BACKGROUND & AIMS: To determine the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in prophylaxis on the rate of first esophageal variceal bleeding, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial in 126 cirrhotic patients with no history of previous upper gastrointestinal bleeding and with esophageal varices endoscopically judged to be at high risk of hemorrhage. The end-points of the study were bleeding and death. Life-table curves showed that prophylactic EVL significantly diminished the rate of variceal hemorrhage (12/62 [19%] vs. 38/64 [60%]; P = .0001) and overall mortality (17/62 [28%] vs. 37/64 [58%]; P = .0011). The 2-year cumulative bleeding rate was 19% (12/ 62) in the EVL group and 60% (38/64) in the control group. The 2-year cumulative mortality rate was 28% (17/62) in the EVL group and 58% (37/64) in the control group. Comparison of Kaplan-Meier estimates of the time to death of both groups showed significantly lower mortality in the ligation group (P = .001). Patients undergoing EVL had few treatment failures and died mainly of hepatic failure. The lower risk in the EVL group was attributed to a rapid reduction of variceal size. Prophylactic EVL was more efficient in preventing first bleeding in patients with good condition (Child A) than in those with decompensated disease (Child B and C). We conclude that prophylactic EVL can decrease the incidence of first variceal bleeding and death over a period of 2 years in cirrhotic patients with high-risk esophageal varices.

背景与目标： 为了确定内镜下静脉曲张结扎术（EVL）预防第一次食道静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效，我们对126例无既往有上消化道出血史且经内镜检查认为是食管静脉曲张的肝硬化患者进行了一项前瞻性随机试验。高出血风险。研究的终点是出血和死亡。生命表曲线表明，预防性EVL显着降低了曲张静脉出血的发生率（12/62 [19％] vs. 38/64 [60％]； P = .0001）和总死亡率（17/62 [28％] vs 37/64 [58％]； P = 0.0011）。 EVL组的2年累积出血率为19％（12/62），对照组为60％（38/64）。 EVL组的2年累积死亡率为28％（17/62），对照组为58％（37/64）。 Kaplan-Meier对两组死亡时间的估计值的比较表明，结扎组的死亡率显着降低（P = .001）。接受EVL的患者几乎没有治疗失败，主要死于肝功能衰竭。 EVL组中较低的风险归因于曲张静脉大小的迅速减小。预防性EVL预防状况良好的患者（儿童A）比失代偿性疾病的患者（儿童B和C）更有效地防止首次出血。我们得出结论，在高危食管静脉曲张的肝硬化患者中，预防性EVL可以在2年内降低首次静脉曲张破裂出血和死亡的发生率。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Assessment of wound healing is a complex task, especially when the lesion is associated to significant (full thickness) loss of the skin. The clinical observation, essentially subjective and highly dependent on the observer's experience, creates difficulties in the comparison of results. Scoring scales were introduced in the clinical practice to create comparable semi-quantitative data and promote better management of resources, but its usefulness in a clinical perspective is still limited. New non-invasive biometric methodologies, although infrequently used, have opened new possibilities. While complementing the clinical observation and contributing to therapeutic decisions and prognosis, they may also help to look further into the pathophysiological mechanisms of scarring drugs rehabilitation. Following previous work in this arena, the authors review, the state-of-the-art of cutaneous wound healing clinical and biometric follow up, proposing a diagnosis correlation for the most relevant descriptors found in both strategies in order to fully characterise the different stages of the healing process.

背景与目标： ：伤口愈合的评估是一项复杂的任务，尤其是当病变与皮肤的严重（全层）损失有关时。临床观察本质上是主观的，并且高度依赖观察者的经验，因此在比较结果时会遇到困难。在临床实践中引入了评分量表，以创建可比较的半定量数据并促进更好的资源管理，但其在临床上的实用性仍然有限。新的非侵入性生物识别方法学虽然很少使用，但开辟了新的可能性。在补充临床观察并有助于治疗决策和预后的同时，它们还可能有助于进一步研究疤痕药物康复的病理生理机制。在此领域的先前工作之后，作者回顾了最新的皮肤伤口愈合临床和生物测定学随访情况，提出了两种策略中最相关的描述符的诊断相关性，以全面表征不同阶段愈合过程。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :With currently available combination chemotherapy regimens, the outcome of the patients newly diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) identified as 'high' and 'high-intermediate' risk groups according to the international prognostic index (IPI) is still unsatisfactory and a more innovative therapy is urgently required to improve the survival of the patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of rituximab given in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and ESHAP (etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose Ara-C, cisplatin) vs CHOP-ESHAP and upfront high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) vs standard CHOP in patients aged < or = 65 years old newly diagnosed with 'high' and 'high-intermediate' risk aggressive lymphoma enrolled onto two consecutive treatment trials at the institute. Between May 1995 - July 2002, 84 patients, aged 15 - 65 years old, with newly diagnosed aggressive NHL and an age-adjusted IPI of 2 or 3 were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 38 years (range 15 - 65). The baseline demographic features, in particular the major prognostic variables, were similar between the treatment groups. Patients treated with rituximab-CHOP-ESHAP received eight cycles of rituximab (375 mg m(-2) on day 1 of cycles 1 - 6 and days 21 and 28 of cycle 7) plus CHOP (day 3 of cycles 1, 3 and 5) and ESHAP (day 3 of cycles 2, 4 and 6 and day 1 of cycle 7) at 21-day intervals. Patients enrolled onto the CHOP-ESHAP-HDT arm (n = 23) were treated with three courses of CHOP and then switched to two or four cycles of ESHAP followed by HDT. Patients treated with CHOP alone (n = 25) were treated with the standard eight cycles of CHOP. The rate of complete remission was significantly improved with rituximab-CHOP-ESHAP compared with either CHOP-ESHAP-HDT or CHOP alone (67% compared with 44% and 36%, respectively; p = 0.043). With a median follow-up time of 53 months, the 5-year overall survival (OS) was improved by the addition of rituximab-61% with rituximab-CHOP-ESHAP, compared with 43% for CHOP-ESHAP-HDT and 24% for CHOP alone (p = 0.088). Significant increases in failure-free survival (FFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (61% and 96%), compared with CHOP-ESHAP-HDT (34% and 90%) and CHOP (16% and 44%; p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) were observed. Compared to CHOP, rituximab-CHOP-ESHAP yielded significantly superior OS (p = 0.014), FFS (p < 0.001) and DFS (p < 0.001). The survivals, however, were not significantly different from patients treated with CHOP-ESHAP-HDT. It is concluded that rituximab-ESHAP-CHOP is superior over standard CHOP and fares comparably to upfront HDT/ASCT in previously untreated patients with aggressive lymphoma. A prospective randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm these results.

背景与目标： ：根据目前的联合化疗方案，根据国际预后指标（IPI），新诊断为侵袭性非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）的患者的预后仍然不理想，并且迫切需要一种更具创新性的疗法来提高患者的生存率。这项研究的目的是比较利妥昔单抗与CHOP（环磷酰胺，阿霉素，长春新碱，泼尼松）和ESHAP（依托泊苷，甲基强的松龙，大剂量Ara-C，顺铂）联合使用的利妥昔单抗与CHOP-ESHAP和前期高剂量联合治疗的疗效在该研究所进行的两项连续治疗试验中，对新诊断为“高”和“高中度”风险性侵袭性淋巴瘤的年龄≤65岁的患者进行剂量治疗（HDT）和自体干细胞移植（ASCT）与标准CHOP对照。在1995年5月至2002年7月之间，纳入了84例年龄在15至65岁之间，新诊断为侵袭性NHL且年龄校正后的IPI为2或3的患者。患者的中位年龄为38岁（范围15-65）。治疗组之间的基线人口统计学特征，尤其是主要的预后变量相似。接受利妥昔单抗-CHOP-ESHAP治疗的患者接受了八个周期的利妥昔单抗（第1-6周期的第1天以及第7周期的第21和28天）（375 mg m（-2））加CHOP（第1、3和5周期的第3天） ）和ESHAP（周期2、4和6的第3天和周期7的第1天），间隔为21天。入组CHOP-ESHAP-HDT组（n = 23）的患者接受了三个疗程的CHOP治疗，然后切换到ESSHAP的两个或四个周期，然后进行HDT。单独接受CHOP治疗的患者（n = 25）接受了标准的八个CHOP周期治疗。与单独使用CHOP-ESHAP-HDT或CHOP相比，利妥昔单抗-CHOP-ESHAP的完全缓解率显着提高（分别为67％，44％和36％； p = 0.043）。中位随访时间为53个月，利妥昔单抗-CHOP-ESHAP加利妥昔单抗-61％改善了5年总生存（OS），相比之下，CHOP-ESHAP-HDT和43％改善了5年总生存率仅适用于CHOP（p = 0.088）。与CHOP-ESHAP-HDT（34％和90％）和CHOP（16％和44％）相比，无失败生存率（FFS）和无病生存率（DFS）显着增加（61％和96％）；分别观察到= 0.002和p​​ <0.001）。与CHOP相比，利妥昔单抗-CHOP-ESHAP产生显着优越的OS（p = 0.014），FFS（p <0.001）和DFS（p <0.001）。但是，其存活率与用CHOP-ESHAP-HDT治疗的患者无明显差异。结论是，对于以前未经治疗的侵袭性淋巴瘤患者，利妥昔单抗-ESHAP-CHOP优于标准CHOP，且其费用可与前期HDT / ASCT相提并论。必须进行前瞻性随机对照试验来证实这些结果。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The work of the main European research teams in the field of thermal factors was coordinated in order to improve significantly the Required Sweat Rate model published as an international standard. Many significant modifications were brought, in particular concerning the effects of forced convection, body movements and exercise and the prediction of the skin temperature as a function of the rectal temperature and in case of severe conditions of radiation, humidity and clothing. The criteria for acceptable work durations in hot environments were updated concerning the maximum increase in core temperature and the acceptable water loss. The revised model, called Predicted Heat Strain model, was validated through a set of lab and field experiments involving stable and fluctuating conditions with high and low radiation, humidity and air velocity. It is meanwhile adopted as an ISO and CEN standard. In addition, a strategy was developed to assess the risks of heat disorders in any working situation. It is based on the three highest stages of the SOBANE strategy: an "Observation" method for improving simply the thermal conditions of work; an "Analysis" method to evaluate the magnitude of the problem and optimise the choice of solutions and an "Expert" method for in depth analysis of the working situation when needed.

背景与目标： ：协调了主要的欧洲研究团队在热因素领域的工作，以便显着改善作为国际标准发布的“要求的出汗率”模型。带来了许多重要的改进，特别是关于强制对流，身体运动和运动的影响以及根据直肠温度以及在严重的辐射，湿度和衣服条件下皮肤温度的预测。更新了高温环境下可接受的工作时间标准，有关核心温度的最大升高和可接受的水分流失。经过修订的模型称为预测的热应变模型，已通过一组实验室和现场实验进行了验证，这些实验涉及稳定和波动的条件，以及高低辐射，湿度和空气速度。同时，它被用作ISO和CEN标准。此外，还制定了一项策略来评估在任何工作情况下发生热病的风险。它基于SOBANE策略的三个最高阶段：“观察”方法，用于简单地改善工作的热工条件；一种“分析”方法，用于评估问题的严重程度并优化解决方案的选择；另一种“专家”方法，用于在需要时对工作状况进行深入分析。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:To understand the prospective relationship between depressive symptoms and sexual risk behavior among a community sample of African American adolescents. METHODS:African American adolescents (n = 415) who participated in a larger multi-site human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention program provided baseline data on demographics, psychosocial context and depressive symptoms. At six-month follow-up, data were collected regarding sexual activity in the past 90 days. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine the prospective relationship between depressive symptoms and proportion of condom use while controlling for relevant demographic and contextual factors. RESULTS:The odds that African American adolescents who reported depressive symptoms at baseline would report inconsistent condom use at six-month follow-up was approximately four times greater than that of their peers who did not report depressive symptoms. Older adolescents and females were less likely to use condoms consistently and certain contextual factors, such as less pleasurable expectations about condom use, and living with a partner also heightened HIV/STI risk. CONCLUSIONS:Clinicians should assess for depression symptoms in African American adolescent patients as an indicator of future sexual risk. Prevention interventions that address depressed mood could have a significant impact on later HIV/STI sexual risk behaviors. Further research is needed to understand the effect of depressive symptoms on sexual risk among adolescents of other race/ethnicities and to examine the potential cultural forces that affect this relationship.

背景与目标： 目的：了解非裔美国青少年社区样本中抑郁症状与性危险行为之间的预期关系。
方法：参加较大的多站点人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）预防计划的非裔美国青少年（n = 415）提供了有关人口统计学，社会心理背景和抑郁症状的基线数据。在六个月的随访中，收集了过去90天内有关性活动的数据。进行多因素logistic回归分析以确定抑郁症状与安全套使用比例之间的预期关系，同时控制相关的人口统计学和背景因素。
结果：在基线时报告抑郁症状的非洲裔美国青少年在六个月的随访中报告使用安全套不一致的几率是未报告抑郁症状的同龄人的四倍。较大的青少年和女性不太可能一贯使用安全套，并且某些情境因素，例如对使用安全套的期望降低，以及与伴侣生活在一起，也增加了艾滋病毒/性传播疾病的风险。
结论：临床医生应评估非洲裔美国青少年患者的抑郁症状，作为未来性风险的指标。预防情绪低落的预防干预措施可能会对以后的HIV / STI性风险行为产生重大影响。需要进一步的研究来了解抑郁症状对其他种族/族裔青少年的性风险的影响，并研究影响这种关系的潜在文化力量。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The accuracy of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin as a predictor of preterm birth was studied in patients with increased risk for preterm delivery (according to the Creasy-score). In a prospective blind observational study the smear from the posterior fornix vaginae of 56 pregnant patients without PROM was examined using a quantitative immunoassay for the detection of fetal fibronectin. The patients who tested positively for fetal fibronectin had significantly more preterm deliveries than those with a negative result (CHI square-test, p < 0.01, RR 5.1). Overall, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 56%, 87%, 45% and 91%, respectively. In patients with preterm labor these values were 75%, 87%, 60%, and 93%, respectively. No patient with a negative result delivered preterm during the following two weeks. It is concluded that performing the fetal fibronectin test in patients with preterm labor is useful for the prediction of preterm birth. Routine testing in patients at increased risk (asymptomatic patients) is not recommended for lack of effectiveness.

背景与目标： 宫颈阴道胎儿纤连蛋白作为早产预测指标的准确性已在早产风险增加的患者中进行了研究（根据Creasy评分）。在一项前瞻性盲观察研究中，使用定量免疫测定法检测了56例无PROM的孕妇的后穹vagina阴道涂片，以检测胎儿的纤连蛋白。胎儿纤连蛋白检测阳性的患者早产的结果明显高于阴性结果（CHI Square-test，p <0.01，RR 5.1）。总体而言，敏感性，特异性，阳性和阴性预测值分别为56％，87％，45％和91％。在有早产的患者中，这些值分别为75％，87％，60％和93％。在接下来的两周内，没有阴性结果的患者早产。结论是在早产患者中进行胎儿纤连蛋白测试有助于预测早产。不建议对风险较高的患者（无症状的患者）进行常规检查，因为其缺乏有效性。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:A prospective evaluation of spiral CT angiography (SCTA) as the sole pre-operative imaging modality for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:Spiral CT angiography was compared with conventional transfemoral angiography in 30 patients and results correlated with surgical findings in 22 patients. The following features were assessed: renal artery number and disease; upper and lower aneurysm extent; aneurysm size; perianeurysmal inflammation; iliac artery disease; radiation dose; and contrast usage.

RESULTS:Spiral CT angiography agreed with conventional angiography in all cases of severe stenosis or occlusion of renal arteries and had 90% agreement overall for renal artery disease. Two of nine accessory renal arteries seen at conventional angiography were missed. For showing aneurysm extent SCTA was 100% sensitive, and performed better than conventional angiography. Aneurysm size was better shown with SCTA. In iliac disease SCTA, as performed in this study, was poor for mild-moderate disease, but detected four of six severely stenosed/occluded iliac arteries seen at conventional angiography. Prospective sensitivity for perianeurysmal inflammation was 33%. Radiation dose for SCTA was approximately twice and contrast dose approximately three times that for conventional angiography.

CONCLUSION:Spiral CT angiography can provide all the necessary imaging information to plan aneurysm repair in the non-claudicant.

背景与目标： 目的：前瞻性评价螺旋CT血管造影（SCTA）作为腹主动脉瘤修复术前唯一的影像学检查方法。

材料与方法：螺旋CT血管造影与常规经股动脉血管造影在30例患者中进行了比较，结果与22例患者的手术结果相关。评估以下特征：肾动脉数量和疾病；上下动脉瘤程度；动脉瘤大小；动脉瘤周围炎;动脉疾病;辐射剂量

结果：在所有严重狭窄或肾动脉阻塞的病例中，螺旋CT血管造影与常规血管造影相符，并且总体上90％符合肾动脉疾病。在常规血管造影术中发现的9条辅助肾动脉中有2条漏诊了。为了显示动脉瘤的程度，SCTA是100％敏感的，并且比常规的血管造影术表现更好。使用SCTA可以更好地显示动脉瘤的大小。在这项研究中进行的动脉疾病中，SCTA对于轻度中度疾病较差，但在常规血管造影术中发现了6条严重狭窄/闭塞的动脉中的4条。对动脉瘤周围炎症的预期敏感性为33％。 SCTA的放射剂量约为常规血管造影的两倍，对比剂量约为传统血管造影的三倍。

结论：螺旋CT血管造影可以提供所有必要的影像学信息，以计划在非-claudicant。