Treating acute stroke patients with intravenous tPA. The OSF stroke network experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Since the FDA approved tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in 1996 for acute ischemic stroke, few data have been obtained during the postmarketing phase, and applicability in rural hospitals does not exist. We attempt to examine the safety and outcome of intravenous tPA for acute ischemic stroke in the OSF Stroke Network. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients treated with tPA were examined from June 1996 through December 1998. Admission and discharge National Institute of Health Stroke Scales (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scales (MRS), and discharge disposition, as well as intracerebral hemorrhage and mortality rates, were compared. RESULTS: Of 20 network hospitals, 12 had the experience of administering tPA. No statistically significant differences in the variables recorded were observed for patients treated at the community hospitals versus those who received tPA at the tertiary medical center. In 35% of patients, tPA was initiated by an emergency room or primary care physician in consultation with an OSF neurologist. At discharge, 47% of the patients had minimal or no disability (MRS, 0 to 1), 44% had an NIHSS score of 0 or 1, 54% went home, 25% were transferred to in-patient rehabilitation, 12% went to a nursing or skilled-care facility, and 9% died. Intracerebral hemorrhage rate was 9%; 5% were symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: tPA can be administered safely with good outcome at community and rural hospitals. The OSF Stroke Network can serve as a model to assist small community hospitals to set up stroke programs and deliver up-to-date, acute stroke therapies.     

Comparative study of quality of life between the Chinese and Japanese adolescent populations

Researchers from Japan, China and Singapore have initiated a collaborative project, with the aim of comparing adolescent quality of life (QOL) internationally. This study presents the primary results of the investigation conducted in Beijing, China, and Kobe, Japan. The 70-item Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents (QOLQA) was developed and evaluated in Japan and China. In total, 1114 Japanese and 613 Chinese junior high school students, aged 12-15 years, completed the questionnaire. Chinese students scored significantly higher than the Japanese students in overall QOL scores and in most domains. For both groups, subjects had highest score in the independence domain and lowest in psychological domain. In terms of overall QOL score, Chinese male students ranked first, followed by Chinese girls, Japanese boys, and Japanese girls. In the Japanese group, a continuing decrease of QOL scores with age was observed without exception, but no such tendency was present in their Chinese counterparts. No parallel relationship was observed between the higher level of economic development and better quality of life. The results also suggest that mental health promotion should be a priority in improving overall quality of life of adolescents both in Japan and China.     

针灸按摩治疗慢性疲劳综合征研究进展

目的：通过综述近15年来针灸按摩治疗慢性疲劳综合征的文献，为临床治疗该病提供相应的参考资料。方法：共综合了盟篇相关文献的内容，从辨证分型、治疗方法、疗程、疗效4个方面进行了归纳总结。结论：针灸按摩治疗慢性疲劳综合征具有疗效肯定、无副作用、经济安全的特点。     

中西医结合治疗宫颈糜烂50例观察

目的：观察恒和坤净栓联合波姆红外光治疗宫项糜烂的疗效。方法：中西医结合组50例用恒和坤净检与波姆红外光治力仪联合治疗；对照组50例，单用波姆红外光治疗仪治疗。结果：中西医结合组痊愈率82％，对照组痊愈率40％。结论：中西医结合疗效较好，优于单用西医治疗。     

地肤子及其混淆品的扫描电镜与紫外法鉴别研究

分别采用扫描电镜和紫外光谱法对地肤子、藜、小藜和扫帚菜四种药材进行了比较鉴别。结果表明：扫描电镜下四种药材的胞果、毛茸、气孔和种子形态特征有较为明显的区别；紫外光谱扫描结果表明地肤子和扫帚菜无明显区别，但与藜和小藜之间有显著区别。     

益肾通脑宁治疗偏头痛的神经化学机理研究

目的：研究益肾通脑宁对大鼠脑内神经递质水平的影响。方法：皮下注射氢化可的松诱发大鼠肾阴虚，并同时灌服益肾通脑宁，测定大鼠下丘脑中DA和5-HT含量。结果：益肾通脑宁可明显增加氢化可的松肾阴虚模型大鼠下丘脑中5-HT的含量，时DA含量无明显影响。结论：益肾通脑宁可能是通过升高脑内5-HT水平而发挥治疗作用。     

卫生体制改革的目标与政策选择--国际卫生体制改革的经验与教训

引入市场机制,采取分权、分级与分类管理等政策与措施是当今国际卫生体制改革中的主流特点,由于各个国家的社会经济体制与卫生保健制度不同,这些改革政策与措施所产生的影响与效果也各具特色.因此,在深化我国卫生体制改革的进程中,借鉴国际卫生体制改革的经验与教训具有一定的现实意义.     

Pneumatization of perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and mucocele]

OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of pneumatization of perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, and to discuss the diagnosis and management of perpendicular plate mucocele (nasal septal mucocele). METHODS: The CT data from 32 patients with septal deviation were reviewed, and an unusual case of perpendicular plate mucocele was reported. RESULTS: Six cases (6/32, 18%) were found to have pneumatization of perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, with 2 located in the anterior portion (frontal-septal pneumatization), and 4 located in the posterior portion (spheno-septal pneumatization). A patient with perpendicular plate mucocele was treated by the technique of marsupialization under nasal endoscope. This patient was followed-up for 10 months without recurrence. CONCLUSION: As a kind of variation of nasal septum, the clinical significance of pneumatization of perpendicular plate should be emphasized. We reported the first case of perpendicular plate mucocele, originated possibly from the pneumatization of perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone. Marsupialization under endoscope was considered to be the initial management for this unusual disease.     

Acute fulminant invasive fungal sinusitis]

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic criterion and treatment principle of acute fulminant invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AFFS). METHODS: Six patients were diagnosed as AFFS based on history, nose, especially eye symptoms with or without fever, sinus CT and MRI, endoscopic and cytological findings in the nasal cavity. Surgical debridement was performed on 5 of 6 biopsy proven AFFS patients, one of them being amputated of the orbital content. With the original disease controlled simultaneously, 4 of 5 patients were prescribed with systemic amphotericin B or liposomal amphotericin B (1 case) and one with Itraconazole orally. One patient had not been involved with any of the anti-fungi measures. RESULT: Mucor (Zygomycetes) was identified on culture in 1 patient, Rhizopus species in 2, Aspergillus in 1, Alternaria in 1 and mixed Mucor and Rhizopus in 1. All patients were proved of tissue invasion histopathologically through biopsy. One patient died without any anti-fungi therapy on the 7th admission day, 3 patients survived for 88 days, 32 and 6 months respectively and died of original diseases (diabetes 1, leukaemia 2). One patient survived 9 months and lost for follow-up, 1 patient survived 11 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion and early endoscopic investigation through nasal cavity with fungal investigation should highly be strengthened for recognition of this disease. MRI findings should be considered as, or even more, important as that of CT scan on the early diagnoses. Extensive and aggressive surgical debridement, prompt and enough dosage of antifungal therapy intravenously, together with serious controlling of the underlying disease, all take important roles in the complete control of the disease.