Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: clinical and radiographic findings in children

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in childhood occurs so infrequently that it is not suspected in affected children until the disease has been present for a long time and local spreading has occurred. The survival rates are therefore quite poor. Six children with NPC are described. A massive local lymph node spread simulating lymphoma was present in half of the patients; in the other half the disease was more subtle, presenting with epistaxis and CNS involvement. If an evaluation of the nasopharynx were part of the initial physical examination in children, the diagnosis of NPC would be made earlier and survival rates would improve.     

套式PCR检测恶性疟原虫Pfcrt基因76号编码多态性及RFLP分析

目的检测恶性疟原虫氯喹抗性转运基因(Pfcrt)76编码多态性及其用该多态性显示恶性疟原虫对氯喹反应性进行评价.方法用套式PCR/RFLP技术检测现场采集的滤纸血滴上恶性疟原虫crt基因76编码的赖氨酸野生型多态性及苏氨酸突变型多态性,并对恶性疟原虫的氯喹反应性进行体内法测定.结果34份滤纸血样中,32份的恶性疟原虫crt基因76号编码为苏氨酸(突变型),突变型比例为94.12%;34份血样中21份做氯喹抗性体内观察,该21个病例中14份血样恶性疟原虫crt基因76号编码为突变型,体内法观察同样显示恶性疟原虫对氯喹有抗性,两种方法显示恶性疟原虫对氯喹有抗性的符合率为66.67%.结论套式PCR/RFLP检测Pfcrt基因76号编码多态性,其方法简便、快速,但其多态性对氯喹反应性的提示尚需进一步评价.     

Anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein: Two cases mimicking arteriovenous malformations and a review of the literature

Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is a rare congenital anomaly. It usually involves a pulmonary to systemic venous shunt and most cases have a septal defect in order to survive. Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with pulmonary venous shunting is an extremely rare and entirely benign entity. We present two such cases, in which there was atresia of the left superior pulmonary vein and drainage via a tortuous collateral vein to the left inferior pulmonary vein. This collateral was mistaken on plain film and CT for a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Awareness of this anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein and its radiological appearances may help in avoiding unnecessary pulmonary angiography.     

Mechanistic link between diesel exhaust particles and respiratory reflexes

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Feeling trapped and being torn: Physicians' narratives about ethical dilemmas in hemodialysis care that evoke a troubled conscience

Background  

This study is part of a major study about difficulties in communicating ethical problems within and among professional groups working in hemodialysis care. Describing experiences of ethically difficult situations that induce a troubled conscience may raise consciousness about ethical problems and thereby open the way to further reflection.