The effect of sequel symptoms and signs of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 on upper extremity disability and quality of life

Although properly treated, patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 (CRPS type 1) of upper limb may continue to have sequel signs and symptoms of the disease in long-term. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of the sequel findings of CRPS type 1 on upper limb disability and quality of life. Thirty patients with CRPS type 1 of the upper extremity were re-evaluated for the sequel sign and symptoms of CRPS type 1 after 18 months (8–60 months). Pain, range of motion, strength, manual dexterity and touch perception thresholds of the hands, upper extremity disability [Disability of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire] and health-related quality of life [Short Form-36 (SF-36)] were measured and compared to 38 healthy controls. Of the 30 patients, only 3 patients (10%) were symptom free. Pain after use was the most frequently found symptom. Strength and range of motion of the involved hand was reduced in CRPS type 1 patients. Manual dexterity was impaired and touch perception threshold was elevated in CRPS type 1 patients. The involved upper extremities were more disabled in CRPS type 1 patients than controls. The severity of the pain, and numbness of the hands were the factors causing disability. Pain caused reduced quality of life in physical functioning. In conclusion, prolonged follow-up period and efforts to improve sensory disturbances (especially pain) may reduce the upper extremity disability and reduced quality of life in CRPS type 1 patients.     

Correlational study of the Chinese version of the executive interview (C-EXIT25) to other cognitive measures in a psychogeriatric population in Hong Kong Chinese

OBJECTIVES: This study is designed to pilot test the feasibility and correlational properties of the adapted Chinese version of Executive Interview (C-EXIT25) to other cognitive measures in a psychogeriatric population in Hong Kong Chinese. METHOD: Eighty-five community dwelling elders from different levels of residential care facilities were assessed with C-EXIT25, Cantonese version of Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE), Chinese version of Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (CDRS) and Nelson's Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST). RESULTS: The C-EXIT25 has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.7995) and inter-rater reliability (r = 0.91). The C-EXIT25 has superior correlational property to performance indices of MCST than the C-MMSE and CDRS, after adjusting for age, gender and educational level. It also discriminates among subjects at different stages on Clinical Dementia Rating. CONCLUSIONS: The C-EXIT25 is a potentially feasible and valid bedside tool for assessment of executive cognitive functions in the psychogeriatric population in Hong Kong Chinese.     

新生态环境下社科类学会的功能定位与功能培育

20世纪90年代以来,社科类学会面临以经济市场化、政治民主化和社会多元化为基本特征且迥然不同于改革初始期的新生态环境,从而导致学会功能定位不清、功能培育不足、发展不平衡性日益凸显.在现有生态环境与制度安排下,应围绕学术、自主、整合和服务这四项最基本的核心功能,实施作为业务主管单位的各级社科联与学会的双向互动,共同构成一个新生态环境下学会功能培育的推进体系.     

Coagulation dynamics and platelet functions in obstructive jaundiced patients

Background:  All of the body systems are affected by increased levels of bilirubin. The aim of this study is to investigate the function of platelets and clotting dynamics in patients with obstructive jaundice.
Methods:  Liver function tests, serum CRP, PT, PTT and hemogram were measured in 23 patients with obstructive jaundice. Thromboelastography (TEG) was done for the evaluation of coagulation dynamics, while platelet function assay (PFA 100) was used to evaluate platelet functions. Blood samples were obtained at two occasions, before the drainage and 3 weeks after the relief of the obstruction.
Results:  Hypercoagulation was detected in 80% of patients. Maximum strength, elasticity, coagulation indices of the clot were correlated with increased concentrations of direct bilirubin. Although maximum strength of coagulum usually represents increased activity of platelet function, membrane closure times with PFA 100 were found to be prolonged in 30% of patients, reduced values were determined in 17% of patients. No demonstrable effect on coagulation parameters and platelet function were detected after drainage procedures regardless of modality.
Conclusions:  Even though there is a general assumption about the increased bleeding tendency in obstructive jaundiced patients, we could not demonstrate reduced clotting activity by measuring with either PFA or TEG. On the contrary we observed tendency for hypercoagulation independent of increased prothrombin times. The most probable cause of this effect is the increased activity of fibrin polymers on platelet membrane.     

Cognitive gains in 7-month-old bilingual infants

Children exposed to bilingual input typically learn 2 languages without obvious difficulties. However, it is unclear how preverbal infants cope with the inconsistent input and how bilingualism affects early development. In 3 eye-tracking studies we show that 7-month-old infants, raised with 2 languages from birth, display improved cognitive control abilities compared with matched monolinguals. Whereas both monolinguals and bilinguals learned to respond to a speech or visual cue to anticipate a reward on one side of a screen, only bilinguals succeeded in redirecting their anticipatory looks when the cue began signaling the reward on the opposite side. Bilingual infants rapidly suppressed their looks to the first location and learned the new response. These findings show that processing representations from 2 languages leads to a domain-general enhancement of the cognitive control system well before the onset of speech.     

广州市医学会承担政府职能和委托工作情况分析

通过分析广州市医学会近六年来承担政府职能转移和完成卫生行政部门委托的工作项目的情况，探讨医学社团承担政府职能的优势、可行性和存在的一些问题。     

Early cognitive impairment: Role of clock drawing test

Background: Folstein's Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) often fails to identify executive dysfunction even if quite severe. Detailed neuropsychological tests and extensive bedside tests are available to evaluate executive function, but most of them are time consuming. This study was done to determine the value of a Clock Drawing Test (CDT) as a simple tool to identify cognitive dysfunction in various neurological disorders and to assess its utility as an adjunct to MMSE in identifying executive dysfunction in a a busy out patient department (OPD).