Development of quality of care indicators for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major cause of disability. To date, there have been no large-scale efforts to measure the quality of PD care because of a lack of quality indicators for conducting an explicit review of PD care processes. We present a set of quality indicators for PD care. Based on a structured review of the medical literature, 79 potential indicators were drafted. Through a two-round modified Delphi process, an expert panel of seven movement disorders specialists rated each indicator on criteria of validity, feasibility, impact on outcomes, room for improvement, and overall utility. Seventy-one quality indicators met validity and feasibility thresholds. Applying thresholds for impact on outcomes, room for improvement, and overall utility, a subset of 29 indicators was identified, spanning dopaminergic therapy, assessment of functional status, assessment and treatment of depression, coordination of care, and medication use. Multivariable analysis showed that overall utility ratings were driven by validity and impact on outcomes (P < 0.01). An expert panel can reach consensus on a set of highly rated quality indicators for PD care, which can be used to assess quality of PD care and guide the design of quality improvement projects.     

Status and trend of HIV-1 infection and AIDS in Taiwan, December, 1991.

From May 1, 1985 to December 31, 1991, a total of 4,962,707 serum samples from 8 population groups in Taiwan were tested for anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (anti-HIV-1). In total, 256 samples were seropositive; of these individuals, 43 developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): 29 were homosexuals; 5 were hemophiliacs; 8 were heterosexuals and 1 was of unknown risk. Although the prevalence of HIV-1 infection and AIDS remains low compared with other countries, since 1988 the increase has been rapid. Before 1977 the majority were homosexuals and hemophiliacs; thereafter the risk groups diversified, with a trend away from homosexuals and hemophiliacs towards heterosexuals and intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs). A few patients have caused serious social problems for the public, health care workers and families. Active community efforts are needed to achieve future success in the control of HIV-1 infection and AIDS in Taiwan.     

Joint capsule matrix turnover in a rabbit model of chronic joint contractures: Correlation with human contractures.

To evaluate changes in matrix molecules of the joint capsule, the right knees of 24 skeletally mature female NZW rabbits were immobilized while the contralateral limb served as an unoperated control. The immobilization was discontinued at 8 weeks and the rabbits were divided among four groups (n = 6) based on the number of weeks the right knees were remobilized: 0, 8, 16, or 32. Three rabbits (six knees) that did not have operations provided normal control joint capsules. The mRNA levels for collagen types I, II, and III, and MMP-1 and -13 were significantly increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. In contrast, the mRNA levels for TIMP-1, -2, and -3 were decreased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. The mRNA levels for lumican and decorin were increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal capsules. Many of the changes observed in this animal model are similar to those observed in human joint capsules from posttraumatic elbow contractures, supporting the value of this rabbit model.     

前列腺癌去雄激素治疗不良反应的预防和处理

目的观察去雄激素治疗前列腺癌的不良反应,并探讨其预防和治疗。方法回顾性分析1998年7月-2006年1月112例去雄激素治疗晚期前列腺癌的临床资料。结果112例患者中,97例完成了不良反应的调查。随访3-36月,去雄激素治疗后潮热、性功能障碍、病理性骨折发生率分别为46％、75％、4％;患者潮热、精神疲乏、四肢乏力、纳差症状明显加重(P<0．05);性功能明显减退(P<0．05)。12例潮热症状严重者使用抗抑郁药博乐欣(25mg,tid)1-2周症状减轻。7例有骨转移性疼痛或严重骨质疏松患者,应用唑来膦酸4mg静脉滴注,每45d一次,骨痛症状缓解。结论去雄激素对前列腺癌患者生活质量有一定影响。博乐欣可减轻患者潮热症状,唑来膦酸可预防和治疗去雄激素相关的骨质疏松并发症。     

Innervation of the trapezius muscle: is cervical contribution important to its function?

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the cervical plexus and the accessory nerve to the function of the trapezius muscle. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The neurotomies were performed in the left sides and the right sides served as within-subject controls. In group A, the accessory nerve was transected. The C2-5 were transected in group B, and both of the accessory nerve and C2-5 were cut in group C. The electrophysiologic, myophysiologic, and histologic changes of the muscles were measured. RESULTS: There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the three groups in the recovery rates of the transverse area of the muscles. The CMAP recorded from the experimental sides in group B were similar to the control sides. The values of the maximum tension of the tetanus contraction between the two sides showed no differences either (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The accessory nerve supplies the most important motor input to the trapezius. Motor innervations of the cervical plexus are not very significant.     

Influence of blood supply of the esophageal and gastric stumps on anastomotic healing after esophagogastrostomy in rabbits]

OBJECTIVE: To study how blood supply of the esophageal and gastric stumps influences the anastomotic healing after esophagogastrostomy in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-seven New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups to receive esophagogastrostomy, followed by different procedures. Except for those in group I, all the rabbits were subjected to procedures of reducing the blood supply either of the esophageal or the gastric stump (group II and group III, respectively), followed by single-layer esophagogastric anastomoses using interrupted 5-0 polypropylene sutures. Ten days after operation, all the rats were killed and the anastomotic sites excised for measurement of the inner diameter, tensile strength, and hydroxyproline concentration. RESULTS: Healing of the esophagograstric anastomosis was obtained in all the rabbits but one with anastomotic leakage in group I and one with perforation of the gastric fundus in group III. The anastomotic inner diameters were similar in all the three groups, whereas the tensile strength and hydroxyproline concentration at the anastomoses decreased in group III in comparison with the other two groups (P<0.05) that had similar measurements (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extended length of the free esophageal stump does not significantly affect anastomotic healing as decrease of blood supply in the gastric stump.     

运动性肥大心肌活细胞胞浆游离Ca2+动态变化的激光共聚焦研究以及局部IGF-Ⅰ和AngⅡ的变化

目的:研究运动与心脏重塑过程中心肌胞浆游离Ca2 ([Ca2 ]c)动态变化的生物学机制.方法:采用激光扫描共聚焦显微技术(LSCM)对STDIn Ca2 荧光试剂负载的运动肥大心肌活细胞[Ca2 ]c动态变化进行研究,采用放射免疫测定运动小鼠心肌局部IGF-Ⅰ和AngⅡ含量.结果:运动肥大心肌[Ca2 ]c变化表现为基值稳态和峰值显著升高,达峰时间延长(P＜0.001).心肌局部IGF-Ⅰ和AngⅡ显著升高(P＜0.001).结论:运动性心肌肥大与[Ca2 ]c变化、机械信号、IGF-Ⅰ和AngⅡ关系密切,机械信号、IGF-Ⅰ和AngⅡ可能是引起[Ca2 ]c显著升高,增强心肌收缩能力的胞外刺激因素.     

用酶联免疫吸附术观察向附睾注射鱼肝油酸钠后抗精子抗体的变化

本研究用酶联免疫吸附术观察8只家兔在附睾注射鱼肝油酸钠后血清及精浆中的抗精子抗体。血清抗精子抗体阳性率为37.5～50.0%,最早检出率为术后2个月,6～7月达高峰。精浆抗精子抗体阳性率为25%,最早检出率为术后4个月,且此时己达高峰。与输精管结扎资料相比,发现血清抗精子抗体检出率偏低,而精浆相应抗体偏高,表明向附睾注射鱼肝油酸钠引起的免疫反应有别于结扎,以生殖道局部为主。