MR susceptometry: an external-phantom method for measuring bulk susceptibility from field-echo phase reconstruction maps

A novel method for estimating the susceptibility of an object by using the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging field distortions in an external-reference water bath next to the object is described. The field measurement was obtained with a phase reconstruction from a gradient-echo acquisition. A field model of an arbitrary object in a static magnetic field was discretely calculated from geometry determined from the magnitude reconstruction. Least-squares estimation yields the susceptibility of the object. Required (and proven) assumptions include validity of superposition, object homogeneity, negligible higher-order field terms, field-model accuracy, geometric-model accuracy, and correlation of gradient-echo phase to field distortion. MR susceptometry estimation of phantoms yielded susceptibility estimates that correlated well with known values (r >.9975). This MR susceptometry method is a first step toward quantitation of iron levels through MR imaging phase information in patients with iron overload.     

Time-resolved MR imaging by automatic data segmentation

A method for time-resolved imaging that provides a flexible trade-off between imaging time and temporal resolution is presented. It is based on a view order selection technique that automatically segments the acquired raw data into appropriate temporal frames. When used with cardiac monitoring and phase-contrast imaging, data similar to that obtained with a conventional gated phase-contrast sequence are acquired rapidly. For many applications, the temporal resolution can be reduced enough to permit imaging within a breath-hold interval, while still allowing accurate time-averaged flow quantitation. This is a general technique that can be implemented within a variety of pulse sequences and can resolve other motion cycles, including the respiratory cycle.     

Prevalence of Hepatitis A, B, and C markers in school children of a rural area of Crete, Greece

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C markers in children who were attending junior and senior high schools in a high risk area in rural Crete, Greece. Methods: Three-hundred and thirty-four children who attended the three junior schools and one senior high school in the Agios Vassilios province of Southern Crete were invited to participate in the study. Three hundred and four of them were tested for hepatitis A, B, and C markers. Hepatitis B (HBV) markers (HBsAg and anti-HBc) as well as hepatitis A (anti-HAV) and hepatitis (anti-HCV) antibodies were tested with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Six of the 304 children (1.97%) were found to be positive for anti-HAV, 1 (0.33%) to HBsAg, 7 (2.30%) to anti-HBc and none were found positive for anti-HCV. No significant differences were seen between the prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in males (2%) and females (1.95%), and of anti-HBc antibodies in males (3.33%) and females (1.30%). Conclusions: The very low prevalence of anti-HAV is obviously due to the improved conditions of hygiene and it raises the question of the possible emergence of this disease at an older age and therefore appropriate preventative strategies should be considered. The low endemicity of hepatitis B in Crete in contrast to other areas of Greece also calls for a vaccination policy probably during adolescence. The absence of hepatitis C markers in the children in contrast to the observed higher prevalence of HCV-infected people in the adult population in the same rural area raises questions regarding possible sources of transmission of hepatitis C during the preceding years.     

Comparison of CT-guided sclerotherapy with using 95% ethanol and 20% hypertonic saline for managing simple renal cyst.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the efficacies of 95% ethanol and 20% hypertonic saline (HS) sclerotherapies that were performed in a single session under CT guidance for the management of simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective series of 74 consecutive patients (average age: 57.6 +/- 8.1 years) with simple renal cysts were enrolled in this study. They were randomized into two groups and 95% ethanol or 20% HS, respectively, corresponding to 25% of the aspiration volume, was injected. Treatment success was determined six months later with follow-up clinical evaluation and performing ultrasonography. RESULTS: The sclerotherapy was accepted as technically successful without major complications in all except two patients who were excluded because of a communication between the simple renal cyst and the pelvicalyceal collecting system. Thirty-six patients in the ethanol group received sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol and 36 patients in the HS group underwent sclerotherapy with 20% HS. The complete regression ratio of the ethanol group was significantly higher (94% versus 72%, respectively) than that of the HS group. There was one patient with partial regression in each group. The failure ratio of the ethanol group was significantly lower (3% versus 25%, respectively) than that of the HS group. CONCLUSION: Ethanol sclerotherapy under CT guidance is a successful and safe procedure and it can be used for the treatment of simple renal cysts. Sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol is more effective than 20% HS sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy with HS may be an option for patients preferring to undergo a less painful treatment procedure.     

宫颈癌组织中HPV16 E7序列多态性分析

目的探讨广东地区宫颈癌组织中HPV16肿瘤相关性抗原E7基因序列的多态性.方法采用通用引物PCR直接测序法对宫颈癌标本中的HPV分型,从含有HPV16型的标本中采用自行设计的多重引物通过巢式PCR扩增出HPV16E7,经DNA序列测定法检测其基因变异,进而寻找其热点突变.结果50例宫颈癌组织HPV-DNA的检出率为78%,其中HPV16和HPV18型混合感染18例,单纯HPV16型感染15例.33例含有HPV16型的标本中扩增出25例HPV16E7,其中17例647位核苷酸“T”变异“C”,导致相应的蛋白质由天冬氨酸变异为丝氨酸.结论广东地区宫颈癌组织中HPV16E7DNA序列发生碱基替换的区域主要在647位至846位,热点突变点为Nt647和Nt846.     

短期化疗对兔腹主动脉顺应性的影响

目的 比较短期化疗前后兔腹主动脉顺应性的变化，了解化疗药物对血管力学特性的影响。方法将15只新西兰兔随机等分为5组，其中4组接受1周期化疗（卡铂100mg／m^2，第1、3、5天；异环磷酰胺1500mg／m^2，第1、3、5天；足叶乙贰100mg／m^2，第l～3天），另1组为对照组。分别测量各组兔腹主动脉比顺应性（化疗组分为化疗后第2、7、14、21天进行观察）。结果短期化疗前后兔腹主动脉顺应性显著变化，化疗后第14天下降最明显，而第21天则基本恢复。结论短期化疗能够降低兔腹主动脉比顺应性，降低的程度与化疗后时间相关，并具有可逆行性。     

Neurotrophin-like immunoreactivity in the human pre-term newborn, infant, and adult cerebellum

The immunohistochemical occurrence of the neurotrophin (NT) proteins nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is shown in the pre-term newborn, infant, and adult human post-mortem cerebellum. The NT-like immunoreactive structures were unevenly distributed and showed regional differences among cerebellar lobules and folia. NGF-, NT-4-, and NT-3-positive neuronal perikarya were observed in all specimens examined. At variance with the other neurotrophins, the BDNF antiserum labelled neuronal cell bodies only in newborn life and infancy, as well as extensive nerve fibre systems, whose density increased with age. The NT-antibodies, tested by Western blot on human cerebellum homogenates, revealed immunoreactive bands corresponding to proteins of heterogenous molecular weight. The results obtained provide a first demonstration of the tissue localization of the NTs in the human cerebellum from perinatal to adult age, thus suggesting their involvement in the development, differentiation and maintenance of the cerebellar connectivity. Codistribution of the four NTs or sets of them was observed in cortical and deep nuclei neurons. Multiple trophic roles for NTs, encompassing the classic target-derived and local mechanisms of support, are envisaged as significant in development, differentiation, and maintenance of the human cerebellar connectivity.     

DHS内固定治疗老年股骨粗隆间骨折临床分析

股骨粗隆间骨折是多发于老年人的一种常见骨折类型。患者高龄 ,多有明显的骨质疏松 ,愈后常遗留有髋内翻 ,下肢外旋及短缩畸形。非手术治疗时间长 ,患者长期卧床 ,易出现各种并发症造成治疗和康复困难。作者参照ＡＯ组织推荐的方法自 1996年5月 - 2 0 0 0年 12月在我院采用切开复位和闭合复位ＤＨＳ内固定的方法治疗股骨粗隆间骨折患者 37例 ,取得良好的疗效。1　临床资料本组 37例 ,男 16例 ,女 2 1例 ;年龄 4 8～ 86岁 ,平均 69 4岁。右侧 18例 ,左侧 19例。根据股骨内侧骨皮质的状态 (Ｅｖａｎｓ分型 ) ,即能支撑近端的股骨距是否完整 ,…     

Efficacy of ondansetron and metoclopramide for preventing postoperative emesis following strabismus surgery in children

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of metoclopramide with the 5-HT₃ antagonist, ondansetron, for the prevention of postoperative emesis in children undergoing elective strabismus surgery. None of the children received any premedication and a similar anaesthetic technique was used for all. Ondansetron 0.15 mg.kg⁻¹, metoclopramide 0.25 mg.kg⁻¹ or saline placebo were administered following intravenous catheter placement. Episodes of emesis were recorded for the first 24 h for the intervals of 0–2, 2–6 and 6–24 h. The incidence of emesis in the first 24 h was observed to be 71.7% in the placebo group, 34.4% in the ondansetron group (p < 0.001) and 61.4% in the metoclopramide group (p = NS). The severity of vomiting was less in the ondansetron group as compared with metoclopramide (p < 0.01) and placebo (p < 0.001). Recovery room scores were comparable in all the groups. No serious side-effects were observed in the ondansetron group. We conclude that prophylactic ondansetron is effective and superior to metoclopramide in the prevention of postoperative emesis in children following elective strabismus surgery.