Assessment of metallothionein and antibodies to metallothionein in normal and autistic children having exposure to vaccine-derived thimerosal

Allergic autoimmune reaction after exposure to heavy metals such as mercury may play a causal role in autism, a developmental disorder of the central nervous system. As metallothionein (MT) is the primary metal-detoxifying protein in the body, we conducted a study of the MT protein and antibodies to metallothionein (anti-MT) in normal and autistic children whose exposure to mercury was only from thimerosal-containing vaccines. Laboratory analysis by immunoassays revealed that the serum level of MT did not significantly differ between normal and autistic children. Furthermore, autistic children harboured normal levels of anti-MT, including antibodies to isoform MT-I (anti-MT-I) and MT-II (anti-MT-II), without any significant difference between normal and autistic children. Our findings indicate that because autistic children have a normal profile of MT and anti-MT, the mercury-induced autoimmunity to MT may not be implicated in the pathogenesis of autism.     

Acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a comparative biomechanical study of the palmaris-longus tendon graft reconstruction with other augmentative methods in cadaveric models

Background  

Acromioclavicular injuries are common in sports medicine. Surgical intervention is generally advocated for chronic instability of Rockwood grade III and more severe injuries. Various methods of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction and augmentation have been described. The objective of this study is to compare the biomechanical properties of a novel palmaris-longus tendon reconstruction with those of the native AC+CC ligaments, the modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction, the ACJ capsuloligamentous complex repair, screw and clavicle hook plate augmentation.     

Abdominal compartment syndrome--an old syndrome, a new perspective.

The abdominal compartment syndrome is a life threatening condition resulting from pathologic elevation of the intraabdominal pressure. Prompt diagnosis is required to avoid significant sequelae. Diagnosis of this syndrome is based on clinical findings and intra abdominal pressure monitoring. Treatment consists of decompressive laparotomy, which corrects the pathology. Various surgical techniques are described to manage the open abdomen. Despite considerable attention accorded to this disorder, it is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. This review article deals with the identification of risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment of critically ill patients with the abdominal compartment syndrome.     

Circulating testosterone in pure motor stroke

Serum LH, FSH and testosterone were quantitated in 9 patients with pure motor stroke within 24-48 h of its reported onset. High circulating LH with normal or low testosterone was noted in 8 of them. In response to an intravenous bolus of GnRH, the LH responses were exaggerated in all, but the FSH responses in 7 of them were comparable to those in eugonadal age matched controls. The rise in testosterone following 2000U hCG daily for 3 consecutive days was insignificant in the patients group compared to the controls. The data suggest normally operative pituitary testicular feed-back but decreased Leydig cell response in pure motor stroke.     

胰岛素瘤的超声诊断:与其他诊断方法比较

目的:探讨超声等方法对胰岛素瘤的定位诊断价值。材料和方法:对42例经过手术和病理证实的胰岛素瘤患者术前定位诊断的各种方法进行回顾性分析,并与其他诊断方法对比分析其各自的定位符合率。结果:定位诊断符合率分别为B超31%(13/42)、EUS55.6%(5/9)、IOUS100%(10/10)、超声引导下PTPC100%(3/3)、CT59.5%(25/42)、MRI50%(6/12)、选择性DSA27.3%(3/11)及ASVS90%(9/10)。彩超(CDUS)对胰岛素瘤良、恶性有鉴别作用。结论:遵循循序渐进原则,先后选用B超(含CDUS)、EUS、CT等已可解决80%以上的定位诊断,然后再做MRI及ASVS;对仍未作出定位者,只要定性诊断明确即有手术探查指征,因为IOUS能提供可靠的定位信息。