Intermediate-term outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract

International Ophthalmology - To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with refractory glaucoma...     

Preparation and bioevaluation of 99mTc-carbonyl complex of 5-hydroxy tryptamine derivative.

Studies on the development of imaging agents for targeting neuroreceptors is an area of considerable interest owing to the limited availability of specific as well as selective radiolabeled agents. Therefore, with an aim of developing a receptor-specific agent, iminodiacetic acid (IDA) derivative of 5-hydroxy tryptamine viz., HTIDA has been synthesized. HTIDA could be radiolabeled with the synthon [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) in >98% yield. The biodistribution studies in normal Swiss mice showed that the (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-HTIDA crosses the blood-brain barrier successfully with a brain uptake of 0.5%ID/g at 5min post injection. The other relevant observations from biodistribution studies included no significant uptake in any other organ and fast clearance from blood, lungs and liver.     

Changes in bone structure and mass with advancing age in the male C57BL/6J mouse.

To determine whether the mouse loses bone with aging and whether the changes mimic those observed in human aging, we examined the changes in the tibial metaphysis and diaphysis in the male C57BL/6J mouse over its life span using microcomputed tomography (microCT). Cancellous bone volume fraction (BV/TV) decreased 60% between 6 weeks and 24 months of age. Loss was characterized by decreased trabecular number (Tb.N), increased trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), and decreased connectivity. Anisotropy decreased while the structure model index increased with age. Cortical bone thickness increased between 6 weeks and 6 months of age and then decreased continuously to 24 months (-12%). Cortical bone area (Ct.Ar) remained constant between 6 and 24 months. Fat-free weight reached a peak at 12 months and gradually declined to 24 months. Total mass lost between 12 and 24 months reached 10%. Overall, the age-related changes in skeletal mass and architecture in the mouse were remarkably similar to those seen in human aging. Furthermore, the rapid early loss of cancellous bone suggests that bone loss is not just associated with old age in the mouse but rather occurs as a continuum from early growth. We conclude that the C57BL/6J male mouse maybe a useful model to study at least some aspects of age-related bone loss in humans.     

Adequacies of skin puncture for evaluating biochemical and hematological blood parameters in athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The authors tested the effect of blood sampling (skin versus venous puncture) on some biochemical and hematological blood parameters in athletes to answer whether skin puncture could be used as a substitute for venous puncture. DESIGN: Comparative study of 2 methods of blood samples collection. SETTING: The blood was collected in the same athletes at 3 different moments of the preparatory training phase. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen male indoor soccer players (22 +/- 1 years old) and 7 female handball players (18 +/- 1 years old) participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Blood was collected in heparin and K3EDTA by Vacutainer BD or Microvette Sarstedt system for biochemical and hematological analyses, respectively. RESULTS: There were no significant statistical differences between the 2 methods for the values of creatine kinase, urea, creatinine, lymphocytes, and platelets. The other hematological analyzes and uric acid exhibited significant higher values in skin blood, although they were all within the normal expected range. A high degree of correlation was observed between the 2 techniques for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Skin puncture is a reliable, easy, accurate, and less invasive sampling method for assessing hematological and some biochemical parameters in athletes, respecting that blood samples should always be obtained from the same site, especially in follow-up studies.     

腹腔镜高选择性迷走神经切断术联合Nissen胃底折叠术:效果如何?——腹腔镜Nissen迷走神经切断术治疗胃食管返流

背景：Nissen胃底折叠术（Nissen fundoplication，NF）已不是治疗胃食管返流性疾病（gastroesophageal reflux disease，GERD）的唯一、有效的方法。对于能降低胃酸的手术方式来讲，如高选择性迷走神经切断术（highly selective vagotomy，HSV），也不仅仅是一种辅助治疗方法。对高选择性迷走神经切断术联合Nissen胃底折叠术（Nissen fundoplication with highly selective vagotomy，NFHSV）治疗GERD的作用目前尚无完整的评价。方法：2003年6月～2005年6月8例女性病人接受NFHSV，8例均有6个月GERD病史，经药物治疗症状无缓解，有餐前痛、消化性溃疡或严重的胃炎。平均随访时间12个月，术前、术后进行烧心严重程度评分测定（heart burn severity score，HSS）。结果：平均手术时间110min，无手术并发症。1例术后须用质子泵抑制剂，术后经戒烟5个月后停药。8例术后症状和烧心严重程度评分测定有明显改善。结论：NFHSV是有效的联合手术方式，尚需要进一步的研究证实这一联合术式的完全有效性和安全性。     

Helminth and protozoan intestinal infections in pregnant women in their first consultation at Health Centers of the State in the Butant? Subdistrict, S?o Paulo City]

481 pregnant women attended at first consultation from a S?o Paulo city suburb-subdistrict of Butantan-S?o Paulo State, Brazil, from April to October of 1988, were investigated regarding the prevalence of verminosis. The mean age was 24.5 years (range 14-46), the average family income was 0.97 PCMW (per capita minimum wage) and the average number of members of the family was 4 (1 to 15). The verminosis prevalence was 45.1% among the women. The most frequent parasites were: Ascaris lumbricoides (19.0%), ancilostomídeos (16.7%) and Trichuris trichiura (15.9%). The verminosis prevalence was significantly higher among the pregnant women (p < 0.05) who belonged to the families with income below 0.5 PCMW and greater than 4 members.     

LPN to ADN: a new model for educational mobility.

There is growing interest among nurse educators in methodologies to promote upward mobility between the levels of nursing education. The author describes an innovative model for facilitating mobility from licensed practical nurse level to registered nurse practice at the associate degree level.