多普勒超声心肌运动指数评价卡维地洛对心力衰竭左心功能的影响

目的 通过多普勒超声测定左心室心肌运动指数评价心力衰竭患者应用卡维地洛治疗前后心功能的变化.方法 收集哈尔滨医科大学第一临床医学院2004-2006年住院和门诊的患者,其中正常对照组50名,慢性心力衰竭组45例,观察治疗前和治疗后1个月、6个月时分别用多普勒超声测量左心室传统Tei指数(c-Tei)和组织多普勒Tei指数(t-Tei)、左室射血分数(LVEF)等指标.结果 慢性心力衰竭组较正常对照组左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDd)、c-Tei和t-Tei明显增高(P＜0.05).LVEF明显降低(P＜0.05);卡维地洛治疗1个月时,c-Tei和t-Tei明显改善(P＜0.05);治疗6个月时,c-Tei、t-Tei、LVEF、LVEDd和美国纽约心脏协会心功能分级较治疗前均明显改善(P＜0.05).结论 应用Tei指数对心力衰竭患者心功能进行评价简便、可行,c-Tei和t-Tei具有同等作用.     

Tei指数评价风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄患者左心室功能

目的运用脉冲型组织多普勒技术(PW-TDI)测算左心室心肌综合指数(Tei指数),评价风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄(MS)患者左心室功能,并探讨其与右心室功能的关系。方法测量30例MS患者及25例健康对照者的常规超声心动图指标,在PW-TDI条件下测算左心室二尖瓣环四个位点(后间隔、侧壁、前壁、下壁)的Tei值及其均值(t-Tei)以及三尖瓣环位点(右心室游离壁)的Tei值,对各组值进行对比分析。结果(1)与正常对照组相比,MS患者左、右心室的Tei值明显增大(P<0.001);左心室二尖瓣环四个位点t、-Tei、右心室三尖瓣环位点的等容舒张时间延长(P<0.001)、射血时间缩短(P<0.01或P<0.05),前壁、下壁及t-Tei等容收缩时间延长(P<0.05);(2)相关性分析表明MS患者左、右心室的Tei指数呈正相关关系(r=0.73,P<0.001)。结论MS患者左心室在收缩功能正常时舒张功能已减退,左、右心室功能状态可能相互影响,重视改善MS患者左心室功能具有重要的临床意义。     

多普勒组织成像技术对老年冠心病患者左室功能的评价

目的探讨应用多普勒组织成像(DTI)技术评价老年冠心病患者的左室收缩和舒张功能。方法老年冠心病患者45例,正常对照人群30例,在标准心尖四腔切面、心尖两腔切面以DTI速度模式录取二尖瓣环间隔、侧壁、前壁及下壁处收缩期、舒张早、晚期运动速度峰值(Sa、Ea、Aa)及Ea/Aa,并计算上述各位点Tei指数及其均值作为整体Tei指数(t-Tei)。结果与正常对照组比较,冠心病组Sa、Ea和Ea/Aa明显降低(P<0.05),t-Tei指数明显延长(0.43±0.11)vs(0.71±0.09)(P<0.01),而两组Aa比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论DTI技术检测二尖环运动速度及t-Tei指数,可无创、全面地反映老年冠心病患者左室整体功能。     

组织多普勒成像测定Tei指数评价高血压患者左室功能

目的 探讨组织多普勒测定的Tei指数评价高血压患者左心功能的临床应用价值.方法 将高血压患者43例分为左室非肥厚组(n=20)和左室肥厚组(n=23),另设正常对照组(n=40),分别行超声心动图检查测量左室射血分数(EF)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDd)、左室收缩末期内径,二尖瓣口舒张早期与舒张晚期血流峰值之比.在组织多普勒成像(TDI)模式下,于心尖四腔观、心尖两腔观获得后间隔、左室侧壁、前壁和下壁的二尖瓣环运动频谱,分别计算4个位点的Tei指数,取其平均值.结果 高血压病组与正常对照组EF值均正常.高血压病左室非肥厚组和左室肥厚组二尖瓣E/A及二尖瓣环em/am均＜正常对照组,高血压病左室非肥厚组和左室肥厚组Tei指数均高于正常对照组,且左室肥厚组Tei指数高于左室非肥厚组,P均＜0.05.结论 (1)高血压患者在收缩功能障碍出现以前就出现了舒张功能减退;(2)高血压患者在左室肥厚以前就已经存在心功能改变,且左室肥厚者较左室非肥厚者更加明显.     

组织多普勒成像测定Tei指数评价高血压患者左室功能

目的探讨组织多普勒测定的Tei指数评价高血压患者左心功能的临床应用价值。方法将高血压患者43例分为左室非肥厚组(n=20)和左室肥厚组(n=23),另设正常对照组(n=40),分别行超声心动图检查测量左室射血分数(EF)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDd)、左室收缩末期内径,二尖瓣口舒张早期与舒张晚期血流峰值之比。在组织多普勒成像(TDI)模式下,于心尖四腔观、心尖两腔观获得后间隔、左室侧壁、前壁和下壁的二尖瓣环运动频谱,分别计算4个位点的Tei指数,取其平均值。结果高血压病组与正常对照组EF值均正常。高血压病左室非肥厚组和左室肥厚组二尖瓣E/A及二尖瓣环em/am均<正常对照组,高血压病左室非肥厚组和左室肥厚组Tei指数均高于正常对照组,且左室肥厚组Tei指数高于左室非肥厚组,P均<0.05。结论(1)高血压患者在收缩功能障碍出现以前就出现了舒张功能减退;(2)高血压患者在左室肥厚以前就已经存在心功能改变,且左室肥厚者较左室非肥厚者更加明显。     

应用定量组织速度成像技术对心肌梗死患者左心功能的研究

目的用定量组织多普勒成像(QTVI)技术评价心肌梗死患者左心功能。方法利用 QTVI技术,测算30名心肌梗死患者(MI组)和30名正常人二尖瓣环各位点的收缩期峰值速度s、舒张早期速度e、舒张晚期速度a、收缩期位移D以及各位点的Tei指数,上述各指标取6个位点测值的均值作为左室整体指标测值。所有MI患者行同位素门控心血池造影检查,记录左心室射血分数 (ECT-EF)及左心室峰充盈率(PFR)。结果 (1)MI组二尖瓣环整体以及各位点的s、e、a及D均较对照组显著减低,Tei指数测值较对照组显著延长;(2)不同部位的心肌梗死患者,其各室壁D减低、Tei 值延长的程度不同,以梗死侧室壁更为显著;(3)MI患者D、Tei值与门控心血池造影所测得的ECT- EF、PFR之间呈相关性。结论利用QTVI可准确评价心脏整体和局部功能,有临床推广应用价值。     

超声组织多普勒应变率与Tei指数对糖尿病前期患者左室舒张功能的评价

目的 应用组织多普勒应变率成像技术(SRI)及Tei指数评价糖尿病前期患者左室局部和整体舒张功能,为早期诊断及治疗糖尿病心肌病变提供依据.方法 选取糖尿病患者35例、糖尿病前期患者30例、对照组35例,组织多普勒(TDI)测算二尖瓣环Ea/Aa及Tei指数.SRI技术测量左室基底段及中间段各壁SRe、SRa及SRe/SRa.结果 ①糖尿病前期组与对照组比较Tei指数明显延长(P＜0.01).②糖尿病前期组左室心肌所有节段SRe均小于对照组,12个节段中11个节段差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).糖尿病前期组左室心肌12个节段SRe/SRa除了侧壁基底段和中间段2个节段略高于对照组外(P＞0.05),其余10个节段均小于对照组(P＜0.05).③Tei指数与SRe、SRe/SRa呈负相关,相关系数分别为-0.574和-0.374(P＜0.05).结论 糖尿病前期患者的左室局部节段舒张功能已受到损害.将SRI技术结合Tei指数可以更加全面、准确地评价糖尿病前期患者左心室的舒张功能.     

实时三维超声心动图评价正常人左心室局部射血分数的研究

目的应用实时三维超声心动图(RT-3DE)技术探讨正常人左心室局部射血分数分布规律。方法 43名健康体检人员,男24名,女19名,应用RT-3DE半自动内膜边界探测技术测量左心室各节段局部射血分数(rEF),并将各测值行节段间比较。结果左心室各节段局部射血分数并非均匀一致,在基底段及中间段,以后间隔最低,相邻的前间隔和下壁次之,左室游离壁相对较高。但在心尖段则相反,以侧壁心尖段最低,间隔心尖段最高。沿左室长轴纵向分组比较,rEF测值从基底段向心尖段呈逐渐递增趋势,各节段水平间比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);沿左室短轴横向分组比较,下壁、后侧壁节段组测值最大,前壁、后间隔和前侧壁节段组次之,前间隔节段组最小。结论实时三维超声心动图可简便、准确评价左心室局部射血分数,正常左心室各节段局部射血分数测值存在一定差异。     

应用解剖M-型超声评价左室Tei指数

目的本研究利用解剖M-型、脉冲多普勒超声心动图测量30例健康者左室Tei指数,旨在对两种方法所测结果进行对比性分析。方法在解剖M-型条件下,在同一心动周期内同时记录二尖瓣及主动脉瓣活动曲线,分别测量等容收缩期(ICT)、主动脉瓣开放时间(ET)和等容舒张期(IRT),输入机器后自动得出Tei指数。在脉冲多普勒条件下,于心尖四腔观和心尖五腔观分别获得二尖瓣口和主动脉瓣口血流频谱,测量包括ICT、IRT、ET在内的各个时间间期并通过超声诊断仪自动计算出左室Tei指数。结果解剖M-型与脉冲多普勒法测得Tei指数之间的比较差异无统计学意义,且相关性好。结论解剖M-型是一种较为简便、理想的测定Tei指数的方法。     

测定左室Tei指数方法初探

目的探讨左室Tei指数的测定方法。方法30例正常体检者用脉冲多普勒超声心动图采集二尖瓣和主动脉瓣血流频谱得出左室Tei指数,其结果作为对照组,并与CW、M超,TDI方法测定结果比较。结果PW联合法测得Tei指数为0.50±0.22、CW联合法测得Tei指数为0.46±0.17与对照组(0.32±0.09)有明显差异。结论不同测定方法测量的Tei指数无显著差异,但同一方法中联合法与分开法有显著性差异。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.