Radiation dose reduction during hysterosalpingography: an application of scanning-beam digital radiography

Hysterosalpingography was performed in 31 patients by means of a low-dose scanning-beam digital radiographic system. The technique permits adequate evaluation of gynecologic abnormalities while allowing significant reduction in radiation: 2.4-mR (6.1 X 10(-7) C/kg) exposure to the skin and 0.7-mrad (7 X 10(-6) Gy) mean dose to the ovaries per image obtained. Sixteen patients demonstrated readily recognizable and documented abnormalities, corroborated by laparoscopy, laparotomy, or other supportive evidence.     

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Arising from the Subcutaneous Fat of the Arm with Intact Skin

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm characteristically arising from the dermis of sunlight-exposed skin. It rarely arises outside the skin. OBJECTIVE: We present a patient with primary Merkel cell carcinoma arising from subcutaneous fat, with no involvement of the overlying skin. We describe the clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. METHODS: We report a 63-year-old woman with a primary lesion of Merkel cell carcinoma that arose from the subcutaneous fat layer of the left arm. The lesion presented as a subcutaneous nodule with intact overlying skin. MRI showed that the nodular lesion was located entirely in the subcutaneous fat layer, with no involvement of the dermis. Peritumoral infiltration around the lesion and enlarged lymph nodes deep to the lesion were noted. The patient received wide excision of the lesion with dissection of the regional lymph nodes and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma with local lymphatic metastasis, and the lesion was completely located in the subcutaneous fat, with no involvement of the dermis. These findings were well correlated with MRI findings. CONCLUSION: Primary Merkel cell carcinoma may arise from the subcutaneous fat and present as an entirely subcutaneous lesion with intact skin. MRI is helpful to evaluate the local extension of the lesion and regional lymphatic metastasis.     

表小檗碱对α受体的作用

表小檗碱(epiberberine,EB)是从湖北产黄连(Coptis chinensis Franch)中提取的一种生物碱,属苯喹嗪类原小檗碱,对其药理作用的研究资料甚少,未见其对α肾上腺素体作用的报道。资料表明,许多原小檗碱类化合物有α受体阻滞作用,为从该类化合物中选择     

Pain and faulty breathing: a pilot study

The purpose of this pilot study was to observe both relaxed and deep breathing patterns in a convenience sample to determine the incidence of normal versus faulty patterns of respiration. These observations were then combined with respondent answers to a survey on pain history to determine if there is any correlation between faulty breathing and musculo-skeletal pain patterns. If such a correlation can be made, then we propose that clinicians working with chronic pain patients may have improved outcomes if they address and correct faulty breathing patterns. Based on this study, it is suggested to include the evaluation and treatment of faulty respiration in the rehabilitation of chronic musculo-skeletal conditions, most notably cervical pain.     

36例踝关节骨折合并下胫腓联合分离的治疗体会

0 引言 踝关节骨折是临床上较常见的关节内骨折,包含了腓骨骨折,内踝骨折,后踝骨折和下胫腓联合的损伤. 处理不当可导致踝穴的变形,下胫腓联合分离后期出现创伤性关节炎.     

Anin vitro electrophysiological study of the colon from patients with idiopathic chronic constipation

Preparations of the circular muscle layer from the sigmoid colon resected from patients with idiopathic chronic constipation were compared, at an electrophysiological level using the sucrose-gap technique, with preparations of the same region of the intestine resected from patients with rectal carcinoma. Non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory neuromuscular transmission, represented by inhibitory junction potentials, was present in preparations from both groups. However, the inhibitory response in preparations from constipated patients had a slower or longer time-course than in those from cancer patients. Also, rebound activity following inhibitory transmission was observed in 34% of preparations from constipated patients but was observed in 67% of preparations from cancer patients. Preparations from both groups displayed the same patterns of spontaneous activity and the same proportion of each group was quiescent. The threshold for generation of action potentials and the passive resistance of the smooth muscle membrane were the same in both groups. However, quiescent preparations from constipated patients were less likely to discharge trains of action potentials when the smooth muscle membrane was depolarized than were preparations from cancer patients. These changes in transmission processes and excitability in tissue from constipated patients are discussed in relation to altered states of colonic motility found in people with idiopathic chronic constipation.     

Acute paw oedema formation induced by ATP: Re-evaluation of the mechanisms involved

ATP-induced inflammation was investigated using subplantar injection in the mouse hind paw. The order of efficacy of purinoceptor agonists for inducing paw oedema (30 nmol per paw) was ATP=,-methylene ATP=2-methylthio ATP > adenosine > UTP > ADP > AMP. Diadenosine polyphosphates effectively induced paw oedema formation with an order of efficacy of: P¹, P⁴-di(adenosine-5)tetraphosphate =P¹,P⁵-di(adenosine-5)-pentaphosphate= P¹,P⁶-di(adenosine-5) hexaphosphate ATP=P¹,P³-di(adenosine-5)triphosphate > P¹,P²-di(adenosine-5)pyrophosphate. Systemic administration of P₂-purinoceptor antagonists (30–100 mol/kg), suramin, 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulphonate, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2,4-disulphonic acid and cibacron blue, reduced the intensity of ATP-induced oedema. At 30 mol/kg 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline (non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist), 3,7-dimethyl-1,1-propargyl-xanthine (adenosine A₂ receptor antagonist), triprolidine (histamine H₁ receptor antagonist), ranitidine (histamine H₂ receptor antagonist) and ketanserin (5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT₂ receptor antagonist), but neither 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (adenosine A₁ receptor antagonist), nor indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) inhibited the ATP-induced swelling. Topical (100 nmol per paw), but not systemic (100 mol/kg) administration of N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) reduced the intensity of the ATP-induced paw oedema. These results show that ATP can induce an inflammatory oedematous reaction and contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms.accepted by G. Bowen