Telemetry of Programmed and Measured Data in Pacing System Evaluation and Follow-up

Telemetry of programmed and measured data is an important feature of many pacemakers currently used in clinical practice. The ability to receive non-invasive data from the implanted device constitutes a major advantage for the long-term follow-up of the patients and of device performance. There are numerous types of data retrievable via telemetry: parameters of device characteristics (output, battery longevity, impedance, etc), event recorders or counters, event markers, and endocardial electrograms. Ideally, this information should be beneficial in the longitudinal surveilance of modern pacemakers.     

两种术式治疗多囊卵巢综合征的远期疗效追踪比较

[目的]评价开腹卵巢楔形切除(OWR)和腹腔镜下双侧卵巢电灼开窗术(LOD)两种术式对多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)的远期疗效.[方法]1981至2001年在我院诊断为PCOS并接受手术治疗的妇女共151例,其中行OWR 61例、LOD 90例,追踪分析两组妇女术后妊娠率、术后妊娠时间的分布及术前后月经模式变化.[结果]两组的临床特征具有可比性,OWR组累积妊娠率84%,LOD组累积妊娠率72%,两组间没有明显差异,绝大部分妊娠发生在术后18个月内;OWR组术后3个月、半年、1年、3年、5年及10年月经规律的妇女所占的比例分别是81.3%、81.3%、77.3%、77.6%、78.9%、85.2%,明显高于术前的31.1%(P值＜0.05);LOD组术后3个月、半年、1年、3年、5年及10年月经规律的妇女所占的比例分别是80.6%、63.5%、56.7%、58.0%、57.6%、42.9%,明显高于术前的35.6%(P值＜0.05);术后OWR组月经规律妇女占的比例明显高于LOD组(P均＜0.05).[结论]两种术式的术后妊娠率相似.OWR比LOD更好、更长远地改善PCOS妇女的月经异常.     

Immunoglobulin G4 antibodies to rat urinary allergens, sensitization and symptomatic allergy in laboratory animal workers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We have previously reported that high rat urinary allergen (RUA) exposure was not associated with increased risk of rat allergy in long-term-exposed laboratory animal (LA) workers. We aimed to assess whether strong allergen-specific IgG4 responses could explain the absence of a dose response in these subjects. We investigated whether IgG4 was associated with allergen exposure and prevalence of sensitization or respiratory symptoms to rats. The longitudinal relation between IgG4 and rat allergy was studied using data obtained during 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Five hundred and twenty-nine LA workers answered a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and occupational history and participated in skin prick testing. Blood samples were analysed for specific IgG4 and IgE to RUA. Exposure to RUA was estimated based on personal air samples. The relation between IgG4 and newly occurring sensitization or rat allergy was studied in workers who were not sensitized or did not report respiratory symptoms to rats. RESULTS: IgG4 titres were higher in atopic than in non-atopic subjects, and increased with higher allergen exposure. Titres were highest in subjects who were sensitized and reported respiratory symptoms to rats when compared with those who were not (geometric mean [geometric standard deviation] = 202 [5.7] vs. 8.4 [18.3] AU). The association between IgG4 and sensitization or symptomatic rat allergy was independent of estimated allergen exposure. IgG4 was a strong predictor of newly occurring sensitization and symptomatic rat allergy during follow-up in atopic and rat-sensitized subjects. CONCLUSION: High exposure to RUA is associated with a strong allergen-specific IgG4 antibody response. High anti-RUA IgG4 is a strong predictor of prevalent and incident sensitization and symptomatic rat allergy in atopic and rat-sensitized subjects. IgG4 can therefore not explain the absence of a dose response between allergen exposure and allergy in long-term-exposed workers. We consider anti-RUA IgG4 to be a marker that combines aspects of exposure and susceptibility.     

Cow's milk-specific immunoglobulin E levels as predictors of clinical reactivity in the follow-up of the cow's milk allergy infants

Background IgE‐mediated cow's milk proteins (CMPs) allergy shows a tendency to disappear with age. The sooner tolerance is detected, the earlier the substitute diets can be suspended and the quicker family emotional hardship is alleviated. Objective To analyse the specific IgE levels to cow's milk and its proteins, which help to separate tolerant from no tolerant children in the follow‐up of infants with allergy to cow's milk. Patients and methods Sixty‐six infants diagnosed with IgE‐mediated allergy to CMPs were included in this prospective follow‐up study. Periodic reassessments were carried out every 6 months until they were 2‐years old and then, annually, until tolerance arose or until the last reassessment in which tolerance had not been achieved. Non‐tolerant infants were followed, at least, for a period of 3 years. In each visit, the same skin tests and determination of specific IgE (CAP System FEIA) for milk and its proteins were carried out. The open challenge test was repeated unless a clear transgression to milk, which came to be positive, had taken place within the previous 3 months in each of the follow‐up visits. Specific IgE levels to milk and its proteins, in different moments of the follow‐up were analysed by means of the receiver‐operating characteristic curve to predict clinical reactivity. Results Throughout the follow‐up 45 (68%) infants became tolerant. The follow‐up mean for tolerant infants was 21.2 months whereas for non‐tolerant infants it was 58 months. The specific IgE levels which were predictors of the clinical reactivity (positive predictive value (PPV)90%), grew as the age of the infants increased: 1.5, 6 and 14 kU_A/L for milk in the age range 13–18 and 19–24 months and in the third year, respectively. Specific IgE levels to casein: 0.6, 3 and 5 kU_A/L, respectively, predicted clinical reactivity (PPV90%) in the different analysed moments of the follow‐up. The cut‐off points: 2.7, 9 and 24 kU_A/L for milk and 2, 4.2 and 9 kU_A/L for casein, respectively, predicted clinical reactivity with an accuracy 95% corresponding to a specificity of 90%. Conclusions Monitorization of specific IgE concentration for milk and casein by means of the CAP system in allergic children to CMPs allows us to predict, to a high degree of probability, clinical reactivity. Age factor must be taken into account to evaluate the specific IgE levels which are predictors of tolerance or clinical reactivity.     

Acute Myocarditis

ABSTRACT In a prospective study, 57 patients with a preliminary diagnosis of myocarditis were investigated. Twenty-four patients were considered to have an acute myocarditis, 14 had a suspected myocarditis, while in 19 patients myocarditis was excluded. Episodes of frequent supraventricular and/or ventricular extrasystoles during hospital stay were seen in 8/24 cases (33%) with myocarditis and in 1/19 cases (5%) without myocarditis. On follow-up 1 month later, no supraventricular extrasystoles were observed in either group. Echocardiographic signs consistent with left ventricular insufficiency were noted in 7/24 cases (29%) with myocarditis, in 1/14 cases (7%) with suspected myocarditis and in no case without myocarditis. With a “routine” serologic test battery covering influenza viruses A and B, adenovirus, Coxsackie virus group B, ECHO viruses, Chlamydia psittaci, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and hemolytic streptococci group A, a possible etiology could be documented in 9/24 cases (38%) with myocarditis and in 4/19 cases (21%) without myocarditis. Enterovirus-specific IgM was detected with solid-phase reverse immunosorbent test (SPRIST) in 12/23 (48%) cases with myocarditis and in 3/16 cases (19%) without myocarditis. In SPRIST-IgM-positive cases, IgM antibodies were detected in 15/20 (75%) of the sera taken on admission. The overall serological results indicated a recent infection in 16/24 cases (67%) with myocarditis and in 5/19 cases (26%) without myocarditis (p < 0.05).     

开展电话回访搭建医患沟通桥梁

通过对3 500余人次的有效电话回访,实施健康教育、健康指导3000余人次,受理健康咨询500余人次,协调和化解各类医疗纠纷20余起。电话回访搭起了和谐医患关系的桥梁。     

Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm: postoperative neurologic follow-up and evaluation of life quality

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective and safe treatment in hemifacial spasm (HFS). Postoperative evaluations are usually made by neurosurgeons. Follow-up studies performed by neurologists and postoperative quality of life (QoL) investigations are lacking. All 25 HFS patients operated with MVD in our centre between 2000 and 2004 were evaluated with the recently validated HFS-7 scheme, extended with the item 'sleep disturbance due to HFS' (HFS-8). The patients underwent a careful neurological examination median 3 years after the operation. The evaluation focused on clinical aspects, changes in blood pressure and time until observable effect of MVD. The evaluation of HFS-7 questionnaire and the extended form (HFS-8) showed significant improvement in QoL after MVD. Neurological outcome was in almost all cases excellent or good. Eleven (44%) patients had no neurological deficits at all. Only one patient had serious complications with ipsilateral facial palsy, deafness, balance problems and vertigo. The other patients had minor neurological findings or symptoms. Eighteen (72%) patients experienced early effect within 3 months after MVD; seven (28%) patients had late effect between 6 and 14 months. Median age of the patients with late effect (62.6 years) was significantly higher than in those with early effect (52.7 years).     

宫腔镜诊治异常子宫出血432例中长期随访结果

目的 评价宫腔镜手术治疗异常子宫出血的中长期随访结果。方法 回顾分析我院2002年1月～2005年11月经宫腔镜诊治异常子宫出血且随访〉12个月的432例临床资料,诊断良性疾患391例[子宫内膜息肉96例（22.2%）,子宫黏膜下肌瘤38例（8.8%）,子宫内膜增生过长257例（59.5%）],行息肉或肌瘤切除、子宫内膜电切术;诊断子宫内膜腺癌41例（9.5%）,均为Ⅰ期,行经腹全子宫双附件切除、选择性盆腔淋巴结清扫术。结果 手术均获成功,未发生子宫穿孔等并发症。391例良性病变中,术后随访12～57个月,平均39个月,闭经占16.1%（63/391）,月经量少（每周期〈10片卫生巾）18.9%（74/391）,月经量正常（每周期10～20片卫生巾）58.3%（228/391）,术后改善不明显占6.6%（26/391）。26例月经量仍多者术后用孕酮治疗,7例有多发子宫肌瘤,术后32～44个月行全子宫切除术,8例复查阴道彩超子宫内膜厚度〉1.5 cm,术后5～19个月第2次行宫腔镜子宫内膜切除术,继续随访18～36个月,月经量少3例,闭经5例。41例子宫内膜癌Ⅰ期术后随访26～41个月,平均38个月,均无瘤存活。结论 异常子宫出血的治疗在结合病理学检查除外恶性病变后首选宫腔镜手术,严格B超监测是提高手术疗效和手术安全的保障。     

Autologous implantation of chondrocytes on a solid collagen scaffold: clinical and histological outcomes after two years of follow-up

Abstract From our overall experience in 56 patients, we here report the treatment with matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) of 35 patients suffering from knee cartilage defects measuring about 4 cm², and followed for a minimum of 6 months. A total of 36 knees were treated (1 patient on both knees) and clinically observed for 22 months (in some cases for over 39 months), in accordance with a standardised protocol. Subjective parameters (pain, well-being, functional state, symptoms during specific activity) and objective outcomes (IKDC score and Lysholm and Tegner scores) were recorded. One or 2 years after implantation, some biopsies of the regenerated cartilage were histologically evaluated. The subjective parameters (VAS pain score, 2.80±1.49, p<0.0001; change vs. basal score, 2.72) promptly normalized after 1 month, as did the objective ones (IKDC score after 6 months, 1.53±0.59, p<0.0001; change vs. basal score, 1.78). Similar results were observed after the treatment of a femoropatellar kissing lesion. The three cartilage biopsies that were analysed from different patients showed a tissue positivity to immunohistochemical markers of hyaline cartilage. The conclusions of this preliminary analysis are that the clinical outcome and histological evaluation suggest that MACI is able to relieve pain and restore the functionality of the knee, and that the treatment appears capable of regenerating hyaline cartilage.