Internet tools in the medical classroom

Summary: The Internet contains a vast amount of medically relevant information. In order to access this information, however, many networks require one to master applications written in UNIX, an operating system considered by many not to be user friendly. Although these tools may be available on the campus, it is difficult to teach their use unless there is some immediate benefit to the already busy user. From that standpoint, it is important for instructors to realize that common UNIX applications can be utilized as classroom tools to significantly enhance the learning experience by facilitating teacher/student communication. Also, whilst the student enjoys greater communication with the instructor (and with other students) he/she is also becoming adept at using information management tools.     

28例青年人胃癌的临床及病理分析

对２８例青年人胃癌的临床及病理分析结果表明，其发病具有症状隐匿、病程短、进展快的特点，本组病例从出现症状到漏诊在６个月内为５７．１％（１６例），首发症状以上腹部疼痛、吐血、黑便多见，病理特征以结节蕈伞型、高分化腺癌多见。     

The uses of a patient-based dietetic data-collection systern

The F.I.P. (Financial Information Project) dietetic package allows the collection of basic patient data, which then can be processed to give valuable clinical and management information for use by all dietitians in a dietetic department. The advent of the Korner Reports (DHSS, 1984a) and their implementation highlighted the need to computerize certain aspects of data collection in dietetic departments. Within the West Midlands Regional Health Authority a group of dietitians worked with the Regional Management Services Department to adapt a community nursing system, F.I.P., for use by dietitians. The system was piloted for all paramedical services in 1987 with one health district (North Warwickshire) piloting the dietetic package. It is now used by a range of dietetic and paramedical departments. This paper outlines the system and its uses.     

异位妊娠诊断治疗进展

异位妊娠是是妇产科常见的急腹症之一，随着高敏感度的血β-HCG测定、阴道超声及腹腔镜临床应用，使异位妊娠得以早期诊断。以往异位妊娠的治疗原则以手术治疗为主．异位妊娠的早期诊断使药物治疗和保守性手术治疗成为可能。     

持续性脑脊液耳漏的诊断与治疗

目的：探讨持续性脑脊液耳漏的发病原因、临床表现、诊断及手术处理方法。方法：分析1987年6月－2000年12月收治26例持续性脑脊液耳漏的临床资料，男16例，女10例。成人18例，儿童8例。结果：26例中自发性脑脊液耳漏14例，因乳突及侧颅底手术引起的12例。15例伴有复发性脑膜炎。26例中25例在我院1次手术修补成功，1例听神经瘤术后脑脊液鼻漏行2次手术修补成功。结论：手术是主要的治疗方法，术中应注意颅底的修复，尤其对内听道、鼓室、咽鼓管、乳突尖等重要部位的处理，以预防术后脑脊液耳漏的发生。     

Clinical aspects and immune reactions in sarcoidosis*

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology, affecting young adults and frequently involving the lungs. Objective: The aim of the present review was to give an overview of the clinical aspects in sarcoidosis. Results: The majority of patients recover, but some develop a chronic disease that may result in fibrosis and respiratory failure. Besides the lungs, peripheral lymph nodes, the skin, the liver and the eyes are commonly affected as well. The genetic background, as well as environmental factors, is of importance for developing sarcoidosis. The incidence varies in different populations, in the Nordic countries approximately with 20/100 000 new patients yearly. Sarcoidosis is diagnosed when clinical and radiological findings are supported by histological evidence in the form of non‐caseating epithelioid cell granulomas, and when other causes of these features are excluded. Patients in need of treatment are usually treated with corticosteroids, topically or as oral steroids. A clinical effect of immunomodulatory drugs blocking tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α has been suggested from several case reports, while two controlled studies showed only minor effects; however, with a tendency to a more pronounced effect on patients with a more severe disease. The immune response in sarcoidosis, with a typical accumulation of CD4+ T‐cells to the lungs, indicate the existence of specific antigens in this disease. Recently, antigens derived from infectious agents such as Mycobacteria and Proprionibacterium acnes have come into focus. Lymphocyte populations with immunoregulatory functions have recently been investigated and seem to be dysfunctional in sarcoidosis, opening the possibility of developing new treatment strategies in this disease. Conclusion: Recent technical developments have provided better tools, enabling detailed and more thorough analyses of the inflammatory process in sarcoidosis. Please cite this paper as: Grunewald J. Clinical aspects and immune reactions in sarcoidosis. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2007; 1:64–73.