Assessing ethical problem solving by reasoning rather than decision making

Context The assessment of ethical problem solving in medicine has been controversial and challenging. The purposes of this study were: (i) to create a new instrument to measure doctors’ decisions on and reasoning approach towards resolving ethical problems; (ii) to evaluate the scores generated by the new instrument for their reliability and validity, and (iii) to compare doctors’ ethical reasoning abilities between countries and among medical students, residents and experts. Methods This study used 15 clinical vignettes and the think‐aloud method to identify the processes and components involved in ethical problem solving. Subjects included volunteer ethics experts, postgraduate Year 2 residents and pre‐clerkship medical students. The interview data were coded using the instruments of the decision score and Ethical Reasoning Inventory (ERI). The ERI assessed the quality of ethical reasoning for a particular case (Part I) and for an individual globally across all the vignettes (Part II). Results There were 17 Canadian and 32 Taiwanese subjects. Based on the Canadian standard, the decision scores between Taiwanese and Canadian subjects differed significantly, but made no discrimination among the three levels of expertise. Scores on the ERI Parts I and II, which reflect doctors’ reasoning quality, differed between countries and among different levels of expertise in Taiwan, providing evidence of construct validity. In addition, experts had a greater organised knowledge structure and considered more relevant variables in the process of arriving at ethical decisions than did residents or students. The reliability of ERI scores was 0.70–0.99 on Part I and 0.75–0.80 on Part II. Conclusions Expertise in solving ethical problems could not be differentiated by the decisions made, but could be differentiated according to the reasoning used to make those decisions. The difference between Taiwanese and Canadian experts suggests that cultural considerations come into play in the decisions that are made in the course of providing humane care to patients.     

Modified Nile red staining method for improved visualization of neutral lipid depositions in stratum corneum.

The neutral lipids existing in the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum (SC) provide a permeability barrier to prevent water loss. Nile red is the most sensitive lipid stain for tissue sections. However, due to the extremely flattened morphology of corneocytes and the resolution limits of the light microscope, Nile red staining is seldom used as a fluorescent probe for the lipid-rich SC. In this study, we modified the traditional method for visualization of intracellular lipid by adding 4% potassium hydroxide after Nile red staining. This modified method not only allowed visualization of lipids existing in the intercellular membrane regions and the lateral junctions of the adjoining corneocytes, but also clearly demonstrated small lipid droplets within pathological corneocytes. These features were not observed with the traditional staining method. Thus, this modified Nile red staining method greatly improved the resolution of the SC lipids under light microscopy and should be useful for studying lipid depositions in both normal and pathological SC.     

Le Fort型骨折的CT表现和分型

目的探讨Le Fort型骨折的CT表现及其分型。方法对62例Le Fort型骨折患者进行薄层螺旋CT扫描和三维重组分析。结果在62例中，Le FortⅠ型10例，Ⅱ型9例，Ⅲ型8例，复合型35例（其中Ⅰ＋Ⅱ型18例，I＋Ⅱ＋Ⅲ型7例，Ⅱ＋Ⅲ型10例）；55例同时伴发颌面部其他骨折。Le Fort型骨折在二维CT上表现为颌面部多发且杂乱的骨折，虽然在发现细小和深部结构的骨折方面优于三维CT成像，但难以作出Le Fort型骨折的诊断；三维CT成像能清晰立体地显示Le Fort型骨折的整体形状及走向，并可明确作出分型。结论三维CT成像是Le Fort型骨折最有效的诊断方法，对临床制定治疗方案具有指导意义，但是对细小骨折诊断不如二维CT。     

可吸收性医用珊瑚人工骨的致突变性研究

目的评价珊瑚人工骨的遗传毒性。方法采用Ames试验;细胞染色体畸变试验和小鼠骨髓细胞微核试验。结果不同浓度的浸提液加与不加S9mix条件下Ames试验;细胞染色体畸变试验以及微核试验与阴性对照组比较无显著差异,结果为阴性。结论在本试验系统条件下,可吸收性珊瑚人工骨无致突变作用。     

外加磁场对半乳糖化白蛋白磁性阿霉素纳米粒在大鼠体内分布影响的研究

目的观察半乳糖化白蛋白磁性阿霉素纳米粒(ADR-GHMN)在正常肝脏中的靶向性,并观察ADR-GHMN在全身各脏器的分布特征及外加磁场对其分布的影响.方法大鼠正中开腹,肝动脉插管并固定,肝动脉注射125I-ADR-GHMN(相当于阿霉素0.5 mg/kg),左外叶加磁场,磁场应用30 min,移去磁场后,动物立即处死;对照组:肝动脉注射ADR-GHMN,左外叶不加磁场,30min后,移去磁场后,动物立即处死,立即取靶区肝、非靶区肝、肾、心、肺、小肠、脾及周围血作γ计数.肝组织作病理切片.结果注入的纳米粒75～85%分布于肝脏,其它脏器极少.病理切片显示磁区小动脉见大量纳米粒存在,对照组及非磁区肝中纳米粒很少见.结论ADR-GHMN在正常肝组织中有明显的磁靶向性;在磁场作用下,ADR-GHMN主要分布于肝脏,其它脏器含量很少;试验组肾、心、肺、小肠、脾及外周血于对照组的放射活性比较明显降低,表明磁性物质的存在使这些脏器的相对药物暴露明显减少.     

平板运动试验阴性患者最大ST/HR斜率对冠心病的诊断价值

目的探讨平板运动试验阴性患者最大ST/HR斜率对冠心病的诊断价值.方法选择122例平板运动试验阴性而临床有明显冠心病指征的患者进行冠状动脉造影,测定其最大ST/HR斜率.结果平板运动试验阴性患者最大ST/HR斜率诊断冠心病的敏感性为68.2%,特异性为80.8%,准确性为76.2%;运动峰值心率＜预计最大心率之85%组最大ST/HR斜率诊断冠心病的敏感性为92.8%,特异性为86.7%,准确性为89.7%,高于运动峰值心率≥预计最大心率之85%组.结论平板运动试验阴性患者最大ST/HR斜率对冠心病的临床诊断有较高的敏感性、特异性和准确性,尤其是对低运动水平的患者,对减少运动试验诊断的漏诊率具有重要意义.     

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of free-living subjects consuming olestra

The effect of olestra on vitamin D status was assessed in a 6-wk, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 202 free-living adults. Subjects consumed a total of 20 g/d of olestra or triglycerides in cookies eaten at each meal. A 20-micrograms ergocalciferol capsule was taken with each morning meal. Serum 25-hydroxyergocalciferol (25-OHD2) concentrations rose from approximately 5.7 to 39.0 and 31.7 nmol/L in the placebo and olestra groups, respectively, at week 6. At week 6, 25-OHD2 contributed 46-54% to total serum 25-OHD concentration compared with 11% at baseline. The 19% decrease in serum 25-OHD2 concentrations produced by olestra in this study is equivalent to a decrease of approximately 1.2 nmol/L under nonsupplemented dietary conditions. Ingesting 20 g olestra/d in the diet is thus not expected to affect vitamin D nutritional status.