Effect of occupational aluminum exposure on the visuospatialconstruction ability / 预防医学

Objective@#To examine the correlation between visuospatial construction ability and occupational aluminum exposure among aluminum workers, so as to provide the evidence for early protection of occupational injury among aluminum workers.@*Methods@#A total of 442 workers in an aluminum factory in Shanxi Province were selected using a cluster sampling method, and participants' demographic features and occupational history were collected. The blood aluminum concentration was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the visuospatial construction ability was evaluated with the Cube Copying Test (CCT) of the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The correlation between the visuospatial construction ability and blood aluminum concentration was examined using a multivariable logistic regression model.@*Results@#A total of 442 aluminum workers were enrolled, and all participants were male, with a mean age of (43.40±7.31) years, labor service duration of (23.64±8.35) years and a mean blood aluminum concentration of 33.87 µg/L. Of all participants, there were 206 workers with impaired visuospatial construction ability (46.61%), including 127 workers with blood aluminum concentrations of >33.87 µg/L (61.65%); 190 workers with educational duration of 6 to 9 years (92.23%), 118 electrolytic aluminum workers (57.28%), 114 workers with work shifts (55.34%), and 123 workers with a very good sleep quality (59.71%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that blood aluminum concentrations of >33.87 µg/L (OR=2.490, 95%CI: 1.531-4.052), educational duration of 6 years or more (OR: 0.075-0.246, 95%CI: 0.015-0.622), work type as a non-electrolytic aluminum worker (OR=0.838, 95%CI: 0.425-0.987), work shift (OR=1.179, 95%CI: 1.078-1.435) and a very good sleep quality (OR=0.104, 95%CI: 0.012-0.896) significantly correlated with impaired visuospatial construction ability among aluminum worker.@*Conclusion@#Impaired visuospatial construction ability correlates with occupational aluminum exposure among aluminum workers.

PercepFiguras: programa computarizado de estimulación visual para evaluar conductual y electrofisiológicamente la percepción multiestable / PercepFiguras: a computerized visual stimulation program to assess, behaviorally and electrophysiologically, the multistable perception

RESUMEN En la investigación de la percepción visual comúnmente se usan programas computarizados comerciales para la presentación de los estímulos, configurados por lo general para admitir una respuesta por cada estímulo presentado. Sin embargo, el estudio de la percepción multiestable, requiere la presentación de un estímulo que permanece invariable aunque la percepción de éste puede variar en dos o más configuraciones, lo que demanda que el programa admita respuestas para cada cambio en la percepción de un mismo estímulo. Se presenta PercepFiguras desarrollado con lenguaje de programación C++ que es un sistema de estimulación visual que permite al usuario: a) presentar imágenes y recibir una o varias respuestas a cada una, b) sincronizar las respuestas con un sistema de registro electroencefalográfico mediante el envío de pulsos TTL, c) generar un archivo conductual y d) generar un archivo con el total de respuestas y promedios de las latencias a cada tipo de figura. Se realizó un estudio piloto con una tarea de presentación continua de una figura ambigua alternando con dos variantes de menor ambigüedad, se obtuvo mayor frecuencia de cambios perceptuales y menor estabilidad perceptual para la figura ambigua respecto a las de menor ambigüedad, comprobándose la utilidad del programa.

ABSTRACT In the study of visual perception, the use of computerized commercial programs for the presentation of stimuli, usually configured to admit a response for each stimulus presented, is common. However, the study of multistable perception requires the presentation of a stimulus that remains unchanged, although the perception of it can vary in two or more configurations during its observation, which demands that the program admit responses for each change in perception of the same stimulus. PercepFiguras is a system developed with C++ programming language that allows: a) present images and receive multiple responses to the same stimulus, b) synchronize the responses with an electroencephalographic recording system by sending TTL pulses, c) generate a behavioral file, d) generate a file with the total responses and averages of the latencies for each type of figure. In the pilot study with a task of continuous presentation of an ambiguous figure to alternating with two variants of less ambiguity, we observe greater frequency of perceptual and less perceptual stability to the ambiguous figure with respect to the less ambiguous figures, which proves the usefulness of the program.

Value of MR 3D CUBE T2 WI Sequence in Displaying Anatomical Structure of Knee Joint / 医学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the value of MR 3D CUBE T2WI sequence in displaying anatomical structure of knee joint.Methods Sixty cases of knee joints (30 cases in lesion group and 30 cases in control group) were scanned with conventional 2D and 3D CUBE T2WI sequence by HDXt 3.0T superconducting magnetic resonance of GE Signa imaging system and hased-array coil.The meniscus,articular cartilage,anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments demonstrated by two sequences were evaluated as excellent,good and poor grade,the results were comparatively analyzed by statistics.Results 3D CUBE T2WI was superior to conventional 2D sequence in displaying of articular cartilage,anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments,and inferior to conventional 2D sequence in displaying of meniscus(all P =0.000).When we put excellent and good levels of image quality as according with diagnostic requirement.The satisfaction rate demonstrating anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments by 3D CUBE T2WI sequence in lesion and control group were 100％,articular cartilage was 93.33％ in control group and 90.00％ in lesion group,while the meniscus was 30.00％ in control group and 33.33％ in lesion group.Conclusion MR 3D CUBE T2WI sequence is a sensitive technique in demonstrating ligaments and articular cartilage of knee joint,but it was inferior to conventional 2D sequence in displaying of meniscus.We should adopt it according to clinical diagnosis.

Experiencia del Implante de Dexametasona Intravítreo para el tratamiento de Edema Macularen Barranquilla, Colombia / Experience with intravitreal dexamethasone implant for macular edema treatment in Barranquilla, Colombia

Objetivos: Mostrar la experiencia y resultados del tratamiento con el implante intravítreo de Dexametasona (Ozurdex) para el edema macular (EM) secundario a patologías vítreo retinianas en una Clínica Oft almológica en Barranquilla - Colombia. Métodos: Reporte de casos retrospectivo, 22 historias clínicas desde el mes de enero del 2012 a mayo del 2016. Se incluyeron datos de pacientes pseudofáquicos con historia clínica de EM secundario a Retinopatía diabética, DMRE húmeda multitratada con Anti VEGF, Oclusión venosa retiniana central (OVCR), uveítis, postoperatorio de cirugía vitreorretiniana por desprendimiento de retina y pelaje de membrana epirretiniana. Las variables registradas fueron edad, sexo, agudeza visual mejor corregida (AVMC), presión intraocular (PIO), subtipo de EM, etiología del EM, respuesta del EM a los 4 meses de tratamiento valorada por OCT. Se utilizó la prueba de T de Wilcoxon para muestras pareadas. Resultados: Edad promedio de 68 años, 61.9% mujeres y 42.86% hombres. En la distribución del EM por OCT de todos los casos en estudio, 54.5% de los casos presentó un EM predominantemente quístico y 45.5% presentó un EM predominantemente difuso. La AVMC de base fue de 0.45 +/- 0.41 logMAR (R: 0 ­ 2 LogMAR) y la AVMC posterior a los 4 meses del tratamiento fue de 0.40 +/- 0.44 logMAR (R: 0 ­ 2 LogMAR, P: 0.476). La PIO presentó picos de elevación durante los meses 1 y 2 posterior al tratamiento en 59.9%, siendo manejada satisfactoriamente con antihipertensivos oculares. Los grosores maculares promedios previos y a los 4 meses del implante fueron de 372.13 µm (R:184 ­ 661 µm) y de 300.18 µm (R: 176 ­ 495 µm) en su grosor foveal central respectivamente. El grupo de EM quístico tuvo una reducción promedio de 121.41 µm (IC 95% 31.07 ­ 211.75, P: 0.013), el grupo de EM difuso tuvo reducción promedia de 13.66 µm (IC 95% -8.94 ­ 36.27, P: 0.201). Conclusiones: Se muestra la experiencia y efectividad del tratamiento con ozurdex intravítreo en el EM asociado a diversas patologías. Se encontró una respuesta con disminución de grosores maculares a 4 meses del tratamiento, con una mayor respuesta por parte del subtipo de EM predominantemente quístico y el EM secundario a OVCR como mejor respondedor de acuerdo a su etiología. Los picos de PIO fueron manejados adecuadamente con antihipertensivos tópicos, no se reportaron otros efectos adversos en la evolución de los pacientes.

Purpose: To show the experience and results of the treatment with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) for macular edema secondary to vitreous retinal pathologies at an ophthalmologic clinic in Barranquilla, Colombia. Methods: Retrospective case reports study. We reviewed 22 clinical records from January 2012 to May 2016 that met the inclusion criteria. Pseudophakic patients data with clinical history of macular edema (ME) secondary to diabetic retinopathy, wet AMD multitreated with Anti VEGF, Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), Uveitis, postoperative vitreoretinal surgery due to retinal detachment and epiretinal membrane peeling were included. The variables recorded were age, sex, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), subtype of ME, etiology of ME, ME response at 4 months of treatment assessed by OCT. Th e Wilcoxon T test was used for paired samples. Results: Th e average age was 68 years. According to sex there were 61.9% female and 42.86% male. In the distribution of ME by OCT of all the cases under study, 54.5% of the cases had a predominantly cystic ME and 45.5% had a predominantly diff use ME. Th e baseline BCVA was 0.45 +/- 0.41 logMAR (R: 0-2 LogMAR), the BCVA aft er 4 months of treatment was 0.40 +/- 0.44 logMAR (R:0-2 LogMAR, P: 0.476). IOP showed elevation peaks during months 1 and 2 posttreatment in 59.9%, being satisfactorily managed with ocular antihypertensives. The mean macular thickness prior to and at 4 months of Ozurdex was 372.13 µm (R: 184 - 661 µm) and 300.18 µm (R: 176 - 495 µm) at its central foveal thickness, respectively. Th e cystic ME group had a mean reduction of 121.41 µm (95% CI 31.07 - 211.75, P: 0.013); the diff use ME group had a mean reduction of 13.66 µm (95% CI -8.94 - 36.27, P: 0.201). Conclusions: We show our experience and the eff ectiveness of treatment with intravitreal ozurdex in ME associated with various pathologies. We found a response with a decrease in macular thickness at 4 months of treatment, with a higher response by the subtype of a predominantly cystic ME and ME secondary to CRVO as the best responder according to its etiology. IOP peaks were handled adequately with topical antihypertensives, no other adverse eff ects were reported in the evolution of patients.

Three-Dimensional Fast Spin-Echo Imaging without Fat Suppression of the Knee: Diagnostic Accuracy Comparison to Fat-Suppressed Imaging on 1.5T MRI

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of three-dimensional fast spin-echo (3D FSE-Cube) without fat suppression (NFS) for detecting knee lesions, using comparison to 3D FSE-Cube with fat suppression (FS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-four patients who underwent 1.5T knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and 25 subsequent arthroscopic surgeries were retrospectively reviewed. Using arthroscopic results and two-dimensional images as reference standards, diagnostic performances of 3D FSE-Cube-NFS and FS imaging about lesions of ligament, meniscus, subchondral bone marrow edema (BME), and cartilage were compared. Scan parameters of 3D FSE-Cube imaging were previously optimized by a porcine knee phantom. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between detection rates of NFS and FS imaging for detecting lesions of meniscus and cartilage (p>0.05). However, NFS imaging had lower sensitivity for detection of medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears, and lower sensitivity and specificity for detection of BME lesions, compared to FS imaging (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: 3D FSE-Cube-NFS imaging showed similar diagnostic performance for detecting lesions of meniscus or cartilage compared to FS imaging, unlike MCL or BME lesions.

Role of goat in transmission of schistosomiasis japonica I Development of goat feces collector and optimization of fecal hatching technique / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To develop a simple,feasible goat feces collector to improve the collection accuracy and integrity of goat fecal samples without pollution,and to modify the miracidium hatching test with a plastic tube to achieve simple,standard and comparative procedures,so as to provide technical support for pathogenic diagnosis and scientific research of goat schistoso?miasis japonica. Methods According to the body features of goat in marshland regions,a goat fecal collector,which was made of coarse fabric cottons,was devised,which was able to be fixed onto the goat buttocks and avoid urine pollution. Prior to mira?cidium hatching test,the goat fecal samples were pieced by using a mechanical method instead of the conventional artificial piec? ing method,and the effect of mechanical piecing treatment on miracidium hatching was evaluated. A filter membrane was added between the tube and rubbery ring to block the floater in fecal residues into the tube. The effects on miracidium hatching by us?ing thin fat?free cotton,thick fat?free cotton,nylon gauze at 100 pores/25.4 mm2 and 150 pores/25.4 mm2 were compared. Re?sults The goat feces collector was composed of foreleg fixing garment,hindleg fixing garment and stool bag. The functions of the fixing garment were as a fixed collector to allow non?shift and tolerance of weight during goat activity ,while the major func?tion of stool bag was in storage of stool. The goat activity was not influenced by the use of collector ,and all fecal samples were ex?creted to the bag. This collector was easy to perform and could avoid urine pollution,which was reusable after cleaning. Prior to miracidium hatching,the goat fecal samples,together with water,were pieced at 18 000 to 23 000 r/min for successive three times in a cooking machine,of 10 s each time at an interval of 5 s. Mechanical piecing had no clear?cut effect on miracidium hatching of eggs in fecal samples. A total of 541,620,344 and 211 miracidia were detected by using the miracidium hatching test with nylon gauze at 100 pores/25.4 mm2 and 150 pores/25.4 mm2,thin fat?free cotton and thick fat?free cotton respectively, indicating a better detection efficacy by using nylon gauze at 100 pores/25.4 mm2 and 150 pores/25.4 mm2. Conclusions The goat fecal collector is an easy?to?perform,accurate,unpolluted and reusable device to collect goat feces,which is suitable for pathogenic diagnosis of goat schistosomiasis. Mechanical piecing and use of nylon gauze at 150 pores/25.4 mm2 allow a simple, accurate and stable technique for parasitological diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica,which provides a reliable tool for schisto?somiasis control and research.

Acquired Cold Urticaria: An Under-reported Entity.

Acquired cold urticaria (ACU) is a subtype of physical urticaria which may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to underlying infections or cryoproteins. In addition to complete history and thorough physical examination, the diagnosis is dependent on a positive cold stimulation time test (CSTT) which is the minimum time of cold contact stimulation required to induce an immediate coalescent wheal. Although idiopathic type is seen in 96% of the cases, it is important to rule out cryoprotein by an intricate yet simple test for cryoprecipitate. The identification of cold exposure as the likely trigger for urticaria is vital because systemic anaphylactic reactions are common in patients with cold urticaria, occurring in roughly 1 in 3 patients. In addition to preventive counseling and avoidance of critical cold exposure, H1-receptor antagonists form the first line of treatment. However resistant cases may require cyclosporine, danazol or omalizumab. No individual case reports of ACU appear in Indian literature. Therefore, the authors attempt to highlight the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic options for this not so uncommon cause of chronic urticaria.

Factors Associated with the Signal Strengths Obtained by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the signal strengths (SS, image quality scores) of optic disc and macular images obtained using Cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Ninety-two glaucomatous eyes were imaged using the Cirrus OCT macular and optic disc cube modes after pupil dilation. The influences of patient age, spherical equivalent, cataract presence, and cataract and glaucoma severity (visual field mean deviation), on the SS of images obtained using the two cube modes were compared between patients whose images showed high SS (SS > or =7) and low SS (SS <7). RESULTS: The signal strength was significantly higher in images obtained using the macular cube compared to the optic disc cube mode (7.8 +/- 1.3 vs. 6.9 +/- 1.1, respectively; p = 0.001). Age and visual acuity of patients differed significantly between the high- and low-SS groups when data acquired using the optic disc (p = 0.027 and 0.012, respectively) and macular cube modes (p = 0.046 and 0.014, respectively) were analyzed. When the optic disc cube mode was employed, the extent of cataracts was significantly related to SS, whereas when the macular cube mode was used, none of the factors analyzed was significantly associated with SS. CONCLUSIONS: Age, visual acuity, and the extent of cataracts were significantly associated with images of higher SS when the Cirrus OCT optic disc cube mode was employed.

An fMRI study for perceptual reversal of Necker cube / 重庆医科大学学报

Objective:We try to examine the hypothesis that perceptual reversal is function of frontoparietal cortex. Methods:We employed block design in functional MRI, extracted event signal of endogenous reversal of Necker cube and compared with that of exogenous reversal. Results:Functional MRI revealed that spatial varieties were significant in bilateral superior and middle frontal lobe. Conclusion:Perceptual reversal may be the function of frontal cortex.

Unusual Capnography due to Incorrect Assembly of Spring with Absorber Valve into Breathing Circuit - Experience of Normocarbia: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

A focus on patient safety has heightened the awareness of pateint mornitoring. The importantce of clinical application of capnography continues to grow, as reflected by the increasing number of medical societies recommending its use. We recently encountered an abnormal capnography undergoing gastrectomy. It was noted that the waveform was not sustained zero-baseline formation as seen during inspiratory phase, immediately upsloping for expiratory plateau followed by inspiratoy downsloping as like a shape of curare cleft. But PaCO2 was within normal range. We found that the source of the problem was the incorrect (bottom up) assembly of spring with absorber valve into the CUBE, the circle breathing system of Dameca Ventilator. Spring with absorber valve divides CUBE circle into inspiratory and expiratory space. We concluded that the unusual capnography was resulted from the incorrect assembly of it, subsequently mixing of inspiratory and exhaled gases and rebreathing was occurred with the block of a gas flow to CO2 canister. After correcting assembly, the capnography was normalized.

A Case of Cold Urticaria Induced by Ice Cream in a 5-Year-Old Boy with Family History / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Cold urticaria is characterized by the development of urticaria and/or angioedema after cold exposure. It is an uncommon form of physical urticaria and thought to be rare in children. There is a higher rate of family history of atopy and cold urticaria. We report a case of cold urticaria in a 5-years-old boy who showed perioral swelling, wheal and flare associated with ice cream. He had a relevant family history on his grandmother's side with cold urticaria, and on his father's side with dermographism, respectively. In this patient, cold urticaria was confirmed by ice cube test and a brief review followed.

A case of cold urticaria showing metachromasia in skin biopsy / 천식및알레르기

The patient was a 24-year-old male who complained of urticaria upon exposure to cold air and after showering in cold water. Allergic skin tests were positive for cockroach. To determine whether he had cold urticaria, we performed an ice cube test. The patient complained of pruritus, erythema, and wheals appeared at 10min. Skin biopsy specimens collected 10 minutes after ice-cube test showed perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration and edema in hematoxylin and eosin stains, and metachromatic cell and degranulation in toluidine blue stain.