An examination of associations between the inability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and clinical characteristics and trait markers in first-episode,nonaffective psychotic disorders

Research findings are mixed as to whether or not the inability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) might represent an endophenotypic trait marker for schizophrenia. We hypothesized associations between PTC-tasting status and select clinical characteristics and trait markers in patients with psychotic disorders that, if present, would provide support for the inability to taste PTC as a trait marker. In a first-episode psychosis sample (n=93), we measured PTC tasting, family history of psychosis, age at onset of prodrome and psychosis, severity of positive and negative symptoms, global impairment in functioning, neurological soft signs, and four neurocognitive domains (verbal learning/memory, visual learning/memory, verbal working memory, and spatial working memory). Associations between PTC-non-tasting and clinical/neurocognitive variables were examined with χ² tests and independent samples t tests. Among participants, 67.7% tasted PTC in comparison to a strip of control paper, and 25.8% were non-tasters. Tasters and non-tasters did not show statistically significant differences with respect to family history, age at onset, severity of symptoms, neurological soft signs, or the four neurocognitive domains. In conjunction with other findings, it is unlikely that PTC-non-tasting is a trait marker of schizophrenia, though a conclusive study is warranted.     

Cervical spine computed tomography utilization in pediatric trauma patients

Background

Guidelines for evaluating the cervical spine in pediatric trauma patients recommend cervical spine CT (CSCT) when plain radiographs suggest an injury. Our objective was to compare usage of CSCT between a pediatric trauma center (PTC) and referral general emergency departments (GEDs).

Methods

Patient data from a pediatric trauma registry from 2002 to 2011 were analyzed. Rates of CSI and CSCT of patients presenting to the PTC and GED were compared. Factors associated with use of CSCT were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

5148 patients were evaluated, 2142 (41.6%) at the PTC and 3006 (58.4%) at the GED. Groups were similar with regard to age, gender, GCS, and triage category. GED patients had a higher median ISS (14 vs. 9, p < 0.05) and more frequent ICU admissions (44.3% vs. 26.1% p < 0.05). CSI rate was 2.1% (107/5148) and remained stable. CSCT use increased from 3.5% to 16.1% over time at the PTC (mean 9.6% 95% CI = 8.3, 10.9) and increased from 6.8% to 42.0% (mean 26.9%, CI = 25.4, 28.4) at the GED. Initial care at a GED remained strongly associated with CSCT.

Conclusions

Despite a stable rate of CSI, rate of CSCT increased significantly over time, especially among patients initially evaluated at a GED.     

The role of aquaporin-1 in idiopathic and drug-induced intracranial hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a common disorder affecting mainly healthy, young, overweight women. The pathogenesis of this condition is unknown, but it has been shown to follow treatment with several compounds including corticosteroids and vitamin A derivatives. This paper will offer a novel hypothesis and insight on the pathogenesis of drug induced intracranial hypertension following a review and analysis of the literature. Both corticosteroids and vitamin A derivatives have been shown to upregulate the expression of aquaporin 1, a water channel protein. Aquaporin 1 is widely distributed in the human brain and is associated with water secretion into the subarachnoid space. Aquaporin 1 was also shown to participate in the regulation of weight. Agents used for treating idiopathic intracranial hypertension reduce aquaporin 1 expression. Based on these observations, we propose that aquaporin 1 has a pathogenetic role in drug induced idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Over expression of this gene causes increased intracranial pressure, and downregulation reduces pressure and alleviates the symptomatology and complications of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.     

甲状腺乳头状癌中EGFR、PCNA的表达及其意义

目的 EGFR、PCNA蛋白在甲状腺乳头状癌中的表达和意义.方法 用免疫组织化学SP法检测在47例甲状腺乳头状癌、20例良性腺瘤、15例腺瘤旁正常组织中EGFR、PCNA的表达.结果 在甲状腺组织中EGFR的阳性率分别为乳头状癌59.57%、良性腺瘤25%、瘤旁正常组织6.67%;PCNA分别为74.47%、45%、13.33%.乳头状癌与其他各组比较,均有显著性差异(P＜0.05).结论 EGFR、PCNA表达升高,提示EGFR、PCNA的异常表达可能参与甲状腺乳头状癌的发生发展,甲状腺乳头状癌组织中EGFR或PCNA的表达与淋巴结转移密切相关.     

梅毒新生儿患者血清超敏C反应蛋白、降钙素原、CK-MB、LDH水平检测的临床价值

目的:考察梅毒新生儿患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、降钙素原(PTC)、清肌酸激酶同工酶MB亚型(CK-MB)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平检测的临床价值。方法:选取先天性梅毒新生儿66例,依据是否存在临床症状分为症状组(32例)和无症状组(34例),并选取健康新生儿30例作为健康对照。比较分析两组患儿血清hs-CRP、PTC、CK-MB、LDH阳性率和表达水平。结果:梅毒新生儿血清hs-CRP、PTC阳性率高于对照组患儿,且症状组患儿两指标阳性率高于无症状组患儿(P<0.05),三组间血清CKMB、LDH阳性率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。梅毒新生儿血清hs-CRP、PTC、CK-MB表达水平高于对照组患儿,且症状组患儿三指标阳性率高于无症状组患儿(P<0.05),三组间血清LDH表达水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:先天性梅毒患儿存在心肌损害,早期联合检测hs-CRP、PTC、CK-MB对了解梅毒新生儿患儿病情具有重要价值。     

ERCP联合PTC治疗ERCP难治性胆道梗阻15例

目的探讨内镜逆行胰胆管造影术（ERCP）联合超声引导下经皮肝穿刺胆道放置导丝（PTC）治疗难治性胆道梗阻的可行性。方法对15例胆道梗阻ERCP（胆总管结石3例,胆总管癌8例,壶腹周围癌4例）治疗失败患者,先超声引导下PTC放置导丝入十二指肠,ERCP时经过此导丝行奥迪氏括约肌切开网篮取石或胆道支架植入术。观察其临床效果。结果 15例均获得成功,右侧肝管穿刺11例,左侧肝管4例,未发生明显并发症。3例胆总管结石患者均取石成功,12例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者3天后查血胆红素均明显下降。结论 ERCP联合PTC在胆道梗阻单纯ERCP不成功时是一种不错的治疗方法,但是对技术要求比较高,要严格把握其适应症。     

海南汉族青年苯硫脲尝味能力测定

本文用阈值法对海南岛汉族青年７０６人的尝味能力进行了测试，并计算了尝味者与味盲者的基因型频率和基因频率。结果表明尝味者上８７．６８％，味 为１２．３２％。尝味基因（Ｔ）为０．６４９０，味盲基因（ｔ）为０．３５１０。经统计学处理，男女之间味盲盲率没有显著性差异（Ｐ〉０．０５），而尝味平均阀值在男女之间有极显著性差异（Ｐ〈０．０１）。