Reduction of sound levels with antinoise in MR imaging

A combination of active and passive techniques was used to reduce the sound levels in magnetic resonance imagers. These techniques were integrated into an existing audio system. Measurements of sound reduction varied with the protocol being used and averaged 9.9 dB with coaxial cabling and 14.2 dB with fiberoptic conduction of the feedback signal to a controller. Patient comfort and communication were improved.     

Intraepidermal nerve fiber density as a marker of early diabetic neuropathy

The purpose of the study was to reliably identify an early stage of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) by measuring injury to epidermal nerve fibers. We compared intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) at the ankle and thigh of 29 diabetic subjects who had no clinical or electrophysiological evidence of small- or large-fiber neuropathy to that of 84 healthy controls. The mean ankle IENFD of diabetic subjects was 9.1+/-5.0 mm and that of controls, 13.0+/-4.8 mm (P<0.001). The thigh IENFD did not differ significantly. The IENFD ratio (thigh IENFD divided by ankle IENFD) was 2.39+/-1.30 in diabetic subjects and 1.77+/-0.58 in controls (P<0.001), indicating a length-dependent reduction of IENFD in diabetics. Ankle IENFD remained significantly lower and the IENFD ratio higher in diabetic subjects after adjusting for age. Two subjects had parasympathetic dysfunction, two had retinopathy, and two early nephropathy. Age, height, weight, duration of diabetes, and average HbA1c did not influence IENFD among diabetic subjects. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to describe and compare the utility of various threshold values of ankle IENFD and IENFD ratio for the diagnosis of early DPN. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing DPN using ankle IENFD of less than 10 mm were 72.4% and 76.2%, respectively. Thus, asymptomatic diabetics have a measurable, length-dependent reduction of distal epidermal nerves. Analogous to microalbuminuria in diabetic nephropathy, reliable identification and quantitation of nascent diabetic neuropathy may have potential therapeutic implications.     

糖化血清蛋白测定对糖尿病监控临床意义的探讨

目的：对临床确诊糖尿病患同时测定血清葡萄糖(Glu)及糖化血清蛋白(GSP)的含量,观察二的关系,以及糖化血清蛋白水平对于评价近期(2—3周)糖尿病患血糖在体内变化的临床意义进行了观察。方法：血清葡萄糖、糖化血清蛋白测定均采用酶法测定。结果：178例糖尿病患Glu、GSP均正常3l例占17．4％;Glu、GSP均增高107例占60．1％;Glu正常、GSP增高15例占8．43％;Glu增高、GSP正常25例占14％。结论：糖化血清蛋白的含量不受即时血糖的影响,二的变化不成比例性,对评价糖尿病患2～3周病情的控制是一项灵敏可靠的指标,尤其对于住院病人的治疗与监控有一定的意义。     

牡丹江市正常成人尿液红、白细胞定量分析参考值调查

目的尿液沉渣分析红、白细胞由传统的定性报告方式改为定量分析(××/μl).由于使用的检查方法不同,其参考值也不一样,国内目前尚未有统一的参考值,为使牡丹江市有一个统一的判断标准.方法我们对1109名健康成人其中男性591人,女性518人进行尿中红细胞及白细胞的参考值调查.方法采用国内的专用尿沉渣计数板,显微镜下计数.对体检者在统一时间清晨7点钟留取尿液20～30毫升,按统一操作规程进行操作,对不同性别的人群进行参考值的调查.结果男性红细胞x是1.12,S是1.42,95%可信界限0～3.96,参考值范围0～4/μl;男性白细胞x是1.84,是S 2.05,95%可信界限0～5.94,参考值范围0～6/μl.女性红细胞x是2.46,S是3.26,95%可信界限0～8.98,参考值范围0～9/μl;女性白细胞x是2.25,S是3.82,95%可信界限0～9.89,参考值范围0～10/μl.结论通过1109名正常成人尿液红细胞及白细胞含量的调查,建立了牡丹江市的参考值.     

Jugular venous thrombosis: MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of jugular venous thrombosis was investigated in three patients who had symptoms suggestive of this condition; the diagnosis was later confirmed by computed tomography, by venography, and clinically. Bright intraluminal signal intensity was seen throughout the course of the affected jugular vein on MR images in all three patients, in sharp contrast to the lack of signal from the corresponding site in the uninvolved venous system. Temporal changes in signal intensity from the acute to subacute stage of thrombosis were evaluated for one patient. A relative increase in signal intensity for the subacute phase was believed to be related to a decrease in the T1 relaxation time. MR may be the imaging modality of choice in the investigation of venous thrombosis.     

Is homozygous α-thalassaemia a lethal condition in the 1990s?

Two cases of homozygous α-thalassaemia who received active treatment in accordance with parental wishes are reported. One infant survived and the other, although successfully weaned off mechanical respiratory support, unexpectedly developed portal vein thrombosis and died. Homozygous a-thalassaemia, a condition previously considered to be universally fatal, and an indication for therapeutic abortion, is now potentially curable with advances in diagnostic technology and treatment. However, active management of these cases raises serious ethical questions and has major financial implications on the health-care system. Invasive prenatal and intensive postnatal interventions should remain experimental and cannot be recommended as routine clinical practice until the questions of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, and the morbidity and mortality associated with bone-marrow transplantation have been fully addressed. As a result of advances in information technology, more and more parents of affected foetuses are likely to request active treatment.