Pharmacology of the internal anal sphincter and its relevance to faecal incontinence

1 The internal anal sphincter (IAS) has a spontaneous tone and is the main contributor to the maintenance of faecal continence. The spontaneous resting tone exhibited by the sphincter can be modified by neurotransmitters from the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. 2 In this review, the influence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on IAS tone are discussed and the putative roles of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and adenosine triphosphate in non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic transmission are considered. 3 Faecal incontinence is a common condition that places a heavy financial burden on the health service and severely affects patients’ quality of life. Resting anal pressure is reduced in patients with faecal incontinence and agents that increase sphincter tone tend to relieve symptoms. The results of clinical studies of the use of phenylephrine to treat faecal incontinence are reviewed. 4 It is concluded that the IAS is a potential target for drug development for the treatment of faecal incontinence.     

中西医结合治疗外阴色素减退性疾病55例临床观察

目的观察中西医结合治疗外阴色素减退性疾病的近期及远期疗效。方法将100例患者随机分为2组。治疗组55例以中药外阴熏洗配合自制复方维生素B6软膏涂擦、微波局部照射综合治疗；对照组45例以2％氢化可的松软膏涂擦治疗，3个月后、1年后对近期疗效与远期疗效进行比较。结果治疗组和对照组近期治愈率分别为27．27％、8．89％（P〈0．05），有效率分别为100．00％、82．22％（P〉0．05）；远期有效率治疗组和对照组分别为87．27％、26．67％（P〈0．01）；复发率分别为12．73％、73．33％（P〈0．01）。结论中西医结合疗法治疗外阴色素减退性疾病疗效显著。     

Early results of immediate repair of obstetric third-degree tears: 65% are completely asymptomatic despite persistent sphincter defects in 61%

OBJECTIVE: The outcome of immediate repair of obstetric third-degree tears is poorly documented. Immediate repair may give better functional results than delayed repair because scarring is reduced. This aim of this prospective study was to examine the early outcome of immediate repair of third-degree tears. METHOD: A total of 121 women who had immediate repair of obstetric third-degree tears underwent interview, anal ultrasonography and anorectal physiology. RESULTS: At review, 79 (65%) were completely asymptomatic (score = 0), 23 (19%), had minor flatus incontinence or mild urgency causing no compromise to their quality of life (score 1-4), and 19 (16%) had clinically embarrassing faecal incontinence (score 5-24). Thirty-nine (32%) had an intact internal anal sphincter (IAS) and external anal sphincter (EAS) (i.e. a successful repair), eight (7%) had a defect in the IAS alone but the EAS was intact (i.e. a successful repair but a residual IAS defect), 43 (35%) had a residual defect in the EAS alone (IAS intact) and 31 (26%) had a persistent defect in the IAS and EAS. Residual defects in either or both of the sphincters were associated with a significantly higher incidence of abnormal resting and squeeze anal pressures. Anal manometry had no correlation with symptoms. The highest proportion of severe incontinence was in those with an IAS defect alone (37%) and when there was a residual IAS and EAS defect (24%). Only 2 of 39 (5%) with an intact IAS and EAS had severe incontinence and only 8 of 43 (18%) with a residual EAS defect alone had severe faecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: These results indicate a good outcome following immediate repair of third-degree obstetric tears and emphasize the role of the IAS in providing continence.     

多发性骨髓瘤患者血浆尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物及其可溶性受体的检测与临床意义

目的 :研究多发性骨髓瘤 ( MM)患者血浆尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物 ( u- PA )及其可溶性受体 ( su PAR )的水平变化 ,并探讨其临床意义。方法 :用 ELISA法检测 34例 MM患者血浆 u- PA及 su PA R的浓度 ,同时观察其中6例 MM患者化疗前后血浆 u- PA及 su PAR的浓度变化。结果 :MM患者血浆 u- PA及 su PA R水平均明显高于正常对照组 ,其中进展期 MM患者血浆 u- PA及 su PAR水平明显高于正常对照组和稳定期 MM患者 ( P <0 .0 1) ,而稳定期 MM患者血浆 u- PA及 su PA R水平与正常对照组无显著性差异 ( P>0 .0 5)。 6例 MM患者化疗后血浆 u- PA及 su PA R水平 ,明显低于化疗前血浆 u- PA及 su PAR水平 ( P<0 .0 5)。骨髓涂片瘤细胞比例 >2 0 %的 MM患者血浆 u- PA及 su PA R水平 ,明显高于瘤细胞比例≤ 2 0 % M M患者 ( P<0 .0 5;P<0 .0 1)。M M患者血浆 u- PA及su PA R水平均与骨髓瘤细胞百分比及血清球蛋白呈正相关 ,而与血清白蛋白呈负相关。结论 :血浆 u- PA及 su PA R水平升高可能与多发性骨髓瘤的发生、发展有密切关系 ;其水平可作为临床分期、判断疗效、了解疾病进展情况及预后的一个重要指标。     

Safety and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the daily practice: Results of a patient self‐observation study in patients with atopic dermatitis

Background: Pimecrolimus cream 1% has proven to be well‐tolerated and effective in controlled clinical studies in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In a 15‐week patient self‐observation study, safety and efficacy was investigated in the daily practice. Patients and methods: 3502 patients with AD (mean age 26.2 ± 18 years, 62% female) received pimecrolimus cream 1% from 810 physicians in the German Federal Republic.The severity of the disease was assessed at baseline, two times during the 15‐week observation period and at the end of treatment.Patients recorded daily the degree of erythema and pruritus. At the end of treatment, safety and efficacy were assessed by the physician based on patient's daily records and by the patient. Results: The percentage of patients with severe or massive AD decreased from 25% to 7%, whereas the percentage of patients without or with mild symptoms increased from 9% to 55%.The efficacy of treatment was rated by physicians as good or very good in 83.5% of cases and by 79% of patients.At baseline 35% of the patients were free of flares as compared to 75% at the end of therapy. Disease control was better in patients who followed the recommended treatment algorithm for pimecrolimus cream.Tolerability was mostly rated as good or very good. Conclusion: Treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% for patients with AD is well‐tolerated and effective in daily practice.     

MEBO在血栓性外痔和陈旧性肛裂术后治疗中的疗效观察

目的：观察美宝湿润烧伤膏在血栓性外痔和陈旧性肛裂切除术后治疗中的疗效。方法：术毕用MEBO纱布条填塞伤口,术后24小时取出纱布条,以后用MEBO涂于伤口内,每日2次,直至痊愈。结果：48例患者无术后伤口疼痛、出血、感染及肛门狭窄。伤口愈合时间短,治愈率高。结论：美宝湿润烧伤膏是血栓性外痔、陈旧性肛裂切除术后良好的局部治疗药物。     

Anal Tonometry in the Neonatal Period for the Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease

ABSTRACT. A double balloon technique was used for anal tonometry in 22 infants. The weight was less than 2500 g in 10 of the infants. Ileus or delayed passage of meconium was seen in 9 infants. Thirteen infants had not revealed any symptoms of intestinal obstruction during the first week of life. In all cases, except one, it was possible to demonstrate reflexes from the internal anal sphincter. In 18 infants normal curves were registered from the internal anal sphincter. None of these developed Hirschsprung's disease. In 3 infants a pathological pattern of contractions of the internal anal sphincter was demonstrated. Two of them proved to have Hirschsprung's disease. In the third case normal reflexes were registered after one year. Possibly the innervation of rectum and the internal anal sphincter was disrupted during the neonatal period in connection with enterocolitis and ileus, thus representing a reversible case of achalasia.     

产地对巴戟天化学成分含量的影响

本文对不同产地五年生巴戟天微量元素、糖类、总蒽醌、氨基酸含量进行分析。结果表明，德庆、高要产的巴戟天含量均较高。     

卵巢恶性肿瘤的雌孕激素受体研究

用葡聚糖－活性碳吸附法（ＤＣＣ法）对８７例卵巢恶性肿瘤的雌激素受体（ＥＲ）及孕激素受体（ＰＲ）进行了测定。ＥＲ、ＰＲ的阳性率分别为５０．６％和５８．６％。在不同组织类型中，宫内膜样癌的ＥＲ与ＰＲ高于其它癌。ＰＲ与临床分期呈负相关。多因素分析显示ＥＲ、ＰＲ均阳性者预后好。ＥＲ与ＰＲ的测定有助于了解病人预后，对卵巢癌的内分泌治疗有一定指导作用。     

Influence of ileal pouch capacity and anal sphincteric function on the clinical outcome after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

This study was designed to determine the influence of ileal pouch capacity and anal sphincteric function on the clinical outcome after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. A total of 24 patients who had undergone ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (J pouch) for ulcerative colitis were studied. The 24-hour stool frequency was found to be inversely correlated with the sensitivity threshold volume (STV), maximal tolerance volume (MTV), and distensibility, but was independent of the maximal resting pressure and maximal squeeze pressure. Patients experiencing nocturnal fecal incontinence had maximal resting pressures that were significantly lower than those of nocturnally continent patients. Among the patients with fecal incontinence, those with frequent soiling had lower resting pressures, STV, and distensibility than the patients with intermittent spotting. In addition, the STV in patients needing nocturnal evacuation were lower than those of patients who did not evacuate after falling asleep. The conclusions are as follows. Both stool frequency and the need for nocturnal pouch evacuation correlated directly with pouch volume. Anal incontinence was more common in patients with low internal sphincteric function. In addition, frequent and gross nocturnal incontinent patients demonstrate a worse function in both the anal sphincter and reservoir than those with intermittent spotting.