Patient maintained alfentanil target-controlled infusion for analgesia during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether alfentanil given by a pharmacokinetic-based target controlled infusion (TCI) system under patient control is a suitable analgesic technique for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Methods

The design was an open, unblinded, noncomparative, prospective study. Forty outpatients undergoing ESWL were given patient maintained alfentanil TCI. Pain, nausea and sedation were assessed every 300 shocks. Vital signs were recorded every three minutes, pulse oximetry and electrocardiography being monitored continuously. Blood alfentanil concentration was measured for comparison with the predicted value.

Results

Alfentanil consumption (median 1.34 mg, range 0.8–3.6) and measured levels following treatment (median 60 ng·ml^?1, range 15.6–134.3) varied widely. The precision of the TCI system and the median prediction error (bias) were both 49%. The median of pain scores recorded during treatment was 4 (range 0–8). The median respiration rate was 15 bpm (range 10–23), three patients required oxygen (SaO₂ < 92%) Cardiovascular measurements were stable and there was no excessive sedation. The incidence of nausea was 15%. All patients were ready for hospital discharge within one hour following treatment.

Conclusions

Patient maintained alfentanil TCI provides good analgesia for ESWL in the majority of patients with little sedation. Respiratory depression is uncommon but supplementary oxygen should be given prophylactically. There is considerable interindividual variation in demand for alfentanil indicating the usefulness of the patient control method. The TCI system underestimated alfentanil blood concentrations but this did not affect its clinical usefulness.     

HER2-targeted therapy reduces incidence and progression of midlife mammary tumors in female murine mammary tumor virus huHER2-transgenic mice.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effectiveness of early and prolonged mu4D5 (the murine form of trastuzumab/Herceptin) treatment in transgenic mice that overexpress human HER2 (huHER2), under the murine mammary tumor virus promoter, as a model of huHER2-overexpressing breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Mice were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups and received i.p. injections from 17 weeks of age until either 52 weeks of age or morbidity. Fourteen mice received 100 mg/kg mu4D5, 14 mice received 100 mg/kg antiherpes simplex virus glycoprotein D control antibody, and 11 mice received a diluent control. RESULTS: High levels of huHER2 expression were detectable in mammary glands of young virgin founder mice. Mammary adenocarcinomas were frequently found in female founders and progeny at an average age of 28 weeks, with some progressing to metastatic disease. The incidence of mammary tumors was significantly reduced, and tumor growth inhibition was observed in mice receiving mu4D5 compared with control mice. In addition, Harderian gland neoplasms, highly associated with overexpression of huHER2 in this transgenic line, were entirely absent in the mu4D5 treatment group, indicating down-regulation of huHER2 in vivo activity. CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention with mu4D5 was of benefit in our transgenic mice at high risk for developing huHER2-overexpressing breast cancer. This study suggests a potential benefit of early treatment with Herceptin in HER2-positive primary breast cancer.     

Post-traumatic cervical dystonia: a distinct entity?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The incidence of head/neck trauma preceding cervical dystonia (CD) has been reported to be 5-21%. There are few reports comparing the clinical characteristics of patients with and without a history of injury. Our aim was to compare the clinical characteristics of idiopathic CD (CD-I) to those with onset precipitated by trauma (CD-T). METHODS: We evaluated 114 consecutive patients with CD over a 9-month period. All patients were interviewed using a detailed questionnaire and had a neurological examination. Their clinical charts were also reviewed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (12%) had mild head/neck injury within a year preceding the onset of CD. Between the two groups (CD-I and CD-T), the gender distribution (F:M of 3:2), family history of movement disorders (32% vs. 29%), the prevalence of gestes antagonistes (65% vs. 64%), and response to botulinum toxin were similar. There were non-specific trends, including an earlier age of onset (mean ages 43.3 vs. 37.6), higher prevalence of neck pain (86% vs. 100%), head tremor (67% vs. 79%), and dystonia in other body parts (23% vs. 36%) in CD-T. CONCLUSIONS: CD-I and CD-T are clinically similar. Trauma may be a triggering factor in CD but this was only supported by non-significant trends in its earlier age of onset.     

荨麻水溶性化学成分研究

 目的 研究荨麻的水溶性化学成分。方法 运用大孔树脂、聚酰胺柱色谱、硅胶柱色谱等方法对荨麻水溶性化学成分 进行分离;运用UV,IR,MS,NMR等方法进行结构鉴定。结果 从荨麻全草中分离并鉴定了7个化合物,分别为硝酸钾(potassi- um nitrate,Ⅰ)、异鼠李素(isorhamnetin,Ⅱ)、山柰酚-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(kaempferol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Ⅲ)、槲皮素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Ⅳ)、异鼠李素-3-O-β-D-芸香糖苷(isorhamnetin-3-O-β-rutinoside,Ⅴ)、3,5-二 咖啡酰奎宁酸(3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid,Ⅵ)、芦丁(rutin,Ⅶ)。结论 化合物Ⅱ-Ⅶ均为首次从荨麻中分得,其中Ⅳ,Ⅴ为首 次从荨麻属中分得。     

Enhanced accuracy of needle placement in horizontal stereotactic core biopsy by a plastic slot

Horizontal stereotactic core biopsy can be used in the investigation of clinically occult mammographic abnormalities especially when breast thickness is less than 3 cm. We designed a 6-mm plastic slot that can be inserted between the bushing and the biopsy gun to enhance the accuracy of needle placement within the lesion. With this device, the centre of the lesion can be targeted at the centre of the biopsy trough. We advocate the use of this piece of small, simple and inexpensive instrument in every case of horizontal stereotactic core biopsy.     

国际多中心临床试验的监查

为贯彻临床试验管理规范，保证多中心临床试验的质量。本文以ADVANCE多中心临床试验为例，简介监查的程序和方法。提出监查员应当具有医药知识和临床试验经验，应当按程序到研究点去核查CRF，研究文件和有关资料。标准化的监查有助于提高多中心临床试验的质量。