Poor co-ordination in 5 year olds: A screening test for use in schools

A simple standardized screening test (South Australian Motor Co-ordination Screening Test, SAM Test) was developed to screen for poor co-ordination in 5 year olds; This SAM Test, which can be used by teachers, nurses and doctors, has explicit pass/fail criteria and has classified correctly 90% of children. The McCarthy Motor Scales, which are time consuming and limited to use by psychologists, were used to categorize 60 poorly co-ordinated and 60 normal children. The 120 children thus selected were tested on 19 items covering gross and fine motor skills. Statistical analysis to determine which items best discriminated between the two groups found the following five gross motor items to be most effective: one leg balancing, hopping, heel-toe walking on line, jumping Over ribbon and dropping ball and catching.     

Modulation of infection-induced inflammation and locomotive deficit and longevity in senescence-accelerated mice-prone (SAMP8) model by the oligomerized polyphenol Oligonol.

Oligonol is produced from the oligomerization of polyphenols (typically proanthocyanidin from a variety of fruits such as lychees, grapes, apples, persimmons, etc.) and contains catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins. The ability of Oligonol to affect infection-dependent eye inflammation, locomotion and longevity in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP8) (a model of senescence acceleration and geriatric disorders with increased oxidative stress and neuronal deficit) was investigated. Oligonol (60mg/kg) significantly modulated the extent of inflammation scores in the eye of SAMP8 mice. Examination of the mice indicated infection with mouse hepatitis virus and pinworm (Syphacia obvelata) in both males and females and with the intestinal protozoa (trichomonad) in males. A comparison of the two groups (using log-rank test) and the difference in the mean life span between groups (using Student's t-test) indicated significant differences in survival (p=0.043) and the mean life span (p=0.033) in male SAMP8 mice. Oligonol increased the mean life span and this was statistically significant. In the open-field locomotive test, the 7-week-old SAMP8 mice crossed more than 40 partitioned lines in 1min. At 48-week-old control untreated male SAMP8 crossed 2 lines. The Oligonol-treated 48-week-old male SAMP8 mice crossed 17 lines however. The improved locomotive activity was statistically significant even after 36weeks in the Oligonol-treated male SAMP8 but this was not the case throughout the time course of the study in the Oligonol-treated female SAMP8. Thus Oligonol treatment to SAMP8 mice modulated the severity of infection-dependent inflammation, prolonged life-span and significantly improved locomotive activity indicating potential benefit to aging-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. This presents potential for further research to define infection-dependent inflammation associated with degenerative conditions and the molecular mechanism of dietary antioxidant protection.     

Threshold for occluded formaldehyde patch test in formaldehyde-sensitive patients

Our purpose was to investigate the eliciting threshold concentration of formaldehyde in formaldehyde-sensitive individuals in the occluded and non-occluded patch teat and to evaluate the relationship in repeated open application test (ROAT) with a product containing a formaldehyde releaser. 20 formaldehyde-sensitive patients and a control group of 20 healthy volunteer were included in the study. Occluded and non-occluded patch tests with formaldehyde solutions form 25 to 10,000 ppm. and ROAT for I week with a leave-on cosmetic product containing on average 300 ppm formaldehyde. Were carried out simultaneously on each subject. In the occluded patch test. 1/2 of the 20 patients only reacted to 10,000 ppm formaldehyde. 9 reacted to 5,000 ppm. 3 reacted to 1.000 ppm. 2 reacted to 500 ppm and I reacted to 25 ppm. No definite positive reactions were observed in the non-occluded patch test or in the ROAT No positive reactions were observed in the control group to any of the test procedures. We concluded that the threshold concentration for occluded patch test to formaldehyde in formaldehyde-sensitive patients was 250 ppm. The threshold in occluded patch test corresponded to the degree of sensitivity Definite positive reactions in the ROAT were not seen, either indicating that they are unlikely to happen with the type of product used or that the exposure time was too short.     

葡萄糖筛选试验在妊娠期糖尿病诊断及治疗中的价值

目的　探讨 5 0 g葡萄糖筛选试验 (GCT)在妊娠期糖尿病 (GDM )诊断及治疗中的价值。 方法　选择 2 0 0 0年 1月～ 2 0 0 3年 6月在我院行产前检查并分娩的 5 0 gGCT异常的孕妇 36 8例 ,按血糖值分为 5组 :≥7.8～ <8.0mmol/L为Ⅰ组 ,≥ 8.0～ <9.0mmol/L为Ⅱ组 ,≥ 9.0～ <10 .0mmol/L为Ⅲ组 ,≥ 10 .0～ <11.0mmol/L为Ⅳ组 ,≥ 11.0mmol/L为Ⅴ组。比较 5组 75 g口服葡萄糖耐量试验 (OGTT)异常的比例及需用胰岛素治疗的病例数的差异。结果　 5组GDM的发生率分别为 6 .9%、8.5 %、2 1.3%、4 7.8%和 85 .0 % ,75 gOGTT异常的发生率分别为 19.0 %、2 4 .2 %、5 1.1%、87.0 %和 90 .0 % ,且用胰岛素治疗的病例数随 5 0 gGCT血糖值的上升而增加。结论　 5 0 gGCT在GDM的诊断及治疗方案的预测方面均有重要价值。     

Biological characterization of glutaraldehyde-modified Parietaria judaica pollen extracts

BACKGROUND: Allergoids are widely used in specific immunotherapy (SIT) for the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, but all techniques for standardization of conventional allergic extracts may not be appropriate for standardization of a glutaraldehyde (GA)-modified extract because of the unique characteristics of these extracts. OBJECTIVE: To assess an accurate methodology for standardization of chemically modified extracts. METHODS: GA-modified extracts from Parietaria judaica pollen were purified by diafiltration. Biochemical properties were investigated by determination of amino groups, chromatography, and SDS-PAGE. The IgE-binding activity was determined by skin prick test, enzyme allergosorbent test inhibition, basophil activation, and histamine release tests. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from P. judaica pollen-allergic subjects were stimulated with either native or allergoid extracts, and proliferation was measured. RESULTS: Biochemical data indicated a high degree of allergen polymerization resulting in extract components higher than 100 kDa. IgE-binding activity, both in vivo and in vitro, was reduced by more than 99.8%. Both allergen and allergoid induced PBMC proliferation and synthesis of blocking IgG antibodies at similar rates. Moreover, no evidence of introduction of new determinants by chemical modification was found. CONCLUSIONS: The preparation of GA-modified extracts by diafiltration is faster and more reliable than previous chromatographic methods. These modified extracts have drastically reduced their allergenicity while maintaining their immunogenicity, and therefore they can be used in safer and shortened schedules of SIT.     

阿昔洛韦对单纯疱疹病毒脑炎小鼠脑细胞的保护作用

目的 了解单纯疱疹病毒脑炎(HSE)脑细胞结构的改变及药物的影响。方法 采用光学显微镜及透射电子显微镜观察HSE小鼠脑细胞结构的变化，并给予阿昔洛韦(ACV)及地塞米松(DEX)治疗，观察治疗后脑细胞结构的变化。结果 HSE小鼠脑神经细胞明显肿胀，核仁固缩，核内结构破坏，线粒体及高尔基体可见空泡样变性，核仁内可见病毒颗粒。用药物干预的小鼠脑神经细胞改变较轻微，未找到病毒颗粒；与单用ACV干预的小鼠相比，用ACV DEX干预的小鼠脑神经细胞及毛细血管周围水肿明显减轻。结论 HSE早期给予ACV DEX治疗，对HSE脑细胞结构有明显保护作用。     

Altered tachykinergic influence on gastric mechanical activity in mdx mice

This study investigated whether alterations in gastric activity in dystrophic mdx mouse can be attributed to dysfunctions of tachykinins. Endoluminal pressure was recorded and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), NK1 and NK2 neurokinin receptors was investigated by immunohistochemistry. SR48968, NK2 receptor antagonist, but not SR140333, NK1 receptor antagonist, decreased the tone only in mdx gastric preparations. In the presence of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), inhibitor of NOS, SR48968 reduced the tone also in normal stomach. [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]-SP, agonist of NK1 receptors, caused tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxations, antagonized by SR140333 or l-NAME, with no difference in the potency or efficacy between normal and mdx preparations. [beta-Ala(8)]-NKA(4-10), an NK2 receptor agonist, induced SR48968-sensitive contractions in both types of preparations, although the maximal response of mdx tissues was significantly lower than normal preparations. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a consistent reduction of nNOS and NK2 receptor expression in mdx stomach smooth muscle cells and no change in nNOS and NK1 receptor expression in neurones. In conclusion, in mdx stomach the activation of NK2 receptors plays a role in the development of the tone, associated with a reduced NO production by muscular nNOS. The hypo-responsiveness to NK2 receptors could depend on the reduced expression of these receptors.     

Comparison of the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus, WHO-1985, ADA-1997 and WHO-1999 in the adult population of Asturias (Spain).

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus with three diagnostic criteria (WHO-1985 and 1999 and ADA-1997), evaluate their concordance and analyse the sensitivity and specificity of the different screening strategies for diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional population study with two-step sampling. One thousand and 34 people were selected randomly. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and venous blood samples were obtained fasting and at 2 h. RESULTS: The prevalence of known Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) is 4%[95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8, 5.1]. By WHO-1985 criteria the prevalence of unknown DM-2 is 5.9% (4.5, 7.4); by ADA-1997 criteria 3.5% (2.5, 4.6) and by WHO-1999 criteria 7.3% (5.8, 8.8). Diagnostic overlap and statistical concordance (coefficient K) are WHO-1985/ADA-1997 29.3%, K=0.42; WHO-1985/WHO-1999 80%, K=0.88; ADA-1997/WHO-1999 48%, K=0.63. If only fasting glucose was used (following ADA-1997), 36.3% of those with diabetes (2-h glucose > or =11.1 mmol/l) would be diagnosed. If OGTT was performed (i) in those with a fasting glucose between 6.1 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l (9.8% of the population) we would diagnose 66.6%, and (ii) in all those between 5.7 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l (18.9% of the population) 81.8% would be diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The ADA criteria decrease the prevalence of DM in the adult population of Asturias by 2.4% and concordance with the classical criteria (WHO-1985) was only 29.3%. Using fasting glucose only (ADA-1997) diagnoses 36.3% of those with diabetes. The recent recommendations of the WHO-1999 increases this to 66.6%. To improve the diagnostic strategy for diabetes and detect up to 81.8% of patients, we propose the use of OGTT for all those with a fasting glucose between 5.7 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l.     

Validation of esophageal pressure occlusion test after paralysis

Measurements of respiratory mechanics are frequently made in ventilated infants and children. Esophageal pressure measurements (P_es using a balloon on a catheter have been used to partition the respiratory mechanics into lung and chest wall components. Appropriate positioning of this balloon is crucial to obtain accurate estimates of pleural pressure. Traditionally, in spontaneously breathing subjects the balloon position is assessed with an occlusion test. In ventilated subjects, it is not always possible to perform an occlusion test prior to paralysis, and even if such a test is performed it may not be relevant under conditions of positive pressure ventilation. We have assessed a positive pressure occlusion test that is suitable for paralyzed subjects. By occluding the airway opening and applying gentle pressure to the abdomen or rib cage, positive swings in pressure can be measured by both P_es and airway opening pressure (P_ao). We compared traditional occlusion tests measured in 16 spontaneously breathing puppies to the positive pressure occlusion test performed after paralysis. In 2 pups we were unable to obtain a reasonable traditional occlusion test (>15% difference between P_es and P_ao) but we obtained 10 traditional occlusion tests in each of the remaining 14 pups (2.1–14 kg). In 11 of these animals Ape, was within 10% of P_ao. This compared well to positive pressure occlusion test using abdominal pressure performed after paralysis, where Apes was within 10% of ΔP_ao in 10 animals. In 9 of these pups occlusion tests were also performed by applying pressure on the rib cage, where ΔP_es was within 10% of ΔP_ao in 6 animals. These results suggest that it is possible to perform accurate occlusion tests in paralyzed subjects by abdominal or rib cage compression with the airway occluded. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1994; 17:56–62. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) Induced by Afloqualone

We reported a case of photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) type drug eruption due to afloqualone (Arofuto®). The patient was given afloqualone and imipramine hydrochloride (Chrytemin®) for cervical spondylosis from November of 1990. Edematous erythema with slight itching appeared on the sun-exposed areas in December of 1990. As drug eruption was suspected, drugs were ceased, and the cutaneous lesions almost disappeared but pigmentations and depigmentations developed in spots in sun-exposed areas in March of 1991. Photopatch and oral challenge tests were positive.