Effectiveness of the treatment of chronic non-healing stomach ulcers using copper vapor laser

A group of patients with chronic gastric ulcers received a course of laser treatment with the use of laser on copper vapours. Gastric ulcer was exposed to radiation once in the course of 5 days, the single dose being equal to 10-15 J. Complete healing of the ulcerous defect was attained in 100 out of 110 patients examined. The results of laser therapy were found to be influenced by certain clinical characteristics, namely by age, ulcer size, duration of the last disease exacerbation, and acid-secreting function of the stomach.     

Nephroblastoma with intestinal differentiation

Available are two cases of Wilms's tumor with focal intestinal differentiation. Goblet- and endocrine-like cells as well as those similar to enterocytes were identified in one of the tumors upon electron microscopy. Squamous epithelial, cartilaginous cells, rabdomyoblasts presented in both cases. Problems of histogenesis and prognosis are under discussion.     

Aspects of the morphogenesis of cancer of the endometrium

The paper covers a number of morphogenetic problems of endometrial cancer with reference to multidirectional differentiation of the uterine epithelium affected by tumor. Metaplastic changes of the endometrium observable in three basic variants (tubal, endocervical, squamous cell) can entail dysplasia with resultant malignant transformation. Endometrial cancer shows complex structure of the tumor with sings of multidirectional epithelial differentiation: endometrial, tubal, endocervical, squamous). Morphological features of the tumor and adjacent mucosa, assessed comparatively, suggest a close relationship between the direction of endometrial epithelium differentiation and the new growth histological structure.     

Involvement of fingernails in scabies in an infant

An infant of 10 months, suffering from scabies, has developed multiple involvements of the nail plates on the hands and feet, with detachment of some of them. A diagnostic error has promoted the dissemination of the process. The patient has been etiologically cured by a 10% water/soap suspension of benzyl-benzoate.     

Shared care: a review of the literature

This review examines broad issues of concern regarding the primary/secondarycare interface. The main purpose was to identify areas of goodpractice which could be adapted for more general use. One ofthe most fundamental aspects identified was communication, whichis discussed in some detail. Also covered are shared prescribingand disease management. The data suggest that the most effectivesystem(s) of shared care has yet to be established. Furtherqualitative and economic evaluations are required, taking intoaccount patient preferences. Although the literature does describecertain practice exemplars, it is clear that inter- and intra-professionalcommunication continues to be a problem. Whilst informationtechnology may provide some of the solutions, it is concludedthat a culture change, which compels health professionals tomake sharing of patient information a much higher priority,is reauired. Keywords. Shared care, seamless care, hospital, general practice, family practice.