Colchicine for recurrent pericarditis in children

The incidence of recurrence of acute pericarditis in children varies from 15% to 30% and is accompanied by a high morbidity. Various treatment modalities have been used with variable success rates and side effects. La Serna et al. (Lancet 1987; 26: 1517) were the first to treat adults with recurrent pericarditis with colchicine, and were followed by other authors. To our knowledge no studies in children have been reported. In this paper, we present three children who suffered from viral or idiopathic recurrent pericarditis, despite multiple courses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or corticosteroids. They responded remarkably well to colchicine, which was administered for 6 months with no adverse reactions. They continue to do well 18, 11 and 12 months after cessation of treatment, respectively.     

Induced drug resistance inhibits selection of initiated cells and cancer development

Compounds exerting a mitoinhibitory effect on normal hepatocytes are potent promoters in the resistant hepatocyte model of chemical carcinogenesis in combination with stimulation of regenerative growth by partial hepatectomy or treatment with carbon tetrachloride. 2- Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) almost completely inhibits liver cell regeneration after partial hepatectomy, allowing only resistant cells to participate in regenerative growth. After initiation by diethylnitrosamine and promotion with 2-AAF and partial hepatectomy (PH), focal growth of initiated cells generates liver lesions which occupy 40% of the hepatic volume three weeks after PH. In this work the mechanism for the anti promoting effects of phenobarbital and 3- methylcholantrene were investigated as well as their effects on the development of malignant hepatocellular carcinoma in the resistant hepatocyte model. Treatment with phenobarbital or, especially, 3- methylcholanthrene rendered normal rat hepatocytes resistant to the mitoinhibitory effect of 2-AAF. In combination with 2-AAF/PH, 3- methylcholanthrene shortened the regenerative growth period to less than one week. In the Solt-Farber protocol for experimental hepatocarcinogenesis, treatment with phenobarbital or 3- methylcholanthrene during promotion with 2-AAF/PH permitted hepatocytes surrounding the focal lesions to respond with regenerative growth. The foci and surrounding liver grew until the liver/body mass index reached the control value. With phenobarbital treatment the total focal volume was 20% of the liver volume three weeks after PH, whereas the corresponding value in the case of 3-methylcholanthrene was only 1%. Labelling index data supported the conclusion that growth of the liver lesions in the resistant hepatocyte model was dependent on differential inhibition of normal hepatocyte growth by the promoter and that the size of the foci obtained was related to the length of time after PH required to complete liver regeneration. 3-methylcholanthrene induced 2- AAF resistance prevented the development of large persistent nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma while phenobarbital delayed cancer development with several month. The data thus supports the idea that the degree of clonal expansion during promotion determines the size of the population at risk for malignant transformation, as well as the final frequency of carcinomas.      

铒激光擦皮术后色素沉着的防治对策

０　引言　东方人接受皮肤磨削术治疗后色素沉着的发生率明显高于西方人．尽管采用了目前被认为是最适宜亚洲人的铒激光治疗,色素沉着仍可发生．因此,在实施该手术治疗前应严格掌握适应证,制定严密的预防治疗措施,使得色素沉着的发生率降至最低,从而最大限度的防止医疗纠纷的发生．１　对象和方法１．１　对象　２１例患者,男２例,女１９例,平均年龄２９．２（０８～４８）岁．皱纹祛除８例,浅表疤痕７例,浅咖啡斑、黑子５例,不良纹眉１例．铒激光其它适应证：①老年斑;②细小皱纹;③“白皮肤”雀斑;④痤疮后疤痕⑤色素减退…     

Functional histopathological and morphometric study of the use of gangliosides in nerve regeneration in rats after axonotmesis

The purpose of the present functional, histopathological and morphometric study was to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the function of gangliosides (GM1, GD1a, GD1b e GT1b) in peripheral nerve regeneration. An experimental model was used with 96 male albino Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus, Muridae). After the sciatic nerves of young adults had been crushed for 2 min using haemostatic tweezers, the rats were divided into experimental and control groups. The 48 animals in the experimental group received subcutaneous dorsal injections of gangliosides for 15 days after the surgical action, while the 48 control animals were injected with a saline solution. A functional, histopathological and morphometric evaluation of the sciatic function index (SFI) was made on 12 rats from both groups at 8, 15, 30 and 60 days. As a result of the methodology employed and the functional, histopathology and morphometric analyses, it was concluded that the administration of exogenous gangliosides seems to enhance nerve regeneration, because it stimulated the proliferation of Schwann cells and perhaps reduced the presence of inflammatory ones, seeming to promote nerve regeneration after axonotmesis.     

Screening for asymptomatic carriage of Trichophyton tonsurans in household contacts of patients with tinea capitis: results of 209 patients from South London

BACKGROUND: There is currently an epidemic of tinea capitis in urban areas of developed countries caused by Trichophyton tonsurans. Recurrence or re-infection with dermatophyte is not uncommon after adequate oral treatment. Asymptomatic carriers who are household contacts may partly explain this observation by forming a reservoir for infection. PATIENTS/METHODS: Two-hundred and nine household contacts of patients with tinea capitis were examined and screened for asymptomatic carriage of dermatophyte. RESULTS: Only 7.2% had clinically evident disease yet 44.5% had silent fungal carriage on the scalp. Children under 16 years were much more likely to be carriers than adults (P < 0.001) and males were less likely than females to be affected (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This evidence poses questions about factors relevant in transmission of dermatophytes. The authors propose that all household contacts of patients with tinea capitis should be offered screening to eradicate a potential reservoir of infection.     

新型缓释辅料甲壳胺的研究 Ⅱ甲壳胺对不同性质药物的适应性的研究

目的：考察甲壳胺对不同性质药物的适应性。方法：选择了盐酸麻黄碱,盐酸心得安,卡马西平,磺胺嘧啶,阿司匹林,法莫替丁,朴热息痛,潘生丁,茶碱,炎痛喜康,水杨酸等不同性质的１１种药物,以甲胺为阻滞剂,制备了缓释型骨架片溶出效果。结果：甲壳胺的缓释作用随药物碱性增强,分子量增大,溶解度降低而增强,结论：甲 胺对不同性质的药物均有一定缓释作用。