肺靶向顺铂白蛋白微球的研究

按正交设计筛选了用乳化一化学交联法制备肺靶向顺铂白蛋白微球的最佳制备工艺,并对微球的质量、稳定性、体内分布、动力学特性和安全性进行了系统研究。结果:微球表面圆整,平均粒径为13.13±3.55μm,药物包裹率为21.62%,释药特性符合双相动力学方程;微球在三种条件下贮放了3个月质量稳定;静脉注入小鼠体内,15min分布达高峰,97.52%浓集于肺部,2～3d内基本清除,在肺器官中的动力学特性可用二室开放性模型描述;肺器官病理切片观察,微球对肺组织无病理性损伤。     

Simulated pulmonary nodules: detection with dual-energy digital versus conventional radiography

Performance of a prototype dual-energy digital chest radiography unit in detecting calcified and noncalcified simulated pulmonary nodules was compared with that of a highly optimized, conventional system. Nodules ranging in size (0.5, 1.0, and 1.6 cm), in number (five to 11), and in calcium content (0-25 mg) were superimposed over the lungs of a frozen, unembalmed, human chest phantom. For each technique, six observers examined 50 posteroanterior projections with different randomized nodule locations. Detection consisted of locating and assigning a level of confidence to each perceived nodular opacity. The resulting plots of the true-positive fraction versus the mean number of false-positive calls per projection indicate that for both calcified and noncalcified nodules, the digital unit performed significantly better (P less than .01).     

Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies

Bromelain, an extract from the pineapple plant, has been demonstratedto show anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and may providea safer alternative or adjunctive treatment for osteoarthritis.All previous trials, which have been uncontrolled or comparativestudies, indicate its potential use for the treatment of osteoarthritis.This paper reviews the mechanism of its putative therapeuticactions, those clinical trials that have assessed its use inosteoarthritis to date, as well as considering the safety implicationsof this supplement for osteoarthritis and reviewing the evidenceto date regarding the dosage for treating this condition. Thedata available at present indicate the need for trials to establishthe efficacy and optimum dosage for bromelain and the need foradequate prospective adverse event monitoring in such chronicconditions as osteoarthritis.     

Can vasectomy reduce the incidence of prostatic tumor?

Results from our laboratory have revealed that seminal plasma concentration of acid phosphatase, maltase, prolactin, citric acid, zinc and magnesium which are the secretory products of the prostate gland, decreased significantly in vasectomized men compared to those in controls namely normal fertile men. Further, it was observed that the decrease in prostatic function was not related to the time since vasectomy. Considering these two facts together, we propose that vasectomy may lead to decrease in the incidence of prostatic tumors — a disease that claims nearly 22,000 lives each year in the United States alone.     

Attitudes to traditional Chinese medicine amongst Western trained doctors in the People's Republic of China

This study analyses the attitudes of Western trained doctors to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Shenyang, Northern China. Research methodology involved a series of structured interviews as well as developing a questionnaire. Two hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed in four centres, 177 were returned. Ninety-eight percent of respondents had some theoretical and practical TCM training; the older doctors having significantly more than their recently qualified colleagues. There was clear consensus that TCM (mainly herbal medicine) was useful and safe in treating patients with chronic or intractable illness. Doctors were influenced in their choice of treatment by their training, clinical experience and the available published research. TCM was not practiced in isolation, but in conjunction with Western medicine; 76% treating their patients with TCM, 90% treating their friends or family and 82% referring patients to TCM specialists.     

Transcription profiles of non-immortalized breast cancer cell lines

Background  

Searches for differentially expressed genes in tumours have made extensive use of array technology. Most samples have been obtained from tumour biopsies or from established tumour-derived cell lines. Here we compare cultures of non-immortalized breast cancer cells, normal non-immortalized breast cells and immortalized normal and breast cancer cells to identify which elements of a defined set of well-known cancer-related genes are differentially expressed.     

Evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and risk-prediction models in a typical Asian country (Malaysia) with a relatively low incidence of breast cancer

Introduction

The cost of genetic testing and the limited knowledge about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in different ethnic groups has limited its availability in medium- and low-resource countries, including Malaysia. In addition, the applicability of many risk-assessment tools, such as the Manchester Scoring System and BOADICEA (Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm) which were developed based on mutation rates observed primarily in Caucasian populations using data from multiplex families, and in populations where the rate of breast cancer is higher, has not been widely tested in Asia or in Asians living elsewhere. Here, we report the results of genetic testing for mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes in a series of families with breast cancer in the multi-ethnic population (Malay, Chinese and Indian) of Malaysia.

Method

A total of 187 breast cancer patients with either early-onset breast cancer (at age ≤ 40 years) or a personal and/or family history of breast or ovarian cancer were comprehensively tested by full sequencing of both BRCA1 and BRCA2. Two algorithms to predict the presence of mutations, the Manchester Scoring System and BOADICEA, were evaluated.

Results

Twenty-seven deleterious mutations were detected (14 in BRCA1 and 13 in BRCA2), only one of which was found in two unrelated individuals (BRCA2 490 delCT). In addition, 47 variants of uncertain clinical significance were identified (16 in BRCA1 and 31 in BRCA2). Notably, many mutations are novel (13 of the 30 BRCA1 mutations and 24 of the 44 BRCA2). We report that while there were an equal proportion of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the Chinese population in our study, there were significantly more BRCA2 mutations among the Malays. In addition, we show that the predictive power of the BOADICEA risk-prediction model and the Manchester Scoring System was significantly better for BRCA1 than BRCA2, but that the overall sensitivity, specificity and positive-predictive value was lower in this population than has been previously reported in Caucasian populations.

Conclusion

Our study underscores the need for larger collaborative studies among non-Caucasian populations to validate the role of genetic testing and the use of risk-prediction models in ensuring that the other populations in the world may also benefit from the genomics and genetics era.     

Complementary medicine and the general practitioner

The attitudes to complementary medicine of a random sample of general practitioners in Avon were assessed. A questionnaire was sent to 200 general practitioners, of whom 145 responded. The treatments studied were acupuncture, homoeopathy, herbal medicine, spinal manipulation, faith healing, and hypnosis. Of the 145 general practitioners, 55 (38%) had received some training in complementary medicine and 22 (15%) wished to arrange training. Overall, general practitioners knew little about the techniques of complementary medicine. Despite this 86 doctors (59%) thought that the complementary techniques being assessed were useful to their patients: 110 (76%) had referred patients for this type of treatment over the past year to medically qualified colleagues and 104 (72%) had referred patients to non-medically qualified practitioners. Most (93%) of those who responded believed that complementary practitioners needed statutory regulation; only 3% thought that they should be banned. The method of regulation most favoured was through a central and independent national body. General practitioners' views about complementary techniques were most influenced (in a positive manner) by observed benefits to their patients (41%) and personal or family experience of benefit (38%). The results of the study show a surprisingly high interest in complementary medicine among general practitioners in the Avon area.