Latex allergy. An not rare intraoperative event

Latex allergy has become a real problem among both surgical staff (paramedics and physicians) and patients especially pediatric patients with urogenital malformations and spina bifida. Latex allergy is produced from both natural molecules which compose the substance produced from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) and industrial additives contents in latex devices. Diagnosis of latex allergy may be carried out through a preoperative Prik-test. A characteristic of latex allergy reaction is the starting of symptoms (more than 15 minutes after allergen contact). Pathophysiology of latex allergy is the same of all allergic reactions; it is an antigen-antibody reaction and type I or II reaction may occur. There are a lot of devices that surgeons and anesthesists use in the operative theatre and that should not be used in presence of a patient with latex allergy. Guaranteed latex-free devices should always be present in store.     

窥镜下激光治疗前列腺增生症

目的 评价经尿道激光前列腺切除术（ＴＵＬＰ）的疗效及其与前列腺大小的关系。方法 回顾分析了１９８８年至１９９８年１０年,采用ＴＵＬＰ治疗的４６９例前列腺增生症患者对手术技术、手术前后的症关改善情况进行比较,并对２３３例符合条件的患者ＴＵＬＰ手术效果与前列腺大小的相关性进行了研究。结果 ４６９例患者前列腺症状评分（ＩＰＳＳ）平均值由术前的２６．７降到术后的１４．２;最大尿流率平均值由６．２ｍｌ／ｓ上     

白细胞介素12对肝癌基因治疗的实验研究

目的 研究携带白细胞介素１２（ＩＬ－１２）基因逆转录病毒载体对体内肝癌生长抑制作用,探索基因治疗肝癌新途径。方法 构建携带ＩＬ－１２的逆转录病毒载体,转染逆转录病毒包装细胞系ＰＡ３１７,应用该包装细胞对实验性肝癌大鼠进行治疗,观察抗肿瘤作用,免疫功能变化。     

Surgical treatment of Ebstein's malformation: report of 108 cases

OBJECTIVE: To review retrospectively the experience of surgical treatment of Ebstein's malformation in 108 patients. METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with Ebsteins malformation underwent surgical correction, including tricuspid valve annuloplasty in 83 patients (73.4%) and tricuspid valve replacement in 30 (5 with redo-operation). Concomitant procedure included division of the abnormal accessory conduction pathway in 8 patients. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality was 8.8%. The hospital mortality rate was 10.4% before 1990 and 5.5% after that time. There was a significant difference between the two periods (P < 0.05). The main causes of death were low cardiac output, arrhythmias and right heart failure. The mean follow-up time was 6.3 years. The heart function improved to be NYHA class I or II in 92% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention is recommended for patients with Ebstein's malformation, especially for those with symptoms and cardiac enlargement. Tricuspid valve repair should be performed if anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve well developed. However, tricuspid valve replacement is advocated if anterior leaflet is dysplastic or its origin displaced.     

The eyes of transforming growth factor-sZ1 (TGF-sZ1) transgenic mice Morphology and the development of endotoxin-induced uveitis

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFsZ) is a potent regulator of cellular growth and immune function. The authors studied ocular histology and endotoxin-induced uveitis in a TGF-sZ(1) transgenic (Tg) murine model. TGF-sZ(1) Tg mice were generated by micro injecting a gene constructed by fusing the mouse albumin enhancer/promoter and porcine TGF-sZ(1) cDNA. The eyes of Tg mice from two to 14 weeks of age were studied histologically. Tg mice, two to five weeks of age exhibited mild fragmentation of the lens fibers and retinal edema. No pathology was found from six to ten weeks of age, however, a progressive increased frequency of cataract was observed from 11 to 14 weeks of age. Plasma TGF-sZ(1) levels were much higher in Tg mice than age-matched wild type control littermates (wt). Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in six-to eight-week-old Tg and wt mice was induced by footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mice were euthanized 24 hr after LPS injection, the eyes were collected for histology and serum assayed for IL-6 and TGF-sZ(1). There was a decrease in the mean numbers of infiltrating cells in Tg mice compared to wt mice. Serum IL-6 and TGF-sZ(1) were much higher in Tg mice. The authors concluded that expression of the TGF-sZ(1) transgene in the eyes may have effect on lens growth. Overexpression of TGF-sZ(1) results in little or no effect on the development of EIU.     

New eudesmane sesquiterpene and other constituents from Artemisia mongolica

The aerial parts of Artemisia mongolica afforded the eudesmane derivative ludovicin B, two coumarins, umbelliferone and esculetin, two methoxylated flavones, eupatilin and pectolinarigenin, as well as a new eudesmane sesquiterpene, 6alpha,8alpha-dihydroxyisocostic acid methyl ester. Structures were elucidated by highfield 1D and 2D NMR techniques.     

The diagnostic and therapeutic impact of MRI: an observational multi-centre study

AIM: To provide information about the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare the findings across diagnostic groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational study of 2017 consecutive referrals for MRI of the head, spine or knee at four imaging centres. Clinicians completed questionnaires before MRI stating initial diagnoses, diagnostic confidence and treatment plans. After imaging, a second questionnaire evaluated clinicians' revised diagnosis and treatment plans in the light of imaging findings. Patients were grouped into nine diagnostic categories for analysis. Comparison between pre- and post-imaging was used to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of MRI. RESULTS: In seven of nine diagnostic groups MRI findings were associated with a diagnostic impact. Diagnoses were revised or discarded following normal MR findings and diagnostic confidence was increased by confirmative MR findings. There was no statistically significant diagnostic impact for suspected pituitary or cerebello-pontine angle lesions. In five of nine diagnostic groups (knee meniscus, knee ligament, multiple sclerosis, lumbar and cervical spine) MRI findings had a clear impact on treatment plans. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that in most diagnostic categories, MRI influences diagnosis and treatment. However, experimental studies are needed to prove that these diagnostic and therapeutic impacts lead to improved health.Hollingworth (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 825-831.     

脑梗塞偏瘫患者步行功能的重建（附74例报告）

目的 探讨脑梗塞偏瘫患者步行功能重建的康复训练方法及疗效。方法 二组均常规药物治疗外，康复组患者同时接受步行能力的康复训练。结果 康复组步行能力的恢复明显好于对照组。结论 早期坐位、站立、平衡、步行训练等一系列程序训练方法可有效恢复步行能力。     

Role of prosaposin in the male reproductive system: effect of prosaposin inactivation on the testis, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicles

SGP-1/prosaposin can be secreted or targeted to the lysosomes where it is processed into smaller saposins (A, B, C, and D) required for the hydrolysis of glycosphingolipids. The deficiency of saposins B and C results in variant forms of metachromatic leukodystrophy and Gaucher's disease, respectively, which are characterized by lysosomal storage of undegraded glycosphingolipids. In the nervous system, prosaposin presents trophic activity. A mouse model was recently developed by creating a null allele in embryonic stem cells through gene targeting to investigate the phenotypic diversity of prosaposin mutations and the involvement of this protein in lysosomal storage diseases, and for the development of therapeutic approaches. Mice homozygous mutants die at the age of 35-40 days and neurological disorders contribute to the early demise of the mutant mice. The male reproductive organs in homozygous mutants show several abnormalities, such as a decrease in testis size with reduced spermiogenesis and an involution of the prostate, seminal vesicles, and epididymis. In these animals, the blood levels of testosterone remain normal. In the prostate of homozygous mutants, only the basal epithelial cells appear to be present, while the secretory cells are absent. These findings suggest that prosaposin may be involved in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive organs, as well as, in cellular differentiation.     

常吃夜宵惹疾患

据报载,美国阿尔伯克基市的一名警察和他的飞行员居然动用警方的直升飞机去吃夜宵。警方要对这两名违纪者进行处分,但一位居民为他俩打抱不平说:“警察也得吃东西啊！” 夜宵,又称“宵夜”,是指夜里吃的点心、酒食等。有的地方也称晚饭为宵夜。 如今,随着夜生活的丰富多彩,吃夜宵己成众多俊男靓女夜生活的必备“节目”。其实,吃夜宵弊多利少,正如西洋谚语所说:“吃夜宵而死的人多于因剑而死的人。”