Comparison of L-baclofen and racemic baclofen in trigeminal neuralgia

L-Baclofen was compared with racemic baclofen (Lioresal) in a double-blind crossover trial in 15 patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia. L-Baclofen was more effective than five times as much racemic baclofen in nine patients. Six of these nine patients have continued pain-free on L-baclofen for 4 to 17 months (mean, 10 months). L-Baclofen was much better tolerated than racemic baclofen. Our results suggest that L-baclofen represents a significant improvement over racemic baclofen in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, and support our laboratory observations indicating that D-baclofen antagonizes the action of L-baclofen.     

The relation of self-reports of hypnotic depth in self-hypnosis to hypnotizability and imagery production

The relationship of self-reports of hypnotic depth obtained during self-hypnosis to hypnotizability and to the kinds of imagery produced during self-hypnosis is investigated. The sample consisted of 22 highly hypnotizable Ss who practiced self-hypnosis in 1-hour daily sessions for 4 weeks and kept daily journals in which they detailed the contents of their self-hypnosis experiences. The journals were coded for imagery production by scoring for both reality-oriented and primary process imagery. Ss had been taught to monitor their hypnotic depth using a slightly revised version of the Extended North Carolina Scale (ENCS) of Tart (1979). Previously, ENCS has been used only with heterohypnotic Ss. The self-reports of depth using ENCS correlated highly with hypnotizability as measured by the Revised Stanford Profile Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility. Form I of Weitzenhoffer and Hilgard (1967) and with imagery production. Results demonstrate that ENCS scores are also a valid indicator of self-hypnotic depth among highly hypnotizable Ss. Furthermore, they indicate that both hetero-hypnotizability and imagery production are related to self-hypnotic depth, but that the association between imagery and hypnotizability is due to their individual relationships to self-hypnotic depth.     

A computer-assisted management information system for nutrition services

A computer-assisted management information system was created to facilitate effective management of clinical nutrition services and labor resources in a 330-bed teaching and research hospital. Standards were developed for the quality and quantity of nutrition care, time required to provide nutrition care, and utilization of dietitians' time. Computer software was developed to report the volume of services provided, the need for services, and the utilization of labor hours. Data were evaluated to determine whether services were consistent with standards and to calculate a recommended number of clinical dietitian full-time equivalents for the hospital. Furthermore, the management information system was instrumental in developing a fee-for-service structure, for evenly distributing work loads among dietitians, and for monitoring adherence to standards of care.     

Densely calcified gallstone treated successfully with piezoelectric lithotripsy

A patient with biliary pain and a densely calcified gallbladder stone was treated successfully with piezoelectric extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. The gallstone was fragmented to particles of less than 1-2 mm in diameter in a single 1-h session. The procedure was performed in the outpatient setting and required no anesthesia or analgesia. Follow-up sonograms showed that clearance of residual fragments from the gallbladder had occurred within 1 wk. Our encouraging treatment result suggests the need for future research to be directed towards broadening the currently recommended criteria for biliary lithotripsy, which currently exclude treatment of densely calcified gallstones.     

低血糖指数膳食改善超重老年糖尿病患者氧化应激水平

目的:观察低血糖指数的膳食对2型糖尿病患者氧化应激状态的影响。方法:2004-10/11在上海市静安区二个社区卫生服务中心招募受试者,经医生明确诊断为2型糖尿病、病程超过6个月,体质量指数≥24kg/m2的老年糖尿病志愿者43名,受试者对试验知情同意。采用随机交叉试验随机分配至低血糖指数饮食组和高血糖指数饮食组,每种膳食分别连续使用4周,间隔洗脱期4周,比较试验前后患者超氧化物歧化酶、脂质过氧化产物丙二醛和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶含量的变化。结果:受试者依从性好,除1人因试验期间发现肿瘤而退出试验,42名志愿者按设计要求完成试验。膳食干预后低血糖指数饮食组和高血糖指数饮食组的超氧化物歧化酶活力分别升高了15.68%和21.33%,丙二醛水平分别下降23.94%和21.55%,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力分别升高了15.74%和17.09%;干预后低血糖指数饮食组丙二醛下降水平与高血糖指数饮食组比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05),而超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性两组间差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论:在控制总能量的基础上给予平衡膳食能够改善其氧化应激水平,采用低血糖指数食物有助于氧化应激水平的改善。     

机械力学对体外骨髓间充质干细胞的影响

目的:分析力学刺激体外骨髓间充质干细胞所产生增殖分化等生物学效应的影响及其力化学信号转导途径。资料来源:因特网上检索PubMed数据库中2000-01/2006-06期间有关力学刺激对骨髓干细胞作用效应进展的英文文章,检索词“stem cel1,marrow mesenchymal stem cells,mechanical stimulation,stress”,同时检索CNKI中国知网医学文献数据库2000-01/2006-06期间的相关文章,检索词为“干细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞、机械刺激、应力”。资料选择:对资料进行筛选,选取相关文章查找全文。纳入标准:①骨髓间充质干细胞相关生物学特性。②体外细胞加载的应力分类及相应力学装置的特点。③应力对细胞影响的研究。④能获取文章的全文。排除标准:①较陈旧的文献。②重复研究。资料提炼:共收集关于86篇体外骨髓干细胞及力学干预的相关文献。其中30篇符合纳入标准。资料综合:①骨髓干细胞具有高度增殖及多向分化能力,可通过体外培养、干预作为细胞组织工程的理想种子细胞。②力学刺激是体外调节细胞生物学效应的重要途径,其中力学分类有:流体切应力、静止压应力、张应力、离心力以及单个细胞的吸吮力等,介绍各种力以及相应的力学装置的特点。③骨髓干细胞加载各种应力干预后产生的生物学效应,以及细胞应力学刺激的机制、信号转导途径。结论:力学刺激可影响骨髓间充质干细胞生物学特性,在适当的力学刺激条件下,促进细胞的增殖与分化,为骨组织工程提供新的技术手段,同时也为临床应用牵拉成骨的骨再生过程提供理论依据。