Oral health of the methamphetamine abuser.

PURPOSE: The pharmacology of methamphetamine is reviewed, and the effects of methamphetamine use on oral health are described. SUMMARY: Methamphetamine is a highly addictive amphetamine analogue, initially synthesized in 1919. Illicit methamphetamine use leads to devastating effects on health, particularly the dentition. Illegal production of methamphetamine has skyrocketed in recent years, as have the number of users. The chief complaint of methamphetamine users is xerostomia. Without the protective effects of saliva, caries development in these patients is rampant. The typical pattern of decay involves the facial and cervical areas of both the maxillary and mandibular teeth, with eventual progression to frank coronal involvement. The acidic substances used to manufacture this drug have also been implicated as a cause of tooth decay and wear in users, as has bruxism as a result of drug-induced hyperactivity. When possible, these patients should be referred to a dentist to improve their oral health status and minimize the potential for adverse cardiovascular sequelae. Other preventive measures for methamphetamine users include stimulating saliva flow and increasing fluoride supplementation. Pharmacists should also counsel users to avoid carbohydrate-rich soft drinks in favor of water. Oral moisturizers may also be effective. CONCLUSION: Methamphetamine use causes xerostomia secondary to sympathetic central nervous system activation, rampant caries caused by high-sugar intake in the absence of protective saliva, and bruxism as a result of hyperactivity. Practitioners should know how to recognize the signs of and manage the oral health of patients with a history of methamphetamine use.     

Frozen section analysis of esophageal endoscopic mucosal resection specimens in the real-time management of Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the validity of frozen section analysis of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) specimens from Barrett's esophagus as compared with permanent sections for the detection of neoplasia. Frozen sections help to give immediate feedback for surgical procedures. It has not been determined whether EMR can be adequately interpreted by using frozen sections to aid endoscopists in completely resecting neoplastic lesions. METHODS: EMR specimens from Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or carcinoma were tested by frozen section. Pathologists evaluated EMR specimens for the depth of invasion as well as the appearance of clear margins of resection. The kappa statistic was calculated to assess the degree of agreement between the frozen section and permanent section diagnoses. RESULTS: Twenty-three consecutive patients underwent 30 EMRs with frozen section diagnosis. Frozen section revealed a carcinoma in 7 specimens (23%) and dysplasia in 20 (66%). Permanent sections found carcinoma in 8 specimens (26%), dysplasia in 19 specimens (63%), and normal or nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus in the remainder. The kappa statistic for the depth of invasion of EMR specimens was 0.93 (near perfect agreement). The kappa statistic for the margins of the EMR specimens was 0.80 (excellent agreement). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that frozen section analysis of esophageal EMR specimens is valid as compared with permanent section. This technique might allow rapid evaluation about the degree and depth of involvement of cancers. This allows physicians to make decisions regarding further therapy if margins are involved or decrease the use of EMR for histologically benign-appearing lesions.     

移动CT监测肺不张的临床应用

目的应用电子计算机体层摄影(CT)观察全身麻醉诱导前后肺不张的变化。方法8例择期行神经外科手术的患者,于麻醉前、麻醉诱导插管后行全肺CT扫描,选择肺尖、肺门、右膈顶上1cm三个层面的CT图像分析观察肺不张的变化。结果三个层面中,右膈顶上1cm层面的图像麻醉前后变化最明显,麻醉诱导插管后监测到明显的肺不张。结论全麻导致患者肺不张的面积和百分比增加,围术期肺部CT扫描能有效地监测到肺不张的发生,有助于优化术中机械通气,减少肺损伤。     

Distance-adjusted motor threshold for transcranial magnetic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between coil-cortex distance and effective cortical stimulation using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the left and right motor cortex. We also compare the effect of coil-cortex distance using 50 and 70 mm figure-eight stimulating coils. METHODS: Coil-cortex distance was manipulated within each participant using 5 and 10 mm acrylic separators placed between the coil and scalp surface. The effect of cortical stimulation was indexed by resting motor threshold (MT). RESULTS: Increasing distance between the coil and underlying cortex was associated with a steep linear increase in MT. For each additional millimetre separating the stimulating coil from the scalp surface, an additional approximately 2.8% of absolute stimulator output (approximately 0.062 T) was required to reach MT. The gradient of the observed distance effect did not differ between hemispheres, and no differences were observed between the 50 and 70 mm TMS coils. CONCLUSIONS: Coil-cortex distance directly influences the magnitude of cortical stimulation in TMS. The relationship between TMS efficacy and coil-cortex distance is well characterised by a linear function, providing a simple and effective method for scaling stimulator output to a distance adjusted MT. SIGNIFICANCE: MT measured at the scalp-surface is dependent on the underlying scalp-cortex distance, and therefore does not provide an accurate index of cortical excitability. Distance-adjusted MT provides a more accurate index of cortical excitability, and improves the safety and efficacy of MT-calibrated TMS.     

Unplanned splenectomy during oesophagectomy does not affect survival.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited and conflicting data available concerning the incidence of inadvertent splenectomy and its impact on the outcome in patients who have undergone oesophagectomy. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with a likelihood of inadvertent splenectomy and its influence on early and long-term outcome in patients having oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma. METHODS: A consecutive series of 738 oesophagectomies performed between 1991 and 2004 was analysed. In our practice, the spleen was removed only if damaged intraoperatively. Routine chemo- and immunoprophylaxis would subsequently be used. Multivariate analysis with logistic and Cox models determined significant variables. RESULTS: Of the 738 oesophagectomies, 48 (6.5%) had splenectomy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to a minority of patients; none subsequently had splenectomy. There were significant differences between types of operation (Ivor-Lewis 18 (9.0%), left thoracolaparotomy 14 (9.9%) and left thoracophrenotomy 15 (3.9%), p=0.01). Splenectomy was more common with advanced N stage disease (OR=0.44 [0.20-0.95]; p=0.04). Splenectomy resulted in more blood transfusions (median, 2 units vs 0 units; p=0.03) more anastomotic leaks (7 [14.6%] vs 42 [6.1%]; p=0.02) but not an increase in pulmonary complications (p=0.64) or in-hospital mortality (1 [4.6%] vs 37 [5.4%]; p=0.30). Splenectomy did not significantly affect median survival (551 [332-770] days vs 627 [554-700] days; p=0.63). CONCLUSION: Although inadvertent splenectomy increased the morbidity of oesophagectomy, it did not impair survival. Type of operation and advanced N stage are important risks for splenectomy. Though best avoided, most of the consequences of splenectomy can be managed. An unexpected relationship between splenectomy and anastomotic leaks needs further investigation.     

神经导航下经岩骨幕上下联合入路中面神经管的解剖研究

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of neuronavigation in the transpetroal approach, and to provide anatomic data for the protection of the nerves in the facial nerve canal (FNC) during surgeries. METHODS: Simulated surgery through the transpetroal approach was performed on 16 sides of 8 adult cadaver heads with the assistance by neuronavigation. The anatomy of the facial nerve and the relationship of related structures were observed and the distances from the utmost external edge of the mastoid to different segments of the FNC were measured. RESULTS: Neuronavigation was successful with all the FNC, with the mean error of less than 0.9 mm. The FNC could be divided into 3 segments, the labyrinthine, the tympanic and the mastoid segments, stretching 3.6+/-1.2 mm, 11.2+/-2.5 mm and 16.1+/-3.6 mm respectively and with diameters of 1.2+/-0.3 mm, 1.4+/-0.1 mm and 1.7+/-0.2 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Neuronavigation may help protect the FNC during surgical procedures, and a thorough knowledge of the anatomic features of the FNC can be significant for preservation of the facial nerves.     

中国急性心肌梗塞的疾病经济负担

主要通过对急性心肌梗塞疾病经济负担的研究，总体描述进行二线预防的重要性。资料主要来源于中文文献检索、政府统计报表。主要利用直接医疗费用来计算疾病经济负担，而未考虑直接非医疗费用和间接费用。中日急性心肌梗塞的发病率约为45／10万。55／10万。城市高于农村，男性高于女性。在2000年，急性心肌梗塞的死亡率在城市为32．39／10万，农村为17．99／10万，其死亡率随年龄增长而相应增长。与发病率一样，城市高于农村，男性高于女性。25岁以上人群因急性心肌梗塞而损失的DALY在2000年为3．57DALYs／千人口。怎性心肌梗塞的直接医疗费用在国家卫生部部属医院为28257元／例，省级医院为8663元／例，县级医院为5447无／例。测算2000年急性心肌梗塞的疾病经济负担为13亿元。19亿元。但由于只有10．6％的急性心肌梗塞病人得到临床床治疗，因此，本测算结果可能低估了在中国实际发生的疾病经济负担。     

盐酸吗啡普通片及硫酸吗啡控释片在不同溶剂中溶释过程的对照研究

本文采用紫外分光光度法对国产盐酸吗啡普通片及合资厂产硫酸吗啡控释片于蒸馏水、人工胃液、人工肠液中进行体外溶出度和释放度测定。结果表明，两种片剂的溶释均符合中国药典９５版标准，控释片在人工肠液中溶释参数Ｔ５０、Ｔｄ、ｍ与在蒸馏水及人工胃液中的溶释参数差异具显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１），在人工肠液中的释放过程明显缓慢。