Intra- and interobserver reliability of sensibility testing in asymptomatic individuals

Threshold and innervation density tests are common clinical tools used in the evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries and compression syndromes. The purpose of this study is to determine the inter- and intraobserver reliability of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and static and moving two-point discrimination in 48 volunteers. Kappa coefficients of inter- and intraexaminer agreement were generated for each test and investigator. The interexaminer reliability for the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments ranged from fair to moderate in the ulnar and median nerve distributions, and slight to moderate in static and moving two-point discrimination testing. Intraobserver reliability for Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and static and moving two-point discrimination was slight to fair for both examiners. Our data indicate that Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and two-point discrimination tests yield unreliable measurements in asymptomatic individuals. Although useful in monitoring neurological function in pathological states, threshold and innervation density measurements from an unaffected digit or extremity may not represent a reliable standard for comparison of abnormal values.     

Myocardial perfusion imaging with technetium-99m sestamibi SPECT in the evaluation of coronary artery disease

Technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile(^99mTc sestamibi) has been used for myocardial perfusion imaging in the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) since 1990. The experience of its use in an Asian population with and without previous myocardial infarction (Ml), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HPT) and collateral circulation (COL) is reported. One hundred and thirty-nine patients who underwent treadmill exercise testing with ^99mTc sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronary angiogram were studied. The overall sensitivity for the detection of CAD was 91.0% and specificity was 64.7%. For patients without previous myocardial infarction, the sensitivity was 83.8% and specificity was 83.3%. Patients with COL had a higher sensitivity while those with HPT had a lower specificity. Sensitivity was higher in patients with multi-vessel disease (MVD) than single vessel disease (SVD). The overall detection for individual artery stenosis was 74.1% with a specificity of 73.1 %. Amongst the three major coronary arteries, sensitivity was highest for the right coronary artery and specificity was highest for the left circumflex artery. Specificity was higher in patients without MI or COL. We found that the agreement between ^99mTc sestamibi SPECT and coronary angiogram for the extent of CAD was only 52.5%. The concordance rate was higher for patients with MVD than SVD. It is concluded that ^99mTc sestamibi SPECT is a sensitive and specific test for the detection of CAD and localization of disease to individual coronary arteries in our patients with some differences in the subgroups. Agreement between coronary angiogram and ^99mTc sestamibi for the extent of coronary artery disease was also satisfactory.     

Pressure-flow measurements for selected nasal sound segments produced by normal children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was to: (1) report simultaneous oral-nasal pressures, nasal airflow rates, and velopharyngeal orifice areas for nasal sounds produced by children and adolescents; (2) determine whether data could be statistically classified by age, sex, or utterance type; and (3) provide guidelines for determining typical from atypical productions. PARTICIPANTS: The study involved 56 subjects, with two boys and two girls representing each age from 5 to 18 years. Subjects had no history of speech therapy, were judged as having normal speech and resonance at the time of testing, and had no upper respiratory tract infections or allergies at the time of testing. METHODS: All subjects repeated /mphaaa;/ and "hamper" at normal pitch and loudness after an examiner model. Mean oral-nasal pressures, nasal airflow rates, and velopharyngeal orifice areas were calculated for each subject's utterances. A discriminate function analysis determined whether data could be grouped by age and sex. RESULTS: Significant differences in mean data for age groups of 5 to 9 years, 10 to 13 years, and 14 to 18 years were observed. Data showed decreases in pressures and increases in nasal airflow and orifice areas with age. Variability in pressure stayed consistent or decreased with age, but variability in nasal airflow and orifice areas increased with age. CONCLUSION: We propose a scheme for categorizing velopharyngeal function for oral and nasal sound production to be used in clinical testing.     

Analgesia for shock wave lithotripsy

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of and patient preference for analgesia used during shock wave lithotripsy by comparing diclofenac alone with a combination of diclofenac and patient controlled analgesia, that is alfentanil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 patients were treated using a Lithotriptor S (Dornier Medical Systems, Marietta, Georgia) and randomized to receive diclofenac alone or combined with an alfentanil patient controlled analgesia pump. If treated twice, they crossed over to the alternative form of analgesia. A record was maintained of the site and size of the stone, maximum power achieved, number of shocks, amount of alfentanil used and need for additional analgesia. After treatment patients scored on a visual analog scale the maximum level of pain and satisfaction with analgesia. RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean size of the stone treated (8.6 and 7.5 mm.), energy level (71% and 71% or approximately 17 kV.) or number of shocks (3,000 and 2,900, respectively) in the groups. Only 2 patients in the diclofenac group required additional analgesia and there were no significant side effects from either treatment. The mean pain scores were not significantly different in the diclofenac and patient controlled analgesia groups (3.54 and 2.93, respectively, (p = 0.34), although those on patient controlled analgesia were more satisfied (7.72 versus 9.14, p = 0.04). Of the 38 patients who presented twice 58% preferred diclofenac alone. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is no significant difference in the level of pain experienced with diclofenac alone or when combined with an alfentanil patient controlled analgesia pump during shock wave lithotripsy. However, patients are more satisfied with treatment when a patient controlled analgesia pump is available.     

Evaluation of cleft palate speech

Children born with palatal clefts are at risk for speech/language delay and speech problems related to palatal insufficiency. These individuals require regular speech evaluations, starting in the first year of life and often continuing into adulthood. The primary role of the speech pathologist on the cleft palate/craniofacial team is to evaluate whether deviations in oral cavity structures, such as the velopharynx, negatively impact speech production. This article focuses on the assessment of velopharyngeal function before and after palatal surgery.     

The impact of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) virus-like particle vaccine in European women aged 16 to 24

Background  Quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV types 6/11/16/18) L1 VLP vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV 6/11/16/18-related cervical and external genital disease. Herein, we evaluated the impact of the quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 L1 VLP vaccine on prevention of HPV-associated cervico-genital lesions in a broad population of sexually active European women.
Methods  Female subjects ( N = 9265) aged 16–24 with four or fewer lifetime sexual partners were enrolled and randomized to quadrivalent HPV vaccine or placebo. Subjects underwent cervicovaginal sampling for HPV DNA detection. Papanicolaou testing and anti-HPV 6/11/16/18 serology testing was also performed.
Results  Vaccine efficacy against lesions representing immediate cervical cancer precursors (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 or adenocarcinoma in situ ) related to HPV 6/11/16/18 in the per-protocol population was 100.0%[95% confidence interval (95% CI), 89.8–100.0]. Efficacy against external genital lesions (vulvar or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, condyloma, vulvar or vaginal cancer) related to vaccine HPV types in the per-protocol European population was 99.0% (95% CI, 94.4–100.0).
Conclusion  These data demonstrate that quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 vaccination programs in 16- to 24-year-old European women can be beneficial.
NCT0009252, NCT00092534, NCT00092495     

大鼠成骨细胞增殖及护骨素蛋白含量与甲状旁腺激素的调节效应

目的:体外观察甲状旁腺激素对大鼠成骨细胞增殖和护骨素分泌的调节作用。方法:实验于2005-06/2006-05在四川大学华西医院生物治疗国家重点实验室干细胞与组织工程研究室完成。采用酶消化法和骨组织块法联合分离培养新生SD大鼠颅骨成骨细胞,间歇加药方法将不同浓度0,10-6,10-7,10-8,10-9mol/L甲状旁腺激素作用于大鼠成骨细胞(0mol/L作为空白对照组),经碱性磷酸酶染色及钙结节茜素红染色证实培养的成骨细胞后,采用四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法检测细胞增殖能力,蛋白免疫印迹测定护骨素的分泌量。结果:①成骨细胞的形态变化:倒置相差显微镜下可见培养的成骨细胞呈短梭形、三角形和多边形。碱性磷酸酶染色光镜下可见成骨细胞胞浆中分布特征性蓝紫色细颗粒;成骨细胞的钙结节在镜下可见部分细胞聚集一起呈"集落状"生长。②成骨细胞增殖率:10-6～10-9mol/L浓度甲状旁腺激素对成骨细胞增殖均显示刺激作用,与空白对照组相比,差异显著(P<0.05),增殖率以10-8mol/L甲状旁腺激素组最高。③成骨细胞护骨素的表达:甲状旁腺激素下调成骨细胞中护骨素的分泌,与空白对照组相比,10-6mol/L甲状旁腺激素组抑制作用最明显(P<0.01),无显著剂量依赖性。结论:甲状旁腺激素对体外培养成骨细胞的增殖具有明显促进作用,通过下调成骨细胞中护骨素的分泌,促进破骨细胞生成、活化,促进骨吸收。     

A reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor, toloxatone: Structural and electronic properties

Toloxatone is a reversible MAO_A-inhibitor, marketed as antidepressant (Humoryl^®), with an original chemical structure. It differs from first generation irreversible MAOIs, known to induce covalent bonds with the enzyme active site. In order to understand the mechanism of the reversible inactivation of the MAO, as a first step, a detailed structural and electronic analysis was undertaken. An X-ray diffraction-crystallographic study showed that toloxatone is a planar molecule and brought to light hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions. MO calculations confirmed the planar structure as energetically favoured. Electronic analysis demonstrated a delocalization of both ring systems. The combined results give evidence for the potential of toloxatone to participate in reversible, long distance interactions with an appropriate partner.     

催产素对妊娠末期大鼠蜕膜细胞内游离钙的刺激作用

妊娠末期催产素刺激子宫蜕膜细胞产生与分娩有关的前列腺素,但其作用方式仍未知。本实验分离妊娠19d大鼠蜕膜细胞,测定了催产素作用后蜕膜细胞内游离钙的变化,结果加入0.001～1μmol·L^-1催产素后,蜕膜细胞内[Ca²⁺]i出现瞬息增加,其峰值与催产素浓度呈剂量依赖关系,且此作用有自身钝化现象。说明催产素可能激活妊娠末期大鼠蜕膜细胞内的肌醇磷酯蛋白激酶C系统。给妊娠末期大鼠ip硫酸去氢表雄酮钠盐后分离的蜕膜细胞,催产素作用引起[Ca²⁺]i瞬息增加峰值较对照升高。