Breast cancer in women who have taken contraceptive steroids

The prognosis and clinical and pathological findings in 93 patients with breast cancer who had taken contraceptive steroids before diagnosis (study group) were compared with those in 93 control patients, also with breast cancer, matched for age and parity. The tumours in the women in the study group were found to have more favourable clinical and histological features than those in the control group. When only patients who had been treated by radical mastectomy were considered, those who had taken contraceptive steroids survived significantly longer even when differences in nodal state were taken into account. Significantly more patients in the study group had a family history of breast cancer. No evidence was found that taken oral contraceptive steroids had any harmful effect on tumour growth and spread, except possibly in patients with a close family history of breast cancer.     

Declaration of Venice on terminal illness

The 27 October 1983 session of the World Medical Association (WMA) in Venice approved a declaration on the physician's obligations to the terminally ill. Reprinted here are the paragraphs concerning the circumstances under which treatment may be withheld and under which artificial means may be used to keep organs active for transplantation.     

男男性接触者社会心理特征

目的 了解男男性接触者社会心理特征,为开展HIV/STDs预防干预活动提供依据。方法以同性恋酒吧为研究现场,以酒吧中男男性接触者为对象进行问卷调查,调查内容包括社会人口特征,焦虑和抑郁症状及性行为方式。结果 调查对象平均年龄为 26. 14岁,文化程度普遍较高; 85. 1%的人居住在本市,MSM家庭和社会支持度低,焦虑、抑郁心理症状检出率分别为 45. 5%和 57. 5%;MSM中多性伴现象普遍,安全套使用率较低;HIV和STDs感染报告率分别为 3. 4%和 10. 3%,自杀行为报告率为 16. 7%。结论 如何针对男男性接触者社会心理特征开展HIV/STDs干预活动应成为进一步研究的方向。     

男男性接触者社会心理特征

目的了解男男性接触者社会心理特征,为开展HIV/STDs预防干预活动提供依据.方法以同性恋酒吧为研究现场,以酒吧中男男性接触者为对象进行问卷调查,调查内容包括社会人口特征,焦虑和抑郁症状及性行为方式.结果调查对象平均年龄为26.14岁,文化程度普遍较高;85.1%的人居住在本市,MSM家庭和社会支持度低,焦虑、抑郁心理症状检出率分别为45.5%和57.5%;MSM中多性伴现象普遍,安全套使用率较低;HIV和STDs感染报告率分别为3.4%和10.3%,自杀行为报告率为16.7%.结论如何针对男男性接触者社会心理特征开展HIV/STDs干预活动应成为进一步研究的方向.     

Aluminium osteomalacia in chronic renal failure patients neither on dialysis nor taking aluminium containing phosphate binders

The incidence of aluminium osteomalacia (ALO) in patients with chronic renal failure neither on dialysis nor taking aluminium-containing phosphate binders (ACPB) is not well documented. Biochemical and histological bone investigations were performed in 35 patients fulfilling the above conditions, among whom we found an incidence of ALO of 17%. In the ALO group, salient findings were PTH level (mean ± s.d.) of 3.1±1.4 ng/ml (normal <0.5 ng/ml); elevated home tap-water aluminium levels of 6.5±1.2 umol/1 (normal <2 umol/1); and a GFR of 20.5 mls/min/ 1.73m, (range 2–50 mls/min/1.73m). We conclude that the aetiology of ALO in this group involves the absorption of toxic home water aluminium in the presence of an elevated PTH level and a GFR <50 mls/min/1.73m.     

The care of patients with severe chronic pain in terminal illness

The care of terminally ill patients with severe chronic pain should provide treatment that permits these patients to close their lives with dignity and purpose. Analgesics, both opioid and nonopioid, are available and when properly used can provide effective relief of pain for most terminally ill patients. It is incumbent on the physician and on all others who care for the dying patient with severe chronic pain to understand clearly the dynamics of the pain experience, the clinical pharmacology of analgesics, and the needs of the patient, family, and friends.