Numerical comparisons of two formulations of the logistic regressive models with the mixed model in segregation analysis of discrete traits.

Segregation analysis of discrete traits can be conducted by the classical mixed model and the recently introduced regressive models. The mixed model assumes an underlying liability to the disease, to which a major gene, a multifactorial component, and random environment contribute independently. Affected persons have a liability exceeding a threshold. The regressive logistic models assume that the logarithm of the odds of being affected is a linear function of major genotype effects, the phenotypes of older relatives, and other covariates. A formulation of the regressive models, based on an underlying liability model, has been recently proposed. The regression coefficients on antecedents are expressed in terms of the relevant familial correlations and a one-to-one correspondence with the parameters of the mixed model can thus be established. Computer simulations are conducted to evaluate the fit of the two formulations of the regressive models to the mixed model on nuclear families. The two forms of the class D regressive model provide a good fit to a generated mixed model, in terms of both hypothesis testing and parameter estimation. The simpler class A regressive model, which assumes that the outcomes of children depend solely on the outcomes of parents, is not robust against a sib-sib correlation exceeding that specified by the model, emphasizing testing class A against class D. The studies reported here show that if the true state of nature is that described by the mixed model, then a regressive model will do just as well. Moreover, the regressive models, allowing for more patterns of family dependence, provide a flexible framework to understand gene-environment interactions in complex diseases.     

腹腔镜辅助阴式子宫切除术与经腹子宫切除术的前瞻性随机对照研究

目的　比较评估腹腔镜辅助阴道子宫切除术与经腹子宫切除术两种手术的临床效果。方法　 12 0例妇科良性疾病患者需行子宫切除术 ,但有经阴道子宫切除术的相对禁忌证、子宫不超过孕 16周 ,随机分成两组 ,甲组 (6 0例 )行腹腔镜辅助阴式子宫切除术 ,乙组 (6 0例 )行经腹子宫切除术。结果　两组患者年龄、产次、术前血红蛋白水平、子宫平均重量、术中失血、手术时间的差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。甲组术后疼痛程度、术后住院时间明显少于乙组 (P <0 .0 1) ,两组均未出现严重手术并发症。结论　腹腔镜辅助阴式子宫切除术具有创伤小、恢复快、住院时间短等优点 ,妇科医师经过良好的腹腔镜手术操作技能培训 ,能对大部分原不宜行阴式子宫切除术而需行经腹子宫切除术的患者行腹腔镜辅助阴式子宫切除术。     

Virtual real-time digital processing of hemodynamic data

At present, the majority of cardiac catheterization laboratories acquire and store hemo-dynamic data in analog form. To examine the possibility of performing complex analysis of digital data during the catheterization procedure, we examined whether virtual realtime digital (fast Fourier) analysis improves the accuracy of clinical data. We compared digital filtering of fluid manometry during right heart catheterization with 10-Hz and 250-Hz analog filters. Using the simultaneously acquired micromanometry as the “gold standard,” we found that analog filtering is associated with a greater error and time delay than digital filtering. This study demonstrates that digital hemodynamic data analysis performed during cardiac catheterization can improve the quality of data obtained during right heart catheterization, with the results available within seconds. More extensive use of computers in the cardiac catheterization laboratory may be useful for both clinical and research purposes. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The usefulness of detailed information to patients with contact allergy

To find out if patients with contact allergy are helped by computerized information lists, a retrospective study was carried out on 58 patients with contact allergy to lanolin, traced through our local database DALUK. All were sent a questionnaire about their usage of the information list, clearance of their eczema, their education and other details. Clearance of the patient's eczema was found to correlate with use of the information list. It was also found that the effectiveness of the information depended on factors such as education, family circumstances, ethnic background and, most of all, how and where the information list was used.     

Ethics and Society: Filiation in assisted reproduction: potential conflicts and legal implications

Filiation, or a person's parentage, is one of the major componentsof someone's identity, often with important implications forthat person's welfare in social and personal terms. Fertilityspecialists are enjoined to consider the welfare of the child,and this is a legal requirement in assisted reproduction techniquesin the UK. This paper is in three parts, discussing some ofthe potential problems regarding filiation of the prospectivechild born of assisted reproduction techniques, in relationto the use of gametes and embryos. The first two parts concentrateon the status of children born as a result of treatment givenposthumously, and on filiation problems associated with donationof gametes or embryos, and surrogacy. The third part comparesBritish and French legislation with special regard to the welfareof the child, as well as underlining the common trends and principlesenunciated in both legislations. This is particularly appropriateat a time when the European Society for Human Reproduction andEmbryology is about to issue ethical guidelines in assistedreproduction, and when both the Council of Europe and the EuropeanCommission have commissioned studies on the implications ofthe assisted techniques, including those concerning status ofthe potential children.     

人眼调制传递函数自动测试装置

本文介绍一个用单片机控制的人眼视网膜－大脑系统调制传递函数测量装置，与传统方法不同，该装置调制对比度是利用电光晶体控制激光束强度的来达到的。该装置不但可以测量空间调制传递的函数，还可测量时－空调制传递函数，并以数据和曲线的形式打印输出。     

电子计算机监护慢性肝病程序的验证

用参与建立数学模型的521例资料和307例没参与建立数学模型的病例资料验证电子计算机监护慢性肝病的程序。以病理学检查、或以3个月至3年的临床观察结果作为诊断的金标准。254例临床诊断作为对照。验证结果表明（1）计算机监护优于临床诊断，（2）本程序敏感度高。     

Development of computer-assisted simulation procedure to analyze receptor modulatory processes

Summary Experimentally induced changes in neurotransmitter receptors have been analyzed by means of a computer assisted simulation procedure over a wide range of free ligand concentrations. This approach allows to evaluate, for a given range of ligand concentrations, the relative influence of simultaneous variations in binding parameters (i.e. dissociation constant or K_d and in maximal number of binding sites or B_m) and to predict the net and final effect of the experimental condition on the receptor-mediated transmission line. The function representing the changes in bound values versus the respective free ligand concentrations, has been studied analytically on the basis of all the possible values that the percent changes in both K_d and B_m parameters induced by a given experimental condition can assume. A well characterized change in the pattern of bound radioligand could in this way be defined. This approach, developed to show in an immediate and clear way treatment-induce changes in receptor populations or to fit directly rough experimental data expressed as differences in bound values versus free ligand concentrations, seems to be an useful complement to the widely used saturation analysis of binding data.