Role of birds of prey as carriers and spreaders of Cryptococcus neoformans and other zoonotic yeasts.

In the last 20 years, cases of human cryptococcosis, have increased in immunocompromised patients. In several instances, the cases have been associated with the exposure of the patients to bird droppings. In order to investigate birds of prey as potential carriers and spreaders of Cryptococcus neoformans and other yeasts of importance in human infections, 182 swab samples were collected from the cloacae of several species of birds of prey (Group I) and 32 faecal samples from aviaries in which the birds were housed (Group II). Samples were also taken from digestive tract of 60 dead birds (Group III). A total of 454 samples were cultured from which 215 colonies of yeastlike fungi were recovered and identified. Cryptococcusneoformans var. grubii was isolated from three cloacae samples (4.8%) collected from Falco tinnunculus and from one sample (3.1%) obtained from Buteo buteo, as well as from samples collected at the aviaries in which these birds were kept. Overall, 18 samples (9.9%) from Group I, 13 (40.6%) from Group II, 12 crops (20%), three proventriculi (5%) and 12 cloacae (20%) from Group III yielded positive cultures for yeasts. The results indicate that birds of prey and in particular, F. tinnunculus and B. buteo, may act as carriers and spreaders of C. neoformans and other zoonotic yeasts.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病及肺心病中医证型与左心功能及血气分析的关系

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)及肺心病不同中医证型左心功能指标的变化及血气分析的关系。方法研究组60例,其中COPD患者33例,合并肺心病患者27例,所有患者根据中医辨证分型分为痰热壅肺证(20例)、痰湿蕴肺证(13例)、气阴两虚证(15例)和阳虚水泛证(12例);正常组15例来自本院体检正常者。研究组于入选当时按观察表详细记录患者症状、体征及舌脉情况,研究组和正常组均于48h内完成心功能检测和血气分析。比较研究组与正常组之间、研究组各证型之间心功能指标和血气分析的变化。结果(1)与正常组比较,研究组CI、ACI明显降低,STP、SVRI及TFC明显升高。(2)研究组各证型之间比较:气阴两虚与实证比较,CI明显降低,SVRI、TFC明显升高;阳虚水泛与实证比较,CI、LCWI明显降低,STR明显升高,SVRI、TFC明显升高;阳虚水泛与气阴两虚比较,只STR有明显差异。(3)各证型之间血气分析:阳虚水泛PaO2最低,其次为气阴两虚,阳虚水泛与实证比较差异明显。结论COPD及肺心病患者存在一定程度左心功能障碍,心功能指标可以作为评定COPD病情变化及证型演变的参考指标;显著的低氧血症是阳虚水泛证患者左心功能指标改变的重要原因。     

护理本科生创造性思维培训

[目的]对护理本科生实施创造性思维训练,并评估该训练方案的有效性。[方法]对20名护理本科生实施为期3个月的创造性思维培训,并与24名不接受培训者进行对照。采用《创造性思维练习》量表对培训前后学生的创造性思维进行测定。[结果]培训后实验组较对照组的创造性思维总分及流畅性得分有显著提高(P<0.05);变通性和独创性得分无统计学意义(P>0.05)。[结论]创造性思维培训对提高护理本科生创造性思维总体有效,其中对提高创造性思维的流畅性效果显著。     

92例重型肝炎并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎的诊断与治疗

目的探讨重型肝炎并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎(SBP)的诊断和抗生素使用。方法回顾性分析2002年7月~2005年6月间收治的92例并发SBP的重型肝炎患者的临床资料。结果92例患者中,发热72例(78.26%),腹胀85例(92.39%),腹痛38例(41.30%),反跳痛35例(38.04%),83例(90.21%)外周血中性粒细胞(PMN)分类≥0.75,40例(45.98%)腹水PMN计数≥250个/mm3,79例(90.80%)腹水PMN比值≥0.50,11例(12.00%)腹水细菌培养阳性,共分离出细菌17株,G-杆菌占52.9%(9/17),其对头孢曲松、头孢哌酮、头孢他啶、左旋氧氟沙星及泰能敏感,对丁胺卡那、氧哌嗪青霉素敏感性较低。临床治疗显示,联合使用头孢他啶和甲硝唑效果较好,并较少出现继发真菌感染。结论重型肝炎并发SBP患者的临床表现不典型,腹水培养阳性率低,外周血和腹水PMN比值是诊断SBP比较可靠的参数。治疗SBP,可首选二联使用头孢他啶与甲硝唑,疗程约10~14日。     

影响重型肝炎预后的因素分析

目的研究重型肝炎的各种预后因素的重要性。方法选择2000年1月至2004年12月我院收治的重型肝炎患者358例,分为好转治愈组和恶化死亡组,将两组的临床资料进行单因素和多因素分析。结果两组之间在凝血酶原活动度、肝性脑病、总胆红素和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶/丙氨酸氨基转移酶等方面有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论凝血酶原活动度、肝性脑病、总胆红素和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶/丙氨酸氨基转移酶比值等可以作为判断重型肝炎预后的指标,对指导临床有一定价值。     

How to integrate a lactation consultant in an outpatient clinic environment.

Successful efforts in improving breastfeeding initiation rates at an urban teaching hospital prompted the hospital to create a lactation consultant (LC) position in the outpatient setting to focus on breastfeeding duration. This article reviews the complexity of the clinic setting, with the challenges and benefits of the consultant's first year in one of the hospital's outpatient clinics. Preliminary data collected by the consultant suggest that patients counseled by the LC in the outpatient clinic setting have longer breastfeeding duration rates.     

A De Novo novel mutation of the EDNRB gene in a Taiwanese boy with Hirschsprung disease.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterized by an absence of ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses of the lower digestive tract. Although mutations in eight different genes (EDNRB, EDN3, ECE1, SOX10, RET, GDNF, NTN, SIP1) have been identified in affected individuals, it is now clear that RET and EDNRB are the primary genes implicated in the etiology of HSCR. All eight genes are involved in the early development of the enteric nervous system, and most act through two distinct biochemical pathways mediated by RET and EDNRB. Mutations in RET and EDNRB account for up to 50% and 5% of HSCR cases in the general population, respectively. Interaction between these two signaling pathways could modify RET expression and, therefore, HSCR phenotype. Here, we report the case of a 1-year-old Taiwanese boy who presented with abdominal distension since birth and bilious vomiting after feeding. HSCR (short-segment type) was diagnosed based on X-ray, lower gastrointestinal series and biopsy findings. Mutation analysis revealed a heterozygous T>C missense mutation in exon 1 of the EDNRB gene, that substitutes the highly conserved cysteine-90 residue in the extracellular domain of the G protein-coupled receptor with an arginine residue (C90R). No RET gene mutation was detected in this patient.