Bone growth patterns in Chinese children and adolescents: a 6-year follow-up study provides evidence for sexual dimorphism and tracking

Summary We prospectively examined bone growth patterns in 894 children aged 6–17 years at the baseline visit, with a 6-year follow-up. Results show bone “tracking” over a six-year interval and sexual dimorphism of bone attained levels and timing of peak bone growth. Our findings underscore childhood and adolescence as critical periods for building bone and developing gender differences. Introduction Bone growth patterns were prospectively examined in 894 Chinese children (496 males), aged 6–17 yrs, from a population-based twin cohort. Whole-body bone area (BA), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by DEXA at baseline and a 6-yr follow-up. Methods Graphic smoothing plots and generalized estimating equations were used to model bone attained levels, growth, and “tracking”. Results Attained levels of BMC and BA increased curvilinearly with age. Male attained levels were higher than females after age ∼15 yr, but BMD was lower between 13–17 yrs (Tanner stage I to IV). In both genders, peak BMC and BMD growth lagged ∼2 yrs behind peak BA growth, which lagged 2 yrs behind peak height growth. Peak bone growth occurred 1–3 yrs later in males. Over the 6-yr follow-up, all bone measurements “tracked”, but “shifting” across ranks also occurred, and baseline tertile ranking influenced bone growth. Females with early menarche had higher attained levels than females with late menarche at age 12–13 yrs. Conclusion Our findings confirm and expand previous studies on peak bone growth conducted in Caucasian cohorts, particularly sexually dimorphic and maturational effects. The significant “tracking” of bone measurements in this 6-yr follow-up study underscores the importance that osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood and adolescence. Fengxiu Ouyang and Binyan Wang contributed equally to this article. Source(s) of support: This study is supported in part by grant R01 HD049059, R01 HL0864619 and R01 AR045651 from the National Institute of Health and by the Food Allergy Project.     

Subtotal resection of clavicle for chronic, recurrent, multifocal osteomyelitis in children

Chronic, recurrent, multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an obscure disease of bone, occurring in children. It appears to be an inflammatory condition with no obvious microbiological cause. Current treatments of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication appear to have limited success. This case report looks at two separate cases of CRMO where partial resection of the affected bone—the clavicle—leads to complete resolution of symptoms and regrowth of the excised bone.     

何以解忧惟有监管

没有监督的权力会导致腐败，这是一个显而易见的道理。尽管每一组织、机构、行业乃至个人都必须建立和遵从各自的行业道德和职业操守，但保证每个社会单元都能进退有序，除了建章立制的条令约束，更需要来自第三方的行之有效的监管。事关民生疾苦的医疗卫生无疑首当其冲。     

早期糖尿病视网膜病变的视网膜电图分析

目的 分析早期糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)的闪光视网膜电图(F—ERG)和视网膜电图震荡电位(OPs)各参数的变化特点，寻找反映早期DR的敏感指标。方法 对16例(32只眼)正常人进行OPs和F-ERG检测。对27例(53只眼)糖尿病病人进行眼底荧光血管造影(FFA)、OPs和F—ERG检测。结果 OPs中Os波幅、O4波幅、OPs总波幅及F-ERG中b波峰潜时较其他指标敏感，其中O4波幅和b波峰潜时为最敏感指标，但均不能反映早期DR的严重程度。结论 OPs的O4波幅和F—ERG的b波峰潜时可作为早期糖尿病视网膜病变诊断的敏感指标。     

Carotid sinus nerve blockade to reduce blood pressure instability following carotid endarterectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Local anaesthetic infiltration into the carotid sinus during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been recommended to minimise blood pressure fluctuations but its use remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine whether intra-operative administration of local anaesthetic reduces the incidence of haemodynamic instability following CEA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of the Medline, Pubmed and Embase databases and the Current Controlled Trials register identified four trials, which met the pre-defined inclusion criteria for data extraction. Pooled odds ratios with 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.) for the development of post-operative hypotension and hypertension were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Outcomes of 432 patients were studied. Local anaesthetic blockade of the carotid sinus was associated with a pooled odds ratio of 1.25 (95 per cent c.i. 0.496 to 3.15); p=0.216) and 1.28 (95 per cent c.i. 0.699 to 2.33; p=0.428) for the development of post-operative hypotension and hypertension respectively. Although none reach significance there was a trend towards increased risk of developing a complication in those patients who received local anaesthetic. CONCLUSIONS: There are insufficient data to determine the role of intra-operative local anaesthetic administration in reducing post-operative blood pressure lability following CEA. Conversely, the possibility of harm cannot be excluded on the basis of the currently available data.     

应用前列腺素E1注射治疗勃起功能障碍8年经验

目的观察前列腺素E1(PGE1)注射治疗勃起功能障碍(ED)的长期疗效、副作用及预后。方法使用PGE1行阴茎海绵体注射,阴茎硬度检查仪(Rigiscan)连续记录1h,并根据观察结果,调查PGE1注射剂量,确定每例患者合适的注射量,掌握注射方法后回家自行注射。共筛选出ED患者410例,随访患者阴茎勃起情况、药量调整和副作用。结果410例ED患者中,心理性139例,静脉性83例,动脉性36例,神经性78例,混合性74例。对治疗满意的患者有256例(62.44%),其中21例(5.1%)在使用PGE15次后停用,并能达到满意的性生活而治愈。293例(71.46%)患者自述注射时有胀痛感。171例(43.17%)因疼痛(105例)、操作不便(25例)、副作用顾虑(37例)和其他原因(4例)而于6个月后放弃治疗。204例(49.76%)患者使用时间已超过1年,24例(5.85%)患者使用时间已超过5年,7例(1.7%)使用已有8年。未发现阴茎异常勃起和阴茎海绵体纤维化。注射损伤阴茎表面血管致瘀斑者有20例。有27例患者失访。结论PGE1是治疗ED的一种安全有效的药物,可以长期使用。其最常见的副作用是阴茎疼痛。Rigiscan能帮助确定PGE1的注射剂量。     

Feasibility of establishing cerebral ischemia models by using aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery of piglets Imaging assessment

BACKGROUND: The cerebral ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion animal models are used to simulate the human cerebrovascular diseases is one of the popular topics of neurological science recently. To study the pathophysiology, pathogenesis, prophylaxis and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and to establish the ideal animal model that is the most similar to the human cerebral ischemia, are the topics that the people generally cared about. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery on the establishment of cerebral ischemia models by using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). DESIGN: Repetitive measure animal experiment. SETTING: Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Animal Laboratory (Provincial Laboratory), Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian Univeristy from January to May 2006. A total of 14 domestic piglets, of 6 months old, weighing 12–15 kg, of either gender, were selected from Animal Experimental Center, Dalian University. Multistar T.O.P digital subtraction angiography machine was provided by Siemens Company, German. METHODS: Aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery was used to establish cerebral ischemia models. And then, Multistar T.O.P. DSA was used for imaging of cerebral vessels before blocking, during blocking and at 0.5 and 2 hours after ischemia perfusion. GE Signa 1.5 T supraconduction magnetic resonance imaging was used for DWI examination; in addition, PWI was used based on focal sites and areas. Otherwise, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect signal changes of T1WI and T2WI in ischemic areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analytic results of DSA, DWI, PWI and MRI. RESULTS: All 14 experimental piglets were involved in the final analysis. ① DSA: The blood flow of bilateral ascending pharyngeal arteries and its branch were blocked at blocking phase, which restored 0.5 and 2 hours after reperfusion. ② DWI and PWI: There were no observable abnormalities in PWI and DWI at pre-blocking. Abnormal increased signals were found on both DWI and PWI at during and post-blocking. There were reduction in ADC and rCBF and delay in rTTP at all time points except pre-blocking. ③ MRI: There were no abnormal signals observable at any time of pre- and post-blocking in T1WI and T2WI. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to establish this kind of animal experimental models, and it can simulate the ischemic state; meanwhile, the existence and extent can be showed directly by DSA, DWI, and PWI.     

NT-proBNP的检测在急性心肌梗死中的应用

目的探讨N末端B型脑钠尿肽（NT-proBNP）在急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者的临床应用价值。方法应用电化学发光法检测急性ST段抬高型心肌梗塞患者53例血中NT-proBNP的水平变化,分析其与心功能分级的关系。对照组为健康体检者24例,均已排除心、脑血管疾病。结果急性ST段抬高型心肌梗塞患者血中NT-proBNP水平显著高于正常心功能对照组（P〈0.01）。患病组心功能≥Ⅱ级组血NT-proBNP显著高于心功能Ⅰ级组,心功能Ⅰ～Ⅳ级患者组各组间血清NT-proBNP水平差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,随着心功能级数递增,NT-proBNP水平增高。NT-proBNP与Killip分级呈正相关。结论AMI后心脏钠尿肽系统激活,其改变与心功能损伤程度有关,因此NT-proBNP的测定可为临床诊断提供依据。     

PR01“A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS”– THE USE OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE INTERNET IN MONITORING FREE TISSUE TRANSFER

Purpose Post operative monitoring is crucial for the success of microsurgical free tissue transfer. Sophisticated and expensive methods are available for monitoring. We propose a novel technique using digital photography and the internet as a reliable and cost effective method to monitor free tissue transfers. Methods 163 micro‐vascular procedures were monitored using this technique over 8 months. Serial photographs taken to show flap color. Capillary refill time, pin prick‐ bleed time and color and hand held Doppler signal was recorded in the movie mode of a standard 5 mega pixel camera with duration of 15 seconds. Data was sent to the surgeon at regular intervals and or as deemed necessary. Results Analysis of the 67 cases is presented. 5 re‐explorations were done. The early diagnosis of venous congestion was possible using this technique. Timely intervention contributed to the success of the re‐explorations and these flaps could be salvaged. The file size of images was in the range of 1 MB–6 MB. The file size of an entire set of images ranged about 7 MB–9 MB. These were sent across the ADSL internet lines. Conclusion The use of the digital images and the internet allow reconstructive surgeons to have a reliable picture of the state of their free tissue transfers. This permits decrease in observer error and saves valuable time which otherwise needs to be spent to verify situations of doubt and offers an ideal solution to the logistic problem of having to visit the patient in case of doubt.