Autoantibodies and levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in persons living near a hazardous waste treatment facility.

BACKGROUND: Increased autoantibody prevalence has been described in instances of high-dose exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In 1996, an equipment malfunction at the Swan Hills Treatment Centre in Alberta, Canada, caused the release of gases containing PCBs into the ambient air. In view of the immune effects of PCBs and their potential as endocrine disruptors, we assessed autoantibody prevalence and looked for correlations with PCB levels. METHODS: Fifty-seven persons living within a 100 km radius of the waste treatment facility were assessed. Autoantibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence, double immunodiffusion, and immunoblotting. The levels of 26 congeners of PCBs were measured by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Provincial health records for physician visits and hospitalizations were reviewed for diagnoses of autoimmune disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of autoantibodies was 11% in the study participants and 0% in healthy controls. There was no correlation of PCB levels with autoantibody results. There was no associated increase in autoimmune disease noted on physician visits or hospitalizations. PCB levels were comparable to background levels reported for other populations. CONCLUSION: A correlation of titers of autoantibodies in the sera of individuals at risk and the blood levels of PCBs was not found, and the prevalence of autoantibodies in the at-risk group was not statistically different (p > .05) from that of an unexposed control group. The study group had higher titers of autoantibodies and some strong reactivity with intracellular antigens, but the significance of this observation may be understood only after long-term clinical assessments and follow-up.     

Mechanism of uptake and retention of F-18 BMS-747 158-02 in cardiomyocytes: a novel PET myocardial imaging agent

Background BMS-747158-02 is a novel fluorine 18-labeled pyridazinone derivative designed for cardiac imaging. The uptake and retention mechanisms of F-18 BMS-747158-02 in cardiac myocytes were studied in vitro, and the biodistribution of F-18 BMS-747158-02 was studied in vivo in mice. Methods and Results Fluorine 19 BMS-747158-01 inhibited mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) in bovine heart submitochondrial particles with an IC₅₀ of 16.6±3 nmol/L that was comparable to the reference inhibitors of MC-1, rotenone, pyridaben, and deguelin (IC₅₀ of 18.2±6.7 nmol/L, 19.8±2.6 nmol/L, and 23.1±1.5 nmol/L, respectively). F-18 BMS-747158-02 had high uptake in monolayers of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (10.3%±0.7% of incubated drug at 60 minutes) that was inhibited by 200 nmol/L of rotenone (91%±2%) and deguelin (89%±3%). In contrast, an inactive pyridaben analog, P-0 (IC₅₀ value>4 μmol/L in MC-1 assay), did not inhibit the binding of F-18 BMS-747158-02 in cardiomyocytes. Uptake and washout kinetics for F-18 BMS-747158-02 in rat cardiomyocytes indicated that the time to half-maximal (t_1/2) uptake was very rapid (approximately 35 seconds), and washout t_1/2 for efflux of F-18 BMS-747158-02 was greater than 120 minutes. In vivo biodistribution studies in mice showed that F-18 BMS-747158-02 had substatial myocardial uptake (9.5%±0.5% of injected dose per gram) at 60 minutes and heart-to-lung and heart-to-liver ratios of 14.1±2.5 and 8.3±0.5, respectively. Positron emission tomography imaging in the mouse allowed clear cardiac visualization and demonstrated sustained myocardial uptake through 55 minutes. Conclusions F-18 BMS-747158-02 is a novel positron emission tomography cardiac tracer targeting MC-I in cardiomyocytes with rapid uptake and slow washout. These characteristics allow fast and sustained accumulation in the heart.     

输尿管口囊肿的微创手术治疗

目的评价输尿管口囊肿的微创手术治疗方法及其疗效。方法回顾性分析25例行经尿道电切（TURU）手术治疗输尿管口囊肿患者资料。男9例，女16例；年龄18—61岁，平均38岁；单侧18例，双侧7例；单纯输尿管囊肿22例，异位输尿管囊肿3例。结果25例患者手术一次成功22例，手术平均时间15min，术后平均住院3d。术后定期B超、膀胱造影随诊，随诊时间1—9年，3例异位输尿管囊肿合并重复肾、输尿管畸形患者存在术后膀胱输尿管返流，2例再次行开放手术后痊愈。结论TURU是治疗成人输尿管口囊肿的有效方法；当合并存在重复肾输尿管畸形或术后膀胱输尿管返流时，应采用输尿管膀胱抗返流手术。     

The utility of bipolar electrocautery in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

OBJECTIVE: The surgical treatment of epistaxis associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is varied. Laser therapy is often inadequate for larger complex lesions. This study sought to determine if bipolar cautery can be effectively and safely used in treating HHT-associated epistaxis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Records from all patients with HHT treated surgically over 8 years were reviewed retrospectively. Outcomes or complications were noted in the clinic on follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with HHT who underwent surgical treatment of epistaxis were evaluated; 18 were treated with bipolar cautery. Forty-two separate bipolar treatments were performed. No new septal perforations or synechiae were noted. Twenty-two of 42 treatments were coupled with ancillary laser treatments. The bipolar was also used as the sole technique in 20 procedures. CONCLUSION: Bipolar electrocautery is a safe and effective tool for the intraoperative control of HHT-related epistaxis. SIGNIFICANCE: Bipolar electrocautery may be used as an adjunct to laser techniques or as a stand-alone technique. EBM RATING: C-4.     

APTT测定值和APTT测定值比率的临床应用价值探讨

目的;探讨APIT测定值(秒)和APIT测定值比率中哪一种是更稳定、更可靠的临床应用指标。方法:将同一标本采用法国STA-Compat全自动血凝仪以及两种手工法同时测定,比较同组标本不同方法的APTT测定值(秒)和APTT测定值比率。结果:手工法(一)与法国STA-Compact全自动血凝仅比较,如APTT值以秒表示,对照组、口服抗凝剂组及肝病组病人同组标本不同方法之间存在显著性差异(P<0.01,P0.10,P>0.50,P>0.05);手工法(二)与法国STA-Compact全自动血凝仪在对照组、口服抗凝剂组及白血病组的比较中,也获得类似的结果。结论:将APTT测定值(秒)转化为病人与对照APTT测定值比率报告,使不同方法结果间更具可比性。在APTT报告的标准化方面,建议将APTT和APTT测定值比率同时报告。     

细胞移植用于心肌修复--细胞心肌成形术的研究进展

由于心肌细胞的增殖能力很低，细胞移植作为一种新的治疗方法用于改善心功能及心肌活力已受到广泛的关注。目前已有胚胎干细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞和内皮干细胞在体外诱导分化为心肌细胞；动物实验中用于心肌移植的细胞有胚胎心肌细胞、造血干细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞、骨骼肌成肌细胞、内皮干细胞、肝干细胞和神经干细胞。其中成肌细胞移植用来改善心肌梗死后的心脏功能，已有临床报道，并取得成功。     

Reduced expression of CD69 and adhesion molecules of T lymphocytes in asthmatic children receiving immunotherapy

T lymphocytes play a fundamental role in the initiation and regulation of chronic inflammatory responses in patients with asthma. CD69 is an early marker of T‐cell activation. The levels of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1, CD54) and L ‐selectin have been reported to increase in patients with allergic diseases and asthma. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the expression of CD69, CD54, and L ‐selectin by T lymphocytes of children with asthma, before and after immunotherapy. Eighteen children newly diagnosed with asthma, 11 good and nine poor responders to immunotherapy, and 16 normal subjects, were enrolled in this study. The percentages of CD69⁺, CD54⁺, and CD62L⁺ cells in T lymphocytes were measured by using flow cytometry. The levels of CD69, CD54, and CD62L in serum and culture supernatants were determined by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of CD69 and CD54 on CD3⁺ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in children with asthma than in control patients. All the patient groups expressed (spontaneously and following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin together with mite‐extract proteins) greater amounts of CD69 and CD54 than did control subjects. With long‐term immunotherapy, the percentages of CD69⁺ and CD54⁺ T lymphocytes were significantly lower in patients with a good response to immunotherapy. Our results also showed significantly lower serum L ‐selectin levels following immunotherapy. In conclusion, successful immunotherapy resulted in decreased expression and production of CD69 and CD54. These results may explain, in part, the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy.     

海岛中学生心理卫生特点及相关因素分析

目的 了解海岛中学生的心理健康状况及其相关因素。方法 随机分层整群抽取海岛城镇2243名中学生，采用自制的一般情况问卷、90项症状清单及艾森克人格问卷进行测试，用SPSS软件包进行统计分析。结果 海岛城镇中学生中的非独生子女比独生子女、高中生比初中生、女生比男生、家庭居住在渔农村比居住在城镇的中学生心理健康水平要低。他们的心理障碍的发生率和SCL-90各项因子分与国内大陆某些地区的报道有所不同，本文中学生的个性特征与SCL-90各项因子分的相关分析表明海岛城镇中学生的心理健康状况与性格的内外倾向、掩饰作用呈负相关，与心理变态倾向、情绪稳定性呈正相关。本文男女生的心理障碍的发生率为16％～47％，以强迫症状为最显著。结论海岛中学生心理障碍的发生率较高，并且与大陆其它地区中学生心理健康状况有所不同。     

脑创伤致迟发性脑梗死临床分析

目的探讨脑创伤后迟发脑梗死的发生机制,临床诊断及救治措施。方法对32例经影像学证实为颅脑创伤后迟发脑梗死患者的临床资料进行回顾分析。结果出院时按GOS标准评价:恢复良好12例、中残5例、重残4例、植物生存3例,死亡8例,其中非手术治疗20例,存活14例,死亡6例,死亡率30%;手术治疗12例,存活10例,死亡2例,死亡率17%。结论及时诊断与合理有效的治疗是提高脑创伤后迟发性脑梗死的治愈率及提高患者生存质量的关键。     

腰椎间盘突出症治疗方法与肌电图变化的相关性研究

腰椎间盘突出症(lumbar disc herniation，LDH)是导致腰腿痛的主要病因，本研究对具有典型临床症状、相应体征及MR或CT等影像学资料确诊的LDH，采用规范化非手术治疗，经规范化保守治疗无效者选用手术治疗，治疗前后均行肌电图(elec-tromyograptly，EMG)检查，旨在探讨肌电图变化与治