Essential fatty acid deficiency and predisposition to lung disease in cystic fibrosis

Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency is a predisposing factor for pulmonary infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , the two major pathogenic microorganisms in cystic fibrosis (CF). Objective : The goal of this study was to investigate the essential fatty acid status of CF patients from infancy to 20 years old. Materials and methods. Plasma fatty acid profiles for phospholipid (PL) were determined for cord ( n = 6), 4 months ( n = 40), 16 months ( n = 25), 3 y ( n = 8), 5-10 y ( n = 10), and 10-20 y ( n = 10) aged CF patients and compared to their respective control; cord ( n = 22), 1-36 months ( n = 38) and adult ( n = 100). Significance was established by Student's t-test ( p < 0.05). Results : The plasma PL fatty acid profile for all CF patients, except cord, revealed consistent deficiency in ω3 and ω6 EFAs. These deficiencies were most marked at infancy and more pronounced for patients with meconium ileus. Conclusions and relevance : EFA deficiency may contribute to the predisposition of CF infants to develop respiratory disease and to the excess cytotoxic activity found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 2 months of age in the majority of screened infants.     

Effect of a digital imaging network on physician behavior in an intensive care unit

This study examined the effect of a medical image management network on the behavior of physicians working in a medial intensive care unit (MICU). For 1 year, 8-week periods during which chest radiographs were digitized and made available to MICU physicians on a digital display console were alternated with 8-week periods during which only film images were available. Clinical efficacy during the periods was compared by measuring the time between completion of imaging examinations and initiation of specific clinical actions such as placement and positioning of tubes. Results indicate that the time required to take some clinical actions decreased with the immediate availability of images on the digital display console. Established procedures for obtaining radiologic information were altered by the digital imaging network. The time at which physicians viewed images changed, and consultations between MICU staff and radiologists decreased. These results indicate that behavior patterns are altered when a new technology replaces an existing one. Optimal use of this technology may require changes in the logistics of clinical practice.     

主要商品黄芪的形态与显微鉴别

国产黄芪属(Astragalus)植物作中药黄芪用的约10种,对其中5种主要商品黄芪原植物干燥根部进行了形态组织学的比较研究。首次对黄芪根部进行了扫描电镜观察,发现了前人未曾报道的鉴别特征,如导管的合生纹孔口、附物纹孔等,除描述特征外,文中分别列出生药性状和显微特征比较表与分种检索表,并附组织特征图和扫描电镜照片。     

Intracerebral haematoma formation in Herpes simplex encephalitis: A case report

Acute viral encephalitides have a high mortality and morbidity in all age groups. Early institution of appropriate medical treatment can alter the prognosis dramatically. Imaging studies may be normal or may show a wide variety of subtle findings in the initial stages. Knowledge of the extremely varied clinical as well as radiological expression of the disease is essential to enable timely diagnosis. A case is presented here of histopathologically proven Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), wherein a large intracerebral haematoma was seen on imaging studies. Observation of the accompanying subtle findings and knowledge of the variability of expression of this disease helped in reaching the correct diagnosis.