Molecular epidemiology of nosocomial, multiply aminoglycoside resistant Enterococcus faecalis

The prevalence of high-level aminoglycoside resistance among Enterococcus faecalis at the Memphis VA Medical Center was 23.6% (59 of 250 isolates) from October to December 1986. Hybridization to a probe cloned from Ent. faecalis pIP1800 for 6' acetyltransferase-2" phosphotransferase (AAC6'-APH2") was observed in 55 (93.2%) of the resistant isolates and was associated with gentamicin resistance. Hybridization to a probe cloned from Ent. faecalis pJH1 for 3', 5" phosphotransferase type III (APH3', 5" III) was observed in 28 (47.4%) and was associated with streptomycin resistance. Twenty-five of the 32 isolates which were resistant to both gentamicin and streptomycin hybridized to both probes. Cell mating in conjunction with hybridization indicated that the AAC6'-APH2" gene is transferred separately from that for APH3', 5" (III), and the streptomycin resistant gene is cotransferred with the latter. The gentamicin-streptomycin resistant isolates therefore contain genes from two Ent. faecalis plasmids, and resistance to these two antibiotics appears to transfer separately. The genetic homogeneity of these isolates suggests nosocomial transmission of enterococci.     

Localization of a gene for otosclerosis to chromosome 15q25-q26

Among white adults otosclerosis is the single most common cause of hearing impairment. Although the genetics of this disease are controversial, the majority of studies indicate autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. We studied a large multi- generational family in which otosclerosis has been inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Five of16 affected persons have surgically confirmed otosclerosis; the remaining nine have a conductive hearing loss but have not undergone corrective surgery. To locate the disease- causing gene we completed genetic linkage analysis using short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) distributed over the entire genome. Multipoint linkage analysis showed that only one genomic region, on chromosome 15q, generated a lod score >2.0. Additional STRPs were typed in this area, resulting in a lod score of 3.4. STRPs FES (centromeric) and D15S657 (telomeric) flank the 14. 5 cM region that contains an otosclerosis gene.      

Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy for rectal carcinoma

Postoperative combined modality therapy with radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy is an effective adjuvant approach that reduces locoregional and distant metastatic disease in patients with high-risk rectal carcinoma. However, this approach results in a treatment regimen of at least 6 months’duration. The present prospective study investigates the integration of radiotherapy and 5FU chemotherapy in a protocol designed to minimize toxicity and reduce the overall treatment time. A total of 40 patients with TNM stage II or III disease received postoperative radiotherapy at four fractions per week with weekly 5FU bolus injections delivered on the fifth non-radiotherapy day. Patients also received systemic chemotherapy with leucovorin both before and after pelvic irradiation, with the total treatment duration extending for only 18 weeks. Patients were able to complete radiotherapy in 90% of cases, while the delivery of full-dose chemotherapy was achievable in the vast majority. The incidence of haematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities requiring the cessation of treatment was acceptable. With a median follow-up of 20.9 months among surviving patients, the estimated progression-free and overall survival at 2 years were 71 % and 79%, respectively.     

血脂监测在防治Ⅱ型糖尿病患者继发动脉粥样硬化中的意义

目的探讨血脂代谢紊乱跟Ⅱ型糖尿病(ⅡDM)患者继发动脉粥样硬化并症的关系。方法采用奥林巴斯Au-640全自动生化分析仪,测定Ⅱ型糖尿病患者和健康对照组的空腹血糖(GLU)、胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白Al(ApoAl)和载脂蛋白B100(ApoBloo),并进行统计、比较并与患者的病情进行对比分祈,并对高血糖、血脂组患者跟踪观察、治疗。结果Ⅱ型糖尿病组同健康对照组比较、Ⅱ型糖尿病患者中有合并症组跟无合并症组、高血糖组跟血糖正常组比较,CHO、TG和ApoBloo的含量均升高(P<0.05),而HDL-C和ApoAI含量降低(P<0.05)。而高血糖、血脂组患者,已经初步出现或在随后的观察中出现了动脉粥样硬化等相关的临床表征,且治疗效果不佳。结论Ⅱ型糖尿病患者血脂的异常,特别是CHO、TG的大幅升高,提示患者在出现动脉硬化性心血管合并症之前,体内已经具备了诱发合并症的生化基础,应早期采取针性治疗和预防措施。     

美国教学医院教师专业发展的全国性调查

在当前医学教育持续变革的背景中,医学教师的专业发展成为广泛关注的焦点.为了解目前美国以提高教师的教学技能为目标的教师专业发展(faculty development,FD)活动的参与率、课程设计、教学方法和评估策略等情况,美国约翰·霍普金斯大学预防、流行病学和临床研究中心采取邮件调查的方式,对美国277家教学医院进行了调查.     

Use of pre-operative steroids in liver resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

By attenuating the systemic inflammatory response to major surgery, the pre-operative administration of steroids may reduce the incidence of complications.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing pre-operative steroid administration with placebo during a liver resection. Meta-analyses were performed.

Results

Five RCTs were identified including a total of 379 patients. Pre-operative steroids were associated with statistically significant reductions in the levels of serum bilirubin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) on post-operative day one. There was a trend towards a lower incidence of post-operative complications and prothrombin time (PT), but this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Pre-operative steroids may be associated with a clinically significant benefit in liver resection.