Intestinal invagination in the adult

Idiopathic intestinal invagination is a relatively frequent process in children in comparison with cases of intestinal obstruction/subocclusion by invagination secondary to a tumor in adults which is unusual and more often observed in patients over the age of 60 years. Two clinical cases of intestinal obstruction in young adult males due to intestinal invagination by a tumor of the small intestine are presented. One case was due to a submucosal lipoma which lead to ileo-ileal intussusception and an ileo-cecal invagination by a terminal ileum lymphoma. The clinical and diagnostic aspects of this infrequent disease are discussed.     

Carcinoma of the cervical stump

A study was made of 56 patients with carcinoma of thecervical stump after subtotal hysterectomy who were seen between 1946 and 1972 at the National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. The duration of symptoms before diagnosis, stage distribution and five-year survival rates were examined and compared with those in 1459 patients with carcinoma of the cervix, and no previous subtotal hysterectomy, who presented over the same period.     

Carcinoma of the gastric stump

After having emphasized that carcinoma of the gastric stump represents a "major" risk in patients undergoing gastric resection, the authors describe the physiopathology of the new anatomical and functional status of the gastroenteric apparatus and underline the probable etiopathogenetic stages attributable to carcinogenesis. They then describe the treatment of this neoplasia with a marked aggressive character and conclude with the affirmation that the surgeon's efforts must be focused on the correct execution of gastroresection and the follow-up of gastro-resected patients in order to allow the early identification of precancerous conditions and therefore the commencement rational oncological prophylaxis.     

Intracavernous invagination of pituitary macro-adenomas

Depending on authors, intra-cavernous invasion by a pituitary adenoma is found in 9% to 40% of cases. In the light of our own experience, we think that such an invasion is probably much less frequent than usually evoked on CT-scan and MRI. In our study, it was confirmed in only one case over 125 (0.80%), though radiological data suspected an intra-cavernous invasion 17 times. An anatomical study on 20 cadavers showed that 30% of normal pituitary glands present with a lateral expansion into one or both cavernous sinuses (CS). These natural invaginations were already evoked by Harris and Rhoton in 1976. They can resemble an intra-cavernous extension or invasion on MRI views, moreover when an adenoma increases the volume of this expansion, and in the absence of any rupture of the medial wall of the CS. The medial wall of the CS is, in fact, constituted by a dural pouch which close-fits the pituitary gland and its expansions; it invaginates more or less in the CS, depending on the importance of the pituitary lateral expansion. In case of a large adenoma, the finger-glove lateral distension of the pouch disappears progressively during the tumoral removal. Finally the dura returns to its normal place back, at the end of the procedure. This concept of invagination of the CS medial wall, as opposed to that of invasion and therefore of rupture of the dural plane, explains the wide range of figures concerning the frequency of intracavernous invasion by pituitary adenomas, in the literature. These figures are all the more variable as there is no absolute criteria of intra-cavernous invasion on CT-scan nor MRI views. In the same way, no clinical criteria can be retained to assume the existence of such an invasion. So, an ophthalmoplegia seems to be usually linked to a compression of occulomotors nerves; it recovers in a large majority of cases, after the adenoma is removed. In conclusion we emphasize the necessity of interpreting with great care radiological imaging when it evokes' a possible intra-cavernous invasion of a pituitary adenoma. The indication of an eventual radiotherapy should be retained with as much care as possible, since complete removal of an adenoma and its lateral expansion(s) is almost always feasible through a trans-sphenoidal route.     

The feasibility and advisability of administering home blood transfusions to the terminally ill patient

21 patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAC) entered the trial of a new topical antihistamine drug histimet (levocabastine). The drug is available as a nasal spray and eye drops. The relief of the main symptoms of SAC occurred 15-20 min after histimet introduction into the nose or eye. The effect of a single procedure lasted for 12 hours. Regression of SAC basic symptoms continued for 7 days after using histimet. A significant improvement of life quality was observed. Good effect achieved in 90% of the patients characterizes histimet as an effective new modality in SAC management.     

Styrene toxicity: an ecotoxicological assessment

Although other aromatic compounds (e.g., benzene, toluene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), etc.) have been thoroughly studied over the years, styrene has been given little attention probably due to its lower rate of industrial use. In addition, it is less toxic than benzene and PAH, proven carcinogens. However, it is classified as a mutagen and thus potentially carcinogenic. Its main use is in the production of the polymer polystyrene and in the production of plastics, rubber, resins, and insulators. Entry into the environment is mainly through industrial and municipal discharges. In this review, the toxicological effects of styrene on humans, animals, and plants are discussed. Its mode of entry and methods of monitoring its presence are examined. Although its effects on humans and aquatic life have been studied, the data on short- or long-term exposures to plants, birds, and land animals are insufficient to be conclusive. Since exposure to workers can result in memory loss, difficulties in concentration and learning, brain and liver damage, and cancer, development of accurate methods to monitor its exposure is essential. In addition, the review outlines the present state of styrene in the environment and suggests ways to deal with its presence. It might appear that the quantities are not sufficient to harm humans, but more data are necessary to evaluate its effect, especially on workers who are regularly exposed to it.     

Isolated invagination of appendix in girls

The experience of treatment of 15 children with isolated invagination of processus appendicularis was summarized. The clinic, diagnosis, principles of operative treatment were analyzed.     

关于树根桩的应用

树根桩在我国最早应用于工程,是在1981年苏州虎丘塔的地基托换加固,1983又在上海新卫机器厂做了各种长短不一的桩进行试验研究.1985在上海东湖宾馆加层时被称为在国内第一次使用,然后又在上海外滩天文台以及地铁穿越建筑物下面时的托换工程中相继使用并得到推广. 据资料记载,事实上树根桩最早是在1930年     

Nutrition screening: an essential assessment parameter

Nutrition plays a significant role in preventing the incidence and prevalence of disease and more importantly, promoting health. Nutrition screening is an important tool used by nurses and dietitians to identify and assess clients at risk for nutritional compromise.     

Current principles in the treatment of intestinal invagination in children

Experience of treatment of 1345 children with invagination is summarized. On the ground of 271 patients examination data the reserves of the treatment improvement of this pathology were analyzed.     

Treatment of the pancreatic stump after cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy

The use of reporters such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) and firefly luciferase permit highly sensitive and nondestructive monitoring of gene transfer and expression. Modifications in GFP which increase intensity and thermostability, as well as alter its spectral qualities, have facilitated the use of GFP in a variety of gene transfer methods. Improvements in imaging technologies and their increased application in biological research have allowed the expanded use of luciferase-based reporters in gene transformation, particularly in genetic screens and in monitoring temporal changes in gene expression.     

Jejunogastric invagination: plain radiologic, sonographic and computed tomographic findings

Jejunogastric intussusception is a rare complication after gastric surgery and when its diagnosis is delayed a high mortality rate can be expected. This paper reports on the characteristic findings of this entity at ultrasound and CT examination. Both diagnostic procedures have a high sensitivity. Sonography is the method of first choice because the diagnosis can be made with a high grade of certainty. CT allows the differentiation of the distinct stages of the disease and the views given by CT are often more easily accepted by the surgeons.     

Carcinoma of the gastric stump in routine gastroscopies

205-patients after partial resection of the stomach for benign gastroduodenal ulcers (104 patients for gastric ulcers, 81 patients for duodenal ulcers, 14 patients for combined ulcers) were examined gastroscopically from 1970--1976. The operation was performed more than 5 years ago. 35 carcinomas of the gastric stump could be found (17%). The operation was done in 695 of all cases more than 20 years ago and the male/female relation was estimated to be 6:1. --In 170 other patients with resection of the stomach (61 patients for primary gastric carcinoma, 103 for benign ulcers and 6 for other reasons) with a postoperative interval fewer than 5 years, 10 relapse of carcinoma and 4 carcinomas of the stump were observed. These 4 carcinomas of the stump must be seen as relapses of an carcinoma primarily diagnosed as an ulcer. Gastroscopic-bioptic examinations of patients with an operation performed more than 10 years ago for benign lesions should be done every year. If the cause of operation had been a carcinoma than from the first year after operation.     

Risk assessment and research: an essential link

Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, use health risk assessment information in developing pollution control regulations and for setting regulatory and research priorities. The risk assessment process, however, is hampered by limitations in test methods, in models for exposure and dose-response, and by chemical-specific data gaps. The research/risk assessment/risk management framework provides opportunities for targeting and coordinating research to address these limitations. Enhanced communication among researchers, risk assessors and risk managers to foster better development and use of scientific information in decision making, and incentives for interdisciplinary research efforts, are needed.