Background/aim Theoretical considerations support the combination of cryosurgery and topical imiquimod to treat basal cell carcinomas (BCC). The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of 'cryosurgery during continued imiquimod application' ('immunocryosurgery') to treat 'high-risk-for-recurrence' BCCs. Methods Thirteen patients with 21 biopsy-proven tumours (4 of 21 relapses after prior surgery) were included. After 2–5 weeks (median, 3) of daily 5% imiquimod cream application, the tumours were treated by liquid N2 cryosurgery (spray, two cycles, 10–20 s) and imiquimod was continued for additional 2–12 weeks (median, 4). The outcome after at least 18 months of follow-up (18–24 months) is currently reported. Results Nineteen of 21 tumours responded promptly to immunocryosurgery; two tumours required additional treatment cycles to clear. Thus, the clinical clearance rate was 100%. Only 1 of 21(5%) tumour relapsed after at least 18 months of follow-up (cumulative efficacy: 95%). Conclusions 'Immunocryosurgery' is a promising non-surgical combination modality to treat 'high-risk-for-recurrence BCCs'. Initial evidence is suggestive of an at least additive effect of the two combined modalities. Further studies comparing immunocryosurgery directly with cryosurgery and imiquimod monotherapies will confirm the reported results. 相似文献
We studied blood pressure and natriuretic responses to acute salt loading,
and the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents on these
responses, in five healthy normotensive women aged 65 to 71 years. Five
women aged 25 to 31 years acted as controls. Intravenous saline loading,
with and without prior ingestion of ibuprofen, was 15 ml/kg/h for 3 h.
Baseline blood pressures were higher in the elderly. Saline infusion
without ibuprofen raised systolic blood pressure (SBP) by about 25 mmHg in
the older group only. Ibuprofen increased baseline SBP in the elderly (129
+/- 6 vs. 116 +/- 5 mmHg, p < 0.05). Saline loading after ibuprofen
again raised blood pressure by about 25 mmHg in the elderly only. The
elderly group showed markedly increased sodium excretion during saline
loading, but this was reduced by ibuprofen. Ibuprofen had no effect on SBP
or sodium excretion in controls. Ageing appears to increase susceptibility
to salt retention and hypertension from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
agents.
相似文献
From the experiments described, it can be seen that there are different
research approaches that can be taken and these are summarized in Table 1.
Whereas much scientific research is principally hypothesis led, there
remains, nevertheless, an important place for exploratory research. High
resolution NMR can measure, directly and simultaneously, a wide range of
endogenous metabolites in biological fluids and has the unique capability
of providing structural information on the metabolites detected. It has
proved to be a powerful research tool with which to study inherited
metabolic diseases, renal disease, drug metabolism, and toxicity, and can
be used to monitor the effects of drug therapy. For instance, by using a
library of experimental toxins one can map the metabolic profile of
site-specific nephron injury. With this approach in man one could
eventually take an unknown disease such as Balkan nephropathy and predict
the initial site of tubular injury, the mode of injury and therefore the
kind of toxin capable of producing that injury. NMR spectroscopic
techniques are still advancing rapidly, with ever increasing sensitivity
and sophistication of NMR pulse sequences to enhance structural elucidation
in complex mixtures. Given the advances in directly coupled HPLC-NMR and
even HPLC-NMR-mass spectroscopy it is likely that these technologies in
conjunction with pattern recognition will make major contribution to our
understanding of renal processes and provide new diagnostic insights in the
21st century.
相似文献
Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia with progressive macular degeneration
is caused by a CAG/glutamine repeat expansion in the SCA7 gene/protein.
Neuronal intranuclear inclusions were detected in the brain of an early
onset SCA7 case with the 1C2 antibody directed against an expanded
polyglutamine domain. Nuclear inclusions were most frequent in the inferior
olivary complex, a site of severe neuronal loss in SCA7. They were also
observed in other brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, not
considered to be affected in the disease. Using confocal microscopy we
showed that some inclusions were ubiquitinated, but to varying degrees,
ranging from <1% in the cerebral cortex to 60% in the inferior olive. In
addition, we also observed cytoplasmic staining using the 1C2 antibody,
particularly in the supramarginal gyrus, the hippocampus, the thalamus, the
lateral geniculate body and the pontine nuclei. These data confirm that the
presence of intranuclear inclusions in neurons is a common characteristic
of disorders caused by CAG/polyglutamine expansions, but unlike what has
been reported for Huntington's disease, SCA1 and SCA3/MJD, in SCA7 the
inclusions were not restricted to the sites of severe neuronal loss.
相似文献
Determination of obstructive site in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is of paramount importance is planning the management. Cephalometric evaluation of lateral X-rays when combined with clinical assessment and fibreoptic examination of the airway helps in locating the site of obstruction. The usual technique of cephalometry has been modified so as to give a better delineation of the soft tissues. Holding a 2mm card board in the mouth and using barium paste helped in more accurate calculations. Using our technique, various parameters have been quantified and a number of controls were studied and normal range derived. Further improvement in cephalometry has been done by using C.T. cephlometry topogram technique. A topogram is a scan done on a running table top cranio-caudally. Using the topogram technique 38 OSA patients were evaluated for all the parameters. The technique, its advantages over traditional cephalometry and the values obtained in the study are discussed in this paper. 相似文献
The aims of the study were to investigate the alteration of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after correction of dentofacial deformities by orthodontic treatment in conjunction with orthognathic surgery; and to compare the frequency of TMD in patients with dentofacial deformities with an age and gender matched control group. TMD were evaluated in 121 consecutive patients (treatment group), referred for orthognathic surgery, by a questionnaire and a clinical examination. 18 months after treatment, 81% of the patients completed a follow-up examination. The control group comprised 56 age and gender matched subjects, of whom 68% presented for follow-up examination. TMD were diagnosed according to research diagnostic criteria for TMD. At baseline examination, the treatment group had a higher frequency of myofascial pain (P = .035) and arthralgia (P = .040) than the control group. At follow-up, the frequencies of myofascial pain, arthralgia and disc displacement had decreased in the treatment group (P = .050, P = .004, P = .041, respectively). The frequency of TMD was comparable in the two groups at follow-up. Patients with dentofacial deformities, corrected by orthodontic treatment in conjunction with orthognathic surgery, seem to have a positive treatment outcome in respect of TMD pain. 相似文献
Acromegaly is a severe chronic endocrine disease. Achieving biochemical control often needs a multimodal treatment approach, including prolonged medical treatment. Aim of the study is to evaluate the burden of treatment direct costs with respect to the different therapeutic strategies, disease control, and follow-up length.
Methods
Single center retrospective study on 73 acromegaly patients. Costs of acromegaly treatments were computed based on a detailed revision of patients’ clinical charts.
Results
Median total treatment cost/patient was €47,343 during the entire follow-up (8 years), while median treatment cost/patient/year was €6811. The majority of patients received medical therapy (71/73, 97.3%). Median cost for first-line medical treatment (first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands) was lower compared to second-line treatments (pegvisomant monotherapy or combination therapies), considering both total (€22,824 vs €76,140; p?<?0.001), and yearly cost/patient (€4927 vs €9161; p?<?0.001). Sixty patients (82.2%) reached biochemical control at last follow-up (IGF-1?≤?1 xULN). The percentage of patients treated with first- or second-line medical therapies was comparable between controlled and uncontrolled patients (p?=?1.000), and the yearly cost/patient did not significantly differ between the two groups (€6936 vs €6680; p?=?0.829). Follow-up duration was significantly longer in controlled patients compared to the uncontrolled ones (8.7 vs 3.5 years; p?=?0.019).
Conclusions
Direct costs for the management of acromegaly have a significant burden on the healthcare systems. However, more than 80% of our patients reached biochemical control using multimodal approaches. Treatment modalities and yearly costs did not significantly differ between controlled and uncontrolled patients, while follow-up length represented a major determinant of biochemical outcome.