To our readers: Important questions from the editors/editorial board

This letter proposes updating the World Journal of Gastroenterology(WJG) with several new items and subsections and seeks the readers' input for these suggested changes. In order to further enhance the scope of the WJG, to make it more interactive, and to accommodate our readers' interest, the editors ask the readers for their input regarding potential new proposed changes and new subsections listed below:(1) new subsection-selected highlights from other related Baishideng Publishing Group world series journals;(2) new subsection-challenging images of the week-a quiz with an answer and references on another page;(3) to re-introduce or restore for some issues the cover page on which selected illustration;(4) new subsection-new hypotheses, new concepts and revisiting old concepts in a short, commentary format;(5) preview of the forthcoming issue articles(title and authors);(6) suggestions submitted by the readers-new topics and initiatives; and(7) additional topic area-molecular basis of gastric/liver diseases as an additional area for articles submitted to the journal.     

冷凝集素综合征患者行食管癌根治术的护理

目的 总结1例冷凝集素综合征患者开胸行食管癌根治术的护理经验。方法 术中对患者进行目标体温（37~38 ℃）管理,根据患者的体温变化及时调整环境和加温设施温度,预防低体温和热损伤;术中监测血流动力学及尿液的变化,及时观察有无溶血发生;术后指导患者保暖,预防冷凝集素综合征复发。结果及结论 手术历时2.5 h,患者无血管内溶血表现,术后10 d康复出院。     

Does Price Matter? The Effect of Decreased Price on Spirits Consumption in Switzerland

BACKGROUND: On July 1st, 1999, the spirits market in Switzerland was reformed based on the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement. The tax reform, in addition to increased competition, has resulted in a 30-50% decrease in price for foreign spirits (liquor). The purpose of the present study is to examine whether decreased prices due to the tax reform and the liberalized spirits market in Switzerland have had an effect on spirits consumption, and whether the effect differs by demographic and other correlates. METHODS: The present study uses data from a longitudinal study on changes in alcohol consumption in Switzerland's resident population. The baseline survey was conducted 3 months before the tax reform and the follow-up was conducted 28 months after the tax reform. A randomly selected sample of 4007 residents aged 15 years or older participated in the baseline survey and 73% in the follow-up survey. The data were obtained by computer-assisted telephone interview, including detailed questions on alcohol consumption, drinking habits, problem drinking, purchase of spirits and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Consumption of spirits increased after the price of spirits decreased. The increase in spirits consumption was consistent across subgroups, with the exception of the group aged 60 or older. Moreover, the increase in spirits consumption persisted even after adjustment for significant correlates of spirits consumption. Apart from age, there was no evidence that the increase in spirits consumption differed between subgroups as defined by sex, region, working status, education, smoking, drinking frequency, or average number of drinks. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that younger people are more affected by price than older persons. This study demonstrated that price should be considered an effective policy to reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol-related problems, especially among the younger population.     

Occupational chronic exposure to organic solvents XI. Alkylbenzene exposure of varnish workers: effects on hematopoetic system

Summary Thirty-five spraymen, who were varnishing vehicles with alkyd-, phenol- and polyestervarnishes, which were dissolved in solvent mixtures mainly containing o-, m-, p-xylene and ethylbenzene, have been investigated. The concentrations of these solvents in air were 2.1, 7.9, 2.8 and 4.0 ppm on average. The levels of alkylbenzenes in blood and those of their metabolites in urine have been determined. At two of the six working places the spraymen were additionally exposed to n-butanol, respectively 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and several C₉-aromatic hydrocarbons. Some of the lacquers contained lead pigments. Alterations of blood cell counts have been observed under the described conditions of exposure. On average the number of lymphocytes was higher than that of segmented granulocytes. Erythrocytes and hemoglobin level of the spraymen were lower than those of the controls.     

IP项目对农村地区计划生育观念影响的评价

目的:探索提高农村地区计划生育积极性,有效实行计划生育基本国策的综合方案。方法:利用由日本家族计划国际协力财团资助的第五期计划生育结合项目在8个县市的农村地区实施的资料。结果:通过由计划生育部门牵头的防治寄生虫、改善生活质量和妇幼保健服务,使计划生育部门在群众中的威信得到提高,通过宣传教育,人们的计划生育及相关观念有了较大转变,对生殖健康规划和计划生育工作产生了积极影响。结论:在农村地区开展计划生育工作,不能单纯依靠强制措施,而应加强计划生育的宣传和指导,通过计划生育的信息、教育和咨询使人们自觉自愿地接受,以促进母亲和儿童健康为主的计划生育,推动全民参与计划生育工作。     

Preparation and pharmacological activity of the condensation product of adrenaline with acetaldehyde

Summary In vitro incubation of adrenaline with acetaldehyde resulted in the formation of an amorphous product (MA 3) which gave origin to two spots on chromatography plates. Preparative TLC allowed us to separate the corresponding substances, MA 4 and MA 5. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, ultraviolet and infrared spectra of MA 4 agree with the structure corresponding to 1,2-dimethyl-4,6,7-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. MA 5 is very unstable and was not further characterized.Pharmacological experiments were carried out with MA 3 and MA 4 (and in some cases, MA 5) on isolated saphenous vein strips and isolated guinea-pig atria; responses of the nictitating membrane, blood pressure and hind-limb perfusion pressure were obtained in the anaesthetized dog. There were only quantitative differences between the effects of MA 3, MA 4 and MA 5 (where tested). Therefore, these effects are described as effects of TIQs (tetrahydroisoquinolines).TIQs contracted isolated saphenous vein strips, behaving as total agonists; the dose-response curves were displaced to the right by phentolamine and to the left by cocaine (potentiation factor: 2.7±0.1). In the dog, contractions of the nictitating membrane, rises of blood pressure and of the perfusion pressure (after i.a. injection) were observed. On isolated guinea-pig atria, weak beta adrenergic receptor activation was found. With higher concentrations, beta receptor blockade was observed, for both cardiac and vascular smooth muscle receptors.The effects of TIQs were short-lasting, showing that a rapid inactivation occurred both in vitro and in vivo; neuronal uptake appears to play an important role in inactivation, since cocaine was able to block about 70% of the inactivation capacity of isolated vein strips.The effects of nerve stimulation on the vein strips or on the nictitating membrane were reduced by TIQs; however, this did not affect responses to noradrenaline and enhanced those to tyramine or DMPP. Simultaneously with reduction of the effects of electrical stimulation, blockade of inactivation of endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline was induced by TIQs.Marked depletion of noradrenaline levels in the heart, hypothalamus and aorta of the guinea pig was caused by MA 3 (1–3 mg/kg).It is concluded that the condensation products of adrenaline with acetaldehyde are not devoid of pharmacological activity, are taken up by adrenergic nerve terminals and may act as false transmitters. The similarity of effects of TIQs and acetaldehyde suggests that formation of TIQs may occur in vivo, after acetaldehyde dehyde (or ethanol( administration, both in the adrenal gland and in sympathetic nerve terminals. These TIQ alkaloids could play an important role in alcoholic intoxication and in the ethanol withdrawal syndrome.Part of the results were presented to the 2nd Meeting on Adrenergic Mechanisms, University of Porto, October 3–6, 1973 and to the 4th Meeting of the Protuguese Pharmacological Society (Oeiras, November 26–27, 1973).Supported by grants from Instituto de Alta Cultura, Research Projects PMC-2 and PFR-6.     

Changes at the nodes of ranvier during wallerian degeneration: an electron microscope study

Summary Observations are reported on the ultrastructural alterations at the nodes of Ranvier in the rat sural nerve during the course of Wallerian degeneration. These were examined between 12 and 120 hours after a localized crush injury.The earliest detectable changes are in the axon. Nodal and paranodal accumulations of mitochondria, multivesicular bodies, lamellar bodies and small vesicular and tubular profiles are seen at a proportion of the nodes and are most evident at 24–36 hours. Concomitantly with this, the neurofilaments and neurotubulus fragment, lose their alignment and clump together. The zone of increased density just beneath the nodal axolemma is preserved.Changes in the myelin begin slightly later and consist of vesicular breakdown of the terminal myelin lamellae, and separation of the terminal myelin loops from the axolemma by Schwann cell processes. The latter event appeared to be associated with retraction of the myelin from the node. Schwann cell processes also extend to cover the nodal axon, separating the Schwann cell nodal processes from the axolemma.The final stage is the interruption of the nodal axon and the fusion of the ends of the myelin as part of ovoid formation.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird über ultrastrukturelle Veränderungen in den Ranvierschen Knoten des N.suralis der Ratte im Laufe der Wallerschen Degeneration berichtet. Die Untersuchungen erfolgten 12 und 120 Std nach einer örtlichen Quetschungsverletzung.Die ersten bemerkbaren Veränderungen finden sich im Axon. Nodale und paranodale Anhäufungen von Mitochondrien, multivesikulären und lamellären Körpern, wie auch kleinen blasen- und röhrenartigen Bildungen sind teilweise in den Knoten sichtbar und am deutlichsten nach 24–36 Std erkennbar. Gleichzeitig erfolgt eine Aufsplitterung der Neurofilamente und Neurotubuli, die ihre Liniengestaltung verlieren und sich zusammenballen. Die Zone der erhöhten Dichte gerade unterhalb des nodalen Axolemmas bleibt erhalten.Veränderungen im Myelin beginnen etwas später und bestehen in einem vesikulären Verfall der Endomyelinlamellen und einer Trennung der Endomyelinschlaufen vom Axolemma durch Schwannzellenfortsätze. Dieser Vorgang schien mit einem Zurückziehen des Myelins vom Knoten im Zusammenhang zu stehen. Schwannzellenfortsätze erstrecken sich auch so weit, daß sie das nodale Axon bedecken, wobei sie die nodalen Schwannzellenfortsätze vom Axolemma trennen.Das Endstadium ist die Unterbrechung des nodalen Axons und die Verschmelzung der Myelinenden als Teil der Ovoidbildung.

     

Neurofibrillary changes,granulovacuolar bodies and argentophilic globules observed in tuberous sclerosis

Summary A lesion of tuberous sclerosis was observed in the parietal cortex of a 13-year old girl. Numerous giant neurons in the affected areas contained Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles, granulovacuolar degeneration and argentophilic globules. These findings in tuberous sclerosis, insofar as we know, are new in the literature.Aided by the Sandy Schneider Memorial Fund.     

急性脑卒中患者心电图变化临床分析

目的：分析急性脑卒中患者心电图的变化情况。方法：对116例急性脑卒中患者在急诊科接诊时做常规心电图检查，观察ST—T变化、Q—T间期改变及心律失常等情况。结果：116例急性脑卒中患者中有89例出现心电图异常，发生率为76．72％。出血性脑卒中组心电图异常率为86．49％，缺血性脑卒中组心电图异常率为72．15％。结论：急性脑卒中与心脏疾病关系密切，在治疗脑部疾病的同时，应加强心脏功能的监测，一旦出现心肌损害，应及时调整治疗方案，改善脑卒中的预后。     

医院感染性腹泻菌群及耐药性变迁的研究

目的:探讨2004年~2006年医院感染性腹泻菌群及耐药性变迁,为临床合理用药提供依据。方法:回顾性分析门诊及住院的腹泻患者大便标本培养阳性及药敏试验的临床资料。结果:共检测出病原菌184株,分离率38.1%,排在前三位的分别是志贺菌(35.9%)、埃希大肠杆菌(17.4%)、绿脓杆菌(13.6%)。耐药性检测结果显示致病菌对多种抗生素均耐药。结论:肠道病原菌菌型变迁及其耐药性监测很重要,对抗菌药的选用有着重要的意义。