Critical study of hair growth analysis with computer-assisted methods

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted image analysis has been proposed for human hair growth studies. METHODS: The performances of Trichoscan, a commercially available automated system combining epiluminiscence microscopy with digital image analysis, developed for office-based hair growth measurements, have been evaluated comparatively on the same skin sites using standardized photographic equipment and calibrated processing for contrast-enhanced phototrichogram (CE-PTG) analysis. This reference method has been validated with scalp biopsies and histological examination of serial sectioning. RESULTS: Besides edge effects, hair fibres escaped the Trichoscan analysis for various reasons including, but not limited to, thickness, pigmentation, closeness and crossing. CONCLUSION: Most of these problems have been identified in the late 1980s and remain largely unsolved by the processing software that was evaluated in 2004. Therefore claims promoting the Trichoscan method for accurate hair measurements in clinical trials on scalp and body hair are not supported by the present investigation. The speed at which the analysis is performed is outweighed by the errors in signal detection. Therefore we suggest that improvements must be clearly documented before Trichoscan is established for quantified diagnostic purposes and detailed hair cycle monitoring during hair trials.     

A presenilin 1 mutation (L420R) in a family with early onset Alzheimer disease,seizures and cotton wool plaques,but not spastic paraparesis

Over 100 mutations in the presenilin‐1 gene (PSEN1) have been shown to result in familial early onset Alzheimer disease (EOAD), but only a relatively few give rise to plaques with an appearance like cotton wool (CWP) and/or spastic paraparesis (SP). A family with EOAD, seizures and CWP was investigated by neuropathological study and DNA sequencing of the PSEN1 gene. Aβ was identified in leptomeningeal vessels and in cerebral plaques. A single point mutation, p.L420R (g.1508T > G) that gives rise to a missense mutation in the eighth transmembrane (TM8) domain of PS1 was identified in two affected members of the family. p.L420R (g.1508T > G) is the mutation responsible for EOAD, seizures and CWP without SP in this family.     

双波长紫外分光光度法测定贝母中腺苷和胸苷的含量

将4种贝母的甲醇提取物经薄层色谱法粗分离后,直接用双波长紫外分光光度法测定其含量。结果表明,该方法线性关系好,腺苷和胸苷标准曲线的相关系数均为0.9999,同时也发现平贝、炉贝和伊贝中腺苷都占核苷总量60%以上,而浙贝中仅占约40%,提示贝母生药的抗凝血活性可能与贝母中核苷类化合物的种类和含量的差别有关。     

Complete obstruction of the sigmoid colon treated by primary resection and anastomosis—An improved technique (preliminary report)

Three patients with complete colonic obstruction treated by primary resection and anastomosis with intraoperative colon tube decompression and bowel lumen sterilization without a protective colostomy are presented. An improved colonic decompressor was used. It is postulated that this procedure is an alternative safe technique in patients with colonic obstruction in whom an end-colostomy, mucous fistula, or Hartmann pouch would be necessary.     

Comparative early and midterm results of open juxtarenal and infrarenal aneurysm repair

Background and aims Since the introduction of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) for aortic aneurysms, the number of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JRA) has been growing steadily due to selection bias (neck morphology for EVAR). This case-match study compares the perioperative outcome and midterm results of suprarenally clamped JRA with infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Methods From 1997 to 2004, patients who received open surgery with suprarenal clamping for JRA were included in the study and compared to matched patients with infrarenal clamping (AAA). Measurements analyzed were the in-hospital mortality and morbidity. Midterm results were obtained through clinical investigation and magnetic resonance angiography imaging. Results Thirty-five patients (mean age, 68.4 years; 30 male and 5 female) received suprarenal cross-clamping for JRA. The overall in-hospital mortality for JRA and for the controls (AAA) with elective aortic repair was 4.5% (6.1% JRA; 3% AAA, p = 0.058). The morbidity of JRA was elevated according to the rate of pulmonary complications (p = 0.021) and the need for re-operation (p = 0.019). The mean follow-up time was 2.3 years (range, 8–96 months). At follow-up, 28 patients (80%) from the JRA group and 29 patients from the AAA group (82.9%) were alive. Conclusion Open aortic surgery for JRA with the need for suprarenal cross-clamping shows a slightly elevated in-hospital mortality rate without statistical significance and equal midterm mortality results in comparison with infrarenally clamped aortic aneurysms.     

Scalp electrical recording during paralysis: quantitative evidence that EEG frequencies above 20 Hz are contaminated by EMG.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the possible contribution of electromyogram (EMG) to scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms at rest and induced or evoked by cognitive tasks. METHODS: Scalp EEG recordings were made on two subjects in presence and absence of complete neuromuscular blockade, sparing the dominant arm. The subjects undertook cognitive tasks in both states to allow direct comparison of electrical recordings. RESULTS: EEG rhythms in the paralysed state differed significantly compared with the unparalysed state, with 10- to 200-fold differences in the power of frequencies above 20 Hz during paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the scalp EEG recording above 20 Hz is of EMG origin. Previous studies measuring gamma EEG need to be re-evaluated. SIGNIFICANCE: This has a significant impact on measurements of gamma rhythms from the scalp EEG in unparalysed humans. It is to be hoped that signal separation methods will be able to rectify this situation.     

Hybrid procedures as a combined endovascular and open approach for pararenal and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies

OBJECTIVES: to report our experience with hybrid vascular procedures in patients with pararenal and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies. METHODS: 68 patients were treated for thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies between October 1999 and February 2004; 19 patients (16 men; mean age 68, range 40-79) with high risk for open thoracoabdominal repair were considered to be candidates for combined endovascular and open repair. Aortic pathologies included five thoracoabdominal Crawford I aneurysms, one postdissection expanding aneurysm, three symptomatic plaque ruptures (Crawford IV), five combined thoracic descending and infrarenal aneurysms with a healthy visceral segment, three juxtarenal or para-anastomotic aneurysms, and two patients with simultaneous open aortic arch replacement and a rendezvous maneuver for thoracic endografting. Commercially available endografts were implanted with standardized endovascular techniques after revascularization of visceral and renal arteries. RESULTS: Technical success was 95%. One patient developed a proximal type I endoleak after chronic expanding type B dissection and currently is waiting conversion. Nine patients underwent elective, five emergency and five urgent (within 24 h) repair. 17 operations were performed simultaneously, and 2 as a staged procedure. Postoperative complications include two retroperitoneal hemorrhages, and one patient required long-term ventilation with preexisting subglottic tracheal stenosis. Thirty-day mortality was 17% (one multiple organ failure, one secondary rupture after open aortic arch repair, one myocardial infarction). Paraplegia or acute renal failure were not observed. Total survival rate was to 83% with a mean follow-up of 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Midterm results of combined endovascular and open procedures in the thoracoabdominal aorta are encouraging in selected high risk patients. Staged interventions may reduce morbidity.