Stability of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and leuprolide acetate in in-situ forming drug delivery systems.

In-situ forming drug delivery systems are prepared by dissolving a drug and a biodegradable polymer (poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), PLGA) in a biocompatible organic solvent (In-situ implant, ISI) or further emulsified into an external phase (oil or aqueous solution), resulting in oil-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions (In-situ forming microparticles, ISM). The chemical stability of PLGA and the drug is a major concern. In this study, the stability of PLGA and leuprolide acetate in the in-situ forming systems and lyophilized sponges was investigated. The degradation of PLGA increased with increasing storage temperature and water content in the biocompatible solvents. A faster degradation occurred in polar protic solvents (2-pyrrolidone, PEG 400, triethyl citrate) than in polar aprotic solvents (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, DMSO, triacetin, ethyl acetate). The presence of leuprolide acetate significantly accelerated PLGA degradation, especially in solution state. PLGA was stable in oily suspensions at 4 degrees C and degraded only slightly faster than solid powder at 25 degrees C. No interaction between the oils and the PLGA was observed as indicated by an unchanged T(g) of approx. 47 degrees C. PLGA underwent a slight degradation at 4 degrees C after 150 days in water and saturated sodium chloride solution. The degradation was slower in saturated sodium chloride solution than in water at 25 degrees C. Residual acetic acid in lyophilized sponges facilitated the PLGA degradation in contrast to dioxane. Leuprolide acetate did not affect the PLGA stability negatively. However, lidocaine significantly enhanced the polymer degradation in the sponges. Finally, leuprolide acetate was chemically stable in the sponges, the oils and the polymer solutions in suspension state, but unstable (aggregation) when dissolved in the polymer solutions and stored at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C.     

Localization of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow using new stimulator for the inching test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the TenElectrodes, a new stimulator for inching test, in the diagnosis and localization of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). METHODS: Sixty-two ulnar nerves in 40 control subjects and 24 ulnar nerves in 23 patients with typical symptoms and signs of UNE were studied. The inching test of ulnar motor nerve using TenElectrodes was done along 8 cm across the elbow in the extended position. RESULTS: In the inching test of the control group, the mean segmental latency difference was 0.19+/-0.08 ms. Maximal latency difference over a 1 cm segment did not exceed 0.40 ms in any of the controls but exceeded 0.5 ms or more in all clinical UNE patients. In all UNE patients, the lesion sites were identified by the inching test using TenElectrodes: the retroepicondylar groove (54.2%), the humeroulnar arcade (29.2%), and dual compression (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: TenElectrodes is a useful stimulator for the inching test in the diagnosis of UNE. The precise localization of compression was possible in all patients with UNE and the most common site was the retroepicondylar groove.     

端粒酶活性检测在乳腺癌诊断中的意义

[目的 ]探讨细针穿刺乳腺肿瘤组织的端粒酶活性检测在乳腺癌诊断中的意义 .[方法 ]用聚合酶链反应 酶联免疫吸附测定法检测 79例术前乳腺肿瘤细针穿刺活检标本和大体标本的端粒酶活性 ,并与病理诊断进行比较 .[结果 ]乳腺癌 6 5例中穿刺组织端粒酶呈阳性的为 5 7例 ,阳性率为 88% ;大体组织端粒酶呈阳性的为 5 4例 ,阳性率为 83% .淋巴结转移者端粒酶活性高于无淋巴结转移者 .乳腺良性疾病 14例中端粒酶呈阳性的为 2例 ,阳性率为 14 % .[结论 ]术前乳腺肿瘤穿刺组织的端粒酶活性检测有利于乳腺肿瘤的早期诊断及鉴别诊断 .     

开放复位可塑形钛板内固定治疗跟骨骨折33例

目的 评价开放复位可塑形钛板内固定治疗跟骨骨折的疗效。方法 对33例(37足)以后关节突移位为主的跟骨骨折,行跟骨外侧入路、开放性复位可塑形钛板螺钉内固定,必要时行植骨术(18例)。结果 平均随访11.5个月,参照Mary—land food score评分,对患足是否疼痛、步态、距下关节及踝关节活动度、是否支架辅助、术后X线摄片等加以评估,19足疗效为优,17足为良,1足可。其中钛板断裂1例,手术切口皮缘坏死1例,换药后自愈。结论 跟骨外侧入路开放复位可塑形钛板螺钉内固定,必要时植骨术是治疗跟骨骨折的有效方法。     

Antiproliferative Activity Against MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cells by Diamino‐Triazaspirodiene Antifolates

Two triazaspirodienes, having similar phenoxy propyloxy side chain, were identified as potent mammalian dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors; one having a 6,5‐spiro bicyclic ring system (IC₅₀ = 2.3 nm ) and the other a 6,6‐spiro bicyclic system (IC₅₀ = 6.9 nm ). They also showed more than 50% antiproliferative activity against the MCF‐7 breast cancer cells at 20 μm . This study demonstrated the potential lead of the diamino‐triazaspirodienes in anticancer chemotherapeutical agents’ discovery.     

A systematic review of resident‐as‐teacher programmes

Context Residents in all disciplines serve as clinical teachers for medical students. Since the 1970s, there has been increasing evidence to demonstrate that residents wish to teach and that they respond positively to formal teacher training. Effective resident‐as‐teacher (RaT) programmes have resulted in improved resident teaching skills. Current evidence, however, is not clear about the specific features of an effective RaT programme. Objectives This study was performed in order to investigate the effectiveness of RaT programmes on resident teaching abilities and to identify the features that ensure success. Methods of assessment used to ascertain the effectiveness of RaT programmes are also explored. Methods The literature search covered the period between 1971 and 2008. Articles focusing on improving resident teaching skills were included. Each study was reviewed by two reviewers and data were collected using a standard abstraction summary sheet. Study outcomes were graded according to a modified Kirkpatrick's model of educational outcomes. Results Twenty‐nine studies met review inclusion criteria. Interventions included workshops, seminars, lectures and teaching retreats. Twenty‐six studies used a pre‐ and post‐intervention outcome comparison method. Subjective outcome measures included resident self‐evaluation of teaching skills or evaluation by medical students, peers and faculty members. Objective outcome measures included written tests, evaluation of teaching performance by independent raters and utilisation of objective structured teaching examinations. One study objectively measured learning outcomes at the level of medical students, utilising the results of an objective structured clinical examination. Overall resident satisfaction with RaT programmes was high. Participants reported positive changes in attitudes towards teaching. Participant knowledge of educational principles improved. Study methodologies allowed for significant risks of bias. Conclusions More rigorous study designs and the use of objective outcome measures are needed to ascertain the true effectiveness of RaT programmes. Future research should focus on determining the impact of RaT programmes on learning achievement at the level of medical students.     

电脑比配色仪与比色板之间的相近性分析

目的：通过对比色记录的分析，比较Vita比色板、松风Vintage Halo比色板和电脑比配色仪之间的相近性和差异性。方法：随机抽取100名年龄在21～24岁的本地在校大学生，由男女两位测试者使用电脑比配色仪、Vita比色板和松风Vintage Halo比色板对被测试者的左上中切牙进行比色分析。结果：三种比色方法均以A色调最为集中，占总数的55％以上。其次是D色调占总数20％以上。男女测试者的选色在A、R、VR．系列中无明显差异。结论：电脑比配色仪、Vita比色板、松风Vintage Halo比色板均不能完全覆盖本地区青年天然中切牙的色度特征，只在A色调系列中重复率较高。     

凹槽交锁髓内钉治疗股骨多段骨折(附18例报告)

目的探讨一种新型交锁髓内钉-凹槽交锁股骨髓内钉(Biorigid nail femur，简称BNF)治疗股骨多段骨折的方法。方法自2002年3月～2003年10月应用德国aap公司生产的BNF治疗骨折多段骨折18例。结果本组经过3～18个月、平均9个月的随访。骨折均愈合，膝、髋关节恢复良好。结论BNF具有设计独特、内固定可靠、主钉全程均可交锁的特点，能满足自股骨转子下到股骨髁之间一处或多处骨折内固定需要。