Assessment of the magnitude of anxiety in adults undergoing first oxygen treatment in a hyperbaric chamber

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and specific foci of anxiety experienced by patients receiving their initial hyperbaric treatment. The Spielberger State-Trait Inventory questionnaire and a personal interview were administered to 24 patients to determine anxiety levels. Upon arrival at the hyperbaric clinic and prior to any type of health teaching, the State and Trait questionnaire was administered to the patients. One hour prior to the treatment, the State questionnaire was repeated to determine any significant changes in anxiety levels. No significance was found in anxiety levels between pre-health and pre-treatment. The Trait questionnaire revealed that this specific group of patients, regardless of the circumstances, felt they were not very anxious individuals. Post-treatment, the State questionnaire was administered again and these anxiety levels did differ significantly from the pre-health and pre-treatment levels. The findings indicate the need to continue to validate clients' perceived needs during hyperbaric treatment, which will help direct future nursing practice.     

Skull base cerebrospinal fluid leakage control with a fibrin-based composite tissue adhesive

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks can be responsible for significant patient morbidity and mortality. While the majority of leaks induced after head trauma will seal without intervention, spontaneous or surgically-induced leaks often require operative repair. Many modifications on standard surgical technique are available for repair of CSF fistulae, but none assures adequate closure. We have studied the efficacy of a novel fibrin-based composite tissue adhesive (CTA) for closure of experimentally-induced CSF leaks in rats. Fistulae were created in two groups of animals. Two weeks after creation of the leaks, the animals were sacrificed and analyzed for persistence of leak. A 58% leakage rate was noted in the control group (n = 12), and no leaks were noted in the experimental group closed after application of CTA to the surgical defect followed by skin closure (n = 11). Comparing the control group to the experimental group, results were statistically significant (p = 0.015). These data suggest that CTA may be effective as an adjunct for the closure of CSF fistulae.     

Superovulation with or without intrauterine insemination for the treatment of infertility.

Patients undergoing human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) superovulation were reviewed retrospectively to determine whether fecundity was greater for intrauterine insemination (IUI) than timed intercourse. Forty patients with unexplained infertility, American Fertility Society I or II endometriosis, luteal phase defect and/or cervical factor were treated with hMG alone or hMG plus IUI. Twenty-eight underwent 52 cycles of hMG/IUI, and 19 underwent 31 cycles of hMG. The probability of pregnancy after four cycles was significantly better in the hMG/IUI group (.90) than the hMG group (.37, P = .049). There was a 54.5% multiple pregnancy rate, and one patient was admitted to the hospital for hyperstimulation. When traditional therapy fails, hMG/IUI significantly increases the pregnancy rates as compared to hMG with timed intercourse in a "good prognosis" group of patients.     

Rituximab in combination with fludarabine chemotherapy in low-grade or follicular lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fludarabine plus rituximab in treatment-naive or relapsed patients with low-grade and/or follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an open-label, single-arm, single-center phase II study enrolling 40 patients. During the first week of the study, patients received two infusions of rituximab 375 mg/m2 administered 4 days apart. Seventy-two hours after the second infusion of rituximab, patients received the first of six cycles of fludarabine chemotherapy (25 mg/m2/d for 5 days on a 28-day cycle). Single infusions of rituximab were administered 72 hours before the second, fourth, and sixth cycles of fludarabine, and two infusions of rituximab were given 4 weeks after the last cycle of fludarabine. Treatment duration was 26 weeks. RESULTS: An overall response rate of 90% (80% complete response rate) was achieved in the intent-to-treat population. Similar response rates were seen in treatment-naive and previously treated patients. The median duration of response has not been reached at 40+ months. The median follow-up time in this study is 44 months (range, 15 to 66 months). In patients positive for the 14;18 translocation in blood and/or marrow at enrollment, molecular remission was achieved in 88% of cases, with patients remaining negative for up to 4 years to date. Hematologic toxicity was manageable, and except for a 15% incidence of herpes simplex/zoster infections, infectious complications were rare. Nonhematologic toxicities were minimal. CONCLUSION: Rituximab plus fludarabine was well tolerated and associated with an excellent complete response rate, including molecular remissions, in patients with low-grade or follicular lymphoma.     

Tear of the distal biceps branchii tendon: A new method of ultrasound evaluation

Tear of the distal biceps brachii tendon is an uncommon injury. Ultrasound evaluation of the distal tendon using an anterior approach is often difficult because of technical factors. We describe a new method of ultrasound evaluation of the distal biceps tendon insertion. This involves a posterior approach with the forearm pronated. With pronation of the forearm, the radial tuberosity faces posteriorly, bringing the distal biceps tendon insertion into view. A surgically proven case of distal biceps tendon tear is presented to illustrate our technique.     

Procidentia in the newborn

Complete uterine prolapse was noted shortly after birth in a female infant with a meningomyelocele at the level of the iliac crest with a palpable dimpled defect caudal to the primary lesion. The vagina and uterus were restored to their normal position with a rubber nipple placed into the vagina. The prolapse resolved on the sixth day of life after a repair of the meningomyelocele. Thus, conservative therapy with temporary support provides a satisfactory solution for newborn procidentia.     

培养创新型临床医学人才的思考

文章从创新及创新型人才的概念入手，通过调研指出，目前临床医学人才培养存在的主要问题，提出在新时期要转变教育教学观念、强化创新意识教育、增强创新思维训练、着力创新人格塑造，以培养创新型临床医学人才。