Is the Evaluation of the Global Quality of Life Determined by Emotional Status?

The present study investigated relationships between global QOL perceptions and well-being dimensions. Especially our goal was to evaluate the impact of generally recognised four broad dimensions of QOL (physical, functional, social and emotional well-being) on global QOL perceptions, additionally person's satisfaction with life achievements and economical situation were measured as well as social demographic variables. The subjects were a representative sample of Finns (n = 4613, from 25 to 65 years) of the FINRISK-97 study. Correlation coefficients and models of hierarchical regression indicated that physical, functional and social well-being as well as sociodemographic factors and satisfaction with life achievements are important factors of global QOL perceptions both among males and females. However percentages of variances explained with these measures were only moderately high, ranging from 1 to 10%. After measures of emotional well-being were entered into the models of hierarchical analyses of regression, variances explained grew dramatically over 20%. The results of the study indicated that global QOL judgements are likely to be based on current emotional state.     

Fracture repair during external fixation: Torsion tests of rabbit osteotomies

Bone repair was studied in the rabbit tibiofibular bone after a midshaft transverse osteotomy stabilized by external fixation and heavy compression. Both subendosteal and subperiosteal callus formation with concomitant contact healing were observed within 3 weeks, and were further succeeded by subendosteal resorption and increased porosis resulting in atrophy of the cortical bone. Subjected to the torsion test, the bones exhibited restoration of strength within 3 weeks, with maximal energy absorption and elasticity at 6 weeks. The failure of the osteotomy in the torsion test, with radiographic visibility of the osteotomy, characterized the soft-tissue type of behavior of the bones. Hard-tissue like behaviour of the bones with resistance to torsion at the osteotomy site and radiographic obliteration of the osteotomy line occurred by 12 weeks, indicating complete union of the osteotomy. Our experiments demonstrate that elastic external fixation is preferable to the rigid compression plate.     

Operative versus closed treatment of primary dislocation of the patella Similar 2-year results in 125 randomized patients

To assess whether initial surgery is beneficial for patients with primary dislocation of the patella, we carried out a prospective randomized study. Knee stability was examined under anesthesia, and associated injuries were excluded by diagnostic arthroscopy. 55 patients then had closed treatment and 70 patients were operated on with individually adjusted proximal realignment procedures.

Surgery gave no benefit based on 2 years of follow-up. The subjective result was better in the non-operative group in respect of mean Houghston VAS knee score (closed 90, operative 87), but similar in terms of the patient's own overall opinion and mean Lysholm II knee score. Recurrent instability episodes (redislocation or recurrent subluxation) occurred in 20 nonoperated and in 18 operated patients. Of these, 15 and 12, respectively, then suffered redislo-cations. Function was better after closed treatment. Serious complications occurred after surgery in 4 patients.

In conclusion, the recurrence of patellar dislocation may be more frequent than reported, whatever the form of treatment. Routine operative management cannot be recommended for primary dislocation of the patella.     

高效液相色谱法测定右旋儿茶素血浆浓度及药代动力学参数

本文建立了体液中右旋儿茶素的RP-HPLC测定方法。采用C_(18)键合相硅胶为填料的固相提取柱进行样品预处理,右旋儿茶素的提取回收率为79.8%.应用二极管阵列检测器对色谱峰纯度进行鉴定。该法精密度好,方法回收率近100%,日内、日间的变异系数为2.4～5.6%,血浓69.6～1160 ng/ml范围内呈线性关系,r=0.9993。家兔静注右旋儿茶素18mg/kg,其药代动力学过程符合二室模型,分布相半衰期为0.129 h,消除相半衰期为1.19h。     

The effect of volleyball playing on the knee extensor mechanism

The knee extensor mechanism was examined in 32 male competitive volleyball players (Group V) and in a control group of 49 young adult males (Group C) to evaluate the effects of previous jumping activity on the knee extensor mechanism. Several variables were recorded by means of a structured questionnaire, and by clinical and radiographic examination. The amount of physical activity from the age of 7 years onward was significantly greater in Group V than in Group C. The incidence of anterior knee pain during the year preceding the examination was higher in Group V (31%) than in Group C (6%; P less than 0.01). The most common reason for anterior knee pain in Group V was so-called "jumper's knee." No significant difference between the groups was found in the incidence of clinical symptoms and signs of patellar chondromalacia. There were radiologically detectable soft tissue calcifications at the upper or lower pole of the patella or anterior to the patella in 38% of the subjects in Group V, but no such calcifications were seen in Group C (P less than 0.001). However, persistent symptoms did not correlate with the calcifications. Group V subjects had a slight but significant trend to patella alta when compared to Group C (P less than 0.05) according to the Blackburne and Peel index.     

The UTX gene escapes X inactivation in mice and humans

We recently have identified a ubiquitously transcribed mouse Y chromosome gene, Uty , which encodes a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein. A peptide derived from the UTY protein confers H-Y antigenicity on male cells. Here we report the characterization of a widely transcribed X-linked homologue of Uty , called Utx , which maps to the proximal region of the mouse X chromosome and which detects a human X-linked homologue at Xp11.2. Given that Uty is ubiquitously transcribed, we assayed for Utx expression from the inactive X chromosome (Xi) in mice and found that Utx escapes X chromosome inactivation. Only Smcx and the pseudoautosomal Sts gene on the mouse X chromosome have been reported previously to escape inactivation. The human UTX gene was also found to be expressed from Xi. We discuss the significance of these data for our understanding of dosage compensation of X-Y homologous genes in humans and mice.      

Isolation of silica-dependent protein from rat lung with special reference to development of fibrosis

Silicosis was produced experimentally in rats by single intratracheal injections of various doses of SiO2 dust. The weight of the lungs as well as the contents of total nitrogen, collagen, nucleic acids (especially RNA), and lipids increased in accordance with the dose and the time interval. Fibrogenic stimulation in vitro was shown by the supernatant of the homogenized lung in the incorporation of proline into incubated granulation tissue or lung fibroblasts. The fibrogenic factor-activity depended more on the time interval after the injection than on the SiO2 dose. Electrophoresis of the soluble proteins in the silicotic rat lungs showed a protein of 16,000 Da, which was dependent on the time interval following SiO2 administration as well as on the dose itself, and which originated from macrophages. This protein was purified by repeated gel-filtration chromatography. It stimulated collagen synthesis in granulation-tissue cells at a concentration of about 10(-10) M in a dose-dependent way. It was acidic by amino acid composition but differed from calmodulin which also increased collagen synthesis in granulation-tissue cells in vitro. The ability of non-fractionated macrophage preparations to stimulate the incorporation of proline into collagen correlated inversely with the gross alkaline RNase activity.