Intermediate-term outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract

International Ophthalmology - To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with refractory glaucoma...     

Preparation and bioevaluation of 99mTc-carbonyl complex of 5-hydroxy tryptamine derivative.

Studies on the development of imaging agents for targeting neuroreceptors is an area of considerable interest owing to the limited availability of specific as well as selective radiolabeled agents. Therefore, with an aim of developing a receptor-specific agent, iminodiacetic acid (IDA) derivative of 5-hydroxy tryptamine viz., HTIDA has been synthesized. HTIDA could be radiolabeled with the synthon [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) in >98% yield. The biodistribution studies in normal Swiss mice showed that the (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-HTIDA crosses the blood-brain barrier successfully with a brain uptake of 0.5%ID/g at 5min post injection. The other relevant observations from biodistribution studies included no significant uptake in any other organ and fast clearance from blood, lungs and liver.     

Changes in bone structure and mass with advancing age in the male C57BL/6J mouse.

To determine whether the mouse loses bone with aging and whether the changes mimic those observed in human aging, we examined the changes in the tibial metaphysis and diaphysis in the male C57BL/6J mouse over its life span using microcomputed tomography (microCT). Cancellous bone volume fraction (BV/TV) decreased 60% between 6 weeks and 24 months of age. Loss was characterized by decreased trabecular number (Tb.N), increased trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), and decreased connectivity. Anisotropy decreased while the structure model index increased with age. Cortical bone thickness increased between 6 weeks and 6 months of age and then decreased continuously to 24 months (-12%). Cortical bone area (Ct.Ar) remained constant between 6 and 24 months. Fat-free weight reached a peak at 12 months and gradually declined to 24 months. Total mass lost between 12 and 24 months reached 10%. Overall, the age-related changes in skeletal mass and architecture in the mouse were remarkably similar to those seen in human aging. Furthermore, the rapid early loss of cancellous bone suggests that bone loss is not just associated with old age in the mouse but rather occurs as a continuum from early growth. We conclude that the C57BL/6J male mouse maybe a useful model to study at least some aspects of age-related bone loss in humans.     

腹腔镜高选择性迷走神经切断术联合Nissen胃底折叠术:效果如何?——腹腔镜Nissen迷走神经切断术治疗胃食管返流

背景：Nissen胃底折叠术（Nissen fundoplication，NF）已不是治疗胃食管返流性疾病（gastroesophageal reflux disease，GERD）的唯一、有效的方法。对于能降低胃酸的手术方式来讲，如高选择性迷走神经切断术（highly selective vagotomy，HSV），也不仅仅是一种辅助治疗方法。对高选择性迷走神经切断术联合Nissen胃底折叠术（Nissen fundoplication with highly selective vagotomy，NFHSV）治疗GERD的作用目前尚无完整的评价。方法：2003年6月～2005年6月8例女性病人接受NFHSV，8例均有6个月GERD病史，经药物治疗症状无缓解，有餐前痛、消化性溃疡或严重的胃炎。平均随访时间12个月，术前、术后进行烧心严重程度评分测定（heart burn severity score，HSS）。结果：平均手术时间110min，无手术并发症。1例术后须用质子泵抑制剂，术后经戒烟5个月后停药。8例术后症状和烧心严重程度评分测定有明显改善。结论：NFHSV是有效的联合手术方式，尚需要进一步的研究证实这一联合术式的完全有效性和安全性。     

Measurement properties of Tai Chi exercise self-efficacy among ethnic Chinese with coronary heart disease risk factors: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in aerobic capacity and reduction in blood pressure after Tai Chi exercise programs in persons with coronary heart disease (CHD) or with CHD risk factors have been reported. Self-efficacy has been shown to be a consistent predictor of behavioral outcomes, now being applied to Tai Chi exercise. AIM: To assess the utility and appropriateness of existing tools measuring aspects of Tai Chi exercise self-efficacy (TCSE) in a new population, ethnic Chinese with CHD risk factors. Specific objectives were: (1) examine acceptability and feasibility; (2) determine score distributions; (3) assess the reliability and known-groups validity; (4) translate tool into an equivalent Chinese version and determine if there were any differences between ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese. METHODS: Following a review of the literature, two existing tools used with Caucasians were found and modified; a 9-item exercise self-efficacy tool developed by Resnick and Jenkins [Resnick B, Jenkins LS, Testing the reliability and validity of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale. Nurs. Res. 49(3) (2000) 154-159], and a 3-item tool developed by Li et al. [Li F, McAuley E, Harmer P, Duncan TE, Chaumeton NR, Tai Chi enhances self-efficacy and exercise behavior in older adults. J. Aging Phys. Act. 9 (2001) 161-171] to assess gradations of the challenge to perform Tai Chi among elderly populations. The modified TCSE tool was translated into Chinese and back-translated. A pilot study was conducted to pre-test the modified 14-item TCSE tool in ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese. RESULTS: A total of 18 subjects (mean age = 60 years, S.D. = 18.4) participated. Seven subjects (39%) identified themselves as ethnic Chinese. Ten subjects (56%) had experience performing Tai Chi, ranging from 3 months to 17 years (mean = 5.0 years, S.D.=5.0). Half of the subjects reported having a history of hypertension (n = 9, 50%), while nearly one-third reported having high cholesterol (n = 5, 28%). No significant difference in TCSE mean scores was found between ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese (p > 0.05). Internal consistency estimates were very high (TCSE Barriers, r = 0.95; TCSE Performance, r = 0.97). A statistically significant difference was found in the TCSE mean scores between Tai Chi practitioners and non-practitioners (TCSE Barriers, t = -3.3, p = 0.01; TCSE Performance, t = -2.7, p = 0.03), with Tai Chi practitioners reporting higher self-efficacy; thus providing initial evidence of known-groups validity. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of self-efficacy to overcome barriers to Tai Chi exercise (TCSE Barriers) and self-efficacy to perform Tai Chi (TCSE Performance) functioned well in this sample. The acceptability and feasibility of this tool was established and known-groups validity was confirmed. Further research using this tool among ethnic Chinese with CHD or CHD risk factors, including those with less than high school education or low literacy, is recommended as the next step in development of TCSE.     

Isolated pure lipoma of the uterus--a case report

Lipoma primary to uterus is a rare entity among uterine fatty tumors. These create preoperative diagnostic confusion and their histogenesis is still unclear. Only a few cases of pure lipoma of uterus have been reported in the last few decades. A case of isolated pure lipoma primary to uterus diagnosed postoperatively by pathological examination is presented.     

Plasma protein haptoglobin modulates renal iron loading

Haptoglobin is the plasma protein with the highest binding affinity for hemoglobin. The strength of hemoglobin binding and the existence of a specific receptor for the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex in the monocyte/macrophage system clearly suggest that haptoglobin may have a crucial role in heme-iron recovery. We used haptoglobin-null mice to evaluate the impact of haptoglobin gene inactivation on iron metabolism. Haptoglobin deficiency led to increased deposition of hemoglobin in proximal tubules of the kidney instead of the liver and the spleen as occurred in wild-type mice. This difference in organ distribution of hemoglobin in haptoglobin-deficient mice resulted in abnormal iron deposits in proximal tubules during aging. Moreover, iron also accumulated in proximal tubules after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury or after an acute plasma heme-protein overload caused by muscle injury, without affecting morphological and functional parameters of renal damage. These data demonstrate that haptoglobin crucially prevents glomerular filtration of hemoglobin and, consequently, renal iron loading during aging and following acute plasma heme-protein overload.