A study on staging bone scans in newly diagnosed prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of bone scan as a staging investigation in newly diagnosed untreated prostate cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone scan results in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were reviewed and correlated with clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Gleason scores from the biopsy specimen. RESULTS: In all, 124 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria with an age range of 51-94 (mean 72.3) years. Pre-biopsy PSA ranged from 2.2 to 5,864 with a median of 21.1 ng/ml. Clinical stage was T0-T1c 14.5%, T2a 41.9%, T2b 17.7%, T3 16.9%, and T4 9%. A Gleason score of 7 was found in 31%. Four patients' samples were not suitable for Gleason scoring. Twenty patients (16.1%) had a positive bone scan with a mean age of 79.4 years (median 83). Two patients with PSA<20 ng/ml were positive. Of the 44 scans performed in the patients with PSA相似文献   

A practical update on the use of bortezomib in the management of multiple myeloma

Despite intensive therapy, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease, and novel treatment approaches are therefore needed to improve outcome. Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products for the treatment of refractory or relapsed MM following the failure of at least two prior lines of therapy. Recently, it also received approval from the FDA for use as a second-line agent. An expert panel of hematologists met at the Ninth Congress of the European Hematology Association to review clinical data and experience in the treatment of MM with bortezomib, including bortezomib-based combination therapy. The conclusions of this expert panel, together with updated clinical data from the American Society of Hematology 46th Annual Meeting, provide a practical update on the use of bortezomib in MM. Bortezomib has demonstrated significant antitumor activity as a single agent in refractory and/or relapsed MM, with a significantly longer survival than with dexamethasone (1-year overall survival rate of 80% vs. 66%) and a 78% longer median time to progression. In combination therapy, patient responses suggest the possibility of chemosensitization and synergy. Furthermore, bortezomib does not appear to have an adverse effect on subsequent stem cell therapy. Bortezomib is well tolerated; most side effects are only mild to moderate and are manageable. Information is given on the practical management of the most common adverse events, including peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia, and the use of bortezomib in renal and hepatic impairment.     

Antimicrobial emulsion (coating) based on biopolymer containing neem (Melia azardichta) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract for wound covering

Polymeric bio-adhesives emulsion which is biodegradable and non-toxic containing antimicrobial agents can play an important role in preventing infection in wound covering and coating for surgical implants. Therefore a bioadhesive polymer was synthesized by semi-Interpenetrating Network process using blend of shellac, casein and polyvinyl alcohol and Maleic anhydride (MA) as reactive compatibilizer. The synthesized polymer was mixed with neem and turmeric extract and homogenized using an emulsifier. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to measure the molecular miscibility of biopolymer components and emulsion constituents. Stability of emulsion (coating) was measured by keeping property and accelerated stability test. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated for human pathogenic organisms namely E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella typhimurium using well diffusion assay. The results indicate that stability, miscibility and antimicrobial properties of bioadhesive was satisfactory, however further in vivo studies are required to ascertain suitability of emulsion (coating) for biomedical use.     

Gluteal neuralgia - unusual presentation in an adult with intrasacral meningocele: a case report and review of literature

A nineteen year old man with intrasacral meningocele is reported, who presented with long standing episodic gluteal pain and progressive muscle wasting. Magnetic resonance imaging established the diagnosis. Surgical excision relieved the pain but muscle wasting persisted. Pertinent literature is reviewed.     

A RANDOMISED,DOUBLE-BLIND,PARALLEL-GROUP COMPARISON OF VENLAFAXINE AND DOTHIEPIN IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION

This randomised, double-blind study conducted at nine sites in the UK and the Netherlands compared the safety and antidepressant efficacy of venlafaxine and dothiepin. Ninety-two geriatric patients (aged 64-87 years) with major depression were randomly assigned to receive either venlafaxine or dothiepin for up to 43 days. The dose of venlafaxine or dothiepin was titrated up to a maximum of 150 mg per day for the first 15 days, and thereafter could range from 50 to 150 mg per day. Adjusted mean scores on the MADRS and the HAM-D decreased significantly (p 0.05) from baseline to the end of the study in both groups. A response to therapy was observed in 60% of patients in the venlafaxine group and 53% of patients in the dothiepin group on the MADRS, and in 60% of patients in both groups on the HAM-D. Suicidal ideation scores on the MADRS were significantly (p=0.042) lower in the venlafaxine group at week 6. Treatment-emergent study events were the primary reason for withdrawal in only 7% of venlafaxine-treated patients and 8% of dothiepin-treated patients. The results confirm the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine for treating major depression in the elderly.