Effects of consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the rat tibia: analysis by Raman spectroscopy and mechanical properties

Lasers in Medical Science - Studies reported the harmful effects of 2,4-D on body tissues, provoking changes in the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys, liver, and testicles. Thus, the objective...     

Intracranial circulation: pulse-sequence considerations in three- dimensional (volume) MR angiography

The technique and feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of intracranial vessels were studied in 35 healthy volunteers. Variations in image orientation, repetition time (TR), and flip angle were evaluated to determine their effects on flow-related enhancement. Gradient modifications--including echo time (TE), motion compensation, bandwidth, and field of view--were also studied in an effort to reduce motion-induced phase shifts. Results indicated that a FISP (fast imaging with steady precession) sequence with a TR of 50 msec, TE of 15 msec, velocity compensation in the read and section-select directions, acceleration compensation in the read direction, anisotropic volume, and a 1.25-mm partition thickness produced three-dimensional angiographic MR images that were accurate and reproducible in the depiction of the major intracranial vessels. Difficulties with field of view, persistent signal void secondary to higher-order motion, and spatial resolution remain major problems requiring additional study.     

Maxillary sinusitis in adults: an evaluation of placebo-controlled double-blind trials

BACKGROUND: In general practice, acute sinusitis is frequently diagnosed and treated with antibiotics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in acute maxillary sinusitis in adults by assessing the methodological quality of placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trials. METHOD: An evaluation by four raters through a 35-item scoring-scale for internal and external validity of all placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trials on acute sinusitis found between January 1966 and July 1996. RESULTS: Eighty-five trials were excluded because they were not placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, or were carried out in patients with chronic sinusitis or in children. The three remaining trials were performed in different populations (one in general practice) between 1973 and 1978. Only one study claimed superiority of antibiotic treatment. Different inclusion criteria and major outcome measures were used by the authors. The reliability of major outcome events was reported poorly or not at all and in two studies outcome measures were clinically inappropriate. The studies scored 30-62% of the maximum attainable score for internal validity and 10-20% for external validity. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in acute maxillary sinusitis in a general practice population is not based sufficiently on evidence.      

岗位业绩导向的医院薪酬设计

基于现代管理理论和医院的实际情况，设计了一种以岗位和业绩为导向的医院薪酬制度。该设计的主要特点是：①薪酬结构以岗位工资和绩效工资为主体，同时兼顾稳定和逐步过渡原则，原档案工资的固定部分(约占档案工资的60％)保留。②岗位工资采用全院统一的等级薪酬结构，等级的评定基于全院统一的指标体系和权重，岗位工资每年随绩效考核结果在工资带宽中升降；③绩效工资与岗位等级和绩效考核紧密挂钩，考核的依据是全院统一模式的岗位绩效合同；④整个薪酬设计建立在岗位调查、岗位评价和岗位说明书等的科学规范的工作基础之上。     

补肾活血方药对慢性再生障碍性贫血患者骨髓细胞体外影响的实验研究

目的　研究补肾活血方药对慢性再生障碍性贫血 (CAA)患者骨髓细胞体外增殖的影响 ,探讨其治疗CAA的机制。方法　采用细胞培养 ,光镜下观察补肾活血中药作用于CAA患者骨髓细胞后的形态学 ;3 H TdR掺入和液体闪烁技术方法 ,检测补肾活血中药对CAA患者骨髓细胞的增殖变化。结果　加入补肾活血中药组 ,CAA患者骨髓细胞培养第 4 8小时见细胞丛明显增多 ,72h见大量集落形成 ;3 H TdR掺入法显示 ,补肾活血中药组骨髓细胞的增殖 ,以每孔 75g L最有效。在 5 0～ 10 0g L范围内 ,与对照组比较差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ;2 5g L和 12 5g L组与对照组比较差异无显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　补肾活血方药在体外有促进CAA患者骨髓细胞增殖的作用 ,为补肾活血中药治疗CAA提供了实验与理论依据     

Convergence of occipital nerve and superior sagittal sinus input in the cervical spinal cord of the cat

Co-existence of facial and occipital pain may occur in occipital neuralgia, migraine and cluster headache; suggesting convergence of trigeminal and cervical afferents. Such convergence has been shown in humans and other animals, but the site and extent of this are uncertain. In anaesthetized adult cats, the superior sagittal sinus and occipital nerve were stimulated electrically, and extracellular recordings made in the dorsolateral area of the upper cervical cord using glass-coated tungsten electrodes. Of 49 units in 10 cats, 33 (67%) had input from the superior sagittal sinus and the occipital nerve. Thirteen (27%) had superior sagittal sinus input and 3 (6%) had occipital nerve input. Convergent receptive fields were identified mechanically in 7 units. These experiments in cats show convergent input from occipital nerve and superior sagittal sinus on dorsolateral area units in two-thirds of cases studied. This experimental site of trigeminocervical convergence may relate to referral of pain in occipital neuralgia and other headaches.     

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the kidney

In patients with PG-dependent renal function, NSAID administration constantly reduces GFR and RBF in a dose-dependent fashion. In this situation, the risk of overt acute renal failure is high and should be taken into proper account. In contrast, the incidence of NSAID-related renal structural alterations appears to be very low, yet the absolute number of patients may be significant considering the wide use of such drugs. Concerning the antiproteinuric effect of NSAIDs, the unfavourable ratio risk/benefit does not seem to support their indication in proteinuric nephropathies. The development of PGHS-2 selective inhibitors is promising, and may open new therapeutical strategies in the treatment of the progression of renal disease.