Towards a conceptual framework for evaluating primary care research networks.

We describe a conceptual framework that we have developed for evaluating primary care research networks. The framework includes objectives, process indicators, and outcome indicators. We propose the framework as a provisional model that we hope will promote further research and debate.     

Percutaneous gastrostomy in a child

A 2-year-old girl with cyanotic congenital heart disease needed to undergo gastrostomy. To avoid the use of general anesthesia, a percutaneous gastrostomy was performed as an interventional radiologic procedure with the patient under sedation and with the use of local anesthesia. The placement of a nasogastrocutaneous guide wire under fluoroscopic guidance provided a stable tract for placement of the gastrostomy tube.     

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin inhibition of 17 beta-estradiol-induced increases in rat uterine epidermal growth factor receptor binding activity and gene expression

Treatment of immature female Sprague-Dawley rats with 17 beta-estradiol (5 micrograms/animal) resulted in an increase in uterine epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor binding activity. Moreover, in a separate study it was also shown that 17 beta-estradiol increased steady-state levels of rat uterine EGF receptor mRNA as determined by Northern analysis. In contrast, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) caused a dose-response decrease in constitutive rat uterine EGF receptor binding activity and this was paralleled by a decrease in steady-state levels of uterine EGF receptor mRNA. Cotreatment of the animals with both TCDD (16 nmol/kg) and 17 beta-estradiol (5 micrograms/rat) gave results which showed that TCDD significantly inhibited the estrogen-induced increases in rat uterine EGF receptor binding activity and EGF receptor mRNA levels. These results further extend the range of antiestrogenic properties of TCDD and suggest that the inhibition of growth factor expression may play a role in the growth-inhibiting properties of TCDD in estrogen-responsive tissues or cells.     

Outpatient myelography: an acceptable and cost-effective technique

Sixty-five patients with stable low back pain had their lumbar myelography performed as outpatients, staying in the department for 1 h after the examination. The incidence of post-myelogram headache was similar to that reported for inpatients. No serious after-effects occurred in the study group. The vast majority of patients preferred to be at home following the study. It is concluded that outpatient myelography is safe, less expensive and preferred by the patients.     

黄柏及中成药中小檗碱和巴马亭的高效液相色谱法测定

本文以正相高效液相色谱法,用窗口图解技术对色谱条件进行了优化。对黄柏及其中成药中的有效成分——小檗碱、巴马亭的提取、测定条件、标准曲线进行了研究。并对两种含黄柏的中成药样品进行了分析。其中小檗碱的回收率均在97%以上,巴马亭的回收率均在96%以上。