Imaging in noncardiovascular thoracic emergencies: a pictorial review

Cardiovascular and noncardiovascular conditions are commonly encountered in the emergency department. While the majority of patients have underlying cardiovascular aetiologies, such as acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism, a small subset of patients have underlying noncardiovascular conditions, although they present with similar symptoms of chest pain, dyspnoea, cough, haemoptysis and haematemesis. This article aims to describe the imaging findings in common noncardiovascular conditions of the chest that are frequently encountered in the emergency department, with a review of the existing literature.     

Pharmacodynamics of combined estrogen–progestin oral contraceptives: 4. Effects on uterine and cervical epithelia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Steroid hormones are responsible for specific changes in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle, when they are sequentially secreted and, because of this, in the early days sequential combined oral contraceptive regimens were utilized. The same basic concept has been utilized with multi-phasic regimens, in order to produce endometrial pictures mimicking the normal cycle.

Areas covered: The Endometrial effects of progestins and estrogens; combined monophasic high- (50 μg), medium- (30 μg), low- (20 μg), ultralow- (15 μg) estrogen content; sequential regimens; multiphasic combinations; treatment schedules.

Cervical effects of combined high-dose and sequential combinations, including evidence for an increase in malignant lesions.

Expert opinion: Overall, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) inhibit normal proliferative changes and the endometrium becomes thin, narrow, with widely spaced glands and pre-decidual changes in the stroma. During the first few cycles the progestin induces a coexistence of proliferative and secretory features; with time, the picture changes because the progestin induces a down-regulation of estrogen receptors, resulting in tortuous glands similar to those in the secretory phase, but characterized by a quiescent, atrophic glandular epithelium.

In the cervical epithelium, under the influence of high-dose COCs, endocervical glands became hypersecretory and in some instances, distinctive type of atypical polypoid endocervical hyperplasia is found.     

不同氢溴酸右美沙芬口服固体制剂的溶出度考察

目的：对6个厂家不同氢溴酸右美沙芬口服固体制剂进行体外溶出度考察，比较体外溶出情况，为临床用药提供参考。方法：采用转篮法，转速100 r·min^-1，用高效液相色谱法测定氢溴酸右美沙芬口服固体制剂在0.1 mol·L^-1盐酸溶液中的溶出曲线；以威布尔方程拟合溶出参数T₅₀、T_d、m，并对参数进行方差分析。结果：氢溴酸右美沙普通片、分散片、胶囊以及软胶囊的平均累积溶出度分别为94.3%、101.3%、105.2%、93.4%。溶出参数T₅₀、T_d差异较大，其中T₅₀最大的是最小的13.4倍。结论：氢溴酸右美沙片、分散片、胶囊以及软胶囊体外溶出行为差别大，产品质量存在较大差异。     

Treatment of oral manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis with low‐level laser therapy in a pediatric patient

Drug‐induced reactions are complications associated with high mortality and significant morbidity. Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are examples of these conditions, which are characterized by skin and mucous lesions. Here, we report a case of a 9‐year‐old girl who presented with blisters associated with an extensive vesicular rash and multiple ulcerations on the lips and oral cavity. A drug‐induced hypersensitivity reaction to antibiotics was suspected, and a diagnosis of TEN was made. The patient was managed with withdrawal of the suspected causative agent, and the oral lesions were treated with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) and oral hygiene. This case highlights that TEN requires interdisciplinary intervention with dental assistance and follow‐up to improve symptoms, nutrition, systemic condition, and quality of life.