Rates of alcohol consumption and risk status among Australian university students vary by assessment questions

Introduction and Aims. Different self‐report methods tend to produce different estimates of alcohol consumption. The present study compares differences in rates and risk levels based on responses to a modified version of the Daily Drinking Questionnaire (m‐DDQ) and quantity‐frequency (QF) questions. Design and Methods. The sample comprised 2082 university students, 61% of whom were female and 39% male with a mean age of 23.5 years. An email containing an online link to a brief six‐question survey was emailed to students enrolled in participating faculties at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Current drinkers completed m‐DDQ and QF questions about alcohol consumption. Results. QF methods identified significantly lower estimates of consumption (Mean = 9.15, SD = 12.51) compared with m‐DDQ (Mean = 13.06, SD = 14.07). Allocation to risk categories based on the Australian Alcohol Guidelines were conducted for both the m‐DDQ and QF methods. Almost twice as many students were found to be drinking at levels considered risky using the m‐DDQ method compared with QF. In addition, the relative rank order of participants varied significantly between the two methods. Discussion and Conclusions. The m‐DDQ method identified higher rates of drinking and categorised almost twice as many individuals into risky categories of drinking compared with QF. Such variations have major implications for identification of risk groups in health promotion or prevention programs.[Utpala‐Kumar R, Deane FP. Rates of alcohol consumption and risk status among Australian university students vary by assessment questions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009]     

Pharmacology of the internal anal sphincter and its relevance to faecal incontinence

1 The internal anal sphincter (IAS) has a spontaneous tone and is the main contributor to the maintenance of faecal continence. The spontaneous resting tone exhibited by the sphincter can be modified by neurotransmitters from the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. 2 In this review, the influence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on IAS tone are discussed and the putative roles of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and adenosine triphosphate in non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic transmission are considered. 3 Faecal incontinence is a common condition that places a heavy financial burden on the health service and severely affects patients’ quality of life. Resting anal pressure is reduced in patients with faecal incontinence and agents that increase sphincter tone tend to relieve symptoms. The results of clinical studies of the use of phenylephrine to treat faecal incontinence are reviewed. 4 It is concluded that the IAS is a potential target for drug development for the treatment of faecal incontinence.     

两种微创方法治疗股骨颈骨折的临床对照试验

目的分别应用三针锁针加压器外固定和空心拉力钉内固定疗法治疗股骨颈骨折,探讨股骨颈骨折最佳治疗方法.方法应用三针锁针加压器外固定治疗股骨颈骨折63例,其中男24例,女39例;年龄55～89岁,平均(64.5±3.2)岁;Garderl Ⅰ型2例,Ⅱ型15例,Ⅲ型38例,Ⅳ型8例.应用空心拉力钉内固定治疗63例,其中男29例,女34例;年龄45～76岁,平均(62.2±2.9)岁;Garden Ⅰ型4例,Ⅱ型24例,Ⅲ型28例,Ⅳ型7例.对其疗效进行分析.结果126例除2例死亡外均得到随访.115例愈合,其中10例股骨头坏死.外固定组愈合58例,股骨头坏死4例,死亡1例;内固定组愈合57例,股骨头坏死6例,死亡1例.根据Harris功能评定标准评价疗效,外固定组62例中优24例,良26例,可8例,差4例,优良率80.65%;内固定组62例中优23例,良27例,可6例,差6例,优良率80.65%.Harris评分外固定组平均(80.40±1.21)分,内固定组平均(79.14±1.47)分,两组Harris评分比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论采用内外固定治疗股骨颈骨折疗效无明显差异,但外固定创伤小、费用低、可早期离床;而采用拉力钉内固定器医疗成本高,卧病时间相对较长,且需二次手术取内固定钉.     

ES05ROUTINE PARAFIBROMIN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY OF LARGE PARATHYROID ADENOMAS IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE SCREENING STRATEGY FOR CARCINOMA

Purpose Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The definitive histopathologic diagnosis of PC requires unequivocal invasion or metastasis which may be absent at first presentation. As a result, many cases of PC can only be diagnosed retrospectively. Parafibromin is the protein encoded by HRPT2 which is mutated and not expressed in many parathyroid carcinomas. Given that PCs generally weigh more than parathyroid adenomas (PA)s, we hypothesized that amongst large PAs there may be a high incidence of occult PC which could be identified by negative staining for parafibromin. Methodology 57 parathyroid glands weighing greater than 2 grams excised from 1998–2006 were identified from the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Database. Two specimens with a histopathologic diagnosis of PC were excluded. Immunohistochemical staining for parafibromin was performed on the remaining 55 PAs. Results Of the 55 specimens stained for parafibromin only one definite negative stain was detected. This case was originally classified as an “atypical adenoma” because it showed nuclear and architectural atypia without unequivocal evidence of invasive growth. In view of the negative staining for parafibromin it therefore probably represents occult carcinoma. There has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis after 6.5 years. Conclusions Complete loss of staining for parafibromin is very rare in giant parathyroid adenomas suggesting that occult carcinoma is equally rare. As a result routine immunohistochemical staining for parafibromin does not appear to be an effective screening test for carcinoma in large PA without histopathologic features of PC.     

HP26PSEUDO‐ACHALASIA FOLLOWING A SLIPPED LAPAROSCOPICALLY PLACED ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BAND: A CASE REPORT

Purpose To demonstrate that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding may promote oesophageal dilatation or interfere with oesophageal motility. Methodology We report a case of a 67 year old female with a complex medical history who developed secondary achalasia from a slipped laparoscopic adjustable gastric band for weight loss. This led to recurring episodes of aspiration pneumonia requiring multiple admissions at North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Results A decision was made to remove the gastric band, five years after its initial insertion. At one month follow up, she was swallowing normally and oesophageal manometry had returned to normal. Conclusion Oesophageal dysmotility is sometimes seen in patients who have bands that are adjusted too tightly or in whom the band has slipped. This can lead to serious complications if unrecognized and incorrectly treated. Oesophageal symptoms in patients with adjustable bands must be considered secondary to the band until proven otherwise ie removal of the band or complete deflation.     

腰麻硬膜外联合麻醉在全产程中的镇痛效果及对母婴的影响

①目的　探讨腰麻硬膜外联合麻醉在全产程中的镇痛效果以及对母婴的影响。②方法　选择ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级、无禁忌证的单胎头位临产初产妇 30 0例 ,随机分为腰硬组 (腰麻硬膜外联合麻醉 )、硬外组 (硬膜外麻醉 )和对照组 (未用任何麻醉方法 )各 10 0例。行L2～ 3 椎间隙一点穿刺并一次成功。分别观察镇痛效果、起效时间、用药量、副作用、产程、分娩方式及母婴情况。③结果　腰硬组镇痛效果、起效时间以及用药量明显优于硬外组(uc=5 .34,t=16 .92～ 2 9.6 9,P <0 .0 1) ;与对照组比较 ,宫颈扩张加速 ,第一产程明显缩短 ,而第二产程延长 (t =3.34～ 4 8.4 9,P <0 .0 1) ,剖宫产率明显下降 ,而阴道助产率增高 ,胎儿宫内窘迫的发生率下降 (χ2 =6 .82～ 2 0 .35 ,P <0 .0 1)。④结论　腰麻硬膜外联合麻醉用于分娩镇痛优于硬膜外麻醉 ,是一种安全有效、更适合全产程镇痛的麻醉方法。