Normal obstetric ultrasound reduces the risk of Down syndrome in fetuses of older mothers

The objective of this study is to determine whether a normal fetal morphology ultrasound scan in women older than 35 years reduces the risk of aneuploidy. We reviewed the results of amniocentesis and second trimester sonogram in all women older than 35 years from 1991 to 1995. None had prior screening. We excluded fetuses with structural anomalies. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of minor markers in detecting Down syndrome and also determined the reduction in risk of a normal sonogram. Among the 2060 women older than 35 years giving birth during the study period, 16 (0.78%) delivered an infant with Down syndrome. Of the 16 fetuses, two had no prenatal testing or ultrasound, two had invasive testing but no second trimester sonogram, five had a normal sonogram and seven had one or more sonographic markers of Down syndrome. At least 17% of women older than 35 years did not participate in prenatal testing or ultrasound. Ultrasound detected Down syndrome with a sensitivity of 59% (95% confidence interval: 45–72%), a false‐positive rate of 10.6% (9.4–11.8%) and a positive predictor value of 1 in 9. The likelihood of having normal karyotype if the sonogram was normal was 0.46 (0.31–0.61). In women older than 35 years, a normal second trimester sonogram reduces the risk of Down syndrome by more than 50%. At least 17% of women older than 35 years do not participate in prenatal testing or ultrasound.     

Body mass index and age affect Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire scores in male subjects

This cross-sectional analysis evaluated the effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire scores in males. Subjects (n = 60) were recruited according to BMI status. Each completed the 51-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. The group was split at the median age to produce a “younger” and “older” group for statistical analysis. A 2-way between-groups analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of BMI on disinhibition (P = .003) and hunger (P = .041) with higher levels found in overweight males compared to healthy-weight counterparts. A significant main effect of age on hunger (P = .046) demonstrated older males were less susceptible to hunger than younger males. These insights provide a better understanding of eating behavior across the male life cycle and may assist health professionals to better guide men in weight management in the light of rising overweight/obesity.     

Vertebral body replacement system Synex in unstable burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine

A prospective longitudinal study was performed to evaluate the vertebral body replacement system Synex associated with posterior fixation in unstable burst fractures of the lumbar and thoracic spine. Within 24 months, we treated 28 patients (average age, 41 years; range, 22–64 years; 14 women, 14 men) with acute unstable burst fractures without osteoporosis of the thoracolumbar region (n=16) and the thoracic (n=3) as well as the lumbar (n=9) spine in two stages (primary dorsal transpedicular stabilization and secondary vertebral body replacement). The complications were analyzed and the postoperative follow-up result was evaluated regarding stability, bone fusion, correction loss, pain and neurological status. One patient showed a transient irritation of the lumbosacral plexus and one patient had a superficial wound infection (complication rate, 7.1%). At the follow-up examination (mean follow-up, 13 months) only in two cases a minimal loss of correction (<5°) was measured. Radiologically, 27 patients showed secure bone fusions and all patients had stability of the osteosynthesis. Most of the patients stated no or just slight pain at follow-up. Only two patients with pain to a medium degree had to take painkillers. The vertebral body replacement system Synex seems to be a good alternative for vertebral body replacement in unstable burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine since at present follow-up it shows a high rate of bone fusion and minimal loss of correction.     

Efficient high-frequency body coil for high-field MRI.

The use of body coils is favored for homogeneous excitation, and such coils are often paired with surface coils or arrays for sensitive reception in many MRI applications. While the body coil's physical size and resultant electrical length make this circuit difficult to design for any field strength, recent efforts to build efficient body coils for applications at 3T and above have been especially challenging. To meet this challenge, we developed an efficient new transverse electromagnetic (TEM) body coil and demonstrated its use in human studies at field strengths up to 4 T. Head, body, and breast images were acquired within peak power constraints of <8 kW. Bench studies indicate that these body coils are feasible to 8 T. RF shimming was used to remove a high-field-related cardiac imaging artifact in these preliminary studies. P41RR13230     

经皮椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎椎体转移癌的疗效观察

目的：观察经皮椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎椎体转移癌的效果。方法：对25例胸腰椎椎体转移癌患者的37个椎体在C型臂X线透视下经皮椎体穿刺并注入骨水泥成形，术后按疼痛缓解程度6级评定法及简明健康状况调查表（SF-36）对治疗后患者生活质量进行评估。结果：所有患者术后均未发生感染、脊髓压迫和肺栓塞等并发症。24例患者术后2～72h内疼痛得到不同程度缓解，1例多发脊柱严重破坏者术后疼痛无缓解，术后1周疼痛缓解优良率为72．0％。术后随访3～27个月，平均7个月，根据SF-36评分，患者总体生活质量评分由术前的平均232分提高到末次随访时的平均349分。结论：经皮椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎椎体转移癌安全可行，具有良好的止痛效果．能够有效改善患者的生活质量。     

Status of Women and Infants in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

Women and children bear the greatest burden in the midst of war and long‐term disasters. Complex humanitarian emergencies are characterized by social disruption, armed conflict, population displacement, collapse of public health infrastructure, and food shortages. Humanitarian assistance for refugees and internally displaced populations requires particular attention to the common issues affecting morbidity and mortality in women and infants. Gender‐based violence and reproductive health concerns are discussed within the context of populations affected by conflict and forced migration. Recommendations for midwives and women's health care providers engaging in care for women and children in complex humanitarian emergencies are discussed.     

5 106例剖宫产手术剖宫产率、指征及母儿预后分析

目的分析剖宫产率升高的原因及指征的变化以及指征与母儿预后的关系。方法对5106例剖宫产手术病例进行回顾性分析。结果平均剖宫产率33.9%,剖宫产率逐年在增加,1995年为25.78%,2003年为43.8%,2004年为40.91%,前后5年间差异有显著性(P<0.001〉。其中以社会因素及胎儿窘迫为指征的剖宫产率增加显著,两组间差异有高度显著性(P<0.01)。剖宫产的上升,围产儿窒息及死亡率并没有明显下降,且在择期剖宫产手术中,子宫切除率及产后出血率较阴道试产后手术组为高。结论剖宫产并不是绝对安全的分娩方式,剖宫产率的升高并没有明显降低围产儿窒息及死亡率。并且,择期剖宫产术的母儿预后较临产后手术母儿预后为差。剖宫产率的上升因素中以社会因素及胎儿窘迫变化最大,因此,剖宫产率的增加已不是一个单纯的医疗问题,而是一个社会问题,应引起广大社会和专家的关注。     

Disability,depression and somatization in a low back pain population

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in a primary care setting population and examine its association with the symptoms of depression and somatization. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study, utilising a survey carried out in primary health care clinics (PHCs) in Al‐Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A multistage stratified sampling design was used and a representative sample of 1304 UAE nationals aged 18–65 years who attended PHC clinics for any reason were included and 1103 (84.5%) subjects agreed to participate and responded to the questionnaire during a period from June 2001 to January 2002. A specially designed questionnaire with three parts was used for the data collection: socio‐demographic information of the studied subjects, modified version of the Roland‐Morris scale for evaluating back‐related functional disability and SCL‐90 R for depression and somatization subscales was used to assess depressive and somatic symptoms. Results: Of the total number of subjects surveyed (1103), 586 (53.1%) were men and 517 (46.9%) women. The mean age was 34.9 ± 13.4 years for men and 33.5 ± 11.8 years for women. The prevalence of LBP in the studied subjects was 64.7% (95% CI, 60.7–68.5] with 46.7% among men and 53.3% among women. There were a significant differences between the subjects with LBP and without LBP with respect to gender (P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001), occupational status (P < 0.001) and living environment (P = 0.016). Functional disability was higher in patients with LBP. Young patients in aged 15–34 years, patients with preparatory/secondary educational level and students showed higher depressive symptoms. A similar pattern was found in patients with somatic symptoms. Factor analysis revealed a strong association between depression and somatization in LBP patients. Conclusions: Functional disability was higher in with LBP. Furthermore, symptoms of depression and somatization are prevalent among LBP patients.     

出血性玻璃体混浊行玻璃体切除术后假性前房积脓分析

目的介绍一种发生于玻璃体切除术后的非感染性前房积脓现象，即假性前房积脓。方法收集我中心收治的需行玻璃体切除术的连续病例１２５０例，其中各种原因引起的玻璃体积血４１８例。术后发生假性前房积脓者７例，均为玻璃体积血者。主要治疗方法是前房冲洗及其自然吸收。结果假性前房积脓发生于术后３～５天，呈泥沙样沉积，局部抗生素及激素加强治疗无效。眼内穿刺行涂片、细菌和真菌培养未发现病原体。患者无疼痛等自觉症状及刺激征。随访时３例视力在０．０５以上。结论玻璃体积血行玻璃体切除术后可能出现假性前房积脓，须与眼内感染相鉴别。