The blood enzymatic antioxidative potential in bronchial asthma patients

This study aims at assessing the ability of asthma patients to defend themselves against the noxious effects of oxidative stress, known being the inflammatory nature of this disorder. As the anti-radical defence ability of the body is reflected by the antioxidative potential of blood and tissues, our study was based on the determination of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and CAT/SOD and GPx/SOD ratios in the blood. Except for SOD, the activity of which was lower in asthma patients by -34.08%, CAT and GPx had values increased by +32.18%, respectively, with a resulting increase of CAT/SOD and GPx/SOD ratios. Our data, demonstrating a change in per-oxidants/antioxidants balance in favour of the first ones, seem to suggest that in the treatment of bronchial asthma the association of some compounds with antioxidants effects would be beneficial.     

Comparison of the nuclear matrix protein 22 with voided urine cytology in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Several urinary markers for transitional cell carcinoma have been investigated, including urine cytology, bladder tumor antigen, autocrine motility factor receptor and fibrin degradation products. Unfortunately, they have poor overall sensitivity. The United States Food and Drug Administration have recently approved nuclear matrix protein (NMP 22) for the detection of occult or rapidly recurring disease after transurethral resection of bladder tumor. The objective of the current study was to assess the sensitivity of NMP 22 for the detection of bladder carcinoma, as well as to correlate the NMP 22 values with multiplicity of tumor, tumor size, configuration, stage and grade respectively. A total of 78 patients (38 with bladder cancer) provided a urine sample which was divided into appropriate aliquots for each of urine cytology and NMP 22. Comparative results demonstrate a clear superiority of NMP 22 in bladder cancer detection (52.6% vs 31.6% sensitivity), while specificity was in favor of urine cytology (100% vs 82.5%). For superficial tumors, sensitivity was 78.5% for NMP 22 and 41.6% for cytology and for invasive cancers, sensitivity was 90% for NMP 22 and 60% for cytology. Urinary NMP 22 levels were significantly correlated with tumor grade and were significantly higher in large tumors than small tumors. NMP 22 test results showed sufficient sensitivity in comparison with urine cytology for the detection of transitional cell carcinoma. However, we do not think that it is a useful tool as a substitute for endoscopic examination for the detection and surveillance in bladder cancer.     

Sports activities after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty Oxford III—What can we expect?

Purpose

Excellent long-term results have been reported for implantation of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). In many patients the desire for improvement in function often includes an aspiration to return to sports. The purpose of our study was to evaluate physical activities after medial Oxford-III (Biomet) UKA surgery.

Methods

Patients’ physical activity before and after the surgery was assessed using a self reporting questionnaire. We used the Oxford knee scoring system (OKS), the WOMAC-, the Knee society- (KSS) and the UCLA-score to assess postoperative knee function. The mean follow-up was 4.2 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1.3:1. The mean age at surgery was 65.3 years.

Results

Of the 131 patients studied 78 participated in some kind of sports before surgery (mean age 64.4 years), while 53 patients did not perform any sports (mean age 66.5 years) (p > 0.05). At follow-up the patients in the active group were significantly younger than the patients in the inactive group (p < 0.05). The majority of patients (80.1 %) returned to their level of sports activity after UKA surgery. Six patients took up sports after surgery while 15 patients stopped their sports. Among the active patients we found a shift from high- towards low-impact sports. The active patients had significantly higher scores for the OKS, KSS, WOMAC and UCLA score. The complication rate was comparable in both groups.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that a high degree of patient satisfaction in terms of sports activity can be achieved using the Oxford-III UKA for medial osteoarthritis.     

Arthroscopic meniscal repair using T-fix

We evaluated the arthroscopic meniscal repair using T-fix and present our preliminary results. The series included 47 consecutive patients who underwent meniscal repair using T-fix. Mean follow-up was 26 months (range 12-42 months). The overall number of T-fixes used in the repairs was 163, with a mean of three (range two to five) per patient. Patients were evaluated according to the modified Marshall scoring system. Results were rated as excellent in 32, good in 10, fair in 2, and poor in 3 patients. Second-look arthroscopy was performed in 18 patients as the part of our protocol. In 15 patients meniscal tears were considered to be healed, according to Henning's criteria. Six of those who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction healed completely. There were no neurovascular complications. Repair of the menisci using T-fix proved successful and reliable. In view of satisfactory functional results and the observation of healing of tears on second-look arthroscopy, we believe that preservation and repair of menisci should be attempted in appropriate cases.     

Clinical and cognitive insight in patients with acute-phase psychosis: Association with treatment and neuropsychological functioning

Background: The severity of psychopathology cannot fully explain deficits in the multi-dimensional construct of insight.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlates and associations of clinical and cognitive insight in patients in an acute phase of psychosis and to analyse the impact of acute treatment on these variables.

Methods: This study examined 47 inpatients who were recently hospitalized with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. All subjects were assessed at both admission and discharge with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Schedule for the Assessment of Insight-Expanded Version (SAI-E), Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS), and a neurocognition battery.

Results: Patients with schizophrenia gained clinical insight after treatment. Cognitive insight did not change significantly after treatment. Insight showed significant negative correlations with positive symptoms and general psychopathology, but not with negative symptoms. Clinical insight was not associated with neuropsychological functioning in this cohort.

Conclusion: Gaining clinical insight in the acute phase of illness was associated with the remission of positive symptoms, but not with neuropsychological functioning. Some significant correlations between clinical and cognitive insights were detected, which suggests that cognitive insight contributes to clinical insight but is not treatment-dependent. Long-term treatment may be required to understand the contribution of insight to the outcome of patients with schizophrenia.     

创伤及内毒素对大鼠肠屏障功能的损害

目的　探讨创伤合并感染对机体肠屏障功能的损害作用。方法　随机、对照性实验。雄性成年SD大鼠 3 5只 ,分为对照组 (Con)及肠内营养 (EN)、静脉营养 (PN)和脓血症组 (Sep)。后三组做成静脉营养模型 ,施以不同损害刺激。结果　Sep组小肠黏膜损害最重 ,内毒素导致EN、Sep组血浆中一氧化氮升高 ,分别为 10 3 .3 9、113 .3 3 μmol/L ;Sep组小肠通透性和细菌易位率增加 ,分别为 4.0 0 %和 83 .3 3 %。EN组肠屏障损害显著减轻。结论　静脉营养 1周导致大鼠小肠黏膜萎缩 ,肠通透性增加 ;内毒素加重了创伤大鼠肠屏障功能损害 ,可能与体内一氧化氮产生增多有关 ;肠道喂养显著减轻了肠屏障功能损伤     

Combined approach for far-lateral lumbar disc herniation

This study evaluated the combination of the classical interlaminar approach and the intertransverse route through a midline approach for the treatment of 18 patients with far-lateral lumbar disc herniations, as identified by magnetic resonance imaging. The patients presented with acute severe sciatica, antalgic posture, positive Lasègue sign and femoral stretch test, motor and sensory deficits, and reflex loss findings. Discectomy of all 18 patients was performed by the combined approach. Neurological outcome of all patients was excellent in the follow-up period, ranging from 5 to 8 years. This combined midline approach permits complete evacuation of the involved disc level and treatment of additional bone resection procedures. Therefore, we advocate this approach in far-lateral lumbar disc herniation cases.