Treatment strategy for synchronous metastases of colorectal cancer: is hepatic resection after an observation interval appropriate?

Background In cases of synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases, the primary colorectal cancer strongly influences on the metastases. Our treatment policy has been to conduct hepatic resection for the metastases at an interval of 3 months after colorectal resection. We examined the appropriateness of interval hepatic resection for synchronous hepatic metastasis. Materials and methods The subjects were 164 patients who underwent resection of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer (synchronous, 70 patients; metachronous, 94 patients). Background factors for hepatic metastasis and postoperative results were compared for synchronous and metachronous cases. Results The cumulative survival rate for 164 patients at 3, 5, and 10 years postoperatively was 71.9%, 51.8%, and 36.6%, and the post-resection recurrence rate in remnant livers was 26.8%. Interval resection for synchronous hepatic metastases was conducted in 49 cases after a mean interval of 131 days. No difference was seen in postoperative outcome between synchronous and metachronous cases. Conclusion The outcome was similarly favorable in cases of synchronous hepatic metastasis and in cases of metachronous metastasis. Delaying resection allows accurate understanding of the number and location of hepatic metastases, and is beneficial in determining candidates for surgery and in selecting surgical procedure.     

Treatment of myofascial trigger points in common shoulder disorders by physical therapy: A randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN75722066]

Background  

Shoulder disorders are a common health problem in western societies. Several treatment protocols have been developed for the clinical management of persons with shoulder pain. However available evidence does not support any protocol as being superior over others. Systematic reviews provide some evidence that certain physical therapy interventions (i.e. supervised exercises and mobilisation) are effective in particular shoulder disorders (i.e. rotator cuff disorders, mixed shoulder disorders and adhesive capsulitis), but there is an ongoing need for high quality trials of physical therapy interventions. Usually, physical therapy consists of active exercises intended to strengthen the shoulder muscles as stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint or perform mobilisations to improve restricted mobility of the glenohumeral or adjacent joints (shoulder girdle). It is generally accepted that a-traumatic shoulder problems are the result of impingement of the subacromial structures, such as the bursa or rotator cuff tendons. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in shoulder muscles may also lead to a complex of symptoms that are often seen in patients diagnosed with subacromial impingement or rotator cuff tendinopathy. Little is known about the treatment of MTrPs in patients with shoulder disorders.     

Pure isolated dorsal dislocation of the fifth carpometacarpal joint

Isolated pure dislocations of the fifth carpo-metacarpal joint are extremely rare injuries. The dorsal form was described in mere 12 cases. The diagnosis can be easily missed. The lesion is also often overlooked in the routine diagnostic X-ray. Lateral and oblique views are important for the recognition of the true extent of the lesion. Treatment of these injures is still controversial and both closed reduction with percutaneous pinning or open reduction with internal fixation are advocated. The goal of treatment is early reduction and fixation of the metacarpal. Early diagnosis is the key to success. The aim of this paper is to review literature and present two new cases.     

2004年聊城市东昌府区2类食品卫生质量抽检结果分析

[目的]了解东昌府区糕点、面包类与饼干类食品的卫生质量状况。[方法]对2004年在东昌府区城区及周边16个乡镇采集的糕点、面包类和饼干类样品检测资料进行分析。[结果]检测样品1 180份,合格率为84.41%。其中,糕点、面包类样品合格率为83.35%,城区合格率高于乡镇,生产加工单位合格率高于销售单位(P<0.01);饼干类样品合格率为87.30%,城区与乡镇、生产加工单位与销售单位样品的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。不合格项目是菌落总数、大肠菌群、酸价和过氧化值。[结论]饼干类的合格率较高,糕点、面包类的合格率较低;销售单位糕点、面包类的卫生质量较差,乡镇样品的卫生问题较为突出。     

外刊速览

中国研制出抗禽流感药物——路透社目前,中国已研制出一种与“达菲”相应的抗禽流感病毒药物,但并没有说明该药物何时会投入使用,以及它与“达菲”的可比性。鉴于缺乏禽流感疫苗,世界卫生组织已经建议各国政府储备“达菲”。该药虽然不能治愈禽流感,但可以抑制病毒发展,减缓病毒扩散。全球唯一能够生产“达菲”的瑞士罗氏公司上星期宣布,他们已经停止在中国市场     

Diffusion transport in interpolyelectrolyte matrix systems based on chitosan and Eudragit L100

With a view to the development of new controlled drug delivery systems, the formation of an interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) between chitosan (CTS) and Eudragit L100 (L-100) has been studied. The structure of this IPEC is such that two maxima are observed in the curves of IPEC swelling in the media with different pH values. The release of a model drug (ibuprofen) from IPEC-based tablets is significantly retarded, and this delay can be controlled by changing the molecular weight of CTS in the IPEC composition. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 12, pp. 44–46, December, 2005.     

Amisulpride in the short-term treatment of depressive and physical symptoms in cancer patients during chemotherapies

Introduction Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide that, at low doses, selectively blocks D2 and D3 presynaptic dopamine receptors, enhancing dopaminergic transmission in frontal cortex and limbic areas. Many clinical studies versus placebo, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed amisulpride antidepressant effect, supporting its safety and rapid onset of action. In oncological population, depression is quite frequent and difficult to treat because of the particular sensitivity of cancer patients to the antidepressants’ side effects. Goals of work The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability of low doses of amisulpride (50 mg) in oncological, depressed patients during chemotheraphy. Materials and methods One hundred six consecutive cancer outpatients with depressive symptoms were treated in a prospective, intention to treat, 4-week study, and were evaluated in single-blind with Montgomery Asberg rating scale for depression (MADRS), clinical global impression (CGI) and dosage record treatment emergent symptom scale (DOTES) to assess side effects of treatment. Main results After 4 weeks of treatment, scores of MADRS and CGI significantly improved (p < 0.002; p < 0.001, respectively), with a reduction of depressive symptoms concerning both emotional (such as apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, etc.) and physical cluster (such as lack of appetite, reduction in weight, tiredness and insomnia) with good tolerability (only two patients dropped out). Conclusions This study is the first trial on the use of amisulpride in a cohort of oncological, depressed patients during chemotherapy. Amisulpride demonstrated high efficacy and safety. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.     

Giant cell tumor of the rib

We experienced a rare case of giant cell tumor (GCT) arising in the 5^th rib involving the 5^th vertebral body and transverse process. A 57-year-old man presented with a well-defined mass in the left thoracic cavity on chest x ray examination. Chest computed tomography showed a heterogeneous 7cm-diameter mass originating in the posterior segment of the left 5^th rib. The tumor had spread to the 5^th thoracic vertebra destroying the left half of the body and transverse process. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogeneous-intensity mass involving the 4^th to 6^th ribs. A radical excision of the tumor followed by a 50 Gy radiotherapy was performed after embolization of the feeding arteries. The pathological diagnosis was a GCT. The patient remains well without evidence of recurrence for 6 years following surgery. The present case is only the 14^th case of GCT arising in the rib to have been reported in Japan.     

抗非典精神刍议

全同非典进行特死斗争过程中，医护人员表现出一种临危不惧、挺身而出、全力救治、不怕牺牲、恪尽职守、患者至上、竭诚服务、科学防治的“抗非典精神”值得宣传，学习和效法。     

Health Information System Implementation: A Qualitative Meta-analysis

Healthcare information systems (HISs) are often implemented to enhance the quality of care and the degree to which it is patient-centered, as well as to improve the efficiency and safety of services. However, the outcomes of HIS implementations have not met expectations. We set out to organize the knowledge gained in qualitative studies performed in association with HIS implementations and to use this knowledge to outline an updated structure for implementation planning. A multi-disciplinary team performed the analyses in order to cover as many aspects of the primary studies as possible. We found that merely implementing an HIS will not automatically increase organizational efficiency. Strategic, tactical, and operational actions have to be taken into consideration, including management involvement, integration in healthcare workflow, establishing compatibility between software and hardware and, most importantly, user involvement, education and training. The results should be interpreted as a high-order scheme, and not a predictive theory.