Enlarged high frequency oscillations of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ObjectiveA large N20 and P25 of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) predicts short survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated whether high frequency oscillations (HFOs) over N20 are enlarged and associated with survival in ALS.MethodsA total of 145 patients with ALS and 57 healthy subjects were studied. We recorded the median nerve SEP and measured the onset-to-peak amplitude of N20 (N20o-p), and peak-to-peak amplitude between N20 and P25 (N20p-P25p). We obtained early and late HFO potentials by filtering SEP between 500 and 1 kHz, and measured the peak-to-peak amplitude. We followed up patients until endpoints (death or tracheostomy) and analyzed the relationship between SEP or HFO amplitudes and survival using a Cox analysis.ResultsPatients showed larger N20o-p, N20p-P25p, and early and late HFO amplitudes than the control values. N20p-P25p was associated with survival periods (p = 0.0004), while early and late HFO amplitudes showed no significant association with survival (p = 0.4307, and p = 0.6858, respectively).ConclusionsThe HFO amplitude in ALS is increased, but does not predict survival.SignificanceThe enlarged HFOs in ALS might be a compensatory phenomenon to the hyperexcitability of the sensory cortex pyramidal neurons.     

Simultaneously recorded intracranial and scalp high frequency oscillations help identify patients with poor postsurgical seizure outcome

ObjectiveHigh frequency oscillations (HFO) between 80–500 Hz are markers of epileptic areas in intracranial and maybe also scalp EEG. We investigate simultaneous recordings of scalp and intracranial EEG and hypothesize that scalp HFOs provide important additional clinical information in the presurgical setting.MethodsSpikes and HFOs were visually identified in all intracranial scalp EEG channels. Analysis of correlation of event location between intracranial and scalp EEG as well as relationship between events and the SOZ and zone of surgical removal was performed.Results24 patients could be included, 23 showed spikes and 19 HFOs on scalp recordings. In 15/19 patients highest scalp HFO rate was located over the implantation side, with 13 patients having the highest scalp and intracranial HFO rate over the same region. 17 patients underwent surgery, 7 became seizure free. Patients with poor post-operative outcome showed significantly more regions with HFO than those with seizure free outcome.ConclusionsScalp HFOs are mostly located over the SOZ. Widespread scalp HFOs are indicative of a larger epileptic network and associated with poor postsurgical outcome.SignificanceAnalysis of scalp HFO add clinically important information about the extent of epileptic areas during presurgical simultaneous scalp and intracranial EEG recordings.     

浅谈基因治疗的现状及其面临的困境

基因治疗将在未来的疾病治疗中扮演重要的角色，然而这一新颖的技术却面临着诸多问题，本文论述了基因治疗的发展现状及其所面临的技术难题。     

宁夏卫生人力资源现状分析

目的　了解宁夏卫生人力现状 ,提出建设性意见。方法　采用普查分类统计分析的方法。结果　现有卫生人员 2 3485名 ,其中卫生专业技术人员 18838名 ,每千人拥有 4 .35名卫生人员和 3.36名卫生专业技术人员。结论　年龄和职称分布合理 ,卫生人力资源总量较 16年前明显增加 ,卫生专业技术人员增长了 83.5 7% ,研究生偏少 ,本科学历比例较小 ,卫生人力资源过于集中在银川市     

世界高等医学教育研究的现状和趋势及其借鉴

本文作者多年主持多项国际医学教育研究合作项目，多次参加国际性医学教育学术会议，根据文献资料和观察所见，介绍世界高等医学教育研究机构建立的沿革；高等医学教育研究得以发展的动因；高等医学教育研究的功能与任务；对提高医学教育教学质量的最佳途径的研究成果；世界各国开展的“医学教育硕士学位”培养计划，以及借鉴与对策。     

Effect of external high-frequency oscillation on severe cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Effective gas exchange can be maintained in animals without endotracheal intubation using external high-frequency oscillation (EHFO). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of EHFO in patients with respiratory failure due to severe cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Seven patients were ventilated with EHFO for 2h at 60 oscillations·min⁻¹, with a cuiras pressure of 36 cmH₂O (−26 to +10) and an inspiratory to expiratory ratio of 1:1, with EHFO. Blood gas values and hemodynamic parameters were measured. Significant increases were noted in cardiac index (2.3±0.5 to 2.5±0.5 l·m⁻²;P<0.05), stroke volume index (24±7 to 28±8 ml·m⁻²;P<0.05), and arterial O₂ pressure (Pao₂) (70±4 to 95±23 mmHg;P<0.01) without a change in pulmonary artery wedge pressure at 1 h after EHFO. The respiratory rate decreased from 28±3 to 22 ±3 breaths·min⁻¹ at 5 min after the termination of EHFO (P <0.01). Arterial CO₂ pressure (Paco₂) did not, however, decrease. Increased stroke volume without a change in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (preload) suggests either improved inotropic function of the left ventricle or reduced left ventricular afterload with EHFO. The use of EHFO may be effective not only for gas exchange but also for left ventricular function in patients with severe cardiogenic pulmonary edema.     

An Experimental Study on the Relationship Between Artificial Korotkoff Sounds and Self-Excited Oscillation Using a Circulatory Simulator

In the medical field, Korotkoff sounds have been explained as sounds generated by the disturbed blood flow in the artery. However, in the biomechanics field, Korotkoff sounds are considered to be produced and/or modified by the self-excited oscillation of a collapsed artery. The self-excited oscillation is an oscillation of the arterial wall. In addition, it is influenced by the nonlinear pressure–flow relationships in the artery and the arterial compliance. In this paper, we proposed an arterial-compliance-measuring method, using Korotkoff sounds. We constructed a circulatory simulator with a brachial model that mimics the physiological circulation, because in vivo resolution of nonlinear pressure–flow relationships is very difficult. The simulator was utilized to generate artificial Korotkoff sounds similar to those in auscultation in the brachial model. Additionally, we prepared latex tubes as artificial brachial arteries. In the experiment, we investigated the relationship between the self-excited oscillation and Korotkoff sounds by the distinguishing its frequency characteristics. The frequency of the sounds was changed by the variation of the tube compliance. As a result, we have found that the changes of the sounds largely depended on the difference of the tube compliance in this simulator. In conclusion, Korotkoff sounds contain useful information for predicting brachial arterial compliance. These experiments indicate the effectiveness of noninvasive measurement for brachial arterial compliance using Korotkoff sounds.     

Effects of Repeated Deep Inspirations on Recovery from Methacholine-Induced Airway Narrowing in Normal Subjects

Background. A single deep inspiration (DI) is known to be a potent bronchodilator but it is not known if repeated DI can accelerate sustained recovery from bronchoconstriction. Methods. We induced sustained bronchoconstriction using increasing concentrations of nebulized methacholine (Mch) during tidal breathing and assessed airway narrowing by measuring respiratory resistance (Rrs) using forced oscillation in six healthy subjects. On separate days we examined the effects of DI every 3 minutes and of prohibition of DI on recovery of Rrs for 30 minutes after the end of Mch nebulization. Results. Bronchoconstriction (Rrs ∼ 150% above baseline) was induced. DI during recovery had a transient bronchodilator effect but no cumulative effect. At 30 minutes after end of nebulization (and 2 minutes after the last DI) Rrs was 87% above baseline compared to 93% above baseline when DI was prohibited. Conclusion. Recovery from induced bronchoconstriction with methacholine was slow (∼ 2%/min) and not accelerated by frequent DI.     

YAG激光器谐振腔光振状态的调整

本文介绍了调整谐振腔光振状态的方法和要点，它包括调整谐振腔体和其它的光学部件。本法可应用于YAG激光器谐振腔的维修拆卸重装工作中。     

已婚育龄妇女避孕措施变化趋势分析

目的:了解已婚育龄妇女避孕措施的变化趋势,为指导计划生育服务工作提供科学依据。方法:收集1983~2005年苏州市已婚育龄妇女避孕方法的资料,并用统计软件对其变化趋势进行了分析。结果:已婚育龄妇女节育率在88.38%~92.94%范围波动,长效避孕措施现用率从75.19%下降至71.27%,而短效避孕措施从12.86%上升至17.11%。宫内节育器的现用率从50.09%上升到66.50%;避孕套从1.94%上升到14.21%;其他避孕方法的现用率均呈下降趋势,其中女性绝育现用率从24.42%下降到4.50%。结论:节育率维持在较高水平;长效避孕措施现用率下降而短效避孕措施现用率上升;避孕方法使用趋于多样化,需要提供满足个性化需求的指导和服务。