五禽戏联合推拿对原发性痛经患者中医证候及血清TNF-α、CD4+、OT、β-EP 表达的影响

目的:观察五禽戏联合推拿治疗原发性痛经(PD)的临床疗效及对患者血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、CD4⁺、催产素(OT)及β-内啡肽(β-EP)水平的影响。方法:选取80例PD女大学生,按随机数字表法分为对照组、五禽戏组、推拿组及五禽戏⁺推拿组,对照组给予田七痛经胶囊治疗,其余3组分别给予五禽戏、推拿及五禽戏+推拿治疗,治疗时间均为3个月经周期。采用中医证候积分评价临床疗效,通过血清TNF-α、CD4⁺、OT、β-EP表达的变化探讨五禽戏联合推拿治疗PD的作用机制。结果:与治疗前比较,4组中医证候积分治疗1个疗程、2个疗程、3个疗程后均降低(P<0.05),且随着疗程增加逐渐降低。停止治疗3个月后,4组中医证候积分均较治疗3个疗程时上升(P<0.05);五禽戏+推拿组中医证候积分低于五禽戏组和推拿组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,4组血清TNF-α、OT水平均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),血清CD4⁺、β-EP水平均较治疗前升高(P<0.05)。4组治疗后CD4⁺、OT水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),而TNF-α、β-EP水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后,五禽戏+推拿组OT水平均低于对照组、五禽戏组及推拿组(P<0.05),CD4⁺水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。经秩和检验,4组临床疗效比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:五禽戏联合推拿治疗PD有较好的近期及远期疗效,其作用机制可能与调节患者的血清TNF-α、CD4⁺、OT、β-EP水平有关。     

A systematic review of the applications of free tissue transfer in burns

Introduction

Free tissue transfer is a rarely indicated procedure in burns. However, in well selected cases it may play a pivotal role in optimizing outcomes in both primary and secondary burn reconstruction. We undertook a systematic review, based on the PRISMA statement for systematic reviews, of all published literature relating to the use of free flaps in acute burns and in secondary reconstructive procedures.

Methods

Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and Medline, Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched from 1980 onwards to May 2013 with the search terms: “free flaps”, “free tissue transfer”, “microvascular”, “burns”, “acute burns”, “primary reconstruction” and “secondary reconstruction”.

Results

A total of 346 studies were retrieved following the search of which 30 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review.

Discussion

We present the indications, timing, complications and failure rates for free flaps in primary and secondary reconstruction based on the available literature. We also provide a list of the various free flap options for the commonest sites undergoing reconstruction following burns. Finally an algorithm to ensure optimal success of free flaps when used in primary and in secondary burn reconstruction is presented.     

Meta-analysis of retrojugular versus antejugular approach for carotid endarterectomy

Introduction

The retrojugular approach for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been reported to have the advantages of shorter operative time and ease of dissection, especially in high carotid lesions. Controversial opinion exists with regard to its safety and benefits over the conventional antejugular approach.

Methods

A systematic review of electronic information sources was conducted to identify studies comparing outcomes of CEA performed with the retrojugular and antejugular approach. Synthesis of summary statistics was undertaken and fixed or random effects models were applied to combine outcome data.

Findings

A total of 6 studies reporting on a total of 740 CEAs (retrojugular approach: 333 patients; antejugular approach: 407 patients) entered our meta-analysis models. The retrojugular approach was found to be associated with a higher incidence of laryngeal nerve damage (odds ratio [OR]: 3.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46–7.07). No significant differences in the incidence of hypoglossal or accessory nerve damage were identified between the retrojugular and antejugular approach groups (OR: 1.09 and 11.51, 95% CI: 0.31–3.80 and 0.59–225.43). Cranial nerve damage persisting during the follow-up period was similar between the groups (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 0.79–11.13). Perioperative stroke and mortality rates did not differ in patients treated with the retrojugular or antejugular approach (OR: 1.26 and 1.28, 95% CI: 0.31–5.21 and 0.25–6.50).

Conclusions

Currently, there is no conclusive evidence to favour one approach over the other. Proof from a well designed randomised trial would help determine the role and benefits of the retrojugular approach in CEA.     

Perioperative identifications of non-palpable pulmonary nodules: a narrative review

Early detection of lung cancer is the key to improving treatment and prognosis of this disease, and the advent of advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging and national screening programs have improved the detection rate of very small pulmonary lesions. As such, the management of this sub-centimetric and often sub-solid lesions has become quite challenging for clinicians, especially for choosing the most suitable diagnostic method. In clinical practice, to fulfill this diagnostic yield, transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is often the first choice especially for peripheral nodules. For lesions for which TTNB could present technical difficulties or failed, other diagnostic strategies are needed. In this case, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is the gold standard to reach the diagnosis of lung nodules suspect of being malignant. Nonetheless it’s often not easy the identification of such lesions during VATS because of their little dimensions, non-firm consistency, deep localization. In literature various marking techniques have been described, in order to improve intraoperative nodules detection and to reduce conversion rate to thoracotomy: CT-guided hookwire positioning, methylene blue staining, intra-operative ultrasound and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy are the most used. The scientific evidence on this matter is weak because there are no randomized clinical trials but only case series on single techniques with no comparison on efficacy, so there are no guidelines to refer. From this standing, in this article we conducted a narrative review of the existing literature on the subject, with the aim of outlining a framework as complete as possible. We analyzed strengths and weaknesses of the main techniques reported, so as to allow the clinician to orient himself with greater ease.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor augmentation of T-cell receptor-dependent and T-cell receptor-independent thymocyte proliferation

The effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM- CSF) are not confined to cells of the myeloid lineage. GM-CSF has been shown to have effects on mature T cells and both mature and immature T- cell lines. We therefore examined the GM-CSF responsiveness of murine thymocytes to investigate whether GM-CSF also affected normal immature T lymphocytes. The studies presented here indicate that GM-CSF augments accessory cell (AC)-dependent T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated proliferation of unseparated thymocyte populations. To identify the GM- CSF responsive cell type, thymic AC and T cells were examined for GM- CSF responsiveness. We found that GM-CSF augmentation of TCR-induced thymocyte proliferation appears to be mediated via augmentation of AC function, and not via direct effects on mature single-positive (SP) thymocytes. Enriched double-negative (DN) thymocytes were also tested for GM-CSF responsiveness. GM-CSF induced the proliferation of adult and fetal DN thymocytes in an AC-independent and TCR-independent single- cell assay. Thus, in contrast to the SP thymocytes, a DN thymocyte population was directly responsive to GM-CSF. GM-CSF therefore may play a direct role in the expansion of DN thymocytes and an indirect role in the expansion of SP thymocytes.     

Quantification of the breakpoint cluster region rearrangement for clinical monitoring in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia

The purpose of this report was to evaluate scintigraphy analysis of Southern blot hybridization as a method to quantify the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) rearrangement of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)+ chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Cytogenetic and molecular studies performed simultaneously on 474 bone marrow and/or blood samples from 300 patients treated with alpha-interferon-based therapy were compared. Molecular results were expressed as the percentage of rearranged BCR bands versus the total scintigraphic signal. The percentage of Ph+ metaphases was calculated on 25 metaphases. The results of molecular studies obtained on both peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were identical. The rank correlation between the BCR quantification and the percentage of Ph positivity in 465 samples was excellent (r = .78). However, of 99 samples with a normal karyotype, 24% had a BCR rearrangement. Of 86 samples with no BCR rearrangement, 13% showed a Ph chromosome. Of 49 samples with partial cytogenetic remission (Ph+ metaphases, 1% to 34%), 23% had no BCR rearrangement. In samples with a minor or no cytogenetic response (Ph+ metaphases, > 34%), BCR analysis overestimated the degree of response in 73 of 326 samples (22%). Nevertheless, survival analysis by BCR quantification level showed statistically better outcome for patients in complete or partial molecular response (P < .01). Molecular quantification of BCR was useful in monitoring the course of Ph+ CML. This method, which can be used on peripheral blood, detected residual disease not shown by cytogenetic analysis and was prognostically relevant as a measure of disease suppression.     

Effects of monoclonal antibody therapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A phase I clinical trial was initiated to treat patients with stage IV B-derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with the IgG2a murine monoclonal antibody T101. This antibody binds to a 65,000-mol wt (T65) antigen found on normal T lymphocytes, malignant T lymphocytes, and B- derived CLL cells. All of the patients had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of advanced B-derived CLL and were refractory to standard therapy, and more than 50% of their leukemia cells reacted with the T101 antibody in vitro. The patients received T101 antibody two times per week, over two to 50 hours by intravenous administration in 100 mL of normal saline containing 5% human albumin. Twelve patients were treated with a fixed dosage of 1, 10, 50, or 100 mg, and one patient was treated with 140 mg of antibody. It was demonstrated that patients given two-hour infusions of 50 mg developed pulmonary toxicity, with shortness of breath and chest tightness. This toxicity was eliminated when infusions of 50 or 100 mg of T101 were prolonged to 50 hours. All dose levels caused a rapid but transient decrease in circulating leukemia cell counts. In vivo binding to circulating and bone marrow leukemia cells was demonstrated at all dose levels with increased binding at higher dosages. Antimurine antibody responses were not demonstrated in any patients at any time during treatment. Circulating free murine antibody was demonstrated in the serum of only the two patients treated with 100 mg of antibody as a 50-hour infusion and the patient treated with 140 mg of antibody over 30 hours. Antigenic modulation was demonstrated in patients treated at all dose levels but was particularly apparent in patients treated with prolonged infusions of 50 and 100 mg of antibody. We were also able to demonstrate antigenic modulation in lymph node cells, which strongly suggests in vivo labeling of these cells. Overall, T101 antibody alone appears to have a very limited therapeutic value for patients with CLL. The observations of in vivo labeling of tumor cells, antigenic modulation, antibody pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and antimurine antibody formation may be used in the future for more effective therapy when drugs or toxins are conjugated to the antibody.