1-磷酸鞘胺醇受体3参与巨噬细胞迁移及脓毒症诱导的心肌损伤

目的探讨巨噬细胞中1-磷酸鞘胺醇受体(sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor,S1PR)的表达及其作用,观察干预S1PR3(S1P3)对脂多糖诱导的心肌损伤的影响。方法传代培养小鼠Ana-1巨噬细胞,给予脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS,100 ng/ml)刺激或S1P3特异性抑制剂CAY-10444(10μmol/L)干预,细胞随机分为对照组、LPS组、CAY-10444组、CAY-10444预处理2h+LPS组,Transwell小室观测巨噬细胞迁移,蛋白免疫印迹检测巨噬细胞S1PR的表达,并检测p-Akt/Akt蛋白水平。在体实验,6~8周龄雄性C57/B6小鼠,随机分为对照组、LPS组、CAY-10444组、CAY-10444干预+LPS组,每组12只,LPS(10 mg/kg)腹腔注射,或CAY-10444 1 mg/kg于LPS诱导后30 min腹腔注射干预,24 h后取心脏组织HE染色观察病理改变,免疫组化染色观察巨噬细胞浸润程度以及炎症因子的表达情况,实时荧光定量PCR检测心肌损伤标记分子BNP、巨噬细胞表面分子F4/80、炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的mRNA水平。结果与对照组比较,LPS诱导巨噬细胞大量迁移S1P3蛋白表达增加(P0.01),p-Akt Ser473/Akt表达上调(P0.01);与LPS组相比,S1P3抑制剂CAY-10444干预后再给予LPS刺激,巨噬细胞迁移被抑制(P0.01),p-Akt Ser473/Akt表达也降低(P0.01);在体实验,LPS诱导小鼠后BNP mRNA水平明显上调(P0.01),同时F4/80以及炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的mRNA水平上调(P0.01),HE染色可见心肌损伤及炎细胞浸润,免疫组化染色法显示F4/80及炎症因子的大量阳性表达(P0.01);使用S1P3抑制剂后,与LPS组比较,心肌损伤减轻免疫组化中巨噬细胞减少(P0.01),炎症因子表达降低(P0.01),BNP mRNA水平降低(P0.01),F4/80以及TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的mRNA水平也明显降低(P0.01)。结论抑制巨噬细胞S1P3表达可抑制巨噬细胞的迁移并提示p-Akt/Akt与了这一过程,此外,S1P3抑制剂的干预可有效减轻LPS诱导的心肌损伤。     

老年2型糖尿病并发ACS患者血清GGT与慢血流-无复流的相关性及其对预后的影响

目的探讨老年2型糖尿病(T2DM)并发急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者血清γ谷氨酰胺转肽酶(GGT)水平与经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)治疗术后冠脉慢血流-无复流的相关性及其对预后的影响。方法选取188例诊断为ACS并行急诊PCI的老年T2DM患者,根据TIMI血流分级和校正的TIMI血流帧计数(c TFC)方法评价冠脉血流分为正常血流组(156例)和慢血流-无复流组(32例),分析GGT及其他危险因素与冠脉慢血流-无复流的相关性和主要不良心血管事件(MACE)的发生率。结果慢血流-无复流组的血清GGT水平高于正常血流组[(49±18)U/L vs.(31±13)U/L,P0.01]。相关分析结果显示,血清GGT与冠脉慢血流-无复流呈正相关(r=0.389,P0.01)。血清GGT与PCI术后冠脉慢血流-无复流、住院期间及术后12个月MACE独立相关(分别OR=1.093,95%CI:1.058~1.129,P0.01;OR=1.047,95%CI:1.012~1.082,P0.05及OR=1.058,95%CI:1.028~1.089,P0.01)。结论老年T2DM并发ACS患者血清GGT水平与冠脉慢血流-无复流相关,血清GGT可能是预测冠脉风险的评价指标。     

HBV endemicity in Mexico is associated with HBV genotypes H and G

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)genotypes have distinct genetic and geographic diversity and may be associated with specific clinical characteristics,progression,severity of disease and antiviral response.Herein,we provide an updated overview of the endemicity of HBV genotypes H and G in Mexico.HBV genotype H is predominant among the Mexican population,but not in Central America.Its geographic distribution is related to a typical endemicity among the Mexicans which is characterized by a low hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence,apparently due to a rapid resolution of the infection,low viral loads and a high prevalence of occult B infection.During chronic infections,genotype H is detected in mixtures with other HBV genotypes and associated with other co-morbidities,such as obesity,alcoholism and co-infection with hepatitis C virus or human immunodeficiency virus.Hepatocellular carcinoma prevalence is low.Thus,antiviral therapy may differ significantly from the standard guidelines established worldwide.The high prevalence of HBV genotype G in the Americas,especially among the Mexican population,raises new questions regarding its geographic origin that will require further investigation.     

Harnessing the potential of gene editing technology using CRISPR in inflammatory bowel disease

The molecular scalpel of clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9) technology may be sharp enough to begin cutting the genes implicated in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) and consequently decrease the 6.3 billion dollar annual financial healthcare burden in the treatment of IBD. For the past few years CRISPR technology has drastically revolutionized DNA engineering and biomedical research field. We are beginning to see its application in gene manipulation of sickle cell disease,human immunodeficiency virus resistant embryologic twin gene modification and IBD genes such as Gatm(Glycine amidinotransferase, mitochondrial),nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2, KRT12 and other genes implicated in adaptive immune convergence pathways have been subjected to gene editing, however there are very few publications. Furthermore,since Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have shared disease susceptibility and share genetic gene profile, it is paramount and is more advantageous to use CRISPR technology to maximize impact. Although, currently CRISPR does have its limitations due to limited number of specific Cas enzymes, off-target activity,protospacer adjacent motifs and crossfire between different target sites. However,these limitations have given researchers further insight on how to augment and manipulate enzymes to enable precise gene excision and limit crossfire between target sites.     

Abdominal compartment syndrome:Often overlooked conditions in medical intensive care units

Intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH)and abdominal compartment syndrome are well recognized entities among surgical patients.Nevertheless,a number of prospective and retrospective observational studies have shown that IAH is prevalent in about half of the critically ill patients in the medical intensive care units(ICU)and has been widely recognized as an independent risk factor for mortality.It is alarming to note that many members of the critical care team in medical ICU are not aware of the consequences of untreated IAH and the delay in making the diagnosis leads to increased morbidity and mortality.Frequently it is underdiagnosed and undertreated in this patient population.Elevated intraabdominal pressure decreases the blood flow to the kidneys and other abdominal viscera and also results in reduced cardiac output and difficulties in ventilating the patient because of increased intrathoracic pressure.When intraabdominal hypertension is not promptly recognized and treated,it leads to abdominal compartment syndrome,multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and death.Large volume fluid resuscitation is very common in medical ICU patients presenting with sepsis,shock and other inflammatory conditions like pancreatitis and it is one of the major risk factors for the development of intra-abdominal hypertension.This article presents an overview of the epidemiology,definitions,risk factors,pathophysiology and management of IAH and abdominal compartment syndrome in critically ill medical ICU patients.     

Current status of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with surgically altered anatomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)in patients with surgically altered anatomy must be performed by a highly experienced endoscopist.The challenges are accessing the afferent limb in different types of reconstruction,cannulating a papilla with a reverse orientation,and performing therapeutic interventions with uncommon endoscopic accessories.The development of endoscopic techniques has led to higher success rates in this group of patients.Device-assisted ERCP is the endoscopic procedure of choice for high success rates in short-limb reconstruction;however,these success rate is lower in long-limb reconstruction.ERCP assisted by endoscopic ultrasonography is now popular because it can be performed independent of the limb length;however,it must be performed by a highly experienced and skilled endoscopist.Stent deployment and small stone removal can be performed immediately after ERCP assisted by endoscopic ultrasonography,but the second session is needed for other difficult procedures such as cholangioscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy.Laparoscopic-assisted ERCP has an almost 100%success rate in longlimb reconstruction because of the use of a conventional side-view duodenoscope,which is compatible with standard accessories.This requires cooperation between the surgeon and endoscopist and is suitable in urgent situations requiring concomitant cholecystectomy.This review focuses on the advantages,disadvantages,and outcomes of various procedures that are suitable in different situations and reconstruction types.Emerging new techniques and their outcomes are also discussed.     

Loss of BRCA1 expression leads to worse survival in patients with gastric carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression deficiency of key molecular markers in the homologous recombination pathway. METHODS: Expression loss of breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ATM-Rad3-related (ATR), mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1 (MDC1) and meiotic recombination 11 (Mre11) were correlated with their clinicopathological parameters in gastric cancer (GC). One hundred and twenty treatment-naive GC samples were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded into tissue blocks. Two representative cores from each block were extracted and constructed into tissue microarrays. Expression levels of BRCA1, ATM, ATR, MDC1 and Mre11 were determined using immunohistochemical analysis, and correlated with clinical parameters, including age, gender, Lauren subtype, tumor grades, clinical stage and overall survival.RESULTS: Expression loss of BRCA1, ATM, ATR, MDC1, and Mre11 was found in 21.4%, 20.2%, 21.0%, 11.1% and 4.6%, respectively, of interpretable cases. BRCA1 loss was significantly associated with patients of diffused subtype (intestinal vs diffused, 8.2% vs 31.7%, P = 0.001), higher tumor grade (Ⅰ/Ⅱ vs Ⅲ, 10.7% vs 20.5;Ⅰ/Ⅱ vs Ⅳ, 10.7% vs 54.5%, P = 0.047) and advanced clinical stage (Ⅰ/Ⅱ vs Ⅲ, 12.9% vs 16.9%;Ⅰ /Ⅱ vs Ⅳ, 12.9% vs 45.5%, P = 0.006). MDC1 loss was significantly associated with patients of diffused subtype (intestinal vs diffused, 0% vs 19.7%, P = 0.001) and higher tumor grade (Ⅰ/Ⅱ vs Ⅲ, 0% vs 12%;Ⅰ/Ⅱ vs Ⅳ, 0% vs 30.8%, P = 0.012). In addition, the survival time of the patients with expression loss of BRCA1 was significantly shorter than those with positive expression of BRCA1 (2-year survival rate, 32.4% vs 62.8%, P = 0.015). No correlations were found between clinicopathological parameters and expression loss of ATM, ATR and Mre11. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that homologous recombination deficiency plays an important role in the progression of gastric carcinoma. Loss of expression of BRCA1 and     

Assessment of chronic radiation proctopathy and radiofrequency ablation treatment follow-up with optical coherence tomography angiography: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Chronic radiation proctopathy(CRP) occurs as a result of pelvic radiation therapy and is associated with formation of abnormal vasculature that may lead to persistent rectal bleeding. While incidence is declining due to refinement of radiation delivery techniques, CRP remains one of the major complications of pelvic radiation therapy and significantly affects patient quality of life.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is an emerging treatment modality for eradicating abnormal vasculature associated with CRP. However, questions remain regarding CRP pathophysiology and optimal disease management.AIM To study feasibility of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA) for investigating subsurface vascular alterations in CRP and response to RFA treatment.METHODS Two patients with normal rectum and 8 patients referred for, or undergoing endoscopic RFA treatment for CRP were imaged with a prototype ultrahighspeed optical coherence tomography(OCT) system over 15 OCT/colonoscopy visits(2 normal patients, 5 RFA-na?ve patients, 8 RFA-follow-up visits). OCT and OCTA was performed by placing the OCT catheter onto the dentate line and rectum without endoscopic guidance. OCTA enabled depth-resolved microvasculature imaging using motion contrast from flowing blood, withoutrequiring injected dyes. OCTA features of normal and abnormal microvasculature were assessed in the mucosa and submucosa. Blinded reading of OCTA images was performed to assess the association of abnormal rectal microvasculature with CRP and RFA treatment, and rectal telangiectasia density endoscopic scoring.RESULTS OCTA/OCT images are intrinsically co-registered and enabled depth-resolved visualization of microvasculature in the mucosa and submucosa. OCTA visualized normal vascular patterns with regular honeycomb patterns vs abnormal vasculature with distorted honeycomb patterns and ectatic/tortuous microvasculature in the rectal mucosa. Normal arterioles and venules < 200 μm in diameter versus abnormal heterogenous enlarged arterioles and venules > 200μm in diameter were visualized in the rectal submucosa. Abnormal mucosal vasculature occurred in 0 of 2 normal patients and 3 of 5 RFA-na?ve patients,while abnormal submucosal vasculature occurred more often, in 1 of 2 normal patients and 5 of 5 RFA-na?ve patients. After RFA treatment, vascular abnormalities decreased, with abnormal mucosal vasculature observed in 0 of 8 RFA-follow-up visits and abnormal submucosal vasculature observed in only and 2 of 8 RFA-follow-up visits.CONCLUSION OCTA visualizes depth-resolved microvascular abnormalities in CRP, allowing assessment of superficial features which are endoscopically visible as well as deeper vasculature which cannot be seen endoscopically. OCTA/OCT of the rectum can be performed in conjunction with, or independently from endoscopy.Further studies are warranted to investigate if OCTA/OCT can elucidate pathophysiology of CRP or improve management.     

Hepatoprotective actions of melatonin: possible mediation by melatonin receptors

Melatonin,the hormone of darkness and messenger of the photoperiod,is also well known to exhibit strong direct and indirect antioxidant properties. Melatonin has previously been demonstrated to be a powerful organ protective substance in numerous models of injury; these beneficial effects have been attributed to the hormone’s intense radical scavenging capacity. The present report reviews the hepatoprotective potential of the pineal hormone in various models of oxidative stress in vivo,and summarizes the extensive literature showing that melatonin may be a suitable experimental substance to reduce liver damage after sepsis,hemorrhagic shock,ischemia/reperfusion,and in numerous models of toxic liver injury. Melatonin’s influence on hepatic antioxidant enzymes and other potentially relevant pathways,such as nitric oxide signaling,hepatic cytokine and heat shock protein expression,are evaluated. Based on recent literature demonstrating the functional relevance of melatonin receptor activation for hepatic organ protection,this article finally suggests that melatonin receptors could mediate the hepatoprotective actions of melatonin therapy.     

Separate calculation of DW-MRI in assessing therapeutic effect in liver tumors in rats

AIM:To explore whether the antitumor effect of a vascular disrupting agent(VDA)would be enhanced by combining with an antiangiogenic agent,and whether such synergistic effects can be effectively evaluated with separate calculation of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging(DW-MRI).METHODS:Thirty-seven rats with implanted liver tumors were randomized into the following three groups:(1)ZD6126,a kind of VDA;(2)ZDTHA,ZD6126 in combination with an antiangiogenic,thalidomide;and(3)control.Morphological DW-MRI were performed and quantified before,4 h and 2 d after treatment.The apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values were calculated separately for low b values(ADC low),high b values(ADC high)and all b values(ADC all).The tissue perfusion contribution,ADC perf,was calculated as ADC low-ADC high.Imaging findings were finally verified by histopathology.RESULTS:The combination therapy with ZDTHA significantly delayed tumor growth due to synergistic effects by inducing cumulative tumor necrosis.In addition to delaying tumor growth,ZDTHA caused tumor necrosis in an additive manner,which was verified by HE staining.Although both ADC high and ADC all in the ZD6126and ZDTHA groups were significantly higher compared to those in the control group on day 2,the entire tumor ADC high of ZDTHA was even higher than that of ZD6126,but the significant difference was not observed for ADCall between ZDTHA and ZD6126.This indicated that the perfusion insensitive ADC high values calculated from high b value images performed significantly better than ADC all for the monitoring of tumor necrosis on day 2.The perfusion sensitive ADC perf derived from ADC low by excluding high b value effects could better reflect the reduction of blood flow due to the vessel shutdown induced by ZD6126,compared to the ADC low at 4 h.The ADC perf could provide valuable perfusion information from DW-MRI data.CONCLUSION:The separate calculation of ADC is more useful than conventional averaged ADC in evaluating the efficacy of combination therapy with ZD6126     

钼、锌对克山病心肌坏死的保护作用——钼、锌对缺氧性心肌损伤血浆cGMP血清Mg~(++)Ca~(++)含量变化的实验研究

本实验在分别饲以基础饲料,基础饲料加钼、加锌、加钼锌的基础上.用NaNO_2造成大鼠缺氧性心肌损伤,并与空白对照组进行对照。采用放射免疫法和原子吸收分光光度计测定各组大鼠血浆cGMP.血清Mg~(++)、Ca~(++)含量。结果表明基础饲料中加钼、加锌、加钼锌组较饲用基础饲料组大鼠血浆cGMP含量为低,血清Mg~(++)含量为高差异显著,其中基础饲料加钼锌组差异更为显著。分析其发生机理.说明了钼、锌对克山病心肌坏死具有保护作用,钼锌联合作用效果更为显著。     

Identification of Potential Regulatory Regions in the Renin Gene

Circadian blood pressure (BP) variation were studied in patients with renovascular hypertension (RVH) and primary aldosteronism (PA). Ambulatory BP (ABP) was monitored every 5 min for 24 hrs in a ward setting in 23 patients with PA and 17 patients with RVH (13 patients with unilateral renal arterial stenosis and 4 with bilateral stenosis). In patients with RVH, ABP was monitored before and after treatment with a converting enzyme inhibitor or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was high before percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in almost all patients with RVH and low in those with PA. Ordinary circadian BP variation, i.e. nocturnal fall and diurnal rise in BP, was confirmed in the patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty successfully normalized both BP and PRA in those with RVH. Normal circadian BP variation was observed in those with RVH before the treatment with a converting enzyme inhibitor or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty as well as during treatment with the former and after treatment with the latter. Circadian BP variation in the patients with RVH was affected by the pathogenesis of renal artery stenosis alone, i.e, fibromuscular hyperplasia and atherosclerosis; with fibromuscular hyperplasia normal circadian BP variation was observed, while with atherosclerosis, nocturnal BP fall was restricted or eliminated. Circadian BP variation in those with PA before and after excision of adrenal adenoma was essentially similar to that in normal subjects and essential hypertensive patients. From these it seems that in patients with RVH or PA, circadian BP variation is not affected by hypertension per se or by pathogenesis of hypertension.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征合并高血压患者血浆内皮素1、血管性假血友病因子及血栓调节蛋白的水平研究

目的 研究阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome,OSAHS)及OSAHS合并高血压血浆内皮素1(endothelin-1,ET-1)、血栓调节蛋白(thrombomodulin,TM)、血管性假血友病因子(yon Willebrand factor,vWF)的变化.方法 检测OSAHS、OSAHS合并高血压患者血浆ET-1、TM、vWF含量并与睡眠呼吸监测指标进行相关性分析.结果 单纯OSAHS、OSAHS合并高血压患者与对照组比较,ET-1、TM及vWF水平升高,并与两者病情严重程度有相关性;ET-1、TM、vWF水平的升高在OSAHS合并高血压患者组更明显.结论 OSAHS及OSAHS合并高血压患者均存在血管内皮损伤,内皮功能损伤在OSAHS合并高血压患者中更为明显.血管内皮损伤在OSAHS合并高血压的发病中有重要的作用.     

术后腹腔化疗对老年结直肠癌患者生存质量的影响

目的评价老年结直肠癌患者手术后腹腔化疗对生存质量的影响。方法调查1998年1月至2002年12月期间52例60岁以上进行术后腹腔化疗的患者的生存质量GLQI指数,并与同期、同年龄段44例静脉化疗患者和40名健康老年对照组进行比较。所有病人于术前和术后6个月期间调查患者的生存质量。结果老年结直肠癌患者手术前的生存质量GLQI指数明显低于正常老年人群(P<0.05)。而两组患者手术前的生存质量GLQI指数无显著差异(P>0.05)。腹腔化疗组患者手术后6个月期间的生存质量GLQI指数高于静脉化疗组患者,其差异存在统计学意义(P<0.05)。腹腔化疗组患者手术后3月、4月、5月和6月的生存质量GLQI指数与正常老年人群无显著差异(P>0.05);而静脉化疗组患者手术后3月、4月、5月和6月的生存质量GLQI指数仍低于正常老年人群(P<0.05)。结论针对老年结直肠癌患者的生理特点,手术后采用腹腔化疗,不仅有利于提高手术后的生存期;而且有助于提高患者的生存质量,是老年结直肠癌患者手术后首选的理想化疗方式。     

20例女性乳腺结核患者的CT特征分析

目的 分析女性乳腺结核的CT征象,探讨CT扫描对此类患者的诊断价值。方法 收集重庆市公共卫生医疗救治中心2015年8月至2019年5月行胸部CT检查时发现乳腺病变并经手术病理证实的20例女性乳腺结核患者,分析其CT表现及邻近组织及器官受累情况。结果 20例乳腺结核中12例发生于右乳,8例发生于左乳;13例为单发,7例为多发;16例呈结节状,1例呈团块状,3例呈片状;病灶大小1.0cm×1.5cm~5.1cm×3.2cm。CT平扫显示,11例病灶呈等密度,9例呈稍低密度,4例病灶内见结节状钙化,17例显示边界模糊;12例邻近皮肤呈均匀性增厚。CT增强扫描显示,15例病灶表现为环形强化,3例表现为不均匀强化,2例表现为均匀强化,2例伴窦道形成;其中13例并发同侧或双侧腋窝淋巴结结核,伴环形强化;5例并发同侧胸壁结核,伴边缘强化;10例并发肺结核。结论 乳腺结核的特征性CT表现为环形强化,同时常并发同侧腋窝淋巴结结核、胸壁结核及肺结核。     

Telopeptides as markers of bone turnover in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to determine if urinary excretion of type I collagen N-terminal telopeptides (UrNTx) and deoxypyridinoline (UrDPD) and serum levels of type I collagen C-terminal telopeptides (SeCTx) differed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with populations matched for age and gender with and without osteoarthritis (OA). The correlation of markers of bone turnover with disease activity in patients with RA or radiographic severity in patients with OA was also examined. METHODS: Patients with RA aged >50 years (men) and >60 years (women) were identified from computer databases at two tertiary referral centres for rheumatology. Strict exclusion criteria were applied to avoid the effects of factors known to influence markers of bone turnover. Patients with RA and OA were matched for age and sex with a control population free of known arthritic disease and a population with OA. Bone markers were assayed in serum and urine. Urine markers were measured on three consecutive days and mean values used to minimize day-to-day variability of these analytes. RESULTS: The level of UrNTx was elevated in patients with RA compared with normal controls and patients with OA. UrNTx and UrDPD correlated with markers of disease activity in patients with RA (erythrocyte -sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), but not with -clinical signs of inflammation (swollen and tender joint counts). Patients with OA failed to show any correlation between markers of bone turnover and radiographic severity. CONCLUSIONS: These data support a role for the use of UrNTx and UrDPD in further studies of the patho-physiology of RA and in longitudinal studies designed to modify the course of clinical disease.     

Changes in white blood cells and platelets in children with falciparum malaria: relationship to disease outcome

Little is known about the changes in white blood cells and platelets in children with falciparum malaria in endemic areas. We measured the white cell count (WCC) and platelets of 230 healthy children from the community, 1369 children admitted to hospital with symptomatic malaria, and 1461 children with other medical conditions. Children with malaria had a higher WCC compared with community controls, and leucocytosis was strongly associated with younger age, deep breathing, severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia and death. The WCC was not associated with a positive blood culture. In children with malaria, high lymphocyte and low monocyte counts were independently associated with mortality. A platelet count of less than 150 x 109/l was found in 56.7% of children with malaria, and was associated with age, prostration and parasite density, but not with bleeding problems or mortality. The mean platelet volume was also higher in children with malaria compared with other medical conditions. This may reflect early release from the bone marrow in response to peripheral platelet destruction. Thus, leucocytosis was associated with both severity and mortality in children with falciparum malaria, irrespective of bacteraemia, whereas thrombocytopenia, although very common, was not associated with adverse outcome.     

High plasma fibrinogen level is associated with poor clinical outcome in DIC patients

We measured the plasma level of fibrinogen in 560 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and evaluated its relationship with outcome and with other hemostatic markers. Forty-seven percent of patients had >200 mg/dL of plasma fibrinogen and 24% had <100 mg/dl of plasma fibrinogen, suggesting that plasma fibrinogen level is not a sensitive marker for DIC. In our analysis of outcome and plasma fibrinogen levels, the rate of death was high in leukemia/lymphoma patients with high fibrinogen concentration, but no significant difference in outcome was observed in relation to plasma fibrinogen concentration in non-leukemia/lymphoma patients with DIC. Among patients with leukemia/lymphoma, the frequency of organ failure was markedly high in patients with high plasma levels of fibrinogen. Among patients without leukemia/lymphoma, the frequency of organ failure increased concomitantly with the increase in plasma fibrinogen levels. The international normalized ratio was significantly increased in leukemia/lymphoma patients with low fibrinogen. FDP levels were slightly increased in patients with low fibrinogen. Platelet count was significantly low in patients without leukemia/lymphoma with high fibrinogen. DIC score increased concomitantly with the reduction in plasma fibrinogen levels. Plasma levels of thrombomodulin and tissue factor were significantly high in patients with high fibrinogen levels. Plasma levels of antiplasmin and plasminogen were significantly decreased in patients with low fibrinogen. Plasma levels of plasmin plasmin-inhibitor complex and tissue type plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex (PAI-I) were significantly higher in patients with low fibrinogen than in those with high fibrinogen. Plasma levels of PAI-I and IL-6 were significantly higher in patients with high fibrinogen than in those with low fibrinogen. Patients with high fibrinogen levels showed less activation of secondary fibrinolysis, which might explain the occurrence of organ failure and poor outcome.     

乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期与酒精性肝硬化失代偿期患者血小板参数变化的临床分析

目的探讨不同HBV DNA水平乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期与酒精性肝硬化失代偿期血小板计数（PLT）及血小板平均体积（MPV）变化的临床意义。方法对36例健康人、38例HBV DNA〈105拷贝/ml乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者、36例HBV DNA〉105拷贝/ml乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者及31例酒精性肝硬化失代偿期患者的外周血PLT及MPV进行测定及分析。结果与健康人相比,乙型肝炎肝硬化及酒精性肝硬化患者PLT均下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;与酒精性肝硬化失代偿期患者相比,HBV DNA〉105拷贝/ml乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者PLT下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;不同HBV DNA水平的乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者PLT均下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。与健康人相比,酒精性肝硬化失代偿期、HBV DNA〉105拷贝/ml乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者MPV均下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;与酒精性肝硬化失代偿期患者相比,HBV DNA〉105拷贝/ml乙型肝炎肝硬化失偿代期患者MPV下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;不同HBV DNA水平的乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者MPV变化,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者高载量HBV DNA对血小板参数降低有一定的影响。     

Increased plasma thioredoxin in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Thioredoxin is an important biomarker for oxidative stress. We investigated whether thioredoxin levels were elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and were associated with the results of coronary reperfusion. METHODS: The present study determined plasma thioredoxin levels in 51 patients with AMI, 30 patients with stable exertional angina (SEA), and 30 patients with chest pain syndrome (CPS). Plasma sampling was performed on admission, at 12 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks in patients with AMI, and after admission in patients with SEA and CPS. RESULTS: Plasma thioredoxin levels on admission were higher in patients with AMI than in those with SEA and CPS. Plasma thioredoxin levels in patients with AMI were decreased in 12 h without further change thereafter. However, thioredoxin levels in patients with AMI remained higher than in those with SEA. In multivariate analysis, higher levels of thioredoxin on admission were a risk factor for failure in emergent reperfusion therapy in patients with AMI independent of other factors. CONCLUSION: Plasma thioredoxin levels are elevated in patients with AMI, and higher thioredoxin levels may predict subsequent failed coronary reperfusion therapy in patients with AMI.