Native and oxidized low-density lipoproteins enhance superoxide production from diabetic rat glomeruli

Oxygen free radicals have been implicated in mediating diabetic complications, and patients with diabetic nephropathy frequently show increased levels of circulating and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL). In the present study, we measured the superoxide production of glomeruli isolated from poorly controlled diabetic (streptozotocin) rats sacrificed 1 week and 1, and 3 months after the induction of diabetes. The animals were stimulated with native and oxidized LDL isolated from normal humans with normolipidemia. The superoxide ion was measured by using a spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that the poorly controlled diabetic rat glomeruli showed a significantly higher production of superoxide than normal glomeruli under basal conditions, and this production increased further with the progression of diabetes. Stimulation with either LDL or oxidized LDL enhanced superoxide production by diabetic glomeruli, with oxidized LDL being more potent than LDL. Our results suggest that oxidized LDL may play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy through enhanced generation of oxygen free radicals.     

Elective neck dissection or ＂watchful waiting＂： optimal management strategy for early stage NO tongue carcinoma using decision analysis techniques

Background Although tongue cancer is a common disease of the head and neck, the choice of neck treatment between elective neck dissection and ＂watchful waiting＂ remains controversial for patients with early stage NO oral tongue carcinoma. Methods On the basis of the current state of head and neck cancers a decision analysis model was created to compare two treatment strategies for early tongue cancer. Expected value （EV） was calculated according to the literature which met the defined criteria. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Results The results showed that the decision model favored elective neck dissection （EV=0.87）, over ＂watchful waiting＂ （EV=0.77）. One-way sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the outcome was influenced by regional recurrence, threshold value of 0.28 for the elective neck dissection group and 0.17 for the ＂watchful waiting＂ group, and a salvage rate threshold value 0.73 for the ＂watchful waiting＂ group. Conclusions These results suggested that elective neck dissection strategy of the neck should be applied for early stage NO oral tongue carcinoma patients with no clinical nodal metastases. When the occult lymph node metastases rate was less than 0.17 and the salvage rate was more than 0.73, ＂watchful waiting＂ strategy would be preferable.     

A Spherical Rotation Coordinate System for the Description of Three-Dimensional Joint Rotations

Three-dimensional joint rotations in human movement analysis have been mainly described by Euler/Cardan angles. Due to sequence dependence, each combination of three Euler/Cardan angles defines a single pattern of joint rotation. When the rotation pattern is unknown, it needs to be considered using a particular sequence of Euler/Cardan angles to represent joint rotations. In this paper a spherical rotation coordinate system is developed for describing three-dimensional joint rotations using a method of rotation involving two steps: a long axis rotation and a pure axial rotation. Two angles of the classical spherical coordinate system--longitude and latitude--are used to describe long axis rotations in this newly proposed coordinate system. The spherical rotation coordinate system uses a radial rotation angle to describe pure axial rotation of a limb segment whereas the classical spherical coordinate system uses a radial displacement to describe motion of a point. An application of the spherical rotation coordinate system is given to define three-dimensional rotations of the glenohumeral joint. A mathematical proof shows that the long axis rotation and axial rotation are sequence independent. Two numerical examples are investigated which demonstrate that the spherical rotation angles can be uniquely determined in both forward and inverse kinematics without considering sequences rotations.     

The relation between impairments and functional outcomes poststroke

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of initial stroke impairments on the severity of basic and higher level functional deficits over time and to determine the cumulative impact on functional deficits beyond severity of motor deficits alone. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Twelve participating hospitals in the Greater Kansas City area, as part of the Kansas City Stroke Study (October 1995-March 1998). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (n = 459) who sustained an eligible stroke were evaluated prospectively using standardized assessments at enrollment (within 14 days of stroke onset, 8.8 +/- 3.5 days). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months poststroke using the Functional Independence Measure, Barthel index, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey instruments. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of achieving independence with walking, a Barthel index of 60 or greater or 90 or greater, and independence in 3 or more IADL was significantly different for the following 4 impairment groups in descending order: motor; motor and somatosensory; motor and hemianopia; and motor, sensory, and hemianopia. Although motor severity was a strong predictor of outcome (p < .0001), the additional somatosensory and hemianopia deficits significantly (p < .05) affected time and likelihood of achieving these levels of function. CONCLUSION: Cumulative deficits poststroke affect patients' functional outcome in the first 6 months poststroke beyond the effect of motor severity alone.     

Multifrequency tympanometry in adults with otitis media with effusion

We compared the diagnostic values of multifrequency tympanometry (MFT) and conventional 226-Hz tympanometry in adults with otitis media with effusion (OME) and discuss whether the resonant frequency (RF) can be used as a reliable method in adults with OME. Prospective study was designed to compare the normal hearing group and the group with OME. In the OME group (n = 85), conductive or mixed hearing loss was found, air-bone gap was more than 10 dBHL, and acoustic reflex was not elicited. In the normal hearing group (n = 36), pure tone threshold was less than or equal to 15 dBHL and air-bone gap was less than 10 dBHL. Levene's test was used to compare the difference between the OME group and the normal hearing group on day1, day15, day30, day90, respectively. The relationship among multifrequency tympanometry, 226-Hz tympanometry and acoustic reflex test in ears recovering from OME was also investigated. A statistically significant decrease in RF value was found in ears with OME compared to normative data. In follow-up visits, both the RF values and the percentage of type A tympanograms increased while the percentage of type B and C tympanograms decreased. A high agreement between middle ear resonant frequency test and acoustic reflex test in ears recovering from OME was found. The resonant frequency test provides more detailed information than the 226-Hz tympanometry. Multifrequency tympanometry may be a more sensitive and objective diagnostic tool in adults with OME.     

干扰素β-1a治疗慢性丙型肝炎对肝纤维化的影响

目的 用干扰素β-1a(IFN-β-1a)单独或联合利巴韦林(RBV)治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者,比较治疗前后的肝组织学的变化.方法 慢性丙型肝炎患者21例,其中男14例、女7例,平均年龄(50±7)岁,随机分入IFN-β-1a单独治疗组(13例)和IFN-β-1a联合RBV治疗组(8例).共治疗24周,停药后观察24周.治疗前1年内行第1次肝组织活检,最后1次随访时(第48周)行第2次肝组织活检.对治疗前后的肝活检组织进行炎症坏死(HAI)积分、纤维化评分以及α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、Ⅲ型胶原的免疫组化染色.结果 (1)21例患者7例获得了持续病毒学应答(SVR).(2)21例患者治疗前HAI(6.6±2.2)分,治疗后(4.3±2.2)分,治疗后HAI积分有明显改善(t=4.77,P＜0.01);SVR组与非SVR组患者的HAI改善程度的差异有统计学意义(t=2.04,P＜0.05).(3)治疗前纤维化评分为(1.7±1.2)分,治疗后(1.1±1.1)分,治疗后纤维化评分较治疗前有明显改善(t=1.92,P＜0.05).SVR中有71.40%的患者获得了肝纤维化改善,未获得SVR的患者中有42.96%获得了肝纤维化改善.(4)21例患者治疗前后α-SMA和Ⅲ型胶原的表达有差异(t值分别为2.15、1.83,均P＜0.05).(5)联合治疗的患者肝组织学评分更易获得改善.(6)肝组织纤维化评分与肝组织HAI积分、α-SMA评分和Ⅲ型胶原积分光密度值之间均呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.805、0.942、0.949,均P＜0.01).结论 无论患者是否获得了病毒学应答,IFN-β-1a能有效改善慢性丙型肝炎患者的肝组织情况.α-SMA评分和Ⅲ型胶原积分光密度值能较好地反映肝纤维化程度.IFN-β-1a不仅能抗丙型肝炎病毒,还能直接抑制和扭转肝纤维化的进展.     

141位暗娼艾滋病自愿咨询检测知信行调查

目的了解暗娼人群对艾滋病自愿咨询检测的知识、态度和行为,提高其自愿咨询检测的积极性。方法采用方便抽样方法对中山市部分镇区的141位暗娼进行问卷调查。结果超过60%的被调查者不了解自愿咨询检测,实际接受过自愿咨询检测的比例仅占17.7%;但当其了解自愿咨询检测以后,表示愿意接受自愿咨询检测的比例超过70%。结论暗娼对自愿咨询检测的知晓率较低,应该加强宣传,增进暗娼人群对自愿咨询检测的了解。     

Effects of lead and noise exposures on hearing ability

Lead and noise, via different mechanisms, may damage hearing ability, and, in some cases, cause severe and irreversible damage. To explore possible independent and synergistic effects of lead and noise on auditory function, the authors conducted a cross-sectional study in two lead-battery manufacturing factories. Lead and noise were the two most common sources of occupational exposures in the factories. Blood lead level, ambient lead concentration, noise exposure level, and hearing thresholds of 339 lead-battery workers-including clerical and managerial staffs-were measured. The authors obtained demographics and working histories via an interview-based structured questionnaire. A total of 220 lead-battery workers were exposed to high levels of lead and noise; their average blood lead concentration was 56.9 microg/dl, and their average noise exposure level was 86.0 dBALeq. Multivariate analysis, in which possible risk factors of hearing ability were considered, demonstrated a significant correlation between a high, long-term lead exposure index (defined by duration of employment and ambient lead concentration) and decreased hearing ability. In contrast, such a correlation between short-term lead exposure (defined by blood lead level) and hearing ability was not significant. Furthermore, neither noise exposure level alone nor the interaction between noise exposure level and short- or long-term lead exposure was correlated significantly with hearing ability. The present study raises an important, but typically ignored, issue: lead exposure might precipitate a more severe auditory than noise-exposure effect. The preservation of workers' hearing ability requires that preventive measures be taken against noise exposure, which is as essential as measures taken against lead exposure.