髁突形态与覆深度关系的研究

目的　探讨髁突形态与不同覆深度的关系。方法　选择正常者、开畸形患者、覆正常的错畸形患者和深覆畸形患者各 5 0人 ,均为 18至 2 6岁成人。应用曲面断层片研究左右两侧的髁突形态 ,分别测量并计算上部髁突高度 /升支高度比 (UCH/RH)和髁突高度 /宽度比 (TCH/CW )。将髁突形态分为四种类型 :直立型 (类A) ,前倾型 (类B) ,后倾型 (类C)和尖型 (类D)。结果　开组的上部髁突高度相对升支高度明显小于其他各组 (P <0 0 0 1)。正常组的髁突形态比较粗壮 ,高度宽度比明显小于其他各组 (P <0 0 0 1)。类A和类B属于正常髁突形态 ,占正常组的 99%。类C和类D属于异常髁突形态 ,且在开组中的比例明显高于正常覆组或深覆组。另外 ,只有开组中显示上部髁突高度两侧不对称 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　开组髁突形态与其他各组相比明显不同。     

F-19 MR imaging of glucose metabolism in the rabbit

Noninvasive metabolic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging reflecting glucose metabolism in the aldose-reductase-sorbitol (ARS) pathway was performed in the rabbit head; after administration of the fluorinated glucose analogue 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-glucose (3FD-glucose), fluorine-19 images were generated. Images of 3FD-glucose showed significant 3FD-glucose uptake by adipose tissue, indicating its buffering effects in case of excess loads of glucose. Images of 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-sorbitol (3FD-sorbitol) demonstrated the spatial distribution of aldose reductase activities and significant sorbitol accumulation in the lens. Images of 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-fructose (3FD-fructose) showed preferential uptake of fructose by muscle tissue. The extremely low toxicity of 3FD-glucose indicates promise for its clinical application in metabolic imaging.     

Visual-ocular motor activity in the macaque pregeniculate complex

The anatomical connections of the pregeniculate complex (PrGC) with components of the visual-ocular motor system suggested its contribution to ocular motor behavior. Subsequent studies reported saccade-related activity in the primate PrGC. To determine its contribution, we characterized pregeniculate units (n = 128) in alert macaques during ocular motor tasks and visual stimulation. We found that 36/109 saccade-related units exhibited postsaccadic bursts or pauses in tonic discharge for saccades of any amplitude or direction. In contrast to previous results, 46/109 responses preceded or coincided with the saccade, while 47/109 responses were directionally tuned. Pregeniculate units were modulated not only in association with saccades (109/128) but also with smooth eye movements and visual motion (20/128) or eye position (23/128). Multiple ocular motor signals were recorded from 19% of the units, indicating signal convergence on individual neurons. Visual responses were demonstrated in 51% of PrGC units: visual field illumination modulated the resting discharge of 33 units; the responses of 37 saccade-related units and all 23 position-dependent units were modulated by visual stimulation. Early saccadic activity in the PrGC suggests that it contributes more to gaze than postsaccadic modulation of visual or ocular motor activity. The patterns of saccadic responses and the modulation of PrGC activity in association with a variety of visual-ocular motor behaviors suggest its potential role as a relay between the parietal cortex and elements of the brain stem ocular motor pathways, such as the superior colliculus and pretectal nucleus of the optic tract.     

Genetic analysis of males from intracytoplasmic sperm injection couples

A total of 392 men referred for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) participated in genetic analysis. The control group consisted of 100 normal fertile males. Chromosome and DNA analyses were performed to investigate the frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletions and CFTR mutations (the controls underwent DNA analysis only). An abnormal karyotype was found in 4.6% of all males, but the frequency among men with azoospermia was higher, at 11.7%. Y-chromosome microdeletions were found only among men with azoospermia (6.5%) and men with extreme oligospermia (2%). Compound heterozygosity for CFTR mutations was found in men with azoospermia (3.9%) and congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) only. We conclude that all couples referred for ICSI should be offered chromosome analysis. DNA analysis for Y-chromosome microdeletions should be reserved for men with azoospermia or extreme oligospermia (<1 x 106 spermatozoa). Analysis for CFTR mutations should be limited to those with obstructive azoospermia or those with a family history of cystic fibrosis.     

Total but not resting energy expenditure is increased in infants with ventricular septal defects

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of left-to-right shunting on the resting energy expenditure (REE), total energy expenditure (TEE), and energy intake in a group of 3- to 5-month-old infants with moderate to large unrepaired ventricular septal defects (VSDs) compared with age-matched, healthy infants. METHODS: Eight infants with VSDs and 10 healthy controls between 3 to 5 months of age participated in the study. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure REE and the doubly-labeled water method was used to measure TEE and energy intake. An echocardiogram and anthropometric measurements were performed on all study participants. Daily urine samples were collected at home for 7 days. Samples were analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Data were compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in REE (VSD, 42.2 +/- 8.7 kcal/kg/d; control, 43.9 +/- 14.1 kcal/kg/d) or energy intake (VSD, 90.8 +/- 19.9 kcal/kg/d; control, 87.1 +/- 11.7 kcal/kg/d) between the groups. The percent total body water was significantly higher in the VSD infants and the percent fat mass was significantly lower. TEE was 40% higher in the VSD group (VSD, 87.6 +/- 10.8 kcal/kg/d; control, 61.9 +/- 10.3 kcal/kg/d). The difference between TEE and REE, reflecting the energy of activity, was 2.5 times greater in the VSD group. CONCLUSIONS: REE and energy intake are virtually identical between the two groups. Despite this, infants with VSDs have substantially higher TEE than age-matched healthy infants. The large difference between TEE and REE in VSD infants suggests a substantially elevated energy cost of physical activity in these infants. These results demonstrate that, although infants with VSDs may match the energy intake of healthy infants, they are unable to meet their increased energy demands, resulting in growth retardation.     

The Danish National Register of assisted reproductive technology: content and research potentials

European Journal of Epidemiology - The Danish National Register of assisted reproductive technology (ART) was initially established in 1994. The register comprises complete information on all ART...     

Left ventricular dysfunction in Klinefelter syndrome is associated to insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity and hypogonadism

Objective Epidemiological data suggest there is an increased risk of dying from heart disease among patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS). Due to high prevalence of hypogonadism and metabolic syndrome, we speculated that patients with KS may have subclinical changes in the left ventricular function. Therefore, the aim was to assess left ventricular long axis function by tissue Doppler echocardiography in patients with KS and relate these findings to the metabolic status and testosterone levels. Design Cross-sectional study. Out-patient clinic. Patients We investigated 25 unselected patients with KS, recruited from endocrine and fertility clinics. Twenty-five age-matched males served as controls. Measurements Left ventricular systolic long axis function (velocities and strain rate) assessed by tissue Doppler echocardiography related to free testosterone, fasting values of plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-index, cholesterol and triglycerides in addition to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan derived assessment of truncal body fat. Results The long axis function was significantly reduced in patients with KS (peak systolic velocities 4·4 ± 1·3 vs. 5·3 ± 1·0 cm/s, P < 0·01 and strain rate –1·3 ± 0·3 vs.–1·6 ± 0·3 s⁻¹, P < 0·01). However, the ventricular dysfunction was mainly attributed KS patients with metabolic syndrome. The peak systolic velocities were significantly correlated to truncal body fat (r = –0·72, P < 0·01) and free testosterone (r = 0·63, P < 0·01), but uncorrelated to plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-index. Conclusion Systolic long axis function is decreased in patients with KS and metabolic syndrome. The decrease in myocardial systolic function was significantly related to truncal body fat and hypogonadism, but not correlated to insulin sensitivity.