Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch vs. gastric bypass for severe obesity

Conclusion In the year 2003 there is no “one best bariatric operation” for every severely obese patient. The choice of operation must be tailored to each individual patient’s needs and wishes. For the superobese patient, the patient diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, and for those patients who do not wish to undergo the severe dietary restrictions imposed by the RNY-GB, the BPD-DS is a valuable surgical option.     

Dose-rate scaling factor estimation of THOR BNCT test beam.

In 1998, an epithermal neutron test beam was designed and constructed at the Tsing Hua Open-Pool Reactor (THOR) for the purpose of preliminary dosimetric experiments in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A new epithermal neutron beam was designed at this facility, and is currently under construction, with clinical trials targeted in late 2004. Depth dose-rate distributions for the THOR BNCT test beam have been measured by means of activation foil and dual ion chamber techniques. Neutron and structure-induced gamma spectra measured at the test beam exit were configured into a source function for the Monte Carlo-based treatment planning code NCTPlan. Dose-rate scaling factors (DRSFs) were determined to normalize computationally derived dose-rate distributions with experimental measurements in corresponding mathematical and physical phantoms, and to thus enable accurate treatment planning using the NCTPlan code. A similar approach will be implemented in characterizing the new THOR epithermal beam in preparation for clinical studies. This paper reports the in-phantom calculated and experimental dosimetry comparisons and derived DRSFs obtained with the THOR test beam.     

Advances in the treatment of depression in older adults

Depressive symptoms in older adults are common, but the minority of elderly meet criteria for major depressive disorder. This has led to confusion regarding the recognition of diagnosis, approach to treatment, and monitoring of outcomes in this needy population. Few depressed older adults are willing to seek treatment from psychiatrists or mental health specialists. Treatment approaches to the depressive spectrum of disorders in late life, which encompasses major and minor depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and mood disorders related to medical conditions, must include evidence-based algorithms that can be delivered in a variety of health care settings. Several recent multisite trials have advanced the use of collaborative care models and the systematic stepwise approach to the treatment of depression and anxiety states in older adults. This offers the ability to provide effective treatment of depression for older adults, consistent with current guidelines, in primary care and specialized health care settings.     

高原康胶囊对大批快速进入高原者血浆醛固酮、血管紧张素II及水负荷的影响及意义

目的 :了解高原康胶囊对快速进入高原者血浆醛固酮 (Aldosterone ,ALD)、血管紧张素II(AngiotensinII ,AII)及水负荷的影响及意义。方法 :将 80名由平原快速进入高原的新兵随机分为实验组 4 0名 ,对照组 4 0名 ,实验组于平原登机前开始给予口服高原康胶囊 ,连服 3日 ,对照组给予安慰剂 ,两组均于进入高原的前 1天及进入高原的第 3天午给予水负荷实验 ,并对饮水前血浆ALD、AII及饮水后 15 0min内各时间段的尿量及两组进入高原后 7天内急性高原病 (Acutehighal titudediseaes ,AHAD)的发病率进行对照比较。结果 :对照组进入高原后与平原相比血浆ALD、AII显著升高 ,水负荷实验 6 1min～ 15 0min各时间段的尿量及相应时间的总尿量与平原时相应各时间段的尿量及相应时间的总尿量相比则显著减少 (P <0 0 5～ 0 0 0 1) ,而实验组则无显著变化 (P >0 0 5 ) ;进入高原后实验组与对照组相比水负荷实验 6 1min～ 90min的尿量及 12 0min、15 0min的尿总量则显著多于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ;血浆ALD、AII及AHAD发病率则显著低于对照组 (P <0 0 5～ 0 0 0 1)。结论 :高原康胶囊能显著降低快速进入高原者的血浆ALD、AII ,通过对水负荷调节的影响减少机体的钠水潴留 ,从而防止快速进入高原者AHAD的发生 ,可用于大批快     

Comparison of Minimum Alveolar Concentration between Intravenous Isoflurane Lipid Emulsion and Inhaled Isoflurane in Dogs

Background: As in inhaled isoflurane anesthesia, when isoflurane lipid emulsion (ILE; 8%, vol/vol) is intravenously administered, the primary elimination route is through the lungs. This study was designed to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and the time course of washout of isoflurane for intravenously infused ILE by monitoring end-tidal isoflurane concentration.

Methods: Twelve healthy adult mongrel dogs were assigned randomly to an intravenous anesthesia group with 8% ILE or to an inhalation anesthesia group with isoflurane vapor. An up-and-down method and stimulation of tail clamping were used to determine MAC of 8% ILE by intravenous injection in the intravenous anesthesia group and MAC by the inhaled approach in the inhalation anesthesia group, respectively. Isoflurane concentration and partial pressure in end-tidal gas, femoral arterial blood, and jugular venous blood were measured simultaneously just before each tail clamping and during washout.

Results: The induction time in the intravenous anesthesia group (105 +/- 24 s) was shorter than that in the inhalation anesthesia group (378 +/- 102 s; P < 0.01). MAC of 8% ILE by intravenous injection (1.12 +/- 0.18%) was significantly less than MAC by the inhaled approach (1.38 +/- 0.16%; P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the time course of washout of isoflurane.