Pulmonary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma developed during long-term methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Methotrexate is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some reports have discussed the possible association between methotrexate and lymphoma. Here, we report a case of pulmonary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) developed after 11?years’ methotrexate therapy for RA. Biopsy of the pulmonary mass demonstrated a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After withdrawal of methotrexate without any other intervention for 4?weeks, a significant reduction in the size of the lymphoma was observed. The causative relationship between methotrexate and pulmonary lymphoma is suggested by the persistent remission after stopping methotrexate therapy.     

Polarity-dependent effect of low-frequency stimulation on amygdaloid kindling in rats

BackgroundLow-frequency stimulation (LFS, <5 Hz) has been proposed as an alternative option for the treatment of epilepsy. The stimulation pole, anode and cathode, may make different contributions to the anti-epileptic effect of LFS.ObjectiveTo determine whether electrode polarity influences the anti-epileptic effect of LFS at the kindling focus in amygdaloid kindling rats.MethodsThe effect of bipolar and monopolar (or unipolar) LFS at the amygdala in different polarity directions on amygdaloid kindling acquisition, kindled seizures and electroencephalogram (EEG) were tested.ResultsBipolar LFS in the same direction of polarity as the kindling stimulation but not in the reverse direction retarded kindling acquisition. Anodal rather than cathodal monopolar LFS attenuated kindling acquisition and kindled seizures. Bipolar LFS showed a stronger anti-epileptic effect than monopolar LFS. Furthermore, anodal LFS (both bipolar and monopolar) decreased, while cathodal LFS increased the power of the EEG from the amygdala; the main changes in power were in the delta (0.5–4 Hz) band, which was specifically increased during kindling acquisition.ConclusionsOur results provide the first evidence that the effect of LFS at the kindling focus on amygdaloid kindling in rats is polarity-dependent, and this may be due to the different effects of anodal and cathodal LFS on the activity in the amygdala, especially on the delta band activity. So, It is likely that the electrode polarity, especially that for anodal current, is a key factor affecting the clinical effects of LFS on epilepsy.     

Effectiveness of oral appliances versus continuous positive airway pressure in treatment of OSA patients: An updated meta-analysis

Objective: To update the meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of oral appliance (OA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ovid, EBSCO Dentistry & Oral Science Source, The Cochrane Library, and Embase database were searched for RCTs until 23 May 2017. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3.

Results: Sixteen RCTs were included. Compared with OA, CPAP significantly decreased AHI, min SaO2, ARI, ESS (p < 0.05), with no significant difference in REM%, FOSQ, BP (p ≥ 0.05). OA significantly improved REM% in the severe groups and ESS in the adjustable OA group (p < 0.05). OA shared greater preference.

Conclusion: Even though CPAP can better decrease the severity of OSA, more patients opted for OA, which showed better results in severe patients, especially adjustable OA.     

TEAS复合药物全麻行控制性降压后胃血流的变化

目的:探讨经皮穴位电刺激(transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,TEAS)复合药物全麻行控制性降压至不同血压水平的胃血流变化,从而明确针药复合麻醉的胃保护机制.方法:54只,♂,比格犬随机分为9组:单纯全麻组、60%对照组、60%实验组、50%对照组、50%实验组、40%对照组、40%实验组、30%对照组、30%实验组,每组6只,后8组动物均以异氟醚联合硝普钠行控制性降压,将动脉血压降至60%、50%、40%、30%基础平均动脉血压水平并维持60min,单纯全麻组不行控制性降压.实验组采用TEAS干预处理,采用激光多普勒组织血流仪监测不同水平相应时间点胃表面血流的变化.结果:在行控制性降压至目标低血压水平(T0)时,所有对照组胃血流均显著低于各自基础水平(P<0.05),而60%实验组、50%实验组胃血流未明显降低,在维持10min(T1)时,除50%实验组外,其他各控压组胃血流均显著低于各自基础水平和同期单纯全麻组水平(P<0.05),50%实验组与同水平对照组相比有显著统计学差异(P<0.05),在血压回升阶段,50%、30%、40%实验组胃血流先后恢复至基础水平和同期单纯全麻组水平,而同水平对照组未明显恢复.结论:轻度控压时(尤其是50%水平),TEAS的胃保护效应明显.重度控压时(尤其是30%水平),TEAS基本无保护效应,但在血压回升结束时,TEAS可促进胃血流的较快恢复.     

Incidence of posterior vitreous detachment after congenital cataract surgery: an ultrasound evaluation

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To investigate the incidence of developing posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in children after congenital cataract surgery. This...