纳洛酮对中重型颅脑损伤病人血浆C-反应蛋白的影响

目的评价纳洛酮对脑外伤的早期疗效及C-反应蛋白(CRP)检测在纳洛酮治疗脑外伤中的应用价值。方法将68例重型脑外伤病人随机分为治疗组30例和对照组38例,对照组给予常规治疗,治疗组在常规治疗的基础上,给予纳洛酮0.4mg·kg-·1d-1治疗。观察病人的GCS评分、颅内压及头颅CT所示脑水肿的变化,并测定治疗前后血清CRP浓度。结果治疗组在提高GCS评分、降低颅内压、控制脑水肿等方面均明显优于对照组(P<0.01)。两组治疗前CRP分别为(73.64±8.64)mg/L(、69.23±7.31)mg/L,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后治疗组为(37.25±11.45)mg/L,对照组为(48.54±12.07)mg/L,治疗组明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论①纳洛酮综合治疗脑外伤效果明显。②CRP可作为颅脑外伤病情及纳洛酮治疗效果判断的参考指标。     

制作角膜缘干细胞完全缺乏动物模型的新方法

目的提出一种新的角膜缘干细胞完全缺乏模型制作方法,为干细胞缺乏疾病的治疗性研究提供可靠的模型。方法利用9mm环钻划界,板层切除角膜组织,通过临床评分、印迹细胞学、组织病理及免疫组织化学验证模型的成功。结果板层切除术后30~45d,模型眼角膜混浊、上皮缺损、大量新生血管长入,印迹细胞学可见PAS( )的杯状细胞,组织病理学检查上皮符合结膜细胞表型,免疫荧光染色可见结膜杯状细胞特异性标志MUC5AC阳性表达。结论环钻划界加板层切除法为一种可靠、有效的角膜缘干细胞完全缺乏模型制作方法。     

神经纤维瘤蛋白在先天性脊柱侧凸患者成骨细胞和软骨细胞中的表达

目的：检测神经纤维瘤蛋白在先天性脊柱侧凸患者成骨细胞和软骨细胞中的表达。方法：6例先天性脊柱侧凸患者，在后路手术时取髂骨及髂骨生长板，分离、培养成骨细胞和软骨细胞，分别行碱性磷酸酶染色和甲苯胺蓝染色。逆转录-多聚酶链反应（RT—PCR）检测神经纤维瘤蛋白mRNA．间接免疫荧光和Westemblot检测神经纤维瘤蛋白在成骨细胞和软骨细胞中的表达。结果：先天性脊柱侧凸患者成骨细胞和软骨细胞中存在Ⅱ型神经纤维瘤蛋白表达，该蛋白主要分布在细胞浆，所表达蛋白为三磷酸鸟苷酶活化蛋白（GAP）活性较弱的Ⅱ型异构体。结论：先天性脊柱侧凸患者成骨细胞和软骨细胞中存在神经纤维瘤蛋白表达，但该蛋白是否通过对成骨细胞和软骨细胞的影响导致骨骼系统异常还有待于进一步研究。     

Ruptured distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm.

Ruptured aneurysms of the distal anterior choroidal artery (AchA) are extremely rare and management is dictated by clinical presentation. This report describes a rare patient with a distal AchA aneurysm and subarachnoid and intraventricular haemorrhage. A 60-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of severe headache and vomiting. No aneurysms could be found on initial angiograms. A repeat angiogram performed 10 days after admission demonstrated an aneurysm in a branch of the cisternal segment of the left AchA without a definite neck. Surrounding vessels showed multifocal stricture and dilatation. Microsurgical clipping was not performed because the patient died suddenly due to pulmonary failure. The aetiology of the aneurysm in this case and surgical strategy are discussed.     

Application of a pigment measuring device – Mexameter®– for the differential diagnosis of vitiligo and nevus depigmentosus

Background/purpose: Vitiligo and nevus depigmentosus (ND) present similar hypopigmented macules with significantly different prognoses. Although the distinction between the two diseases is important, differential diagnosis relies on medical history and physical examination, which is far from decisive in some cases. The Mexameter^® is an objective skin color-measuring device, and has been reported to provide a reproducible and sensitive means of quantifying small skin color differences. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of a Mexameter^® for discriminating these diseases.
Methods: A selection of 202 hypopigmented skin lesions (182 from vitiligo and 20 from ND) were the objects of this study. Using a Mexameter, MIs were obtained from lesions and symmetrically located control skin. RMIs, ratios of the MIs of lesional skins to control skins, were calculated.
Results: The mean MIs and RMIs were significantly different for vitiligo and ND. The mean RMI of ND lesions was 74±13, which was significantly higher than that of vitiligo lesions (50±24). No ND lesion had an RMI of <50%.
Conclusion: This study shows that the Mexameter^®, an objective pigment-measuring device, can be used to achieve a more accurate diagnosis of hypopigmentary disorders, and that the relative melanin index (RMI), which represents the relative pigment levels, might be a more effective parameter than the melanin index (MI) itself for comparing pigmentation differences.     

A De Novo novel mutation of the EDNRB gene in a Taiwanese boy with Hirschsprung disease.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterized by an absence of ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses of the lower digestive tract. Although mutations in eight different genes (EDNRB, EDN3, ECE1, SOX10, RET, GDNF, NTN, SIP1) have been identified in affected individuals, it is now clear that RET and EDNRB are the primary genes implicated in the etiology of HSCR. All eight genes are involved in the early development of the enteric nervous system, and most act through two distinct biochemical pathways mediated by RET and EDNRB. Mutations in RET and EDNRB account for up to 50% and 5% of HSCR cases in the general population, respectively. Interaction between these two signaling pathways could modify RET expression and, therefore, HSCR phenotype. Here, we report the case of a 1-year-old Taiwanese boy who presented with abdominal distension since birth and bilious vomiting after feeding. HSCR (short-segment type) was diagnosed based on X-ray, lower gastrointestinal series and biopsy findings. Mutation analysis revealed a heterozygous T>C missense mutation in exon 1 of the EDNRB gene, that substitutes the highly conserved cysteine-90 residue in the extracellular domain of the G protein-coupled receptor with an arginine residue (C90R). No RET gene mutation was detected in this patient.     

Treatment of mandibular prognathism.

Mandibular prognathism (MP) or skeletal Class III malocclusion with a prognathic mandible is one of the most severe maxillofacial deformities. Facial growth modification can be an effective method of resolving skeletal Class III jaw discrepancies in growing children with dentofacial orthopedic appliances including the chincup, face mask, maxillary protraction combined with chincup traction and the Fr?nkel functional regulator III appliance. Orthognathic surgery in conjunction with orthodontic treatment is required for the correction of adult MP. The two most commonly applied surgical procedures to correct MP are sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy. Both procedures are suitable for patients in whom a desirable occlusal relationship can be obtained with a setback of the mandible, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In bilateral SSRO, the intentional ostectomy of the posterior part of the distal segment can offer long-term positioned stability. This may be attributable to reduction of tension in the pterygomasseteric sling that applies force in the posterior mandible. While various environmental factors have been found to contribute to the development of MP, heredity plays a substantial role. The relative contributions of genetic and environmental components in the etiology of MP are unclear. The recent identification of the genetic susceptibilities to MP constitutes the first step toward understanding the molecular pathogenesis of MP. Further studies in molecular biology are needed to identify the gene-environment interactions associated with the phenotypic diversity of MP and the heterogenic developmental mechanisms thought to be responsible for them.     

Microbial etiology of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Viral infections are the most common causes of acute infectious diarrhea in the pediatric population. To explore any possible microbial etiologies of acute gastroenteritis in children, we detected stool viral antigen including rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus and astrovirus. We also studied the possible precipitating factors. METHODS: During a period of 1 year (from October 2003 to September 2004), children from birth to 15 years old admitted to the pediatric ward were prospectively surveyed. Stool specimens were collected within 48 hours after admission and then frozen at -40 degrees C until analysis. Enzyme immunoassay was used to detect rotavirus, astrovirus, norovirus and adenovirus. Bacterial culture was performed at the same time. RESULTS: During the study period, 82 stool samples were collected due to acute gastroenteritis and fit the definition of a diarrhea episode. Forty-two (51.2%) patients with viral infection, 11 (13.4%) with bacterial infection, and six (7.3%) with mixed viral and bacterial infection were detected. The most prevalent virus was rotavirus (35.4%), followed by norovirus (29.3%). The most prevalent cause of bacterial infection was Salmonella (19.5%). With regard to clinical severity, rotavirus resulted in longer hospital stay, higher rate of vomiting, stool occult blood, leukocytosis, lower rate in stool pus cell, and C-reactive protein elevation more than 5 mg/dL as compared with norovirus. Only the difference in hospital stay reached significant statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Norovirus is an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in children, although rotavirus is still the leading cause of pediatric acute gastroenteritis.     

Identifying Risk Drinking in Expectant Fathers

Abstract: Background: Identification of risk drinking in expectant fathers may be helpful as an important part of efforts to minimize maternal alcohol use, and as an opportunity to inform them about a problematic practice during a critical developmental stage for the couple. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the T‐ACE screening questionnaire, which asks about t olerance to alcohol, being a nnoyed by other's comments about drinking, attempts to c ut down, and having a drink first thing in the morning (“ e ye‐opener”), in the male partners of pregnant women who themselves were T‐ACE positive. Methods: Two hundred fifty‐four male partners were asked to complete the T‐ACE embedded in a health survey, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and other questions about their alcohol use in the past 30 days when their pregnant partners had a median gestation of 11.5 weeks (T₁). After delivery, male partners again completed the T‐ACE and quantity‐frequency questions (T₂). The predictive ability of the T‐ACE and AUDIT was compared, using risk drinking (>4 drinks/day or >14 drinks/week) as the criterion standard. Results: A substantial minority of male partners had risk drinking, 31 percent at T₁ and 25 percent at T₂. Although the AUDIT was better than the T‐ACE as an independent predictor of risk drinking, the latter was most accurate when the tolerance threshold exceeded 2 drinks, the same established for pregnant women. The sensitivity (T₁ = 84.6%, T₂ = 82.8%) and specificity (T₁ = 43.8%, T₂ = 51.1%) of the T‐ACE at this threshold compared favorably with those of the AUDIT at the standard cut point of 8. Conclusions: The T‐ACE may be a practical way for clinicians to identify risk drinking in both pregnant women and expectant fathers. (BIRTH 33:2 June 2006)