Pseudo subclavian steal syndrome: Case report

IntroductionVertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) is a condition that results from restricted blood flow to the posterior portions of the brain, which are primarily served by the vertebral and basilar arteries. It is the most common cause of vertigo in the elderly and is usually accompanied by impaired vision and sensation. Congenital abnormalities, atherosclerosis, stroke and/or trauma may all lead to decreased vertebrobasilar circulation. A syndrome called Subclavian Steal Syndrome (SSS), which manifests with similar neurological symptoms but with a different pathophysiology, may also cause VBI.Case presentationA middle-aged female presented with gradual onset fainting and vertigo attacks. Cardiac, auditory and autonomic etiologies were investigated and excluded. Clinical findings and presentation were highly suggestive of subclavian steal. However, subsequent CT angiography showed normal subclavian arteries. Instead, findings included a persistent right trigeminal artery (PTA), stenosis of the right proximal internal carotid artery, atresis of the left vertebral artery and distal segment of right vertebral artery, congenitally compromised changes in vertebral circulation (bilateral absence of the posterior communicating arteries (PCOMs)) and an absent anterograde vertebrobasilar circulation. Symptoms resolved after carotid endarterectomy.DiscussionDue to the absence of a normally developed posterior circulation, the PTA was the main source of blood supply for the patient. Development of recent artheromatous changes in the right internal carotid artery, however, resulted in decreased blood through PTA, further compromising posterior circulation. This resulted in vertebrobasilar insufficiency, and manifested in symptomology similar to SSS.ConclusionsThis clinical encounter illustrates the relative contribution of anatomical and vasoocclusive factors in closely mimicking symptoms of subclavian steal syndrome.     

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who would otherwise require dialysis. Patients with ESRD are at dramatically increased cardiovascular (CV) risk compared with the general population. As well as improving quality of life, successful transplantation accords major benefits by reducing CV risk in these patients. Worldwide, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death with a functioning graft and therefore is a leading cause of graft failure. This review focuses on the mechanisms underpinning excess CV morbidity and mortality and current evidence for improving CV risk in kidney transplant recipients. Conventional CV risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and pre‐existing ischaemic heart disease are all highly prevalent in this group. In addition, kidney transplant recipients exhibit a number of risk factors associated with pre‐existing renal disease. Furthermore, complications specific to transplantation may ensue including reduced graft function, side effects of immunosuppression and post‐transplantation diabetes mellitus. Strategies to improve CV outcomes post‐transplantation may include pharmacological intervention including lipid‐lowering or antihypertensive therapy, optimization of graft function, lifestyle intervention and personalizing immunosuppression to the individual patients risk profile.     

Antibodies to periodontal pathogens and coronary artery calcification in type 1 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects

Background and Objective:  The aim of this study was to examine whether serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans are higher in type 1 diabetic patients than in controls and are associated with coronary artery calcification, a measure of atherosclerosis.
Material and Methods:  One-hundred and ninety nine type 1 diabetic patients (mean age 38 ± 4 years) and 201 age- and gender-matched nondiabetic subjects had coronary artery calcification, as measured by electron beam computed tomography. Serum IgG levels to P. gingivalis W50 and to A. actinomycetemcomitans HK1651 whole cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:  A similar proportion of diabetic patients (29%) and controls (31%, p  = 0.7) had elevated serum IgG to periodontal bacteria, defined as being above the median antibody level for both microorganisms. Elevated antibody levels were associated with higher systolic blood pressure ( p  = 0.02) and an increased odds of coronary artery calcification in all subjects combined (odds ratio = 1.7, p  = 0.047) and in diabetic subjects examined separately (odds ratio = 2.01, p  = 0.027). Association of serum IgG levels with coronary artery calcification was independent of social class, lipids and antibody levels to other microorganisms, but not systolic blood pressure (odds ratio = 1.4, p  = 0.1 on adjustment for blood pressure). There was no association between serum IgG level and vascular endothelial function.
Conclusion:  Elevated levels of serum IgG to P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans are associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis. This may reflect a direct role for periodontal infection or a role for the host response to infection in coronary atherosclerosis, particularly in patients with type 1 diabetes.     

Metabolic syndrome: pathogenesis, medical care and dental implications

BACKGROUND: The dental literature contains little information about metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its dental implications. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors conducted a MEDLINE search for the period 2000 through 2005, using the term "metabolic syndrome" to define its pathophysiology, medical treatment and dental implications. RESULTS: MetS is the co-occurrence of abdominal obesity, hyper-triglyceridemia, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertension and impaired fasting glucose, which results from consumption of a high-calorie diet and decreased levels of physical activity superimposed on the appropriate genetic setting. Components of MetS synergistically promote the development of atherosclerosis, resulting in myocardial infarction and stroke. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Deteriorating oral health status is associated with worsening of the atherogenic profile. Tooth loss often results in chewing difficulties because of inadequate occlusive surfaces and may lead to alterations in food selection and dietary quality. This, in turn, adversely affects body composition and nutritional status, both of which are related to vascular health. Dentists should develop treatment plans that preserve and restore the dentition, thus ensuring maximum masticatory efficiency and affording patients the optimum opportunity to consume food that will not foster atherogenesis.     

Review: Pathogen-induced inflammation at sites distant from oral infection: bacterial persistence and induction of cell-specific innate immune inflammatory pathways

A hallmark of infection with the gram‐negative pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is the induction of a chronic inflammatory response. P. gingivalis induces a local chronic inflammatory response that results in oral inflammatory bone destruction, which manifests as periodontal disease. In addition to chronic inflammation at the initial site of infection, mounting evidence has accumulated supporting a role for P. gingivalis‐mediated periodontal disease as a risk factor for several systemic diseases including, diabetes, preterm birth, stroke, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A growing number of in vitro studies have demonstrated that P. gingivalis infection stimulates cell activation commensurate with expected responses paralleling inflammatory atherosclerotic‐type responses. Furthermore, various mouse models have been used to examine the ability of P. gingivalis to stimulate chronic inflammatory plaque accumulation and recent studies have pointed to a pivotal role for innate immune signaling via the Toll‐like receptors in the chronic inflammation associated with P. gingivalis infection. In this review we discuss the pathogen and host cell specificity of these responses and discuss possible mechanisms by which this oral pathogen can induce and maintain a chronic state of inflammation at sites distant from oral infection.     

脑小血管病亚型和颅外颈动脉硬化与血管性认知障碍的相关性研究

目的： 研究脑小血管病（cerebral small vessel disease,CSVD）亚型与颅外颈动脉粥样硬化及血管性认知障碍（vascular cognitive impairment,VCI）的相关性。 方法： 收集200例无卒中CSVD患者的人口学、用药等资料,行颈动脉超声并使用颅外颈动脉硬化评分评估颈动脉粥样硬化程度,行头颅磁共振（magnetic resonance imaging,MRI）并评估各类CSVD亚型病变程度。采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表（Montreal cognitive assessment,MoCA）筛查认知功能异常患者,根据MoCA总分<23分将患者分成VCI组和无VCI组。采用单因素分析和多因素logistic回归筛选无卒中患者VCI的独立危险因素。建立模型并使用受试者工作特征曲线（receiver operating characteristic,ROC）评估独立危险因素,计算临界值等。根据独立危险因素中的CSVD评分最佳界值计算脑小血管性认知负荷评分并使用ROC曲线评估。 结果： Logistic回归分析得出腔隙性脑梗死（lacunar infarction,LI）+腔隙灶个数之和、Fazekas评分、全脑皮层萎缩（global cortical atrophy,GCA）评分与VCI显著正相关（P<0.05）,颅外颈动脉硬化评分与VCI无明显相关性（P>0.05）;所建立预测模型和脑小血管性认知负荷评分曲线下面积（area under the curve,AUC）>0.7。 结论： 部分CSVD亚型与VCI存在明显相关性,颅外轻度颈动脉粥样硬化与VCI无明显相关性;可通过CSVD建立模型或使用临床更方便的脑小血管性认知负荷评分筛查无卒中患者的小血管性认知障碍。     

2010~2019年动脉粥样硬化基因组学的研究现状与热点趋势分析

目的 分析2010~2019年动脉粥样硬化基因组学的研究现状、热点及前沿趋势。方法 采用CiteSpace软件,对2010~2019年Web of Science核心合集数据库发表的有关动脉粥样硬化基因组学相关文献中的国家、机构、作者、期刊、共被引文献、关键词等进行数据统计及可视化分析。结果 共纳入1021篇英文文献,年发文量整体呈上升趋势,动脉粥样硬化研究领域的知识基础多集中在冠状动脉疾病,如冠心病、心肌梗死、血脂异常等基因风险位点研究及生物标志物的发现等。动脉粥样硬化研究热点围绕在全基因组关联分析、DNA甲基化、微小RNA、信使RNA等方面,研究前沿与趋势集中在长链非编码RNA、DNA甲基化及免疫代谢等方面研究。结论 动脉粥样硬化基因组学领域研究的关注度近年来逐渐提升。     

茵陈五苓散对动脉粥样硬化大鼠肌动蛋白表达的影响

目的观察茵陈五苓散对动脉粥样硬化(AS)大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)肌动蛋白表达的影响。方法70只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、茵陈五苓散组、胶股蓝组。采用高脂饲料喂饲法复制大鼠动脉粥样硬化模型,造模1个月后抽样检测大鼠主动脉,以发现动脉粥样硬化斑块为造模成功指标。治疗1个月后分别检测血脂、血液流变学,用HE染色观察主动脉组织学变化,用透射电镜观察大鼠主动脉组织超微结构变化,用免疫组化法观察大鼠主动脉VSMC肌动蛋白的变化。结果茵陈五苓散对动AS模型大鼠有明显的降脂作用,能改善血液流变性、消退斑块、维持主动脉组织结构及功能,使细胞肌动蛋白表达趋于正常。结论茵陈五苓散具有良好的抗AS作用,它可能是通过调整细胞肌动蛋白的表达来实现的。     

聚合物胶束在动脉粥样硬化诊断和治疗中的应用进展

随着人类疾病谱的变化,动脉粥样硬化在全世界范围内呈现高发态势。动脉粥样硬化性疾病及其所导致的其他疾病,如冠状动脉病、心绞痛、心脏病发作和中风等已成为人类主要的致死病因。目前,已有众多的研究者将纳米技术用于动脉粥样硬化的诊断和治疗中,以实现动脉粥样硬化病变部位的可视化、提高药物靶向治疗效果和延长药物体内循环时间等功效。在这些纳米技术中,聚合物胶束因其对药物的包封率高、制备方便、体内滞留时间长、生物相容性好等优点得到了广泛的应用。因此,本文综述了聚合物胶束在动脉粥样硬化中的成像技术及结合成像技术进行诊断的应用,并对胶束在靶向内皮细胞、巨噬细胞、斑块的纤维帽、氧化应激等治疗动脉粥样硬化的策略方面进行了总结,并提出了建议和展望。