Clinical oncology—A new era

Rapid growth in biomedical research coupled with dramatic advancement in biotechnology has significantly improved our understanding of the molecular basis involving cancer development and progression. This improvement has led to the discovery of new molecular markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis as well as new molecular targets for cancer treatment and intervention. Continuous emergence of some new developing area in molecular profiling, new therapeutic agents, tissue microenvironment and systems biology have made significant progress in clinical oncology. Clinical research and investigation that focus on these new developments have begun to show exciting results that indicate future promises in improving patient management and survival.     

The Effect of Dry Cleared Extract from Licorice Roots on the Learning of Ovariectomized Rats

The influence of chronic administration of a dry cleared extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (DCEG) containing flavonoids on the behavioral status and learning of intact and ovariectomized adult female rats has been studied. The DCEG preparation was administered in low (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and high (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) daily doses over a period of 14 days and the results were evaluated on the passive avoidance situation model and in the open field test. It was established that the chronic administration of DCEG in both low and high doses produced correction of the passive avoidance performance in ovariectomized female rats. The administration of DCEG in a low dose also positively influenced the structure of purposeful behavior of females with deficiency of estrogens. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 8, pp. 27 – 29, August, 2005.     

苏励教授治疗强直性脊柱炎经验介绍

苏励教授认为，脊柱在人体的位置处于皮里膜外，半表半里。强直性脊柱炎病在脊柱，故痰瘀之邪也盘踞在半表半里。治疗宜内清外透结合，在清里基础上外透，使邪有出路，从而清除盘踞在半表半里之邪实。并结合外治法以增加疗效。     

卫生保健课程教学误区之我见

卫生保健课程是以贯彻＂预防为主＂的方针、实现＂健康为人人,人人为健康＂的一门重要学科。笔者根据数年的教学实践,结合学生的课堂调查结果,总结卫生保健课程教学中常见的误区,以期同行在教学中避免走进误区,更好地为教学服务。     

Pharmacology of the internal anal sphincter and its relevance to faecal incontinence

1 The internal anal sphincter (IAS) has a spontaneous tone and is the main contributor to the maintenance of faecal continence. The spontaneous resting tone exhibited by the sphincter can be modified by neurotransmitters from the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. 2 In this review, the influence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on IAS tone are discussed and the putative roles of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and adenosine triphosphate in non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic transmission are considered. 3 Faecal incontinence is a common condition that places a heavy financial burden on the health service and severely affects patients’ quality of life. Resting anal pressure is reduced in patients with faecal incontinence and agents that increase sphincter tone tend to relieve symptoms. The results of clinical studies of the use of phenylephrine to treat faecal incontinence are reviewed. 4 It is concluded that the IAS is a potential target for drug development for the treatment of faecal incontinence.     

对诊断PADAM的游离睾酮指数的评估

目的 评价诊断中老年男子部分雄激素缺乏综合征（PADAM）的游离睾酮指数（FTI）.方法 对129例45岁以上健康男性的FTI进行年龄相关分析.以推算的游离睾酮（CFT）值为依据,对FTI进行有效性检验.结果 男子在中老年期FTI与增龄呈明显的负相关.FTI敏感性97.78%,特异性58.33%.结论 计算简单的FTI可用于PADAM病人的筛选和随访,尤其对70岁以上男子是血清FT较为有效的参数.     

ES05ROUTINE PARAFIBROMIN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY OF LARGE PARATHYROID ADENOMAS IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE SCREENING STRATEGY FOR CARCINOMA

Purpose Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The definitive histopathologic diagnosis of PC requires unequivocal invasion or metastasis which may be absent at first presentation. As a result, many cases of PC can only be diagnosed retrospectively. Parafibromin is the protein encoded by HRPT2 which is mutated and not expressed in many parathyroid carcinomas. Given that PCs generally weigh more than parathyroid adenomas (PA)s, we hypothesized that amongst large PAs there may be a high incidence of occult PC which could be identified by negative staining for parafibromin. Methodology 57 parathyroid glands weighing greater than 2 grams excised from 1998–2006 were identified from the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Database. Two specimens with a histopathologic diagnosis of PC were excluded. Immunohistochemical staining for parafibromin was performed on the remaining 55 PAs. Results Of the 55 specimens stained for parafibromin only one definite negative stain was detected. This case was originally classified as an “atypical adenoma” because it showed nuclear and architectural atypia without unequivocal evidence of invasive growth. In view of the negative staining for parafibromin it therefore probably represents occult carcinoma. There has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis after 6.5 years. Conclusions Complete loss of staining for parafibromin is very rare in giant parathyroid adenomas suggesting that occult carcinoma is equally rare. As a result routine immunohistochemical staining for parafibromin does not appear to be an effective screening test for carcinoma in large PA without histopathologic features of PC.