Intense physical activity is associated with cognitive performance in the elderly

Numerous studies have reported positive impacts of physical activity on cognitive function. However, the majority of these studies have utilised physical activity questionnaires or surveys, thus results may have been influenced by reporting biases. Through the objective measurement of routine levels of physical activity via actigraphy, we report a significant association between intensity, but not volume, of physical activity and cognitive functioning. A cohort of 217 participants (aged 60–89 years) wore an actigraphy unit for 7 consecutive days and underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. The cohort was stratified into tertiles based on physical activity intensity. Compared with individuals in the lowest tertile of physical activity intensity, those in the highest tertile scored 9%, 9%, 6% and 21% higher on the digit span, digit symbol, Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) copy and Rey Figure Test 30-min recall test, respectively. Statistically, participants in the highest tertile of physical activity intensity performed significantly better on the following cognitive tasks: digit symbol, RCFT copy and verbal fluency test (all P<0.05). The results indicate that intensity rather than quantity of physical activity may be more important in the association between physical activity and cognitive function.     

An evaluation of the Africa Midwives Research Network

Objectiveto evaluate the strengths and limitations of the Africa Midwives Research Network (AMRN) and provide feedback and direction to the network and the funding body.Designa qualitative study incorporating visits to three African countries and Sweden, using interviews, non-participant observation, an internet survey and review of records.Settingprincipally Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Sweden.FindingsAMRN can be described as a small, dispersed, loosely coupled professional network which has made considerable impact on midwifery practice in the areas of its members. The biennial scientific conferences could be perceived as AMRN's flagship activity and have been notably successful, becoming renowned internationally. Around 1500 midwives have benefited from educational programmes at regional or national level. These include research methodology, evidence-based practice, scientific writing and communication skills. Attention needs to be given to some aspects of governance and organization, as well as to communication strategies including websites and newsletters. Technical support from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has provided good collegiate support and proved to be cost effective.Key conclusionsAMRN has shown resilience and continuity since its inception and has made a palpable difference to the quality of midwifery care and the professional development of midwives within the remit of its members. AMRN needs to be consolidated before expanding further. The work of AMRN is particularly pertinent in the context of the millennium development goals.     

‘As long as the doctors know what they are doing’: trust or ambivalence about patient information among elderly men with prostate cancer?

In recent years prostate cancer has become a significant health problem worldwide with considerable social and economic consequences. Prostate cancer tends to affect older men, and by the time they reach the age of 80, about half of all men will have a form of prostate cancer. This study explored the information and support needs of men aged 75 and over with a diagnosis of prostate cancer. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 men, to develop ideas and hypotheses to try to understand why older men do not seek information or use helplines to find out about their condition. From the data it appears that some older men do not understand how the treatment for prostate cancer will impact on their quality of life, and yet do not seek further information beyond that which is provided during consultations. Indeed there appears to be certain ambivalence about finding out more information about their condition – partly because of their beliefs about the normal ageing process and partly because of the trust they have in health professionals and their overall satisfaction with the care that they receive.     

电针调整去卵巢大鼠下丘脑—垂体—卵巢轴异常 功能的生化机制

目的：观察电针对去卵巢大鼠脂肪、肝脏和及职组织芳香化酶（雌激素合成酶）活性的影响。方法：以去卵巢大鼠为实验动物模型,用改进的放射酶学法和雌二醇（E2）放射免疫分析,测定脑组织和外周脂肪组织、肝组织中芳香化酶的活性及血E2的水平。结果：去卵巢术后3－4个星期,大鼠脂肪组织、肝组织和脑组织 中的酶活性稍有升高的趋势,但无统计学差异。经电针后,脂肪和肝中的组织芳香化酶活性显著提高（P＜0．01）。同时血E2水平也比针前明显升高（P＜0．01）,而脑组织芳香化酶的活性只显示轻度升高,与针前比较,无统计学差异。电针处理后,正常组大鼠（INT）未观察到类似的变化。结论：电针可能有促进去卵巢大鼠脂肪组织和肝组织中芳香化酶活性的作用,使雄激素转化为雌激素增多,血E2水平提高。这可能是针刺调整下丘脑－垂体－卵巢轴异常功能的机制之一。     

脑神经生长素治疗老年急性脑出血的疗程与疗效的关系

目的 :探讨脑神经生长素治疗老年急性脑出血疗程与疗效的关系。方法 :将 160例患者随机分为治疗组与对照组行脑神经生长素等剂量治疗 ,治疗组 3疗程 (15d/疗程 ) ,对照组 1疗程后改用胞二磷胆碱 2个疗程 ,统计学比较疗效。结果 :治疗组有效率明显高于对照组 ,统计学处理有显著差异 (P <0 0 2 5 )。结论 :脑神经生长素的疗效随疗程的延长而明显提高     

王自立主任医师应用补阳还五汤验案举隅

补阳还五汤为清代医家王清任所创,用于治疗气虚血瘀之半身不遂。而王自立主任医师通过对原文的研究以及自己的临证经验,用该方治疗多种疑难杂症,验证于临床,取得了良好的疗效。     

红细胞免疫中RCIA活性及CIC水平在肺癌诊断中的临床价值

目的　建立红细胞免疫粘附活性 (RCIA)及循环免疫复合物水平 (CIC)测定的酶联免疫检测方法。方法　用此法同时对 2 0 2例正常人及 2 4例肺癌病人进行了检测。结果　RCIA活性正常值为 (1.5 5± 0 .90 ) ,肺癌病人为 (1.12± 0 .73)。CIC水平正常值为 (4.5 4± 2 .12 ) ,肺癌病人为 (7.0 3± 3.2 3)。结论　我们建立的测定红细胞免疫功能的方法 ,灵敏度高 ,方法简便可靠 ,适合临床推广应用     

石墨炉原子吸收法直接测定人体血清中全铁的方法

本文讨论了石墨炉原子吸收法直接测定血清铁的最佳测定条件。用该方法对109个年龄在18至20岁的的健康人测得平均值为142.98±42.08μg/100ml,其中31个女性和78个男性血清铁含量平均值分别为126.94±40.75μg/100ml和149.36±40.88μg/100ml(P<0.05),可见,血清铁含量在因性别不同而具有显著差别。该法平均回收率为103.1％,其相对标准偏差为3.9％(11次重复测定)。     

上海市1990年肺结核病三年回顾性发病调查

１９９０年，在上海市进行肺结核病流行病学抽样调查（流调）的同时，对流调的所有对象进行了１９８７年至１９９０年回顾性发病调查。以询问结合病史体检及日常登记资料为基础确定发病人数。全市活动性、菌阳、涂阳肺结核发病率分别为５４．５／１０万、２１．５／１０万和１９．４／１０万。菌阳、涂阳发病率郊县高于市区。男性发病率明显高于女性。发病率呈随年龄增高而增大的趋势，并且出现了３０岁和６０岁组的高峰。初治与复治