Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels for clinical assessment of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is responsible for multiple metabolic functions in humans. Rickets are the most common disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. It is caused by poor calcium intake resulting in poor serum-ionized calcium. The purpose of this study is to develop a rapid, sensitive, and feasible method to determine the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in blood samples for clinical assessment. In this study, gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry with trimethylsilyl derivatization (TMS-GC-MS) is the most suitable protocol for quantitative analyses of 25(OH)D3. Performance of method was evaluated and compared with liquid chromatography and immunoassay. Method validation has been carried out with plasma specimens. The limit of quantitation of TMS-GC-MS method is 1.5 ppb with good linear correlation. Furthermore, the dietary intake and nutritional status of vegetarian and non-vegetarians in Taiwan were assessed by our validated method. As a result, this vitamin D nutrition survey demonstrates that most Taiwanese people have insufficient vitamin D. Due to dietary habits; the male vegans may have the highest risk of vitamin D deficiency.     

Additional bedtime H2‐receptor antagonist for the control of nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough: A Cochrane systematic review

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of additional bedtime H₂‐receptor antagonists (H₂RAs) in suppressing nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough (NAB) via a systematic review. METHODS: Eligible trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1966–June 2004), EMBASE (January 1980–June 2004) and CINAHL (January 1982–June 2004). Additional hand‐searching was conducted on the proceedings of correlated conferences, eight important Chinese journals and references of all included trials. All randomized controlled trials evaluating H₂RAs for the control of NAB were eligible for inclusion. The systematic review was conducted using methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration. RESULTS: Only two randomized crossover studies, comprising 32 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Because the design, dosage and duration of the treatments were different between the studies, it was not possible to conduct meta‐analysis. There were no consistent conclusions found between the two included studies in evaluating H₂RAs for the control of NAB. CONCLUSIONS: No implications for practice at this stage can be concluded. Appropriately designed large‐scale randomized controlled trials with long‐term follow up are needed to determine the effects of additional bedtime H₂RAs in suppressing NAB.     

网络环境下医学专题检索服务的深化

分析网络环境下图书馆定题服务的现状和价值，提出跟踪服务的方式，进行分阶段的、具体的定题服务，并实例分析分阶段定题服务的优势。     

Sternum insufficiency fracture presenting as acute chest pain: a case report and review of the literature.

The spine, pelvic bones and long bones of the lower extremities are common sites for insufficiency fractures. Cases of sternum insufficiency fractures have been rarely reported in an elderly patient. Insufficiency fracture tends to occur in bones with decreased mechanical strength. It tends to occur in elderly patients, especially in postmenopausal women, with underlying diseases. We describe a case of sternum insufficiency fracture in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus on long-term corticosteroid therapy diagnosed in an emergency setting. Sternum insufficiency fracture is a rare cause of chest pain. This case serves to remind the emergency physician to remain vigilant for other noncardiac and nontraumatic causes of chest pain. If diagnosed accurately, these patients can be discharged and treated as outpatients.     

柴松岩学术思想在妇科临床的应用体会

柴松岩主任是全国名老中医师承导师之一，从事中医妇科临床工作50余年。临证主张辨证与辨病相结合，重视女性的生理病理特点，强调参考基础体温、结合月经周期组方遣药，注重“治未病”理念在妇科临床的应用，在继承祖国医学的基础上不断创新，并已形成自己独到的理论特色。现就在跟师期间的些许体会加以总结，以飨同道。     

危重症患者的APACHEⅡ评分与中医辨证相关性研究

目的：通过比较不同中医证型的ICU危重症患者的APACHEⅡ评分，同时对比两组死亡率，评价中医辨证在预后判断中的临床意义。方法：对纳入研究的85例ICU危重症患者于入ICU及出ICU时分别进行中医辨证，分为阳类证和阴类证两型，对所有病人进行APACHEⅡ评分，比较两型病人在进入ICU及出ICU时的APACHEⅡ分值，并与死亡率比较。结果：初始为阴类证的患者在入ICU及出ICU时的APACHEⅡ评分显著高于初始为阳类证的患者（P=0．0001及F〈0．05），死亡率亦显著高于阳类证患者（P=0．0369）：治疗后由阳类证转为阴类证患者APACHEⅡ评分较维持阳类证者增高（P=0．0161），而阴类证转为阳类证的患者APACHEⅡ分值较维持阴类证者减低（P=0．0424）。结论：中医证型对危重症的病情程度及预后判断有较好的预测价值，阴类证患者的预后较阳类证患者差，证型转换可能引起预后改变。     

体重指数分级标准应用方法的探讨

目的探讨按照体重指数分级标准计算出的体重值应用表的实用价值。方法将身高作为选定变量,其变量值间距为1 cm,按照体重指数分级标准上、下限值,分别乘以身高2(m2),即求出相对应的体重(kg),依此制成应用表。判定时依据身高和实测的体重,对照应用表得出其体重指数分级范围。结果制成并列出以体重值查对其相对应危险值应用表。结论本查对表适用于大规模的预防性健康体检。在人体生长发育阶段能做到自身动态监测,对早期预防肥胖症具有积极作用。