Stiles-Crawford effect of the first kind: assessment of photoreceptor alignments following dark patching

Properties of presumed mechanisms controlling photoreceptor alignments are partially defined. A phototropic mechanism normally dominates alignment, but do modest changes in orientations occur with dark patching? Here, new photopic Stiles-Crawford (SCE-I) determinations were made before patching (pre-patch), just after 8-days of dark-patching (post-patch), and 3 days after patch removal (recovery test). We tested at 0, 11 and 22 degrees in the temporal retina of both eyes. Ten eyes of adult subjects were tested. SCE-I peak positions and Stile's parameter 'rho' were assessed. Dark-patching effects were small. Observations revealed meaningful corrective alignment overshoots with recovery in the light. Results suggest (1) the presence of multiple weak mechanisms affecting receptor alignments in the dark; (2) the phototropic mechanism to be dominant in the light; (3) the need for multiple test loci to be sampled in such studies, and (4) small changes in the SCE-I in the pupil plane can reflect meaningful events occurring at the retina.     

Combined Phacoemulsification, Intraocular Lens Implantation and Trabeculectomy for Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma

Purpose: To investigate the results of combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy in Asian patients with chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG). Methods: This was a retrospective non-comparative case series of 55 consecutive patients (57 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy for CACG at the Singapore National Eye Centre between 1997–1998. The surgical outcome was assessed in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP), the incidence of complications and the visual acuity at last follow-up. Success was defined as final IOP 21 mmHg without medication and qualified success as final IOP 21 mmHg with medication. Patients with final IOP > 21 mmHg who required further glaucoma surgery, lost light perception or became pthisical, were classified as failures. The eyes were further categorized into two groups according to whether single-site or separate-sitesurgery was performed. The outcome was also compared among eyes in which per-operative antimetabolites were applied to the trabeculectomy site and those without antimetabolites. Results: The mean follow up was 22.0 ± 5.6 months (mean ± SD). Success was achieved in 46 (81%) eyes, qualified success in 10 (17%) eyes, and failure in 1 (2%) eye. In terms of IOP outcome, the success rate was similar in the two surgical groups (single-site or separate-site).There was no significant difference in IOP outcome among eyes in which per-operative antimetabolites were used and eyes with no per-operativeantimetabolites use. Forty-one eyes (72%) had 6/12 or better vision. There were no cases of intraoperative complications and the incidence of postoperative complications was low. Conclusions: Combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy is associated with good intraocular pressure control and visual outcome in patients with CACG.     

The genetics of alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Twin studies have established that there are substantial genetic influences on alcoholism (0.5-0.6) in both men and women. Our knowledge of behaviors predisposing to alcoholism, including anxiety and impulsivity, is advancing rapidly through animal and human studies. Although alcoholism is often comorbid with other substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, recent studies have shown that, with the exception of nicotine, the heritability of alcoholism is largely substance-specific. Increasing understanding of the neurobioligy of addiction has identified neural pathways in which genetic variation at candidate genes could influence vulnerability. Some functional variants of these genes have been identified. Recent linkage analyses in humans and rodents have pointed to genomic regions harboring genes that influence alcoholism. Refinement of clinical phenotypes and use of intermediate phenotypes will improve chances of gene identification. All these advances in the understanding of the genetics of alcoholism should facilitate the development of more accurately targeted therapies using molecular diagnostic approaches.     

公共场所从业人员性病、艾滋病知识需求调查

目的了解深圳市公共场所从业人员性病、艾滋病相关知识需求。探讨现阶段对公共场所从业人员性病艾滋病干预的有效措施。方法采用整群抽样方法，对公共场所从业人员进行问卷调查。结果一年中，公共场所从业人员有13．3％去过条件差的诊所注射，7．7％会去条件差的诊所拔牙；1101人（93．7％）生殖器官出现症状时会主动去正规医院就医；5．4％的人报告得过性病；34．6％的人愿意接受免费的安全套；31．9％的人想学习安全套使用的技巧；约80％的女性调查对象愿意每年进行一次妇科保健检查。结论健康教育和干预应具体化、生活化，使教育对象在日常生活中采取艾滋病（AIDS）预防措施。分析不能实行相关健康行为的主要原因：（1）受经济条件限制；（2）未掌握实行技巧。提示行为干预应注重技巧的培训，同时考虑目标人群的经济水平，为其创造相应的条件。     

A Retrospective Analysis of Prostate Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Image Registration: A Tale of Two Techniques

PurposeTo determine the feasibility of the gray-value registration technique as a correction method for prostate image-guided radiotherapy.BackgroundThe current practice at this institution involves a two-step process beginning with an automated bone registration, followed by a manual therapist manipulated registration.ProblemThis process is susceptible to subjective judgement and inter-observer variability, which introduces inconsistencies in image registrations and subsequent treatment delivery. Variation in the time required to complete image registrations may increase the chance for prostate intra-fractional movement, which may increase treatment inaccuracies.MethodsA retrospective image review was completed for 20 patients. Translational shifts and duration data for therapist registrations were retrieved for 15 scans for each patient, totaling 300 scans. Gray-value registrations were completed on the same 300 scans to recalculate shift values and the time to complete this technique was recorded. The analysis of variance test was used to analyze the extent of variance between the two registration techniques.ResultsNo difference between the two registration techniques in the lateral (right-left) direction (P = .364) and superoinferior directions (P = .455) were found. Gray-value registrations took significantly less time to complete and were more consistent than the two-step therapist registrations (P < .001). A statistically significant difference in z shifts exists (P = .003) between the two techniques.ConclusionGray-value registration can minimize and standardize the image registration durations and produce x and y shifts similar to those produced by therapists. Lacking the ability to preferentially match to the prostate-rectum interface, therapists still need to perform a simple inspection in the z (anteroposterior) plane to ensure an adequate registration to the interface.     

吉林省人体感染线中殖孔绦虫病首例报告

线中殖孔绦虫(Mesocestoides lineatus Goeze,1782)人体感染极为少见。我们于吉林省发现一患者并获得完整虫体,对其形态进行了较为详细的观察和描述,澄清了某些书刊中的不正确描述。