Distribution, elimination, and action of d-tubocurarine in neonates, infants, children, and adults

The relation of plasma concentration of d-tubocurarine (dTc) to neuromuscular blockade, and the distribution and urinary excretion of dTc was determined in neonates (n = 4), infants (n = 6), children (n = 8), and adults (n = 8). The plasma concentration-time course curves to 24 hr are best described for all groups by three-compartment models. Both neonates and infants exhibit decreased plasma clearance (CLP), 1.1 +/- 0.08 and 1.0 +/- 0.06 ml X kg-1 X min-1, and in addition a prolonged t1/2 terminal phase, 311 +/- 44 and 306 +/- 35 (mean +/- SEM, min). The neonates' 24-hr urinary excretion, 27 +/- 2 (mean +/- SEM, % total dose) is significantly less than the adult value, 45 +/- 4% total dose. There was no significant difference seen in the log plasma concentration-evoked compound electromyogram (ECEMG) response between 20-80% paralysis for adults, children, infants, and five of the seven neonates studied. Two of the neonates had a significant shift of their log concentration-response curve to the right. There was also no significant difference between any of the groups in the time for 50% return of ECEMG stimulus height or the time required for recovery of the ECEMG from 25 to 75% of control value. for recovery of the ECEMG from 25 to 75% of control value.     

Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclosporine, and Risk of Fracture

We studied the fracture risk associated with use of methotrexate, azathioprine, and cyclosporine. The study was designed as a case-control study. All patients with a fracture (n = 124,655) in the year 2000 in Denmark served as cases. Information on fractures and confounders was retrieved from the National Hospital Discharge Register and a number of other national registers. For each case, three age- and gender-matched controls were randomly drawn from the general population (n = 373,962). Exposure was use of the drugs and a number of covariates including other immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, any cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, liver and kidney disease, prior fracture, and alcoholism. Azathioprine was associated with an increase in overall fracture risk, but besides this, none of the drugs was significantly associated with overall fracture risk or risk of hip, spine, or forearm fracture. Liver [odds ratio (OR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42–1.69] and kidney (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.16–1.37) diseases were significantly associated with increased risk of fractures. Azathioprine was associated with an increase in overall fracture risk but not in the risk of spine, hip, or forearm fractures. Methotrexate and cyclosporine were not associated with fracture risk. It thus seems that the underlying disease for which the treatment is administered may be responsible for much of the increase in fracture risk rather than the drugs used to treat the disorder in question.     

Overview: Epidemiology,indications, goals,extent, and nature of work-up

Each year in the United States, it is estimated that there will be 42,000 new cases of rectal cancer and 8,500 deaths^.1,2 Some patients present with an incurable rectal cancer but more often death follows development of recurrent rectal cancer after failed curative-intent therapy. Knowledge of the natural history of rectal cancer and limitations of treatment options coupled with sound clinical judgment and compassion are essential prerequisites for the clinician providing palliative care.     

跳跃式颈前路椎间盘切除植骨融合术治疗多节段颈椎病的疗效分析

目的 :评估跳跃式颈前路椎间盘切除植骨融合手术治疗节段跳跃式的颈椎间盘突出所致颈椎病的近期临床疗效及影像学变化。方法:回顾性分析我院2010年3月~2015年12月因跳跃式椎间盘突出导致颈椎病行跳跃式颈前路椎间盘切除植骨融合(ACDF)手术患者(A组),男性14例,女性4例,年龄37~67岁,平均52.2±10.1岁。取同期行连续ACDF手术的20例患者作为对照(B组),男性16例,女性4例,年龄40~68岁,平均51.6±9.5岁。比较两组患者手术时间、出血量、并发症、术前、术后3个月及末次随访的JOA评分、C2-C7整体活动度(ROM)、C2-C7矢状位垂直轴距离(SVA)、T1倾斜角(T1 slope)、植骨融合率、邻近椎间盘退变情况等结果。结果:所有38例患者术后均获随访,随访中位数时间为12个月(6~36个月),两组间无统计学差异(P0.05)。A组患者手术时间(71.7±9.2min)、手术出血量(17.8±7.3ml)均显著小于B组(111.5±36.1min、47.0±19.1ml,P0.05)。两组患者术后1周、术后3个月及末次随访时JOA评分均较术前有显著改善(P0.05),各时间点两组间JOA评分比较均无显著差异。末次随访时两组患者JOA评分改善优良率分别为94.4%与97.2%。A组患者的C2-C7 ROM从术前的50.0°±7.1°显著下降到术后3个月的38.0°±6.1°和末次随访时的44.3°±5.7°(P0.05),B组患者的C2-C7 ROM从术前的51.8°±10.6°显著下降到术后3个月的38.0°±9.4°和末次随访时的43.9°±10.5°(P0.05),两组之间比较差异无统计学意义。A组患者术后3个月C2-C7 SVA(26.8±2.0mm)相比术前(24.2±2.0mm)有显著升高(P0.05),而末次随访时C2-C7 SVA(24.5±2.2mm)与术前相比差异无统计学意义。B组患者的C2-C7 SVA从术前的23.8±1.4mm明显升高到术后3个月的26.5±1.8mm和末次随访时的24.3±1.5mm (P0.05)。两组之间C2-C7 SVA比较差异无统计学意义。A组患者的T1 slope从术前的28.1°±3.2°明显升高到术后3个月的31.4°±3.0°和末次随访时的30.0°±3.1°(P0.05),B组患者的T1 slope从术前的28.3°±2.1°明显升高到术后3个月的31.6°±2.3°和末次随访时的30.3°±2.1°(P0.05)。两组之间T1 slope比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。末次随访时,A组邻近节段椎间盘退变加重率为16.7%(6/36),保留节段椎间盘退变加重率为14.3%(3/21),B组邻近节段椎间盘退变加重率为20.0%(8/40),均未出现相关临床症状。两组间无统计学差异。结论:跳跃式ACDF术式的近期临床疗效良好,与连续ACDF术式近期临床疗效及影像学变化基本一致。     

A comparison of the prognostic significance of tumor diameter, length, width, thickness, area, volume, and clinicopathological features of oral tongue carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The present study aims at evaluation of the prognostic value of tumor size including diameter, length, thickness, width, area, and volume in the prediction of nodal metastasis, local recurrence, and survival of oral tongue carcinoma. The results will have important implications for the management of patients. METHODS: Eighty-five glossectomy specimens of oral tongue carcinoma were serially sectioned in 3 mm thickness for the tumor size evaluation with computer image analyzer. RESULTS: Among all the tumor size parameters being evaluated, tumor thickness was the only significant factor for the prediction of local recurrence, nodal metastasis, and survival. With the use of 3 mm and 9 mm division, tumor of up to 3 mm thickness has 10% nodal metastasis, 0% local recurrence, and 100% 5-year actuarial disease-free survival; tumor thickness of more than 3 mm and up to 9 mm has 50% nodal metastasis, 11% local recurrence, and 77% 5-year actuarial disease free survival; tumor of more than 9 mm has 65% nodal metastasis, 26% local recurrence, and 60% 5-year actuarial disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor thickness should be considered in the management of patients with oral tongue carcinoma.