Nasal septum lesions caused by chromium exposure among chromium electroplating workers

A chromium electroplating worker, suffering from epistaxis during work, was found to have nasal septum perforation. To determine the etiology and prevalence of nasal septum lesions, we conducted a survey of seven chromium electroplating factories and examined 79 workers. Forty workers from three aluminum electroplating factories were also enrolled as the reference group. Subjects were thoroughly examined by an otolaryngologist and each of them provided a blood and urine sample. A questionnaire interview regarding symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, past medical history, life style, and work history was also conducted. Air chromium concentrations were measured by taking area samples for 4–6 hours. Based on field observation and chromium measurements, we divided chromium electroplating into three different exposure zones: workers directly dealing with electroplating tanks (n = 31), other process workers (n = 29), and office workers and drivers (n = 19). Among the 79 chromium electroplating workers, there were 16 cases of nasal septum perforation, and 42 with either scar formation or ulceration; 10 chromium electroplating workers developed skin ulcers after performing chrome plating. No workers from aluminum electroplating factories had any nasal septum or skin abnormalities. There was a consistent trend between the degree of chromium exposure and the signs and symptoms related to the nose, throat, and skin. Immediate improvement of occupational hygiene is warranted.     

用神经网络法预测药物在体透过人皮肤的渗透性

目的：预测药物在体透过人皮肤的渗透性。方法：以正辛醇／水分配系数(logP)、分子体积(V)、氢键酸度(∑β2^H)和氢键碱度(∑β2^H)等理化参数作为输入层神经元，以药物在一定时间内在体透过人皮肤的透过比的对数值(R，透过量／未透过量)作为输出层神经元，建立起合适的BP(Back—propagation)神经网络。结果：17个药物在一定时间内在体透过人皮肤的透过比的神经网络计算值和实测值均相当符合。结论：用BP神经网络法可以较好地预测药物在体透过人皮肤的渗透性。     

十名志愿者口服维拉帕米缓释片药代动力学和心电图研究

对10名男性受试者单剂量po240mgVer缓释片药代动力学及心电图变化进行研究。血药浓度—时间数据用零级吸收过程的一室模型拟合,其药代动力学参数:T_max5.9±1.6h;C_max118.9±37.2μg·L^-1;T₁ 5.4±1.5h;k₀30.5±17.5μg·L^-1·h^-1;T_1/210.8±4.9h。PR间期延长有显著意义,血药浓度与PR间期变化满足S 型模型,其药效学参数:EC₅₀ 64.6±16.9μg·L^-1; E_max54±11ms;s 1.68±0.66。     

耳廓复合组织瓣连续法修复鼻翼缺损

目的观察耳廓复合游离组织瓣连续法修复鼻翼缺损的疗效，以探讨鼻翼缺损的有效修复手段。方法耳廓复合游离组织瓣2次连续法修复鼻翼缺损7例，移植物面积0．5cm×0．7cm～0．8cm×1．2cm。结果7例耳廓复合游离组织瓣移植后全部成活。术后随访6～18个月，移植物无明显回缩，鼻外形满意。结论耳廓复合游离组织瓣连续移植修复鼻翼缺损，适合较严重鼻翼缺损，手术成功率高，术后鼻外形满意，双侧分次取材，耳廓外形双侧对称无畸形。     

CT扫描在内窥镜鼻窦手术中的应用价值

目的 探讨鼻窦CT扫描在内窥镜鼻窦手术中的应用价值。方法 回顾性对80例慢性鼻窦炎患者鼻窦CT扫描与手术中所见进行分析总结。结果 冠状位CT扫描鼻窦病变发现率高，辅以水平CT扫描，鼻窦精细结构、病变范围和程度能够清楚地显示，符合术中所见。结论 鼻窦CT扫描能精确显示鼻窦结构及病变，能正确指导鼻窦内窥镜手术。     

Efficacy and safety of ezetimibe coadministered with pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe 10 mg administered with pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: After dietary stabilization, 2-12 week screening/washout period, and 4-week, single-blind, placebo lead-in period, 538 patients with baseline LDL-C > or =3.8 to < or =6.5 mmol/l and TG < or =4.0 mmol/l were randomized to one of eight possible treatments administered daily for 12 weeks: ezetimibe 10mg; pravastatin 10, 20, or 40 mg; ezetimibe 10 mg plus pravastatin 10, 20, or 40 mg; or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was percent reduction in LDL-C from baseline to study endpoint for ezetimibe 10 mg plus pravastatin (pooled doses) compared to pravastatin alone (pooled doses) and ezetimibe alone. The combined use of ezetimibe and pravastatin resulted in significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and TG compared to pooled pravastatin alone (p<0.01). Coadministration therapy reduced LDL-C by 34-41%, TG by 21-23%, and increased HDL-C by 7.8-8.4%, depending on the dose of pravastatin. The combined regimen was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to pravastatin alone and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: When coadministered with pravastatin, ezetimibe provided significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and TG and was well tolerated with a safety profile similar to pravastatin alone.     

齿槽裂植骨整复畸形鼻

目的:探讨齿槽裂及鼻底进行天然多孔骨(Bio-OssCollagen材料)移植整复畸形鼻的可行性和临床疗效。方法:对12例齿槽裂及鼻底行Bio-OssCollagen材料植入整复手术。结果:随访9￣12月外形恢复良好,唇部和鼻底丰满,鼻翼提升,X线片示齿槽裂及鼻底植入Bio-OssCollagen材料基本被自体骨取代。结论:用Bio-OssCollagen材料代替自体骨植入齿槽裂及鼻底整复畸形鼻,均效果良好。     

Almitrine bismesylate disposition in the human digestive tract

Summary The absorption of almitrine from the upper gastrointestinal tract has been evaluated in 6 healthy volunteers by an intubation technique. Almitrine bismesylate dissolved in malic acid was introduced into the stomach after homogenization with a meal containing the marker¹⁴C-polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. Unlabeled PEG 4000 was infused into the second part of duodenum throughout the experiment. Samples of the luminal content were collected every 15 min for four hours from the stomach and at the ligament of Treitz. Blood was also collected.Almitrine was neither absorbed from nor metabolized in the stomach. About 37% of the quantity of drug emptied from the stomach was absorbed from the duodenum. Almitrine was detected in plasma 50 min after ingestion of the meal and its plasma concentration-time profile reflected the cumulative gastric emptying rate. The metabolite tetrahydroxy almitrine was found in intestinal samples as soon as unchanged drug was detected in plasma. The intraluminal rate of formation of the metabolite increased with time.The results suggest hepatic metabolism of almitrine followed by rapid excretion of the metabolite in the bile.     

Sumatriptan nasal spray in the acute treatment of migraine in adolescents and children

About 4-10% of children and adolescents suffer from migraine. In the last few years, several studies have been performed to assess the efficacy and safety of triptans for the acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents. Only sumatriptan nasal spray has been approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adolescents aged 12-17 years in Europe. This review describes the results of the studies with sumatriptan nasal spray that have been performed in children and adolescents, including a study performed in the Netherlands.     

Oral Controlled Release Technology for Peptides: Status and Future Prospects

In spite of significant efforts in academic and commercial laboratories, major breakthroughs in oral peptide and protein formulation have not been achieved. The major barriers to developing oral formulations for peptides and proteins include poor intrinsic permeability, lumenal and cellular enzymatic degradation, rapid clearance, and chemical and conformational stability. Pharmaceutical approaches to address these barriers, which have been successful with traditional, small, organic drug molecules, have not readily translated into effective peptide and protein formulations. The success achieved by Sandoz with cyclosporin formulations remains one clear example of what can be achieved, although it is likely that effective oral formulations for peptides and proteins will remain highly compound specific. Although the challenges are significant, the potential therapeutic benefit remains high, particularly with the increasing identification of potential peptide and protein drug candidates emerging from the biotechnology arena. Successful formulations will most likely require a systematic and careful merger of formulation and design delivery systems which maximize the potential for absorption across the epithelial cell layer.