Recombinant AAV-mediated HSVtk gene transfer with direct intratumoral injections and Tet-On regulation for implanted human breast cancer

Background  

HSVtk/ganciclovir (GCV) gene therapy has been extensively studied in tumors and relies largely on the gene expression of HSVtk. Most studies, however, have failed to demonstrate any significant benefit of a controlled gene expression strategy in cancer treatment. The Tet-On system is commonly used to regulate gene expression following Dox induction. We have evaluated the antitumor effect of HSVtk/ganciclovir gene therapy under Tet-On regulation by means of adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV-2)-mediated HSVtk gene transfer with direct intratumoral injections in mice bearing breast cancer tumors.     

我国大陆恶性高热病例的分析

目的 分析我国大陆恶性高热（MH）病例的临床资料，探讨诊断和治疗中应注意的问题。方法 检索中国生物医学文献数据库，收集1978年1月至2004年3月报道的MH病例34例，分析其流行病学特征、发病特点、临床表现、治疗及转归。结果 我国大陆报道的MH病例以青少年居多，男性多于女性，集中在口腔科手术（尤其是唇腭裂修补术）、骨科手术和小儿外科手术（尤其是先天畸形矫治术），典型的临床表现为突然发生的高碳酸血症、体温急剧升高和骨骼肌僵直等。诊断上主要是根据临床表现，尚未建立骨骼肌体外收缩试验方法，治疗上主要是对症处理，缺乏特效药物（丹曲林）。结论 近几年我国大陆MH病例逐渐增加，应加强对MH发病机制的研究，尽快建立MH的实验诊断标准，增强预防、诊断和治疗MH的能力。     

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines (HMs), as a monotherapy or adjunct therapy, compared to placebo or conventional approaches in the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from both conventional and alternative medicine sources. Outcome measures were overall improvement, quality of life, reduction of levodopa dose, and adverse events. Nine studies were included, each testing a different HM. Six of the trials had limited internal validity due to major flaws in design, including the lack of proper randomization; insufficient blinding; unclear inclusive criteria in terms of diagnostic criteria, baseline staging, and duration of disease; lack of proper sample size calculation; and insufficient data analysis. Imbalances in gender and ethnicity among the patients in the included trials were observed. No major adverse events emerged, and no specific pattern was detected from the trials describing such data. In addition to major methodological defects, heterogeneity in (1) HM tested, (2) control treatment, and (3) outcome measure hindered in-depth data analysis and synthesis. Current evidence is insufficient to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various HMs. Further studies with improved trial design and reporting, with assessment on cost-effectiveness, quality of life, and qualitative data are warranted.     

Genomic screen for loci associated with tobacco usage in Mission Indians

Background  

The prevalence of tobacco usage in Native American adults and adolescents is higher than any other racial or ethnic group, yet biological risk and protective factors underlying tobacco use in this ethnic group remain unknown. A genome scan for loci associated with tobacco use phenotypes was performed with data collected from a community sample of Mission Indians residing in Southwest California.     

Evidence-based periodic health examination of adults: Memory aid for primary care physicians

PROBLEM ADDRESSED