Preliminary evaluation of a fuzzy logic-based automatic quantitative analysis in myocardial SPECT.

This study validates a new quantitative myocardial perfusion SPECT software. METHODS: The processing starts with the extraction of the morphologic skeleton of the left ventricular myocardium from reconstructed transverse sections. Fuzzy logic is used to decide whether a pixel belongs to the myocardium and any perfusion defect is filled according to a truncated bullet model. The resulting image is partitioned in 18 isovolumetric sectors. Sex-matched normal limits, criteria of abnormality for rest (201)Tl and (99m)Tc-labeled perfusion tracers, reproducibility studies, and detection of coronary artery disease were developed and validated in an overall population of 343 patients. The sex- and tracer-matched means and SDs of a normal response were calculated in 93 male and 93 female patients with a <5% likelihood of coronary artery disease. Reproducibility measurements and assignment of different sectors of the myocardium to a specific coronary were performed from data collected in 49 and 60 patients, respectively. The accuracy of the detection of a coronary artery occlusion was assessed in 48 patients who also underwent coronary angiography. RESULTS: The intra- and interoperator reproducibility of the sectorial activity was high with a linear regression coefficient of 0.97 and a SD of the difference measurement at 4.4% and 3.8%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and specificity for the detection of occluded coronary artery were 90% and 80%, respectively. For the detection of left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right artery coronary occlusion, sensitivity was 92%, 75%, and 92.5%, respectively, and specificity was 75%, 78%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The new quantitative myocardial perfusion SPECT software appears to be a very helpful program for the objective analysis of perfusion tracer distribution in myocardial SPECT and a very accurate tool in the detection and localization of coronary artery occlusion.     

错畸形患者的Howes值测量分析

目的:本研究采用Howes法评估牙弓骨量与牙量的协调性,探讨其在正畸临床诊断与矫治设计确定拔牙与非拔牙中的应用价值。方法:选取第四军医大学口腔医学院正畸门诊患者80人,男、女拔牙与非拔牙各20例。测量牙量(TM)、双尖牙弓宽径(PMD)、双尖牙根尖基骨宽径(PMBAW)、基骨弓长度(BAL),并计算PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值,对其进行统计学处理与分析。结果:男女两组比较TM、PMD、PMBAW、BAL值有显著性差异,男性大于女性;但PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值无统计学意义;拔牙组与非拔牙组比较,PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值有显著性差异。结论:采用Howes法评估牙弓骨量与牙量对正畸临床的诊断和拔牙与非拔牙矫治设计有一定的指导意义。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患者手术治疗的麻醉研究

目的：探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(obstructive sleep apnea syndrome，OSAS)患者手术治疗的麻醉处理。方法：72例OSAS患者手术前先正压通气治疗(continue positive airway pressure，CPAP)和评价上气道，55例患者经鼻或经口气管插管全身麻醉；在手术完毕患者完全清醒后拔除插管。结果：72例患者中，轻度16例、中度24例、重度32例。合并晨起高血压28例，心电图均有不同程度心肌缺血的表现；红细胞增多症12例；腭咽平面Ⅰ级9例、Ⅱ级24例、Ⅲ级的27例、Ⅳ级12例。术前3．5d行自动调压正压通气治疗(Auto—CPAP)，经口气管内插管48例，经鼻气管内插管6例，均无术中插管困难和术后高血压危象，呼吸道梗阻发生。结论：充分认识OSAHS患者全身麻醉的手术风险，术前CPAP治疗和上气道评估，术中正确处理、严格掌握气管内插管、术后拔管的时机，是保证OSAHS患者手术成功、麻醉安全的关键。     

Predicted versus observed FEV1 in the immediate postoperative period after pulmonary lobectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Scanty information can be found regarding ppoFEV1% correlation with true FEV1% in the immediate days after surgery, when most cardio-respiratory complications are developed. This prospective multicentric investigation aims to describe the evolution of FEV1 in a series of uneventful lobectomy cases before hospital discharge, and to identify factors associated with the variation of postoperative residual FEV1, with the ratio between the actual and the predicted postoperative FEV1 measured during the first 6 postoperative days. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one patients submitted to lobectomy were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients with chest wall resections and postoperative complications were excluded. Data from a total of 125 patients were thus used for the analysis. The following clinical variables were recorded: age, preoperative FEV1, ppoFEV1, presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), surgical approach (VATS or muscle-sparing thoracotomy), side (right or left) and site (upper or lower) of resection, type of analgesia (epidural or intravenous), and daily visual analogue pain score (VAS). FEV1 was measured in every patient at hospital admission and daily until discharge or up to postoperative day 6. Random effects time-series cross-sectional regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with variation of postoperative residual function (100-(preoperative FEV1-postoperative FEV1/preoperative FEV1 x 100)), and of FEV1 ratio ((actual postoperative FEV1 x 100)/ppoFEV1). For these analyses, the dependent variables (postoperative residual function and FEV1 ratio) and the pain score were analysed as panel longitudinal data. The regression analyses were subsequently validated by bootstrap procedure. RESULTS: FEV1% was lower at first postoperative day and increased gradually up to day 6 but mean values never reached ppoFEV1%. Pain scores decreased from day 1 to day 6. Preoperative FEV1 (p<0.0001) and postoperative pain score (p<0.0001) resulted independently and reliably inversely associated with postoperative residual FEV1 (model R2, 0.16). Preoperative FEV1 (p=0.001), postoperative pain score (p<0.0001), and epidural analgesia (p=0.04) resulted independently and reliably associated with postoperative FEV1 ratio (model R2, 0.13). CONCLUSION: Current methods of prediction of postoperative FEV1 greatly underestimated the real functional loss in the immediate postoperative period. Therefore, for the purpose of a more accurate risk stratification we need to correct the traditional prediction of postoperative FEV1.     

Reconstruction of upper digestive tract: reducing morbidity by laparoscopic pull-up.

BACKGROUND: Gastric pull-up is a useful method for reconstruction of the upper digestive tract, with considerable morbidity/mortality, especially in esophageal cancers (EC). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experience of a multidisciplinary team with a laparoscopic gastric pull-up (LGPU) method, with or without thoracoscopy, in a series of 120 patients with EC. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2004, 120 EC [cervical/cervicothoracic (3.0%), middle third (15.0%), and inferior third (82.0%)]. Most were squamous cell carcinomas (47.0%) and adenocarcinomas (34.0%). Stomach was dissected and mobilized exclusively by laparoscopy. Occasionally, laparoscopic approach was extended cranially, until connecting with cervical dissection. In other cases, dissection of thoracic esophagus was accomplished through a thoracoscopic approach. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (68.0%) had LGPU; 39 (32.0%) needed thoracoscopy. Mortality was 5.9%. Complications were fistula (10.0%) and pneumonia (10.0%). All fistulae closed spontaneously; 89.2% of patients could swallow a normal oral diet. CONCLUSION: Low morbidity/mortality of LGPU for EC compared favorably with conventional techniques.     

胃镜取上消化道异物112例体会

我院从2000年至2005年,共用电子胃镜取上消化道异物112例,经急诊胃镜取出104例,失败2例,效果良好。胃镜取异物具有方便快捷、价廉、创伤小等优点,值得推广,现将取得的经验操作体会报告如下。1资料与方法1.1一般资料本组中男74例,女38例,年龄2岁~65岁,平均年龄42岁,10岁以下儿童为17例,112例中咽部异物17例,均为鱼刺,食道异物35例,胃内异物56例,十二指肠球部异物2例,降部异物2例,除外咽部17例鱼刺,所剩95例中难取异物44例,其中带钩义齿11例,刀片8例,玻璃片6例,铁片3例,铁钉2例,铁勺2例,戒指2例,枣核1例,牙刷4例,方便筷2例,围棋3例。1.2器械OLYMPUS电子胃镜、活检钳、鼠齿钳、网篮、胃镜套管、自制的内镜前端保护套(制作方法:将避孕套前端剪开尾端固定在镜头前方1cm并反折,用一皮圈固定外接一拉线,使用石蜡油润滑)。1.3操作方法1.3.1术前准备详细询问病史,了解异物的大小、形状、材质,并行拍片进一步了解有无气腹症及异物所处位置及性状。对锐利者准备好保护装置,胃内食物较多者嘱其平卧,禁食水,保持平静,必要时用X线透视动态了解异物是否移动。1.3.2麻醉采用利多卡因...     

Biochemical changes after a qigong program: lipids, serum enzymes, urea, and creatinine in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of a qigong training program on blood biochemical parameters. MATERIAL/METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy subjects participated in the study of whom 16 were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 13 to the control. The experimental subjects underwent daily qigong training for one month. Blood samples for the quantification of biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, phospholipids, GOT, GPT, GGT, urea, creatinine) were taken before and after the training program. As statistical analysis, ANCOVA was performed. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found showing that the experimental group had lower serum levels of GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic-pyruvic transaminase), and urea and that there was a trend towards significance in GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that after practicing qigong for the short period of one month, noteworthy changes in several blood biochemical parameters were induced. While it is tempting to speculate on the relevance and implications of these biochemical variations, further investigation is needed to elucidate the scope of these findings.     

Hepatotoxicity in HIV-infected children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Adverse drug reactions are a significant problem in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We determined liver enzyme elevation frequencies in HIV-infected children and adolescents receiving ART, and their association with risk factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study, at the Pediatrics Immunodeficiency Division, University Hospital, Universidade Estadual de Campinas. METHODS: Medical records of 152 children and adolescents (54.6% male; median age 7.48 years) were analyzed, with a mean of 2.6 liver enzyme determinations per patient. Clinically, patients were classified in categories N (6), A (29), B (78) and C (39). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were evaluated. Hepatotoxicity was scored as grade 1 (1.1-4.9 times upper limit of normality, ULN), grade 2 (5.0-9.9 times ULN), grade 3 (10.0-15.0 times ULN) and grade 4 (> 15.0 times ULN). To assess hepatotoxicity risk factors, odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for age, gender, TCD4+ cell count, viral load and medication usage were calculated. RESULTS: We observed grade 1 hepatotoxicity in 19.7 % (30/152) patients. No cases of grade 2, 3 or 4 were detected. There was a significant association between hepatotoxicity and use of sulfonamides (OR, 3.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-8.70; aOR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.44-8.85) and antituberculous agents (OR, 9.23; 95% CI, 1.60-53.08; aOR, 9.05; 95% CI, 1.48-55.25). No toxicity was associated with ART. CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of patients experienced mild hepatotoxicity, attributed to antituberculous agents and sulfonamides. Our results suggest that ART was well tolerated.     

大鼠腹裂模型肠管损伤的研究

目的研究先天性腹裂的肠管受损害情况，探讨该病术后并发症的原因。方法利用大鼠腹裂模型，运用组织学、生化学和免疫组织化学方法，分析腹裂胎鼠肠管的组织结构，DNA和蛋白质，细胞增生和凋亡等方面的改变。结果共获得腹裂胎鼠16只，对照胎鼠21只。与对照组相比，腹裂鼠肠管变短、充血水肿、粘连，肠壁表面纤维覆盖，壁内胶原沉积，DNA总量下降，蛋白质总量基本不变，细胞增生率下降，凋亡率上升。结论腹裂的肠管损伤是多方面的，是术后肠管运动和吸收功能异常的原因，大鼠的腹裂模型是对先天性腹裂的病因、病理等方面研究的合适工具。