No abstract

Our results demonstrate that the rs2910164 polymorphism has a major role in genetic susceptibility to CD but not to UC, since the rs11614913 polymorphism had a protective role against UC, at least in the population studied here. Independent studies are needed to validate our findings in larger series and in patients of different ethnic origins.

This paper reports a rare iatrogenic complication of acupuncture-induced haemothorax and comments on the importance and need for special education of physicians and physiotherapists in order to apply safe and effective acupuncture treatment. A 37-year-old healthy woman had a session of acupuncture treatments for neck and right upper thoracic non-specific musculoskeletal pain, after which she gradually developed dyspnoea and chest discomfort. After some delay while trying other treatment, she was eventually transferred to the emergency department where a chest X-ray revealed a right pneumothorax and fluid collection. She was admitted to hospital and a chest tube inserted into the right hemithorax (under ultrasound guidance) drained 800 mL of bloody fluid (haematocrit (Hct) 17.8%) in 24 h and 1200 mL over the following 3 days. Her blood Hct fell from 39.0% to 30.8% and haemoglobin from 12.7 to 10.3 g/dL. The patient recovered completely and was discharged after 9 days of hospitalisation. When dyspnoea, chest pain and discomfort occur during or after an acupuncture treatment, the possibility of secondary (traumatic) pneumo- or haemopneumothorax should be considered and the patient should remain under careful observation (watchful waiting) for at least 48 h. To maximise the safety of acupuncture, specific training should be given for the safe use of acupuncture points of the anterior and posterior thoracic wall using dry needling, trigger point acupuncture or other advanced acupuncture techniques.

No abstract

We studied the relation of certain endocrine-related variables among 23 cases of male breast cancer and 76 apparently healthy male controls. There were significant inverse associations with smoking (P = 0.03), birth order (P = 0.02) and reported frequency of orgasms in later life (P = 0.0004). The study provides strong indirect evidence that endocrine factors are important in the aetiology of male breast cancer. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign