Drugs,Violence, and Federal Funding: A Research Odyssey

Two decades of research activity focusing on drugs/violence relationships are described. Initial interest in this area was kindled by field experiences. Literature review revealed a dearth of concepts and data. A tripartite conceptual framework was formulated to define drug-related violence. A series of empirical studies were undertaken to verify and elaborate the conceptual framework. Findings from these studies debunked prevailing mythology about drugs/violence relationships. Findings also demonstrated the usefulness of a public health perspective and the critical importance of collecting qualitative data in order to achieve a deeper understanding of these phenomena. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]     

医院制剂复方甘草口服溶液质量回顾分析

目的 对医院制剂复方甘草口服溶液进行质量回顾分析,及时发现并纠正生产过程的不良趋势,保证制剂质量.方法 采用单值-移动极差控制图法和风险级别判断矩阵对中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九〇〇医院近五年生产的复方甘草口服溶液质量进行分析.结果 2014年6月至2019年6月,该院生产的30批次复方甘草口服溶液质量符合法定标准,控制图显示该品种生产工艺较稳定,针对复方甘草口服溶液中愈创木酚甘油醚含量波动较大的问题进行风险分析并采取了有效措施控制风险.结论 控制图分析结合风险管理,更有利于我院持续、稳定地生产出质量优异的复方甘草口服溶液.     

THE DRUGS–VIOLENCE NEXUS AMONG AMERICAN AND CANADIAN YOUTH†

This paper examines the relationship between drug use and violence among representative samples of students in the United States and Ontario, Canada. Canada has significantly lower levels of violent crime than the United States, but students report similar rates of drug use. Using logistic regression analysis, we find a similar relationship between drug use and violence among adolescents in the two countries. All the drugs considered—cannabis, cocaine, and alcohol binge drinking—are significantly related to violent behavior; whether the perpetrator or the victim. The most noteworthy difference may be that in Ontario, drug use appears to be even more highly correlated with violence than in the United States.     

Review of Segmental and Marginal Resection of the Mandible in Patients with Oral Cancer

This paper reviews the medical literature of the last decade to ascertain the criteria used to assess mandibular invasion by cancer of the oral cavity and to suggest how best to evaluate the mandible with a view to surgical management. It is generally agreed that patients with mandibular invasion should be treated surgically, but the extent of mandibular resection required remains a controversial matter and the accurate preoperative determination of neoplastic invasion of the mandible remains a challenge for head and neck surgeons. The relative reliability of preoperative orthopantomography, (OPG) bone scanning, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and of peroperative periosteal stripping and direct inspection in clinical assessment for mandibular surgery, is discussed. The histological patterns of tumor invasion and the most common routes of tumor entry in the mandible are described and the influence of variables such as prior radiotherapy and an edentulous vs a dentate state in relation to perineural invasion are also discussed. Finally, a comparison is drawn between the reported outcome of marginal vs segmental resection procedures and a decision-making algorithm is proposed. In selected cases, marginal mandibulectomy can ensure satisfactory tumor control, with a favorable effect on the morbidity associated with mandibular surgery.     

Effects of Betahistine Metabolites on Frog Ampullar Receptors

Conclusion. Our technique can decrease the formation of retraction pockets and improve hearing function. The wheel-shaped cartilage-perichondrium composite graft (Wheel CPCG) can be considered a good material for a drum graft, and it is easy to insert a ventilation tube, in case of initial drum retraction. Objective. The purpose of this study was to introduce the novel surgical technique of a Wheel CPCG with one-stage ossiculoplasty to prevent a retraction pocket and subsequent cholesteatoma after intact canal wall tympanomastoidectomy. Patients and methods. A total of 47 patients were reviewed; 43 cases were selected for audiologic testing. The results of operations were evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative hearing results and postoperative drum findings. Results. A retraction pocket was observed in three cases (6.7%). Slight protrusion of partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) and lateral healing of drum was observed in one case each, and there were two cases of postoperative infection. The number of cases with an air–bone gap (ABG)<20 dB increased from 9 (23%) cases before operation, to 20 cases (51%) after operation. The ABG average statistically decreased from 30.0 dB to 24.0 dB, and the mean air conduction thresholds decreased from a preoperative level of 47.3 dB to a level of 35.7 dB.     

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Induce Apoptosis in Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can inhibit tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer due to the induction of apoptosis. Disturbances of cellular pathways ultimately leading to apoptosis may contribute to the process of neoplastic transformation and immortalization. In this study we wanted to determine the influence of different NSAIDs (indomethacin, ibuprofen and sodium salicylate) and hydrocortisone on Bcl-2 expression and the apoptotic behavior of head and neck tumor cell lines and normal oral keratinocytes. Bcl-2 expression was determined by monoclonal antibody staining and fluorescence-activated cell-sorting measurement. Apoptotic cells were visualized with a epifluorescence microscope after staining with CytoDeath M30 antibody. Indomethacin (1 mM) and ibuprofen (1 mM) significantly reduced Bcl-2 expression in the cancer cell lines tested and might be thought responsible for the observed increase in apoptosis. At all concentrations tested the influence of sodium salicylate and hydrocortisone on Bcl-2 expression was not significant. In contrast, the NSAIDs tested had only a minor influence on normal oral keratinocytes. Our results demonstrate a significant reduction in growth and an increase in apoptosis, possibly due to a reduction in Bcl-2 expression, after exposure to indomethacin and ibuprofen in the head and neck cancer cell lines tested.     

Treatment of Crohn’s disease in pregnant women: Drug and multidisciplinary approaches

Inflammatory bowel disease affects a substantial number of women in their reproductive years. Pregnancy presents a number of challenges for clinicians and patients; the health of the baby needs to be balanced with the need to maintain remission in the mother. Historically, treatments for Crohn’s disease (CD) were often discontinued during the pregnancy, or nursing period, due to concerns about teratogenicity. Fortunately, observational data has reported the relative safety of many agents used to treat CD, including 5-aminosalicylic acid, thiopurines, and tumor necrosis factor. Data on the long-term development outcomes of children exposed to these therapies in utero are still limited. It is most important that physicians educate the patient regarding the optimal time to conceive, discuss the possible risks, and together decide on the best management strategy.