Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults with intensive induction, consolidation, and maintenance chemotherapy

The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a study of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults over a 5-year period, testing the utility of the L-10M regimen initially described by the group from Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center. One hundred sixty-eight eligible patients were treated with this intensive combination chemotherapy regimen. One hundred fifteen (68%) achieved complete remission. With the current median follow-up time of 34.5 months, the median durations of remission, relapse-free survival, and overall survival were 22.9, 20.9, and 17.7 months, respectively. Only 35% of the patients over 50 years of age achieved a complete remission. Age was a significant prognostic factor for complete response, survival, relapse-free survival, and remission duration. In addition, a low initial WBC count was found to have a statistically significant association with longer remission duration. Responders between the ages of 20 and 49 years with WBC counts of less than 15,000 appear to have an exceptionally good prognosis.     

藏药独一味根化学成分的研究

继前报从藏药独一味(Lamiophlomisrotatakudo)根的正丁醇提取物中分离得到两个甙类成分。经化学和光谱分析,两个化合物的结构分别鉴定为3-羟基-4-甲氧基苯乙基-O-[α-L-吡喃鼠李糖(1→3)]-O-[β-D-呋喃芹菜糖(1→6)]-4-O-阿魏酰基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙(1)和3-甲氧基-4-羟基苯乙基-O-[α-L-吡喃鼠李糖(1→3)]-O-[β-D-呋喃芹菜糖(1→6)]-4-O-阿魏酰基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙(2),后者为一新化合物,命名为独一味甙A(lamiophlomiosideA)。     

Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry Report

This report summarizes data for dialysis and transplant patients up to the end of 1995. We estimate coverage to be about 30% of dialysis patients and near complete ascertainment of transplant patients. On the 31 December 1995, there were 2224 patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), comprising 50% on haemodialysis (HD), 12% on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 38% with functioning transplants. The prevalence rate for dialysis was 68 per million population (p.m.p.) and that of transplant 42 p.m.p. The new dialysis acceptance rate was 15 p.m.p. and transplant 5 p.m.p. Forty-seven per cent of new patients had unknown primary renal disease and 30% was due to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Mean age of prevalent HD patients was 42 years, CAPD 46 years and 34 years for transplant. Patient survival on CAPD was 85% at 1 year and for HD was 88%. One year transplant patient survival was 94% and graft survival 91%.     

隐神经-大隐静脉营养血管远端蒂复合瓣移植修复小腿、踝足部创伤

目的:在显微解剖学基础上,观察隐神经-大隐静脉营养血管远端蒂复合瓣移植修复小腿、踝足部创伤的临床效果。方法:选择2004-05/2007-04由解放军南京军区福州总医院骨科、解放军第97医院骨科、解放军第107医院骨科采用隐神经-大隐静脉营养血管远端蒂复合瓣移植修复小腿、踝足部组织缺损48例,患者对治疗均知情同意。其中皮瓣修复小腿、踝周及足部的创面感染、缺损23例;肌皮瓣修复小腿上段、下段的溃疡、骨髓炎和骨钢板外露12例,跟骨内侧骨髓炎5例;骨皮瓣修复伴有胫骨缺损和跟骨骨不连的创面8例。术后定期随访,观察隐神经-大隐静脉营养血管远端蒂皮瓣移植修复术后的存活情况及骨皮瓣的骨愈合、功能情况。结果:48例患者术后均有程度不同的皮瓣肿胀,其中3例皮瓣远侧边缘少量坏死,经换药愈合;皮瓣部分坏死植皮1例。伤口Ⅰ期愈合44例,Ⅱ期愈合4例。所有病例经5￣15个月随访,创面及骨不连修复,外形满意。结论:隐神经-大隐静脉营养血管远端蒂皮瓣、复合瓣用于外伤造成的小腿远端骨缺损、骨不连、大的死腔以及踝足部的缺损创面修复,具有快捷方便,抗感染力强,成活率高和愈合快的优点。     

Comparison of health‐related quality of life and emotional distress among Chinese cancer survivors

The purpose of this study is to compare health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and emotional distress among diverse cancer survivors who had completed all treatment within the previous year. A convenience sample of 353 cancers survivors (lung, head and neck, breast and prostate cancers) were recruited to complete a survey, which consisted of (i) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales; (ii) Chinese version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General version; and (iii) demographic and clinical data. The HRQoL scores were similar among the four types of survivors. Mild anxiety and depression levels were reported, but no significant difference was noted. Younger females with financial burdens and uncertain prognosis were particularly associated with HRQoL and emotional distress. Further studies are essential to identify specific problems that cancer patients experience after cancer diagnosis that might lead to the early detection of those most at risk of ongoing problems.     

Aerobacteriology of laboratories and offices: Evidence of high risk exposure to immune complex formation in Nigeria

ObjectiveTo evaluate the air bacterial load especially in high environmentally polluted areas.MethodThe air bacterial load of 5 laboratories and 2 offices in Anambra State were sampled, using settled plate (sedimentation) method.ResultsAll the laboratories showed average of 44-55 colony forming units (CFU) within 15 minutes. Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated. The predominant bacteria were: Micrococcus, Diptheroids, Staphylococcus species, Bacillus species, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae), Clostridium species and Propionibacterium amongst other variety of bacteria isolated. Office with air-conditioning system gave a total of 34 CFU out of 74 CFU shown in the two 2 offices, while the office without air-conditioning system gave forty (40) colonies.ConclusionIt was found that the laboratories with more number of people, with frequent movement were more air loaded with bacteria than those with less number of people. All the areas sampled, contain significantly high number of colony forming units (CFU) than 3 CFU found in standard clean room P <0.001. It is an evidence of high risk of persistent infections and subsequent immune complex formation.     

Successful surgical excision of primary right atrial angiosarcoma

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumor with a high incidence of metastatic spread (up to 89%) at the time of diagnosis, which restricts the indication for surgical resection to a small number of patients. We report the case of a 50-year old Caucasian woman with non-metastatic primary right atrial angiosarcoma, who underwent successful surgical excision of the tumor (with curative intent) and reconstruction of the right atrium with a porcine pericardial patch. However, after a symptom-free survival of five months the patient presented with bone and liver metastases without evidence of local tumor recurrence.