Preliminary-study of the effect of selected chinese natural drugs on human ovarian-cancer cells

This study investigated the in vitro anti-cancer effects of four Chinese natural drugs on the human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 (cisplatin-sensitive) and A2780/CP70 (cisplatin-resistant). Cells were treated with series of concentrations of drug preparations for 24 h. Vincristine prepared by the same pharmaceutical firm in China; was used as an internal control. As assessed by colony formation assays, harringtonine induced similar growth inhibiting effects in A2780 and A2780/CP70 cell lines with a 50% inhibitory dose (IC50) of 0.195 mu g/ml in both. Rabdosia rubescens Hara demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on cisplatin-sensitive A2780 cells with an IC50 of 0.58 mg/ml; but there was no effect on A2780/CP70 cells. The data suggest direct anti-proliferative activity for at least two Chinese natural medicines used in the clinical treatment of cancer in China. Further investigation of Chinese natural medicines may be valuable in the identification of new and effective anti-cancer drugs with minimal side effects.     

功能性便秘与情感障碍相关性分析

功能性便秘是一种常见的功能性肠病,焦虑抑郁等情感障碍与功能性便秘是相互影响的。该文从三个方面阐述功能性便秘与焦虑抑郁等情感障碍的相关性。     

The Effect of Commuting Patterns on HIV Care Attendance Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in Atlanta,Georgia

Background

Travel-related barriers to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care, such as commute time and mode of transportation, have been reported in the United States.

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between public transportation use and HIV care attendance among a convenience sample of Atlanta-based, HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), evaluate differences across regions of residence, and estimate the relationship between travel distance and time by mode of transportation taken to attend appointments.

Methods

We used Poisson regression to estimate the association between use of public transportation to attend HIV-related medical visits and frequency of care attendance over the previous 12 months. The relationship between travel distance and commute time was estimated using linear regression. Kriging was used to interpolate commute time to visually examine geographic differences in commuting patterns in relation to access to public transportation and population-based estimates of household vehicle ownership.

Results

Using public transportation was associated with lower rates of HIV care attendance compared to using private transportation, but only in south Atlanta (south: aRR: 0.75, 95% CI 0.56, 1.0, north: aRR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.71, 1.1). Participants living in south Atlanta were more likely to have longer commute times associated with attending HIV visits, have greater access to public transportation, and may live in areas with low vehicle ownership. A majority of attended HIV providers were located in north and central Atlanta, despite there being participants living all across the city. Estimated commute times per mile traveled were three times as high among public transit users compared to private transportation users.

Conclusions

Improving local public transit and implementing use of mobile clinics could help address travel-related barriers to HIV care.     

Prospective, randomized trial of palliative treatment for unresectable cancer of the esophagus.

To evaluate the best method of palliation for obstructing nonresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the mid or distal esophagus, 27 patients were prospectively randomized to one of three treatment arms: (1) esophageal intubation with an Atkinson tube (AT, 10 patients), (2) esophageal intubation followed by radiation therapy (AT/RT, 8 patients), and (3) endoscopic laser therapy followed by irradiation (L/RT, 9 patients). Pretreatment characteristics were similar in the three groups. There was no procedure-related mortality. There were eight total complications related to the tube and none related to laser treatment (p = 0.02). Mean survival was 119 days in the AT group, 72 days in the AT/RT group, and 169 days in the L/RT arm (p = not significant). Quality of survival was most dependent on swallowing ability, and the swallowing score increased by 2.3 units in the AT group, 1.8 units in the AT/RT group, and 1.4 units in the L/RT group (p = not significant). Adding RT to laser therapy significantly increased time in treatment (mean, 38.7 days) when compared with the AT group (mean, 12.5 days) (p less than 0.001). However, only 1 patient required repeat laser ablation. It is concluded that AT and L/RT result in good palliation as measured by relief of dysphagia and survival time. However, morbidity of AT is significantly greater than that of L/RT. Laser and radiation therapy with a reduced total dosage of RT or with a change in fractionation schedule to limit treatment time is the preferred method of palliation.     

HIV-associated lipodystrophy

The HIV associated lipodystrophy syndrome is characterized by fat loss from the periphery, fat accumulation in the abdominal, dorsocervical regions and breasts, and hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance and lactic acidaemia. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these abnormalities, the exact aetiology of the condition remains unclear and will likely prove to be complex. The principal clinical concerns that arise from this disorder are possible increased risks of premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. A variety of therapeutic interventions, designed to limit these risks, are under evaluation.     

Enhancing response rates in physician surveys: the limited utility of electronic options

Objective. To evaluate the utility of offering physicians electronic options as alternatives to completing mail questionnaires. Data Source. A survey of colorectal cancer screening practices of Alabama primary care physicians, conducted May–June 2010. Study Design. In the follow‐up to a mail questionnaire, physicians were offered options of completing surveys by telephone, fax, email, or online. Data Collection Method. Detailed records were kept on the timing and mode of completion of surveys. Principal Findings. Eighty‐eight percent of surveys were returned by mail, 10 percent were returned by fax, and only 2 percent were completed online; none were completed by telephone or email. Conclusions. Offering fax options increases response rates, but providing other electronic options does not.