Retinal Laser Damage Thresholds as a Function of Image Diameter

The eyes of rhesus monkeys were exposed to argon (514.5 nm) and ruby (694.3 nm) laser irradiation using various retinal image diameters which were estimated by microphotometric techniques. The experimental design for both wavelengths produced image diameters of 40μ to 50μ for the “minimal” case and approximately 500μ to 1,000μ for the larger irradiance series employed. Extramacular retinal exposure sites were examined by ophthalmoscopic and histopathological techniques. Flat preparations of the pigmented epithelium and sensory layers of the retina were utilized in the confirmation of damage at low power levels. All data were statistically analyzed to establish trends, and results were compared for the wavelengths employed. Results indicate that retinal damage is primarily dependent on energy distribution as a function of image diameter and exposure duration.     

CVB3 Evaluation of The Costs of Coronary Heart Disease in Belgium

Comorbidity weights have become an important tool in longitudinal outcome studies. They should be tailored toward the population and the disease state under investigation.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to develop and validate a comorbidity index for ischemic stroke patients for use in longitudinal studies.
METHODS: A 5-year retrospective review of all Georgia Medicaid claims data from 1990 to 1994 was used to detect first time ischemic stroke patients. Ischemic strokes were defined by three ICD-9-CM code series (433.XX, 434.XX, and 436.XX). Comorbid conditions were measured from all claims submitted within 12 months prior the first ischemic stroke event. Half of the stroke cohort was randomly selected, and multivariate logistic regression was used to derive a mortality stroke-specific weighted-index, controlling for age and gender. The Charlson and stroke-specific indexes were then tested on the second half of the stroke cohort for their ability to predict risk of death.
RESULTS: We identified 3,784 ischemic stroke patients with a mean age of 65 years (range 40 B 102). Of all patients, 40% died within the 3-year follow-up and 73% were women. A more concise index with 7 comorbid disease states was identified. The original Charlson index has 16 comorbidities. The stepwise multiple logistic regression integer weights for the 7 comorbidities were 2 for CHF, dementia, neoplasia, and renal disease, and 6 for metastatic solid tumor, liver diseases, and AIDS. Finally, when tested on the second group, the stroke-specific index showed stepwise increases in the cumulative mortality attributable to comorbid diseases (p log rank ÷ 2 < 0.001), whereas the Charlson index did not.
CONCLUSION: This shorter stroke-specific index allows for the development of more highly discriminant comorbidity models for risk adjustment.     

Mononuclear cell therapy reverts cuff-induced thrombosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Background

The effect of an herbal formulation LI85008F on weight loss in obese human subjects was evaluated in an 8-weeks randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Clinical Trial Registration no. ISRCTN37381706). Fifty obese subjects (Body mass index 30 to 40?kg/m2, 29.3% male; 70.7% female; ages 27?C50?years) were randomized into two groups; placebo (n?=?25) and LI85008F formulation (n?=?25). The participants received either 900?mg/day of LI85008F formulation in three divided doses or three identical placebo capsules and all of them remained on a calorie-controlled diet (2000 cal/day) and 30?min walking for 5?days a week during the entire duration of the study.

Results and discussion

At the end of the trial period, LI85008F supplemented group showed significant net reductions in body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). The participants who received the herbal formulation, showed reduced fasting blood glucose, LDL, LDL/HDL ratio, and triglycerides. At the end of the study, LI85008F supplementation also provided 21.26% (p?=?0.012) increase in serum adiponectin level, compared with the placebo group. No major adverse events were reported by the participants in the study duration. In addition, Adipokine profiling study in 3T3-L1 adipocytes demonstrates that LI85008F modulates key regulatory factors of adipogenic differentiation and insulin sensitivity, such as Adiponectin, Pref-1, and resistin.

Conclusion

The herbal formulation LI85008F (Adipromin) is prepared from commonly used medicinal plants extracts, which provides useful and safe application for weight loss in obese humans. It also demonstrates potential promise in controlling healthy blood glucose level in obesity linked type 2 diabetes.     

The effectiveness of adding cognitive behavioural therapy aimed at changing lifestyle to managed diabetes care for patients with type 2 diabetes: design of a randomised controlled trial

Background  

In patients with type 2 diabetes, the risk for cardiovascular disease is substantial. To achieve a more favourable risk profile, lifestyle changes on diet, physical activity and smoking status are needed. This will involve changes in behaviour, which is difficult to achieve. Cognitive behavioural therapies focussing on self-management have been shown to be effective. We have developed an intervention combining techniques of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Problem Solving Treatment (PST). The aim of our study is to investigate if adding a combined behavioural intervention to managed care, is effective in achieving changes in lifestyle and cardiovascular risk profile.     

朝藿素D的分离和结构

从朝鲜淫羊藿(Epimedium koreanum)地上部分分离得到一新黄酮成分(I)和一已知化合物(II)。经光谱解析,证明I的结构为5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-5'-prenylflavone,命名为朝藿素D(epimedokoreanin D);II为2-hydroxy-3,4,6,7-tetramethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthren。     

Percutaneous removal of residual intrahepatic stones

In the Orient there is a high frequency of residual intrahepatic stones after biliary tract surgery. Percutaneous removal of residual intrahepatic stones was attempted in a group of 74 patients. Stones were exclusively intrahepatic in 57 patients, whereas 17 patients also had stones in the common bile duct. Biliary strictures were present in 60 cases (81%). A combination of techniques was used, including preshaped angulated catheters, irrigation-suction, balloon dilation of strictures, and crushing of large stones. In 36 cases all stones were removed and in 14 cases most stones were removed, for a success rate of 67.6%. Biliary stricture was the factor most often responsible for failure.     

Pyroglutamic acid improves the age associated memory impairment

Pyroglutamic acid (PCA) was compared with placebo in a randomized, double blind trial for assessing its efficacy in treating memory deficits in 40 aged subjects. Twenty subjects were treated with PCA and 20 with placebo over a period of 60 d. Memory functions were evaluated at baseline and after 60 d of treatment by means of a battery made up of 6 memory tasks. The results suggest that PCA is effective in improving some verbal memory functions in subjects affected by age-related memory decline.     

Presence of residual basal cell carcinoma in re-excised specimens is more probable when deep and lateral margins were positive

In order to quantify presence of residual BCC in patients with histologic positive margins after the first excison and to correlate the presence of residual tumor in re‐excised lesions with the location of the positive margin on the first excision, a retrospective evaluation of 2053 surgically treated BCC was performed. Only 38.3% of the re‐excised lesions showed residual tumor. In the group of re‐excised lesions where residual BCC was found, 13% had lateral positive margin in the first excision, 39% had deep positive margin and 48% had both lateral and deep positive margins. In the group of re‐excised lesions where no residual BCC was found, 49% of the primary excised lesions had lateral positive margin, 32% had deep positive margin and 19% had both deep and lateral positive margins. The association between residual tumor and positive margins was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Our findings confirm that presence of residual tumour is more likely when both lateral and deep margins are compromised.