In vivo anti-melanoma activities of the Melan-A/MART-1101–115 T CD4+ cell peptide

Malignant melanoma causes significant health problems. The identification of tumour-associated antigens has led to novel approaches to increase T cell mediated anti-tumour immune response. Melan-A/MART-1 has been use as target antigen for several T cell based immunotherapeutic treatments. More recently, the critical role of CD4+ T cells in inducing and maintaining anti-tumour immunity has been increasingly recognized. In order to optimize tumour immunotherapy, greater efforts have been concentrated on the identification of tumour antigens presented by MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells. In a publication, Tiwari et al. (2004) [1] have identified by a computational approach the 15-mer amino-acid sequence 101–115 (PPAYEKLSAEQSPPP) of the Melan-A/MART-1 as a good target for a vigorous and safe immunotherapy. Therefore, we have investigated the in vivo anti-tumour activity of this peptide in a murine melanoma model. For the prophylactic treatment, 20 μg or 50 μg peptide was subcutaneously injected in mice once a week during 3 weeks before tumour induction. Treatment with 50 μg peptide significantly affected tumour development. Thus, our preliminary data demonstrate potential in vivo prophylactic activity of the 101–115 peptide-based vaccine to control melanoma growth.     

The effect of immigrant generation and duration on self-rated health among US adults 2003–2007

Global self-rated health (SRH) is increasingly a key indicator in the assessment of immigrant health. However, evidence of the impact on SRH of generational status, duration of residence in the US, and socioeconomic status (SES) among immigrants and their offspring is limited and inconsistent. We overcome limitations in existing research on this topic by using a uniquely large and diverse data source, the March Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS; 2003–2007) (n = 637,209). As a result, we are able to disaggregate results by race/ethnicity, account for country of origin, and consider the role of multiple dimensions of SES. We find that overall first-generation immigrants in the US have lower odds of poor/fair SRH compared to the third-generation. This association is particularly strong for blacks and Hispanics but not significant for Asians. Among first-generation Asians and Hispanics, longer duration of residence is positively associated with poor/fair SRH. Finally, socioeconomic gradients in SRH tend to be less pronounced among the first-generation (versus the third) and, within the first-generation, among recent arrivals (versus those with longer durations). Our results highlight the importance of explicitly accounting for multiple immigration-related variables and their interactions with race/ethnicity and SES. Otherwise, studies may misestimate SRH differences by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The continued growth of the US immigrant population and the second-generation underscore the need to examine patterns in immigrant health systematically.     

十二指肠镜、腹腔镜联合治疗肝外胆管结石

目的探讨十二指肠镜联合腹腔镜治疗胆囊结石并胆管结石的临床效果。方法回顾分析7年间106例胆囊结石并胆管结石患者的临床资料。106例均先行内镜下十二指肠乳头切开(EST)取石、鼻胆引流(ENBD)然后行腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)。结果EST取石成功101例(95.3%);并发症包括胰腺炎(高淀粉酶血症)11例(10.4%),出血1例,急性胆管炎2例,均经对症处理治愈。全组病例无死亡,均痊愈出院。85例获平均3.1年随访,术后复发胆管结石5例(5.9%),十二指肠乳突部再狭窄1例;另发生胆管癌2例,其他原因死亡2例。结论联合EST和LC治疗肝外胆管结石是一种安全有效的微创手术方法。     

Distension-induced gastric accommodation in functional dyspepsia: effect of autonomic manipulation

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is associated with impaired gastric accommodation and autonomic dysregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of autonomic manipulation on distension-induced gastric accommodation in subjects with and without FD, using a newly developed gastric barostat paradigm. Twelve healthy subjects (HS) and 18 subjects with FD had four barostat examinations each: no intervention, intravenous atropine (1 mg), vagal stimulation (mental relaxation with deep breathing) and acute stress stimulation (serial subtraction task). Intrabag pressure increased from 1 to 15 mmHg in 5 min (ramp phase), and was maintained at 15 mmHg for 5 min (tonic phase). Volume responses were analysed using predefined parameters. There were no significant group differences in accommodation variables between HS and subjects with FD. The FD group could be subdivided into two distinct subgroups: subgroup 1 (n = 7, 38%) with low maximum volume and accommodation rate, and subgroup 2 with normal accommodation (n = 11). In subgroup 1, but not in subgroup 2 atropine increased maximum volume and accommodation rate substantially. Neither mental stress nor mental relaxation changed any of the accommodation variables. In a subgroup of subjects with FD, impairment of distension-induced gastric accommodation can be improved by cholinergic blockade, but not by acute physiological autonomic manipulation.     

原发性肝癌并发门静脉高压症的外科治疗

目的 :评价原发性肝癌并发门静脉高压症的外科治疗效果。方法 :回顾性分析联合手术治疗原发性肝癌并发门静脉高压症 30例的疗效。结果 :手术死亡 1例 ,严重肺部感染、肝肾综合征及顽固性腹水各 1例。术后 1、3、5年生存率分别为 93.3%、5 3.3%、40 %。随访中共死亡 1 7例 ,死亡原因 :肝癌复发 9例 ,肝功能衰竭 5例 ,上消化道出血 3例。结论 :理性选择联合手术方式治疗原发性肝癌并发门静脉高压症是安全可行的 ,联合行胃冠状静脉栓塞和脾切除术效果良好。     

Marknagelung bei der Humerusschaftfraktur

Zusammenfassung Die Humerusschaftfraktur ist in 10–18% der Fälle durch primäre Radialisparese kompliziert. Sekundäre Radialisläsionen treten iatrogen bei intramedullären Verfahren in 3%, bei Plattenosteosynthesen in 15,5% auf. In der überwiegenden Mehrzahl der Fälle (80%) ist der Radialisschaden rückläufig. Eine Verletzung der A. radialis ist eher selten; sie erfordert ein offenes Vorgehen mit lokaler Revision des Gefäßes und Frakturversorgung mittels Plattenosteosynthese. Die Marknagelosteosynthese ist bei einfachen, komplexen oder pathologischen Schaftfrakturen primär oder als Verfahrenswechsel nach primärer Fixateuranlage indiziert. Während auch ausgewählte Frakturen im Collum chirurgicum mit einem Nagel versorgt werden können, sind Frakturen im distalen Viertel des Humerus ausgeschlossen. Frakturen bei kleinen Kopffragmenten weisen ein erhöhtes Komplikationsrisiko auf. Zur Vermeidung von Läsionen der Rotatorenmanschette stehen wir der anterograden Nagelung noch zurückhaltend gegenüber. Bei differenzierter Indikationsstellung und Nachbehandlung erwies sich die retrograde Marknagelung als ein schonendes Verfahren mit hohem Patientenkomfort und gutem funktionellem Ergebnis.     

BKV in Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Leading Cause of Renal Graft Loss in First 2 Years Post-Transplant

With the introduction of more potent immunosuppressive agents, rejection has decreased in simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant (SPK) recipients. However, as a consequence, opportunistic infections have increased. The purpose of this report is to outline the course of SPK patients who developed polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN). A retrospective review of 146 consecutive SPK recipients from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2002 was performed. Immunosuppression, rejection and development of PVAN were reviewed. Nine patients were identified. All received induction with either OKT3 or thymoglobulin. Immunosuppression included tacrolimus/cyclosporine, MMF/azathioprine and sirolimus/prednisone. Two patients were treated for kidney rejection prior to the diagnosis of PVAN. Time to diagnosis was an average of 359.3 days post-transplantation. Immunosuppression was decreased but five ultimately lost function. However, none developed pancreatic abnormalities as demonstrated by normal glucose and amylase. Two underwent renal retransplantation after PVAN diagnosis and both have normal kidney function. PVAN was the leading cause of renal loss in SPK patients in the first 2 years after transplantation and is a serious concern for SPK recipients. The pancreas, however, is spared from evidence of infection, and no pancreatic rejection occurred when immunosuppression was decreased.     

介入化疗结合立体适形放射治疗晚期胰腺癌的临床观察

探讨晚期胰腺癌的介入化疗加立体适形放射治疗的临床疗效。先选择性胰腺动脉化疗,药物:CF 300 mg、5-FU 1 000~1 500 mg、DDP 60~80 mg和健择1.2~2.0 g,共4次。介入化疗后或两次介入之间行立体定向放射治疗,放疗采用4~6个适形野,总剂量为35~45 Gy,4~8 Gy/次,每周3次,21例患者CR率42.85%(9/21),PR率42.85%(9/21),SD 4.76%(1/21),PD 9.52%(2/21),总有效率(CR PR)85.70%(18/21)。初步研究结果提示,主观指标评估,2例临床症状完全消失,17例主观症状有所改善。介入化疗结合立体放射治疗晚期胰腺癌不失为临床选用的治疗手段。     

先天性胃壁肌层缺损诊治体会

目的 探讨提高新生儿先天性胃壁肌层缺损治愈率的方法。方法 总结分析近年来收治的本症11例患儿(均经过病理检验证实)的临床及相关资料。结果 11例患儿中，8例存活，其中7例为近十年的病例。1例死亡，2例放弃治疗，均为十年以前的病例。在存活者中，经追踪观察及消化道造影检查，残胃有明显代偿性生长，患儿生长发育未受到明显的影响。结论 早期发现、及时手术、控制感染、术后营养、支持治疗，其预后良好。