Dosimetric Characteristics of the Siemens IGRT Carbon Fiber Tabletop

In this work, the dosimetric characteristics of a new commercial carbon fiber treatment table are investigated. The photon beam attenuation properties of the Siemens image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) tabletop were studied in detail. Two sets of dosimetric measurements were performed. In the first experiment a polystyrene slab phantom was used: the central axis attenuation and the skin-sparing detriment were investigated. In the second experiment, the off-axis treatment table transmission was investigated using a polystyrene cylindrical phantom. Measurements were taken at the isocenter for a 360° rotation of the radiation beam. Our results show that the photon beam attenuation of the Siemens IGRT carbon fiber tabletop varies from a minimum of 2.1% (central axis) to a maximum of 4.6% (120° and 240° beam incidence). The beam entrance dose increases from 82% to 97% of the dose at the depth of maximum for a clinical 6-MV radiation field. The depth of maximum also decreases by 0.4 cm. Despite the wedge cross section of the table the beam attenuation properties of the IGRT tabletop remain constant along the longitudinal direction. American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.     

手术及综合康复治疗膝关节僵直

目的 探讨膝关节纤维性僵直手术及围手术期、术后综合康复治疗的方法和意义.方法 26例膝关节纤维性僵直患者,采用髌骨外上方小切口,辅助关节镜下行关节内粘连松解,并结合徒手推拿松解.术前进行心理宣教,术后第2天开始经止痛泵维持在CPM机上行慢速全范围关节活动度功能锻炼,并行主被动伸屈膝功能锻炼、髌骨内推训练.结果 术后平均随访19个月(8～32个月),膝关节活动度从术前平均32°增至113°,平均提高81°.无皮肤坏死、创口裂开、肌腱断裂、骨折等并发症发生.结论 关节镜辅助下小切口松解治疗膝关节纤维性僵直的手术操作简单,创伤小,康复快.膝关节僵直围手术期及术后综合康复治疗,对膝关节功能恢复有重要意义.     

火把花根片治疗面部激素依赖性皮炎疗效观察

目的：观察火把花根片治疗激素依赖性皮炎的疗效和安全性。方法：患者81例，分为治疗组和对照组。对照组：口服氯雷他定片，10mg／次，1次／天，同时外用氧化锌软膏；治疗组：在对照组用药的基础上加服火把花根片，5片／次，3次／天；疗程均为2个月。结果：治疗组总有效率达68．29％，对照组总有效率达24．24％，两组疗效比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论：火把花根片治疗面部激素依赖性皮炎安全、有效。     

Comparison of Quantiferon-TB Gold With Tuberculin Skin Test for Detecting Latent Tuberculosis Infection Prior to Liver Transplantation

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is recommended prior to organ transplantation. The Quantiferon-TB Gold assay (QFT-G) may be more accurate than the tuberculin skin test (TST) in the detection of LTBI. We prospectively compared the results of QFT-G to TST in patients with chronic liver disease awaiting transplantation. Patients were screened for LTBI with both the QFT-G test and a TST. Concordance between test results and predictors of a discordant result were determined. Of the 153 evaluable patients, 37 (24.2%) had a positive TST and 34 (22.2%) had a positive QFT-G. Overall agreement between tests was 85.1% (kappa= 0.60, p < 0.0001). Discordant test results were seen in 12 TST positive/QFT-G negative patients and in 9 TST negative/QFT-G positive patients. Prior BCG vaccination was not associated with discordant test results. Twelve patients (7.8%), all with a negative TST, had an indeterminate result of the QFT-G and this was more likely in patients with a low lymphocyte count (p = 0.01) and a high MELD score (p = 0.001). In patients awaiting liver transplantation, both the TST and QFT-G were comparable for the diagnosis of LTBI with reasonable concordance between tests. Indeterminate QFT-G result was more likely in those with more advanced liver disease.     

广泛后路松解三维矫形治疗重度特发性脊柱侧凸

目的探讨广泛后路松解三维矫形对重度特发性脊柱侧凸的治疗效果.方法2002年3月至2005年9月我院收治的有完整资料的重度特发性脊柱侧凸患者42例,根据不同手术方法将患者分为两组A组(前路松解后路矫形)20例,男3例,女17例;年龄12～20岁,平均15.5岁;Lenke 1型12例,2型2例,3型3例,5型3例.B组(后路脊柱松解三维矫形)22例,男3例,女19例;年龄12～26岁,平均15岁;Lenke 1型13例,2型2例,3型4例,5型3例.比较两组间手术前、后及末次随访时Cobb角、手术时间、术中出血量、住院费用和SRS-22评分的差异.结果A组主弯Cobb角由83.6°±7.6°矫正到21.4°±5.4°,矫正率为72.4%±5.1%;B组由85.4°±11.5°矫正到22.0°±5.4°,矫正率为74.1%±5.2%,两组间比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05).A组的手术时间、术中出血量、住院费用及SRS-22评分分别为303.9+28.9min、1379.5±236.8ml、92246.5±9784.9(￥)及17.4+0.24分;B组分别为241.0±20.8min、965.5±193.1ml、77725.1±8917.8(￥)及19.65±0.20分,两组间差异有显著性(P＜0.05).两组均无曲轴现象、假关节形成及失代偿发生.结论广泛后路脊柱松解三维矫形对重度特发性脊柱侧凸的矫正效果满意,具有手术风险小、手术时间短、出血量少、住院费用相对低等优点.     

The expression of somatostatin receptors 1 and 2 in benign,pre‐malignant and malignant laryngeal lesions

The expression of somatostatin receptors 1 and 2 in benign, pre‐malignant and malignant laryngeal lesions The role of chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx has not been clearly defined. Whilst toxic chemotherapy regimes may confer a marginal improvement in survival, surgery and radiotherapy remain the mainstay of treatment. Somatostatin is a naturally occurring peptide, which exerts antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects via five membrane‐bound receptor subtypes. The expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTRs) 1 and 2 was studied in benign, pre‐malignant and malignant laryngeal specimens. Epithelial expression of SSTR1 was detected in 4/6 (67%) Reinke's oedema, 5/6 (83%) pre‐malignant and 8/12 (67%) malignant specimens, with virtually no stromal or vascular expression. High levels of epithelial SSTR2 expression were noted in all Reinke's oedema specimens, compared with low‐to‐moderate levels in only 2/6 (33%) pre‐malignant and 3/12 (25%) malignant specimens (P < 0.01). This ‘loss’ of epithelial SSTR2 expression may provide a growth advantage in pre‐malignant and malignant laryngeal lesions. Vascular expression of SSTR2 was ubiquitous in all groups, with scant stromal expression. Overall, most (>80%) pre‐malignant and malignant laryngeal specimens expressed at least one of the two SSTR subtypes studied. Somatostatin analogues may have a therapeutic role in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.     

原料药粒径对盐酸普萘洛尔渗透泵片释药行为的影响

目的:研究原料药粒径等对盐酸普萘洛尔渗透泵片释药行为的影响。方法:取不同批号盐酸普萘洛尔及同批号重结晶前、后的原料药均按相同处方制备成渗透泵片,考察药物体外释放情况及释药24h后衣膜形态;并对上述不同原料药的粒径分别以光学显微镜和激光粒度分析仪进行证实。结果:以原料药粒径较小的渗透泵片释放完毕后衣膜变形,且不能维持零级释放,原料药粒径较大的渗透泵片结果与之相反。不同原料药经仪器证实粒径确有差异。结论:原料药的粒径可影响制备的渗透泵片的释放行为,提示性状稳定的原料药的合理选择在制剂过程中不可忽视。     

Corticosterone release in response to repeated, short episodes of neonatal isolation : evidence of sensitization

Repeated isolation of neonatal rats produces persistent changes in physiology and behavior. In Experiment 1, we examined changes in plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels as a possible mechanism for the effects of isolation. Pups that were isolated from their mother and the nest for 1 h per day on postnatal days (PND) 2–9 were compared to control litters of pups that were either nonhandled or handled but not isolated. On PND 2, compared to nonhandled pups, handled pups had elevated CORT levels that returned to baseline levels within 30 to 60 min of return to the home cage. No significant elevation of CORT levels were found in handled pups on PND 9. The CORT levels of isolated pups were over twice those of nonhandled pups on PND 2 and four times those of nonhandled pups on PND 9. In Experiment 2, we investigated whether the increased CORT release in response to isolation on PND 9 was the result of the pups treatment on the previous six days as against an effect of maturation. Plasma CORT levels were measured in rat pups that were either isolated, handled or nonhandled on PNDs 2–8 during the conditions of isolation, handling and nonhandling on PND 9. There were no differences among the groups in basal plasma levels of CORT. Handling on PND 9 did not result in elevated CORT levels in any of the groups. All three groups showed a significant increase in plasma CORT levels after isolation on PND 9. However, the CORT response to isolation of pups previously isolated on PND 2–8 were significantly higher than pups that were either handled or nonhandled on PNDs 2–8. Thus, daily episodes of isolation potentiate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response to stress.     

Modifications of the hydrophilicity of heterocyclic methacrylate copolymers for protein release

A series of copolymers comprising ethyl methacrylate (EM) and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA) gelled with either THFMA monomer or hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer have been developed. In this paper, we examine the water uptake characteristics of the polymer systems and address the possibility of increasing the hydrophilicity of the systems by changing the ratios of the copolymers. We have investigated whether protein release from the polymers is related to the composition of the polymer systems. More protein was released from the polymers gelled with the more hydrophilic monomer (HEMA) than with THFMA. This was consistent with the calculated diffusion coefficients, which were 10 times greater for the polymers gelled with HEMA than those gelled with THFMA. Interestingly, the water uptake and protein release profiles were not dependent on the ratio of EM and THFMA in the copolymers. This is probably due to the conflicting roles of THFMA in the copolymer; it is both the more hydrophilic component as well as a cross-linking agent. In addition, it would appear that the structural and surface topography of these polymers had more significant effects on protein release than copolymer composition.