“调任通督”法针刺治疗围绝经期潮热的随机对照研究＊

目的 观察“调任通督法”针刺治疗围绝经期潮热的临床疗效和安全性。方法 将符合纳入标准的72例围绝经期潮热患者，按照1∶1的比例随机分为治疗组（针刺组）和对照组（等待组）。治疗组取穴百会、印堂、神庭、关元、气海、中脘、阴郄、太溪、复溜、三阴交。针刺治疗每次持续30 min，每周2次，连续治疗6周。对照组为等待组，试验期间仅给予同针刺组相同的健康宣教，两组分别于治疗前、治疗第3周、治疗第6周以及第10周随访评估其潮热频率和程度，以及更年期生活质量量表（Menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire，Men-QoL）的变化情况，同时记录针刺不良事件的发生。结果 ①潮热频率及潮热程度：在治疗后及随访时，针刺组较等待组有明显改善，差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.01）。与治疗前相比，针刺组第3周即出现了潮热频率明显下降的趋势（P < 0.01），治疗后以及随访期针刺组潮热频率及潮热程度均较治疗前有明显统计学差异（P < 0.01）。而等待组在各时间点潮热频率及潮热程度均无统计学差异（均P > 0.05）。②围绝经期生活质量量表：治疗后针刺组在Men-QoL总分、血管舒缩功能评分、社会心理、体能状况较等待组比较均有统计学差异（均P < 0.01）。在随访期，针刺组在Men-QoL社会心理以及体能方面明显改善，差异均具有统计学意义（P < 0.01，P < 0.05）。两组Men-QoL性功能在治疗后及随访期均无统计学差异（P > 0.05）。与治疗前相比，在治疗后及随访期，针刺组Men-QoL总分、血管舒缩功能、社会心理、体能状况均有统计学差异（均P < 0.05），在Men-QoL性功能方面无统计学差异（P > 0.05）。等待组在Men-QoL总分及四个域方面均无明显改善，无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。结论 调任通督法针刺治疗围绝经期潮热安全有效，且对围绝经期生活质量有所改善。     

FOLFCIS Treatment and Genomic Correlates of Response in Advanced Anal Squamous Cell Cancer

Background

Treatment of advanced anal squamous cell cancer (SCC) is usually with the combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, which is associated with heterogeneous responses across patients and significant toxicity. We examined the safety and efficacy of a modified schedule, FOLFCIS (leucovorin, fluorouracil, and cisplatin), and performed an integrated clinical and genomic analysis of anal SCC.

Anthropometric and reproductive factors and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort

Obesity has been associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers; however, there are limited prospective data on associations by subtype/subsite. Obesity can impact hormonal factors, which have been hypothesized to play a role in these cancers. We investigated anthropometric and reproductive factors in relation to esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite for 476,160 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox models. During a mean follow-up of 14 years, 220 esophageal adenocarcinomas (EA), 195 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, 243 gastric cardia (GC) and 373 gastric noncardia (GNC) cancers were diagnosed. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with EA in men (BMI ≥30 vs. 18.5–25 kg/m²: HR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.25–3.03) and women (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.15–6.19); however, adjustment for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) attenuated these associations. After mutual adjustment for BMI and HC, respectively, WHR and waist circumference (WC) were associated with EA in men (HR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99–6.06 for WHR >0.96 vs. <0.91; HR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.52–4.72 for WC >98 vs. <90 cm) and women (HR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.35–14.33 for WHR >0.82 vs. <0.76; HR = 5.67, 95% CI: 1.76–18.26 for WC >84 vs. <74 cm). WHR was also positively associated with GC in women, and WC was positively associated with GC in men. Inverse associations were observed between parity and EA (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14–0.99; >2 vs. 0) and age at first pregnancy and GNC (HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32–0.91; >26 vs. <22 years); whereas bilateral ovariectomy was positively associated with GNC (HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.04–3.36). These findings support a role for hormonal pathways in upper gastrointestinal cancers.     

Assessment of toxicity using dehydrogenases activity and mathematical modeling

Dehydrogenase activity is frequently used to assess the general condition of microorganisms in soil and activated sludge. Many studies have investigated the inhibition of dehydrogenase activity by various compounds, including heavy metal ions. However, the time after which the measurements are carried out is often chosen arbitrarily. Thus, it can be difficult to estimate how the toxic effects of compounds vary during the reaction and when the maximum of the effect would be reached. Hence, the aim of this study was to create simple and useful mathematical model describing changes in dehydrogenase activity during exposure to substances that inactivate enzymes. Our model is based on the Lagergrens pseudo-first-order equation, the rate of chemical reactions, enzyme activity, and inactivation and was created to describe short-term changes in dehydrogenase activity. The main assumption of our model is that toxic substances cause irreversible inactivation of enzyme units. The model is able to predict the maximum direct toxic effect (MDTE) and the time to reach this maximum (T_MDTE). In order to validate our model, we present two examples: inactivation of dehydrogenase in microorganisms in soil and activated sludge. The model was applied successfully for cadmium and copper ions. Our results indicate that the predicted MDTE and T_MDTE are more appropriate than EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ for toxicity assessments, except for long exposure times.     

Reoperation rates and risk factors for revision 4 years after dynamic stabilization of the lumbar spine

Background Context

The concept of dynamic stabilization (DS) of the lumbar spine for treatment of degenerative instability has been introduced almost two decades ago. Dynamic stabilization follows the principle of controlling movement in the coronal plane by providing load transfer of the spinal segment without fusion and, at the same time, reducing side effects such as adjacent segment disease (ASD). So far, only little is known about revision rates after DS due to ASD and screw loosening (SL).

Fixator-assisted nailing of tibial fractures: New surgical technique and presentation of first 30 cases

Background

Intramedullary nailing is considered a “gold standard” for treatment of tibial shaft fractures. However, some types of fractures are typically considered as “difficult for nailing”. This group includes the periarticular fractures, fractures of both bones at the same level, comminuted and segmental fractures of the tibia. Fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) is an effective method treatment of these types of fractures. The main requirements for the ideal reduction device are an ease of its installation and an ability of multiplanar fracture reduction. Fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) with the use of two perpendicular to each other monolateral tubular frames perfectly meets these requirements. In this study we present this new surgical technique and the analysis of first 30 cases.