恶性胸/腹腔积液患者腔内应用贝伐珠单抗的价值及疗效影响因素分析

目的 观察胸腔或腹腔内注射贝伐珠单抗（bevacizumab,Bev）对恶性胸/腹腔积液的控制作用及其安全性,并探索影响疗效的可能因素。方法 回顾性分析61例恶性胸/腹腔积液患者的临床资料,其中接受过含Bev的方案腔内注射的患者24例,常规化疗方案腔内注射患者37例。根据无穿刺抽液间隔时间（paracentesis-free interval,PaFI）来评估疗效并比较两组间的差异,汇总记录的不良反应,并对相关临床特征、血液和积液中检查指标进行Cox回归分析。结果 含Bev的方案治疗的患者中位PaFI为115.0（55.3,219.0） d,较常规化疗组（53.0（32.0,147.5） d）明显延长（Z=2.340,P=0.019）,以积液部位作为分层因素后的Kaplan-Meier分析亦提示含Bev的方案可延长PaFI （χ²=7.568,P=0.006）;多因素Cox回归分析发现除Bev治疗外,积液部位及积液中单核细胞和多核细胞的比例亦可影响患者的治疗效果（均有P<0.05）;两组间不良事件发生率无差异（χ²=0.008,P=0.930）,且主要为导管相关并发症,药物直接相关的不良反应少。结论 含Bev的方案腔内给药在控制恶性胸腹腔积液方面优于传统腔内化疗方案,且安全性较好,不同积液部位及积液中单核细胞和多核细胞比例变化对疗效有一定影响。     

Orbital dermoids: features on CT

The computed tomographic (CT) features of orbital dermoids were retrospectively reviewed in 17 patients; 15 of the lesions were proved histologically. On the basis of clinical and CT features, the tumors were classified as superficial or deep. All but one were extraconal in location. Seven lesions appeared cystic; only six showed typical fat density. The presence of a margin or rim, often partially calcified, was identified in ten lesions. Irregular scalloping of adjacent bone was a highly suggestive feature, occurring with 11 dermoids. Other bone changes, such as linear defects, thinning, or sclerosis, also occurred. Superficial dermoids showed less apparent bone changes. An extraconal orbital lesion associated with adjacent bone thinning or notching should raise the possibility of a dermoid, especially if a rim with calcification is seen. The appearance is pathognomonic if fat density is also present.     

Is breast feeding the solution to the infant nutrition problem in underdeveloped countries?

One hundred and thirty-three children from birth to 1 year of age were studied to investigate the value of breast milk as a solution to the infant nutrition problem. Fifteen per cent of the children were being fed exclusively breast milk, 44 (44.4%) were fed breast milk plus cow's milk and 40.6% were fed only cow's milk. Thirty-three per cent of the breast fed children, 44.4% of those on mixed feeding and 47% of those on cow's milk alone, were malnourished.     

Orthotopic cardiac transplantation: evaluation with CT

As cardiac transplantation has become widely available, computed tomography (CT) of the chest has played a useful role in the examination of patients after heart transplantation. To determine anatomic features related to the procedure, the authors evaluated 59 scans in 46 patients who had undergone orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Aortic anastomosis (seen in 98% of scans) and altered spacing between the great vessels (83%) proved to be the most common and most reliable findings. Other features including atrial anastomosis, high main pulmonary artery segment, remnant superior vena cava, and cardiac reorientation were also seen. Accurate interpretation of adenopathy, mediastinal abscess, and pericardial effusion will be enhanced in these patients through a better understanding of the cardiovascular-pericardial complex, which is afforded by CT.     

Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging: Use in Peripheral Laser-Assisted Angioplasty

The proliferation of sophisticated endovascular interventions is mandating more definitive and comprehensive documentation of atherosclerotic lesions and the results of the interventional devices used in their removal. A technique with a potential to fulfill these goals, intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS), was evaluated against pressure gradients, arteriography, and femoral-radial indices in 11 patients with stenotic iliac lesions. The two-dimensional, real-time scans were useful in measuring pre-and posttreatment cross-sectional diameters and luminal areas for procedural assessment. Furthermore, the ultrasound scans clearly identified arterial wall calcifications, iliac veins, soft plague formations, dissections, synthetic graft anastomoses, and intravascular stents, often with definition superior to arteriography. The IVUS technique was useful in selecting interventional therapies, in particular, the need for stent implantation to control intimal flaps. Further, IVUS demonstrated its ability as a substitute for contrast arteriography in a twelfth patient with an iliac stent in whom a protocol-dictated follow-up arteriogram was contraindicated.     

Validation of the Functional Status II questionnaire in the assessment of extremely-low-birthweight infants

Aim  The increased survival of infants born at extremely low birthweight (ELBW) has been associated with significant morbidity, including higher rates of neurodevelopmental disability. However, formalized testing to evaluate these problems is both time-consuming and costly. The revised Functional Status questionnaire (FS-II) was designed to assess caregivers' perceptions of the functional status of children with chronic diseases.
Method  We evaluated the reliability and validity of the FS-II for ELBW infants at 18 to 22 months corrected age using data from the US Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Research Network (NRN). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted using data from the network's first follow-up study of 1080 children born in 1993 to 1994 (508 males, 572 females [53%]), and results were confirmed using data from the next network follow-up of 4022 children born in 1995 to 2000 (1864 males, 2158 females [54%]).
Results  Results suggest that a two-factor solution comprising measures of general health and independence is most appropriate for ELBW infants. These factors differed from those found among chronically ill children, and new, more appropriate scales are presented for screening ELBW survivors. Both scales demonstrated good internal consistency: Cronbach's α=0.87 for general health and α=0.75 for independence. Construct validity of the scales was assessed by comparing mean scores on the scales according to scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition (BSID-II), and medical conditions.
Interpretation  As hypothesized, infants with greater functional impairments according to their BSID-II scores or medical conditions had lower scores on the general health and independence scales, supporting the validity of the scales.