A randomized,double-blind trial comparing a pulse of 1000 with 250 mg methylprednisolone in rheumatoid arthritis

Summary We compared, in a double blind, randomized, 3-center study, a pulse of 1000 mg methylprednisolone with a pulse of 250 mg methylprednisolone, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Improvement of patients was similar in both groups and lasted up to 3 weeks. Side effects were minor.     

The emerging dental workforce: why dentistry? A quantitative study of final year dental students' views on their professional career

Background  

Dental graduates are joining a profession experiencing changes in systems of care, funding and skill mix. Research into the motivation and expectations of the emerging workforce is vital to inform professional and policy decisions. The objective of this research was to investigate final year dental students' perceived motivation for their choice of career in relation to sex, ethnicity and mode of entry.     

Synovial fluid hydroxyapatite crystals: detection thresholds of two methods.

A method of synovial fluid preparation giving optimal hydroxyapatite detection as well as definitions of the threshold masses of hydroxyapatite in viscous synovial fluid detectable by x ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis is reported. Use of an equal volume of 100% hydrazine with the synovial fluid optimised detection of hydroxyapatite. By x ray diffraction the threshold mass of hydroxyapatite was 500 micrograms and by scanning electron microscopy with associated energy dispersive analysis 5 micrograms.     

Cognitive deficits, vitamin status and controlled thiamine substitution in alcohol dependent patients in withdrawal treatment

Vitamin status and cognitive performance in a test battery were analyzed in 45 alcohol dependent men after admission to and after two weeks of withdrawal treatment in two psychiatric clinics. To examine the effect of thiamin substitution versus alcohol withdrawal and hospital diet alone, 23 patients received 300 mg thiamin daily, 22 patients no vitamin substitution. Thiamin substitution alone ameliorated selectively and significantly the mean marginal thiamin status. Multiple correlations between measurements of the thiamin parameter transketolase activity and test performances were found in the total study group. Thiamin substitution decreased the percentage of weak test performances, whereas the mean test performances did not differ significantly between experimental and control groups (limited in numbers). For clinical practice, thiamin substitution seems indicated during stationary withdrawal treatments, because there is no amelioration of the thiamin status with hospital diet and alcohol withdrawal alone, but there are possible correlations of thiamin deficiency and cognitive performances.     

CD63 is a component of Weibel-Palade bodies of human endothelial cells

Weibel-Palade bodies are secretory granules of vascular endothelial cells specialized in the storage of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and P- selectin, two adhesion proteins that can be rapidly mobilized to the cell surface by exocytosis in response to thrombin or other agonists. In this study, we attempted to identify additional components of Weibel- Palade bodies by raising monoclonal antibodies to these granules, purified by cell fractionation. One antibody, 2C6, was found to be specific for CD63, a membrane glycoprotein previously described in the lysosomes of platelets and other cell types. The immunopurified 2C6 antigen was recognized by an anti-CD63 reference antibody, 2.28, by Western blotting. Also, the biosynthetic profile of the 2C6 antigen in endothelial cells showed a nascent molecular mass and a glycosylation pattern identical to that of CD63. Immunofluorescence staining with 2C6 showed the lysosomes, and also elongated structures identified as Weibel-Palade bodies by their shape, distribution, and positive staining with anti-vWF antibodies, CD63 was also found by Western blotting of subcellular fractions highly enriched in Weibel-Palade bodies. Our results indicate that CD63 colocalizes with vWF and P- selectin in the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells, and together with these adhesion proteins it could be rapidly expressed on the cell surface in areas of vascular injury and inflammation.     

Effectiveness of prolonged use of continuous passive motion (CPM), as an adjunct to physiotherapy,after total knee arthroplasty

Background  

Adequate and intensive rehabilitation is an important requirement for successful total knee arthroplasty.     

体液中29种中枢神经系统药物的高效毛细管电泳系统分析方法

建立了高效毛细管电泳系统分析法,分析体液样品中29种CNS药物,作为CNS药物中毒的快速的初筛方法。血、尿样品用有机溶剂萃取,胃液直接进样。用酸、弱碱和中性3组缓冲液体系进行电泳分离。以组分与电渗流迁移时间之比的相对迁移时间和紫外吸收光谱为定性指标。最低检测浓度0.5～5μg·mL^-1。在此法基础上可增加分析品种。通用的提取方法可避免漏检,广谱分离条件便于分类,专一分离条件便于定性。本法用于实际中毒样品分析,证实所建方法操作简便、分析时间短、杂质干扰小。     

A novel system for providing compatible blood to patients during surgery: "self-service" electronic blood banking by nursing staff

BACKGROUND: A good blood bank must be able to provide compatible blood units promptly to operating room patients with minimal wastage. A "self- service" by nursing staff blood banking system that is safe, efficient, and well-accepted has been developed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Specific blood units are no longer assigned to surgical patients who have a negative pretransfusion antibody screen, irrespective of the type of surgery. A computer-generated list of the serial numbers of all group-identical blood units currently in the blood bank inventory is provided for each patient. The units themselves are not labeled with a patient's name. The group O list will be provided for group O patients, the group A list for group A patients, and so forth. Should the patient require transfusion during surgery, the operating room nurses go to the refrigerator, remove any group-identical unit, and check the serial number of the unit against the serial numbers on the patient's list. If the serial number is on that list, the blood bank will accept responsibility for compatibility. The system was implemented in 1995. RESULTS: Since implementation, a total of 2154 patients have undergone operations at this hospital. Thirty-two patients received more than 10 units of red cells each. There were no transfusion errors. The crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio was reduced from 1.67 to 1.12. Turnaround time for supplying additional or urgent units to patients in operating room was shortened from 33 to 2.5 minutes. There was no incidence of a blood unit's serial number not being on the list. Work by nurses and technical staff was reduced by nearly 50 percent. CONCLUSION: The "self-service" (by nursing staff) blood banking system described is safe and efficient. It saves staff time and can be easily set up.     

老年人平衡能力特点及评估

学术背景:平衡能力是人体的一项重要生理机能,在人类生活中有非常重要的意义.特别是老年人平衡能力下降,直接影响老年人独立生活能力,严重的会引起老年人跌倒,诱发其他疾病.目的:总结老年人平衡能力的国内外研究现状,并展望未来老年人平衡能力研究的发展方向.检索策略:应用计算机检索PubMed数据库1990-12/2007-06有关老年人平衡能力方面的文章,检索词“elderly,balance“,限定文章语言种类为English,共检索到208篇文章.同时应用计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库、万方数据库1997-12/2007-06的相关文章,检索词“老年人、平衡能力“,限定文章语言种类为中文,共检索到85篇文章.对资料进行初审,选取符合研究要求的有关文章找全文.纳入标准:①平衡能力的研究.②老年人平衡特征.③平衡能力评价.④运动干预对平衡能力的研究.排除理由:①较陈旧的文献.②重复研究.文献评价:共19个研究满足全部纳入标准,予以纳入.其中6篇为老年人平衡特征的文献、8篇平衡评价的文献、5篇运动干预老年人平衡影响的文献.资料综合:①平衡能力是人体相关系统功能的集中表现,研究影响平衡能力的前庭系统、视觉系统、躯体感觉、神经系统及肌肉-骨骼等系统功能增龄性的变化趋势,探究导致平衡能力增龄性变化的主要因素是待解决的问题.②平衡测试是定量评定平衡能力的前提,针对老年群体的特殊性,逐步寻求安全、简捷能全面反映其平衡能力的测试方法.③国内专业人员日益提高了对平衡的关注,发表的论文也较多,但由于平衡评定方法不统一,对中国人民平衡能力增龄性变化的研究没有继承性,研究国民的平衡能力增龄性变化是必要的.④众多研究表明,体育锻炼可以延缓平衡能力的衰退.但研究比较分散,运动项目比较单一,探究利于干预的运动项目以及最佳时机是待解决的热点课题.结论:建立一整套适合中国国民平衡能力评价体系,研究国民的平衡能力增龄性变化是十分有必要的,为全民健身活动中的老年人科学地进行健身提供依据.