Caudate nucleus volume and cognitive performance: Are they related in childhood psychopathology?

BACKGROUND: Impaired neuropsychological test performance, especially on tests of executive function and attention, is often seen in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Structures involved in fronto-striatal circuitry, such as the caudate nucleus, may support these cognitive abilities. However, few studies have examined caudate volumes specifically in children with ASD, or correlated caudate volumes to cognitive ability. METHODS: Neuropsychological test scores and caudate volumes of children with ASD were compared to those of children with bipolar disorder (BD) and of typically developing (TD) children. The relationship between test performance and caudate volumes was analyzed. RESULTS: The ASD group displayed larger right and left caudate volumes, and modest executive deficits, compared to TD controls. While caudate volume inversely predicted performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in all participants, it differentially predicted performance on measures of attention across the ASD, BD and TD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Larger caudate volumes were related to impaired problem solving. On a test of attention, larger left caudate volumes predicted increased impulsivity and more omission errors in the ASD group as compared to the TD group, however smaller volume predicted poorer discriminant responding as compared to the BD group.     

A follow‐up study of electromagnetic interference of cellular phones on electronic medical equipment in the emergency department

Objective: Considering the growing use of cellular phones and the fast appearance of new phone models, the electromagnetic interference of currently popular cellular phones on electronic medical equipment was tested. Methods: Three Personal Communication System cellular phones were put at different distances from multiple electronic medical devices, the interference effect was observed and the electromagnetic field strength measured with a spectrum analyser. Results: Only two small pieces of equipment, the CO₂ airway adapter and the haemoglucostix meter were affected and then only when the phone was in very close proximity. Conclusion: Compared to the results of our study in 1997 testing Global System for Mobile Communication phones, the Personal Communication System phones generated less electromagnetic interference. However a much larger scaled study and an accurate international electromagnetic interference standard are recommended before any change in the current restrictive hospital policy on mobile phone usage could be recommended.     

维生素D受体基因多态性与汉族人群慢性牙周炎易感性的关系

目的 探讨维生素D受体(VDR)基因多态性与汉族人群慢性牙周炎(CP)易感性的关系。方法 收集汉族轻、中、重度CP患者共166例及80名无牙周炎对照者的颊黏膜拭子，以Chelex-100法提取DNA，采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法测定VDR BsmI、VDR ApaI和VDR TaqI的基因型，分析组间基因型分布和等位基因频率的差异。结果 轻、中、重度CP患者中VDR ApaI等位基因A携带者明显多于对照组，重度CP与中度CP、重度CP与轻度CP患者间VDR ApaI基因型的分布差异均有统计学意义，中度CP与轻度CP患者间VDR ApaI基因型分布差异无统计学意义，而VDR BsmI、TaqI位点的基因型分布在患者组和对照组间差异无统计学意义。结论 VDR ApaI等位基因A可能与汉族人群CP的易感性有关。     

Performance and comparison of the Cockcroft-Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate in a Chinese Type 2 diabetic population.

AIMS: Our aim was to assess performances of the Cockcroft-Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Chinese diabetic populations and their association with vascular risks. METHODS: A total of 1009 patients with Type 2 diabetes were categorized into low estimated GFR groups (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and control groups by the two equations. The performances of these formulae were assessed at different stages of kidney function. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy or albuminuria were compared among the groups. The ability of these formulae to identify established vascular risk markers using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were also compared. RESULTS: The prevalence of low estimated GFR was 32.7% with the Cockcroft-Gault formula and 5.2% with the MDRD formula, respectively. In low estimated GFR subjects by the MDRD formula, IMT was significantly thicker than those by the Cockcroft-Gault formula (1.2 mm vs. 1.0 mm; P < 0.05), with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (78.4 vs. 52.8%, P < 0.05) and diabetic retinopathy (46.5 vs. 30.5%; P < 0.05). The Cockcroft-Gault formula gave a specificity of 71.7% and a sensitivity of 37.0%, and the MDRD formula gave a specificity of 96.6% and a sensitivity of 7.9% in estimating low GFR relevant for established vascular risks. CONCLUSIONS: These formulae performed differently in Chinese diabetic populations. The simplified MDRD formula is minimally superior to the Cockcroft-Gault formula for its high specificity and positive predictive values in estimating low GFR relevant for vascular risks.     

桂林市传染病网络直报工作第一年效果分析

目的观察传染病网络直报系统启动一年来的传染病监测质量,探讨网络直报评价方法.方法描述研究网络直报工作效果.结果实行网络直报后,传染病从临床医生发现到疾病预防控制机构接到报告的平均时间由5.48 d缩短至1.67 d,报卡数量增加20.84%,21.03%的报告卡得到校正,网络直报覆盖率县辖区医院为96.55%,市城区为69.23%,79.21%的直报单位有专用电脑.结论网络直报的启用及其系统的建立,提高了桂林市传染病疫情报告的质量和水平,同时应尽快建立与之相应的疫情报告管理方法和标准.     

常见眼眶病变的MRI诊断与鉴别诊断

目的：探讨眼眶病变的MRI诊断与鉴别诊断价值。方法：对29例经临床病理确诊的眼眶病变的病例进行回顾性分析，重点观察该类疾病的MRI表现。结果：眼眶病变29例，包括肿瘤10例。炎症10例，血管性病变3例，眼肌病变6例。其在MRI表现各具有影像学特征，眼眶肿瘤多表现为位于眼眶内、外的局限性软组织肿块，MR T1WI呈等或稍低信号，T2WI呈高或等信号多见；炎性假瘤则表现为眶内局限性软组织肿块或弥漫性异常信号．MR T1WI呈低信号，T2WI呈高信号，常伴有眼肌肥大或眼环增厚，泪腺肿大等。结论：MRI检查能显示眼眶病变的影像学特征，对其诊断及鉴别诊断具有重要价值。     

乌司他丁对大鼠胰性脑病保护作用的实验研究

目的 :探讨乌司他丁对大鼠急性出血坏死性胰腺炎时对脑组织损害的保护作用 ,为胰性脑病的治疗提供实验依据。方法 :将 90只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组 ,急性出血坏死性胰腺炎诱导组和乌司他丁处理组 ,经胰胆管逆行注射 5%牛磺胆酸钠建立大鼠ANP模型 ,12h后处死动物 ,测定血清TNFα水平 ,并检测脑组织含水量、脑微血管内白细胞聚集及附壁现象。结果 :经乌司他丁处理后 ,血清中乌司他丁水平、脑组织含水量、脑组织MDA含量、脑微血管内白细胞聚集及附壁现象显著降低(P <0 .0 1)。结论 :乌司他丁可以减轻急性出血坏死性胰腺炎时脑损害的发生和发展     

荷人卵巢癌严重联合免疫缺陷鼠腹腔移植模型的建立

目的 :建立荷人卵巢癌细胞株 SKOV3严重联合免疫缺陷小鼠 (SCID)动物模型。方法 :SCID鼠腹腔注射人 SKOV3卵巢癌细胞 1× 10 7个 /只 ,饲养在无特定病原体环境中 ,观察其生物学特性。结果 :实验组 3只 SCID小鼠腹腔内均见肿瘤生长 ,并形成以横膈、肠系膜、肝周、腹膜为主的转移灶 ,其中 1只肺部有镜下转移灶。移植后肿瘤细胞在形态、生长、分泌 CA12 5功能方面均与原细胞株保持一致。结论 :建立的荷人 SKOV3卵巢癌 SCID鼠腹腔移植模型能较好地模拟人卵巢癌腹腔播散的生物学特征。     

CT、MRI对肾上腺病变的诊断分析

目的:分析探讨CT、MRI诊断对肾上腺病变的作用与价值。方法:MarconiMX8000 4层螺旋CT机,增强造影剂使用非离子型制剂,常规扫描及增强。应用西门子MAGNETOM1.5T磁共振机,增强造影剂使用Gd-DTPA制剂,常规T1WI、T2WI、脂肪抑制、化学位移同反相位及增强。对25例经手术及病理资料诊断证实的肾上腺病变进行CT、MRI诊断回顾性分析。结果:可清楚显示肾上腺病变的侧别、数目、大小、范围及可能的性质。结论:CT是肾上腺病变最佳影像检查方法,MRI具有重要辅助及补充诊断价值。     

老年人血清胆红素水平与冠状动脉病变程度的关系

目的观察老年人血清胆红素与冠状动脉病变的关系。方法经冠状动脉造影确诊的冠心病患者80例,其中冠状动脉轻度狭窄组15例,中度狭窄组32例,重度狭窄组33例;另外选取冠状动脉造影正常者40例做对照。采用重氮苯磺酸法测定血清胆红素水平,并对胆红素与各因素进行直线相关分析。结果冠心病组血清胆红素水平明显低于正常对照组,血清胆红素水平与冠状动脉病变程度成显著负相关关系(r=-0.26,P<0.05)。结论冠心病患者血清胆红素水平较正常人明显降低。低血清胆红素可能是冠心病的一种危险因素。血清胆红素水平与冠状动脉狭窄程度有明显相关性。