Clinical and histopathological findings of ''psoriatic neurodermatitis'' and of typical lichen simplex chronicus

BACKGROUND: We have seen several patients with itchy lichenified plaques located bilaterally on the elbows and/or knees and have named this condition 'psoriatic neurodermatitis' (PN). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and histopathological characteristics of these patients to those of patients with typical lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). METHODS: Nineteen patients with PN and 34 patients with typical LSC were included. Besides clinical dermatological evaluation, the prick test was carried out on 49 patients; the Phadiatop test on 40 patients; the patch test with European standard series on 47 patients; histopathological evaluation on 39 patients; and clinical psychiatric examination on 38 patients. RESULTS: Almost exclusively, PN was seen in females and was located on the extremities. It caused more plaques than typical LSC did. In PN, the plaques were smaller, sharper, more keratotic and less excoriated, and had fewer lichenoid papules around them. Itching was usually more severe in the evening, while resting and in a hot environment in typical LSC, but not in PN. In plaques of PN, microabscesses in the horny layer, hypogranulosis, regular acanthosis and thinning of the suprapapillary plates were more frequent, and hyperpigmentation in the basal layer was less. In patients with PN, depressive disorder was found more frequently; and generalized anxiety disorder or psychosomatic characteristics, less. There were no significant differences in the results of prick, Phadiatop and patch tests between patients with PN and those with typical LSC. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, it is most likely that the so-called PN is itchy psoriasis superimposed by LSC.     

The effect of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extract on experimental prostate hyperplasia

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench) on the prostate gland of rats using an experimental model of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The animals were administered 50 mg/kg of extract preparation for 4 and 8 weeks and the prostate mass and structural degenerative changes were evaluated in the course of the experiment. The administration of E. purpurea extract to rats with hyperplasia for 4 and 8 weeks gradually and significantly reduced the prostate mass and reversed the degenerative changes in the structure of the prostate gland. The present investigation suggests extract of purple coneflower prevents the development of BPH. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predictive value of clinical characteristics for 'benign' multiple sclerosis

We studied a cohort of 496 patients who had multiple sclerosis (MS) for at least 10 years. Ten years after disease onset, 151 had benign MS defined as an Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤3. Between benign and non-benign patients we compared gender, age at clinical onset, relapsing–remitting or primary progressive, symptoms at onset, recovery from first relapse, time between first and second relapse, number of relapses in the first 5 years, use of immunomodulatory drugs, and EDSS scores at 2, 5 and 10 years. A multivariate regression analysis showed that a relapsing–remitting course, a low EDSS score at 5 years, and a low number of relapses in the first 5 years were predictive for benign MS at 10 years. Other factors had no additional value. Thirty-five of the 51 patients (69%) with benign MS at 10 years were still benign at 20 years. A low 10-year EDSS score was the only clinical variable associated with a benign course at 20 years. Our results suggest that within the first 5 years from onset it is not possible to predict a benign course. Disease course, EDSS score and relapse rate at 5 years are predictors for benign MS at 10 years.     

Complete response, as determined by prostate-specific antigen level, to chlormadinone acetate withdrawal persisting longer than 2 years in patients with advanced prostate cancer: Two case reports

Antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a well-established phenomenon in prostate cancer. However, responses to AWS are usually of limited duration, and a complete response (CR) is extremely rare. We present two patients who exhibited a chemical CR for more than 2 years after the discontinuation of steroidal antiandrogen chlormadinone acetate use. Whether patients who respond to antiandrogen withdrawal include a group of patients with a better prognosis remains uncertain. However, considering that the usual survival period of patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer is approximately 12 months, both of the patients reported here, who are present in excellent physical condition, exhibiting an improved quality of life, and attending their hospital as outpatients, obviously acquired a prolonged survival because of AWS.     

前列通瘀提取液对前列腺平滑肌细胞增殖与凋亡的作用

目的:研究前列通瘀提取液对体外培养前列腺基质平滑肌细胞增殖与凋亡的作用。方法:分别以1、2、10、50、100×10-5g/L 5种不同浓度前列通瘀提取液作用体外培养前列腺基质平滑肌细胞,采用MTT和TUNEL法分别测定抗增殖指数和凋亡指数。结果:5种不同浓度前列通瘀提取液作用48 h后抗增殖指数分别为50.61%、53.52%、56.92%、65.53%、72.94%,抗增殖效果随着浓度增大而增大。100×10-5g/L前列通瘀提取液作用24、48、72 h后凋亡指数与对照组比较差异无显著性。结论:(1~100)×10-5g/L前列通瘀提取液体外作用前列腺基质平滑肌细胞具有显著的抗增殖作用。     

经尿道前列腺电切术和汽化电切术并发症48例分析

目的 分析经尿道前列腺电切术（TURP）与经尿道前列腺汽化电切术（TVP）术中、术后常见并发症的原因、预防及治疗，提高手术安全性和有效性。方法 回顾性分析1999年5月-2006年6月我院TURP和TVP术48例并发症患者的临床资料。结果 平均手术时间75min，平均切除组织41g。术中、术后出血20例，电切综合征（TURS）5例，暂时性尿失禁11例，膀胱颈部挛缩5例，尿道狭窄8例，尿路感染7例，膀胱穿孔1例。结论 TURP和TVP是良性前列腺增生症安全有效的外科治疗方法，术前详细采集病史，术中正确操作。术后对病人正确指导及处理可有效减少手术并发症。     

TUVP手术时间对血红蛋白及电解质的影响

目的 了解经尿道前列腺汽化电切手术时间对血红蛋白及血清电解质的影响。方法 对64例经尿道前列腺汽化电切术患按手术时间分组，观察手术前后血红蛋白及血清电解质的变化。结果 手术时间对血清电解质的降低有的影响，对血红蛋白降低的影响不显。结论 减少TUR综合征的关键是要操作熟练，缩短手术时间及手术中注意止血。     

老年性骨质疏松脊柱良性骨折与转移瘤性骨折的MRI鉴别

目的探讨脊椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折的MRI表现及其与转移性压缩骨折的鉴别诊断.资料与方法回顾性分析53例老年性骨质疏松伴压缩性骨折和20例转移性椎体压缩骨折患者的MRI资料.全部病例均行常规MRI检查(矢状位、横轴位).分析两者引起的压缩骨折MRI征象,包括椎体和椎弓根的形态及信号改变、椎间盘增厚、椎体内真空现象和椎旁软组织形态.探讨两者之间的差别.结果两者在椎体和椎弓根形态及信号、椎体内真空现象、椎旁软组织形态上存在非常显著性差异(P＜0.01).结论 MRI能准确显示骨质疏松性压缩骨折的形态及信号,与转移瘤之间有显著差异,大多能对二者做出鉴别诊断.     

经尿道等离子双极电切术和TURP治疗BPH术后阴茎勃起功能障碍的比较

目的探讨经尿道等离子双极电切术(PKRP)治疗良性前列腺增生(BPH)术后对阴茎勃起功能的影响。方法PKRP、经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)治疗BPH各95例,评价其术后1个月、3个月及1年阴茎勃起功能。结果PKRP、TURP术后1个月、3个月及1年阴茎勃起功能障碍(ED)发生率分别是3．2％、2．1％、2．1％和13．7％、10．5％、9．5％。结论PKRP术后ED发生率比TURP低,是一种对阴茎勃起功能较为安全的治疗良性前列腺增生的方法。