Prognostic factors for surgical resection in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Although surgical lung resection could improve prognosis in some patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), there are no reports on the optimal candidates for this surgery. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the prognostic factors for surgery in patients with MDR-TB. Patients who underwent lung resection for the treatment of MDR-TB between March 1993 and December 2004 were included in the present study. Treatment failure was defined as greater than or equal to two of the five cultures recorded in the final 12 months of treatment being positive, any one of the final three cultures being positive, or the patient having died during treatment. The variables that affected treatment outcomes were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. In total, 79 patients with MDR-TB were included in the present study. The treatment outcomes of 22 (27.8%) patients were classified as failure. A body mass index <18.5 kg x m(-2), primary resistance, resistance to ofloxacin and the presence of a cavitary lesion beyond the range of the surgical resection were associated with treatment failure. Low body mass index, primary resistance, resistance to ofloxacin and cavitary lesions beyond the range of resection are possible poor prognostic factors for surgical lung resection in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients.     

Peripheral Vascular Complication from Coronary Angiography: a Case Report of Cholesterol Embolization

A 65-year-old man developed acute limb ischemia, severe abdominal wall and lower limb livedo reticularis following a coronary angiogram. The differential diagnoses of acute limb ischemia and multiple cholesterol emboli syndrome (MCES) are discussed. This work was performed at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05, 76^th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.     

Neprilysin基因在大鼠体外培养骨髓基质细胞中的表达

目的探讨人Neprilysin基因在小鼠MSCs中的表达情况。方法分离培养小鼠MSCs，采用分子克隆技术构建Neprilysin—pEGFP重组质粒，将此Neprilysin—pEGFP重组质粒用脂质体转染进MSCs中，在荧光倒置显微镜下观察该基因在MSCs中的表达效率。结果经酶切鉴定得到系列正确的重组Neprilysin—pEGFP。Neprilysin可在MSCs中表达且通过脂质体传染的效率是20％。结论获得了表达Neprilysin基因的骨髓基质细胞，为进一步探讨将该细胞用于阿尔茨海默病基因治疗的可能性研究提供了技术基础。     

代孕技术中的伦理道德及法律问题

新近发展的代孕技术给众多不孕夫妇带来为人父母的喜悦之时,也对人们传统的生殖伦理观念形成冲击并挑战现存法律制度.人们不仅要肯定代孕技术的合理性,也要警惕其所产生的潜在的破坏性影响.合理利用该技术和制定相应的法规是避免出现伦理和社会混乱的有效途径.     

The modified outside-in suture: vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after decompression of a large meniscal cyst

This article describes a modified suture technique designed for the vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after arthroscopic decompression of a large meniscal cyst. This procedure comprises of three steps: first, the meniscus was pierced vertically using a suture hook and a No. 0 PDS suture. Second, both ends of the No. 0 PDS on the femoral and tibial surfaces of the meniscus were pulled to the outside of the joint capsule using a spinal needle preloaded with suture material. Finally, a skin incision was made adjacent to the suture materials, and both ends were tied. We recommend this technique not only for the vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after decompression of large meniscal cyst, but also to repair a longitudinal tear of the meniscus.     

逍遥散治疗经前期综合征69例

逍遥散出自《太平惠民和剂局方》，由当归、白芍药、柴胡、茯苓、白术、炙甘草、薄荷、煨姜组成。经前期综合征为临床常见的妇科病症，笔者近年来采用逍遥散加减治疗经前期综合征69例，疗效满意，现报道如下。