美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因成瘾者左侧执行控制网络功能特征的fMRI研究

目的探讨美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因成瘾者左侧执行控制网络功能连接的特点。材料与方法纳入21例美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因成瘾者与20例年龄、性别、教育程度相匹配的健康者,采用3.0 T磁共振设备进行静息态磁共振成像。首先,基于左侧执行控制网络感兴趣区计算全脑功能连接,分析两组间左侧执行控制网络功能连接差异,并进一步分析差异区功能连接值与海洛因吸食史和美沙酮治疗史的相关性。结果与健康组相比,美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因成瘾者的左侧背外侧前额叶与双侧背外侧前额叶功能连接增强(P<0.05,GRF校正),左侧后顶叶与左侧中央后回的功能连接增强。(P<0.05,GRF校正)。上述区域的功能连接强度值与海洛因吸食史和美沙酮治疗史无相关性(P值均>0.05)。结论美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因成瘾者左侧背外侧前额叶与双侧背外侧前额叶功能连接增强可能提示美沙酮有助于改善海洛因成瘾者的大脑执行控制功能,从而降低复吸风险;大脑左后顶叶与中央后回功能连接增强,可能是长期服用海洛因导致的对毒品线索刺激异常适应的表现。     

Successful treatment of a centenarian with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using convalescent plasma

BackgroundBecause treatment options for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are very limited, the use of convalescent plasma has bee explored.Case presentation and treatmentA male centenarian with cough and dyspnea for 2 months was diagnosed with COVID-19. Without effective treatments and with the increased risks of antiviral therapy for the elderly, this patient was given convalescent plasma. The viral load, complete blood count, inflammatory indicators, vital signs, and clinical symptoms were observed before and after COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion.ResultsAfter convalescent plasma transfusion, significant improvement was observed on laboratory indicators and clinical symptoms of the patient. Concurrently, SARS-CoV-2 viral load decreased sharply after the first transfusion (from 2.55 × 104 to 1.39 × 103 copies/mL) and became undetectable after the second transfusion.ConclusionsWith the substantial increase of COVID-19 in recent months,treatment for elderly patients has become restricted in some countries. The successful treatment of this 100-year-old patient using convalescent plasma suggests that we should consider adding convalescent plasma in th management of the elderly.     

Rapid formation of a radiolucent pancreatic stone: a case report (with video)

BackgroundOver 90% of pancreatic stones are radiopaque and can be treated with endoscopy or surgery. However, radiolucent stones are different than radiopaque stones in nature and formation, and therefore, treatment varies.Case presentation: A 25-year-old woman was admitted because of recurrent acute pancreatitis. Imaging examinations confirmed the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), and which revealed the existence of radiolucent stones. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed and abundant protein-like radiolucent stones were extracted. Three 10F, 7-cm plastic stents were placed. However, the stents were completely occluded by radiolucent stones 1 month later. A nasopancreatic tube was then inserted and flushed regularly, but protein-like stones formed continuously. After multidisciplinary consultation, the following conservative treatment strategy was applied: 1) no more endotherapy; 2) a diet with 40% to 50% of calories from fat was recommended; 3) no pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy; and 4) regular exercise. The above advice aimed to stimulate the secretion of pancreatic fluid to achieve auto-flushing of the pancreatic duct and prevent protein-like stones from depositing. No acute pancreatitis recurred during the 5-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis strategy was effective for auto-flushing the pancreatic duct in patients with radiolucent pancreatic stones after the main pancreatic duct stricture was resolved.     

原发性肝癌的中医药诊治研究进展

从两个方面探讨了近年来中医药诊治原发性肝癌的研究进展:中医诊断,包括病因病机的认识、舌脉象等客观化研究、辨证分型的归纳,中医药治疗,包括名老中医的治则治法、中药临床运用的分析、中成药及其他辅助疗法的运用。认为中医药在防治肝癌的过程中发挥着日益巨大的作用,中西医结合也成为目前诊治肝癌的最佳途径。     

Implication of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in IGF1R-induced resistance to EGFR-TKIs in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The underlying mechanisms for acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in about 30%-40% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients remain elusive. Recent studies have suggested that activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) is associated with acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC. Our study aims to further explore the mechanism of EMT and IGF1R in acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC cell lines with mutant (PC-9) or wild-type EGFR (H460). Compared to parental cells, EGFR-TKIs-resistant PC-9/GR and H460/ER cells displayed an EMT phenotype and showed overexpression of IGF1R. SiIGF1R in PC-9/GR and H460/ER cells reversed EMT-related morphologies and reversed their resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Exogenous IGF-1 alone induced EMT in EGFR-TKIs-naïve PC-9 and H460 cells and increased their resistance against EGFR-TKIs. Inducing EMT by TGF-β1 in PC-9 and H460 cells decreased their sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs, whereas reversing EMT by E-cadherin overexpression in PC-9/GR and H460/ER cells restored their sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs. These data suggest that IGF1R plays an important role in acquired drug resistance against EGFR-TKIs by inducing EMT. Targeting IGF1R and EMT may be a potential therapeutic strategy for advanced NSCLC with acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance.     

Demographic characteristics and prognostic indicators of childhood burn in a developing country

Children constitute a significant proportion of burn victims in most studies from the developing countries. While there has been a progressive improvement in the outcome from childhood burn in many developed nations, the morbidity and mortality remains high in many low and middle income countries. The aim of our study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics and prognostic indicators of childhood burn in a major referral teaching hospital in a developing country. A review of the records of 638 patients with acute burns managed over a 10-year period from January 2001 to December 2010 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria was done. The clinical and epidemiological data were retrieved from computerized data base using the ISBI proforma. Information obtained includes Biodata, Etiology, location, TBSA, presence of Inhalation injury and the treatment outcome. Data of patients aged 16 years and below were analyzed using the SPSS version 16. The main outcome measure was the patient's survival. 289 children representing 45.3% of the total number of burn patients were managed over the period. The M:F ratio was 1.1:1. The median age of the cohort was 4.0 years while the median TBSA was 21.0%. Non-intentional causes were responsible for 89.6% cases. Most of the injuries (88.6%) occurred at home. Eighty-three patients had inhalation injury out of which 57 (68.7%) deaths were recorded. The overall mortality rate in the cohort was 39.5% with an LA50 of burn size of 45%. The TBSA was also found to be a determinant of outcome.Majority of childhood burns are from preventable causes with attendant dismal mortality figures. Effective burn prevention strategies and improved quality of care remain pivotal in reducing childhood burn morbidity and mortality in the developing countries.     

Outcomes following cervical disc arthroplasty: A retrospective review

Cervical disc arthroplasty has emerged as a viable technique for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, with the proposed benefit of maintenance of segmental range of motion. There are relatively few, non-industry sponsored studies examining the outcomes and complications of cervical disc arthroplasty. Therefore, we set out to perform a single center evaluation of the outcomes and complications of cervical disc arthroplasty. We performed a retrospective review of all patients from a single military tertiary medical center undergoing cervical disc arthroplasty from August 2008 to August 2012. The clinical outcomes and complications associated with the procedure were evaluated. A total of 219 consecutive patients were included in the review, with an average follow-up of 11.2 (±11.0) months. Relief of pre-operative symptoms was noted in 88.7% of patients, and 92.2% of patients were able to return to full pre-operative activity. There was a low rate of complications related to the anterior cervical approach (3.2% with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, 8.9% with dysphagia), with no device/implant related complications. Symptomatic cervical radiculopathy is a common problem in both the civilian and active duty military populations and can cause significant disability leading to loss of work and decreased operational readiness. There exist several surgical treatment options for appropriately indicated patients. Based on our findings, cervical disc arthroplasty is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, with a low incidence of complications and high rate of symptom relief.