Congenital chylothorax: from foetal life to adolescence

Aim: To analyse the main prenatal and postnatal features of congenital chylothorax (CC), and the outcome including mid‐term follow‐up. Methods: We searched our databases for CC diagnosed between 1990 and 2006. Data of 29 cases were retrieved and analysed. Follow‐up until 3 years of age was available for all patients. Results: Most patients were diagnosed prenatally (94%) and most cases were complicated by foetal hydrops (66.7%). The overall survival rate at 3 years was 56%. A significantly poorer outcome was observed when foetal hydrops, preterm birth < 34 weeks, large effusions and/or early‐onset pneumothorax were present. An important but not significant improvement in the survival rate was observed through the study period; while in 1990–1998, the survival rate was 41.7%, from 1999 to 2006 it was 66.7% (p = 0.19). In the mid‐term follow‐up, we did not observe any recurrence of CC and most infants remain asymptomatic. However, 27% of survivors were diagnosed as having asthma in early infancy. Conclusion: CC still carries a significant risk of perinatal mortality. However, continuous advances in foetal and neonatal medicine are improving the prognosis of these patients, and nowadays most of them are likely to survive. Beyond the neonatal period, most survivors have an uneventful outcome.     

Evaluation of preanalytical stability of the sample for complete blood count

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of time of incubation on complete blood count (CBC) by using HmX analyzer.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted at Manipal Acunova Limited, Bangalore. Ten blood samples which were stored at room temperature for CBC and differential count by using HmX analyzer were analyzed within one hour of draw and on 24, 48 and 72 hours of draw.ResultsDifferential count measured in an automated instrument changed over time.ConclusionsThe finding of this study shows that some of CBC parameters can be changed with the incubation, therefore it is better to perform on a fresh sample.     

1型糖尿病研究新进展

40年前创立的青少年糖尿病研究基金会((JDRF)是一个致力于通过支持研究来探寻1型糖尿病(TIDM)及其并发症治疗方法的组织.20世纪70年代有学者提出,TIDM和2型糖尿病(T2DM)的发病机制有根本的不同,T1DM与主要组织相容性复合体的人白细胞抗原(HLA)有独特相关性,有胰岛细胞自身抗体.     

Propranolol prevents the development of venous thrombosis in rats by a platelet-dependent mechanism.

To clarify if one of the most common antihypertensive drugs, propranolol, can prevent venous thrombotic process, rats were treated with propranolol (PRO; 5 mg/kg i.p.) in an acute or chronic (14 days) manner. Both regimens resulted in a marked reduction of the systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and, probably as a consequence, in the shortening of the bleeding time (p < 0.01). After ligation of the vena cava, the incidence of the venous thrombosis and the thrombus weight decreased significantly in both propranolol-treated groups (p < 0.01) when compared to control rats. The antithrombotic effect of PRO was not accompanied by any changes in activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time or euglobulin clot lysis time. However, long-term administfation of PRO resulted in a reduction of the ADP-induced platelet aggregation.     

Behavioral changes in the course of chronic renal insufficiency in rats.

In addition to the changes in various biochemical parameters chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) leads to progressive behavioral disturbances both in humans and rats. To further characterize these changes, the present study aimed to investigate locomotor, exploratory and emotional activity of rats with experimental CRI. Our experiments with the open field test have shown a marked decrease in locomotor, exploratory and emotional activity of the animals suffering from CRI. These changes were parallel with an increased water intake, reduced food intake and body weight. Thus, behavioral disturbances accompanying CRI in rats are similar to those occurring in human patients. The experimental model of CRI described by us seems to be a good tool for pharmacological studies.     

Long-term results and tolerability of tandem peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with <Superscript>90</Superscript>Y/<Superscript>177</Superscript>Lu-DOTATATE in neuroendocrine tumors with respect to the primary location: a 10-year study

Introduction

The peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with ⁹⁰Y and ¹⁷⁷Lu is a form of molecular targeted therapy for inoperable or disseminated neuroendocrine tumors (NET).

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical results and long-term side effects of tandem ⁹⁰Y /¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE therapy in patients with NET. Additionally, we evaluated clinical results with reference to the primary site.

Materials and methods

59 patients with disseminated NET were included in the study prospectively. 3–5 cycles of combined 1:1 ⁹⁰Y/¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE (total injected activity 11.1–16.65 GBq) with mixed amino acids for kidney protection were performed.

Results

During a median follow-up of 75.8 months, the PFS was 32.2 months, and the OS was 82 months; 25 patients died. Depending on primary tumor’s site, the PFS and the OS for pancreatic NET vs. small bowel, NET vs. large bowel, NET were 30.4 vs. 29.5 vs. 40.3 and 78.9 vs. 58.1 vs. 82.5, respectively. The observed 5-year overall survival was 63%, and a 2-year risk of progression was 39.4%. The following imaging response was observed: CR in 2%, PR in 22%, SD in 65%, and PD in 6% patients. The disease control rate was 89%. The objective response rate was 24%. The PRRT was well tolerated by all patients. One patient (2%) revealed MDS, and one patient (2%) grade 3 nephrotoxicity. No other grade 3 and 4 hematological or renal toxicity was observed.

Conclusions

These results indicated the tandem ⁹⁰Y/¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE therapy for patients with disseminated/inoperable NET as highly effective and safe, considering long-term side effects. In the majority of patients, clinical improvement was observed.

     

Pain perception and cardiovascular system response among athletes playing contact sports

The aim of this study was to determine whether the contact sports change the perception of pain as assessed by the cold pressor test (CPT), and if the test induces the same reaction of the cardiovascular system in contact athletes and non-athletes. The study involved 321 healthy men; 140 contact athletes and 181 students of the University of Szczecin (control). Pain threshold and pain tolerance were evaluated using CPT. Cardiovascular measurements were made during CPT. The contact athletes showed a much higher tolerance to pain than the control group (median time 120 vs. 94 s, respectively, p = 0.0002). The thresholds of pain in both groups did not differ significantly between the groups. Systolic blood pressure measured before and during the test in all three measurements was statistically significantly higher in athletes compared with the control group. Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure did not differ significantly between the studied groups.     

Cerebrospinal fluid serotonin concentration in pyogenic and tick-borne encephalomeningitis]

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serotonin was determined in 38 patients with pyogenic meningitis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) before and after treatment. Increase of CSF serotonin concentration was observed in acute phase of pyogenic meningits and normalized after treatment.