Proposal of a new slit-lamp shield for ophthalmic examination and assessment of its effectiveness using computational simulations / Avaliação da eficácia e proposta de um novo protetor de lâmpada de fenda durante exame oftálmico por meio de simulações computacionais

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to use computational models for simulating the movement of respiratory droplets when assessing the efficacy of standard slit-lamp shield versus a new shield designed for increased clinician comfort as well as adequate protection. Methods: Simulations were performed using the commercial software Star-CCM+. Respiratory droplets were assumed to be 100% water in volume fraction with particle diameter distribution represented by a geometric mean of 74.4 (±1.5 standard deviation) μm over a 4-min duration. The total mass of respiratory droplets expelled from patients' mouths and droplet accumulation on the manikin were measured under the following three conditions: with no slit-lamp shield, using the standard slit-lamp shield, and using our new proposed shield. Results: The total accumulated water droplet mass (kilogram) and percentage of expelled mass accumulated on the shield under the three aforementioned conditions were as follows: 5.84e-10 kg (28% of the total weight of particle emitted that settled on the manikin), 9.14e-13 kg (0.045%), and 3.19e-13 (0.015%), respectively. The standard shield could shield off 99.83% of the particles that would otherwise be deposited on the manikin, which is comparable to 99.95% for the proposed design. Conclusion: Slit-lamp shields are effective infection control tools against respiratory droplets. The proposed shield showed comparable effectiveness compared with conventional slit-lamp shields, but with potentially enhanced ergonomics for ophthalmologists during slit-lamp examinations.

RESUMO Introdução: Os oftalmologistas têm alto risco de contrair a doença do Coronavírus-19 devido à proximidade com os pacientes durante os exames com lâmpada de fenda. Usamos um modelo de computação para avaliar a eficácia das proteções para lâmpadas de fenda e propusemos uma nova proteção ergonomicamente projetada. Métodos: As simulações foram realizadas no software comercial Star-CCM +. Os aerossóis de gotículas foram considerados 100% de água em fração de volume com distribuição de diâmetro de partícula representada por uma média geométrica de 74,4 ± 1,5 (desvio padrão) μm ao longo de uma duração de quatro minutos. A massa total de gotículas de água acumulada no manequim e a massa expelida pela boca do paciente foram medidas em três condições diferentes: 1) Sem protetor de lâmpada de fenda, 2) com protetor padrão, 3) Com o novo protetor proposto. Resultados: A massa total acumulada das gotas de água (kg) e a porcentagem da massa expelida acumulada no escudo para cada uma das respectivas condições foram; 1) 5,84e-10 kg (28% do peso total da partícula emitida que assentou no manequim), 2) 9,14e-13 kg (0,045%), 3,19e-13 (0,015%). O escudo padrão foi capaz de proteger 99,83% das partículas que, de outra forma, teriam se depositado no manequim, o que é semelhante a 99,95% para o projeto proposto. Conclusão: Protetores com lâmpada de fenda são ferramentas eficazes de controle de infecção contra gotículas respiratórias. O protetor proposto mostrou eficácia comparável em comparação com os protetores de lâmpada de fenda convencionais, mas potencialmente oferece uma melhor ergonomia para oftalmologistas durante o exame de lâmpada de fenda.

Finite Element Analysis on Stress Distributions of Proximal Femur in the Elderly During Sit-to-Stand Transition / 医用生物力学

Objective By establishing finite element model of the proximal femur, the injury risk of proximal femur under the conditions of self-selected speed rise and rapid rise at initial stage of standing during sit-to-stand (STS) transition was analyzed.Methods CT images of proximal femur in the elderly were processed with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and reverse modeling, so as to complete the solid model. The finite element model was established through material assignment and meshing. Based on the finite element analysis software ANSYS, the boundary conditions were constrained, and 1.733 kN and 1.837 kN loads were applied to obtain stress distributions and strain of proximal femur at different rising speeds. Results The stress concentrated at medial edge of the greater trochanter and the femoral neck. The peak stress and micro-strain appeared on inner edge of the larger rotor. The peak stress was 30.16 MPa and peak micro-strain was 2 553.5 at rapid rising speed. The peak stress and peak micro-strain at self-selected rising speed were 28.69 MPa and 2 430.4, respectively, which were relatively lower. For stress concentration area of femoral neck, the stress ranges at rapid rising speed and self-selected rising speed were 13.42-23.46 MPa and 12.76-25.51 MPa, respectively.Conclusions Frequent STS transition may increase the risk of fatigue fractures for proximal femur in the elderly. Rapid STS transition has a higher injury risk for proximal femur than STS transition at self-selected speed.

Expression and clinical significance of PRC1 in soft tissue sarcoma based on data mining and effect of PRC1 on the growth of liposarcoma / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and the effects of down-regulating the expression of PRC1 on the proliferation and cell cycle of human liposarcoma cell by data mining. Methods: Oncomine database was used to analyze the expression of PRC1 in STS tissue and normal tissue, which was then verified by TCGA database. The prognosis data downloaded from OncoLnc database were used to analyze the correlation between PRC1 expression and prognosis of STS patients. Meanwhile, to collect PRC1 expression in STS cells, we used publicly available data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) projects. String database was used to determine the co-expression molecules with PRC1 and map the gene co-expression network. The expressions of PRC1 in liposarcoma cell line SW872 and human subcutaneous preadipocytes (HPA-s) were detected by Western blotting and Real-time PCR. PRC1 was silenced in SW872 cell (SW872-siPRC1) by PRC1 target siRNA with SW872-NC cell as its control. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of SW872-siPRC1 and SW872-NC cells; flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle. Results: In the Oncomine database, 11 studies involved PRC1 expression in STS tissues and normal tissues. Compared with that of the control, the expression of PRC1 in STS tissues was significantly higher (P<0.05). The results were consistent with those in the TCGA database. The analysis using Oncomine database showed that the high expression level of PRC1 was associated with shorter overall survival (P<0.05). The analysis using CCLE database showed high expression of PRC1 in STS cells (P<0.05). The co-expression network of PRC1 was established by String database, including 11 nodes and 55 connections. PRC1 was over-expressed in liposarcoma cell line SW872. Cell proliferation curve showed that compared with that of SW872-NC cells in the control group, the proliferation of SW872-siPRC1 cells decreased significantly after 48 h and 72 h culture (P<0.05). Compared with SW872-NC cell in the control group, the G1 cell proportion of SW872-siPRC1 cells was (40.27±7.42)%, significantly lower than that of SW872-NC cells (62.01±4.89)%. The G2/M cell proportion of SW872-siPRC1 cells was (25.65±1.54)%, which was significantly higher than that of SW872-NC cells (8.17±0.96)% (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Tumor gene database mining shows that PRC1 is highly expressed in STS tissues and STS cells, which is associated with the patient's prognosis. Silencing PRC1 gene can inhibit the proliferation of liposarcoma SW872 cells and keep the cells staying in G2/M phase. PRC1 plays a role in promoting liposarcoma, which may provide a potential target for the clinical treatment and prognosis of soft tissue sarcoma, especially liposarcoma.

Herbicide management in glyphosate and sulfonylurea-tolerant soybeans / Manejo de herbicidas em soja tolerante a glifosato e sulfonilureias

There is little information on the efficacy and selectivity of sulfonylureas, isolated and in association with glyphosate, in glyphosate and sulfonylurea-tolerant soybeans. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of weed control and selectivity of sulfonylureas, isolated and in association with glyphosate, at post-emergence (V4) of RR2/STS soybean. The experiments were conducted in the in areas located in Piracicaba City, São Paulo State (SP), Brazil (experiment I) and Palotina City, Paraná State (PR), Brazil (experiment II). Treatments were composed of application of the herbicides sulfometuron, chlorimuron, halosulfuron, ethoxysulfuron and glyphosate, isolated and in association, in the BMX Garra RR2/STS cultivar. Experiment I was conducted focusing on the evaluation of the efficacy of weed control; whereas experiment II focused mainly on the evaluation of herbicide selectivity. The experimental design was the randomized complete block, with four replications. Crop injury, weed control, and variables related to agronomic performance were evaluated. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and the means of the treatments were compared with the Tukey test. Sulfonylureas in association with glyphosate were effective in weed control and selective for the BMX Garra RR2/STS soybean cultivar. The sulfometuron + chlorimuron + glyphosate association presented phytotoxic potential for the BMX Garra RR2/STS cultivar.(AU)

Há poucas informações sobre a eficácia e seletividade de sulfonilureias, isoladas e associadas ao glifosato, na soja tolerante ao glifosato e às sulfonilureias. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia no controle de plantas daninhas e seletividade de sulfonilureias, isoladas e em associação com o glifosato, em pós-emergência (V4) de soja RR2/STS. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em áreas localizadas nos municípios de Piracicaba, São Paulo (SP), Brasil (experimento I) e Palotina, Paraná (PR), Brasil (experimento II). Os tratamentos foram compostos pela aplicação dos herbicidas sulfometurom, clorimurom, halossulfurom, etoxissulfurom e glifosato, isolados e em associação, no cultivar BMX Garra RR2/STS. O experimento I foi realizado com o foco principal na avaliação da eficácia no controle de plantas daninhas; ao passo que o experimento II se concentrou principalmente na avaliação da seletividade dos herbicidas. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados sintomas de injúria, controle de plantas daninhas e variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho agronômico. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Sulfonilureias associadas ao glifosato foram eficazes no controle de plantas daninhas e seletivas para o cultivar de soja BMX Garra RR2/STS. A associação sulfometurom + clorimurom + glifosato apresentou potencial fitotóxico para o cultivar BMX Garra RR2/STS.(AU)

Identification of STS gene mutation in patient with hereditary ichthyosis / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

Background@#The ichthyosis is a hereditary skin disease and inherited by autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X recessive trait separately. The X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) is the most frequent cutaneous disease and general incidence accounts for one in 2000-5000 male births. Molecular pathogenesis of XLI is due to mutations, which are large deletion, missense, frame shift and nonsense in STS gene. The vast majority of mutation frequency is a large deletion, which are found in 85-90% of patients with XLI. An exon deletion of the STS can be detected by Polymerase chain reaction with exon specific primers. An identification of STS gene mutation has various importance such as 1) detection of mutation type; 2) for genetic counselling, 3) disease severity, 4) carrier detection.@*Methods@#In the present study, pedigree analysis was used for type of inheritance, and Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect a deletion in STS gene and normal control used. A deletion was identified in case PCR bands were not visualized in agarose gels. @*Results@#We included one patient, who had typical symptoms of XLI including dark, adherent scales on skin. Mutation analysis of the STS gene showed that the patient had whole gene deletion (del: Exon 1-10), which was demonstrated by the repeated amplification failure of exons. We used a sample of healthy man as a wild type control, which showed normal amplification of STS gene’s exons. Further, the current study will be focused on the screening of heterozygote large deletion of Del: Exon1-10 of STS gene among patient’s female relatives.@*Conclusion@#An ichthyosis case enrolled in this study was inherited by X-recessive and we identified whole exon deletion of STS gene in this patient.

A case of X-linked ichthyosis complicated by Mal de Meleda: clinical features and mutation analysis of the SLURP-1 and STS genes / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To report a case of X-linked ichthyosis complicated by Mal de Meleda,and to identify the gene mutations.Methods Clinical data were collected from the patient,and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the patient,his parents and 100 unrelated healthy people who served as controls.Genomic DNA was extracted from these blood samples,and PCR was performed to amplify all the exons and their flanking sequences of the SLURP-1 and STS genes.All the amplification products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis,and amplification products of the SLURP-1 gene were analyzed by DNA sequencing.Results The patient presented with regularly-arranged polygonal brown or black scales all over the trunk and limbs,erythematous hyperkeratotic lesions on the palms and soles,elbows and knees,inguinal and perianal regions,which extended to the dorsa of the hands and feet.Then,the patient was diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis complicated by Mal de Meleda.Genetic testing showed complete deletion of the STS gene,and a homozygous mutation (c.286C ＞ T) at position 286 in exon 3 of the SLURP-1 gene,which led to the formation of a premature termination codon at amino acid position 96 (p.R96*).His parents were heterozygous carriers of the mutation (c.286C ＞ T).No mutation was found in the unrelated healthy controls.Conclusion The complete deletion of the STS gene and the homozygous nonsense mutation in the SLURP-1 gene may be the reason for X-linked ichthyosis complicated by Mal de Meleda in the patient.

Estandarización de un sistema PCR multiplex para la determinación molecular de infertilidad masculina idiopática

Objetivo: Diseñar y optimizar sistemas de reacción en cadena de polimerasa individuales y multiplex para la detección de microdeleciones de genes asociados a infertilidad masculina en el cromosoma Y. Métodos: Se estandarizaron sistemas de reacción en cadena de polimerasa multiplex utilizando oligonucleótidos STS (Sequence Target Site) específicos asociados a infertilidad masculina, con previa estandarización de cada par de oligos en reacciones individuales. Resultados: Se logró estandarizar 7 sistemas individuales y 2 sistemas multiplex de alta sensibilidad y especificidad que pueden indicar la presencia o ausencia de un gen, en este caso, son utilizados para indicar la mutación por microdeleción de algún fragmento específico de Yq que conlleva a la inactivación de un gen. Conclusiones: Se pudo realizar la estandarización de dos sistemas multiplex para el análisis de microdeleciones del cromosoma Y asociados a infertilidad masculina como una herramienta molecular para el diagnóstico rápido y preciso de esta patología. El amplificado del marcador RBM1 no pudo ser incluido en ninguna de los dos multiplex estandarizados, no obstante, se sugiere el estudio de otros marcadores de infertilidad masculina que puedan ser incluidos en la estandarización de nuevos multiplex.

Objective: To design and optimize individual systems and multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of microdeletions of male infertility associated genes on the Y chromosome. Methods: multiplex polymerase chain reaction systems were standardized using oligonucleotides STS (Sequence Target Site) specific to male infertility associated with prior standardization of each pair of oligos in individual reactions. Results: It was possible to standardize 7 individual systems and two multiplex systems high sensitivity and specificity that may indicate the presence or absence of a gene, in this case, are used to indicate the mutation microdeletion of a specific fragment Yq leading to the inactivation of a gene. Conclusions: standardization could make two multiplex systems for the analysis of microdeletions of the Y chromosome associated with male infertility as a molecular tool for rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease. The amplified RBM1 marker could not be included in either standard multiplex, despite the studies of other markers of male infertility is suggested to be included in new in the standardization of new multiplexes.

The Reliability of Functional Mobility Assessment Tools Among the Elderly in Malaysia / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Functional mobility among the older population is an important element for a meaningful quality of life. The implementation of functional mobility assessments among the older people is vital to ensure appropriate steps can be taken in order to detect changes in functional mobility. There are varieties of functional mobility assessments available however most of the reliability test are based on Western countries. Therefore this study was to determine the reliability of three types of functional mobility status assessment of physical activity, especially among the older person. Sixty older respondents with the average age of 76.32 years and standard deviation of 8.66 participated in this study performed three types of functional assessments; Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Sit-to-Stand Test (STS). Two measurements were carried out with a week gap from the first measurement. Intraclass Correlation (ICC), Limits of Agreement (LOA) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) statistical tests followed by the combination of the three statistical analysis measurements were used for data analysis. The results showed all functional measurement tools using ICC, LOA, SEM and combination of three types analysis were highy reliable. The ICC value was exceeded 0.90 (ICC=0.94-0.99). The LOA graph for all activity measurement tools showed some degree of reliability while the SEM percentage recorded a value of less than 10% (SEM%=0.95%-9.95%). In conclusion, all three functional measurement tools are highly reliable and can be used as one of the functional test among the older people in Malaysia.

Gene Mapping: Basics, Techniques and Significance.

Watson says, "Like the system of interstate highways spanning our country, the map of the human genome will be completed stretch by stretch". It may be possible to use genetic information to diagnose the disease accurately and to predict a patient's likely response to a particular medicine or treatment. For whole genome mapping development and application of mapping, sequencing and computational tools are very essential and also linkage, physical and sequence maps are required to put the information together. For most genome mapping projects involve markers consisting of a unique site in the genome and should be independent of any particular experimental resource. For mapping purpose the DNA and RNA identification is essential. These genes are identified by hybridizing DNA clones against Northern blot, cDNA libraries, Zoo blot, Western blot and Southern blot of genomic DNA digested with rare cutter restriction endonuclease. The various experimental studies of gene mapping have extended our understanding of the genetics. This has allowed the investigators to detect a particular gene, which is responsible for the disease. Recent studies have shown the various effective and scientific gene mapping techniques and gene identification methods, which are helpful to diagnose a particular disease. It is easy for the doctor to give right medicine to the right patient to cure the disease when he can identify the defective gene responsible for disease. This article reviews the details of identification techniques of genes, gene mapping with broad applications.

Pessoas idosas e a busca por informações em saúde por meio da internet / The elderly and the search for health information through the internet

O presente estudo analisa como as pessoas idosas, participantes de um programa de inclusão digital, fazem buscas sobre saúde utilizando a internet, e como essas informações relacionam as doenças autorreferidas. Fundamenta-se em aportes teóricos da Gerontologia e do campo Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS). Desenvolvido em cinco etapas, adotando procedimentos plurimetodológicos, foram investigados aspectos sobre a natureza e o acesso à informação em saúde por meio da internet, junto a 19 pessoas idosas. Os resultados apontam algumas das práticas cotidianas de acesso a informações via internet, e a importância destas na promoção da saúde.

The present study analyses how the elderly participants of a digital inclusion program do searches about health using the internet and how these information are related to their self-reported diseases. This study is grounded on theoretical studies of Gerontology and the Science, Technology and Society – STS field. The aspects of the nature and access to health information through the internet of 19 elderly were investigated, in three steps and adopting multi-methodological procedures. The results show some of the everyday practices of information access through the internet and the importance of these practices in the health promotion.

Clinical efficacy of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate in treatment of advanced schistosomiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate(STS)in the treatment of ad-vanced schistosomiasis. Methods Fifty cases with advanced schistosomiasis admitted to the Touzao Township Hospital of Dong-tai City during the period from November 2012 to November 2013 were treated with STS for 10 days,and the internal diameter of the portal vein,levels of ALT,AST,γ-GT,PIIIP,CIV,HA and LN were measured and compared before and after the adminis-tration of STS. Results The mean levels of all serological parameters except HA were within the normal range before STS treat-ment,while the highest positive rate was detected inγ-GT(26.0%)and HA(54.0%). Following the STS treatment,the mean lev-els of all parameters and the positive rates reduced,with the greatest reduction observed inγ-GT(36.7%)and HA(37.8%);how-ever,the mean HA level was still higher than the normal range. The mean internal diameter of the portal vein reduced from(10.5± 1.7)mm before the STS treatment to(9.8±1.3)mm after the STS administration,with a significant diffrtence(P<0.05). Conclu-sion STS appears effective in the treatment of advanced schistosomiasis.

Effect of heat shock protein 70 expression in Curcumin’s inhibition on STS-induced neurons injury / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To explore the effect of heat shock protein 70(HSP70)expression in the role of Curcumin inhibited staurosporine(STS)-mediated neurons toxic injury.Methods The primary cultured hippocampal neurons was cultured in vitro and the stress damage model of STS-induced nerve cell toxicity was established.The experiment were divided into six groups according to the added drugs:normal control group,the STS model group (final concentration was 20μmol/L),Quercetin+STS model group(final concentration were 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L,respectively),Curcumin+STS pretreatment group(for 20μmol/L final concentration),Curcumin+Quercetin+STS treatment group(final concentration were 20μmol/L,10μmol/L and 20μmol/L,respectively)and Curcumin treatment group(final concentration was 20μmol/L).The cell viability were determined by thiazole blue (MTT)method,cell toxicity were measured by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release rate and HPS70 expression were detected by Western Blot. Results MTT results showed that the cell viability of Curcumin+STS pretreatment group was significantly higher than STS model group(P<0.001).Compared with Quercetin+STS model group,the cell viability of Curcumin+Quercetin+STS treatment group had little change.LDH results show that the nerve cell toxicity of Curcumin+STS pretreatment group was obviously less than that of STS model group(P<0.001).Western Blot results show that compared with STS model group,HSP70 protein expression in Curcumin+STS pretreatment group was significantly increased(P<0.001).Conclusion Curcumin can inhibit STS-mediated neurons toxicity stress damage though increasing HSP70 expression,when added Quercetin to block HSP70 expression in nerve cells,the inhibiting effect of Curcumin on STS-mediated neuron toxic stress injury is counteract.

Transferability of STS markers in studying genetic relationships of marvel grass (Dichanthium annulatum).

Transferability of sequence-tagged-sites (STS) markers was assessed for genetic relationships study among accessions of marvel grass (Dichanthium annulatum Forsk.). In total, 17 STS primers of Stylosanthes origin were tested for their reactivity with thirty accessions of Dichanthium annulatum. Of these, 14 (82.4%) reacted and a total 106 (84 polymorphic) bands were scored. The number of bands generated by individual primer pairs ranged from 4 to 11 with an average of 7.57 bands, whereas polymorphic bands ranged from 4 to 9 with an average of 6.0 bands accounts to an average polymorphism of 80.1%. Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.222 to 0.499 and marker index (MI) from 1.33 to 4.49. Utilizing Dice coefficient of genetic similarity dendrogram was generated through un-weighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) algorithm. Further, clustering through sequential agglomerative hierarchical and nested (SAHN) method resulted three main clusters constituted all accessions except IGBANG-D-2. Though there was intermixing of few accessions of one agro-climatic region to another, largely groupings of accessions were with their regions of collections. Bootstrap analysis at 1000 scale also showed large number of nodes (11 to 17) having strong clustering (>50). Thus, results demonstrate the utility of STS markers of Stylosanthes in studying the genetic relationships among accessions of Dichanthium.

STS Gene in a Pedigree with X-linked Ichthyosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the gene mutation in a pedigree with X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) and to explore the relationship between the mutation and its clinical manifestations, genomic DNA of affected members, the normal member of the pedigree and 50 unrelated normal members was extracted with a whole blood genomic DNA extraction kit and the DNA was used as a template for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated amplification of exon 1 and exon 10 of the STS gene. hHb6 (human hair basic keratin) gene was used as the internal control. Our results showed that the STS gene was deleted in affected members in the pedigree with X-linked ichthyosis. The normal member of the pedigree and 50 unrelated normal members had no such deletion. The proband and his mother had products in the internal control after PCR amplification. The blank control had no product. It is concluded that deletion of the STS gene existed in this pedigree with X-linked ichthyosis, and it is responsible for the unique skin lesions of X-linked ichthyosis.

Application of DNA chip techniques for Yq microdeletion analysis in infertile males

Our aim was to apply DNA chip technology as a diagnostic tool in infertility research and clinics. Six loci, including a sex-determining region on the Y chromosome and five sequence-tagged sites in azoospermia-factor regions were investigated in infertile male patients. Our method produced a sensitive signal, which showed the presence or absence of the STS regions on the Y chromosome. The results from 93 patients with non- obstructive azoospermia, oligoathenoteratozoospermia, or oligozoospermia were identical when analyzed with either the DNA chip technique or conventional PCR-gel electrophoresis. We have demonstrated its application in the molecular diagnosis of male infertility. This system provides an economic and high-throughput method for detecting the deletion of genomic DNA sequences of large groups of infertile patients, and a completely new approach to male infertility screening. The application of DNA chip technology to identify Yq deletions can also facilitate our understanding of male infertility.

Study on Serologic Test for Syphilis as a Surrogate Marker for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection among Korean Blood Donors / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Serologic test for syphilis(STS) is an old traditional donor screening test for preventing transfusion-transmitted syphilis. By conducting STS, history taking for donors and refrigeration of blood, transfusion associated syphilis is very rare at present. This study evaluated the usefulness of the STS as a surrogate marker for preventing the transfusion of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) via the transfusion of infectious window-period blood in Korean blood donors. METHODS: Demographic and laboratory information on blood donations made between January 1997 and December 1998 in 16 Korean Red Cross Blood Centers was analyzed. STS positive rate of 239 HIV-infected people and blood donors in 1999 were investigated. RESULTS: Of 4,808,297 donations over 2-year period, 3,956 (0.08%) were positive in STS and 40 (0.0008%) were anti-HIV confirmed positive. Of those, two were simultaneously positive for STS and anti-HIV. Among donations, Anti-HIV positive donations were 64 times more likely to be STS positive(odds ratio=63.9) and positive predictive value (PPV) of STS for anti-HIV was 0.05%. Fourteen of 239 HIV-infected people were STS positive. CONCLUSION: STS positivity was higher in anti-HIV positive donors, but the PPV of STS for anti-HIV was low. STS as a donor screening test is considered as a poor marker for preventing post-screening HIV infections and the usefulness of STS must be evaluated in its own value.

PCR-Based Detection Of Occult Y Chromosome Sequences In Turner Subjects.

Two hundred and sixty three patients with clinically suspected gonadal dysgenesis were analyzed cytogenetically using banded metaphase chromosomes. There were 61 cases exhibiting karyotypic changes; of these 28 showed 45, X and the rest were largely mosaics. The employment of FISH proved helpful to detect some of the unrecognizable chromosomal changes in selected cases. PCR analysis conducted with eleven sets of primers from the Y chromosome of 36 patients and 35 normal healthy individuals revealed the usefulness of the molecular investigations in conjunction with cytogenetic analysis. In conclusion, the application of molecular techniques to detect low level mosaicism allowed better management of the patients with dysgenesis of the gonads.

Evaluation of Treponema pallidum antibody test in blood donors / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Current serologic tests for Syphilis(STS) in the blood donors are Veneral Disease Reseach Laboratory(VDRL), Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) test or Groupamatic Automated Syphilis Test(GAST) using modified VDRL antigen as screening method, and Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination(TPHA) test as a confirmatory method in Korean Red Cross Blood Centers. This study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of Enzyme Immunoassay(EIA) as STS in blood donors. METHODS: A total of 11,335 donors s serum samples were tested by RPR and GAST. We analyzed 138 samples including 6 samples of anti-treponema pallidum panel with TPHA and EIA to compare as a confirmatory test. RESULTS: The positive rate of RPR and GAST in 11,335 samples were 0.68%, 0.24%, respectively. Confirmed positive rates by TPHA was 0.26%, and by EIA was 0.27%. False negative results of GAST were 0.11% and 0.13%, respectively according to the results of TPHA and EIA. The agreement between TPHA and EIA was 98.5%(130/132). CONCLUSION: The EIA results were comparable with RPR, GAST and TPHA test. It is considered that EIA method for STS would be alternative one for TPHA as a conformative test because there was excellent agreement between TPHA and EIA method, and EIA method showed almost same results as that of TPHA test.

The Effects of Dimethly Sulfoxide and Sodium thiosulfate for the Prevention of Tissue Necrosis due to Extravasation of Mitomycin-C / 영남의대학술지

Extravasation of toxic chemotherapeutic 'agents cause severe skin ulceration and necrosis which often need secondary surgical intervention. Still, there were not established antidote agent in case of extravasation with mitomycin-c. Dimethyl sulfoxide is known as an effective chemical scavenger of toxic hydroxyl free radical and sodium thiosulfate also was demonstrated significant protector from mitomycin-c induced ulceration by a few experimental studies. Author investigated necrotic area of mitomycin-c injected site and compare to the effectiveness of topical treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide and intradermal injection of sodium thiosulfate according to starting times, forty five mice were divided into 3 groups. Control group(n=5) had no treatment after subcutaneous injection of mitomycin-c. Experimental group I and 11 were 20 mice treated dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium.

The Teaching of Medical Science History in STS Education / 中国医学伦理学

The themes of STS education comprise not only the education of science and technology,but also education in such aspects as the clarification of sense of social responsibility,enhancement of citizens' service awareness,and establishment of correct world view,outlook on life,morality,and values.The various educational functions of medical science history in this thesis thoroughly reflect and also verify the new educational thoughts in STS education.