Clinical Trials of a New Anticancer Drug, 1-Hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil

1-Hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluororacil (HCFU) is a new anticancer drugdiscovered as a derivative of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In thisstudy, peculiar types of toxicity such as a hot sensation, pollakisuriaand urgency to defecate appeared in 23% of the patients, whilegastrointestinal, hematological, hepatic and renal toxicitywas very rarely observed. Blood levels of the HCFU fractionand 5-FU were maintained at high concentrations until four hoursafter administration. In a study of 30 evaluable cases withtumors in the various primary sites, good responses were obtainedin an infant with a recurrence of hepatoblastoma and in a patientwith recurrent cancer of the stomach.     

Accuracy and reliability of continuous blood glucose monitor in post-surgical patients

Background: The STG-22^™ is the only continuous blood glucose monitoring system currently available. The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy and reliability of the STG-22^™ for continuously monitoring blood glucose level in post-surgical patients.
Methods: Fifty patients scheduled for routine surgery were studied in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. After admission to the ICU, the STG-22^™ was connected to the patients. An attending physician obtained blood samples from a radial arterial catheter. Blood glucose level was measured using the ABL^™800FLEX immediately after blood collection at 0, 4, 8, and 16 h post-admission to the ICU (total of 200 blood glucose values).
Results: The correlation coefficient ( R ²) was 0.96. In the Clarke error grid, 100% of the paired measurements were in the clinically acceptable zone A and B. The Bland and Altman analysis showed that bias±limits of agreement (percent error) were 0.04(0.7)±0.35(6.3) mmol (mg/dl) (7%), −0.11(−2)±1.22(22) (15%) and −0.33(−6)±1.28(23) (10%) in hypoglycemia (<70(3.89) mmol (mg/dl), normoglycemia (3.89(70)–10(180) mmol (mg/dl), and hyperglycemia (>10(180) mmol (mg/dl), respectively.
Conclusions: The STG-22^™ can be used for measuring blood glucose level continuously and measurement results are consistent with intermittent measurement (percentage error within 15%). Therefore, the STG-22^™ is a useful device for monitoring in blood glucose level in the ICU for 16 h.     

Comparison of Aspergillus galactomannan antigen testing with a new cut-off index and Aspergillus precipitating antibody testing for the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

Background and objective:   The usefulness of two tests in the serodiagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) was compared. The tests were the serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen test (Platelia (R) Aspergillus ) by enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) using old and new cut-off indexes, and the Aspergillus precipitating antibody test.
Methods:   Both Aspergillus- precipitating antibody and Platelia Aspergillus EIA positivity were measured in the sera of 28 patients at the time of diagnosis of CPA.
Results:   Serum Aspergillus precipitating antibody positivity was 89.3% (25/28) in CPA patients. Serum Platelia Aspergillus EIA positivity was 21.4% (6/28) using the old cut-off index (≥1.5) and 50% (14/28) using the new cut-off index (≥0.5)—still less than that for Aspergillus precipitating antibody. Three of the 28 CPA patients had positive reactions in the Platelia Aspergillus EIA using the old cut-off index but not in the Aspergillus precipitating antibody test. Positivity for (1,3) β- d glucan was 15.4%, and that for culture on CHROMagar Candida was 17.9%. One patient with pulmonary actinomycosis had a false-positive reaction in the Platelia Aspergillus test with the new cut-off index.
Conclusions:   For the diagnosis of CPA, Aspergillus precipitating antibody testing is more sensitive than the Platelia Aspergillus EIA, even with the new cut-off index. False-positive reactions are observed with the Platelia Aspergillus EIA in patients with conditions such as pulmonary actinomycosis. Results should be interpreted with care when patients are positive for the Platelia Aspergillus EIA but negative for Aspergillus precipitating antibody.     

中国护士参加日本护理专家研讨班的效果评价

中国北方一个大城市的两家医院的护士,参加日本护理专家讲师团举办的研讨班,分析中国护士参加由日本护理专家举办的护理管理知识讲座研讨会后,对日本的护理知识和信息有什么回应(在兴趣范围和理解程度方面),确定中国和日本之间理想的交流护理知识的形式。这个研讨班的主题和内容由日本专家讲师根据主办方要求准备。提前准备中文版的简介幻灯片(演示资料)和其他材料,这些内容会在研讨班上进行中文翻译。