Anton’s syndrome due to a giant anterior fossa meningioma. The problem of routine use of advanced diagnostic imaging in psychiatric care

Summary We present a case of blindness and Anton’s syndrome in a psychiatric patient with late diagnosis of a giant frontal meningioma. The criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging in the psychiatric population are discussed. We conclude that MR or CT scan is indicated in psychiatric in-patients who fail to improve with standard psychiatric treatment. This strategy should be submitted to a cost-benefit analysis.     

肝癌间质及癌旁病变的病理分析

目的　研究肝癌间质及癌旁病变的临床病理意义。方法　在 2 0例肝癌组织标本中取 45个癌结节 ,分别在癌结节中间、癌旁肝组织等部位取组织 4块 ,连续切片 ,显微镜下观察。结果　 19个结节有完整窦内皮细胞围绕癌巢 ,其中癌结节肉眼小于3cm者 13个 ,大于 3cm者 6个。 2 6个癌结节无完整窦内皮细胞围绕癌巢 ,其中癌结节直径大于 3cm者 2 4个 ,小于 3cm者 2个。2 0例中有 13例合并肝硬化 ,17例有乙型肝炎病毒感染和HBsAg阳性。 结论　病理连续切片 ,显微镜下观察肝癌间质及癌旁病变是预测肝癌患者预后的重要病理学指标     

下肢静脉性溃疡外科治疗方法探讨

目的探讨治疗下肢静脉溃疡有效、简单的方法。方法清除下肢静脉溃疡分泌物及坏死组织,创面以胰岛素与庆大霉素混合液湿敷,创面清洁后行常规手术,术后继续用上述方法处理创面。结果全部溃疡创面在1￣6周内愈合,术后35例随诊最短4个月,最长6年无溃疡复发。结论下肢静脉性溃疡应早期手术,术前、术后用胰岛素和庆大霉素混合液湿敷溃疡创面是一种简单、安全、经济、治疗时间短的有效方法。     

Development of a new sensor based on micro-electro-mechanical systems for objective in vivo measurement of the cutaneous temperature: application to foundations

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this work was to develop a new sensor for objective in vivo measurement of the cutaneous temperature based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and to compare these performances with those of a classical thermocouple. Research on this new sensor was carried out to allow the quantification of the thermal properties of the made-up skin. METHODS: Sixteen female subjects divided into two different age groups (18-35 and >50 years old) were recruited for this study. Several zones of the face and forearms were made up at random with foundations containing or not a thermoregulator raw material. The quantity of foundation applied on the skin was standardized and measurements were carried out first before make-up, and then 10 s and 5 min after make-up. The new sensor and the thermocouple were used successively on each zone. The cutaneous temperature was expressed in degrees celsius. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The two systems are similar in terms of repeatability and reproducibility, with some differences in sensibility. The data measured by the MEMS sensor appear lower than those measured by the thermocouple. After make-up, the MEMS sensor detects a progressive increase of the temperature in time whereas the thermocouple detects a decrease. We found the same evolution on the face but in a more attenuated way. These results tend to show that the devices do not measure the same phenomenon. The thermocouple appears more sensitive to the thermal response of the made-up surface whereas the MEMS sensor appears more sensitive to the heat transfers in the interface between the skin and make-up.     

Development of autoimmune hepatitis in primary biliary cirrhosis.

AIM/BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown aetiology. Up to 10% of patients with typical features of PBC will have additional features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). A subset, however, have no such features but go on to develop a 'sequential' AIH overlap syndrome. Objectives: Describe our experience with eight patients who developed AIH after the diagnosis of PBC was made. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of all PBC patients over a 9-year period (from 1996 to 2005). Only PBC patients with no features of AIH were included. RESULTS: There were 1476 patients with PBC. Of these, eight patients developed features of AIH overlap syndrome based on biochemical and histological parameters. Treatment included prednisone and azathioprine for 24 or more months. The majority of patients remained on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) throughout treatment. Response to therapy was defined by improvement in enzymes, and was rapid for all patients. One patient was able to discontinue treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, while seven have continued on therapy to date. CONCLUSIONS: A 'sequential' overlap syndrome of AIH with PBC can occur. Treatment with prednisone and azathioprine may lead to a rapid improvement in aminotransferase levels.     

Correction of frequency and phase variations induced by eddy currents in localized spectroscopy with multiple echo times.

As a consequence of the time-varying magnetic field induced by eddy currents, frequency drifting occurs when the sampling window of localized spectroscopy continuously shifts. The frequency drifting and the concomitant phase variations can severely affect spectroscopy results when data are acquired with multiple echo times (TEs), such as in the measurement of glutamate (Glu) concentration using the TE-averaged method. Specifically, the averaged spectra are further broadened and distorted in the presence of residual eddy currents, and editing of the coupled spins of Glu C4 protons is affected, resulting in errors in the measured relative intensity ratio. Postacquisition correction using unsuppressed water as reference can effectively minimize this detrimental effect, as manifested by the significantly enhanced signal intensity. Also, it is demonstrated that the methyl signals of creatine (Cr) at 3.0 ppm and choline (Cho) at 3.2 ppm can be used as internal references in finding frequency and phase disparities between different TEs.     

A Preliminary Study of Negative Self-Beliefs in Anorexia Nervosa: A Detailed Exploration of Their Content, Origins and Functional Links to “Not Eating Enough” and Other Characteristic Behaviors

Objective: The study explored the semantic content and origins of negative self-beliefs, and their functional links to “not eating enough” and other behaviors, in participants with anorexia nervosa (AN). Method: Fifteen women meeting DSM-IV criteria for AN were compared with 17 dieting and 18 non-dieting women matched on age and number of years of education. The main outcome measure was a semi-structured interview. Results: Six themes were identified in the beliefs of participants with AN. These were, in order of decreasing frequency, powerlessness (present in all but three AN participants), failure, defectiveness, unattractiveness, worthlessness and emptiness. Importantly, powerlessness and failure beliefs were consistently present independent of Beck Depression Inventory-II scores. The negative early life experiences associated with these beliefs had high distress and responsibility ratings. Participants with AN reported that they employed specific behaviors, particularly ‘not eating enough,’ and ‘placating others,’ to try to reduce the cognitive and emotional impact of their negative self-beliefs. Discussion: The findings are discussed in relation to the role of powerlessness and the function of “not eating enough” in cognitive theory and therapy for AN.

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Perception and use of the results of patient satisfaction surveys by care providers in a French teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: . The aim of this study was to assess clinical staff's opinions on the results of in-patient satisfaction surveys and their use within the quality improvement process. SETTING: The institution is a 2200-bed teaching hospital of tertiary health care employing 8000 professionals. Patient satisfaction surveys are carried out each year using a validated questionnaire mailed to a random sample of patients. The specific results of each department are sent to the medical and paramedical managers. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey on 500 care providers randomly selected in every medical and surgical department. RESULTS: A total of 261 questionnaires were returned and analysed. Overall, 94% of responders had a favourable opinion of the patient satisfaction surveys. They considered that the patient was able to judge hospital service quality, especially in its relational, organizational, and environmental dimensions. The specific results for the department were less well known than the overall hospital results (60 versus 76%). These results were formally discussed in the department according to 40% of responders; 40% declared that these data resulted in improvement actions and considered that they led to modifications in their behaviour with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a declared interest in satisfaction surveys, the results remain underused by hospital staff and insufficiently discussed within teams.     

创伤性休克的液体超负荷分析

目的 探讨创伤性休克患者发生液体超负荷的原因和治疗方法。方法 总结存活时间超过24h的286例创伤性休克患者，对休克纠正后出现全身性水肿患者进行分析，比较存活与死亡患者在伤后第1～8天的液体出入量。结果 286例创伤性休克患者中，出现水肿者262例（91．6％），存活232例（88．5％），死亡30例（11．5％）。死亡组的液体入量明显多于存活组（P〈0．05），液体出量则显著少于存活组（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。存活组在伤后第4、5天出现液体负平衡即液体出量大于液体入量600～700mL（P〈0．05），而死亡组未出现液体负平衡现象。结论 创伤性休克的抢救过程中容易造成液体超负荷，液体出量增加甚至出现液体负平衡现象，预示着病情好转，此时只要生命体征稳定即可，不宜过分强调出入量平衡而大量补充液体。