Infestation of Tunga penetrans in villages near Zomba Central Hospital

An outbreak of Tunga Penetrans (Jigger Flea) infestation affecting a number of villages near to a Central Hospital in Malawi is described. Due to the large number of affected individuals, high parasitic load, and extended duration of infection an alternative to the recommended approach of surgical removal of the flea was required. Benzyl benzoate paint and liquid paraffin had been used in local Primary Healthcare settings previously and topical treatment with antiparasitic agents has been advocated in the literature, particularly for severe infestation. Benzyl benzoate and liquid paraffin were applied topically to four adults with numerous jigger flea burrows, and their progress assessed regularly. After completion of 7 days of treatment patients noted that fleas were dislodging spontaneously, and that embedded parasites had not increased in size to the same extent that untreated fleas had in previous infestations. Following confirmation of the viability of its implementation in a resource-poor setting, this treatment regimen has subsequently been adopted by the local branch of the District Health Office for distribution to infected communities.     

数据驱动的三叉神经纤维束自动分割算法

目前三叉神经的纤维跟踪成像过程中普遍存在人工依赖性问题,主要包括人工绘制感兴趣区域(ROI)及手动筛选目标纤维束,导致结果的不确定性和数据误差。针对此类问题,提出一种数据驱动的三叉神经纤维自动分割算法。利用多组大脑样本的纤维数据,建立数据驱动的纤维聚类图谱,实现新样本纤维数据的自动分割,直接得到三叉神经纤维束。在实验中,选择25组青年健康人的数据作为样本数据。首先,利用FSL软件分割工具提取脑干作为ROI,进行确定性纤维跟踪。其次,通过对20组纤维数据进行多样本配准和谱聚类,创建数据驱动的纤维聚类图谱。根据三叉神经细小的特点,在建立纤维图谱过程中,通过对脑干纤维束进行二次分类来标注三叉神经纤维束。最后,选择5组青年健康人的新样本数据,将其脑干纤维数据应用纤维图谱自动分割得到三叉神经纤维束,并计算同一样本数据的自动分割结果与手动分割结果之间的加权Dice系数。结果显示,所提出的方法成功分割5组数据的三叉神经纤维束,而传统人工方法成功识别4组三叉神经纤维束,两者结果之间的加权Dice系数分别为0.865,0.939,0.824,0.942。该方法可以有效避免人为因素的影响,提高神经外科医生...     

Minactivin expression in human monocyte and macrophage populations

Adherent monolayer cultures of human blood monocytes, peritoneal macrophages, bone marrow macrophages, and colonic mucosa macrophages were examined for their ability to produce and secrete minactivin, a specific inactivator of urokinase-type plasminogen activator. All except colonic mucosa macrophages produced and secreted appreciable amounts of minactivin, but only blood monocytes were stimulated by muramyl dipeptide (adjuvant peptide) to increase production. The minactivin from each of these populations could be shown to preferentially inhibit urokinase-type plasminogen activator and not trypsin, plasmin, or "tissue"-type plasminogen activator (HPA66). A plasminogen-activating enzyme present in monocyte cultures appeared unaffected by the presence of minactivin and could be shown to be regulated independently by dexamethasone.     

Application of the Calgary-Cambridge guideline to communication skills training for nursing students practising in emergency room

目的 探讨卡尔加里-剑桥指南(下称指南)在急诊实习护生沟通技巧培训中的应用效果.方法 将急诊科实习护生63名按入科实习时间分为观察组(32例)和对照组(31例),观察组接受指南进行沟通技巧的培训,对照组接受常规沟通指导;采用护患沟通满意度调查问卷A、B卷调查两组护生所服务的患者和两组护生的沟通满意度情况.结果 观察组患者护患沟通总体满意度和11个条目(除外“保护隐私”)显著优于对照组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);观察组护生沟通总体满意度及沟通过程中的8个条目(除外“有礼貌、尊重患者”及“保护隐私”等4个条目)显著优于对照组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论 指南可有效提高急诊患者及实习护生对沟通过程的满意度.     

Shortening fasting time of children after pharyngolaryngeal operation under general anesthesia: feasibility study

目的 探讨咽喉部患儿全身麻醉术后适宜的禁食时间,促进患儿术后恢复.方法 将102例择期咽喉部全麻手术患儿(3～14岁)随机分为观察组(53例)和对照组(49例).观察组在患儿意识清醒且吞咽功能恢复的前提下2h后开始进食,先饮少量凉开水,如无误吸现象可进纯奶油冰洪淋或流质;对照组按照常规护理,即患儿麻醉清醒6h后开始进食.比较两组患儿术后6h、24h疼痛、恶心、呕吐、口渴、饥饿等不适发生率.结果 观察组患儿术后6h疼痛、恶心、口渴、饥饿不适症状发生率显著低于对照组(均P＜0.01).结论 早期进食能有效缓解咽喉部患儿全麻术后的不适症状,有利于患儿尽快恢复.