Treatment versus no treatment in chronic open angle glaucoma

In a controlled randomized study 15 patients (20 eyes) with chronic open angle glaucoma and visual field defects were followed by greater than 1 year, 12 of them were followed for 3 years. Half of the group were untreated controls, the other half treated with pressure reducing medical therapy. At least 5 consecutive computerized visual fields were recorded (COMPETER) on each eye, and the linear regression coefficient was calculated. With the reservation for uncontrolled compliance no significant difference in the line of favourable effect of pressure reduction could be spotted, in spite of an average pressure reduction in the treated group of 4 mmHg. More important than this result, which is open to criticism for the smallness of the material, uncontrolled compliance etc, is the lesson that a randomized experiment with treated and non-treated glaucoma cases carried out in accordance with the Helsingfors convention is hardly feasible.     

Elimination of antibiotic-resistant plasmids by quinolone antibiotics

Of 7 plasmids we tested, the plasmid pORF2 was eliminated in vitro with the most efficiency by treatment with subinhibitory concentrations of novobiocin, coumermycin and 10 quinolones. It showed a cure rate of 43% by enoxacin; 12% by novobiocin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin and CI-934; 7% by coumermycin and ofloxacin; 9% by amifloxacin; and 4% by AM-833. On the other hand, pSC194, pBR322 and pMH612 were poorly cured in vitro by quinolones, except pSC194 which was cured 33% by enoxacin. R1, pP1603, and pUB110 were unaffected by the treatment. Mice were challenged intraperitoneally with a 2XLD50 of Escherichia coli carrying the ORF2 plasmid and were treated per os with 1 X or 1/2 X ED50 of either enoxacin or CI-934. The frequency of loss of ampicillin resistance determined 3 h after treatment shows curing effects of 92% for CI-934, 89% for enoxacin and 20% for untreated control.     

Brain mechanisms in the control of food intake—30 years on

Do brain systems exist which control not only increases or decreases in food intake, but also bring about specific changes in the size and distribution of meals consumed, alter the selection of particular macronutrients and adjust feeding responses to the perceived pleasantness (hedonic value) of the food? A cautious yes can be given to each of these questions. Moreover, since most experimental work has been carried out on the brains of animals, we can also ask how well these animal data relate to the human condition; given the methodological issues involved in making such inferences, the answer is remarkably well.     

地塞米松促胎儿肺成熟的三种用药方式对母体糖代谢的影响

【目的】探讨地塞米松的用药方式对孕妇糖代谢的影响。【方法】对 1999年 9月至 2 0 0 1年 1月在本院住院的15 0名不同用药方式使用地塞米松促胎儿肺成熟的孕妇进行研究 ,在用药前及用药后 18～ 2 4h抽取肘前静脉血查空腹血糖、血浆C肽 ,糖负荷后 2h血糖、血浆C肽。【结果】使用地塞米松后 ,空腹血糖值、糖负荷后 2h血糖值、空腹C肽及糖负荷后 2hC肽值较用药前高 ;用药方式对母体空腹血糖值和空腹C肽值的影响差异无统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 ) ,对母体糖负荷后 2h血糖值和糖负荷后 2hC肽值的影响差异有统计学意义 (P <0 0 5 ) ;不同糖代谢状态的受试者使用地塞米松后 ,空腹C肽值、糖负荷后 2hC肽值的改变差异有统计学意义 (P <0 0 5 )。【结论】孕妇使用地塞米松促胎儿肺成熟对母体的糖代谢均有一定程度的影响 ,用药过程中和用药后需严密监测母体血糖和胎儿宫内状况     

A Comparison Between Recipients Receiving Matched Kidney and Those Receiving Mismatched Kidney from the Same Cadaver Donor

The optimal allocation of cadaveric kidneys for transplantation with reference to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match and sharing these organs to a distant center remains controversial. The current analysis was performed using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database for cadaveric kidney transplants (Tx) between 1988 and 1997. The graft survivals of zero-mismatch (matched) kidneys with the mate (mismatched) kidneys were compared. There were 2385 donors and 4770 Tx. Significant differences in recipient demographics between matched and mismatched Tx were: fewer African-American race (AA) in the matched group (9.0% vs. 21.9%), higher number of previous Tx (25.5% vs. 14.8%) and elevated mean cold ischemia time (24.0 vs. 22.2 h). Post-Tx dialysis requirements were similar (22.8% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.62) and matched kidneys had to travel more distance (920 vs. 232 miles). Using a Cox model, the matched group had a decreased relative hazard of graft failure of 23.0% (p = 0.0002) or 35% (p < 0.0001) with and without censoring for death. There was significantly better graft survival in the matched recipients in all pairs except AA (matched) and non-AA (mismatched). For older donors (> or = 50 years, n = 1508), the matched grafts survival was marginally significant (p =0.05). Matched kidneys have improved survival compared with the mismatched kidneys despite the longer distance traveled. The benefit of mismatched transplants was predominantly seen in non-AA.