Long-range mapping of the Philadelphia chromosome by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) contains sequences from chromosome 9, including the ABL protooncogene, that have been translocated to the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) of chromosome 22, giving rise to a bcr-ABL fusion gene, whose product has been implicated in the genesis of CML. Although chromosome 22 translocation breakpoints in CML virtually always occur within the 5.8- kilobase (kb) bcr, chromosome 9 breakpoints have been identified within the known limits of ABL in only a few instances. For a better understanding of the variability of the breakpoints on chromosome 9, we studied the CML cell line BV173. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), large-scale maps of the t(9;22) junctions were constructed. The chromosome 9 breakpoint was shown to have occurred within an ABL intron, 160 kb upstream of the v-abl homologous sequences, but still 35 kb downstream of the 5'-most ABL exon. bcr-ABL and ABL-bcr fusion genes were demonstrated on the Ph1 and the 9q+ chromosomes, respectively; both of these genes are expressed. These results suggest that the 9;22 translocation breakpoints in CML consistently occur within the limits of the large ABL gene. RNA splicing, sometimes of very large regions, appears to compensate for the variability in breakpoint location. These studies show that PFGE is a powerful new tool for the analysis of chromosomal translocations in human malignancies.     

介入化疗在宫颈癌近期疗效的观察

目的：探讨髂内动脉化疗或子宫动脉化疗栓塞在宫颈癌治疗中的意义。方法：给82例宫颈癌患者做髂内动脉化疗或子宫动脉化疗栓塞加放疗共97次，为观察组，另外选择与上述分期相近的81例为对照组。观察并评定各组疗效。结果：观察组CR23例，PR45例，SD9例，PD5例，有效率82．9％。其中11例介入治疗后手术。对照组，CR16例，PR38例，SD23例，PD4例，有效率66．6％。结论：髂内动脉化疗或子宫动脉化疗栓塞作为宫颈癌的辅助治疗行之有效，能缩小原发病灶，尽快缓解临床症状，与放疗结合，可提高治疗效果，具有较好的临床价值。     

Hazard evaluation of monochloroacetone

Monochloroacetone was introduced in 1914 as a war gas, and presently it has a number of uses as a chemical intermediate. Apart from its biological properties as a lacrimator and vesicant, it is not a well-studied compound toxicologically. A series of acute toxicity studies were done using different routes of administration. An Ames mutagenicity test also was performed. These data were compared to manufacturing use information and data published in the literature. It is recommended that direct contact with liquid and vapor be prevented through strict engineering controls and that air concentrations be kept below 1 ppm as a ceiling concentration.     

Bony spinal canal changes that differentiate conjoined nerve roots from herniated nucleus pulposus

CT examinations of the lumbar spine in 12 consecutive patients with conjoined nerve roots were reviewed. Asymmetry of the bony spinal canal, seen as slight dilatation of the ipsilateral lateral recess, was present in all cases. This finding, which is not typically associated with extruded free intervertebral disk fragments, should serve to distinguish these two entities.     

Use of an audit in violence prevention research

Auditing is an effective tool for articulating the trustworthiness and credibility of qualitative research. However, little information exists on how to conduct an audit. In this article, the authors illustrate their use of an audit team to explore the methods and preliminary findings of a study aimed at identifying the relevant and challenging problems experienced by urban teenagers. This study was the first in a series of studies to improve the ecological validity of violence prevention programs for high-risk urban teenagers, titled Identifying Essential Skills for Violence Prevention. The five phases of this audit were engaging the auditor, becoming familiar with the study, discussing methods and determining strengths and limitations, articulating audit findings, and planning subsequent research. Positioning the audit before producing final results allows researchers to address many study limitations, uncover potential sources of bias in the thematic structure, and systematically plan subsequent steps in an emerging design.     

DSA及动脉栓塞在骨与软组织肿瘤中的临床应用

目的:研究介入治疗在骨科肿瘤术前的临床应用价值。方法:对9例骨科肿瘤做介入治疗患者均行DSA造影,并用明胶海绵条做供养动脉栓塞。结果:肿瘤均有不同程度的坏死、液化和囊变,术中易剥离,出血少,术野清楚,缩短手术时间。结论:骨科肿瘤术前栓塞能够有效地减少术中失血,提高手术治疗成功率,是一种有价值的术前辅助性治疗方法。     

Achilles tendon imaging

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, yet one of the most commonly injured. Tendon degeneration is a relatively common disorder, predisposing to tears and often associated with paratenonitis. Numerous other diseases involve the Achilles tendon, some with classic imaging appearances, others with non‐specific appearances. The aim of this pictorial essay is to review the radiographic, computed tomographic, ultrasonographic and MR appearances of the normal and diseased Achilles tendon.     

Evaluation of reported medication errors before and after implementation of computerized practitioner order entry

While a major objective of CPOE is to reduce medication errors, its introduction is a major system change that may result in unintended outcomes. Monitoring voluntarily-reported medication errors in a university setting was used to identify the impact of initial CPOE implementation on medical-surgical and intensive care units. A retrospective trend analysis was used to compare errors one year before and six months after implementation. Total error reports increased post-CPOE but the level of patient harm related to those errors decreased. Numerous modifications were made to the system and the implementation process. The study supports the notion that CPOE configuration and implementation influences the risk of medication errors. Implementation teams should incorporate monitoring medication errors into project plans and expect to make ongoing changes to continually support the design of a safer care delivery environment.