Analysis of the circumstances at the end of life in children with cancer: Symptoms, suffering and acceptance

BACKGROUND: In an effort to improve the quality of life of children with cancer, this study analyzes the signs and symptoms at the end of life in such children. It is hoped that these data will contribute to the development of appropriate programs to address the challenges faced by these children. PROCEDURE: Between 1994 and 2000, 28 children died after treatment for cancer at Hamamatsu University Hospital, Japan. The circumstances, signs and symptoms at the end of life of these children were analyzed through their medical records. RESULTS: Of the 28 children, the underlying diseases were leukemia/lymphoma (LL group; n=11), brain tumors (BT group; n=7), and other solid tumors (OST group; n=10). Records showed poor appetite (100%), dyspnea (82.1%), pain (75.0%), fatigue (71.4%), nausea/vomiting (57.1%), constipation (46.4%) and diarrhea (21.4%) among these children. Anxiety was reported in 53.6% of the entire group of 28 children; however, no child in the BT group manifested anxiety. However, disturbance of consciousness was reported in all children in the BT group, which was significantly greater than in the other groups. Awareness, fear or acceptance of the imminence of his/her own death as indicated by verbal expression was reported in nine children (32.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Using the data obtained in the present study, we describe situations faced in the terminal care of children. It is important to address the problems revealed by this analysis in order to achieve improvements in both the physical and psychological care of children with terminal cancer.     

吸烟对精神分裂症男性患者精神病理症状的影响

Objective To compare the differences of psychopathologic symptoms between smokers and non-smokers in chronic and first-episode,drug-nalve schizophrenics.then it was attempted to explain the reasons why there is higher rate of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.Methods In all.427 male chronic schizophrenic patients(332 smokers and 95 non-smokers)and 63 male first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia(22 smokers and 41 non-smokers)were collected.All patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).Results In chronic patients.the item scores of poor rapport and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers(3.9 ±1.5 vs.4.4±1.7;3.6±1.6 vs.4.0±1.7.respectively,P＜0.05),and so was the total scores of PANSS negative subscale(24.0±8.2 vs.26.3±9.5).In first-episode.drug-ndive patients.the itern scores of emotional withdrawal and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significant lower in smokers than non-smokers(2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.3:2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.4,respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested there are positive effects of cigarette smoking on the psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia,which misht be one of the mechanisms for higher rates of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.     

Urinary Albumin Excretion and the Risk of Graft Loss and Death in Proteinuric and Non-proteinuric Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria constitute risk factors for ESRD and death in non-transplanted populations. Whether microalbuminuria (especially in non-proteinuric patients) and macroalbuminuria constitute risk factors for graft loss and death is presently unknown in renal transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the association between urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and ESRD and death in renal transplantation. RESULTS: UAE was measured in 616 (397 proteinuric; 219 non-proteinuric patients) renal transplant recipients. They were grafted for 62 months (range: 6-192). During the 40 months (3.7-99) thereafter, 31 patients underwent dialysis and 32 died. Microalbuminuria (vs. normoalbuminuria) and macroalbuminuria (vs. microalbuminuria) were powerful risk factors for graft loss [OR: 14.25 (2.88-52.3) and 16.41 (7.46-36.0), respectively, both p < 0.0001], even after adjustments on renal function and diabetes. Among the 219 non-proteinuric patients, microalbuminuria (vs. normoalbuminuria) was a significant risk factor for graft loss [OR: 23.09 (1.93-276.4), p = 0.0132]. Both microalbuminuria (vs. normoalbuminuria) [OR: 5.55 (2.43-12.66), p < 0.0001] and macroalbuminuria (vs. microalbuminuria) [OR: 4.12 (1.65-10.29), p = 0.0024] were predictive of death. CONCLUSIONS: Microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria are powerful independent predictors of ESRD and death. Microalbuminuria is a risk factor for graft loss even in non-proteinuric patients. UAE provides additional information on renal and patient prognosis as compared to proteinuria and renal function.     

颅脑损伤患者脑疝前驱期特征性临床征象的研究

目的分析总结外伤性脑疝前驱期特征性临床征象及意义。方法回顾分析我科近5年238例脑疝发生前2h内的临床表现和辅助检查特点，并与同期198例未发生脑疝的重型颅脑损伤患者进行对比分析。结果脑疝组前驱期征象如昏迷加深、烦躁加重、尿失禁、侧脑室和外侧裂受压变窄伴脑基底池受压变窄、生命体征改变具有特征性，其发生率明显高于非脑疝组，两组差异有显著性意义（P〈0．01）。结论颅脑损伤患者出现脑疝前驱期特征性临床征象应作为超早期开颅的重要依据，是特殊的、迫切的手术指征。     

胃肠道创伤303例临床分析

目的探讨胃肠道创伤的发生特点及其临床表现、诊治方法。方法回顾分析303例胃肠道创伤患者临床资料,其中227例(74.9%)合并腹部其他脏器或血管损伤。行破裂口缝合修补术213例(70.3%)、空腔脏器部分切除吻合术35例(11.6%),余保守治疗,对合并伤均作相应处理。结果本组男女伤员比例为9.6∶1;平均年龄28.2岁;以工人为主。主要致伤原因为锐器切割、交通事故及钝性击打,合计占67%。治愈294例(97%),余9例死于失血性休克或多器官功能障碍综合征。结论准确全面的早期诊断、正确处理胃肠道破裂、重要脏器合并伤以及MODS是腹部创伤诊治过程中的重要内容。男性青壮年工人是胃肠道创伤的高危人群,对其进行健康教育、提高基层医院诊治水平有望降低此病的社会危害。     

多层螺旋CT血管造影诊断髂及下肢动脉闭塞性病变的价值

目的:评价多层螺旋CT诊断髂及下肢血管闭塞性病变的价值。材料和方法:185例怀疑髂总动脉及下肢动脉闭塞性病变的患者行16层螺旋CT血管造影检查。其中大动脉炎6例,外伤4例和动脉粥样硬化175例。采用16层螺旋CT,层厚1.25mm,重建间隔1mm。100mL非离子造影剂(300mgI/mL)以4mL/s的速度经手背静脉或肘静脉注入,注射开始后25~30S进行扫描。在工作站获得多平面重建(MPR)、曲面重建(CPR)、最大密度投影(MIP)和容积重建(VR)图像,并应用血管分析软件测量血管狭窄程度。结果:128例CTA可显示髂及下肢动脉狭窄/闭塞。有7例患者行血管内支架治疗;26例行人工血管架桥或大隐静脉植入手术,31例患者同时进行了MSCTA和DSA检查。MSCTA对腘动脉以上和腘动脉以下狭窄和闭塞显示与DSA一致性好。结论:多层面螺旋CT是下肢血管病变的术前评价和术后复查非常有用的影像手段,可以替代有创的诊断性血管造影检查。     

肾结核40例临床分析

目的 分析6年来肾结核的临床表现和诊断方法。方法回顾性分析近6年收治的40例肾结核患者的临床资料。结果表现为膀胱刺激征的典型肾结核占65％，不典型肾结核占35％，其临床症状以腰痛、血尿为主。所有患者尿常规均异常。B超、静脉尿路造影（IVU）、逆行肾盂造影（RP）、磁共振尿路水成像（MRU）确诊率分别为20％、55％、66．7％和77．8％。结论膀胱刺激征仍是肾结核的主要临床表现，不典型肾结核有所增加。IVU是首选诊断方法，MRU对晚期肾结核诊断具有重要价值。     

305例尿石成份分析及预防对策

目的研究一种快速、简便的方法对泌尿系结石进行分析,并探讨其防治方法。方法用化学常量法对305例患者的尿石标本进行化学成份测定,并结合临床资料进行分析。结果发现结石发病男性多于女性(比例为3.2∶1),20~50岁多发,上尿路结石多于下尿路结石(5.4∶1)。结石中草酸钙检出率达82%,尿酸盐55.2%,磷酸钙48.6%,磷酸镁铵与碳酸磷灰石则多见于泌尿系感染病例,胱氨酸结石少见。结论化学常量法分析泌尿系结石简便、快捷、准确。结石成份分析对于了解结石成因、预防结石复发具有一定的意义。     

双J管临床应用及美蓝在置管术中的作用

目的探讨双J管(双J输尿管支架管)在泌尿系疾病治疗中的应用效果以及美蓝在置放术中的作用。方法对215例患者采用放置双J管作内支架和内引流治疗,近期48例术中以美蓝协助定位。结果术后留置尿管5~7d,无切口感染、尿瘘等并发症。术后1~3个月拔除双J管,随访3~6个月,肾功能、肾积水明显好转,吻合口通畅。以美蓝协助定位者无双J管上移致拔管困难。结论双J管具有内支架和内引流作用,操作简单,引流效果好,并发症少,缩短住院时间。以美蓝协助定位,值得推广应用。