The 10-year course of remission,abstinence, and recovery in dual diagnosis

This study examined the frequency, stability, predictors, and long-term outcomes of 6-month remissions of alcohol use disorders among 116 adults with co-occurring severe mental illnesses followed up prospectively for 10 years. Remission was defined as 6 months without meeting syndromal criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. Most participants (86%) experienced at least one 6-month remission, and these remissions were relatively durable. One third did not relapse during follow-up, and two thirds relapsed on average 3 years after remission. Six-month remissions were preceded by increased participation in substance abuse treatments, reductions in alcohol and drug use, decreases in psychiatric symptoms, increases in competitive employment, and increases in life satisfaction. Following remissions, participants improved in multiple domains of adjustment: reductions of psychiatric symptoms, decreases in alcohol and drug use, increases in work and social contacts with nonabusers, decreases in hospitalizations and incarcerations, increases in independent living, and increases in life satisfaction. Participants with alcohol dependence rather than alcohol abuse were less likely to attain 6-month remissions and more likely to relapse after attaining remissions.     

A radiographic and tomographic imaging system integrated into a medical linear accelerator for localization of bone and soft-tissue targets.

PURPOSE: Dose escalation in conformal radiation therapy requires accurate field placement. Electronic portal imaging devices are used to verify field placement but are limited by the low subject contrast of bony anatomy at megavoltage (MV) energies, the large imaging dose, and the small size of the radiation fields. In this article, we describe the in-house modification of a medical linear accelerator to provide radiographic and tomographic localization of bone and soft-tissue targets in the reference frame of the accelerator. This system separates the verification of beam delivery (machine settings, field shaping) from patient and target localization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A kilovoltage (kV) x-ray source is mounted on the drum assembly of an Elekta SL-20 medical linear accelerator, maintaining the same isocenter as the treatment beam with the central axis at 90 degrees to the treatment beam axis. The x-ray tube is powered by a high-frequency generator and can be retracted to the drum-face. Two CCD-based fluoroscopic imaging systems are mounted on the accelerator to collect MV and kV radiographic images. The system is also capable of cone-beam tomographic imaging at both MV and kV energies. The gain stages of the two imaging systems have been modeled to assess imaging performance. The contrast-resolution of the kV and MV systems was measured using a contrast-detail (C-D) phantom. The dosimetric advantage of using the kV imaging system over the MV system for the detection of bone-like objects is quantified for a specific imaging geometry using a C-D phantom. Accurate guidance of the treatment beam requires registration of the imaging and treatment coordinate systems. The mechanical characteristics of the treatment and imaging gantries are examined to determine a localizing precision assuming an unambiguous object. MV and kV radiographs of patients receiving radiation therapy are acquired to demonstrate the radiographic performance of the system. The tomographic performance is demonstrated on phantoms using both the MV and the kV imaging system, and the visibility of soft-tissue targets is assessed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Characterization of the gains in the two systems demonstrates that the MV system is x-ray quantum noise-limited at very low spatial frequencies; this is not the case for the kV system. The estimates of gain used in the model are validated by measurements of the total gain in each system. Contrast-detail measurements demonstrate that the MV system is capable of detecting subject contrasts of less than 0.1% (at 6 and 18 MV). A comparison of the kV and MV contrast-detail performance indicates that equivalent bony object detection can be achieved with the kV system at significantly lower doses (factors of 40 and 90 lower than for 6 and 18 MV, respectively). The tomographic performance of the system is promising; soft-tissue visibility is demonstrated at relatively low imaging doses (3 cGy) using four laboratory rats. CONCLUSIONS: We have integrated a kV radiographic and tomographic imaging system with a medical linear accelerator to allow localization of bone and soft-tissue structures in the reference frame of the accelerator. Modeling and experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring high-quality radiographic and tomographic images at acceptable imaging doses. Full integration of the kV and MV imaging systems with the treatment machine will allow on-line radiographic and tomographic guidance of field placement.     

人结肠上皮细胞的原代培养

目的:探讨人结肠上皮细胞的分离、体外培养方法,为研究结肠功能及相关疾病提供细胞模型。方法:人正常结肠黏膜取自结肠癌病人手术切除的癌旁正常组织,运用胶原酶和嗜热菌蛋白酶消化分离,接种于适当培养液内,根据成纤维细胞贴壁时间的差异并运用胶原酶来纯化。结果:联合运用Ⅰ、Ⅳ型胶原酶和嗜热菌蛋白酶消化可分离出健全绒毛隐窝单位,在适当的培养条件下可长出单层不规则形细胞,经鉴定为人结肠上皮细胞。结论:使用合适的方法及培养液,可以分离培养出正常人结肠上皮细胞。     

Treating Homeless Clients with Severe Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders: Costs and Outcomes

This study compared the costs and outcomes associated with three treatment programs that served 149 individuals with dual disorders (i.e., individuals with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders) who were homeless at baseline. The three treatment programs were: Integrated Assertive Community Treatment (IACT), Assertive Community Treatment only (ACTO), and standard care (Control). Participants were randomly assigned to treatment and followed for a period of 24 months. Clients in the IACT and ACTO programs were more satisfied with their treatment program and reported more days in stable housing than clients in the Control condition. There were no significant differences between treatment groups on psychiatric symptoms and substance use. The average total costs associated with the IACT and Control conditions were significantly less than the average total costs for the ACTO condition.The authors thank the study participants for their co-operation in this study; we hope that their lives have improved as a result of their participation. We also appreciate the co-operation of the many agencies that provided treatment to the study participants, particularly Community Alternatives, Places for People, and Peter and Paul Community Services. The following individuals were critical to the execution of the project: Ruth Smith, Mary Maguire, Bill Tourville, Joris Miller, Gretchen Gerteis, Gail Saulnier, Kecia Smith, Dorothy Gano, Jean Mayo and Melinda Bowen. We are also grateful to the many people and agencies who provided service utilization and cost information, particularly Mr. Ed Meyers of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Mr. Richard Koon and Melanie Neal of the Missouri Department of Social Services, Ron Konkol of the Social Security Administration, Francie Broderick and Kelly Wilson of Places for People, Steve Campbell of Peter and Paul Community Services, Bob Harvey and Marsha Wood of Independence Center, Debra Wilderman of St. Louis University Hospital, Karen Jessop of St. Alexius Hospital, Julia Rogliano of South Pointe Hospital, Nelda James of Barnes Hospital, and Joyce Ellison of the St. Louis Veterans Administration Hospital. Financial support was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, (MH 57154) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. However, the views expressed in this paper are the sole responsibility of the authors.Dr. Gary A. Morse is with Community Alternatives, St. Louis, MO, USA.Drs. Robert J. Calsyn, Thomas W. Helminiak and Mr. Matthew R. Lemming are with the University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.Dr. Robert D. Yonker is now with the University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.Dr. W. Dean Klinkenberg, Mr. Gyanesh Lama and Ms. Suzanne McCudden are with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, USA.Dr. Nancy Wolff is with Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.Dr. Robert E. Drake is at the Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA.     

Sex differences in schizophrenia

Evidence suggests sex differences in schizophrenia reflect differences in both neurodevelopmental processes and social effects on disease risk and course. Male:female incidence approximates 1.4:1 but at older onset women predominate. Prevalence differences appear smaller. Men have poorer premorbid adjustment and present with worse negative and less depressive symptoms than women, which may explain their worse medium term outcome according to a range of measures. Substance abuse is a predominantly male activity in this group, as elsewhere. Findings of sex differences in brain morphology are inconsistent but occur in areas that normally show sexual dimorphism, implying that the same factors are important drivers of sex differences in both normal neurodevelopmental processes and those associated with schizophrenia. There are sex differences in antipsychotic responses but sex-specific endocrine effects on illness and response to antipsychotics are potentially complex. Oestrogen's role as an adjunctive medication is not yet clear due to methodological differences between the few randomized controlled trials. Services that are sensitive to differences in gender can better meet their patients' specific needs and potentially improve outcome.     

少数民族亲属活体肾移植100例临床分析

目的 总结少数民族亲属活体肾移植的经验.方法 回顾性分析2004年至2008年7月间100例少数民族亲属活体肾移植中HLA配型、排斥反应、移植肾存活率以及死亡原因的临床资料.供、受者均为少数民族,供者均为自愿捐献.血缘亲属供肾97例,父亲供给儿子1例、女儿供给父亲1例、母亲供给儿子1例、兄妹之间24例,其余为血缘旁系亲属;非血缘亲属(夫妻)供肾2例,跨民族1例.HLA-A、B、DR 基因配型中,6个抗原均无错配者1例,1个抗原错配2例,2个抗原错配5例,3个抗原错配10例,4个抗原错配21例,5个抗原错配39例,6个抗原完全错配22例.结果 所有供者术后1周内出院,随访3～6个月,血肌酐正常,尿蛋白阴性.至2009年6月,受者的情况为:(1)91例受者存活,存活时间最长者达5年.9例死亡,其中1例死于心肌梗死,1例死于失血性休克,其余死于呼吸功能衰竭.(2)存活的受者中,2例移植肾功能丧失,其中1例术前群体反应抗体(PRA)高,术后发生急性排斥反应;另1例术后自行停用免疫抑制剂,导致移植肾功能丧失,已恢复透析治疗.移植肾1年存活率为91%,3年存活率为89%.(3)术后10例出现急性排斥反应,其中2例用甲泼尼龙加鼠源性单克隆抗体(OKT3)治疗,其余9例均用甲泼尼龙治疗,均逆转.(4)术后并发症:1例出现尿瘘,45 d后自行好转.3例出现膀胱输尿管吻合口狭窄,已做手术治愈.1例出现淋巴漏,术后2个月自行好转.肺部感染14例,其中7例轻度肺部感染,给予治疗后已好转,7例重症肺部感染导致呼吸功能衰竭死亡.4例继发性糖尿病;2例尿路感染;2例急性肾功能衰竭;3例下肢静脉血栓;5例药物性肝损害;5例红细胞增多症;3例丙型肝炎;3例慢性移植肾肾病;给予相应治疗后已好转.结论 术前对供、受者进行全面综合评估是亲属活体肾移植成功的保证;亲属活体肾移植的组织配型好,供肾缺血时间短,排斥反应发生少,移植肾长期存活率高.     

Cementation of a polyethylene liner into a metal acetabular shell: a biomechanical study

Cementation of a liner into a well-fixed acetabular shell is common in revision hip arthroplasty. We compare the biomechanical strengths of cemented liners with standard locked liners. Fifty polyethylene liners were inserted into acetabular shells using the standard locking mechanism or 1 of 2 cement types then loaded to failure by torsion or lever-out testing. Lever-out testing showed that all cemented liners failed at similar loads to standard locked liners. With torsion testing, cemented liners failed at significantly higher loads than standard locked liners; roughening the liner increased load to failure. Cementation of an acetabular liner into a metal shell is safe and strong and a good alternative to metal shell replacement. Saw roughening of the polyethylene liner strengthens the poly-cement interface.     

Surgical outcomes of esophageal atresia without fistula for 24 years at a single institution

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of esophageal atresia (EA) without fistula for 24 years at a single tertiary center for pediatric surgery.

Methods

The study used a retrospective chart review of infants diagnosed with EA without fistula between 1981 and 2005.

Results

Of 33 patients with EA without fistula, 31 charts were available. Mean birth weight was 2327 g (range, 905-3390 g), and 71% were male. Most common associated anomalies were cardiac (n = 6; 19%) and renal (n = 5; 16%), followed by vertebral (n = 4; 13%) and anorectal (n = 2; 7%). The median initial esophageal gap was 5 vertebral bodies. Six had a primary repair, and 25 patients had esophageal replacement at a median age of 7 months. This involved gastric transposition in 20 (1 followed failed jejunal interposition), colonic interposition in 5, jejunal interposition in 1 (after a failed colonic), and repair at another center in 1. With a median review of 9 years, 21 patients had long-term sequelae with the need for multiple further surgical procedures including an antireflux procedure in 5. One patient died.

Conclusions

Management of EA without fistula remains challenging. Most patients required staged treatment that included esophageal replacement. The frequency of late complications indicates the need for programmed long-term review.