Ischemia-modified albumin in the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia: a preliminary study

Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a sensitive marker of myocardial ischemia, skeletal muscle ischemia, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. However, there are no studies showing whether IMA increases in mesenteric ischemia. The aim of this study was to determine whether IMA was elevated in acute mesenteric ischemia. This case-controlled study was performed in an emergency department of a university hospital. The measurement of IMA levels in patient plasma yielded means of 0.264 +/- 0.057 absorbance units (ABSU) in the thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) group and 0.163 +/- 0.025 ABSU in the control group. When plasma IMA levels in the thromboembolic occlusion SMA group were compared with those in the control group, statistically significant increases in IMA were observed in the occlusion group (P = .003). Findings indicating that IMA may have a place in the diagnosis of acute mesenteric embolism were obtained in this preliminary study. Further prospective studies are needed to see if IMA is clinically useful in the early detection of thromboembolic occlusion of the SMA.     

Molecular heterosis in metamphetamine abusers

Objective. The aim of our study was to assess whether the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic background of patients dependent on metamphetamine is related to their non-abstinence in a 1-year follow-up. Methods. We examined COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and 1-year abstinence in a group of 31 (women N=8) Czech Caucasian metamphetamine abusers (average age, 23.8±4.0years). Results. Non-abstinence was significantly (P=0.046, Fisher's exact test) associated with the heterozygous Val/Met genotype. Conclusion. The case where subjects heterozygous for a specific genetic polymorphism show a significantly greater or lesser effect for a phenotypic trait than subjects homozygous for either allele is described as molecular heterosis in the literature. We discuss several explanations and recommendations for further research.     

早期胃肠减压及胃肠内营养对极低出生体重儿存活质量的影响

目的探讨早期胃肠减压及胃肠内营养对极低出生体重儿存活质量的影响.方法将108例同期入院的极低出生体重儿随机分为两组,观察组54例,施行早期胃肠减压及母乳胃肠内营养;对照组54例,出生后先行静脉营养.结果观察组腹胀缓解时间、吸吮吞咽功能建立时间、足量喂养时间显著短于对照组(P均＜0.01).观察组体重增长、神经行为评分显著优于对照组(P均＜0.01),并发症显著少于对照组(P＜0.005),观察组存活率及存活质量显著优于对照组(P＜0.05).结论早期胃肠减压及母乳胃肠内营养,减少了常见并发症,提高了极低出生体重儿存活率及存活质量.     

Three-year follow-up of high-risk keratoplasty following fine-needle diathermy of corneal neovascularization combined with bevacizumab

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology -     

银杏叶提取物活血通络作用的药效学研究

目的：观察银杏叶提取物(EGb)的活血通络功效。方法：小鼠耳廓微循环实验、胶原蛋白-肾上腺素诱导的小鼠体内血栓形成实验、大鼠血液流变学实验及离体兔耳灌流实验。结果：银杏叶提取物经口给药．能显著改善小鼠耳廓微循环，抑制胶原蛋白-肾上腺素诱导的小鼠体内血栓形成，降低大鼠血液粘度，并能显著扩张离体兔耳血管。结论：银杏叶提取物有显著的活血化瘀功效。     

Comparative evaluation of two fully-automated real-time PCR methods for MRSA admission screening in a tertiary-care hospital

We evaluated two fully-automated real-time PCR systems, the novel QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ and the widely used BD MAX MRSA assay, for their diagnostic performance in MRSA admission screening in a tertiary-care university hospital. Two hundred sixteen clinical swabs were analyzed for MRSA DNA using the BD MAX MRSA assay. In parallel, the same specimens were tested with the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ. Automated steps included lysis of bacteria, DNA extraction, real-time PCR and interpretation of results. MRSA culture was additionally performed as a reference method for MRSA detection. Sensitivity values were similar for both assays (80 %), while the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ reached a slightly higher specificity (95.8 % versus 90.0 %). Positive (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) were 17.4 % and 99.4 % for the BD MAX MRSA assay and 33.3 % and 99.5 % for the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ, respectively. Total turn-around time (TAT) for 24 samples was 3.5 hours for both assays. In conclusion, both assays represent reliable diagnostic tools due to their high negative predictive values, especially for the rapid identification of MRSA negative patients in a low prevalence MRSA area.     

Antiepileptic drugs in schizophrenia: a review.

The first choice group of psychotropic agents in schizophrenia is neuroleptics. However, this treatment is not effective in all patients and with every symptom. We summarize papers published on the role of antiepileptic drugs in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. We have searched the computer database system MEDLINE for relevant articles including reviews, reports of drug studies and case histories. Antiepileptic drugs can change symptoms of schizophrenia by their action on GABA-ergic neurotransmission or via anti-glutamatergic mechanisms. High doses of adjunctive benzodiazepines reduce positive symptoms, anxiety, and agitation. Carbamazepine is effective in affective symptoms of schizophrenia and influences violent behavior in psychotic patients. Its anti-kindling action may represent a promising treatment strategy for some patients with chronic course of schizophrenia. Valproate treatment leads to a decrease in positive symptoms as well as hostility. Lamotrigine is expected to influence the positive, negative, affective, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. New antiepileptics (e.g., gabapentin, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, vigabatrin) present a promise as potential adjuncts to neuroleptic treatment in resistant symptoms of schizophrenia.     

Role of the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism in mental disorders: a review.

The Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene is functional, easily detectable, and significantly related to metabolism of catecholamines, which underlie pathogenesis of a significant number of mental disorders. Evidence for the role of this polymorphism in schizophrenia, substance dependence, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is summed up in this review article. The results make it unlikely that the COMT gene plays an important role in these mental disorders, although a minor effect can not be excluded. Future studies on the COMT gene in mentally ill subjects should be stratified by clinical subtypes of the disorder, gender and ethnicity. Studies of endophenotypes instead of the complex disorder seem to be another promising research strategy. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions should also be considered. The COMT gene is probably not "a gene for" any mental disorder, but the Val158Met polymorphism appears to have pleiotropic effects on human behavior.     

Topische antiangiogene Therapie an der Hornhaut

Background

The efficacy and safety of novel topical inhibitors of corneal neovascularisation will be discussed.

Methods

A literature review after a PUBMED search and own clinical and experimental results are presented.

Results

The off-label use of Avastin® eye drops and GS101 eye drops against insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, which have been tested in phase II trial, both seem to be relatively efficient and safe ways to inhibit progressive corneal neovascularisation. Other VEGF antagonists, such as ranibizumab and pegaptanib eye drops also inhibit corneal neovascularisation.

Conclusions

Avastin® and GS101 eye drops are the first specific angiogenesis inhibitors for topical inhibition of corneal angiogenesis available for clinical use.