Skin problems after a tsunami

BACKGROUND: On December 26, 2004, the biggest earthquake for 40 years, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a tsunami that pounded the coastal areas of South Asia and East Africa. The effects of the tsunami on skin conditions have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of the tsunami on skin conditions by evaluating the skin problems of patients presenting at hospitals after the tsunami. METHODS: Between 5 and 25 January 2005, two dermatologists evaluated patients who complained of skin problems at an outpatient clinic and emergency room of a general hospital in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, Indonesia. RESULTS: The total number of patients that presented during the study period was 235 (131 males and 104 females), and they had a total of 265 skin problems. In terms of age distribution, most subjects were in their fourth decade (23.0%), followed by the third (22.6%) and fifth decade (16.6%). The most prevalent skin problems were infections-infestations (32.5%), followed by eczemas (29.8%) and traumatic skin disorders (29.4%). In males, traumatic skin disorders were most common. The great majority of infection-infestation cases involved superficial fungal infections. Contact dermatitis accounted for three-quarters of eczema cases, and mainly involved the arms (40.0%) and legs (27.1%). The majority of traumatic skin disorders were lacerations, punctures and penetrations, and the feet (44.7%) and hands (18.8%) were most frequently affected. CONCLUSIONS: Unhygienic conditions, exposure to a hazardous environment and contact with various objects during and after the tsunami probably increased the prevalence of infections-infestations, traumatic skin disorders and contact dermatitis. To prevent these problems and associated secondary bacterial infections, health-related education and early medical management are required.     

中医药对外教育新模式的构建及探索

教育全球化进程的加速,给中医对外教育的发展带来机遇和挑战,构建和探索中医对外教育新模式势在必行,以进一步拓展中医药对外教育和推进中医药走向世界。     

Thrombotic occlusion of the common carotid artery (CCA) in acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)

Although common carotid artery (CCA) occlusions are rare, acute clinical presentations vary from mild to devastating strokes primarily due to tandem occlusions in the intracranial arteries. Three patients with acute CCA occlusions were treated with systemic tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). Blood pressures were kept at the upper limits allowed with TPA therapy with fluid balance and the 'head-down' position. Recanalization occurred in intracranial vessels only. Marked early neurological improvement occurred in two of three patients. CCA occlusions should not be considered contra-indication to systemic thrombolysis.     

健侧颈7移位治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤最佳时间选择的实验研究

健侧颈７移位治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤手术分第一阶段（健侧颈７移位到移植神经），第二阶段（移植神经另一端移植修复患侧神经），二次手术间隔多少时间才能获得最好的神经再生？选用ＳＤ大鼠及健侧颈７移位的实验模型，按二次手术间隔时间的不同（０、１、２、３、４、８、１６周）分成７组，在第二次术后１２周，进行电生理测定肌张力恢复率及组织切片的形态学观察，结果证实二次手术最佳间隔时间为４～８周．此结果可提供临床参考．     

20例胃平滑肌肿瘤的病理-X线分析

为了提高对胃平滑肌肿瘤的认识,作者回顾性分析了20例经手术、病理证实的胃平滑肌肿瘤的钡餐造影所见。结果表明,胃底与胃体上部是胃平滑肌肿瘤的病变高发区。本病具有典型胃粘膜下肿瘤的X线特征,腔内型者可见胃内边缘光滑的充盈缺损或软组织肿块,粘膜展平或推移;腔外型者可见突出胃外肿块或/和胃与邻近脏器受压;腔内外型者具有上述双重特征,肿瘤较大者多有溃疡形成,甚至囊变,根据肿瘤的大小、形态、生长类型及溃疡表现可作良恶性鉴别。本病的术前诊断主要依靠X线钡餐检查,但无胃肠压迫的腔外型肿瘤,钡餐则难以发现,CT或选择性血管造影可助诊断。     

Therapeutic limitations of argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Sixty-one patients (82 eyes) were studied after argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) to determine the lasting efficacy of such treatment. This investigation, now in its fourth year, was prospective, and the information derived was analysed with the aid of a computer. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) below baseline (22 mmHg). The mean follow-up time was 24.5 months, when the success rate was 74% compared with 75% at three months. Success declined to 45% at 42 months. No significant difference was noted when (a) first lasered eyes of all patients and those fellow eyes treated were analysed separately, (b) when right and left eyes were analysed separately, nor (c) when patients were divided into two treatment groups, (I) 100 burns at 1 W, and (II) 65 burns at 850 mW. Eight of 11 eyes showed progressive postlaser field loss despite below-baseline intraocular pressures. ALT is an alternative to carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy, with a success rate of 66.7% at two years. However, repeat ALT was successful in only 25% of patients seven months after treatment.