美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭的临床疗效观察

目的：观察酒石酸美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭（CHF）的临床疗效及安全性。方法：将66例慢性心力衰竭患者随机分成两组,治疗组33例给予内科常规抗心力衰竭治疗,对照组33例在常规治疗的基础上加用酒石酸美托洛尔治疗。治疗前后观察静息心率（HR）、收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）、心功能级别、左室舒张末内径（LVEDD）、左室收缩末期内径（LVESD）左室射血分数（LVEF）。结果：两组患者的各项指标在治疗后均较治疗前有明显改善,但治疗组较对照组改善更为显著,其临床疗效优于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：酒石酸美托洛尔可明显改善CHF患者心功能,提高生存率,是一种安全、有效的临床治疗方法。     

应用大剂量西拉普利治疗慢性心力衰竭的安全性及疗效观察

目的　评价大剂量西拉普利在慢性心力衰竭 (CHF)患者中应用的安全性及疗效。方法　 10 3例CHF患者 (男 83例 ,女 2 0例 ) ,平均年龄 5 9岁 ,心功能Ⅱ Ⅳ级 ,左室射血分数 (LVEF) 35 %。从小剂量开始使用 ,只要能耐受 ,尽可能递增到 5～ 7 5mg d ,治疗中严密监测各项相关指标。结果　平均随访时间近 2 0周 ,随访期间死亡 5例 ,其中心性死亡 4例 ,非心性死亡 1例 ,2例因心力衰竭加重而再次住院。治疗后心功能和 6min步行距离较治疗前明显改善 [( 2 0 4± 0 6 6 )比 ( 3 0 5± 0 6 5 )和( 310 2 9± 180 14)m比 ( 2 0 0 87± 175 97)m ,P <0 0 0 1],超声心动图检查示左室舒张末径 (LVEDD)和收缩末径 (LVESD)减小 [( 6 1 17± 9 90 )mm比 ( 6 3 86± 10 2 0 )mm和 ( 47 2 4± 11 0 2 )mm比 ( 5 1 4 9±11 0 7)mm ,P <0 0 0 1],LVEF明显增加 [( 34 82± 8 14) %比 ( 43 78± 10 37) % ,P <0 0 0 1]。本组患者治疗后血压略有下降 ,血钾略升高 ,但均在正常范围内 ,血肌酐无明显变化。非缺血性心脏病组与缺血性心脏病组比较 ,LVESD变化率和LVEF变化率差异有显著性 [( 9 13± 12 72 ) %比 ( 4 38±10 39) % ,( 39 6 9± 42 11) %比 ( 2 0 97± 2 2 84) % ,P <0 0 5和 0 0 1]。结论　大剂量应     

美托洛尔联合沙库巴曲缬沙坦对冠心病伴慢性心力衰竭患者血管内皮功能及心功能的影响

目的 探究美托洛尔与沙库巴曲缬沙坦联用对冠心病伴慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者血管内皮功能及心功能的影响。方法 选取2020年9月至2021年8月于我院就诊的77例冠心病伴慢性心力衰竭患者,按随机数字表法分为试验组（n=38）、对照组（n=39）。两组接受常规治疗,在此基础上,给予对照组美托洛尔治疗,试验组于对照组基础上同时联用沙库巴曲缬沙坦治疗。治疗6个月后,对比两组治疗效果、心功能[左室收缩末内径（LVESD）、左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室舒张末内径（LVEDD）]及血管内皮功能[一氧化氮（NO）、内皮素-1(ET-1)]。结果 与对照组比,试验组临床总有效率高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;治疗后,两组LVEDD、LVESD下降,LVEF增高,且较对照组,试验组LVEDD、LVEF、LVESD改善更优,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;治疗后,两组NO水平增高,ET-1水平下降,且较对照组,试验组ET-1、NO水平改善更优,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 美托洛尔与沙库巴曲缬沙坦联用可改善冠心病伴CHF患者心功能,调节血管内皮功能,增强治疗效果。     

慢性心力衰竭患者心脏β1受体自身抗体与心功能的相关性及临床意义

目的 通过对慢性心力衰竭（心衰）患者血清中β1肾上腺素能受体自身抗体水平的监测,预测心功能情况,并指导β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛的临床应用。方法 65例心衰患者采用酶联免疫法测定患者血清中β1受体自身抗体水平,据此分为β1受体自身抗体阳性组（β1阳性组）30例和β1受体自身抗体阴性组（β1阴性组）35例,在血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂、利尿剂和洋地黄制剂治疗基础上加用β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛。随访半年,治疗前后采用超声心动图测量左室舒张末径（LVEDD）,左室收缩末径（LVESD）和左室射血分数（LVEF）进行比较。结果 （1）β1阳性组卡维地洛靶剂量明显高于β1阴性组[（36．25±14．31）mg／d与（25．97±8．83）mg／d],P〈0．01。（2）治疗前,p1阳性组心率显著高于p1阴性组[（94．19±14．46）次／min与（86．56±15．88）次／min],P〈0．05。治疗后,两组心率、血压均较治疗前显著减低（P〈0．01）,β1阳性组心率与β阴性组差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。（3）治疗前,β1阳性组LVEDD显著大于β1阴性组[（66．01±5．47）mm与（63．07±5．64）min],P〈0．05;LVESD大于β1阴性组[（54．24±8．43）mm与（50．72±6．12）min],P=0．052;LVEF显著低于β1阴性组[（32．16±9．00）％与（36．64±8．20）％],P〈0．05。治疗后,两组LVEDD、LVESD均较治疗前显著减小（P〈0．01）,LVEF较治疗前提高（P〈0．01）。β1阳性组LVEDD、LVESD和LYEF与β1阴性组差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。（4）β1阳性组治疗后血清中抗心脏β1受体自身抗体滴度较治疗前显著降低（1：119．35与1：72．21）,P〈0．01。结论 β1受体自身抗体参与心衰的病理生理过程,通过对β1受体自身抗体的检测可以预测患者的临床过程,提示对β1受体抗体阳性患者尽早使用β受体阻滞剂对于抑制心肌重构、改善心功能受益更大。     

大株红景天注射液联合美托洛尔对慢性心力衰竭患者氧化应激及心功能的影响

【】 目的 探讨大株红景天注射液联合美托洛尔对心力衰竭患者氧化应激和心功能的影响。方法 采用随机对照研究,将我院2013年10月至2015年4月慢性心力衰竭患者100例随机分成对照组（n=50,给予常规抗心力衰竭治疗）和治疗组（n=50,在常规心力衰竭治疗基础上加用大株红景天注射液和美托洛尔）,用药观察期均为4周。两组患者均于治疗前及治疗后4周观察临床症状改善情况,并通过超声心动图检测左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左心室收缩末期内径（LVESD）及左心室射血分数（LVEF）,实验室检测血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）、丙二醛（MDA）含量及过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性。结果 治疗组的总有效率（82.0%）明显高于对照组（64.0%）,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗后两组患者LVEDD、LVESD、血浆MDA和NT-proBNP水平[对照组(56.89±6.21)mm、(36.02±5.75)mm、(6.21±0.55)nmol/ml、(2843.32±1076.63) pg/ml;治疗组(53.28±4.18)mm、(31.88±3.46)mm、(5.23±0.57)nmol/ml、(2256.66±949.76) pg/ml]较治疗前[对照组(62.16±6.95)mm、(41.74±9.29)mm、(7.86±0.80)nmol/ml、(6527.68±2370.48) pg/ml;治疗组(61.46±7.20)mm、(40.76±8.62)mm、(7.91±0.81)nmol/ml、(6491.79±2362.69) pg/ml]显著降低（P＜0.05）,治疗组低于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组患者治疗后LVEF及血浆CAT、SOD[对照组(46.40±7.02)%、(6.54±0.42)U/ml、(46.60±5.40)U/ml;治疗组(49.66±4.42)%、(8.02±0.50)U/ml、(58.66±7.03)U/ml]较治疗前[对照组(32.20±9.28)%、(5.03±0.35)U/ml、(31.62±6.77)U/ml;治疗组(33.08±8.46)%、(5.05±0.34)U/ml、(31.23±5.86)U/ml]均显著提高（P＜0.05）,治疗组高于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论 在常规心力衰竭治疗的基础上加用大株红景天注射液联合美托洛尔能提高心力衰竭患者抗氧化应激能力,改善心功能,临床疗效显著。     

目标剂量美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭患者的量效关系

目的探讨不同目标剂量美托洛尔缓释片对慢性心力衰竭患者的心室功能及预后的影响。方法选择慢性心力衰竭患者270例,将入选患者按照1∶2的比例随机分配至对照组或治疗组。对照组采用常规治疗;治疗组在常规治疗基础上,加用美托洛尔缓释片并逐步滴定至目标剂量,之后按目标剂量维持治疗26 w,每4周随访1次。观察两组治疗前后心功能、6 min步行试验、心脏彩超指标的变化,并记录随访期间心力衰竭相关不良事件发生情况。同时根据美托洛尔缓释片的目标剂量将治疗组进一步分为低剂量组和高剂量组,比较上述指标在两亚组的变化并评估β受体阻滞剂的量效关系。结果 (1)试验期间静息心率(HR)控制水平,治疗组为(58.3±5.8)次/min,对照组为(81.7±8.6)次/min,二者差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。在治疗组中,低剂量组美托洛尔缓释片使用的平均剂量为74.8 mg,高剂量组为142.5 mg。试验期间药物的耐受性为87%。(2)治疗组治疗后的心功能、6 min步行距离、左室射血分数(LVEF)较对照组明显升高、左室收缩末期内径(LVESD)较对照组明显下降(均P0.05)。(3)与本组治疗前比较,高剂量组和低剂量组心功能分级和6 min步行距离明显上升,LVEF明显增加,LVESD、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)明显下降(均P0.05)。高剂量组心功能分级、LVEF、6 min步行距离较低剂量组明显提高,LVESD较对照组明显下降(均P0.05)。(4)随访期间,治疗组死亡和因心力衰竭加重需住院事件的发生率明显低于对照组(4.4%vs 11.1%、8.3%vs 15.6%,均P0.05)。高剂量组和低剂量组在死亡和因心力衰竭加重需住院事件的发生率相比较差异无统计学意义(4.3%vs 4.7%、7.8%vs 9.3%,均P0.05)。结论目标剂量美托洛尔缓释片可改善慢性心力衰竭患者的临床症状及心室功能,降低住院率及死亡率。目标剂量美托洛尔缓释片改善慢性心力衰竭的临床预后与其剂量无关,而与HR降低的水平有关。     

不同剂量阿托伐他汀治疗冠心病慢性心力衰竭疗效分析

目的观察不同剂量阿托伐他汀治疗冠心病慢性心力衰竭的疗效与安全性。方法将128例冠心病心力衰竭患者随机分为对照组和观察组各64例,分别在常规治疗的基础上加用阿托伐他汀20、40mg,1次／晚,共治疗8周。测定两组治疗前后左室收缩末期内径（LVESD）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左室射血分数（LVEF）、血浆超敏C反应蛋白（hs—CRP）、N末端脑钠肽前体（NT—proBNP）和6min步行距离。结果两组治疗后LVEDD、LVSDD均较治疗前明显减小,观察组LVEDD、LVSDD减小更明显（P均〈0．05）;两组LVEF均明显升高,观察组升高更明显（P〈0．05）。两组治疗后血浆hs—CRP、NT—proBNP均明显降低,且观察组降低更明显（P均〈0．05）;治疗后两组6min步行距离均明显延长,观察组延长更明显（P〈0．05）。两组均无严重不良反应。结论双倍剂量阿托伐他汀治疗冠心病慢性心力衰竭效果优于单倍剂量。     

依那普利联合美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭的疗效分析

目的分析依那普利联合美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭的疗效。方法选取2010年11月~2012年8月我院收治的慢性心力衰竭患者50例,将患者随机分为观察组和对照组,各25例,对照组采用依那普利治疗,观察组采用依那普利联合美托洛尔治疗,治疗后,比较两组患者的左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左室收缩末期内径(LVESD)指标变化。结果治疗后,观察组患者的LVEF、LVEDD、LVESD指标显著优于对照组(P0.05)。结论慢性心力衰竭患者采用依那普利联合美托洛尔治疗,能有效改善患者LVEF、LVEDD、LVESD指标,值得临床推广及运用。     

靶剂量美托洛尔治疗合并糖尿病的慢性心衰患者的临床分析

目的分析靶剂量美托洛尔治疗合并糖尿病的慢性心衰患者的临床疗效。方法选取从2014年3月—2016年3月收治合并糖尿病的慢性心力衰竭患者70例,随机分为对照组(35例)与治疗组(35例),对照组采取常规治疗,治疗组加用美托洛尔,对比两组临床疗效。结果治疗前,两组LVEF、LVESD、LVEDD、6 min步行距离、心功能差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组LVEF、LVESD、LVEDD、6 min步行距离、心功能改善优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗组心脏事件发生率为5.71%,对照组为22.86%,治疗组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组血糖、血脂、肝肾功能变化不明显。结论采用美托洛尔治疗合并糖尿病的慢性心力衰竭患者,可改善心功能、改善预后,不影响血糖水平,具有临床应用价值。     

稳心颗粒联合美托洛尔对老年慢性心力衰竭患者脑钠肽及心功能的影响

目的观察稳心颗粒联合美托洛尔对老年慢性心力衰竭患者脑钠肽(BNP)及心功能的影响。方法将114例老年慢性心力衰竭患者分为2组,对照组(57例)接受常规治疗(包括美托洛尔),治疗组(57例)在常规治疗的基础上联合稳心颗粒治疗。分别测定治疗前后左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD),左室射血分数(LVEF)及BNP水平。结果 (1)2组经过4周治疗后,BNP、心率及LVEDD均明显下降,LVEF明显增加(P均0.05);(2)治疗后,治疗组BNP水平及LVEDD均明显低于对照组,而LVEF高于对照组(P均0.05)。结论稳心颗粒联合美托洛尔可明显改善老年慢性心力衰竭患者心功能,疗效可靠,安全性好。     

Control of intraabdominal hemorrhage and shock: a comparison of fluid resuscitation, MAST, and balloon occlusion

Our study examined the efficacy of four treatment modalities in controlling hemorrhage and achieving hemodynamic stabilization in hemorrhagic shock: intravenous fluid replacement (IV); military antishock trousers used concomitantly with fluids (MAST); balloon occlusion at the level of the diaphragm with concomitant fluid replacement (balloon); and a combination of MAST inflation, balloon occlusion, and fluid resuscitation (MAST and balloon). Twenty-eight mongrel dogs were anesthetized, and the spleen was exposed and completely crushed. The abdomen was closed, and treatment was initiated and continued for four hours or until the dog died. For all conditions the hematocrit dropped during the course of the experiment; balloon occlusion was effective at slowing this drop (P less than .0001), but MAST had no statistically significant effect. Animals with balloons bled more slowly into the abdominal cavity than did animals in the other two groups (P less than .0001). MAST also were effective at slowing the bleeding (P less than .05). Of the balloon and the MAST and balloon dogs, all except one survived the entire four hours; this difference between balloon and nonballoon dogs is significant (P = .002). MAST did not have a statistically significant effect on survival. Perfusion pressure (PP) declined during the course of the experiment, and the balloon was effective at slowing this decline (P less than .0001); none of the other comparisons was statistically significant.     

陕西省新型结核病防治管理模式实施前后能力建设与诊治效果分析

目的 分析陕西省新型结核病防治管理模式实施前后结核病防治能力建设及诊治效果,为进一步完善我省结核病防控政策和措施提供参考。方法 本研究采用描述性研究,对全省10个地级市、108个县(区)结核病防治能力建设情况,以及患者发现、治疗管理等指标变化情况进行对比分析。能力建设情况以2014年和2017年数据作对比,分别来源于《陕西省“十二五”结核病防治规划》评估和2017年全省结核病防治工作联合大检查。患者发现、治疗管理指标来源于《结核病信息管理系统》,以实施前3年(2012—2014年)与实施后3年(2015—2017年)的数据作对比。运用SPSS 19.0处理数据,率和构成比的比较采用χ ²检验,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果 2014年和2017年全省设有结核病定点医院的数量分别为20家和107家,2017年较2014年增加了87家。2014年全省共有结核病防治人员923名,其中疾病预防控制中心(CDC)656名,定点医院267名。2017年全省共有结核病防治人员1200名,其中CDC 403名,定点医院797名;与2014年相比,CDC人员减少了38.57%,定点医院人员增加了198.50%。2014年全省有3个地级市开展了分子生物学耐药检测,5.56%(6/108)的县(区)开展了分子生物学检测,12.04%(13/108)的县(区)开展了痰培养。2017年全省有8个地级市开展了分子生物学耐药检测,49.07%(53/108)的县(区)开展了分子生物学检测,55.56%(60/108)的县(区)开展了痰培养。新型防治模式实施前3年全省初诊查痰率为98.50%(329981/335014),发现肺结核患者63892例(其中结核性胸膜炎患者4089例),发现病原学阳性患者14087例,病原学阳性率为23.56%(14087/59803)。实施后3年全省初诊查痰率为95.00%(312503/328948),发现肺结核患者61583例(其中结核性胸膜炎5295例),病原学阳性患者10588例,病原学阳性率为18.81%(10588/56288)。新型防治模式实施前后初诊查痰率降低(χ ²=6484.178,P=0.000),病原学阳性率降低(χ ²=390.104,P=0.000)。实施前3年因症就诊发现肺结核患者占29.43%(18805/63892),转诊发现患者占43.90%(28047/63892)。实施后3年因症就诊发现肺结核患者占25.38%(15628/61583),转诊发现患者占57.79%(35586/61583)。转型后因症就诊发现患者的构成比下降(χ ²=259.002,P=0.000),转诊发现患者的构成比上升(χ ²=2419.762,P=0.000)。新模式实施前后3年非结核病防治机构报告患者总体到位率分别为93.18%(62177/66726)和89.96%(61323/68169),实施后总体到位率下降(χ ²=453.550,P=0.000)。新模式实施前后患者治疗成功率分别为95.04%(60464/63619)和94.97%(57872/60939),实施前后比较差异无统计学意义(χ ²=0.356,P=0.551)。 结论 我省新型结核病防治管理模式推进顺利,防治能力加强,但部分患者诊治及管理指标有所下滑,实施质量仍需提升。     

Comparison of pediatric and adult antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD) and Clostridum difficile infections(CDI) have been well studied for adult cases, but not as well in the pediatric population. Whether the disease process or response to treatments differs between pediatric and adult patients is an important clinical concern when following global guidelines based largely on adult patients. A systematic review of the literature using databases Pub Med(June 3, 1978-2015) was conducted to compare AAD and CDI in pediatric and adult populations and determine significant differences and similarities that might impact clinical decisions. In general, pediatric AAD and CDI have a more rapid onset of symptoms, a shorter duration of disease and fewer CDI complications(required surgeries and extended hospitalizations) than in adults. Children experience more community-associated CDI and are associated with smaller outbreaks than adult cases of CDI. The ribotype NAP1/027/BI is more common in adults than children. Children and adults share some similar risk factors, but adults have more complex risk factor profiles associated with more co-morbidities, types of disruptive factors and a wider range of exposures to C. difficile in the healthcare environment. The treatment of pediatric and adult AAD is similar(discontinuing or switching the inciting antibiotic), but other treatment strategies for AAD have not been established. Pediatric CDI responds better to metronidazole, while adult CDI responds better to vancomycin. Recurrent CDI is not commonly reported for children. Prevention for both pediatric and adult AAD and CDI relies upon integrated infection control programs, antibiotic stewardship and may include the use of adjunctive probiotics. Clinical presentation of pediatric AAD and CDI are different than adult AAD and CDI symptoms. These differences should be taken into account when rating severity of disease and prescribing antibiotics.     

Role of microRNA in regulation of myeloma-related angiogenesis and survival

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease caused by clonal proliferation of plasma cells that result in monoclonal gammopathy and severe end organ damage. Despite the uniform clinical signs, the disease is very diverse in terms of the nature and sequence of the underlying molecular events. Multiple cellular processes are involved in helping the malignant cells to remain viable and maintain proliferative properties in the hypoxic microenvironment of the bone marrow. Specifically, the process of angiogenesis, triggered by the interactions between the malignant MM cells and the stroma cells around them, was found to be critical for MM progression. In this review we highlight the current understanding about the epigenetic regulation of the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells and its dependency on angiogenesis in the bone marrow that is carried out by different microRNAs.     

Efficacy and safety of donepezil,galantamine, and rivastigmine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pharmacologic treatments for Alzheimer’s disease include the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine. We reviewed their evidence by searching MEDLINE^®, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from 1980 through 2007 (July) for placebo-controlled and comparative trials assessing cognition, function, behavior, global change, and safety. Thirty-three articles on 26 studies were included in the review. Meta-analyses of placebo-controlled data support the drugs’ modest overall benefits for stabilizing or slowing decline in cognition, function, behavior, and clinical global change. Three open-label trials and one double-blind randomized trial directly compared donepezil with galantamine and rivastigmine. Results are conflicting; two studies suggest no differences in efficacy between compared drugs, while one study found donepezil to be more efficacious than galantamine, and one study found rivastigmine to be more efficacious than donepezil. Adjusted indirect comparison of placebo-controlled data did not find statistically significant differences among drugs with regard to cognition, but found the relative risk of global response to be better with donepezil and rivastigmine compared with galantamine (relative risk = 1.63 and 1.42, respectively). Indirect comparisons also favored donepezil over galantamine with regard to behavior. Across trials, the incidence of adverse events was generally lowest for donepezil and highest for rivastigmine.     

Comparison of intravenous and oral routes of theophylline loading in acute asthma

In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 19 patients with an acute exacerbation of asthma were given a loading dose of aminophylline by the IV (n = 10) or oral route (n = 9) of administration following treatment with epinephrine. Plasma concentrations of theophylline were measured prior to giving the loading dose, and one, two, three, and 24 to 48 hours later. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated by analyzing spirometric measurements prior to giving the loading dose, and one, three, and 24 to 48 hours later. Side effects also were recorded. In the IV group, the mean peak plasma theophylline concentration was 15.1 micrograms/mL one hour after loading, and in the oral group the mean peak serum theophylline concentration was 14.2 micrograms/mL three hours after loading. There was no correlation between theophylline concentrations and normalized change in spirometric values. There was no significant difference in spirometric values between the IV and oral groups. Nausea was slightly more common in the IV group. We conclude that there is no therapeutic advantage to giving a loading dose of aminophylline by the IV route rather than orally in patients with mild-to-moderate exacerbation of asthma initially treated with epinephrine.     

Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Challenges and Uncertainties

Over the past two decades, several advances have been made in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from both evaluative and therapeutic perspectives. This review discusses the medical advancements that have recently been made as the standard of care for managing patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn''s Disease (CD) and to identify the challenges associated with implementing their use in clinical practice. A comprehensive literature search of the major databases (PubMed and Embase) was conducted for all recent scientific papers (1990–2013) giving the recent updates on the management of IBD and the data were extracted. The reported advancements in managing IBD range from diagnostic and evaluative tools, such as genetic tests, biochemical surrogate markers of activity, endoscopic techniques, and radiological modalities, to therapeutic advances, which encompass medical, endoscopic, and surgical interventions. There are limited studies addressing the cost-effectiveness and the impact that these advances have had on medical practice. The majority of the advances developed for managing IBD, while considered instrumental by some IBD experts in improving patient care, have questionable applications due to constraints of cost, lack of availability, and most importantly, insufficient evidence that supports their role in improving important long-term health-related outcomes.     

A comparison of stapled and handsewn anastomoses in patients undergoing resection for Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer

This study was to assess the effect of stapled colorectal anastomoses on local recurrence, disease-free survival, and survival following curative resection for Dukes' B and C adenocarcinoma. Data were derived from two randomized prospective trials of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project designed to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer. Of 1111 patients with colonic anastomoses, 255 were stapled mechanically. There were no significant differences in disease-free survival, survival, or local tumor recurrence among patients subjected to stapled or handsewn anastomoses. Of the 181 patients undergoing anterior resection for rectal cancer, 82 anastomoses were fashioned with staples. No significant disadvantage in disease-free survival, survival, or local recurrence could be attributed to use of the mechanical stapling devices. Twelve percent of patients undergoing stapled rectal anastomoses developed a local recurrence as a first sign of treatment failure compared with 19 percent for the handsewn group. No significant differences in the length of distal margins were detectable. The average time on study was 41 months. The use of stapled anastomoses for carcinoma of the colon or rectum is not associated with an adverse effect on long-term outcome. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, May 5 to 10, 1985. Supported by USPHS NIH-U10-34212 and an American Cancer Society Grant RC-13.     

Physiological and pathological role of local and immigrating colonic stem cells

The latest avenue of research is revealing the existence of and role for the colonic stem cells in the physiological renewal of the mucosa and in pathological circumstances where they have both positive and negative effects. In the case of human colon, different levels of stem cell compartments exist. First, the crypt epithelial stem cells, which have a role in the normal crypt epithelial cell dynamics and in colorectal carcinogenesis. Close to the crypts, the second layer of stem cells can be found; the local subepithelial stem cell niche, including the pericryptic subepithelial myofibroblasts that regulate the epithelial cell differentiation and have a crucial role in cancer progression and chronic inflammation-related fibrosis. The third level of stem cell compartment is the immigrating bone-marrow-derived stem cells, which have an important role in wound healing after severe mucosal inflammation, but are also involved in cancer invasion. This paper focuses on stem cell biology in the context of physiological and pathological processes in the human colon.     

Antiviral Activity of 4'-thioIDU and Thymidine Analogs against Orthopoxviruses

The search for effective therapies for orthopoxvirus infections has identified diverse classes of molecules with antiviral activity. Pyrimidine analogs, such as 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (idoxuridine, IDU) were among the first compounds identified with antiviral activity against a number of orthopoxviruses and have been reported to be active both in vitro and in animal models of infection. More recently, additional analogs have been reported to have improved antiviral activity against orthopoxviruses including several derivatives of deoxyuridine with large substituents in the 5 position, as well as analogs with modifications in the deoxyribose moiety including (north)-methanocarbathymidine, and 5-iodo-4'-thio-2'-deoxyuridine (4'-thioIDU). The latter molecule has proven to have good antiviral activity against the orthopoxviruses both in vitro and in vivo and has the potential to be an effective therapy in humans.