Quantification of naturally occurring benzodiazepine-like substances in human breast milk

The possible occurrence of benzodiazepine-like substances in human breast milk was investigated in 35 healthy, newly delivered women who were known not to be taking benzodiazepines. Maternal blood samples and a sample of breast milk were obtained on the fifth post partum day. A radioreceptor technique (lower limit of detection 1.5 ng/ml; difference between duplicates at various concentrations <7%) was used for measuring benzodiazepine-like substances in blood and breast milk (with and without prior extraction). No benzodiazepine-like substances could be demonstrated in any of the blood samples taken from the 35 women. Measurable concentrations of benzodiazepine-like substances were demonstrated in all but 1 of the 35 breast milk samples. The mean concentration of benzodiazepine-like substances for all 35 women was 4.3±2.3 ng/ml (range 0–9.3 ng/ml) expressed as lorazepam. The corresponding value for extracted breast milk was 2.6±1.5 ng/ml (range 0–7.0 ng/ml). There was no association between concentrations of benzodiazepine-like substances in breast milk and maternal age, weight, height and body mass or parity, or the sex of the infant and infant birth weight. We suggest that non-detectable amounts of benzodiazepine-like substances in serum are concentrated in the mammillary glands and excreted in a higher concentration in breast milk. It is less likely that the relevant benzodiazepines are produced in the mammillary glands.     

166例涎腺腺样囊性癌的临床病理分析

目的 分析涎腺腺样囊性癌的临床病理特点。方法 对166例涎腺腺样囊性癌行临床资料总结和HE组织学观察。结果 本组腺样囊性癌占涎腺上皮性肿瘤的11．5％，占涎腺癌的27．0％；男性略多于女性；中年以上好发；发生于小涎腺者多于大涎腺，以腭部为最常见；腺样型103例，管状型42例，实性型2l例；Ⅰ级17例，Ⅱ级128例，Ⅲ级2l例。结论 需与基底细胞腺癌、涎腺导管癌、多形性低度恶性腺癌、上皮-肌上皮癌鉴别诊断；浸润性极强是其显著特点，手术治疗以局部大块切除为主要原则。     

Salivary gland 99mTc-scintigraphy: a grading scale and correlation with major salivary gland flow rates

Sequential salivary gland scintigraphy with 99mTc-technetium pertechnetate (Tc-99) is a safe, minimally invasive test for study of major salivary glands. However, its relationship to salivary function has not been investigated in detail. We have investigated the relationship between major salivary gland flow rates and Tc-99 scans and developed a new rating scale using scans of a control group with normal salivary function. Salivary flow rates and Tc-99 scans were obtained from healthy, non-medicated subjects (n = 33) and from xerostomic patients (n = 22). There were significant differences between the groups for salivary flow rates and Tc-99 ratings. Significant correlations were found between salivary flow rates and Tc-99 ratings in the control and xerostomic groups. The Tc-99 rating scale proved reliable in assessing salivary dysfunction, and showed a high inter-examiner correlation. These results demonstrate the usefulness of salivary gland scintigraphy in assessing major salivary gland flow rates and the utility of a new rating scale.     

髂骨截骨延长术下肢延长量计算方法的探讨

髂骨截骨延长术下肢的延长量及其测算方法报道不一。根据手术的生物力学原理和肢体延长的机理,认为肢体的延长量是由患肢绝对延长和相对延长两部分组成的,它与髂骨截骨间距密切相关,经数学推算,其方法为测量X线片髂骨截骨撑开的梯形中心间距(cm),减去X线片的放大值(cm)再除以0.7;手术时髂骨需要撑开的宽度(cm)为肢体短缩数(cm)乘以0.7。经临床103例手术验证,这种计算方法是准确的。     

The biomechanics of restricted movement in adult obesity

In spite of significant advances in the knowledge and understanding of the multi-factorial nature of obesity, many questions regarding the specific consequences of the disease remain unanswered. In particular, there is a relative dearth of information pertaining to the functional limitations imposed by overweight and obesity. The limited number of studies to date have mainly focused on the effect of obesity on the temporospatial characteristics of walking, plantar foot pressures, muscular strength and, to a lesser extent, postural balance. Collectively, these studies have implied that the functional limitations imposed by the additional loading of the locomotor system in obesity result in aberrant mechanics and the potential for musculoskeletal injury. Despite the greater prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the obese, there has been surprisingly little empirical investigation pertaining to the biomechanics of activities of daily living or into the mechanical and neuromuscular factors that may predispose the obese to injury. A better appreciation of the implications of increased levels of body adiposity on the movement capabilities of the obese would afford a greater opportunity to provide meaningful support in preventing, treating and managing the condition and its sequelae. Moreover, there is an urgent need to establish the physical consequences of continued repetitive loading of major structures of the body, particularly of the lower limbs in the obese, during the diverse range of activities of daily living.     

Ultrasonography in the detection of cervical incompetency

In 80 pregnancies with clinical and ultrasonic signs of cervical incompetency, the length of the cervix and the thickness of the anterior wall of a lower uterine segment have been evaluated ultrasonically. We have also measured the width of the endocervical canal and studied the prolapse of fetal membranes (with fetal parts) into the endocervical canal. We evaluated these same parameters in 80 healthy pregnancies. The length of the cervix, the thickness of the anterior wall of a lower uterine segment, and the width of the endocervical canal were followed longitudinally in the patients from the 10th to the 36th gestation week. No statistically significant differences between age groups were found. In four age groups at risk for cervical incompetency, cervical lengths and wall thickness were significantly different (p less than 0.001) from those in comparable controls. Forty-five percent of the patients in the at-risk group, with cervical cerclage, delivered at 37.3 (range: 32 to 41) weeks and 6.25% of pregnancies ended in abortion when the amniotic membrane herniated into the cervical canal, with or without some part of the fetus.     

FASCIOCUTANEOUS ISLAND FLAPS FOR ORTHOPAEDIC MANAGEMENT IN LOWER LIMB RECONSTRUCTION USING DERMATOMAL PRECINCTS

This paper describes a technique of fasciocutaneous island flaps used in reconstruction of the lower limb. It is very versatile and some 26 individual flaps in 22 patients have been used to reconstruct skeletal and soft tissue problems from the popliteal fossa to the ankle joint. These longitudinally designed flaps made up of a trilaminate of skin, subcutaneous fat and fascia are aligned within the dermatomal precincts. The most important location for such flap design is along the peroneal compartment sitting within the L5 dermatome and incorporating the superficial peroneal nerve. It can be lengthened as far as the lateral malleolus and is an excellent reconstructive method to close defects over the lower third of the tibia. The medial compartment of the leg employing the saphenous nerve (L4 dermatome) is another area for fasciocutaneous island flap reconstruction, but use is restricted to the upper two-thirds of the tibial area. Posteriorly the island flap design sits along the S2 dermatome, this time incorporating the sural nerve to reconstruct defects of the calf and can be extended to include problems of the popliteal fossa. In the overall flap technique, the age of the patient is not a contraindication and cases with peripheral vascular disease have been treated successfully. The flaps may extend up to a 5:1 ratio in dimension. The operating time can be considerably shortened.     

Botulinum toxin injection in patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis

In an open label study, we analyzed the efficacy of botulinum toxin injection at the lower limbs of patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). Fifteen patients who showed disabling spasticity with no or poor effect of oral treatment were recruited consecutively. Botulinum toxin was injected (400 U; Botox^®) into the spastic muscles identified by clinical examination (equinus, varus, and pathological hip adduction). Patients were regularly assessed from the first day to the fifth month: spasticity (Ashworth), motor strength, range of movements, Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), gait parameter, Rivermead Motor Assessment, self-analysis of benefit and satisfaction. We observed a moderate and significant ( P  < 0.05) reduction of ankle plantar flexor and hip adductor spasticity, with a partial increase in the range of the active and passive motion at the ankle and in gait velocity. At an individual level, six of 15 patients showed an increase in gait velocity. The FAC and RMA did not change. Patients often reported partial improvement in foot position and lower limb propulsion, and fair satisfaction. In conclusion, botulinum toxin injection can be effective in HSP patients with relatively ancient spasticity. This technique can be introduced into the therapeutic panel, which also includes physiotherapy, oral treatment and baclofen pump.     

125I-抑制素在大鼠垂体和下丘脑的放射自显影研究

目的研究抑制素（INH）在体条件下能否通过大鼠的血脑屏障及在垂体或下丘脑的分布。方法采用颈静脉灌流和放射自显影技术，将20只SD大鼠分为4组，每组5只，第1～3组（实验组）颈静脉注射^125 I-INH50μl，第4（对照）组注射等量的生理盐水。第1，2，3组分别于注射后30，60和120min断头处死，取出垂体、下丘脑，以生理盐水洗涤，测量放射性计数，取放射性最大组的垂体与下丘脑组织行放射自显影分析。结果第1组垂体的放射性最高[（1008．00±5．78）Bq]，而第2和3组分别为（723．00±4．95）和（491．00±4．90）Bq；1～3组的下丘脑放射性分别为（20．00±1．01），（22．00±0．95）与（19．00±0．73）Bq。第4组垂体与下丘脑的放射性分别为（16．00±1．40），（15．00±0．98）Bq。各实验组大鼠垂体的放射性与对照组差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），且在注射后30min放射性最大（第1组），60和120min后逐渐降低；而实验组与对照组大鼠的下丘脑放射性差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；放射自显影结果示，实验组大鼠的垂体组织上有明显的银颗粒，而对照组没有；实验组和对照组大鼠的下丘脑组织上均未见明显的银颗粒。结论^125I-INH能通过大鼠血脑屏障，垂体在注射后30min放射性最大，在大鼠垂体上有INH结合位点或受体，而在其下丘脑没有。