM, and they possess nearly full agonist activity, despite the fact that these analogues are one-eighth or -ninth the size of the natural ligand anaphylatoxin C5a.     

Does Supplementary Prenatal Nursing and Home Visitation Support Improve Resource Use in a Universal Health Care System? A Randomized Controlled Trial in Canada

ABSTRACT: Background: The addition of supplementary prenatal support may improve the health and well‐being of high‐risk women and families. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the impact of supplementary prenatal care on resource use among a community‐based population of pregnant women. Methods: Pregnant women from three urban maternity clinics were randomized (a) to current standard of physician care, (b) to current standard of care plus consultation with a nurse, or (c) to (b) plus consultation with a home visitor. Participants were 1,352 women who received 3 telephone interviews. The primary outcome was resource use (e.g., attended prenatal classes, used nutritional counseling). Results: Overall, those in the nurse intervention group were more likely to attend an “Early Bird” prenatal class and parenting classes, and to use nutrition counseling and agencies that assist with child care. Women provided with extra nursing and home visitation supports were more likely to use a written resource guide, nutrition counseling, and agencies that assist with child care. Among women at higher risk (e.g., language barriers, young maternal age, low income), the nurse intervention significantly increased use of early prenatal classes, whereas the nurse and home visitor intervention significantly increased use of the written resource guide and nutrition counseling. The intervention substantially increased the amount of information received on numerous pregnancy‐related topics but had little impact on resource use for mental health and poverty‐related needs. Among those with added support, resource use among low‐risk women was generally greater than among high‐risk women. Conclusions: Additional support provided by nurses, or nurses and home visitors, can successfully address informational needs and increase the likelihood that women will use existing community‐based resources. This finding was true even for high‐risk women, although this intervention did not reduce the difference in resource use between high‐ and low‐risk women. (BIRTH 33:3 September 2006)     

A diagnostic algorithm for male genital oedema

Male genital oedema can be defined as swelling or the appearance of swelling of the scrotum and/or the penile shaft and prepuce. Despite the various causes of genital oedema reported in the published work, a concise approach to the evaluation and management has not been sufficiently addressed.     

构筑健康教育工程实现社会医院双赢

介绍了四川大学华西医院10年来构筑普及医疗卫生保健知识系统工程的认识体会、经验和取得的成效,指出医院在普及卫生保健知识中的职责和优势。     

Early detection of colorectal cancer by quantitative fluorescence image analysis of exfoliated cells

Early-stage colorectal cancer is potentially curable. In the present study, we applied quantitative fluorescence image analysis (QFIA) cytology to the detection of experimental colorectal cancer in a rodent model. QFIA cytology combines visual cytologic examination with quantitation of DNA content in single exfoliated cells. Cancer was induced by treating 110 rats with subcutaneous 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Sequential colon washes were obtained weekly from each animal for 20 weeks. Control animals were treated identically except for the administration of carcinogen. Cells that were cytologically abnormal or had increased DNA content were found starting in the second week. By the eighth week, roughly 50 percent of animals had positive results, and this level remained approximately constant for the duration of the study. Tissue pathologic results were normal during weeks 1 to 7. Dysplasias became common during weeks 8 to 15 whereas most cancers appeared during weeks 16 to 21. These results indicate that QFIA cytology is a highly sensitive method for detecting even preneoplastic changes resulting from carcinogen administration and may prove useful in detecting human colorectal cancer.     

Type A behavior pattern and blood glucose control in diabetic children

We studied the relationship between presence of Type A behavior pattern and glycemic response to stress in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Twelve male (six Type A and six Type B) and nine female (four Type A and five Type B) insulin-dependent diabetic patients between the ages of 8 and 16 years received a standard meal and blood glucose values were assessed two hours later. All subjects then played a competitive videogame for 10 minutes following which blood glucose was assessed again. Preprandial and postprandial blood glucose values did not differ between the groups. However, only Type A subjects showed a hyperglycemic response to the videogame stress. Type A subjects also demonstrated significantly higher glycohemoglobin values. In order to assure that this effect was due to a differential response to stress and not simply a difference in metabolic response to a meal, a second study was conducted in which blood glucose values were assessed at one, two and three hours following a standard meal. No significant differences in postprandial blood glucose values were observed between Type A and Type B subjects. These data support previous research which has suggested that some but not all patients with IDDM show a hyperglycemic response to stress.     

Therapy for the occupationally injured hand

Basic considerations for rehabilitation of the occupationally injured hand are discussed. Factors affecting motivation of the patient as well as clinical assessment and treatment planning are reviewed. Brief postoperative routines for common injuries are outlined.