Go-kart injuries

The pattern and number of injuries which have occurred over a period of 4 years at Aviemore Kart Tract are described. Some of the modifications which have significantly reduced the number and severity of the injuries are discussed.     

Osteochondral fracture of the trochlea associated with fracture-dislocation of the elbow

A case of osteochondral fracture of the trochlea occurring as part of a fracture-dislocation of the elbow is reported. The damage to the medial articular surfaces was not apparent until the joint was explored. The osteochondral fragment was replaced and fixed with Smillie's pins and the result of treatment was good.     

Comparison of EQ-5D and SF-6D utilities in mental health patients

Various preference-based measures of health are available for use as an outcome measure in cost-utility analysis. The aim of this study is to compare two such measures EQ-5D and SF-6D in mental health patients. Baseline data from a Dutch multi-centre randomised trial of 616 patients with mood and/or anxiety disorders were used. Mean and median EQ-5D and SF-6D utilities were compared, both in the total sample and between severity subgroups based on quartiles of SCL-90 scores. Utilities were expected to decline with increased severity.Both EQ-5D and SF-6D utilities differed significantly between patients of adjacent severity groups. Mean utilities increased from 0.51 at baseline to 0.68 at 1.5 years follow-up for EQ-5D and from 0.58 to 0.70 for SF-6D. For all severity subgroups, the mean change in EQ-5D utilities as well as in SF-6D utilities was statistically significant. Standardised response means were higher for SF-6D utilities. We concluded that both EQ-5D and SF-6D discriminated between severity subgroups and captured improvements in health over time. However, the use of EQ-5D resulted in larger health gains and consequent lower cost-utility ratios, especially for the subgroup with the highest severity of mental health problems.     

A micromethod for the emergency estimation of plasma paracetamol concentration using high performance liquid chromatography

A method has been developed for the emergency estimation of paracetamol using high performance liquid chromatography. The sample required is 100 microliters of plasma; the use of a micro-centrifuge reduces the total time for the estimation to 5 min from the receipt of the blood specimen. The method has been compared with a standard UV method.     

Orthoplast brace for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures

This is a preliminary report of a prospective study in treating 82 tibial shaft fractures using Orthoplast brace during 1979–1980 at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The brace was applied at $\text{3–4}\text{1}\text{2}$ weeks to tibial shaft fractures managed conservatively. This method is found to be extremely satisfactory and free of major complications e.g. non-union and infection. The average time for fracture healing was 13.50 weeks for closed and 16.75 weeks for open fractures.     

BNP concentrations and cardiovascular adaptation in preterm and fullterm newborn infants

To evaluate and compare cardiovascular adaptation of 36 preterm and 34 fullterm newborns, we analyzed BNP concentration and echocardiographic parameters at day 3 of life and at day 28 (± 2). On day 3 BNP concentrations (pg/ml) resulted higher in PDA preterm group (n = 11; 125, IQR 56.1-301) than preterm without PDA (n = 25; 25.5 IQR 10.9-49; p < 0.001) than fullterms (n = 34; 55.1 IQR 23.6-82.7; p = 0.013). No difference resulted in all groups at 28 days (respectively: 12.7 IQR 4.9-23.8; 15.6 IQR 10-22; 8.9 IQR 5.6-20.6). Because of the newborns' growth, all echocardiographic parameters increased with linear relationship with body weight. On day 3 BNP concentration and echocardiographic parameters were not correlated besides LA/AO in preterms with PDA (p = 0.0015). On day 28, BNP was significantly correlated with mVTI (p = 0.019), M (p = 0.007) and LA (p = 0.005) in fullterms and only with LA (p = 0.007) in preterms.In conclusion, BNP concentrations and echocardiographic measures confirm that preterm, and fullterm newborns conduct themselves in a similar manner during the transition from foetal to post-natal circulation, reaching low levels at a month of life. The presence of PDA during first days of life has no significant impact in this adaptation. LA is the echocardiographic parameter mostly related to BNP concentration in the newborns.     

Gout Assessment Questionnaire: Initial results of reliability, validity and responsiveness

We evaluated the psychometric properties of a new gout-specific patient reported outcomes questionnaire. The Gout Assessment Questionnaire (GAQ) and the SF-36 were administered to 126 subjects in a multicenter Phase II program of febuxostat, an investigational treatment for hyperuricemia (serum uric acid >8.0 mg/dl) in patients with chronic gout. The questionnaire was administered at baseline and 1, 6 and 12 months later. The majority of subjects, mean age 54 years, were male, Caucasian and had experienced a gout flare within the last year. Seven domains were identified, all met criteria for reliability and validity. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.78 to 0.97. Pearson correlations between GAQ and SF-36 scales were generally low to moderate, with the highest correlation between Gout Pain and Severity and SF-36 Bodily Pain, r = 0.45. Guyatt's statistic (measure of responsiveness) ranged from 0.24 to 1.00 at 12 months. Minimal clinically important differences ranged from 2 (Gout Concern) to 10 points (Productivity). The GAQ has acceptable psychometric properties. Further research is required to confirm results, which may provide more information to improve the GAQ for use in clinical trials.     

参附注射液对重症急性胰腺炎大鼠NO和ET-1的影响

目的本研究通过对参附注射液在SD大鼠重症急性胰腺炎模型上的使用,观察其对血清及胰腺组织NO和ET-1的影响,探讨其作用机理,为临床使用提供实验依据。方法48只SD大鼠随机分为3组：假手术组（n=16）、SAP组（n=16）、SF组（n=16）。假手术组开腹后仅翻动肠管,SAP组、SF组以3％牛磺胆酸钠2mL／kg逆行注入胆胰管,复制重症胰腺炎模型。制模成功后,SF组大鼠,尾静脉注射参附注射液,假手术组、SAP组给予等量生理盐水,每12h1次。各组分别于制模后12h、24h两个时间点取材。观测腹水,检测血清淀粉酶及血清和胰腺组织NO、ET-1浓度,并计算ET1／NO比值,胰腺组织行HE染色光镜检查形态学变化。结果各时点血清淀粉酶活性、胰腺病理评分：SAP组、SF组显著高于假手术组（P〈0．01）,SF组低于SAP组（P〈0．01）;血清、胰腺组织内ET-1、NO浓度：SAP组、SF组显著高于假手术组（P〈0．01）,SF组显著低于SAP组（P〈0．01）;血清、胰腺组织内ET-1／NO比值,SAP组显著高于假手术组（P〈0．01）,SF组与SAP组相比降低（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）。结论SF组与模型组相比较,血清、胰腺组织NO、ET-1浓度下降差异有统计学意义,与此同时血清淀粉酶活性,胰腺湿干重比值降低,表明参附注射液可减轻胰腺组织损害,对胰腺组织有保护作用。     

郑,k11市60岁以上部分城市居民老年生存质量调查分析

目的了解郑州市城市居民老年人生存质量现状,影响因素,寻找解决老年人健康问题合理方法。方法随机抽取郑州市城市家庭中年龄在60岁以上的老年人800个,采用SF-36健康状况调查表对其生存质量进行调查。结果72．5％的郑州市城市居民老年人生存质量在中等及以上水平。结论老年人生存质量状况受多种因素的共同影响,其中,年龄、性别是影响老年人生存质量的重要因素。