Percutaneous cecostomy: controlled transperitoneal approach

The authors present two cases of percutaneous cecostomy performed with a modified approach previously described for percutaneous gastrostomy and cholecystostomy. T-fastener devices were used to affix the cecum to the anterior abdominal wall; thus, the potential problem of fecal spillage was prevented. In both cases, adequate fecal drainage was provided without complication.     

Association between palmoplantar pustulosis and cigarette smoking in Brazil: a case–control study

Background  Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) discloses some differences compared to vulgar psoriasis (PV) in terms of age of onset, female predominance and low occurrence of psoriasis lesions elsewhere. Cigarette smoking has been associated to PPP in international studies; nevertheless, these studies were never performed among Brazilian.
Objectives  To compare prevalence of smoking among PPP, PV and other dermatologic patients (NPD).
Methods  Case–control study involving 25 PPP patients from a reference psoriasis centre. Two control groups were matched according to gender and age: 50 patients with PV and 50 NPD. Confounders were adjusted by conditional multiple logistic regression.
Results  Among cases, 84.0% were female and PPP age of disease onset (41.4 years) was greater than PV (34.5 years). Prevalence of ever smoking was higher among cases (92.0%) than PV (52.0%) and NPD (30.0%). Adjusted odds ratio of PPP ever smoking compared to PV and NPD was 9.5 and 36.2, respectively. All smokers reported the onset of their habit before the development of PPP.
Conclusions  There was significant association between PPP and smoking. However, the impact of giving it up in the clinical course of the disease remains to be established.     

尿道狭窄患者围手术期尿液TGF-β1变化的分析研究

目的:探讨尿道狭窄患者围手术期尿液TGF-β1浓度变化情况以及影响该浓度的相关因素.方法:使用ELISA试剂盒对29例尿道狭窄患者术前1个月及术后1个月尿液中TGF-β1进行测定及记录.同期取泌尿系统其他手术的14例患者作为对照组,测定其术后1个月尿液中TGF-β1浓度.结果:检测结果显示实验组在接受手术治疗后尿液中TGF-β1含最较对照组有显著增高(P＜0.05).同时实验组患者术前和术后尿液TGF-β1浓度也存在明显差异(P＜0.05).在相关性因素的分析中,前尿道狭窄患者术后尿液中TGF-β1含量的变化幅度较后尿道狭窄患者更为显著(P＜0.05),同时采用自体组织替代技术较传统端端吻合技术以及内镜切开技术更能引起尿液中TGF-β1的明显变化(P＜0.05).但年龄、既往手术次数均未能引起患者术后TGF-β1的变化.结论:狭窄部位、手术方式都与患者尿液中 TGF-β1的含量存在一定的联系,而年龄及既往手术史等因素未发现与患者体内TGF-β1含量有较大的联系.     

直视下尿道内切开术的再认识

目的：观察直视下尿道内切开术（DVIU）的长期疗效,重新评价DVIU的临床应用价值。方法：回顾性分析2003年1月～2007年1月收治的65例尿道狭窄或闭锁患者行DVIU及术后随访的临床资料：狭窄长度0．5～2．0cm,平均1．2cm。其中≤1．0cm者25例,1．1～2．0cm者40例。30例行尿道超声检查测量尿道瘢痕厚度,其中瘢痕厚度≤1cm者10例,〉1cm者20例,瘢痕长度和厚度均≤1cm者9例。结果：65例共行DVIU72例次,72例次内切开手术均获得成功。63例获得随访,随访时间24～60个月,平均40．5个月。48例（76．2％）因狭窄复发而最终接受开放手术。尿道超声显示瘢痕厚度≤1cm的10例中,只有1例接受手术;瘢痕厚度〉1cm的20例中,18例接受手术;瘢痕长度和厚度均≤1cm的9例均未行手术。结论：DVIU适合于狭窄段和瘢痕厚度均〈1cm的患者,切开次数以1次为宜,手术疗效与严格掌握适应证密切相关。     

A clinical study assessing the tolerability and biological effects of infliximab, a TNF-alpha inhibitor, in patients with advanced cancer

BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an important regulator of the chronic inflammation contributing to tumour progression. Infliximab, an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody was investigated in this trial of patients with advanced cancer. The primary objectives were to determine the safety profile and biological response of infliximab in a cancer population. Clinical response was a secondary objective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients received infliximab at 5 mg/kg (n = 21) or 10 mg/kg (n = 20) i.v. at 0 and 2 weeks and then every 4 weeks. Post-treatment samples were measured for changes in plasma and serum TNF-alpha, CCL2, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Infliximab was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxic effects. At both doses of infliximab, neutralisation of serum TNF-alpha was observed after 1 h while plasma CCL2, IL-6 and serum CRP were decreased 24 and 48 h following infliximab administration. Seven patients experienced disease stablisation (range 10-50+ weeks). There was no evidence of disease acceleration in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab treatment was safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced cancer. There was evidence of biological activity with baseline TNF-alpha and CCL2 being correlated with infliximab response.     

Randomized controlled trial of dexamethasone treatment in very-low-birth-weight infants with ventilator-dependent chronic lung disease

This randomized controlled trial was designed to answer the question: does administration of dexamethasone to neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia decrease the need for assisted ventilation? Twenty-five infants with a birth weight < 1501 g, requiring mechanical ventilation and FiO₂ of ± 0.30 at 21-35 days of age, were randomized to treatment with iv dexamethasone or to sham injections for 12 days. The primary outcome criterion was extubation within seven days after study entry. Treatment (n= 12) and control (n= 13) groups were well matched at entry. Dexamethasone facilitated weaning from assisted ventilation (p= 0.0154). There was no increased incidence of infection. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in a significant increase in glucosuria (p= 0.0002) and in systolic blood pressure (p= 0.0034). There was a significant decrease in heart rate (p= 0.0001) and a significant weight loss (p= 0.0002) following dexamethasone treatment. Dexamethasone treatment facilitated weaning from assisted ventilation but several systemic effects were noted that deserve further evaluation before dexamethasone becomes routine treatment.     

Effects of positive and negative pressure ventilation on cerebral blood volume of newborn infants

The effects of intermittent positive airway and continuous negative extrathoracic pressure ventilation on cerebral blood volume in preterm infants were studied using near infrared spectroscopy. In 12 infants continuous negative extrathoracic pressure caused a median decrease in cerebral blood volume of 0.14ml/100ml brain (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.035–0.280) compared with no respiratory support. Oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin also decreased, implying increased venous drainage as the main effect. In 17 infants intermittent positive pressure ventilation also caused a median reduction in cerebral blood volume of 0.06 ml/100 ml brain (95% CI 0.010–0.115) compared with endotracheal positive airway pressure. Deoxygenated haemoglobin increased by 0.07 ml/100 ml brain (95% CI 0.010–0.100) while oxygenated haemoglobin decreased by O.lOml/lOOml brain (95% CI 0.005–0.175). The increase in deoxygenated haemoglobin implies decreased venous drainage and the decrease in oxygenated haemoglobin implies that other factors may also be significant. Heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored continuously and remained stable.