A suggested revision in the classification of nonprofessional occupations in Holland's theory.

Reports that, in a test among 268 males in 4 mining occupations (laboratory, process, extraction, and mining), J. L. Holland's theory of vocational choice was not as predictive as previously demonstrated for professional and technical occupations. Contrary to Holland's theory, the 4 groups which were classified within the realistic type did not exhibit similar personalities. Significant differences were found between the 4 groups on 16 of 38 life history questionnaire items, and only 3 of 8 tested traits supported the classification of all 4 nonprofessional occupational groups into the realistic type. It is suggested that data from members of nonprofessional occupations may be used to test and revise Holland's primary classification of these occupations. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coding medical information: classification versus nomenclature and implications to the Israeli medical system

OBJECTIVE: Quantification of photosensitizer concentration in tissue improves the planning and, subsequently, the outcome of photodynamic therapy. This study was designed to determine if the method of photosensitizer evaluation influences the accuracy of pharmacokinetic results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo 13(2)-Hydroxy-bacteriopheophorbide a methyl ester (13(2)-OH-BPME) pharmacokinetics in mice bearing LEWIS lung carcinoma was studied using fluorescence in situ and absorption spectroscopy (following photosensitizer chemical extraction) as photosensitizer quantification methods. The correlation of 13(2)-OH-BPME fluorescence intensity and its concentration using the absorption spectroscopy were determined for each tissue. RESULTS: The parenchymatous organs showed maximum 13(2)-OH-BPME concentration and fluorescence intensity at 2 h post-injection (lung, liver, spleen), and at 2 h post-injection in the kidney with both quantification methods (identical correlation). There was a difference in the time of maximum photosensitizer fluorescence intensity and its concentration in tumor, muscle, and skin (low correlation). The time of maximum fluorescence intensity in muscle, skin, and tumor was at 4 h, 12 h, and 12 h post injection respectively while its maximum concentration was at 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h post-injection. CONCLUSION: The method of photosensitizer evaluation affects the accuracy of its pharmacokinetic results.     

"Flocculus neonatorum": a self-resolving benign nodular flocculus of the iris in the newborn

A severely resorbed maxilla was reconstructed utilizing a combined surgical technique that included the placement of a horseshoe-shaped bicortical calvarium onlay graft, fixed by six endosseous implants. Two more implants were placed in the pterygoid process to support and stabilize the prosthesis. The dentition was rehabilitated with a fixed implant-supported hybrid prosthesis.     

The treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia using the Mumie-Vitas preparation

Overall thirty-eight patients presenting with stage I-II benign prostate hyperplasia received treatment with a new local drug preparation Mumiyo-Vitas, 0.2 g on a once- or twice-daily basis over six months. Effects were studied of the drug on the urologic symptomatology and quality of life of patients presenting with ongoing micturitional disturbances, functional state of detrusor vesicae, prostate volume and urethral resistance. Efficiency of the treatment given was assessed by the International system, uroflowmetry, ultrasonic investigation. Mumiyo-Vitas appeared to be of therapeutic benefit in those patients with subjective and objective symptoms of the urinary bladder obstruction who had innocent prostate hyperplasia.     

CA-125 and carcinoembryonic antigen assay vs. cytodiagnostic experience in the classification of benign ovarian cysts

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative strengths of two factors involved in making an accurate differentiation between functional and epithelial ovarian cysts, along with their combination: (1) the cytologist's level of experience in interpreting ovarian cytology, (2) the use of the tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA-125 in cyst fluid, and (3) a combination of (1) and (2). STUDY DESIGN: Papanicolaou-stained sediments from fluid aspirated from 31 resected ovarian cysts (6 functional and 25 epithelial) were blindly and independently evaluated by five pathologists with varying experience in ovarian cytology. Cyst fluid supernatant was used for CEA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and CA-125 radioimmunoassay; CEA levels > 5 ng/mL or CA-125 > 5,000 U/mL were considered elevated. Cysts were categorized cytologically and histologically as functional or epithelial and by tumor markers as "neither elevated" or "either or both elevated" (EBE). RESULTS: The agreement of histologic diagnosis with each pathologist's cytologic diagnosis ranged from 53% to 84% (53%, 71%, 83%, 82%, 84%), corresponding to increasing level of experience. The percentage of agreement with EBE was 77%, whereas combined experienced pathologist's diagnosis and EBE was 87%. Kappa equaled .45 for experienced cytopathologist's diagnosis or EBE alone. Kappa equaled .53 when the pathologist or EBE diagnosed an epithelial cyst, indicating results unlikely to occur by chance. CONCLUSION: The distinction of functional from epithelial ovarian cysts is best achieved by combining measurement of the tumor markers CEA and CA-125 with a high level of cytopathology experience.     

On the consistency of individual classification using short scales.

Short tests containing at most 15 items are used in clinical and health psychology, medicine, and psychiatry for making decisions about patients. Because short tests have large measurement error, the authors ask whether they are reliable enough for classifying patients into a treatment and a nontreatment group. For a given certainty level, proportions of correct classifications were computed for varying test length, cut-scores, item scoring, and choices of item parameters. Short tests were found to classify at most 50% of a group consistently. Results were much better for tests containing 20 or 40 items. Small differences were found between dichotomous and polytomous (5 ordered scores) items. It is recommended that short tests for high-stakes decision making be used in combination with other information so as to increase reliability and classification consistency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

多排多向掏槽双排同段多排微差爆破试验研究

多排多向向掏槽双排同段多排微差爆破,是一种新的爆破方法。该爆破方案的“随机同时”和““短时微差”作用,促使爆破应力波的叠加及爆炸气体能量利用更加充分,形成的爆丰和交分支现象更为普遍。爆破矿石块度小,大块率低,与常规爆破方法相比,具有明显的优越性。     

Echography at "high resolution" in the diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathies in follow-up of thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In the diagnosis and follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients, a major clinical objective is to differentiate whether the cause of enlarged neck lymph nodes is either tumorous or inflammatory. High-frequency (7.5-10 MHz) ultrasound examination proved to be highly informative in this regard. An oval shape of the examined lymph node (longitudinal/anteroposterior diameter ratio, L/A > 1.5) and a central echogenic hilus indicate a benign lymphadenopathy. Roundness (L/A < or = 1.5), absence of the central echogenic hilus and a parenchymatous echogenicity are considered as signs of malignancy. METHODS: A series of 131 lymph nodes in DTC patients were examined at ultrasound and, on the basis of round shape (L/A < or = 1.5) in association with either one or both the other features (absence of central echogenic hilus, homogenous internal echo), 94 lymph nodes were classified a "malignant" and 37 "benign". The ultrasonographic diagnosis was evaluated with either cytologic or histologic diagnosis in all "malignant" nodes and in 7/30 "benign" nodes. In the other 30 "benign" nodes volume shrinkage or lymph node disappearance was observed during follow-up period. RESULTS: According to the results obtained, the ultrasound features utilized provided a good diagnostic accuracy (87%) with only 5 false positive case. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency sonography, therefore, must be considered a useful and accurate method for evaluating suspected lymphadenopathy in DTC patients.     

Exploring auditory saltation using the "reduced-rabbit" paradigm.

Sensory saltation is a spatiotemporal illusion in which the judged positions of stimuli are shifted toward subsequent stimuli that follow closely in time. So far, studies on saltation in the auditory domain have usually employed subjective rating techniques, making it difficult to exactly quantify the extent of saltation. In this study, temporal and spatial properties of auditory saltation were investigated using the "reduced-rabbit" paradigm and a direct-location method. In 3 experiments, listeners judged the position of the 2nd sound within sequences of 3 short sounds by using a hand pointer. When the delay between the 2nd and 3rd sound was short, the target sound was shifted toward the subsequent sound. The magnitude of displacement increased when the temporal and spatial distance between the sounds was reduced. In a 4th experiment, a modified reduced-rabbit paradigm was used to test the hypothesis that auditory saltation is associated with an impairment of target sound localization. The findings are discussed with regard to a spatiotemporal integration approach in which the processing of auditory information is combined with information from subsequent stimuli. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia using the selective alpha-blocker alfuzosin

40 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were treated with the alpha-blocker alfuzosin which was administered per os twice a day in a dose 5 mg. The treatment brought about a decrease of the mean symptom score from 19.6 to 12.2, of quality of life from 5.2 to 2.1, of residual urine from 152 to 82 ml. Mean and maximal urinary flow rates rose by 35 and 45%, respectively. The level of prostate-specific antigen over the treatment course did not change. The findings of the trial evidence for high efficacy of alfuzosin in the treatment of urination disorders in BPH patients.     

"Normal" response of the QT interval and QT dispersion following intravenous injection of the sodium channel blocker disopyramide: methodological aspects

Measurement of the QT dispersion (the maximal interlead difference) on the surface electrocardiogram has been suggested for assessing the risk for ventricular arrhythmias and for examining drug effects and their proarrhythmic potential. The acute response of QT dispersion was assessed in 10 healthy subjects receiving disopyramide, which is known to delay repolarization and to prolong global measures thereof. The QRS, JT, and QT intervals and their dispersion were assessed at spontaneous rhythm and at atrial pacing at baseline and after an intravenous injection of disopyramide 2 mg/kg over 5 minutes. The short-term (within 30 minutes) and long-term (> or = 2 weeks) variabilities of the QT interval and the QT dispersion, expressed as the coefficient of variation, were also analyzed. At spontaneous rhythm the group average QT interval was between 369 and 375 msec, and the QT dispersion was between 33 and 37 msec; both were relatively stable over time. All subjects responded homogeneously to disopyramide with a significant QT prolongation (p < 0.001), but no consistent response of the QT dispersion was observed. This discrepancy reflects the significant difference in time-dependent variability with a coefficient of variation of spontaneous, paced, and heart rate-corrected QT dispersion between 25% and 42%, 8-42 times greater than the corresponding values of 1-4% for the QT intervals. The individual response of the QT dispersion to drug challenge should therefore be interpreted with caution. Furthermore and as a consequence, QT dispersion is less sensitive for assessing drug effects on ventricular depolarization and repolarization than the QT interval.     

The outcome of two-stage arthroplasty using a custom-made interval spacer to treat the infected hip

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the presence of the complement regulatory proteins protectin (CD59), decay accelerating factor (CD55), membrane cofactor protein (CD46) and clusterin (SP-40,40) in connection with the autoimmune exocrinopathy in Sj?gren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: Labial salivary gland biopsy specimens and saliva samples were obtained from SS patients and healthy subjects. The tissue expression of these proteins was assessed by ABC immunoperoxidase techniques. Saliva was analysed by immunoblotting methods. RESULTS: Tissues from healthy subjects expressed CD59 and CD46 on the apical/luminal surfaces of acinar and ductal epithelial cells. CD59, CD55, and SP-40,40 were expressed in interstitial tissues. In SS tissues, the expression of CD55, CD59, CD46 and SP-40,40 was up-regulated, following the same patterns of tissue localization as the controls. CD46 and SP-40,40 exhibited a much higher staining intensity in SS patients compared to controls. CD55, CD59 and SP-40,40 were present at high concentrations in saliva from SS patients. CONCLUSION: The presence of complement regulators in our SS patients' saliva and the high expression of these proteins in inflamed salivary gland tissue followed the inflammatory reaction. These regulators may be involved in protecting the exocrine glands from complement mediated injury.     

The endoscopic therapy of benign stenoses of the esophagus and cardioesophageal junction using Eder-Puestow instrumentation

The results of palliative endoscopic treatment by bougienage using Eder-Puestow instrumentation, performed in a limited contingent of patients presenting benign esophageal strictures, are analyzed. It is underscored that the method is readily carried out and effective, and seldom leads to noteworthy complications, such as esophageal perforations--one patient alone presenting cicatricial stricture out of the total of 42 cases given treatment with bougienage over a 10-year period. The commonest cause of benign strictures of the esophagus in the series being examined is reflux (peptic) esophagitis against the background of hiatus hernia.     

A cost-effectiveness analysis of transurethral resection of the prostate and transurethral microwave thermotherapy for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: two-year follow-up

The clinical course and prognosis of ulcerative colitis was studied in a group of 413 Greek patients. The study lasted for 16 years and follow-up was achieved in 95% of the patients. Both sexes were almost equally affected, mainly between the ages of 40-49. Most of the patients lived in cities and had high educational levels. Familial clustering for inflammatory bowel disease was found in 2.7% of the patients. In most of them the disease was confined to the rectosigmoid area or left bowel and was of mild to moderate severity. The disease course included exacerbations--mainly of mild to moderate severity--and remissions. Mortality was absent during first attack, and it was generally low at the completion of the study. Excluding deaths caused by colorectal cancer, most of the deaths were unrelated to the ulcerative colitis itself. Unusual combinations of ulcerative colitis with other diseases, including diseases of autoimmune origin, were noted. There were no differences between men and women in the various clinicoepidemiologic parameters or in the course of the disease. Surgery was performed in 16.7% of patients, whereas surgery at first attack was required in 0.5%. In comparison with the nonoperated group, patients who were operated on were significantly younger at the time of onset of symptoms and had significantly more extensive disease. Factors prognostic of severe attacks and colectomy were extensive disease, young age at onset, and severe recurrences. Evolution to cancer was observed in 1.45%, whereas extraintestinal cancers also appeared in 1.5%. At the completion of the follow-up period, 5.8% of the patients were dead, 16% had only one attack, 2.7% experienced continuous symptoms, whereas in 58.8% of them, the disease course included exacerbations and remissions. On the basis of the outcome of severe attacks and the more favorable short-term prognosis, it could be argued that ulcerative colitis in Greece runs a milder course compared with that of other developed countries in Western Europe and North America.     

Variability in the classification of radiographs using the 1980 International Labor Organization Classification for Pneumoconioses

This study describes the extent of agreement in classification of chest radiographs using the International Labor Organization (ILO) classification among six readers from the United States and Canada. A set of 119 radiographs was created and read by three Canadian and three US readers. The two ratings of interest were profusion (scored from 0/- to 3/+) and pleural abnormalities consistent with pneumoconiosis (scored with the ILO system, then collapsed into a yes/no). We used a number of approaches to evaluate interreader agreement on profusion and pleural changes, determining concordance, observed agreement, kappa statistic, and a new measure to approximate sensitivity and specificity. This study found that five of six readers had good fair to good agreement for pleural findings and for profusion as a dichotomous variable (> or = 1/0 vs < or = 0/1) using the kappa statistic, while a sixth reader had poor agreement. We found that concordance, expressed as percent agreement, was higher for normal radiographs than for ones that showed disease, and describe the use of the kappa statistic to control for this finding. This analysis adds to the existing literature with the use of the kappa statistic, and by presenting a new measure for "underreading" and "overreading" tendencies.