Stability of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and leuprolide acetate in in-situ forming drug delivery systems.

In-situ forming drug delivery systems are prepared by dissolving a drug and a biodegradable polymer (poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), PLGA) in a biocompatible organic solvent (In-situ implant, ISI) or further emulsified into an external phase (oil or aqueous solution), resulting in oil-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions (In-situ forming microparticles, ISM). The chemical stability of PLGA and the drug is a major concern. In this study, the stability of PLGA and leuprolide acetate in the in-situ forming systems and lyophilized sponges was investigated. The degradation of PLGA increased with increasing storage temperature and water content in the biocompatible solvents. A faster degradation occurred in polar protic solvents (2-pyrrolidone, PEG 400, triethyl citrate) than in polar aprotic solvents (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, DMSO, triacetin, ethyl acetate). The presence of leuprolide acetate significantly accelerated PLGA degradation, especially in solution state. PLGA was stable in oily suspensions at 4 degrees C and degraded only slightly faster than solid powder at 25 degrees C. No interaction between the oils and the PLGA was observed as indicated by an unchanged T(g) of approx. 47 degrees C. PLGA underwent a slight degradation at 4 degrees C after 150 days in water and saturated sodium chloride solution. The degradation was slower in saturated sodium chloride solution than in water at 25 degrees C. Residual acetic acid in lyophilized sponges facilitated the PLGA degradation in contrast to dioxane. Leuprolide acetate did not affect the PLGA stability negatively. However, lidocaine significantly enhanced the polymer degradation in the sponges. Finally, leuprolide acetate was chemically stable in the sponges, the oils and the polymer solutions in suspension state, but unstable (aggregation) when dissolved in the polymer solutions and stored at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C.     

Localization of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow using new stimulator for the inching test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the TenElectrodes, a new stimulator for inching test, in the diagnosis and localization of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). METHODS: Sixty-two ulnar nerves in 40 control subjects and 24 ulnar nerves in 23 patients with typical symptoms and signs of UNE were studied. The inching test of ulnar motor nerve using TenElectrodes was done along 8 cm across the elbow in the extended position. RESULTS: In the inching test of the control group, the mean segmental latency difference was 0.19+/-0.08 ms. Maximal latency difference over a 1 cm segment did not exceed 0.40 ms in any of the controls but exceeded 0.5 ms or more in all clinical UNE patients. In all UNE patients, the lesion sites were identified by the inching test using TenElectrodes: the retroepicondylar groove (54.2%), the humeroulnar arcade (29.2%), and dual compression (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: TenElectrodes is a useful stimulator for the inching test in the diagnosis of UNE. The precise localization of compression was possible in all patients with UNE and the most common site was the retroepicondylar groove.     

后腹腔镜手术切除肾上腺节细胞神经瘤疗效观察

目的 :探讨后腹腔镜微创手术治疗肾上腺节细胞神经瘤的适应证和可行性。方法 :采用后腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺节细胞神经瘤患者 5例 ,其中左侧肾上腺节细胞神经瘤 2例 ,右侧 3例。结果 :5例后腹腔镜手术全部获得成功 ,4例肾上腺肿瘤为单发 ,1例为多发 (4个肿瘤 ) ;肿瘤最大直径 2 .5～ 8.0 (4 .2± 1.8)cm ;手术时间35～ 10 5 (5 9± 2 7)min ,估计出血量 10～ 30 (19± 7)ml,术后镇痛剂吗啡用量 0～ 2 0 (8± 8)mg ,2例未用镇痛剂 ;排气、恢复进食时间 1～ 3(1.4± 0 .5 )d ;术后住院时间 4～ 7(5 .4± 1.5 )d。无围手术期并发症发生。结论 :后腹腔镜手术切除肾上腺节细胞神经瘤是安全可行的 ,能充分体现腹腔镜手术创伤小、恢复快的优点。肾上腺节细胞神经瘤是腹腔镜手术很好的适应证。     

特素联合卡铂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌28例临床研究

目的 评价特素（紫杉醇注射液）联合卡铂（伯尔定）方案治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）的疗效和不良反应.方法 收集我院2004年3月～2006年12月收治的Ⅲb～Ⅳ期的NSCLC患者28例,进行特素（紫杉醇注射液）联合卡铂（伯尔定）化疗.全部患者均有可测量的指标.给药方法：特素135～175mg/m2d1＋卡铂5mg·ml^-1·min^-1d2,静脉注射,28天为一周期.结果 全组总有效率50.0%,Ⅲb期有效率62.5%,Ⅳ期有效率45.0%.化疗副反应主要是骨髓抑制及消化道反应,其中Ⅲ～Ⅳ度分别为24.0%、10.7%.结论 特素联合卡铂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌治疗有效,耐受性良好.     

推进继承创新,发挥特色优势,坚定不移地发展中医药事业——吴仪副总理在全国中医药工作会议上的讲话节选

2007年1月11日,中共中央政治局委员、国务院副总理吴仪在全国中医药工作会议上发表了重要讲话,该讲话从4个方面进行了论述,节选如下。     

Antiproliferative Activity Against MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cells by Diamino‐Triazaspirodiene Antifolates

Two triazaspirodienes, having similar phenoxy propyloxy side chain, were identified as potent mammalian dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors; one having a 6,5‐spiro bicyclic ring system (IC₅₀ = 2.3 nm ) and the other a 6,6‐spiro bicyclic system (IC₅₀ = 6.9 nm ). They also showed more than 50% antiproliferative activity against the MCF‐7 breast cancer cells at 20 μm . This study demonstrated the potential lead of the diamino‐triazaspirodienes in anticancer chemotherapeutical agents’ discovery.     

A systematic review of resident‐as‐teacher programmes

Context Residents in all disciplines serve as clinical teachers for medical students. Since the 1970s, there has been increasing evidence to demonstrate that residents wish to teach and that they respond positively to formal teacher training. Effective resident‐as‐teacher (RaT) programmes have resulted in improved resident teaching skills. Current evidence, however, is not clear about the specific features of an effective RaT programme. Objectives This study was performed in order to investigate the effectiveness of RaT programmes on resident teaching abilities and to identify the features that ensure success. Methods of assessment used to ascertain the effectiveness of RaT programmes are also explored. Methods The literature search covered the period between 1971 and 2008. Articles focusing on improving resident teaching skills were included. Each study was reviewed by two reviewers and data were collected using a standard abstraction summary sheet. Study outcomes were graded according to a modified Kirkpatrick's model of educational outcomes. Results Twenty‐nine studies met review inclusion criteria. Interventions included workshops, seminars, lectures and teaching retreats. Twenty‐six studies used a pre‐ and post‐intervention outcome comparison method. Subjective outcome measures included resident self‐evaluation of teaching skills or evaluation by medical students, peers and faculty members. Objective outcome measures included written tests, evaluation of teaching performance by independent raters and utilisation of objective structured teaching examinations. One study objectively measured learning outcomes at the level of medical students, utilising the results of an objective structured clinical examination. Overall resident satisfaction with RaT programmes was high. Participants reported positive changes in attitudes towards teaching. Participant knowledge of educational principles improved. Study methodologies allowed for significant risks of bias. Conclusions More rigorous study designs and the use of objective outcome measures are needed to ascertain the true effectiveness of RaT programmes. Future research should focus on determining the impact of RaT programmes on learning achievement at the level of medical students.     

电脑比配色仪与比色板之间的相近性分析

目的：通过对比色记录的分析，比较Vita比色板、松风Vintage Halo比色板和电脑比配色仪之间的相近性和差异性。方法：随机抽取100名年龄在21～24岁的本地在校大学生，由男女两位测试者使用电脑比配色仪、Vita比色板和松风Vintage Halo比色板对被测试者的左上中切牙进行比色分析。结果：三种比色方法均以A色调最为集中，占总数的55％以上。其次是D色调占总数20％以上。男女测试者的选色在A、R、VR．系列中无明显差异。结论：电脑比配色仪、Vita比色板、松风Vintage Halo比色板均不能完全覆盖本地区青年天然中切牙的色度特征，只在A色调系列中重复率较高。     

Serum IgA and IgG functional antibodies and their subclasses to Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular antigen found in two aged‐matched cohorts of children with and without otitis media with effusion

Serum IgA and IgG functional antibodies and their subclasses to Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular antigen found in two aged‐matched cohorts of children with and without otitis media with effusion The relationship between acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion (OME) is uncertain and the aetiology of OME is multifactorial. Otitis media with effusion may be an inflammatory condition; both bacteria and viral infections could play a part in this inflammation. The four bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus aureus and Branhamella catarrhalis cause 60% of the infections whereas S. pneumoniae accounts for up to 35%. IgA provides the dominant surface response to polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide antigens, of which IgA₂ is the main subclass. Once the mucosa has been breached, most protection is provided by IgG. IgG₂ acts mainly against bacterial capsular antigens. This study looked at two groups of 50 children with and without OME who were aged between 3 and 10 years. The aims were to determine if, firstly, the levels of the serum immunoglobulins were different in the two groups, secondly whether these children made the appropriate antibody response to the capsular antigen to S. pneumoniae (PCP), and finally if there was a delay in the maturity of the IgA response. The total IgG, IgA and all subclass levels were measured using radial immunodiffusion. Levels of functional IgA and IgG were measured using ELISAs (25 patients in each group). The results were analysed with non‐parametric tests. The immunoglobulin levels were within the normal levels for both groups. There were very good correlations between the IgG total anti‐PCP and the IgG₂ anti‐PCP (R > 0.9, p = 0.001). There was a good correlation between the levels of both IgG total and IgG₂ anti‐PCP against IgA total anti‐PCP in both groups (R > 0.85, p > 0.01). This confirms a normal antibody response between both groups of patients. The ages of the controls and patients (50 samples) were correlated with increasing titres of circulating functional antibodies (P = 0.001). This is highly suggestive of a normal age‐related response. In conclusion, the findings were contradictory to our original hypothesis that there is a subtle difference in surface protection between children with and without OME. We believe that a previous history of recurrent acute otitis media is unrelated to the development of OME after 3 years of age.