Desmoid tumors of the abdominal wall.

Four cases of desmiod tumors of the anterior abdominal wall recently treated at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics are presented. From our experience we conclude: 1. Inadequate excision of desmoid tumors results in local recurrence. 2. Adequate excision of desmoid tumors ot the abdominal wall sometimes necessitates creation of an abdominal wall defect too large for primary closure. 3. Marlex mesh has been used successfully in reconstruction of the abdominal wall following adequate excision of desmoid tumors. 4. One patient (Case 4) with an abdominal wall desmoid tumor associated with familial polypisis and mesenteric fibromatosis has benefited greatly following wide excision of abdominal wall and reconstriction using Marlex mesh, despite the fact that the mesenteric fibrous tumor was unresectable.     

Genetic polymorphisms of interleukin-1B (IL-1B), IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and risk of prostate cancer

Chronic intraprostatic inflammation is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Polymorphisms in cytokine genes can influence inflammation and immune response and may be related to the risk of prostate cancer. Four common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding interleukin-1B (IL-1B), IL-6, and IL-8 were assessed in 503 prostate cancer cases and 652 controls, and three SNPs in IL-10 were assessed in an additional 817 prostate cancer cases and 1,190 controls (for a total of 1,320 prostate cancer cases and 1,255 controls). Cases and controls were selected from the on-going Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial and were frequency matched on age, ethnicity, time-period since initial screening, and date of blood draw. Single-locus analyses were conducted using conditional logistic regression. In addition, we did a haplotype analysis for the three IL-10 SNPs tested. Overall, no associations were detected between the seven polymorphisms in the four cytokine genes examined in this study and prostate cancer risk. Further stratifying by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not modify the associations. Findings were similar for early or advanced prostate cancers. Similarly, we observed no association between the major IL-10 haplotypes and the risk of prostate cancer. At least seven common polymorphisms in genes of inflammatory cytokines IL-1B, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 do not seem to play a role in the risk of prostate cancer.     

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for midclavicular fractures in athletes: indications, technical pitfalls and early results

This prospective consecutive case series was done to evaluate indications, technical pitfalls and functional outcome of elastic stable intramedullary nailing of displaced midclavicular fractures in 14 athletes. Constant score and radiographs were evaluated after 1 and 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months in 13 patients. Mean age was 28 years. The average follow-up was 17 months. Mean operation time was 62 minutes. Open reduction through an additional small incision was necessary for 7 fractures. Mean hospital stay was 1.2 days. Secondary fracture displacement was observed in 1 patient. The Constant score averaged 81 after 1 week, 96 after 6 weeks and 98 after 6 months. Compared to the contralateral side, average shortening of the clavicle was 1.7 mm. Overall, elastic stable intramedullary nailing provided good restoration of the length of the clavicle and allowed immediate active mobilisation with early return to normal activity. Functional results were excellent.     

Time and dosage effects of meprobamate on visual detection

Summary Sixteen male subjects, 21 years and older, were run in a doubleblind own-control design under three dosages of meprobamate (400, 800 and 1600 mg) and matching placebo, to determine response curves on a visual detection task over a four and one-half hour period, from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. To control for possible daily cycle effects two additional runs under placebo and 1600 mg meprobamate were conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The evening tests showed statistically significant dosage effects, time effects, and a significant drug by subject interaction. The morning tests showed no difference between performance under placebo as compared to 1600 mg of meprobamate, although there was a significant drug by subject interaction. This differential drug effect was discussed in terms of its possible dependency on the momentary physiological and psychological state of the individual and his diurnal metabolic rhythm.     

Efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine in patients with schizophrenia who switched from haloperidol, olanzapine or risperidone

A post hoc analysis of the SPECTRUM trial was carried out to evaluate whether the improvements in efficacy and tolerability gained on switching to quetiapine occurred consistently for patients previously treated with either: haloperidol (n = 43); olanzapine (n = 66); or risperidone (n = 55) monotherapy. Patients were initiated with quetiapine to 400 mg/day over 7 days, and then flexibly dosed (300-750 mg/day) for 11 weeks. The mean (SD) modal dose of quetiapine was 501 (138) mg/day in the haloperidol subgroup, 472 (147) mg/day in the olanzapine subgroup and 485 (141) mg/day in the risperidone subgroup at the study endpoint. Switching to quetiapine induced significant improvements from baseline in PANSS scores, with least square mean changes in total scores of -32.5, -15.4, and -18.5 for patients previously treated with haloperidol, olanzapine and risperidone, respectively, (all p < 0.001 vs baseline). Significant improvements were also noted in CDSS scores, particularly for patients clinically depressed at baseline (all p < 0.001 vs baseline). There were significant reductions in EPS on the SAS and BAS for all subgroups (all p < 0.001 vs baseline). Switching to quetiapine produced efficacy and tolerability benefits regardless of whether their previous antipsychotic was haloperidol, olanzapine or risperidone.     

Banking cord blood stem cells: attitude and knowledge of pregnant women in five European countries

BACKGROUND: This study explores pregnant women's awareness of cord blood stem cells and their attitude regarding banking options in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed in six maternities. This anonymous and self‐completed questionnaire included 29 multiple‐choice questions based on: 1) sociodemographic factors, 2) awareness and access to information about cord blood banking, 3) banking option preferences, and 4) donating cord blood units (CBUs) to research. RESULTS: A total of 79% of pregnant women had little awareness of cord blood banking (n = 1620). A total of 58% of women had heard of the therapeutic benefits of cord blood, of which 21% received information from midwives and obstetricians. A total of 89% of respondents would opt to store CBUs. Among them, 76% would choose to donate CBUs to a public bank to benefit any patient in need of a cord blood transplant. Twelve percent would choose a mixed bank, and 12%, a private bank. A total of 92% would donate their child's CBU to research when it is not suitable for transplantation. CONCLUSION: The study reveals a strong preference for public banking in all five countries, based on converging values such as solidarity. Attitudes of pregnant women are not an obstacle to the rapid expansion of allogeneic banking in these EU countries. Banking choices do not appear to be correlated with household income. The extent of commercial marketing of cord blood banks in mass media highlights the importance for obstetric providers to play a central role in raising women's awareness early during their pregnancy with evidence‐based medical information about banking options.     

Metabolic factors associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia

CONTEXt: Benign prostatic hyperplasia poses a significant public health problem, but its etiology remains unclear. Obesity and associated abnormalities in glucose homeostasis may play a role in benign prostatic hyperplasia development by influencing prostate growth. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether obesity, fasting plasma glucose concentration, and diabetes are associated with radiologically determined prostate enlargement, an objective measure of benign prostatic hyperplasia. DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional analysis with robust variance estimates to account for multiple measures over time in the same individuals. SETTING: This prospective cohort study was composed of community volunteers. PATIENTS: Patients studied were 422 adult men enrolled in The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Total prostate volume as determined by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging was measured. RESULTS: Among 422 participants, 91 (21.6%) had prostate enlargement (defined as total prostate volume >/= 40 cc) at first visit. Compared with men of normal weight [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2)], the age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for prostate enlargement for overweight men (BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m(2)) was 1.41 (95% CI, 0.84-2.37), for obese men (BMI, 30-34 kg/m(2)) was 1.27 (95% CI, 0.68-2.39), and for severely obese men (BMI >/= 35 kg/m(2)) was 3.52 (95% CI, 1.45-8.56) (P = 0.01). Men with elevated fasting glucose (>110 mg/dl) were more likely to have an enlarged prostate than men with normal fasting glucose (相似文献