The embryo versus endometrium controversy revisited as it relates to predicting pregnancy outcome in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

To evaluate embryonic and endometrial factors for their value in predicting pregnancy outcome in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer, a retrospective data collection and prospective uterine artery colour Doppler imaging study was performed in a university-based IVF-embryo transfer programme setting. A total of 210 patients were included and grouped as follows: (I) IVF with controlled ovarian stimulation (214 cycles); (II) frozen-thaw cycle of autologous embryos (30 cycles); (III) oocyte donation, no cryopreservation (12 cycles); (IV) frozen-thaw cycle with embryos from donated oocytes (10 cycles). Embryo quality was significantly better in pregnant than non-pregnant cycles (group I, P = 0.0104; groups II-IV, P = 0.0418). The endometrial echo was significantly thicker in pregnant versus non-pregnant patients in group I (P = 0.0059), but not in groups II-IV (P = 0.741). Past uterine surgery or abnormalities had no effect on pregnancy outcome. There were no significant differences in mean uterine artery resistance index or peak systolic velocity in pregnant versus non-pregnant patients in groups II-IV. Thus, embryo quality is the most reliable predictor of pregnancy outcome. Endometrial measurements were significantly thicker in subsequently pregnant patients only in group I, where the endometrium reflects the hormonal environment. Doppler parameters were not useful in predicting pregnancy outcome.      

Nuclear pharmacy, Part II: Nuclear pharmacy practice today

OBJECTIVE: Nuclear pharmacy is a specialty within the profession of pharmacy that focuses on the proper use of radiopharmaceuticals. This article reviews various features of contemporary nuclear pharmacy practice. After reading this article the nuclear medicine technologist should be able to: (a) describe nuclear pharmacy training and certification; (b) discuss nuclear pharmacy practice settings; (c) discuss nuclear pharmacy practice activities; (d) list professional organizations; and (e) describe activities associated with job satisfaction. In addition, the reader should be able to discuss regulatory issues of current concern.     

Auditory and visual attention assessed with PET

Brain mechanisms involved in the maintenance of attention to auditory and visual stimuli at different spatial locations were assessed using positron emission tomography with [¹⁵O]water to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes in 13 normal volunteers. Simultaneous auditory [dichotically presented consonant-vowel-consonants (CVCs)] and visual stimuli (vertically oriented, CVCs presented to the left and right of fixation) were presented on every trial. In different conditions subjects attended for targets in a specified stimulus channel (left or right ears or left or right visual fields) while maintaining fixation on a central x. Attending left or right for auditory stimuli increased rCBF in primary auditory cortex in Heschl's gyrus and in temporal lobe auditory association cortices in both hemispheres. Attending left or right for visual stimuli did not change rCBF in primary visual cortex, and only attention to the right significantly increased rCBF in contralateral occipital cortex. Visual attention caused significant rCBF changes in a widespread network that included frontal, parietal, and temporal cortical regions as well as the cerebellum, whereas rCBF changes due to auditory attention were largely localized in the temporal lobes. The results suggest that spatially directed attention is mediated by different mechanisms in the auditory and visual modalities. Hum. Brain Mapping 5:422–436, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

口腔诊所信息管理系统的研究与开发

目的　研究利用计算机信息处理、数据库和图形技术 ,开发用于口腔诊所 (科室 )的信息管理系统。方法　在专家论证诊所 (科室 )的医疗现状和管理需求的基础上 ,制定我国口腔临床医疗操作代码 ,用PowerBuilder6 .0和SQLAnywhere数据库管理系统为开发工具 ;采用C语言作为图形开发工具 ,进行信息管理系统的研制。结果　该系统含 7个子系统 :患者信息管理、工作人员管理、财务管理、诊所资产管理、消耗品管理、技工委托、系统维护。经 8个单位试用 ,一年中累计管理患者约 110 0例。测试结果表明 ,系统具有较强和较完善的临床使用功能及方便的用户界面。结论　该系统能提高使用单位的临床医疗管理水平和效益。对提高医生的病历水平和积累研究资料也具有重要意义。     

Malignant seeding of the needle track during stereotaxic core needle breast biopsy.

Early reports demonstrated the diagnostic advantage of large-core (14-gauge) biopsy over fine-needle aspiration biopsy of nonpalpable lesions of the breast without apparent significant increase in morbidity. A case of malignant seeding of the needle track after a large-core biopsy of a mucinous carcinoma of the breast is documented. The potential for increased risk of tract seeding of malignancy must be considered.     

Subcortical and cortical brain activity during the feeling of self-generated emotions

In a series of [15O]PET experiments aimed at investigating the neural basis of emotion and feeling, 41 normal subjects recalled and re-experienced personal life episodes marked by sadness, happiness, anger or fear. We tested the hypothesis that the process of feeling emotions requires the participation of brain regions, such as the somatosensory cortices and the upper brainstem nuclei, that are involved in the mapping and/or regulation of internal organism states. Such areas were indeed engaged, underscoring the close relationship between emotion and homeostasis. The findings also lend support to the idea that the subjective process of feeling emotions is partly grounded in dynamic neural maps, which represent several aspects of the organism's continuously changing internal state.