Guidelines and recommendations for MR imaging safety and patient management III. Questionnaire for screening patients before MR procedures

The authors present the third installment of the guidelines and recommendations from the Safety Committee of the Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (now the Society of Magnetic Resonance) concerning various issues related to the safety and management of patients undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) procedures. This document was developed to provide standardized and consistent information for use by health practitioners involved in screening patients or other individuals for MR procedures.     

Natural history of IgE-mediated food allergy in fully breast-fed babies

We have studied 21 babies with IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) sensitized via breast milk. The diagnosis of IgE-mediated FA was based on the response to elimination diet and challenge tests, and was confirmed by positive RAST and skin tests. The children exhibited immediate symptoms, such as urticaria, angioedema, and asthma. Only 5/21 children developed tolerance to the offending food at the median age of 14 years. The children who failed to develop tolerance still have high levels of IgE antibodies towards the offending food. In conclusion, the results of our long-term follow-up study show that the natural history of FA in children sensitized via breast milk may be less optimistic than generally reported.     

微型无线收发器在中央监护系统中的应用

中央监护系统能够实现对病人的生理或生化参数连续、长时间、自动、实时监测，并经分析、处理后实现多类别自动报警、自动记录及对诊断结果进行综合判断等。传统的多参数生理监护系统主要是通过各种专用电缆来实现网络化，在增加产品成本的同时也加大了施工的难度。本文在分析了无线收发芯片XE1201的工作原理基础上，重点介绍了应用其开发无线收发模块的原理和方法，并利用此模块构建了无线中央监护系统，继而对整个系统的性能进行了测试。该系统已在实验室中实现，并对心电(ECG)、无创血压、血氧饱和度(SPO2)等多生理参数进行实时监护，将信息提供给医院内的网络，以供访问使用。     

1999～2001年全国治疗药物监测室间质评结果

目的:通过开展室间质量评价活动提高临床实验室的检验结果质量。方法:每年向参加治疗药物监测(TDM)室间质量评价活动的单位发放质控品10个批号,测定项目包括茶碱、地高辛、苯妥英、苯巴比妥、卡马西平和环孢菌素A,实验室用常规方法测定并回报测定结果,经计算机软件对全部结果进行统计分析。结果:2001年参加TDM室间质评的实验室数为48家,测定结果的平均及格率分别为茶碱94.2％、地高辛82.6％、苯妥英83.8％、苯巴比妥88.4％、卡马西平94.2和环孢菌素A92.4％。1999～2001年全国TDM室间质评的年平均及格率分别为78.7％、84.7％和89.3％。不同测定方法的精密度分别为茶碱4.4％～14.2％、地高辛11.5％～21.9％、苯妥英8.5％～29.5％、苯巴比妥8.2％～13.9％、卡马西平10.8％～12.6％和环孢菌素A15.5％～16.6％。结论:多数参加TDM室间质评实验室的测定结果有较好的一致性,及格率逐年上升,但参加TDM室间质评的实验室数占开展TDM的实验室总数的比例较低,在不同的测定方法间还存在较大的差异。     

Occupational exposure of deck crews to carcinogenic agents on crude oil tankers

Occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents on the decks on six Norwegian crude oil tankers was examined in five harbors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the need for improving the working environment on deck on these tankers. Technical arrangments and the work itself on the deck were observed during loading or unloading. Occupational monitoring was performed by active sampling of benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and some aldehydes. The crew answered a questionnaire concerning their work, use of protective equipment, and occurrence of acute symptoms. The levels of air-borne carcinogenic agents were low, probably due to closed loading systems on all tankers. However, the seamen reported discomfort during the work that may be related to other chemical agents in the cargo. The seamen were frequently painting with lead chromate paint without using personal protective equipment. This type of chemical exposure should be evaluated.     

Iodine status in vegans consuming a living food diet

The dietary intake and urinary output of iodine and the thyroid activity was measured in 12 living food eaters (people consuming uncooked, Lactobacilli rich vegan food) and omnivores. Seven day food record was used for calculating the dietary iodine intake, instrumental neutron activation analysis for measuring the urinary iodine output and RIA for determining of the thyroid hormones (TSH and FT4). The living food eaters were divided into two groups according to urinary iodine output: high iodine group (≥900 ug/d) and low iodine group (<200 ug/d). Thyroid activity in both groups was with in normal range. Dietary intake of iodine was dependent on the the use of seaweed. The highest amounts of dietary iodine observed in the present study, as assessed by the the urinary iodine output, can be harmful for susceptible subjects. On the other hand the calculated intake of iodine by living food eaters didn't fill the RDA. As an conclusion on a living food diet one has to ensure the sufficient intake of iodine by consuming seaweed or Kelp tablets daily. However the intake of these preparations needs to be kept at reasonble limits due to their possible high iodine content. More information of the iodine content of different seaweeds and seaweed products is needed.     

Efficacy of short‐term oral cobalamin therapy for the treatment of cobalamin deficiencies related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption: A study of 30 patients

Background: It has been suggested that oral cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) therapy may be an effective therapy for treating cobalamin deficiencies related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption. However, the duration of this treatment was not determined. Patients and method: In an open‐label, nonplacebo study, we studied 30 patients with established cobalamin deficiency related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption, who received between 250 and 1000 μg of oral crystalline cyanocobalamin per day for at least 1 month. Endpoints: Blood counts, serum cobalamin and homocysteine levels were determined at baseline and during the first month of treatment. Results: During the first month of treatment, 87% of the patients normalized their serum cobalamin levels; 100% increased their serum cobalamin levels (mean increase, +167 pg/dl; P < 0.001 compared with baseline); 100% had evidence of medullary regeneration; 100% corrected their initial macrocytosis; and 54% corrected their anemia. All patients had increased hemoglobin levels (mean increase, +0.6 g/dl) and reticulocyte counts (mean increase, +35 × 10⁶/l) and decreased erythrocyte cell volume (mean decrease, 3 fl; all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that crystalline cyanocobalamin, 250–1000 μg /day, given orally for 1 month, may be an effective treatment for cobalamin deficiencies not related to pernicious anemia.     

Remarkable correlation between increased HLA-DQ antigen positive monocytes and prognosis of renal transplantation

Since cyclosporin A (CsA), a widely used immunosuppressive drug, strongly suppresses interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion, it is frequently difficult to estimate T lymphocyte activation in early acute rejection. We found that, when evaluated based on HLA-DQ antigen expression, monocyte activation in the peripheral blood of renal transplantation patients was a very sharp parameter in diagosing acute rejection. All of 16 episodes of early acute rejection, which were relatively easily suppressed by steroid pulse therapy, showed a sharp increase in the proportion of HLA-DQ antigen-positive monocytes (DQ⁺ mono) and a quick return of DQ⁺ mono to previous values, along with a fall in serum creatinine levels. Since, however, HLA-DR antigen-positive T lymphocytes (DR ⁺T) were markedly increased over a long period in episodes of therapy-resistant and chronic rejection, their prolonged high value was regarded as a parameter indicative of poor prognosis.     

脐动脉血流速波、产前胎心监护及脐动脉血气分析与新生儿结局的对比研究

测定１１５例足月妊娠者（正常妊娠６２例，高危妊娠５３例）脐动脉血流速波（ＵｍＡＳ／Ｄ），同时作产前胎心电子监护（ＮＳＴ），其中３７例于分娩时抽取脐动脉血作血气分析。对上述三种方法预测新生儿结局的效果进行比较。结果表明：ＵｍＡＳ／Ｄ、脐动脉血的ｐＨ值较ＮＳＴ对新生儿结局不良有较好的预测性，异常ＵｒｎＡＳ／Ｄ与新生儿酸中毒有密切关系。