自行下体负压训练器的研制

目的 研制一种自行下体负压训练器。方法 自行下体负压训练器由若干环形钢圈及涂胶布材料构成的密闭完整的空腔壳体，可上下随意伸缩。上表面安装有单向排气阀门、可调进气阀门、把手及肩带。沿筒体纵轴进行屈／伸膝关节运动，使之被动扩张产生负压。结果 进气阀门完全关闭、打开1／4、1／2至完全打开时，训练器负压峰值逐渐降低，分别为-58、-46、-38和-26mmHg。结论 自行下体负压训练器集体育锻炼和下体负压于一体，安全可靠，使用方便，可望应用于对抗失重生理影响和飞行员抗荷生理训练。     

Anticonvulsant Activities of 4–Bromobenzaldehyde Semicarbazone

Summary: Some of the properties of 4–bromobenzalde-hyde semicarbazone (compound IV), a prototype molecule of a new class of anticonvulsants, aryl semicarbazones, are described. Compound IV demonstrated activity in the maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (scPTZ) tests in mice, with low neurotoxicity. When given orally to rats, it displayed high potency in the MES test and very low neurotoxicity, resulting in a high protective index (PI). Compound IV displayed no proconvulsant properties, and development of rapid tolerance was not noted. When administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 100, 300, or 600 mg/kg to rats, compound IV had no effect on levels of γ-aminobu-tyric acid (GABA) or on GABA-T activity in whole brain. When tested in vitro, compound IV had no effect on rat brain GABA-T at a drug concentration of 100 μM. Although the activities of certain drug-metabolizing enzymes were increased after oral administration of compound IV to rats, these effects were less prominent than those of phenytoin (PHT) and carbamazepine (CBZ). The principal mode of action of compound IV does not appear to be an interaction with the GABA_A receptor complex, and other mechanisms, involving excitatory amino acid neurotransmission, will have to be considered in future investigations of the anticonvulsant activity of this compound.     

米非司酮作用于兔输卵管收缩活动与Ca^2＋关系的研究

通过“结合化学分离与原子吸收分光光度法”对Ca^2 含量测定和离体输卵管肌条收缩记录方法，研究米非司酮（Ru486)对增加假孕（4d)兔输卵管平滑肌收缩频率，而不改变其收缩张力和振幅时与Ca^2 之间的关系，结果提示：（1）Ru486对输卵管分泌液和组织内Ca^2 的含量分布无明显影响；（2）Ru486具有降低细胞外液高Ca^2 浓度促Ca^2 内流，而使收缩增强的效应，且能协同Ca^2 通道阻断剂（Verapamil)抑制细胞外Ca^2 内流，而致收缩减弱的效应。     

The future of cardiovascular imaging and non-invasive diagnosis

Advances in medical imaging now make it possible to investigate any patient with cardiovascular disease using multiple methods which vary widely in their technical requirements, benefits, limitations and costs. The appropriate use of alternative tests requires their integration into joint clinical diagnostic services where experts in all methods collaborate. This statement summarises the principles that should guide developments in cardiovascular diagnostic services.This paper is published simultaneously in the European Heart Journal (2006;27:1750–1753) and in the European Journal of Echocardiography (2006;7:268–273).     

Medizinische Ökonomie in der Onkologie

Zusammenfassung In der Onkologie gewinnen medizinisch-ökonomische Aspekte eine immer größere Bedeutung. In Anbetracht des Anstiegs der Gesundheitsausgaben und der immer teureren Interventionen müssen Wege aufgezeigt werden, wie mit den vorhandenen finanziellen Mitteln Prioritäten gesetzt werden können. Die medizinische Ökonomie, eine vergleichsweise junge Wissenschaft, beschäftigt sich unter anderem mit der ökonomischen Bewertung medizinischer Technologien mit dem Ziel der Verbesserung der gesundheitspolitischen Entscheidungsfindung. Dieser Artikel beleuchtet die Grundlagen dieser Wissenschaft, einschließlich der ökonomischen Evaluation, im Kontext der internistischen Onkologie. Zweifelsohne wird die medizinische Ökonomie in Zukunft in der ärztlichen Fort- und Weiterbildung eine ähnlich wichtige Rolle spielen wie klinische Epidemiologie und evidenzbasierte Medizin.     

The spherical aberration of aphakic eyes corrected with intra-ocular lenses

The spherical aberration of eyes corrected with intra-ocular lenses is investigated using a model eye with realistic levels of corneal asphericity. The results indicate that the aberration is intermediate between that of paraxial schematic eyes and real eyes. By using standard optical aberration theory, it is shown that for a plano-convex lens with the curved surface facing the cornea, the aberration is similar to that of normal phakic eyes and therefore probably too low to be of any clinical significance. However, for other lens orientations or designs, the level of aberration is usually higher and may lead to a refractive error varying with pupil size and a loss of acuity with large pupil diameters.     

Adaptive group sequential design for phase II clinical trials: A Bayesian decision theoretic approach

Bayesian decision theoretic approaches (BDTAs) have been widely studied in the literature as tools for designing and conducting phase II clinical trials. However, full Bayesian approaches that consider multiple endpoints are lacking. Since the monitoring of toxicity is a major goal of phase II trials, we propose an adaptive group sequential design using a BDTA, which characterizes efficacy and toxicity as correlated bivariate binary endpoints. We allow trade‐off between the two endpoints. Interim evaluations are conducted group sequentially, but the number of interim looks and the size of each group are chosen adaptively based on current observations. We utilize a loss function consisting of two components: the loss associated with accruing, treating, and monitoring patients, and the loss associated with making incorrect decisions. The performance of our Bayesian modeling, and the operating characteristics of decision rules under a wide range of loss function parameters are evaluated using seven scenarios in a simulation study. Our method is illustrated in the context of a single‐arm phase II trial of bevacizumab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MULTICENTER STUDY DESIGN OF THE EX VIVO EVALUATION OF ENDOCYTOSCOPY IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Optical technological innovations enable us to visualize cellular nuclei endoscopically. Herein is described a protocol design for a multicenter study for the ex vivo evaluation of endocytoscopy. The present study was performed by the Endoscopy Forum Japan study group.     

Practice of orthokeratology by a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong

Purpose: The aim of the study was to provide information about the characteristics of three main types of orthokeratology (ortho‐k) lenses used in Hong Kong and to report on their performance based on the clinical impressions of a group of ortho‐k practitioners. Method: Twelve ortho‐k practitioners were interviewed between 1 March and 30 June 2001. Results: Most ortho‐k lenses were ordered from three manufacturers: DreimLens, Fargo and Contex. The median maximum myopia reduction reported for DreimLens, Contex and Fargo lenses were 6.25 D, 6.00 D and 4.50 D respectively. The time to reduce myopia by up to 4.00 D could be up to three weeks for Contex and DreimLens and up to four weeks for Fargo. For reduction of myopia by up to 4.00 D, the treatment usually required only one or two lenses per eye for all three types of lenses. The incidence of lens binding and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction was reported to be higher with the DreimLens design. Good centration, less lens binding, relatively lower incidence of complications and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction were reported with the Fargo lenses. Conclusions: DreimLens tended to be more effective for myopia reduction. However, some practitioners were concerned with the aggressiveness of myopia reduction using this lens design and the higher potential for ocular complications. Selection of the lens design is dependent on various factors, in particular, practitioners need to be comfortable with the design they choose and to consider the needs of their patients and the final goal of the treatment.