T1N0M0 bronchogenic carcinoma: assessment by CT

We reviewed medical records and conventional chest radiographs that showed a solitary T1N0M0 nodule in 23 patients who had non-oat-cell bronchogenic carcinoma. No patient had evidence of metastases, either on the chest radiograph or clinically. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) examination of the thorax, including the adrenal glands. Only one patient (4%) had mediastinal lymph nodes greater than 1 cm in diameter accessible to mediastinotomy; anterior mediastinotomy confirmed metastatic spread in this patient, which precluded curative resection. Three patients each had a mildly enlarged (2 cm or less) adrenal gland; however, follow-up study suggested that metastasis was not the cause of adrenal enlargement in these patients. This study reinforces concern over whether CT is warranted in the preoperative assessment of T1N0M0 bronchogenic carcinoma.     

Serological status: a predictor of response to intensive therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic inflammatory disease in the UK. Serological status such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) positivity predict poor outcomes. Early intensive treatment regimens targeting remission reduce disease activity, structural damage, and long-term disability. However, we do not know whether all patients with active disease should have such intensive treatment regimens. Can serological status be used to predict the need for intensive therapy?MethodsWe analysed samples from a published randomised controlled trial which compared four treatment regimens in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis (disease duration <2 years): methotrexate monotherapy, double therapy (methotrexate plus either ciclosporin or prednisolone), and triple therapy (methotrexate plus ciclosporin plus prednisolone). The trial randomised 467 patients (68% female, median age 54 years [IQR 46–63]). Disease activity was assessed with the disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28). Remission was defined as DAS28 less than 2·6 at 24 months. RF isotypes (IgM and IgA) and ACPA levels were measured with commercial ELISA kits. Statistical analysis used Pearson's chi-squared test.Findings402 (86%) patients were positive for IgM RF, 346 (74%) for IgA RF, and 346 (74%) for ACPA. 98 (21%) patients achieved remission at 24 months. In RF IgM negative cases (n=65) the proportion of patients achieving remission at 24 months was similar in all treatment groups (25%, 22%, and 30% for monotherapy, double therapy, and triple therapy, respectively). In RF IgM positive cases, significantly fewer patients achieved remission with monotherapy (13/65, 17%) and double therapy (24/157, 15%) than with triple therapy (27/80, 34%) (p=0·001). There were similar, consistent findings with IgA RF and ACPA, with significantly more seropositive patients achieving remission with triple therapy than with monotherapy.InterpretationContemporary treatment of rheumatoid arthritis emphasises the use of intensive therapy to achieve remission. However, we have shown that not all patients require such an aggressive approach to therapy. Given the heterogeneity of the diease, treatment should be personalised to the individual, which would minimise costs of treatment as well as potentially toxic side-effects. Our study shows that only seropositive patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be given more intensive therapies.FundingNational Institute for Health Research.     

龙血竭胶囊治疗软组织挫伤230例

1 临床资料软组织挫伤460(男300,女160)例,年龄5～72(平均38)岁,面部伤86例,躯干伤98例,四肢伤200例,躯干合并四肢伤76例,均为12 h内收治病例. 实验组(n=230)给于龙血竭胶囊(龙血竭胶囊是由植物防卫素和龙血竭皂甙组成)口服,3次/d,每次1.2 g;对照组(n=230)给于跌打丸口服,2次/d,每次1丸,疗程均为6 d. 实验组总有效率为96.5%,对照组为83.5%,两组间有显著差别(P<0.01). 实验组用药后3和6 d血糖值均较对照组有明显下降(P<0.01). 实验组与对照组用药后总抗氧化能力(TAO, kU/L)均升高(12.5±0.08→42.5±0.03, 12.6±0.05→32.9±0.04),但实验组升高明显(P<0.01).     

创伤患者输血与供者白细胞微嵌合的相关性

输血是挽救创伤患者生命而普遍使用的治疗方法,但其又存在着明显和潜在的危险性。当今,经血液传播传染病和输血反应很少发生,但仍然存在。尽管在临床治疗中试图控制创伤患者休克的发展及损伤的严重度,但其输血后细菌感染、多脏器功能衰竭、死亡的发生率仍较高。     

German translation and external validation of the Radboud Skills Questionnaire in patients suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1

Background  

Patients suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome commonly complain of substantial limitations in their activities of daily living. The Radboud Skills Questionnaire measures alterations in the level of disability of patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, but this instrument is currently not available in German. The goals of our study were to translate the Dutch Radboud Skills Questionnaire into German and to assess its external criterion validity with the German version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire.     

Is periprostatic adipose tissue associated with aggressive tumor biology in prostate cancer?

The prevalence of overweight and obesity and their health-related problems have been increasing.Obesity is increasingly recognized as a risk factor in different types of cancer in humans.The mechanisms supporting the link between obesity and cancer development have not been fully understood.Leptin,a circulating cytokine produced by adipocytes,may influence prostate cancer(PCa)progression in different ways.Body mass index seems to be an unreliable predictor for the development of PCa,but its influence on progression and poor oncological outcomes seems to be clear.Given the fact that abdominal fat is the most metabolically active fat,with different metabolic and paracrine effects,related anthropometric measurements may lead to a better estimation of PCa risk.Metabolically active periprostatic abdominal fat may also play an important role in releasing cytokines and growth factors that may promote tumor cell proliferation or even create a favorable environment for aggressive tumor biology.Different imaging measurements,e.g.,periprostatic adipose tissue(PPAT)thickness,may be significant predictors of PCa.Several genes in the PPAT of obese men have been identified to contribute to chronic immuno-inflammatory responses which eventually lead to cell cycle alterationwith oncological potential.In vitro studies showed the importance of PCa and its interaction with its microenvironment particularly in patients with aggressive PCa.Different types of cytokines,such as interleukin-6,may promote a tumorigenic microenvironment.This article endeavors to review the current literature on the association of PPAT with aggressive tumor biology in PCa.