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Many applications of Sn-doped indium oxide (ITO) films in organic electronics require appropriate surface modifications of ITO nanocrystals with small organic molecules, such as silanes, phosophonic acids and carboxylic acids, to improve interfacial contacts and charge transfer. Here, we propose a new surface modification strategy via adsorption of acetylene molecules on an oxygen-terminated ITO(100) surface using a slab crystalline model to represent the nanocrystal surface. The adsorption was first studied using density functional theory. It was found that the chemisorption of C2H2 on two types of surface oxygen dimers is highly exothermic with the calculated adsorption energies of 3.80 eV and 5.19 eV, respectively. Electron population analysis reveals the origin of the strong interaction between the adsorbate and the ITO(100) surface. Experimental studies on the synthesized ITO nanocrystals using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy confirm the predicted strong adsorption of C2H2 on ITO surfaces.
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OBJECTIVES: In Taiwan, older adults with cognitive impairment who undergo hip-fracture surgery are routinely cared for by family members. This study aimed to determine if nutritional status influenced the effects of a family-centered intervention for older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the influences of nutritional status 1 month after hospital discharge on the effects of a family-centered care intervention model, which was designed for older adults with hip fracture and cognitive impairment. Outcomes were compared among participants according to nutrition status (well-nourished/poorly-nourished) and treatment approach (control/intervention). SETTING: The original study was conducted at a 3000-bed medical center from July 2015 to October 2019. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were older adults with cognitive impairment who had undergone hip-fracture surgery. Participants were assessed as poorly-nourished or well-nourished with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) 1-month post-discharge and were then randomly assigned to either the intervention group or control group. INTERVENTION: A family-centered intervention model for family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery was implemented. The intervention was delivered by geriatric nurses, which included instructions for family caregivers in overseeing exercises for strengthening the hip, understanding dietary requirements, and managing behavioral problems associated with cognitive impairment. MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measures included activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, hip range of motion, hip muscle strength, depression, measured with the Geriatric Depressive Scale, and physical and mental health related quality of life, measured with the Short Form Survey (SF-36), Taiwanese version. Participants were assessed at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-discharge. RESULTS: Most of the 134 participants were assessed as poorly nourished (n = 122); 57 were the control group and 65 received the intervention. For the well-nourished participants (n = 12), four were in the intervention group and eight were controls. There were no significant differences in any outcome variables for poorly nourished participants who received the intervention compared with controls. For the sample of well-nourished participants, those who received the intervention performed significantly better in outcomes of IADLs (b = 1.74, p < .05), hip muscle strength (b = 9.64, p < .01), and physical health related quality of life (b = 10.47, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The family-centered care intervention was only effective for older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery who were well-nourished at 1 month following hospital discharge, but not for those at risk of malnutrition. Interventions should focus on enhancing nutritional status following hip surgery which could allow the family-centered in-home intervention to be beneficial for more older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery.
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Disfunção Cognitiva , Fraturas do Quadril , Humanos , Idoso , Estado Nutricional , Atividades Cotidianas , Qualidade de Vida , Análise de Dados Secundários , Assistência ao Convalescente , Alta do Paciente , Fraturas do Quadril/complicações , Fraturas do Quadril/cirurgia , Disfunção Cognitiva/complicações , Assistência Centrada no PacienteRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To review the accuracy of different investigation modalities for upper limb nerve sheath tumours and the resulting surgical outcomes, and propose a standard algorithm to deal with such tumours to minimise complications. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All patients with upper limb nerve sheath tumours being excised in our hospital from 1999 to 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The accuracy rate of different investigations, as well as corresponding neurological deficits after excision and recurrence rates. RESULTS: A total of 23 (10 male and 13 female) patients, aged between 28 and 72 (mean, 46) years, underwent excision of 25 lesions during the study period. The mean duration of symptom was 2.5 years and tumour size ranged from 1 to 10.5 cm (mean, 2.6 cm). A majority (80%) presented with a typical triad; only one had a true neurological deficit. Twenty-two ultrasonography and 20 magnetic resonance images were obtained, with a diagnostic accuracy of 77% and 100%, respectively. Eight fine-needle aspiration cytology examinations and two core biopsies were performed, which had respective accuracy rates of 13% and 100%. Fifteen patients experienced neurological deficits after the operation; three showed spontaneous recovery. Among 12 patients with long-term residual neurological sequelae, five had both motor and sensory deficits and four had moderate-to-severe disability. No recurrence was reported. CONCLUSION: Nerve sheath tumours in the hand need to be managed with care. Among the different investigation modalities, magnetic resonance imaging was considered to be the gold standard. Yet ultrasonography is still the most easily accessible and least invasive investigation in public hospital setting. Complications are liable to ensue even if patients are managed by hand specialists. Thus, well-planned operations and detailed discussions with the patient are important prerequisites before operation.
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Neoplasias de Bainha Neural/cirurgia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Extremidade Superior/cirurgia , Adulto , Idoso , Algoritmos , Biópsia por Agulha , Feminino , Hong Kong , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia , Neoplasias de Bainha Neural/patologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Extremidade Superior/patologiaRESUMO
UNLABELLED: This study examined how depression risk interfaces with health outcomes of hip-fractured patients during the first year after hospital discharge. Physical function recovery and health outcome trajectories were much poorer for hip-fractured elders with persistent depression risk than for those with transitory and no risk for depression. INTRODUCTION: This study examined how depression risk interfaces with the trajectories of physical activities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hip-fractured elderly patients during the first 12 months after hospital discharge. METHODS: Based on 12-month scores for the Chinese version of Geriatric Depression Scale, patients over age 60 years (N = 147) were classified as (a) at persistent risk for depression, (b) at transitory risk for depression, and (c) at no risk for depression. Outcomes were measured by the Chinese Barthel Index and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, Taiwan version, and analyzed by the generalized estimating equations approach. RESULTS: Patients who were at persistent risk for depression (n = 46, 31.3%) had much less chance of recovering activities of daily living (OR = 0.16, CI = 0.06-0.42) and walking ability (OR = 0.09, CI = 0.04-0.21) than patients at no risk for depression (n = 36, 24.5%). The trajectories of SF-36 scores for the physical and mental health summary scales were significantly different among the three depression groups; those "at persistent risk for depression" were the poorest and those "at no risk for depression" were the best. CONCLUSION: These results may provide a reference for developing timely assessments and interventions for hip-fractured elders at risk of depression.
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Depressão/etiologia , Fraturas do Quadril/reabilitação , Fraturas do Quadril/cirurgia , Atividades Cotidianas/psicologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Depressão/reabilitação , Transtorno Depressivo/etiologia , Transtorno Depressivo/reabilitação , Feminino , Fraturas do Quadril/psicologia , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prognóstico , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
PURPOSE: To review the efficacy and safety of needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's contracture in Chinese patients. METHODS: Seven men and one woman aged 50 to 80 (mean, 67) years underwent needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's contracture. Five were manual workers and the other 3 were retired. Their chief complaints were difficulty moving the fingers, clumsiness of the hand, and occasional pain in the palm. No patient had any family history of Dupuytren's contracture. RESULTS: 41 points were released in 13 fingers (3 middle, 3 ring, and 7 little). Immediately after release, the respective mean flexion contracture correction of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints were 50 (from 50 to 0) and 35 (from 46 to 11) degrees. At 22-month follow-up, the respective mean residual flexion contracture of both joints were 12 and 27 degrees; the corresponding long-term improvements were 70 and 41%. No patient had a wound complication or neurovascular injury. All had a normal score for Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand. CONCLUSION: For Chinese patients with Dupuytren's contracture, needle aponeurotomy is safe and effective. Long-term correction is better maintained in metacarpophalangeal than proximal interphalangeal joints (70 vs 41%).
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Contratura de Dupuytren/cirurgia , Fasciotomia , Mãos , Agulhas , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate spontaneous long bone fractures occurring in nursing home residents and to identify what factors put them at risk for fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of a pubic hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: A total of 30 nursing home residents who developed spontaneous long bone fractures between 1994 and 2005 were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, mechanism of injury, pattern of fractures, associated risk factors, complications, outcomes, and post-treatment status. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 84 years. Co-morbidities were as follows: 22 patients were bedridden, 21 required long-term feeding by Ryle's tube, 19 had a history of cerebrovascular accident and 18 of whom had a long bone fracture on the side of the hemiplegia, 15 had dementia, and 25 had lower limb contractures. Closed supracondylar fractures of the femur occurred in 23 patients, 17 of whom presented with limb deformity. In 21 patients, fractures were treated successfully with hinged braces. In one patient, the fracture changed from closed to open. In five patients, the fractures were complicated by sacrum or heel sores, and in one by infected nonunion. In 28 patients, the fractures eventually healed without further complications. Three formerly bedridden patients were able to sit after their fractures had been treated. CONCLUSIONS: Female nursing home residents who require long-term Ryle's tube feeding, have dementia, hemiplegia, lower limb contractures, osteoporosis, or are bedridden, are at high risk for spontaneous fractures.
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Fraturas Ósseas/epidemiologia , Casas de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Fraturas Ósseas/etiologia , Fraturas Ósseas/terapia , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Two new phenolic constituents, daphnenone (1) and daphneone (2), were isolated from the stem bark of Daphne odora Thunb. var. marginata. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for cytotoxic activity by MTT assays on five human tumour cell lines, K562, A549, MCF-7, LOVO and HepG2. Compound 1 showed obvious cytotoxic activity against all the five cell lines.
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Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/química , Daphne/química , Cetonas/química , Fenóis/química , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/isolamento & purificação , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Formazans/metabolismo , Humanos , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Células K562 , Cetonas/isolamento & purificação , Cetonas/farmacologia , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Fenóis/isolamento & purificação , Fenóis/farmacologia , Casca de Planta/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Espectrofotometria Infravermelho , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta , Sais de Tetrazólio/metabolismoRESUMO
Different signal transduction pathways, i.e. Ca2+- and cAMP-dependent, involved in mediating the effects of angiotensin II (AII) were investigated separately using the short-circuit current (Isc) technique and radioimmunoassay (RIA) in a cystic fibrosis pancreatic cell line (CFPAC-1) which exhibits defective cAMP-dependent but intact Ca2+-dependent anion secretion. The AII-induced Isc could be inhibited by the specific antagonist for AT1, losartan (1 microM), but not the antagonist for AT2, PD123177 (up to 10 microM). The AII-induced Isc was also reduced by the treatment of the cells with a Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM (100 microM), indicating a dependence of the AII-induced anion secretion on the intracellular Ca2+. Treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (0.1 microg/ml) or a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122 (5 microM), resulted in a substantial reduction in the AII-induced Isc indicating involvement of Gi and PLC in the Ca2+-dependent anion secretion. RIA measurements showed that AII stimulated an increase in cAMP production which could be reduced by losartan, pertussis toxin and U73122 but not BAPTA-AM. In addition, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, indomethacin (10 microM) and piroxicam (10 microM), did not have any effect on the AII-induced cAMP production, excluding the involvement of prostaglandins. Our results suggest that both AII-stimulated cAMP and Ca2+-dependent responses are mediated by the AT1 receptor and Gi-coupled PLC pathway. However, the AII-stimulated cAMP production in CFPAC-1 cells is not dependent on Ca2+ or the formation of prostaglandins.
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Angiotensina II/farmacologia , Cálcio/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Estrenos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Humanos , Ductos Pancreáticos/metabolismo , Toxina Pertussis , Pirrolidinonas/farmacologia , Receptor Tipo 1 de Angiotensina , Receptor Tipo 2 de Angiotensina , Receptores de Angiotensina/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Fosfolipases Tipo C/metabolismo , Fatores de Virulência de Bordetella/farmacologiaRESUMO
The study investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the modulation of agonist-induced Ca2+-dependent anion secretion by pancreatic duct cells. The short-circuit current (ISC) technique was used to examine the effect of PKC activation and inhibition on subsequent ATP, angiotensin II and ionomycin-activated anion secretion by normal (CAPAN-1) and cystic fibrosis (CFPAC-1) pancreatic duct cells. The ISC responses induced by the Ca2+-mobilizing agents, which had been previously shown to be attributed to anion secretion, were enhanced in both CAPAN-1 and CFPAC-1 cells by PKC inhibitors, staurosporine, calphostin C or chelerythrine. On the contrary, a PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), was found to suppress the agonist-induced ISC in CFPAC-1 cells and the ionomycin-induced ISC in CAPAN-1 cells. An inactive form of PMA, 4alphad-phorbol 12, 13-didecanote (4alphaD), was found to exert insignificant effect on the agonist-induced ISC, indicating a specific effect of PMA. Our data suggest a role of PKC in modulating agonist-induced Ca2+-dependent anion secretion by pancreatic duct cells. Therapeutic strategy to augment Ca2+-activated anion secretion by cystic fibrosis pancreatic duct cells may be achieved by inhibition or down-regulation of PKC.
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Ânions/metabolismo , Cálcio/farmacologia , Proteína Quinase C/metabolismo , Trifosfato de Adenosina/farmacologia , Angiotensina II/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Condutividade Elétrica , Ativação Enzimática , Humanos , Ionomicina/farmacologia , Ductos Pancreáticos/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase C/antagonistas & inibidoresRESUMO
An outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning occurred in southern Taiwan, affecting 116 persons who had consumed purple clams. Two victims died within four hours. Gonyautoxins were identified as causative toxins. During the outbreak, five patients with paralytic shellfish poisoning were seen in our hospital. All recovered following supportive treatments. Serum creatine kinase concentration was elevated in three of the five patients. The levels of the enzyme did not seem to correlate with the severity of poisoning. The most significant finding was the previously unreported observation of elevation of the creatine kinase MB level. In all four patients who had creatine kinase MB value determined, it was elevated.
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Bivalves , Creatina Quinase/sangue , Surtos de Doenças , Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos/enzimologia , Saxitoxina/intoxicação , Intoxicação por Frutos do Mar , Adulto , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Isoenzimas , MasculinoRESUMO
[reaction: see text]. A novel In(OTf)3-catalyzed (3,5) oxonium-ene type cyclization for the facile construction of various multisubstituted tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans was successfully developed. Further mechanistic investigations unveiled an In(OTf)3-catalyzed skeletal reorganization of the tetrahydrofuran to its thermodynamic isomer under thermal conditions.
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BACKGROUND: The migration of foreign workers from developing regions to developed countries may potentially lead to transmission of intestinal parasitic infections. In order to determine the relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and the health status of foreign workers, 302 Thai laborers brought to Taiwan were examined in this study. Nine species of parasites were found in 64.9% of laborers; Opisthorchis viverrini, hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, Giardia lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, Fasciolopsis buski, Taenia sp, Echinostoma sp, Entamoeba coli. METHODS: From June 1992 to December 1993, a total of 302 Thai laborers, participating in the mandatory entry health examination at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center were interviewed and examined. These subjects underwent a physical examination, chest roentgenography, and serological tests for human immunodeficiency virus antibody, syphilis (VDRL), and hepatitis B surface antigen. RESULTS: Among the 302 Thai laborers examined, 196 (64.9%) were found to be infected with 1 to 5 species of parasites. All 193 infected Thai laborers were treated in Taiwan. Two or 3 courses of pyrantel pamoate, mebendazole, praziquantel, and metronidazole were administered to 119, 45, 24, and 5 infected patients respectively. After 1 week of treatment, all results of stool examinations were negative. CONCLUSION: Acquisition of infection has been determined to be related to the consumption of koipla, a dish prepared from uncooked freshwater fish. Not unexpectedly, in the present study, it was found that this species was the most important intestinal parasite among Thai laborers and was significantly associated with the consumption of koipla.
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Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Viagem , Adulto , Animais , Feminino , Peixes/parasitologia , Parasitologia de Alimentos , Humanos , Imunoglobulina E/análise , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Taiwan/epidemiologia , TailândiaRESUMO
Skin care is an important but often neglected issue in burn management. Newly healed burn skin is fragile, itchy, dry, and susceptible to sunburn. Without proper skin care in burn patients, they may suffer from sleep and mood disturbances, depression, and poor compliance to treatment that can jeopardize the rehabilitation process. At the Prince of Wales Hospital, skin care has been managed since February 1996 by a team consisting of plastic surgeon, dermatologist, occupational therapist and nursing specialist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a skin care program run by a Skin Care Team on the rehabilitation of burn patients in a tertiary burn centre. The role of different members of the team was also discussed.
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Queimaduras/reabilitação , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente , Higiene da Pele/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Unidades de Queimados , Queimaduras/diagnóstico , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos de Coortes , Terapia Combinada , Dermatologia/métodos , Estética , Feminino , Hong Kong , Humanos , Escala de Gravidade do Ferimento , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Equipe de Enfermagem , Terapia Ocupacional/métodos , Satisfação do Paciente , Prognóstico , Cirurgia Plástica/métodos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In this study, the influences of externally imposed constant torque on the voluntary elbow movements of stroke and normal subjects were investigated quantitatively. BACKGROUND: Muscle weakness, spasticity and incoordination are the major factors that interfere with stroke patient's limb functions. Imposing external torque disturbance may worsen the motor performance. This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of small constant external torque on the performance of voluntary elbow movements. METHODS: Tracking of a ramp-and-hold angle trajectory in the direction of extension was used as the main task for performance assessment. Each subject repeated the same tracking movement six times in each of three loading conditions: no, assistive or resistive loading. Five normal and six stroke subjects were recruited for this study. We used parameters extracted from movement trajectory and processed electromyograms as the performance indicators. RESULTS: For normal subjects, there was no difference in the tracking performance in the three loading conditions. For stroke patients, the affected side had inferior performance to the healthy side in the free loading condition and the difference diminished in assistive and resistive loading conditions as the performance of the affected side improved. Integrated electromyograms of biceps or triceps did not show significant changes in different loading conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Small externally imposed constant torque, either resistive or assistive, may improve motor performance of affected elbows in stroke patients. RELEVANCE: Most of the currently available prostheses are passive devices, aiming at providing better support and improving stability. The results of the current study imply that an active prosthetic device that applies a small constant torque to the hemiparetic elbow can improve its motor performance in stroke patients. The direction of external torque is to assist the weaker side of the antagonistic muscle pair.
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Cotovelo/fisiopatologia , Movimento , Contração Muscular , Músculo Esquelético/fisiopatologia , Doenças Musculares/fisiopatologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/fisiopatologia , Retroalimentação , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tono Muscular , Doenças Musculares/etiologia , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Estresse Mecânico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/complicações , Análise e Desempenho de Tarefas , Torque , Volição , Suporte de CargaRESUMO
Although most workers in the field agree that salt causes hypertension, but there is no well-established mechanism(s) explaining how salt works. Vast literature exists on abnormal sodium (Na+) transport processes in human and experimental hypertension from various cell systems. We examined the recent developments in the investigation of three important sodium transport pathways: Na+/K+ pump, Na+/Li+ countertransport and Na+/K+ cotransport in hypertension. The activities of these transporters may affect vascular reactivity or may serve as genetic marker for essential hypertension. Selected reports on the abnormalities of these transporters were summarized, potential problems in the interpretation of these data were discussed, and the current view about the physiological or pathophysiological meaning of these studies were presented. The multiple sites of defects and sometime conflicting reports on Na+ transport in hypertension also lead to alternative hypothesis associating membrane abnormalities with hypertension. Two models, considering membrane lipid bilayers and cellular calcium handling as primary sites of defect and the related evidence, were introduced. Finally, the role of natriuretic hormone (or endogenous Na+ pump inhibitor) in influencing Na+ transport was briefly discussed.
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Antiporters , Hipertensão/metabolismo , Sódio/metabolismo , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Eritrócitos/metabolismo , Humanos , Transporte de Íons , Metabolismo dos Lipídeos , Natriuréticos/fisiologia , Simportadores de Cloreto de Sódio-Potássio , ATPase Trocadora de Sódio-Potássio/fisiologiaRESUMO
An accurate diagnosis for toxoplasmosis is crucial for pregnant women as this infection may lead to severe sequelae in the fetus. The value of IgG avidity assay as a tool to determine acute and chronic toxoplasmosis during pregnancy was evaluated in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). In this study, 281 serum samples from 281 pregnant women in various trimesters were collected. These samples were assayed using specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies, followed by IgG avidity test. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was 35.2% (33.5% for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and 1.8% for both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies). Of 5 (1.8%) serum samples positive for IgM ELISA, 4 had high-avidity antibodies, suggesting past infection and one sample with borderline avidity index. Two samples with low avidity were from IgM negative serum samples. The IgG avidity assay exhibited an excellent specificity of 97.6% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.6%. The study also demonstrated no significant correlation between avidity indexes of the sera with IgG (r=0.12, p=0.24) and IgM (r=-0.00, p=0.98), suggesting the complementary needs of the two tests for a better diagnosis outcome. These findings highlight the usefulness of IgG avidity assay in excluding a recently acquired toxoplasmosis infection in IgM-positive serum sample.
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Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Afinidade de Anticorpos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Imunoglobulina M/sangue , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/diagnóstico , Toxoplasmose/diagnóstico , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Humanos , Malásia/epidemiologia , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Gravidez , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Toxoplasmose/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Healed distal radial fractures are frequently complicated by chronic wrist pain which is multifactorial and can be debilitating. An accurate delineation of the pathoanatomy is the key for successful treatment. This study reviewed 22 patients who had surgical treatment between 1997 and 2001 for chronic wrist pain after distal radial fracture. Four patterns of pathoanatomy were identified: (1) ulnar impaction caused by radial malunion and shortening; (2) ulnar styloid non-union; (3) triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears with or without distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability; and (4) intercarpal ligament injuries and chondral lesions. Surgical treatment directed towards identified abnormalities gave satisfactory outcome. At six months after surgery the mean functional score improved 36%, mean pain score decreased 50%, mean grip strength improved 25%, and 64% of patients returned to work.
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Artralgia/etiologia , Artralgia/fisiopatologia , Fraturas do Rádio/fisiopatologia , Articulação do Punho/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Artralgia/cirurgia , Cartilagem Articular/lesões , Cartilagem Articular/cirurgia , Doença Crônica , Feminino , Fixação Interna de Fraturas , Fraturas Mal-Unidas/fisiopatologia , Fraturas Mal-Unidas/cirurgia , Fraturas não Consolidadas/fisiopatologia , Fraturas não Consolidadas/cirurgia , Força da Mão/fisiologia , Humanos , Instabilidade Articular/fisiopatologia , Instabilidade Articular/cirurgia , Ligamentos Articulares/lesões , Ligamentos Articulares/cirurgia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Osteotomia/efeitos adversos , Medição da Dor , Fraturas do Rádio/cirurgia , Fibrocartilagem Triangular/lesões , Fibrocartilagem Triangular/cirurgia , Ulna/cirurgia , Fraturas da Ulna/fisiopatologia , Fraturas da Ulna/cirurgia , Articulação do Punho/cirurgiaRESUMO
Although information on amoebiasis among institutionalized psychiatric patients is available, reports on the relationship between behaviour and this infection are not abundant. From July 1995 to June 1996, stool and blood samples were collected from 565 patients in three psychiatric hospitals of North Taiwan. Stool samples were examined using the direct smear and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques as well as ProSpecT Entamoeba histolytica Microplate Assay kit. Blood samples were examined by the Amebiasis Serology Microwell ELISA kit. Among these patients, 14 (2.5%) harboured one or two species of intestinal parasites. There were 6 (1.1%) E. histolytica/E. dispar cyst passers: 5 positive in stool ELISA test and 2 with antibodies against E. histolytica. Among demographic factors, type of psychiatric disorder and disability, only a significant sexual difference in seropositivity of E. histolytica was observed. These findings indicate that the infected patients acquired the infections before they entered the hospitals.
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Amebíase/complicações , Amebíase/epidemiologia , Entamoeba histolytica , Hospitais Psiquiátricos , Institucionalização , Transtornos Mentais/complicações , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Amebíase/parasitologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Entamoeba histolytica/isolamento & purificação , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Humanos , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Taiwan/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Many of the indices utilized in the assessment of nutritional status are dependent upon stature. Knee height has been used to predict stature in western countries when standing height cannot be measured, however, an adequate stature-knee height equation has not been established for the population in Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 1179 healthy men (603) and women (576) were recruited from those who had undergone comprehensive check-ups at their own expense from March through August 1998 at Lin-Kou Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. The subjects were freely ambulatory without kyphosis or scoliosis noted on their chest X-ray or KUB films. The automatic supersonic system was used to measure stature and body weight. A Ross caliper was used to measure recumbent left knee height. Multiple linear regression was used to obtain equations to estimate stature using knee height and age. RESULTS: Stature of adults highly correlated with their knee height (r = 0.73 with 95%CI between 0.69 and 0.77 for men, and r = 0.68 with 95%CI between 0.63 and 0.72 for women) but declined with age (men: r = -0.17 with 95%CI between -0.09 and -0.24; women: r = -0.22 with 95%CI between -0.14 and -0.29). Knee height changed very little with age in both genders. To predict stature, a linear regression model should include knee height and age as predictors to reach r2 as 0.61 and 0.58 for men and women, respectively. The stature-knee height equations were "stature = 85.10 + 1.73 x knee height -0.11 x age" for men, "stature = 91.45 + 1.53 x knee height -0.16 x age" for women. CONCLUSION: Our stature-knee height equations provided good predictions on stature of adult population in Taiwan, and was superior when compared with equations developed from other populations.