Fungi predatory activity on embryonated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxocara canis</Emphasis> eggs inoculated in domestic chickens (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallus gallus domesticus</Emphasis>) and destruction of second stage larvae

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after interacting with isolated nematophagous fungi of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4), and test the predatory activity of the isolated AC001 on T. canis second stage larvae after 7 days of interaction. In assay A, 5000 embryonated T. canis eggs previously in contact with the AC001 and VC4 isolated for 10 days were inoculated into domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and then these animals were necropsied to collect material (digested liver, intestine, muscles and lungs) at 3-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals after inoculation. In assay A, the results demonstrated that the prior interaction of the eggs with isolated AC001 and VC4 decreases the amount of larvae found in the collected organs. Difference (p?<?0.01) was observed in the medium larvae counts recovered from liver, lung, intestine, and muscle of animals in the treated groups when compared to the animals in the control group. At the end of assay A, a percentage reduction of 87.1 % (AC001) and 84.5 % (VC4) respectively was recorded. In the result of assay B, the isolated AC001 showed differences (p?<?0.01) compared to the control group, with a reduction of 53.4 % in the recovery of L₂. Through these results, it is justified to mention that prior interaction of embryonated T. canis eggs with the tested fungal isolates were efficient in reducing the development and migration of this parasite, in addition to the first report of proven predatory activity on L₂.     

IgG4相关性疾病的临床病例评析

目的提高对IgG4相关性疾病颅内病变的认识。 方法描述1例IgG4相关性疾病（IgG4-RD）颅内病变患者的诊治过程,总结其临床、影像学、病理特点,诊断和鉴别诊断,治疗和预后。 结果22岁女性,头痛、左眼视力下降10个月。6个月前左眼失明,眼球固定,左眼球后占位,病理示大量淋巴浆细胞浸润,IgG4＋浆细胞>50/高倍视野,IgG4（＋）/IgG比值>10%,予足量激素及小剂量免疫抑制剂治疗病情维持原状。2个月前停药。半月前突发右眼视力下降伴头痛加重,5天前右眼失明伴烦渴多尿,高钠血症。头颅MRI提示右侧视神经、鼻窦、鞍区、左侧颞叶及邻近脑膜异常信号。脑脊液压力、细胞学、生化均正常。予大剂量激素冲击治疗,序贯减量,联合环磷酰胺冲击治疗,患者右眼视力逐步恢复至0.3,头痛完全缓解,尿量改善,血钠正常。40余天后复查头颅MRI本次新发病灶明显好转。 结论IgG4-RD颅内病变可同时累及多个部位,但不伴颅外表现,可出现病情快速进展,及时治疗可避免不可逆损害。     

Effect of curriculum reform on graduating student performance

With the aim of evaluating the efficacy of a new curriculum implemented in the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeir?o Preto (University of S?o Paulo, Brazil), a yearly objective assessment of both cognitive and practical skills of undergraduate (sixth year) students was performed. All graduating student underwent a multiple-choice questions (MCQs) test and groups of 18-20 students were randomly assigned to OSCEs for either clinical (real and standardized patients) or procedure (manikins) skills. The average MCQs score for the students graduating in the new curriculum (63.1, SD = 8.9, n = 261) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than for the previous curriculum (55.3, SD = 8.1, n = 222). Results for practical exams showed that the new curriculum was associated with significantly improved performance in five out of the six stations for procedure skills, but in only two of the 10 clinical skills stations. Final evaluation of graduating students revealed deficiencies in the local curriculum and may serve as a guide to take measures to correct them.     

Effect of impact load and active load on bone metabolism and body composition of adolescent athletes

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether adolescents involved in nonweight-bearing activities experience a delay in bone growth acquisition and sexual maturation. The purpose of this study was to compare bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, hormonal profile, and bone biochemical markers of adolescent athletes active in sports involved in impact load sports with those participating in active load sports. METHODS: Forty-five male Caucasian athletes aged 12--18 yr were divided into two groups according to type of skeleton loading, impact (N = 18), or active (N = 27). Twenty-four male Caucasian adolescents (12--18 yr) served as controls and only performed the activities included in their physical education classes. All subjects were assessed for bone mass, body composition, and bone age by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), total testosterone, FSH, LH, urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr), and urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks to creatinine ratio (DPD/Cr) were measured. RESULTS: The impact load group presented the highest BMD among the three groups for all studied sites. Lean mass and absolute weight were correlated with all of the bone mass measurements. BAP levels were significantly higher and testosterone levels significantly lower in the active load group compared with the impact group. CONCLUSION: High-impact load exercises have a beneficial effect on bone mass in male adolescents. There is also a positive correlation of weight and body composition with BMD. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to determine whether there is a delay in bone growth acquisition among adolescents involved in a nonweight-bearing exercise regimen and its association with sex hormones.     

西藏自治区精神障碍流行病学调查I:重型精神障碍

目的调查西藏精神障碍患病率,为政府制订西藏卫生工作规划提供科学依据。方法参考两次全国精神障碍流行病学调查的方法,使用美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册轴I障碍用临床定式检查执行手册/研究版(SCID-I)作为定式检查工具,并以美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册-第四版(DSM-IV)为诊断标准,对西藏具有代表性的4个地市进行精神障碍流行病学抽样调查。结果在西藏≥15岁人口中实际调查5375人,心境障碍、精神分裂症、器质性精神障碍和急性短暂精神病性障碍的时点患病率分别为0.48%,0.34%,0.17%和0.037%;终生患病率分别为0.56%,0.37%,0.17%和0.037%。结论西藏4类重型精神障碍总的终生患病率为1.14%,如何妥善解决全自治区1%人口中重型精神障碍患者的诊治问题,在政府制订卫生工作规划时有必要特别加以关注。     

Evaluation and treatment of peroneal neuropathy

Peroneal nerve compromise results in the clinical complaint of weakness of the ankle dorsiflexors and evertors. This peripheral origin of foot drop has been reported due to numerous traumatic and insidious causes. Traumatic causes of nerve injury occur in association with musculoskeletal injury or with isolated nerve traction, compression, or laceration. Insidious causes include mass lesions and metabolic syndromes. The peroneal nerve is most commonly interrupted at the knee. However, the sciatic and peroneal nerves may be compromised at the hip and ankle as well. This article reviews the anatomical origin of the nerve, the etiologies of possible nerve damage, evaluation of the patient with peroneal nerve injury, and treatment of this disorder.