Monoamine oxidase-B activity in alcohol withdrawal of smokers: is there any relationship with aggressiveness?

There is a considerable inconsistency in terms of the association between alcoholism and alterations in monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in platelet MAO-B activity throughout the alcohol withdrawal period and whether or not MAO-B activity differed between patients with high- and low-aggression tendency. We assayed platelet MAO-B levels spectrophotometrically in 22 male inpatients with alcohol dependence in their first and fourth weeks of withdrawal and in 20 healthy controls. Patients were divided into two high- and low-aggression subgroups according to scores obtained in a Brown-Goodwin Assessment for Life History of Aggression. Our data revealed that the significantly lower platelet MAO-B activity observed during the first week of alcohol withdrawal in patients, compared to controls, did not continue in the fourth week, and that there was no relationship between aggressiveness and MAO activity. These results suggest that low platelet MAO activity may be a state marker of alcohol withdrawal period or a result of high alcohol consumption rather than a trait marker of alcoholism.     

Cardiac involvement in myositis

After careful examination, cardiac involvement can be found in certain patients with inflammatory muscle disease. The clinical significance is not always clear, although in some patients profound disturbances can become manifest. Currently, no laboratory assay can be relied on to detect cardiac disease with 100% accuracy. Cardiac troponin I is, however, the best test currently available.     

药理学课程引入小专论的教学实践探讨

文中介绍了将撰写小专论引入八年制医学生的药理学教学实践，井分析撰写小专论对转变教学观念、提高学生的学习兴趣、自主学习能力以及综合素质培养的作用。我系将小专论作为考核的一种重要形式纳入到整个教学过程，药理学课程总成绩中，期中和期末闭卷考试成绩占70％，小专论撰写成绩占30％，此考试形式的改革，提高了学生的成绩，学生反映这种综合成绩的评定更为客观、全面和均衡。     

Cetuximab and irinotecan interact synergistically to inhibit the growth of orthotopic anaplastic thyroid carcinoma xenografts in nude mice.

PURPOSE: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) remains one of the most lethal known human cancers. Targeted molecular therapy with cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor, offers new treatment potentials for patient with ATC. Cetuximab has also been reported to have synergistic effects when combined with irinotecan, a topoisomerase inhibitor. Therefore, we hypothesized that cetuximab and irinotecan would be effective in inhibiting the growth and progression of ATC in a murine orthotopic model. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The in vitro antiproliferative effects of cetuximab and irinotecan on ATC cell line ARO were examined. We also studied the in vivo effects of cetuximab and irinotecan on the growth, invasion, and metastasis of orthotopic ATC tumors in nude mice. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of cetuximab/irinotecan combination was also compared with that of doxorubicin. RESULTS: Cetuximab alone did not show any antiproliferative or proapoptotic effect on this cell line. However, when combined with irinotecan, cetuximab potentiated the in vitro antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect of irinotecan. Cetuximab, irinotecan, and cetuximab/irinotecan combination resulted in 77%, 79%, and 93% in vivo inhibition of tumor growth, respectively. Incidences of lymph node metastasis, laryngeal invasion, and tumor microvessel density were also significantly decreased in these treatment groups. Furthermore, the cetuximab/irinotecan combination was significantly more effective than doxorubicin in inhibiting the growth of orthotopic ATC xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with cetuximab/irinotecan inhibits the growth and progression of orthotopic ATC xenografts in nude mice. Given the lack of curative options for patients with ATC, combination therapy with cetuximab and irinotecan treatment warrants further study.     

Acute scrotal swelling: A sign of neonatal adrenal haemorrhage

Two neonates presented with acute scrotal swelling suggestive of testicular torsion. Surgical exploration in one patient revealed an infected haematoma. Subsequent investigations including ultrasonography and urinary catecholamine determination disclosed adrenal haemorrhage as the cause of the scrotal haematoma. A second patient in whom a purplish discolouration of the right hemiscrotum was noted was also investigated with ultrasonography, which revealed a normal right testis and a right adrenal haematoma. Both cases of adrenal haemorrhage resolved spontaneously on conservative treatment. Adrenal haemorrhage should be considered as a possible cause of acute scrotal swelling in neonates. Ultrasonography assessment should be performed in such cases to examine the intra-abdominal organs especially the adrenal glands.     

c-erbB-2 gene amplification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Amplification of the c-erbB-2 gene has been associated with poor prognosis in different types of cancer. However, there are no data on the c-erbB-2 expression levels in nasopharyngeal cancer. In this study, amplification of the gene has been investigated in the tumor tissue of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer by competitive polymerase chain reaction c-erbB-2 amplification was observed in 43.3% of the patients. The increase in the gene copy number correlated with the T stage. No correlation was found with lymph node involvement, histologic grade, differentiation, presence of metastases, or age and sex. We conclude that c-erbB-2 amplification may contribute to the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal cancer. Our report is the first study investigating the expression of the c-erbB-2 gene in nasopharyngeal cancer at the DNA level.     

Polyorchidism: a case report and review of the literature.

We report on a case of polyorchidism associated with left-sided inguinal hernia and hydrocele. Biopsies of both testes revealed normal histological pattern. After the hernia repair and hydrocelectomy both testes were left at their original places in the scrotum and fixed. Polyorchidism and its management are discussed briefly.     

Vertebral hemangioma presenting with intermittent claudication

Summary The case of a patient with vertebral hemangioma and unusual clinical presentation is reported, with an attempt to explain these unusual clinical complaints. Vertebral hemangioma is a common and often asymptomatic tumor. Neurologic symptoms may appear due to pressure on the neural tissue caused by extraosseous extension. The patient reported here presented with intermittent claudication. Conventional radiography CT, and MRI revealed vertebral hemangioma at T5 and extraosseous extension compressing the spinal cord. Gravity-related vascular dilatation may induce further compression of the spinal cord and, thus, is thought to be the underlying event in the induction of the intermittent clinical symptoms. The lesion was treated with subtotal corpectomy after embolization and fusion with a strut iliac crest graft. At the 9-month follow-up, the patient was without complaints. We conclude that a diagnosis of vertebral hemangioma should be considered in cases of intermittent neurologic symptoms of the lower extremities.