GE Signa Twinspeed 1.5T磁共振肝脏扩散加权成像的技术探讨

目的探讨高场强双梯度磁共振机(GE Signa Twinspeed 1.5T)的肝脏扩散加权成像技术(DWI).方法对20例正常肝脏进行扩散加权成像研究,分别改变重复时间(TR)及扩散敏感系数(b值),测定ADC值、信噪比、图像质量等.结果 b值固定,TR值改变,正常肝组织平均ADC值差异不显著(P>0.05);TR值固定,b值改变,ADC值随b值增大而减小(P<0.05,差异有显著性).b值越大,图像质量越差;b≥800 s/mm2时,图像几乎难以观察.结论 ADC值随b值的增大而减小.行肝脏扩散加权成像时,可适当减小TR值,以缩短扫描时间及患者的屏气时间,减少呼吸运动伪影.     

Heterogeneity of anti-U demonstrable by the use of papain-treated red cells

When red cells (RBCs) are treated with papain, one form of the U antigen, which we have named UPS (U papain-sensitive), is almost completely removed or denatured. A second form, UPR (U papain-resistant), remains unaltered on the treated RBCs. Tests on 42 examples of anti-U showed that two contained only anti-UPS, 19 contained only -UPR, and 21 contained separable -UPS and -UPR. In those sera containing both antibodies, anti-UPR was always the stronger of the two. These findings suggest 1) that UPS is located on the Ss sialoglycoprotein (glycophorin B) at a position distal to a papain-sensitive site or that the cleavage point is within the portion of the SGP that comprises UPS, and 2) that UPR is located between the papain-sensitive site and the RBC membrane. The UPS determinant was not denatured by neuraminidase, L-cysteine, trypsin, ficin, or alpha-chymotrypsin, and it was only partially denatured by pronase. The finding that RBCs treated with para-chloromercuribenzoic acid or para-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid did not react with anti-UPR but did continue to react with anti-UPS suggests that the in situ configuration of UPR, but not UPS, is dependent on the presence of one or more disulfide bonds. RBCs of the S-s-U+(weak) phenotype were shown to carry markedly reduced amounts of both UPS and UPR.     

The Importance of Early Carotid Endarterectomy in Symptomatic Patients

INTRODUCTION

Early carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in symptomatic patients may prevent repeat cerebral events. This study investigates the relationship between waiting time for CEA and the incidence of repeat cerebral events prior to surgery in symptomatic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective database of consecutive patients undergoing CEA between January 2002 and December 2006 was reviewed. Repeat event rates prior to surgery were calculated using Kaplan–Meier analysis and predictive factors identified using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients underwent CEA for non-disabling stroke, TIA and amaurosis fugax. Repeat cerebral events occurred in 34 of 118 (29%) patients at a median 51 days (range, 2–360 days) after the first event. The estimated risk of repeat events was 2% at 7 days and 9% at 1 month after first event (Kaplan–Meier survival analysis). Age (HR 1.059; 95% CI 1.014–1.106; P = 0.009] was identified as a predictor of repeat events. Patients underwent surgery at median 97 days (range, 7–621 days) after the first event. Eleven of 60 (18%) patients waiting ≤?97 days for surgery and 23 of 58 (40%) patients waiting >?97 days had repeat events. (P = 0.011, chi-squared test).

CONCLUSIONS

Delays in surgery should be reduced in order to minimise repeat cerebral events in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis, particularly in the elderly population.     

Hepatitis B Immunisation in Health Care Workers

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important occupational risk in health care workers (HCW). In spite of HBV vaccine availability in Armed Forces, the high prevalence of HBV infection in HCW continues to be a problem. The study was undertaken to study the HBV vaccine-compliance among HCW.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. HCW were requested to fill up the pre set questionnaire to assess the HBV vaccination coverage.

Result

Amongst 254 HCW, only 57.7% were vaccinated against HBV. The vaccine compliance was lowest among housekeeping professionals. The mean age at vaccination was high (30.5 years). Amongst the vaccine non-compliant subjects, 34.3% were above 30 years of age. 32.2% HCW completed primary vaccination after spending more than 10 years in the profession. Accessibility of HBV vaccine, knowledge and perception of HBV risk were important factors in vaccine non-compliance.

Conclusion

Due to low and delayed HBV vaccine-compliance, HCW continue to be at the risk of occupational HBV. Health education highlighting occupational risk of HBV, accessibility of vaccine and mandatory vaccination of HCW is recommended to increase HBV vaccine compliance among HCW.Key Words: Health care workers, Hepatitis B virus, Occupational risk, Hepatitis B vaccine     

Maxillary expansion in cleft lip and palate using Quad helix and rapid palatal expansion screw

Background: Management of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) includes orthodontic treatment prior to bone grafting. Palatal expansion is done using slow or rapid palatal expansions (RPE). Controversy still exists regarding choice of expansion appliances used. This study was conducted to find out whether the Quad helix appliance represents a reasonable alternative to using conventional rapid maxillary expansion appliance among cleft lip and palate patients.     

ST elevation myocardial infarction and renal impairment. Does it matter how we reperfuse?

The treatment of patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) and renal failure (RF) represents one of the most challenging problems with which the cardiologists are faced. It has been well established that patients suffering of acute coronary syndromes with concomitant renal failure have a worse outcome as compared with those with normal renal function. Leading causes for this adverse outcome are excess comorbidities in patients with renal failure, lesser use of beneficial therapies and the unique pathophysiology involved in the diseased kidney. The entire setup of abnormalities in coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet aggregation, lipids metabolism, endothelial function and a high inflammatory state, is responsible for the increased risk of restenosis, recurrent myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and cardiovascular death among cardiac patients with impaired renal function. The results provided by the very small number of studies in literature evaluating methods of reperfusion in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction and impaired renal function are very sparse, and a prospective trial to solve this therapeutic dilemma that clinicians are faced with, at the bedside of patients with STEAMI and RF is needed.