416例甲状腺肿瘤临床病理分析

目的了解本地区甲状腺肿瘤的发病情况，探讨甲状腺肿瘤的诊断与鉴别诊断6方法对416例甲状腺肿瘤病理资料进行回顾性分析。结果甲状腺肿瘤以良性多见，良恶性之比为8．2：1。各类型肿瘤均以女性明显多于男性，男女之比为1：5．4，好发年龄为21～50岁，肿瘤发生于甲状腺右侧多见。结论本组甲状腺肿瘤的发生率、好发年龄、性别差异、良恶之比与文献报道基本一致。乳头状腺瘤与乳头状癌的鉴别有一定难度，对可疑标本要多处取材，连续切片，仔细观察，找出其特征，提高诊断的准确性。     

Disappointing results and low tolerability of photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid in psoriasis. A randomized, double-blind phase I/II study

BACKGROUND: Based on good results in the treatment of superficial skin tumours, since the early 1990s topical photodynamic therapy with aminolaevulinic acid (ALA PDT) has been used for disseminated, inflammatory dermatoses including psoriasis. However, there is still a lack of well-documented trials. OBJECTIVE: A prospective randomized, double-blind phase I/II intrapatient comparison study was conducted in 12 patients to investigate whether topical ALA PDT is an effective treatment for chronic plaque-type psoriasis. METHODS: In each patient three psoriatic plaques were randomly treated with a light dose of 20 J/cm(2) and 0.1%, 1% and 5% ALA, respectively. Treatment was conducted twice a week until complete clearance or for a maximum of 12 irradiations. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by weekly determination of the psoriasis severity index (PSI). RESULTS: The mean percentage improvement was 37.5%, 45.6% and 51.2% in the 0.1%, 1% and 5% ALA-treated groups, respectively. Irradiation had to be interrupted several times because of severe burning and pain sensation. CONCLUSION: Topical ALA PDT did not prove to be an appropriate treatment option for plaque-type psoriasis due to disappointing clinical efficacy, the time-consuming treatment procedure and its unfavourable adverse event profile.     

The development and evaluation of Student Training, Education and Practice for Dietetics CD-ROM: a computer-assisted instruction programme for dietetic students

The Student Training, Education and Practice for Dietetics (STEP‐DIET) CD‐ROM was developed at the University of Surrey to prepare dietetic students for the practical dietetic training component of their Nutrition/Dietetics degree. This study aimed to evaluate student response to the programme and its effectiveness as a teaching tool, based on the evaluation framework of D.L. Kirkpatrick (Evaluating a Course, 2nd edn. London, Kogan Page). Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were employed, with 41 dietetic students, separated by year group, completing questionnaires and taking part in six focus groups, at the University of Surrey. Student attitudes towards the instruction method and the STEP‐DIET programme itself were investigated, in conjunction with their perceived learning achievements. Students rated the programme highly in terms of design and content, however, there was a reluctance to accept computer‐assisted instruction (CAI) as a sole teaching method. A number of learning achievements relevant to dietetic practice were reported including a perceived increase in ability to conduct a dietetic interview and an increased understanding of the management of Type 2 diabetes. In general students reacted positively to the STEP‐DIET programme and it was perceived by students to be effective in preparing them for the practical component of their dietetic training.     

Medical management of chronic pancreatitis

慢性胰腺炎的临床表现包括疼痛、脂肪泻和糖尿病。在西方国家，慢性胰腺炎最常见的病因是酗酒。70％以上的病人在就诊时有疼痛的临床表现，而且，这些患者中又有75％以上会在几年之后出现疼痛减轻或完全消失。对于所有的慢性胰腺炎的病人来说，均应排除非胰源性疼痛和胆道梗阻、胰腺假性囊肿等胰腺局部并发症。应建议所有慢性胰腺炎病人戒烟、戒酒。阿片类镇痛剂仅应用于治疗疼痛严重的病人。尽管有报道认为胰酶替代治疗有助于止痛，但是，对于已经确诊的慢性胰腺炎病人来说，该疗法无效。激素类药物进行腹腔神经丛阻滞术可能有助于病人度过剧烈疼痛期。顽固性疼痛是进行胰液引流或胰腺切除的适应证。建议应用适量胰酶替代联合(或不联合)制酸剂治疗营养不良。慢性胰腺炎导致的糖尿病与原发性糖尿病的治疗原则相似。     

Pilot efficacy and tolerability: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam for essential tremor.

The purpose of this pilot single-site study was to assess efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for essential tremor, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover design with an interim analysis planned after completion of the first 10 to 15 subjects. The study was designed to detect a mean 30% reduction in composite tremor score, comparable to that of primidone or propranolol, which can be demonstrated with 30 or fewer subjects. Each treatment arm included baseline tremor assessments, a 4-week medication titration, 2 weeks of stable dose, and treatment tremor assessments. Levetiracetam was titrated to 3,000 mg/day or to a lower maximal tolerated dose. The median age was 72 years, with 28 years median tremor duration. There was no statistically significant difference in response between placebo and levetiracetam on any tremor rating scale or accelerometry measure. The 95% confidence interval for the true mean difference between placebo and levetiracetam treatments was +18.5 to -22.5%, which excludes the minimum 30% drop required to consider levetiracetam clinically effective to a degree comparable to primidone or propranolol. Whether levetiracetam has lesser-degree antitremor efficacy was not addressed in this pilot study.     

Clinical evaluation of a potassium nitrate dentifrice for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity

Abstract The effectiveness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice as a daily home treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity was evaluated in a double-blind study in 36 Japanese subjects who complained of cold and/or tactile hypersensitivity. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, with 18 being given a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice (treated group) and the other 18 a vehicle paste (control group). Both groups were instructed to brush their teeth 2 × a day. The hypersensitivity levels of the affected teeth were assessed by 2 stimuli, one tactile and the other cold air, and by the perception of pain. The results of all 3 assessment methods indicated that the potassium nitrate dentifrice significantly decreased the level of hypersensitivity at weeks 4, 8, and 12. In the treated group, a rapid decrease of positive scores for both the cold air stimulus and the subjective symptoms appeared from week 2. Although a significant decrease of the assessment score was also observed in the control group, the reduction rate of the score was much greater in the treated group by ail 3 assessment methods at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Complete relief of subjective symptoms throughout the 12 weeks’examination was noted in 67% of the subjects in the treated group, but in only 6% in the control group. These results suggest the usefulness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice in Japanese patients with dentinal hypersensitivity.     

The Hampshire Depression Project: development and piloting of clinical practice guidelines and education about depression in primary health care

This paper describes the development and piloting of a comprehensive educational programme about recognition and management of depressive illness in primary care. Full evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme is currently underway in a randomized controlled trial, the Hampshire Depression Project (HDP), involving 56 general practices. The programme consists of clinical practice guidelines, practice-based seminars and follow-up sessions. Each part of the programme has been designed to be flexible, clinically oriented and relevant to all members of the multidisciplinary primary care team. The pilot study established the need for a systematic approach to the access of practices and practice teams, and the organization and process of the seminars. Application of this approach was associated with excellent attendance in the main programme.     

Introducing expert systems to medical students using esta, Expert System Teaching Aid

Medical students are allocated little curriculum time for exposure to expert systems. ESTA, a computer model of an expert system, was developed to make best use of this time. The nature of the students' interaction with ESTA is described, and their reactions to the expert system concepts and the place of expert systems in medicine are presented. A discussion of these reactions draws some conclusions about teaching expert systems in particular, and computers in general, in the basic medical course.