青少年特发性和先天性脊柱侧凸患者的骨微结构及骨密度比较

目的探讨青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(adolescentidiopathicscoliosis,AIS)、先天性脊柱侧凸(congenitalscoliosis,CS)患者与同年龄正常人骨密度(BMD)的差异,并用高分辨率微焦点CT(microCT)扫描成像,定量研究AIS、CS患者的骨小梁形态计量学特征。方法AIS患者15例,均为女性,年龄12～19岁,Cobb角48°～104°。CS患者16例,男4例,女12例,年龄13～18岁,Cobb角40°～125°。正常对照组35例,均为女性,年龄13～16岁。正常组和术前AIS、CS患者均接受双能X线吸收骨密度仪(DEXA)扫描,评估腰椎和股骨颈BMD状况。对AIS与CS患者的髂骨进行骨形态计量学分析。结果AIS患者腰椎和股骨颈BMD低于正常人,CS患者BMD和骨量(BMC)均低于正常人。CS与AIS患者比较股骨颈BMD和BMC显著降低。microCT中的骨容积比与DEXA下的BMD显著相关。AIS骨组织体积比值(19.9%±3.4%)明显高于CS患者(13.3%±3.0%)。AIS患者骨小梁厚度和骨面积比值与CS患者比较,差异均有统计学意义,骨小梁厚度分别为(155.5±54.9)μm和(108.1±17.4)μm,骨面积比值分别为16.4%±3.3%和22.0%±3.4%。CS患者骨连接度和骨小梁数目低于AIS患者。结论AIS患者骨量低,髂骨骨小梁微结构异常,骨容积比低,骨小梁细小。CS患者BMD与骨小梁微结构均低于正常人和AIS患者。     

Endoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation under carbon dioxide bladder insufflation: a novel technique

PURPOSE: To report on a novel technique of endoscopic intravesical ureteral mobilization and cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation under carbon dioxide insufflation of the bladder (pneumovesicum) for correcting primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants and children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten boys and six girls with dilating primary VUR (7 bilateral; 23 refluxing ureters) associated with recurrent urinary-tract infections and multiple pyelonephritic renal scars underwent endoscopic Cohen's cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation with CO(2) pneumovesicum. Their ages ranged from 10 months to 13 years (mean 4.1 years). The endoscopic procedure was preceded by distention of the bladder with saline and insertion of a 5-mm Step port over the bladder dome under cystoscopic guidance. The bladder was then drained and insufflated with CO(2) to 10 to 12 mm Hg pressure with a suction catheter inserted per urethra to occlude the internal urethral meatus. A 5-mm 30 degrees endoscope was used to provide intravesical vision. Two more 3- to 5-mm working ports were inserted on the lateral bladder wall on either side. Endoscopic intravesical mobilization of the ureter, dissection of a submucosal tunnel, and a Cohen's type of crosstrigonal ureteral reimplantation using interrupted 5-0 monofilament sutures was then performed under videoscopic guidance. Bladder drainage by a urethral catheter was maintained for 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Endoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation under CO(2) pneumovesicum was successfully performed in all except one patient, who had displacement of a port into the extravesical space after completion of the ureteral reimplantation necessitating a small vesicotomy for closure of the mucosal defect. The mean operating time was 136 minutes (range 80-230 minutes), being 112 minutes for unilateral cases and 178 minutes for bilateral cases. Two boys developed mild suprapubic and scrotal emphysema postoperatively that subsided spontaneously. All other patients recovered uneventfully and remained well. Follow-up cystograms showed complete resolution of VUR in all except one unit that had persistent grade I reflux, thus giving a success rate of 96%. CONCLUSIONS: This early experience illustrates that endoscopic intravesical ureteral mobilization and crosstrigonal ureteral reimplantation can be performed safely and effectively with routine laparoscopic surgical techniques and instruments under CO(2) insufflation of the bladder, achieving a high success rate in reflux resolution that is equivalent to that obtained with the open technique but with minimal invasiveness and much faster recovery. The longer-term outcome and potential physiological effects of CO(2) pneumovesicum on the bladder and upper-tract function will need to be evaluated further.     

A randomised trial comparing conventional semen parameters,sperm DNA fragmentation levels and satisfaction levels between semen collection at home and at the clinic

The aim of the randomised trial was to compare conventional semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation levels and satisfaction levels between semen samples collected at home and at the clinic. We recruited 110 men with a history of infertility for at least 1 year from the outpatient andrology clinic. Each man collected two semen samples, one at home and one at the clinic. Men were randomly assigned into the home first (n = 55) or clinic first (n = 55) groups. The primary outcome was sperm concentration. There was no significant difference in sperm concentration, sperm DNA fragmentation levels or other conventional semen parameters between home first and clinic first samples (p > .05), while satisfaction levels were significantly higher for home first samples (p < .01). Consistent results were obtained when comparing home-collected and clinic-collected samples within individuals. Men can be offered the option to collect semen samples at home for examination or assisted reproduction without compromising semen quality, especially for those with difficulty in producing semen samples at the clinic.     

Arecoline induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity to human endothelial cells

Betel quid (BQ) chewing is a common oral habit in South Asia and Taiwan. BQ consumption may increase the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), and periodontitis as well as systemic diseases (atherosclerosis, hypertension, etc.). However, little is known about the toxic effect of BQ components on endothelial cells that play important roles for angiogenesis, carcinogenesis, tissue fibrosis, and cardiovascular diseases. EAhy 926 (EAHY) endothelial cells were exposed to arecoline, a major BQ alkaloid, for various time periods. Cytotoxicity was estimated by 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The cell cycle distribution of EAHY cells residing in sub-G0/G1, G0/G1, S-, and G2/M phases was analyzed by propidium iodide staining of cellular DNA content and flow cytometry. Some EAHY cells retracted, became round-shaped in appearance, and even detached from the culture plate after exposure to higher concentrations of arecoline (> 0.4 mM). At concentrations of 0.4 and 0.8 mM, arecoline induced significant cytotoxicity to EAHY cells. At similar concentrations, arecoline induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased sub-G0/G1 population, a hallmark of apoptosis. Interestingly, prolonged exposure to arecoline (0.1 mM) for 12 and 21 days significantly suppressed the proliferation of EAHY cells, whereas EAHY cells showed adaptation and survived when exposed to 0.05 mM arecoline. These results suggest that BQ components may contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF and BQ chewing-related cardiovascular diseases via toxicity to oral or systemic endothelial cells, leading to impairment of vascular function. During BQ chewing, endothelial damage may be induced by areca nut components and associate with the pathogenesis of OSF, periodontitis, and cardiovascular diseases.     

Safety and efficacy of topical anesthesia combined with a lower concentration of intracameral lidocaine in phacoemulsification: paired human eye study

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification under a topical anesthesia combined with intracameral lidocaine 0.5%. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, China. METHODS: A prospective randomized double-blind study was designed in which patients had phacoemulsification performed under topical anesthesia (4 drops of nonpreserved lidocaine 2%) with 0.15 mL intracameral placebo (balanced salt solution) in 1 eye (Group 1) and topical anesthesia with intracameral nonpreserved lidocaine 0.5% in the other eye (Group 2). Endothelial changes, including cell density, coefficient variation of cell size, and percentage of hexagonal cells, were measured by noncontact specular microscopy. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity was also documented. The degree of pain throughout surgery was ranked on a 10-point visual analog pain scale. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were recruited. There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative mean endothelial parameters between the 2 groups. Furthermore, mean endothelial cell loss was similar. Mild or no pain (score 0 to 1) was reported by 48.5% in Group 1 and 90.9% in Group 2. Patients reported less pain with combined topical and intracameral lidocaine anesthesia (P = .001, Mann-Whitney test). Vision was significantly improved in both groups. However, 1 patient in Group A developed vitreous loss as a result of involuntary eye movement. CONCLUSION: Combining topical anesthesia with intracameral lidocaine 0.5% [corrected] anesthesia was safe and effective in phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation.     

Risk and protective factors for wellbeing in older veterans in New Zealand

Objectives: To compare indicators relating to aging and health among veterans and non-veterans, and identify factors associated with subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older New Zealand veterans.

Methods: Self-reported data were obtained from participants in a longitudinal cohort study of New Zealand older adults. Responses from 352 veterans and 1500 non-veterans (age range of 55–86 and gender matched) were selected as a comparison group on indicators related to health and aging. The association of these indicators with veterans’ SWB were assessed using hierarchical regression.

Results: Apart from being older, smoking more, and having more chronic conditions, veterans did not differ from non-veterans on indicators of health and wellbeing. Mental health, physical health, purpose in life, housing satisfaction, and capabilities (choice and freedom) accounted for a significant amount of variance in veterans’ SWB.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that older veterans do not differ greatly on indices of health and aging from their non-veteran peers. Results support previous findings that lower mental and physical health is associated with lower SWB for veterans. Building upon prior findings, the current results demonstrate that interventions focusing on enhancing a sense of purpose in life, supporting one's capability to achieve, and strengthening social and physical environment through social connectedness, may serve as protective factors for SWB in veterans.