Skin reactions to irritants assessed by non-invasive bioengineering methods

Pathophysiological components of irritant contact dermatitis caused by 3 chemically-different irritants were investigated. 20 healthy volunteers were patch tested with sodium lauryl sulphate, nonanoic acid and hydrochloric acid on the flexor side of the upper arm. The skin response was evaluated after 24, 48 and 96 h by visual scoring and measured by the following bioengineering methods: transepidermal water loss measurement, electrical conductance for measurement of skin hydration, laser Doppler flowmetry for measurement of cutaneous blood flow and 20 MHz ultrasound A-scan for measurement of skin thickness. In spite of homogeneous inflammatory responses, significant differences in the severity of the injury to the skin barrier function caused by the different irritants were found. Also significant differences between irritants were found in the time course of development of maximum irritant reactions. Bioengineering methods indicating inflammatory responses (measurement of blood flow and skin thickness) were helpful in quantifying the irritant response in general, while bioengineering methods indicating epidermal damage (measurement of TEWL and electrical conductance) were helpful in classifying the individual irritants.     

Investigation of, the cause of low sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients by multiple quantitative tests

Multiple tests were done on the ejaculates of 10 asthenozoospermic patients and nine healthy normozoospermic volunteers in an attempt to identify individually the cause of low sperm motility in these patients. Possible defects in the sperm plasma membrane and the motility apparatus of sperm, and in epididymal function affecting the development of motility, were investigated. The presence of seminal sperm antibodies or any motility-inhibiting factors in the seminal plasma that could be removed by washing were also tested. Each test was positive in only one or two patients but axonemal dysfunction was identified in nine patients. Removal of seminal plasma from asthenozoospermic samples did not improve sperm motility to any greater extent than with donor ejaculates, and the motile sperm of these patients exhibited characteristics mostly similar to those of donors under various incubation conditions. Selection procedures are, therefore, required to obtain samples of good quality sperm from such asthenozoospermic ejaculates.     

经阴道超声诊断子宫内膜癌

目的 探讨应用经阴道超声（TVS）诊断绝经前后出血妇女子宫内膜癌的价值。方法 采用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪检测74例阴道异常出血的妇女，其中绝经前28例，绝经后46例，所有患者均取子宫内膜组织行病理对照。结果 TVS检测子宫内膜癌的敏感性、特异性、假阳性率、假阴性率、阳性预测值和阴性预测值，绝经前妇女依次为61．5％，50．0％，14．3％，23．8％，94．1％和54．5％，绝经后妇女依次为97．3％，55．6％，44．4％，2．7％，90．0％和83．0％。结论 TVS检测可作为子宫内膜癌首选的筛查方法，尤其对于绝经后妇女价值更大。     

USEFULNESS OF EUS IN PORTAL HYPERTENSION WITH ESOPHAGEAL VARICES

We investigated the relationship between esophageal varices and the collaterals by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (20 MHz ultrasonic miniprobe; UMP). Moreover, we investigated the correlation between the collaterals around the esophagus and recurrence of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension who had undergone EIS. The collaterals were divided into two groups: peri‐esophageal collateral veins (peri‐ECVs) and para‐esophageal collateral veins (para‐ECVs). These were scored as mild or severe according to the stage of development. According to endoscopy, the varix form was significantly larger in severe the peri‐ECVs group than in mild the peri‐ECVs group. The prevalence of perforating veins increased according to the varix form. With regard to variceal recurrence, in patients with variceal recurrences, UMP findings included a significantly higher incidence of severe peri‐ECVs, a significantly larger diameter of perforating veins compared with patients without recurrence. In conclusion, the presence of severe peri‐ECVs and large perforating veins in the esophageal wall strongly correlates with occurrence and recurrence of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. An understanding of these UMP abnormalities on the basis of hemodynamics around the esophagus is thought to be important for management of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension.     

ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND GUIDED TRUCUT BIOPSY

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is sensitive for staging gastrointestinal malignancies and pancreatic lesions. EUS‐fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) offers a diagnostic accuracy of about 60–90% for pancreatic tumors and > 90% for lymph nodes. There are several limitations of EUS‐FNA including the need for on‐site cytopathology review. In addition, accuracy of cytologic review is hampered by the presence of blood, benign epithelial cells, desmoplasia, and well‐differentiated tumors. Furthermore, the small biopsy sample and destruction of tissue architecture limits the diagnostic sensitivity for GISTs and lymphomas. Many of these problems can be overcome with use of EUS trucut biopsy (TCB) needles. These large caliber, cutting needles acquire larger tissue samples allowing preservation of tissue architecture and histologic examination. Our recently described experience with EUS‐TCB initially in swine and later humans demonstrated the safety for acquiring histologic tissue representative of the target organs sampled enabling accurate diagnosis. These studies suggested greater diagnostic accuracy of EUS‐TCB for submucosal mass lesions and lymphoma and potentially the need for fewer needle passes for solid pancreatic neoplasms. In this paper we will review the current TCB literature, device design and technique, help troubleshoot potential problems, and offer opinion as to the utility and role of this new device.     

The combination oral and nutritional treatment of late-onset diabetes mellitus (CONTROL DM) trial results.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of short-term improvements in glycaemic control on brachial artery endothelial function as a marker of cardiovascular health. METHODS: Persons with Type 2 diabetes who were poorly controlled on oral therapy were randomly assigned to monotherapy with repaglinide or combination therapy with repaglinide plus metformin. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation was assessed by ultrasonography at randomization and following 16 weeks of therapy. The primary outcome was change in brachial artery endothelial function from baseline. Comparison of randomized groups was a secondary aim. RESULTS: Eighty-six participants were randomized, and 83 were followed to study completion. Post occlusion brachial artery vasodilation was 3.74% at baseline and 3.82% following 16 weeks of therapy (P = 0.77). The treatment effect was 0.08% (95% CI: -0.48%, 0.64%). No difference was seen between treatment groups (P = 0.69). Overall, A1C was reduced from 8.3% to 7.0%, with a greater reduction in the combination therapy group (from 8.4% to 6.7%) than in the monotherapy group (from 8.3% to 7.3%, p for difference between groups = 0.01). Statistically significant reductions were observed in fasting glucose, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Statistically significant increases were observed for fasting insulin, uric acid, weight and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Brachial artery endothelial function was not influenced by short-term improvements in glycaemic control. The CONTROL DM group was successful in lowering A1C. Future research should explore more intensive and longer-lasting improvements in glycaemic control on endothelial function. Some data previously published in abstract form (Diabetes 2001; 50 (Suppl. 2): A217).     

经直肠超声引导前列腺穿刺活检203例临床分析

目的评估经直肠超声引导的前列腺六针穿刺活检在前列腺癌及前列腺其他疾病的诊断和鉴别诊断的价值。方法对指肛检查阳性，血清PSA〉4pg／L及经直肠超声检查前列腺声像图异常怀疑有占位性病变的203人进行经直肠超声引导的前列腺穿刺活检。结果穿刺活检的203例病理结果：良性前列腺增生（BPH）104例占51．24％，前列腺癌（PCa）95例占46．80％，前列腺结核及前列腺平滑肌肉瘤各2例，分别占0．98％。结论经直肠超声引导的前列腺穿刺活检其操作简单，病人痛苦小，并发症少，较安全。在前列腺癌及其他前列腺疾病的诊断与鉴别诊断中有重要的临床价值。     

Moderate soft tissue trauma delays new bone formation only in the early phase of fracture healing.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a moderate soft tissue trauma to the course of fracture healing in a standardized animal model. Thirty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a fracture group (F, n = 19) and a group with a fracture and a soft tissue trauma (F + STT, n = 19). The fracture and the soft tissue trauma were created using an impact device with a standardized energy. All fractures were stabilized by two Kirschner wires. Three rats were measured for blood flow and sacrificed at days 1, 3, 7, and 14, and seven rats at day 28, from both groups. A three-point bending test was performed on the healed tibia after 28 days. During the first 24 h there was a reduction in blood flow, which was more pronounced in the F + STT group than in the F group. From histological sections, the shape of the callus formation, as well as the tissue distribution of newly formed bone, fibrous cartilage and fibrous connective tissue were determined. Distinctly more periosteal new bone formed and a larger callus formed at days 3 and 7 in group F compared to group F + STT. However, by days 14 and 28, the ossification and overall callus size no longer showed differences between the two groups. A fast recovery of blood flow and callus formation took place in the F + STT group, which led to similar histological and biomechanical results in fracture healing observed after 28 days between the two groups.     

吻合指固有神经背侧支的邻指皮瓣修复手指远端掌侧软组织缺损

目的探讨采用吻合指固有神经背侧支的邻指皮瓣修复手指远端掌侧软组织缺损的疗效. 方法 1996年10月～2004年6月,25例(32指)伴肌腱或骨组织外露的手指远端掌侧软组织缺损患者,其中男18例,女7例,年龄13～45岁.切割伤6例,冲压伤8例,机器绞伤11例.损伤部位:拇指2例,食指8例,中指5例,环指3例,小指2例,食、中指2例,中、环指2例,食、中、环、小指1例.缺损范围:1.5 cm×1.0 cm～4.0 cm×2.1 cm.损伤至就诊时间30 min～48 h.急诊行清创,采用带蒂邻指皮瓣修复,术中同时将指固有神经的背侧支与指神经残端吻合重建皮瓣感觉,术后3周断蒂.供区中厚皮片游离植皮. 结果术后皮瓣及供区均成活,创面Ⅰ期愈合.获随访6～26个月,手指指腹饱满,色泽正常,感觉恢复,两点辨别觉为5～8 mm,均无功能障碍. 结论采用吻合指固有神经背侧支邻指皮瓣修复手指远端掌侧软组织缺损不仅能修复缺损皮肤,且能重建皮瓣感觉,术式操作简便.     

缺陷型精神分裂症神经系统软体征及其相关因素研究

目的 探讨缺陷型精神分裂症神经系统软体征及其相关因素。方法 将175例精神分裂症病人采用Carpenter提出的关于缺陷综合征的诊断标准划分为缺陷型（47例）、非缺陷型（128例），对其神经系统软体征进行评定，同时应用阴性症状评定量表（SANS）、阳性症状评定量表（SAPS）、简明智能评定量表（BIRS）、住院精神病人社会功能评定量表（SSSI）分别进行评定并进行相关分析。结果 缺陷型精神分裂症神经系统软体征与SANS、SSSI呈显著正相关，与智能百分比呈显著负相关。结论 缺陷型精神分裂症神经系统软体征与多种因素有关。