氯沙坦对兔快速心房起搏的电生理作用观察

28只新西兰大耳白兔，随机分为氯沙坦组和对照组各14只。前者灌胃法给予氯沙坦15mg／（kg·d），后者单纯饲料喂养，两组均喂养4周。4周后，颈内静脉切开置入4F电极导管，快速心房起搏1h后，记录起搏前后的心房有效不应期（AERP）；然后猝发S1S1刺激诱发心房颤动（AF），观察AF的诱发率、房颤周长（AFCL）和持续时间。结果①起搏前后AERP缩短值氯沙坦组明显小于对照组[（17．44±5．58）msVS（30．71±8．86）ms，P〈0．01]。②AF的诱发率氯沙坦组少于对照组（28．57％vs85．71％，P〈0．05）。③AF发作的持续时间氯沙坦组短于对照组[（47．5±9．6）sVS（115．0±8．0）s，P〈0．01]。④AFCL氯沙坦组长于对照组[（85．0±10．0）msvs（45．0±8．0）ms，P〈0．01]。认为氯沙坦能阻止兔快速心房起搏引起的AERP缩短和诱发AF等心房电重构现象。     

房间隔起搏在心脏再同步治疗中的应用

目的通过简单的超声多普勒方法评价房间隔起搏在心脏再同步治疗（CRT）中的效果。方法在23例行CRT治疗的患者中进行了超声多普勒测量，9例患者存在房间阻滞，心房起搏导线固定在房间隔，其余14例常规固定在右心耳。结果右心耳起搏组中心房间传导延迟时间（IAD）延长[（46±20）ms vs（53±23）ms，P〈0．05]，IAD和心室间传导延迟时间（IVD）的差异增大[（53±23）ms VS（40±17）ms，P〈0．05]，左机械房室延迟时间（LMAVD）和右机械房室延迟时间（RMAVD）的差异明显增加[（172±25）ms vs（210±32）ms，P〈0．001]。房间隔起搏后IAD明显减小[（34±12）ms VS（12±11）ms，P〈0．001]，IAD和IVD的差别减少[（12±11）ms VS（18±16）ms，P〉0．05]，LMAVD和RMAVD差异无统计学意义[（187±43）ms vs（182±50）ms，P〉0．05]。二尖瓣A峰速度时间积分在房间隔起搏后明显增加[（8．9±4．9）cm vs（13．0±4．0）cm，P〈0．001]。结论房间阻滞可以导致左心和右心房室收缩顺序的差异，房间隔起搏能纠正这种差异，增加二尖瓣舒张期充盈进一步改善心脏再同步治疗。     

窦性心率震荡对急性脑梗死患者预后的影响

目的探讨窦性心率震荡对急性脑梗死患者死亡的预测价值。方法回顾性分析急性脑梗死患者98例与对照组30例、急性脑梗死存活组75例与死亡组23例的24h动态心电图，比较各组间HRT的TO和TS结果（1）与对照组TO、TS（-6．1±3．7％、13．1±5．6ms／R-R间期）比较，急性脑梗死组TO高（-3．2％±6．3％）、TS低（6．1±6．0ms／R-R间期），差异均有显著性意义（P〈0．05、〈0．01）。（2）与急性脑梗死存活组TO、TS（-5．2±5．7％、7．0±2．1ms／R-R间期）比较，死亡组TO值高（-2．2±4．3％）、TS低（5．4±4．0ms／R-R间期），差异均有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。结论HRT与急性脯樟死患者的死亡及预后有关．可作为急性脑梗死患者预后的预测因子。     

不同水平呼气末正压通气对肺内外源性急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者的影响

目的 观察不同水平呼气末正压（PEEP）通气对肺内、外源性急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）患者的影响。方法 以16例早期肺内源性ARDS（A组）和12例早期肺外源性ARDS（B组）患者为研究对象，调整PEEP水平，分别监测在PEEP通气前和PEEP为5、10、15cmH2O通气后30min时的氧合、呼吸力学和血流动力学的变化。结果 PEEP5cmH2O时与PEEP通气前比较，A、B两组患者的动脉血氧分压（PaO2）／吸入气氧浓度（FiO2）、气道峰压（Ppeak）、气道平台压（Pplat）、平均动脉压（MAP）以及B组患者的呼吸系统顺应性（Crs）差异均无统计学意义（P均〉0．05）；A组患者的Crs[PEEP5cmH2O时、PEEP通气前分别为（0．027±0．004）、（0．022±0．005）L／cmH2O]差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。PEEP10cmH2O时与PEEP通气前比较，A、B两组患者的PaO2／Fioz[PEEP10cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（130．Off=30．6）、（81．6±26．7），B组分别为（137．3±28．9）、（73．6±30．8）]、Crs[PEEP10cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（0．032±0．005）、（0．022±0．005）L／cmH2O，B组分别为（0．033±0．005）、（0．022±0．004）L／cmH2O]、MAP[PEEP10cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（68．9±8．4）、（79．3±9．2）mEHg，B组分别为（69．0±6．2）、（77．5±8．7）mEHg]以及A组患者的Ppeak[PEEP10cmH2O时、PEEP通气前分别为（33．0±6．O）、（25．0±5．8）mEHg]和PplatFPEEP10cmH20时、PEEP通气前分别为（30．5±5．6）、（22．1±4．8）mEHg]差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），其中B组患者PaO2／FiO2升高幅度、Crs增大幅度均较A组患者更显著（P均G0．05）。PEEP15cmHzO时与PEEP通气前比较，A、B两组患者的PaO2／FiO2[EEP15cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（139．8±34．8）、（81．6±26．7），B组分别为（178．7±35．4）、（73．6±30．8）]、Crs[PEEP15cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（0．030±0．005）、（0．022±0．005）L／cmH20，B组分别为（0．036±0．007）、（0．022±0．004）L／cmH201、MAP[PEEP15cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（66．9±9．1）、（79．3±9．2）mEHg，B组分别为（66．3±5．2）、（77．5±8．7）mEHg]、Ppeak[PEEP15cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（40．3±6．7）、（25．0±5．8）cmH2O，B组分别为（35．7±8．5）、（22．2±7．8）cmH2O]和Pplat[PEEP15cmH2O时、PEEP通气前A组分别为（36．9±5．6）、（22．1±4．8）cmH2O，B组分别为（29．2±6．8）、（18．7±5．6）cmH2O]差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0．01），其中B组患者PaO2／FiO2升高幅度、Crs增大幅度均较A组患者更显著（P均〈0．01），A组患者Pplat增高幅度较B组患者更显著（P〈0．01）。A、B两组患者MAP下降幅度比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。机械通气24h后A组2例出现轻度纵隔气肿。结论 PEEP通气能改善部分ARDS患者的氧合和呼吸系统顺应性，而且对肺外源性ARDS患者的改善可能要优于肺内源性ARDS患者。但高PEEP可能使Ppeak和Pplat显著增高，而且肺内源性ARDS患者Pplat的增高幅度可能要更显著于肺外源性ARDS患者。     

氯通道CIC-1、CIC-2在人心房肌的表达及与心房颤动的关系

目的研究氯通道CIC-1和CIC-2基因在人心房组织的表达及与心房颤动（AF）的关系。方法将71例风湿性心瓣膜病接受换瓣手术患者分为三组，窦性心律（SR）组31例，阵发性房颤（PAF）组7例，慢性房颤（CAF）组33例，于术中获取右心耳组织，应用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）检测心房组织CIC-1和CIC-2的mR—NA相对含量。结果（1）CIC—1、CIC-2基因在人心房组织有表达。②与SR组比较，PAF组CIC-1的mRNA表达增加但无统计学意义（1．05±0．22vs1．01±0．13，P〉0．05），CAF组的表达明显增加（1．25±0．18vs1．01±0．13，P〈0．001），CAF组较PAF组亦明显增加（P〈0．01）。CIC-1的mRNA表达水平与左房内径、AF持续时间呈正相关[（r=0．344，P=0．003）（r=0．405，P〈0．001）]。③与SR组比较，PAF组CIC-2的mRNA表达无增加（1．03±0．14vs1．04±0．15，P〉0．05），CAF组的表达明显增加（1．26±0．13vs1．04±0．15，P〈0．001），CAF组较PAF组亦明显增加（P〈0．01）。CIC-2的mRNA表达与左房内径、AF持续时间呈正相关[（r=0．441，P〈0．001）（r=0．331，P=0．0C15）]。结论AF患者CIC-1、CIC-2的mRNA表达水平的增加可能是心房肌电重构的分子基础。     

马来酸曲美布汀治疗功能性消化不良与腹泻型肠易激综合征重叠的随机对照研究

目的 观察马来酸曲美布汀片（曲美布汀）治疗功能性消化不良（FD）与腹泻型肠易激综合征（IBS—D）重叠的疗效和不良反应。方法 采用随机、病例对照的前瞻性研究,129例患者随机分为A组（曲美布汀和地衣芽孢杆菌）、B组（曲美布汀）和C组（地衣芽孢杆菌）。各症状采用分级记分进行描述,疗效评价参照症状积分的变化。结果 A、B组治疗前后的评分,分别为腹胀[A组（4．55±0．85）分,（1．26±0．52）分;B组（4．36±0．66）分,（1．48±0．61）分]、早饱[A组（4．05±0．96）分,（1．01±0．51）分;B组（3．89±0．81）分,（1．25±0．76）分]、腹痛[A组（9．26±0．68）分,（0．68±0．43）分;B组（9．57±1．60）分,（0．76±0．54）分],症状总积分[A组（20．00±1．25）分,（3．06±0．91）分;B组（19．05±2．28）分,（3．89±2．12）分],治疗后较治疗前均有显著下降（P〈0．05）,而C组治疗前后差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;3组治疗前后的腹泻评分[A组（4．78±0．76）,（0．65±0．53）;B组（4．13±0．65）,（1．25±0．62）;C组（4．65±0．88）,（1．45±0．70）]均有显著性下降（P〈0．05）。治疗4周后,腹胀、早饱、腹痛的评分和症状总积分,A、B组与C组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。A、B组的各症状的疗效和总疗效均优于C组（P〈0．05）。3组的费用一效果比（C／E）分别为4．07、1．19、6．65,以B组最佳。A、B组的不良反应发生率分别为22．9％和23．7％,主要为轻度的口干和便秘。结论 曲美布汀治疗FD与IBS—D重叠的患者,具有疗效高,价廉,不良反应少的特点。     

肺静脉电隔离对犬急性心房电重构影响的实验研究

目的肺静脉电隔离（PVI）是治疗心房颤动（房颤）的重要手段，心房电重构是房颤发生和维持的重要因素。本研究旨在研究PVI对急性心房电重构的影响并揭示其可能机制。方法选取成年杂种犬18只，随机分为对照组和PVI组。应用硫代巴比妥钠麻醉后分离并结扎双侧颈交感迷走神经干。两组犬均行房间隔穿刺并以600次／min起搏右心房30min构建急性心房电重构模型，PVI组穿间隔后即行环肺静脉口部电隔离。快速心房电刺激前后于右心耳（RAA）及左心耳（LAA）处测量基础状态下（非迷走神经刺激）及颈部迷走神经干刺激时的心房有效不应期（ERP）和房颤易感窗口（VW）。结果（1）对照组快速心房电刺激后基础状态下（RAA处P〈0．01，LAA处P〈0．001）和迷走神经刺激时（RAA处P〈0．05，LAA处P〈0．05）测得的ERP均明显缩短。快速心房电刺激前后基础状态下均不能诱发房颤；快速心房电刺激后，RAA（P〈0．01）和LAA处（P〈0．05）的VW在迷走神经刺激时明显增宽。（2）PVI组快速心房电刺激后基础状态下（RAA处P=0．451，LAA处P=0．197）和迷走神经刺激时（RAA处P=0．104，LAA处P=0．231）测得的ERP较快速心房电刺激前无明显变化。快速心房电刺激前后基础及迷走神经刺激下均不能诱发房颤。（3）对照组快速心房电刺激后ERP缩短值较PVI组明显增加（基础状态时LAA处P〈0．05，RAA处P〈0．05；迷走神经刺激时LAA处P〈0．01，RAA处P〈0．05）。结论心房电重构伴随着迷走神经对心房电生理特性调节活动增强，肺静脉电隔离能减轻心房电重构，其机制可能为心房去迷走神经效应。     

2型糖尿病一级亲属脂联素等与胰岛素抵抗的相关研究

测定糖耐量正常T2DM患者一级亲属35例，及对照组42例的脂联素、抵抗素、TNF-α。结果1．一级亲属组脂联素水平低于正常对照组（12．29±3．64mg／L vs 14．66±3．43mg／L，P〈0．05），而抵抗素、TNF-α水平显著高于正常组（分别是19．02±6．85Pg／ml vs 15．68±6．24pg／ml，P〈0．05；14．12±2．87pg／ml vs 10．43±2．58pg／ml，P〈0．05）；2．一级亲属组IR指数与脂联素呈负相关（r=-0．53，P〈0．05），与抵抗素、TNF-α呈正相关（分别为r=0．62，P〈0．05；r=0．48，P〈0．05）。结论脂联素、抵抗素、TNF-α可能与T2DM患者一级亲属的IR相关。     

胸膜腔内注入低分子肝素治疗结核性胸膜炎

目的观察胸腔内注入低分子肝素对减少结核性渗出性胸膜炎胸膜增厚、粘连的效果。方法渗出性胸膜炎患者59例，随机分成治疗组（30例）与对照组（29例）。治疗组充分引流后注射低分子肝素钙0．1ml（速碧林）＋生理盐水20ml，对照组注射生理盐水20ml。结果形成纤维分隔、多房积液的，治疗组1例，对照组5例（P〈0．05）。2月后B超查，治疗组胸膜厚度（1．21±0．23）mm，对照组（1．94±0．41）mm（P〈0．05）；治疗组胸膜粘连6．67％，对照组24．14％（P〈0．05）；治疗组肺功能FVC％为（87．8±2．2）％，对照组（79．2±2．1）％（P〈0．05）；治疗组FEV1／FVC％为（86．9±2．7）％，对照组为（78．6±2．3）％，两者差异亦有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论胸腔内注射低分子肝素能减少胸腔分隔、多房的形成，减少胸膜粘连、肥厚，改善肺功能。     

冠状动脉内应用山莨菪碱对急性心肌梗死介入治疗后无再流及心室功能和收缩同步性的影响

目的探讨冠状动脉内应用山莨菪碱对急性心肌梗死介入治疗（AMI-PCI）后无再流患者的逆转作用并评价其对患者局部、整体心室功能和收缩同步性的影响。方法自2003年1月至2006年2月首发急性前壁心肌梗死并于12h内行急诊PCI的患者136例,根据心肌灌注分级方法（myocardial blush grade,MBG）确认无再流患者（MBG0-1级）47例（男36例,女11例）,平均年龄（63．23±11．24）岁,随机分为两组：A组（山莨菪碱组,24例）和B组（对照组23例）,A组于PCI后即刻由指引导管冠状动脉内注射山莨菪碱1000斗g／次,余治疗同B组。于PCI后即行左心室造影,测定心室容积、压力参数和室壁运动积分（wall motion score,WMS）;AMI后1周时行平衡法核素心室造影,测定左室整体和局部收缩功能、舒张功能和收缩同步性参数;AMI后6个月随访时重复行心室造影和核素心室造影检查测定上述参数,同时随访并记录术后6个月内主要不良心脏事件（MACE）的发生率。结果（I）A组患者在冠状动脉内应用山莨菪碱1000μg／次,平均（2．53±0．34）次后MBG由（0．74±0．32）级增加到用药后的（2．33±0．28）级。（2）AMI-PCI后6个月随访时,A组左室收缩末容积指数、左心室舒张末期容积指数、WMS和左室舒张末期压均较B组明显降低[（40．53±8．12）mL／m^2比（50．32±8．26）mL／m^2,（80．13±9．74）ml／m^2比（87．17±10．25）mL／m^2,（8．24±1．31）比（10．23±1．82）,（13．36±4．21）mmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa）比（16．38±3．21）mmHg,P均〈0．05];核素心室造影参数比较,A组左室射血分数、峰射血率和峰充盈率等参数均较B组明显增加I（44．02±5．86）％比（38．52±5．18）％,（1．86±0．09）EDV／s比（1.61±0．09）EDV／s,（2．19±0．32）EDV／s比（1.78±0．17）EDV／s,P均〈0．05]。（3）A组AMI-PCI后6个月左室局部射血分数（LrEF）2-LrEF8均分别较B组增加13．96％、25．02％、30．36％、22．86％、27．67％、22．07％和18．71％（P均〈0．05）.（4）相位分析示A组左室收缩同步性参数相角程、半高宽和峰相位标准差亦均低于B组[（46．04±8．93）°比（53．19±16．62）°,P〈0．05;（23．02±6．27）°比（25．02±5．31）°,P〉0．05;（7．92±4．12）°比（11．76±4．11）°,P〈0．05]。（5）在6个月随访期内,A组MACE发生率明显低于B组。结论冠状动脉内注射山莨菪碱可明显逆转AMI-PCI后无再流现象,改善无再流患者的心室功能和收缩同步性,降低MACE发生率。     

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.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.