Self-selection of enrollers at the creation of a managed care organization

Factors affecting choice between a managed care organization(MCO) and a fee-for-service insurance plan were examined whenthe University of Geneva health insurance plan was transformedinto an MCO, in October 1992. A case-control study using a mailedquestionnaire (response rate 84%) was conducted to compare formermembers who joined the MCO (joiners, n=421) to former memberswho opted out in order to keep fee-for-service coverage (non-joiners,n=222). Non-joiners were more likely to be women (odds ratio(OR) from multivariate model was 1.15, p=0.50), to be born inSwitzerland (OR=2.04, p<0.01), to have an annual income >75,000Swiss francs (OR=2.00, p<0.01), to have a personal physician(OR=1.96, p<0.01) and to have consulted a specialist (OR=1.69,p=0.02) or used unconventional medicine (OR=4.59, p<0.01)in the past year. During the previous year, non-joiners hadmore health care visits than joiners (14.6 versus 9.1, p=0.01).Non-joiners reported better mental health and fewer complainedof persistent fatigue (OR=2.18, p=0.03). The choice of healthplan was strongly influenced by socio-demographic characteristics,past patterns of health services utilization and health status.The self-selection process was paradoxical: MCO joiners hadused fewer health care visits than non-joiners, but their self-reportedhealth status was worse. The differences we have observed betweenself-selected populations have important implications for thefinancial performance of competing health care delivery systems.     

The universal algorithm of maturation for secretory and excretory protein precursors.

During maturation, most proteins undergo different posttranslational modifications. In most simple cases, signal peptidases remove the signal or leader peptide from the precursors of the secretory proteins during their translocation across the ER membrane. For biologically active proteins, such as enzymes, regulatory and defense proteins, toxins, etc., additional maturation-regulating mechanisms were shown to proceed with limited proteolysis of inactive precursors by specific enzymes. A number of specific enzymes from different cell types selectively cleave proproteins at specific processing sites. In this work, we analyzed the sequences of protein precursors synthesized in the excretory glands of different animals and identified new, non-traditional processing sites. They differ from the motifs previously identified in secreted proteins' precursors and enabled us to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the conversion of protein precursors into the final products (mature proteins). We also found that in animals, the maturation mechanism of secretory and excretory proteins and the set of enzymes involved are species specific. The processing sites identified in protein precursors in this study are useful for a more detailed genome analysis and more accurate mature protein sequence prediction.     

Helping families of homicide victims: A multidimensional approach

Homicide inflicts massive injury upon the intrapsychic and interpersonal realities of the surviving kin of murder victims. A New York City pilot program of outreach and counselling to 1182 families of Brooklyn homicide victims suggests that surviving kin undergo the symptoms of traumatic stress disorder. Recovery is prolonged by knowledge that the perpetrator is usually alive and in some cases unpunished, by repetitive confrontations with the criminal justice system and by the multiple losses endured: loss of a family member, loss of illusions of safety and invulnerability, loss of a sense of trust in the surrounding community, and loss of a belief system. Effective help to survivors requires interventions that respond to all aspects of the survivors' losses.     

Expanding Our Strategies to Study the Process of Change

The conceptual and methodological framework proposed by Doss (this issue) makes valuable suggestions for strategic choices in future research. This commentary addresses conceptual and terminological distinctions adopted by Doss, as well as his criticism of add-on/ dismantling studies. We also suggest research topics and methodological developments that could be integrated in Doss's framework to further expand understanding of therapeutic change.     

海藻硫酸多糖的制备及其性质研究

目的 建立一套从褐藻中提取海藻硫酸多糖(SP)简单可行的工艺流程。方法 采用乙醇分级提取和Sevage去除蛋白的方法分离、纯化SP，并用Molish反应、Fehling反应、茚三酮法和硫酸基法等鉴定SP产品，用苯酚硫酸法测定SP产品中的糖含量，硫酸基法测定SP产品中的硫酸基含量。结果 从褐藻中得到了SP产品，其得率为3％，SP产品的总糖含量高达85．4％，硫酸基含量为5．3％。结论 我们建立的SP制备工艺流程简单可行，所得产品确系硫酸酯化的海藻多糖。     

Results of a survey of the role of multidisciplinary team coordinators for colorectal cancer in England and Wales

OBJECTIVE: Over the last 6 years, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have been established and play a key role in organizing the delivery of cancer care in the UK. There are no published data on the roles of their co-coordinators. To seek the views of colorectal multidisciplinary team co-ordinators (MDTCs) on what they do and how they do it. METHOD: Questionnaires were sent to the colorectal MDTC, or equivalent, in all 180 NHS hospital trusts in England and Wales where colorectal cancer surgery is performed. RESULTS: There was a 70% response rate. Seventy-one per cent of trusts now have a dedicated MDTC, whereas in 2002, only 40% had one. MDTCs generally keep their information on databases, but these differ, and are not coordinated with data entry into the national colorectal cancer database of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. In only 26 trusts does the MDTC communicate decisions to primary care, and the patients seem almost completely excluded from this process. CONCLUSION: The recently formed national MDTC Forum should grasp the opportunity of coordinating all of this well-intentioned but pluralistic activity to the benefit of patients, primary care and hospital teams. An effective MDTC with a robust database will be the key in achieving cancer waiting time targets with useful audit, thereby improving patient care.     

一氧化氮与卵巢生理

NO是一种结构简单的气体,是脊椎动物体内已发现的分子量最小的生物活性分子。NO作为一种信使分子,生物作用广泛,在生殖系统发挥重要作用。本文着重介绍NO作为卵巢内重要的调节因子,在调节卵泡发育、卵母细胞成熟、排卵、黄体的形成与退化、激素合成等方面的研究进展。     

自体髂软骨及松质骨移植在牙槽突裂同期行鼻畸形整复术中的应用

目的　探索牙槽突裂与鼻畸形同期整复的新方法。方法　对 4 2例牙槽突裂患者采用自体髂骨及松质骨充填牙槽裂隙 ,髂嵴软骨片覆盖并充垫塌陷的梨状孔外缘及鼻侧区 ,同时利用鼻前庭黏膜软骨复合组织瓣V Y推进法整复鼻畸形。结果　 9～ 11岁患者牙槽突高度恢复平均为86 7% ,厚度恢复平均为 89 6 % ,牙槽突外形和功能为Ⅰ、Ⅱ级 ,尖牙在骨移植区萌出 ,梨状孔外缘鼻侧区低陷处高度恢复 ,鼻翼塌陷畸形恢复 ,鼻孔形态对称 ;12岁以上患者牙槽突高度恢复平均为70 1% ,厚度恢复平均为 71 7% ,牙槽突外形和功能为Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级 ;2例 18岁患者鼻背长轴、鼻端偏斜未能改善。结论　利用自体松质骨和软骨来修复牙槽突裂并同时进行鼻畸形整复 ,既能保证牙槽突高度、牙弓连续性的恢复 ,鼻畸形的改善 ,又能防止鼻背、鼻端长期畸形发展而造成难以矫正的偏斜 ,同时也能尽早消除因畸形给患者带来的心理障碍 ,是一种比较理想的整复方法     

Maturation of executive function in autism.

BACKGROUND: Executive dysfunction has been reported at different ages in autism. It is not clear however, when this impairment emerges or how its expression is affected by development. METHODS: 61 non-mentally retarded autism participants (AUT) and 61 age, gender, and IQ matched typically developing participants (CON) were assessed with two oculomotor executive function tasks, the oculomotor delayed response task (ODR) and the antisaccade task (AS), as well as a visually-guided saccade sensorimotor task (VGS). RESULTS: The AUT group demonstrated impairments in response inhibition and spatial working memory at all ages tested. Developmental improvements in speed of sensorimotor processing and voluntary response inhibition were similar in both groups indicating sparing of some attentional control of behavior. Developmental progression in the speed of initiating a cognitive plan and maintaining information on line over time, however, was impaired in the AUT group indicating abnormal development of working memory. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that while executive dysfunction is present throughout development, there is evidence for both typical and atypical developmental progression of executive functions in autism. The plasticity suggested by the developmental improvements may have implications regarding appropriate developmental epochs and types of interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive capacities in individuals with autism.     

认知矫正治疗前后慢性精神分裂症患者功能磁共振成像的对照研究

目的 探讨认知矫正治疗对精神分裂症患者工作记忆相关脑区活动的影响.方法 对10例病情稳定的慢性精神分裂症患者进行为期6个月的认知矫正治疗,分别于治疗前后进行韦克斯勒记忆量表(WMS)测查及功能磁共振成像(fMRI)测量.结果 (1)WMS测查:治疗后再认[(8.11±4.34)分]和再生[(10.22±3.35)分]以及Benton错误[(3.75±2.92)分]均较治疗前[分别为(5.78±2.95)分、(8.56±3.21)分和(8.00±6.28)分]改善,均P＜0.05.(2)fMRI:治疗前后的反应时和正确率比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).治疗后在高负荷条件下,背侧前额叶皮质(DLPFC)区域(Brodmann46区)的激活范围(x,y,z=-51,36,15;k=40,t=7.21)小于治疗前的激活范围(x,y,z=-48,24,24,k=154,t=12.72),治疗前后DLPFC区域激活(x,y,z=-24,36,18,k=12,t=3.75)的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.005);在低负荷条件下,治疗前后DLPFC区域激活的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 认知矫正治疗能改善精神分裂症患者工作记忆相关脑区的活动.