The experiential impact of head injury on adolescents: individual perspectives on long term outcome

Thirty one young people, who were experiencing chronic sequelae of a head injury sustained at least 1 year previously, were interviewed in depth about the impact head injury had had on their lives. Their functioning was also assessed using the Offer Self Image Questionnaire OSIQ R . The main theme raised by subjects was that they had not received adequate explanation of the emotional problems associated with head injury and relevant support in coming to terms with their condition. Head injury had had a devastating effect on their lives, causing limitations in day to day activities, employment, education and relationships, and they scored significantly below norms on the OSIQ R scale of Self Confidence. However, these young people had a predominantly positive attitude towards life, which appeared to be related to their appreciation of how fortunate they had been to survive. They scored significantly above norms on the OSIQ R scale of Social Functioning. Markers of poor functioning were identified and, in clinical practice, could be used as a method of highlighting those head injured young people who potentially are most in need of support. The findings have implications for future research directions, service delivery and planning, in that particular weaknesses of current provision are demonstrated and recommendations made for improvements.     

Olfactory Absorption of Insulin to the Brain

A vast number of potent neuropharmaceuticals, many of which are peptides, are excluded from entry into the brain because of the highly selective blood-brain barrier. The fact that a number of drugs have been shown to be transported directly to the central nervous system following application to the olfactory region of the nose is therefore of major interest. In the present study, the feasibility of delivering peptides to the brain via the olfactory route was assessed using insulin as a model peptide. Systemic hyperinsulinemia induced by subcutaneous injection did not significantly reduce the amount of ¹²⁵I-insulin transported from the nose to the brain in vivo, which suggests that the impact of systemic absorption on drug transport is minimal. A linear relationship was seen between insulin accumulation in the brain and the dose applied, without any relevant saturation. Contrary to what was expected, both systemic and olfactory absorption of insulin was enhanced when the pH of the medium was near the isoelectric point. The amount absorbed to the brain was found to be linearly related to the net charge of the molecule (r = -0.61; n = 20). It was concluded that insulin gains access to the central nervous system from the olfactory region of the nose by a nonspecific pathway. The olfactory route may therefore become an important means to deliver peptides to the brain.     

New evidence from magnetic resonance imaging of brain changes after climbs at extreme altitude

The aim of the present study was to look for anatomical changes in climbers' brains, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), after extremely high-altitude climbs and to relate them to possible associated risk factors. Clinical history, neurological examinations and MRI were carried out on a group of nine climbers before and after climbing to over 7500 m without the use of supplementary oxygen. None of the subjects showed any neurological dysfunctions. In five climbers MRI abnormalities (high signal areas, cortical atrophy) were observed before the expedition. After the descent, two of them showed new high intensity signal areas recorded by MRI. Both subjects suffered severe neurological symptoms during the climb. The present study suggested that the brain changes observed by MRI could be related to the severity of clinical events at high altitude. However, we do not know the exact meaning of such MRI findings or the reason for their location, predominantly in posterior regions of the brain. The new evidence that a high percentage of climbers show MRI brain abnormalities, and especially the appearance of changes after the ascent, reinforces the possibility of a potential neurological risk in high-altitude climbing.     

The effect of oral hormone replacement therapy on lipoprotein profile, resistance of LDL to oxidation and LDL particle size

Objectives: To disclose if oral estradiol (E₂), alone or in combination with natural progesterone (P) or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), may modify the oxidizability of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and if the effect is achieved at physiological dosages. LDL oxidizability was assessed by the resistance to oxidation by copper and by the particle size profile, since small particles have increased oxidation susceptibility. Methods: Thirty-three women received two consecutive, two-month length doses of 1 and 2 mg/day of oral E₂. They were then randomly assigned to a fourteen-day treatment of 2 mg/day E₂ plus either 300 mg/day P or 5 mg/day MPA. A parallel group of experiments was performed on a pool of baseline plasma, where hormones were added at the desired concentration. Lipoprotein levels, resistance of LDL to oxidation, and LDL particle diameter, were measured at baseline and after each treatment. Results: Estradiol reduced LDL levels and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides. P abolished these changes, whereas MPA only reversed the increase of HDL. Estradiol protected LDL from oxidation in a dose-dependent manner, although only at pharmacological concentrations (1 μM or higher). Both P and MPA were inert at either physiological or pharmacological concentrations. The size of the LDL particles remained unaffected except under MPA, in which it was reduced. Conclusions: Estradiol has a protective effect against LDL oxidation, although only at pharmacological dosages. P and MPA did not limit the E₂ action. The size of the LDL particles remained unaltered after each E₂ dose, but MPA, and not P, was associated with a diminution.     

急性心脑血管血栓性疾病患者血浆FⅦ：C、FⅧ：C、凝血酶原及纤维蛋白原的变化

目的检测凝血因子Ⅶ、Ⅷ、Ⅱ、Ⅰ的活性,研究其在急性心脑血管血栓性疾病中的变化.方法分别采用凝血活酶时间、部分凝血活酶时间、发色底物法及凝血酶时间法测定了急性心肌梗死(AMI)和急性缺血性脑卒中(AIS)病人血浆FⅦC、FⅧC、凝血酶原及纤维蛋白原相对活性.结果AMI病人血浆FⅦC为98.3%±36.7%,与青年组的104.0%±29.4%和老年组的114.9%±23.6%比较无明显差异(P值均＞0.05),而AIS病人为152.9%±30.3%,较青年组和老年组显著升高(P值均＜0.001).AMI病人血浆FⅧC为234.2%±57.9%,明显高出青年组的101.2%±32.6%和老年组的116.4%±35.7%(P值均＜0.001).但AIS病人FⅧC±为85.5%±32.6%,低于老年组(P＜0.05).AMI和AIS病人血浆凝血酶原活性分别为130.2%±¨.7%和128.0%±29.4%,高于青年组的108.0%±7.7%(P＜0.001和0.01)和老年组的106.1%±19.4%(P值均＜0.001).AMI和AIS病人血浆纤维蛋白原活性分别为207.2%±53.0%和174.3%±28.5%,二者均显著高于正常青年组的103.3%±¨.6%(P值均＜0.001)和老年组的143.8%±16.8%(P＜0.001和0.01).结论AMI病人FⅧC增高,AIS病人FⅧC增高;二者血浆凝血酶原和纤维蛋白原活性均高于正常水平.     

湖南省199-2005年不合格标本AFP病例专家诊断与分类研究

目的 对湖南省1997-2005年不合格粪便标本（不合格标本）急性弛缓性麻痹（AFP）病例进行临床诊断与分类分析，提高AFP病例分类的准确性，为保持无脊灰状态提供科学依据。方法 采用AFP病例病毒学分类法，由湖南省AFP病例分类专家诊断小组每年定期审查所有AFP病例，重点对不合格标本AFP病例进行临床分析与诊断，根据流行病学、临床诊断、实验室病原学监测结果等资料综合分析，作出最终分类。结果 湖南省1997～2005年共报告2031例AFP病例，均为脊髓灰质炎（脊灰）排除病例。其中不合格标本AFP病例270例，经诊断，主要病种为创伤性神经炎（26．7％）、格林巴利综合征（16．3％）、脑病（8．9％）、非脊灰肠道病毒感染（4．8％）等。结论 AFP病例分类结果证明湖南省1997～2005年未发现脊灰野病毒病例，不合格标本AFP病例的临床诊断和最终分类结果为湖南省继续保持无脊灰状态提供重要依据。     

高压氧治疗血管性偏头痛临床疗效及机理分析

目的:探讨高压氧(HBO)对血管性偏头痛的临床疗效及其治疗机理。方法:研究对象为93例血管性偏头痛患者,分成常规治疗(B组)45例和加用HBO治疗(A组)48例,疗程结束后观察1年按临床疗效标准进行评定和统计。结果:B组总有效率为62.22%,A组分别加用2￣5个疗程HBO治疗后,总有效率达93.75%,比B组增加31.53%。两组之间总有效率差异有非常显著性(P<0.01)。结论:HBO治疗血管性偏头痛疗效显著,其机理主要是通过增加脑组织血氧含量,提高血氧分压,加大组织中氧气的有效弥散距离,从而改善脑组织缺氧状态;同时低降二氧化碳分压,阻止血管扩张,减轻组织水种,并通过HBO作用于5-HT系统和影响周围神经肽含量,从而缓解和消除头痛。     

云南省弥渡县新型农村合作医疗补偿机制研究

目的 调查云南省弥渡县新型农村合作医疗运行2年来的补偿机制，了解补偿方案与具体补偿情况的关系，为新型农村合作医疗的推广提供借鉴。方法 收集县、乡两级合作医疗管理机构有关补偿情况的记录。并利用现有资料、通过个人访谈及集中小组访谈等方法了解试点的基本情况、补偿情况以及卫生服务情况等。结果 （1）实际补偿水平（29．32％）高于全国平均水平；（2）群众看病首选县级医疗机构。占全部参加合作医疗并就诊人群的60％以上；（3）补偿基金报销基本正常。结论 应鼓励群众参与，加大对乡镇卫生院的投入，引导村民到乡镇级医疗机构就医，以合理有效地利用卫生资源。     

Preschoolers’ mathematical play and colour preferences: a new window into the development of gendered beliefs about math

In play, children often explore mathematical ideas that are vital for future learning. Children’s play also reveals gender differences in both colour and toy preferences. The authors examined how gender-related colour preferences of 5-year-olds are related to preferences for math-specific games/toys and gendered beliefs about math. Spanish preschoolers (N?=?143) completed a self-report measure of gendered beliefs about math. Children then indicated their favourite colour and were given five math-specific games/toys in that colour. Play times for each game/toy were recorded. Three findings emerged. First, girls preferred games/toys of particular colours (pink/purple) that differed from boys’ preferences (blue/red). Second, play time with math games/toys did not differ between girls and boys. Third, 5-year-olds of both genders thought that girls liked math more than boys did. This is the youngest age at which these gendered beliefs about math have been shown, and suggests new theorizing about stereotypes, gender, and math.