Body Mass Index and Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Renal Transplant Recipients: Cross-Sectional Analysis and Long-Term Impact

Obesity is a risk factor for renal graft loss. Higher body mass index (BMI) in native kidneys is associated with glomerular hyperfiltration. Whether higher BMI in renal transplants is associated with hyperfiltration is unknown. We investigated the impact of BMI on renal hemodynamics 1 year post-transplant. We analyzed glomerular filtration rate (GFR, (125)I-iothalamate) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF, (131)I-hippurate) in 838 kidney transplants. Data were analyzed for all patients and for the subpopulation without diabetes. Long-term impact of BMI and renal hemodynamics were explored by Cox-regression. With higher BMI GFR and filtration fraction (FF) increased significantly. Multivariate analysis supported impact of BMI on GFR (adjusted r(2) of the model 0.275) and FF (adjusted r(2) of the model 0.158). This association was not explained by diabetes mellitus. On Cox-regression analysis, lower GFR and higher FF were independent determinants of overall graft loss and graft loss by patient mortality. Lower GFR and higher BMI were determinants of death-censored graft loss, with borderline contribution of higher FF. In renal transplants higher BMI is independently associated with higher GFR and FF one year posttransplant, suggesting glomerular hyperfiltration with altered afferent-efferent balance. Mechanisms underlying the long-term prognostic impact of hyperfiltration deserve further exploration.     

Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.     

咪达唑仑和丙泊酚镇静用于结肠镜检查的比较(前瞻性随机对照研究)

目的借助脑电双频指数（bispectral index，BIS）监测，随机前瞻性比较咪达唑仑和丙泊酚用于结肠镜检查的镇静深度、镇静效果和安全性。方法接受无痛结肠镜检查患者60例，用随机数字表分为3组，每组20例：Ⅰ组，咪达唑仑首次剂量0．06mg／kg；Ⅱ组，丙泊酚首次剂量1．0mg／kg；Ⅲ组，丙泊酚首次剂量1．5mg／kg。于丙泊酚给药后1min、眯达唑仑给药后2min进镜。病人出现不良反应且影响操作时追加丙泊酚20～30mg。监测血压、心率、血氧饱和度值（SpO，）、BIS值，以BIS值反映镇静深度。结果进镜时镇静深度由浅到深依次为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组（F=25．40，P=0．000），检查中的BIS最低值无统计学差异。进镜时三组患者均无不良反应，丙泊酚追加剂量Ⅰ组明显少于Ⅱ、Ⅲ组，清醒时间Ⅰ组明显长于Ⅱ、Ⅲ组。Ⅰ组有1例心率〈60次／min，Ⅲ组有1例血压〈90／60inmHg，均为一过性，三组SpO2均大于90％。结论咪达唑仑0．06mg／kg和丙泊酚1．0mg／kg作为首次剂量用于结肠镜检查，检查中适时追加丙泊酚镇静深度，镇静效果满意且安全。     

体重质量指数与557例绝经后妇女骨密度变化的关系研究

目的 了解不同的年龄绝经后妇女不同体重质量指数(BMI)与不同部位骨密度(BMD)的关系。方法 来自门诊健康体检的557名绝经后妇女(肝肾等疾病除外),年龄范围50~78岁。用双能X线吸收法(DEXA)测定腰椎(L2-4)、股骨颈、Ward's三角及Troch等部位的BMD,同时计算BMI。根据BMI将研究对象分为3组:低体重组(BMI≤20 kg／m2)、正常体重组(25≥BMI>20 kg/m2)及超重组(BMI>25 kg/m2)。根据年龄又分为3组(50-,60-,70~78岁),用方差分析的方法进行各组间均数的统计学分析。结果不同BMI组总体不同部位的BMD方差分析比较有极显著意义P<0.01,高BMI组的BMD均值明显增高;进一步对同一年龄组不同BMI组的不同部位的BMD均值比较,各组之间均有显著性差异(P<0.01),特别是低体重组的骨密度明显低于其他两组BMI组的BMD。结论BMI与绝经后妇女的骨密度有显著相关,但低体重的绝经后妇女作为骨折的危险人群应受到更多的关注:对于超重的绝经后妇女,通过增加体重的方式增加BMD是危险的,因为超重与高血压、冠心病、糖尿病、心肌梗死及中风有一定的关系;通过其他途径:如年轻时加强运动、多饮牛奶、不盲目减肥等,提高妇女峰值骨含量是非常重要的。     

Characteristics and course of bone mineral densities among fast bone losers in a rural Japanese community: the Miyama Study

The aim of this study was to clarify and compare the temporal course of bone mineral density (BMD) between fast bone losers and normal residents in Miyama Village, a rural Japanese community. BMD was measured over a 10-year period in a cohort study in Miyama Village, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, to provide information on rate of bone loss in the mature and elderly population. Subjects (n=400) were selected by sex and age stratum from the full list of residents born in 1910–1949, with 50 men and 50 women in each age decade. Baseline BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2000. In the cohort, 171 men and 189 women completed the follow-up survey performed in 1993. After calculating the rate of bone loss between 1990 and 1993, the greatest tertile from the distribution of bone loss was categorized as fast bone losers, with the remainder considered as normal subjects. Changes in BMD were compared between normal subjects and fast bone losers over the 10-year period. Mean rate of change for BMD at both lumbar spine and femoral neck in fast bone losers recovered to levels similar to those in normal subjects over 7 years of observation. By contrast, BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck decreased steeply over the 10-year period in both groups, and mean BMD for fast bone losers was significantly lower than that of normal subjects (P<0.05). These differences were apparent only at the lumbar spine in both men and women, even after adjusting for age. These results indicate that fast bone loss is a transient phenomenon rather than a fixed status, although individuals who have been categorized as fast bone losers at some stage continue to display low BMD in the lumbar spine.     

体重、体质指数、腰围和腰臀比对正常成人骨密度的影响

目的探讨体重、体质指数(BMI)和腰围、腰臀比(WHR)对正常成人骨密度的影响。方法采用MarcomMx8000多层螺旋CT测定560例正常成人腰椎松质骨密度,将受试者按年龄不同分为青年组、中年组和老年组,然后在同年龄组根据BMI及腰围的不同将受试者分为肥胖组和正常体重组,分析骨密度与体重、BMI、腰围及WHR的关系。结果①以BMI分组,老年肥胖组BMD高于体重正常组(P<0.05);②以腰围分组,中年女性肥胖组BMD低于非肥胖组(P<0.05);③青年组和中年组BMD与腰围及WHR呈负相关,老年组BMD与体重和BMI呈正相关与腰围和WHR不相关。结论预防骨质疏松症在中青年应提倡运动锻炼,避免肥胖,在老年人不应该过分强调降低体重减少肥胖以避免骨量的丢失。     

Characterization of peptide components in the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae (Hemiscorpiidae).

Scorpion venoms are composed of a number of neurotoxic peptides. A variety of toxins have been isolated from the venoms of scorpions of the family Buthidae, however, little interest has been paid to non-Buthidae scorpions. In this study, we examined the toxicity of the venom of Liocheles australasiae (Hemiscorpiidae) to mice and crickets, and characterized the peptide components by HPLC and mass spectrometry. Over 200 components were detected in the L. australasiae venom by LC/MS analysis, with components of molecular masses ranging from 500 to 5000 Da being particularly abundant. A number of peptides contained two to four disulfide bridges, which was estimated based on the mass difference after derivatization of Cys residues. A peptide having a monoisotopic molecular mass of 7781.6 Da and four disulfide bridges was isolated from the venom. The peptide has a primary structure similar in terms of the position of eight Cys residues to those observed in several peptides found from scorpions, ticks and insects, although biological roles of these peptides are unknown.     

Non-invasive temperature imaging of muscles with magnetic resonance imaging using spin-echo sequences

The application of spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging sequences on non-invasive temperature imaging for temperature mapping of human limbs is investigated. In an in vitro expriment performed on a meat sample, the equilibrium magnetisation P and the spin-lattice relaxation time T₁ are calculated from the values for the repetition time TR and the signal intensities obtained by a spin-echo sequence at different tissue temperatures tures as measured by a fibre-optic probe. T₁ is linearly correlated to the tissue temperature, and P is linearly correlated to the reciprocal value of the absolute temperature. Both effects, taken together, lead to a non-linear dependency of the signal intensity on temperature. Therefore a TR leading to maximum temperature dependency of the signal intensity is calculated and used in the futher experiments. In the in vivo experiments, the lower legs of two volunteers are cooled from outside. Images are acquired with a spin-echo sequence (1.5T, TR=1200 ms, TE=10 ms). A rise in signal intensity in the muscle with falling skin temperature is observed, particularly in more peripheral muscle layers. This study shows that spin-echo sequences can be used to monitor temperature changes and temperature differences in living muscle tissue.     

在就诊患者和健康体检者中筛检人胃螺杆菌

目的：通过几种不同的检查方法调查人胃螺杆菌在人群中的感染情况及在慢性胃炎中的致病作用。方法：３８０例行消化道症状的就诊患者和４３２名健康体检者的胃粘膜活检标本分别行涂片、尿素酶试验、１４Ｃ－尿素呼吸试验和组织学检查。结果：人胃螺杆菌在上述两类人群中的感染率分别为２．１１％和１．１６％。涂片Ｇｒａｍ染色和切片ＷＳ银染是目前诊断该菌感染较理想的手段，不论有无症状，患者在组织学上均伴有慢性炎症改变，根据形态学特点该菌可大致分为两型，分别与某些动物胃内的螺旋菌相似。结论：人胃螺杆菌在人群中感染率较低，可能是一种源自动物的慢性胃炎相关性病原菌。     

Ethanol regulated preference in rats

A series of experiments evaluated the determinants of preference for mixtures of ethanol plus sucrose relative to sucrose in rats. One dipper served 10% ethanol mixed with 10% sucrose, and the second dipper served 10% sucrose. Lever presses operated each dipper according to a variable-interval 5-s schedule. In three experiments the subjects were given pre-session meals of sucrose (2.5–20 ml) or sucrose (20 ml) plus chow (5 or 10 g). Pre-session meals decreased responding maintained by sucrose but not responding maintained by ethanol mixture. In two experiments body weight was varied from 85% to 125% of the initial free-feeding values. Increases in body weight, like pre-session meals, decreased responding reinforced by sucrose, but typically did not decrease responding reinforced by ethanol mixture. Throughout most of the study, ethanol consumption remained at about 1.25 ml per half hour session (3–4 g/kg per 30 min). For example, pre-session access to ethanol mixture decreased within-session ethanol consumption, but total consumption, counting both sources, remained about 1.25 ml/session. The within-session patterns of responding also differed. Responding reinforced by ethanol mix decreased as a function of ethanol consumption, whereas responding reinforced by sucrose was relatively constant throughout the session. The simplest explanation of the results is that ethanol's pharmacological consequences regulated preference.