5例病理确诊的肺毛霉菌病临床分析

目的 探讨肺毛霉菌病的临床特征.方法 经病理确诊的5例肺毛霉菌病患者的临床资料进行分析.结果 4例患者分别合并糖尿病、支气管扩张、肺结核等基础疾病,咳嗽(3/4)、咳痰(3/4),发热(3/4),咯血(3/4)是常见的临床症状,胸部影像学表现为多发斑片状病灶3例,多发空洞病灶1例,单一团块病灶1例,病灶伴有空洞形成4例.治疗结果为痊愈1例,好转2例,死亡1例,无法判断1例.结论 肺毛霉菌病临床罕见,临床表现与影像学特征缺乏特异性,患者多并存基础疾病,对具有高危因素的患者早期进行病理组织学检查对改善肺毛霉菌病患者预后具有重要价值.     

糖尿病合并毛霉菌病二例报道

回顾分析2例经病理检查确诊肺型、鼻脑型毛霉菌合并糖尿病患者的临床特征。其中,1例为糖尿病合并肺型毛霉菌患者,表现为胸痛、咯血,右上肺肿块穿刺活检示形态符合毛霉菌,采用两性霉素B及手术治疗治愈。1例为糖尿病合并鼻脑型毛霉菌病患者,表现为头痛、鼻腔内黑色干酪样物,最后偏瘫、死亡,鼻腔肿物病理检查见毛霉菌团块及菌孢,经手术及氟康唑治疗无效后死亡。毛霉菌病罕见且易继发于糖尿病等免疫力低下疾病,病情进展迅速,需尽快诊断及治疗。     

肺毛霉菌病1例及相关文献复习

肺毛霉菌病是一种少见且致命性肺部感染,一般进展迅速,死亡率高,多发生于免疫低下或存在基础疾病患者,临床中对此病诊疗经验较少.我科近期在临床中成功诊治1例肺毛霉菌病病例且经治疗后痊愈.     

肺毛霉菌病的CT影像特点分析

目的分析肺毛霉菌病的CT影像特点。方法回顾性分析28例肺毛霉菌病患者的临床及影像资料,并复习相关文献。结果本组肺毛霉菌病CT表现复杂多样,影像分类包括肺门型4例(14.3%)、肺炎型3例(10.7%)、肿块/结节型3例(10.7%)、厚壁空洞型6例(21.4%)、混合型12例(42.9%);特异性CT征象:晕征5例(17.8%)、反晕征1例(3.6%)、空气半月征8例(28.6%)、洞内菌球征6例(21.4%)、洞内菌丝征4例(14.3%)。结论肺毛霉菌病CT影像表现呈多样性,对临床诊断具有辅助价值。     

肺毛霉菌病的诊治进展

肺毛霉菌病是一种罕见的，但死亡率极高（高达50％以上）的条件致病菌真菌感染。多继发于免疫功能低下以及有糖尿病、恶性血液系统疾病等危险因素的患者。临床表现多为发热、咳嗽，咯血。胸部平片及CT上可表现为渗出，楔形的实变，单侧或双侧结节样病变，孤立或多发肿块，空洞。肺毛霉菌病的诊断主要依靠肺活组织检查，痰培养的假阳性率极高，早期诊断很困难。治疗上主要采用两性霉素B和外科手术治疗。     

糖尿病患者的肺毛霉病易患机制

肺毛霉病是一种罕见的真菌感染性肺部疾病。国内外研究表明, 糖尿病是该病最常见的高危因素, 尤其多见于血糖控制不佳或合并酮症酸中毒患者。其易患机制主要与高血糖及酮症酸中毒引起的内环境改变有关, 具体机制包括糖尿病患者的呼吸道上皮细胞损伤、血管内皮损伤、免疫细胞功能障碍、凝血功能异常以及富铁、高酮酸环境等。肺毛霉病临床表现不典型, 进展迅速, 病死率高。深入了解糖尿病患者肺毛霉病的易患机制对于肺毛霉病的早期预防及有效诊治具有重要意义。本文针对近年来糖尿病患者的肺毛霉病易患机制研究进行综述。     

消失肺综合征的CT图像表现及其临床意义

目的 探讨消失肺综合征CT图像表现及其临床意义.方法 回顾性分析经临床证实的15例消失肺综合征患者的CT图像,分析不同的CT表现类型与临床诊断、治疗预后的关系.结果 15例消失肺综合征患者中单侧受累10例,双侧受累5例.CT表现为患肺中上肺野为主的单发或多发肺大疱,直径5～35 cm,大疱壁及大疱间隔纤细,病变区肺纹理稀疏或消失,周围未受累区域肺纹理受压聚拢.单发型3例表现为一侧肺单发巨大肺大疱,临床症状轻,手术效果好;多发型10例表现为一侧或双侧多发中等大小肺大疱（多位于胸膜下并伴有不同程度肺气肿）,多有明显临床症状,手术治疗有效;弥漫型2例表现为一侧肺体积明显增大并弥漫大小不等肺大疱（体积较多发型大,分隔不完整）,临床症状重,手术效果差.结论 消失肺综合征CT表现为患肺中上肺野为主的单发或多发肺大疱,病变区肺纹理稀疏或消失.CT检查能够明确消失肺综合征的诊断及分型,对评估病变程度、指导治疗和评价预后有重要意义.     

肺毛霉菌病的诊治分析及文献复习

毛霉菌是一种条件致病真菌,在机体免疫功能降低时可侵入支气管和肺,产生急性炎症.肺毛霉菌病起病急骤,发展快,病死率高[1].早期诊断并给予及时相关治疗是救治成功的关键.我科于2010年8月诊断肺毛霉菌病1例并以两性霉素B治疗获得成功,现报告如下.     

肺隐球菌病3例

肺隐球菌病是由隐球菌感染引起的一种急性、亚急性或慢性呼吸系统真菌病[1].我国肺真菌病前5位致病原依次为曲霉菌、念珠菌、隐球菌、孢子菌及毛霉菌[2].相对于其他肺真菌病而寿,肺隐球菌病患者发病年龄较轻,社区发病多,预后较好.但是隐球菌肺炎在临床中诊断并不多见,王丽芳等[3]对3所医院13年间诊断的65例隐球菌肺炎进行回顾性分析,表明隐球菌肺炎在影像学上表现多样,临床症状相比其他真菌感染症状较轻微,难与肺癌、肺结核、肺曲霉病等疾病相鉴别.我科近期诊断肺隐球菌病3例,现对其临床症状、检验检查、治疗等方面加以分析,旨在为诊治肺隐球菌病提供帮助.     

肺毛霉菌病11例报告

肺毛霉菌病是由真菌中的毛霉科引起的肺部感染性疾病,起病急骤,超过50%的患者病情常迅速恶化而致命.我院2006年2月～2008年5月诊断肺毛霉菌病11例.现报告如下. 临床资料:肺毛霉菌病患者11例,男9例、女2例,年龄24～74岁.其中合并糖尿病6例(并发酮症酸中毒1例,同时合并肺结核1例),肺结核空洞形成1例,肺间质囊性纤维化1例,肾功能衰竭1例,慢性阻塞性肺病2例.     

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.     

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.     

Variabilité des concentrations plasmatiques de l’angiotensinogène et risque d’hypertension artérielle chez le rat transgénique

Aim

Genetic polymorphisms of the human angiotensinogen gene are frequent and may induce up to 30% increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations with a blood pressure increase of up to 5 mmHg. Their role for the pathogenesis of human arterial hypertension remains unclear. High plasma angiotensinogen levels could increase the sensitivity to other blood pressure stressors.

Methods

Male transgenic rats with a 9-fold increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations and male non-transgenic rats aged 10 weeks were treated or not with NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester for 3 weeks in their drinking water (n = 3/group). Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of the study when left ventricular weight and ventricular expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and procollagen Iα1 were determined (polymerase chain reaction).

Results

At baseline, transgenic rats had +18 mmHg higher bood pressure and –8% lower body weight compared to non-transgenic rats (P < 0.05) without significant changes for the vehicle groups throughout the study (P > 0.05). NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester increased blood pressure, left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight indexed for body weight by +41%, +17.6% and +18.6% (P < 0.05) in transgenic and +25%, +5.3% and +6.7% (P > 0.05) in non-transgenic rats compared to untreated animals, respectively. Cardiac gene expression showed no differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels may sensitize to additional blood pressure stressors. Our preliminary results point towards an independent role of angiotensinogen in the pathogenesis of human hypertension and associated end-organ damage.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical heterogeneity of cultured pinealocytes from one-week-and two-month-old rats: Planimetric and densitometric investigations

Abstract: In vitro preparations of rat pinealocytes are widely used for biochemical analyses of signal transduction processes. This paper deals with morphological and immunocytochemical features of such preparations. Special attention was paid to the problems of whether pinealocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population and how such heterogeneity may develop during ontogeny. The investigations were performed with cells which were obtained from the pineal organ of one-week-and two-month-old rats, attached to synthetic peptide-coated coverslips or tissue culture chamber slides, and maintained under in vitro conditions overnight. The attached cells were then fixed with paraformaldehyde. These preparations yielded monolayers of spherical cells of different sizes; most cells were isolated, but some of them were aggregated and formed small clusters. On the average, the cells from the one-week-old animals were smaller than the cells from the two-month-old animals. Immunocytochemical demonstration of S-antigen, a pinealocyte-specific marker, showed that the majority of the cells from two-month-old animals were intensely or moderately labelled. Pinealocytes from one-week-old animals were less S-antigen immunoreactive. Only very few cells (less than 1% displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity. Planimetric investigations of the cell size and semiquantitative densitometric investigations of the intensity of the S-antigen immunoreaction revealed that (i) pinealocytes kept in vitro form a heterogeneous cell population, and that (ii) this heterogeneity increases during postnatal development from one-week-old to two-month-old animals. Two groups of pinealocytes can be distinguished based on their developmental fate: pinealocytes of one group grow dramatically, but show only a moderate increase in S-antigen immunoreactivity, and pinealocytes of the other group retain their size, but display a distinct increment in S-antigen immunoreacti vitv.     

Effects of pinealectomy and melatonin administration on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in rats with both ovaries intact or after unilateral ovariectomy

Abstract: In earlier studies from other laboratories it was shown that melatonin decreased ovarian weight in rats and inhibited compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining ovary after unilateral ovariectomy. This study was designed to examine the influence of melatonin on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in adult female rats with both ovaries preserved and with either an intact pineal gland or with the pineal gland removed (pinealectomy, PX) or, finally, in sham-PX animals. Similar studies were conducted on rats after unilateral ovariectomy, referring the examined parameters to the remaining intact ovary. The studies included mitotic activity of granulosa layer cells and corpus luteum cells, ovarian weight, ovarian cross-sectional area, cross-sectional area of the granulosa layer of all the Graafian follicles and the cross-sectional areas of the corpora lutea, visible on the ovarian cross-section. On the basis of results, we conclude that: 1) the effect of PX on the processes of ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy may vary; analogously, exogenous melatonin administration may influence ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy in different ways; 2) PX and exogenous melatonin may, under certain conditions, exert similar biological effects, even synergistic effects; 3) melatonin inhibits ovarian growth processes, while the effects of PX are variable; 4) the results indicate that in experiments performed on rats, with the use of two control groups, i.e., intact and sham-PX, melatonin effects on these two groups may differ.