Usefulness of procalcitonin for diagnosis of infective endocarditis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting infective endocarditis (IE). 23 adult patients with IE, 30 patients with sepsis and 30 with tick-borne encephalitis were included in this prospective study. The PCT serum level, C-reactive protein (CRP), total leukocyte, and immature polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell counts were determined on admission, prior to the institution of antibiotic therapy, and compared according to the diagnosis. The median PCT level in patients with IE endocarditis was 0.81 ng/ml, in patients with sepsis it was 43.74 ng/ml, and in the group with viral infection it was 0.25 ng/ml (P < 0.001). The highest PCT level was found in patients with Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve that used PCT to predict IE was 0.722 (95% CI 0.572–0.873), compared with 0.909 (95% CI 0.829–0.989) for CRP, 0.699 (95% CI 0.551–0.846) for immature PMN cell count, and 0.619 (95% CI 0.468–0.770) for leukocyte count. Our study fails to demonstrate superiority of PCT as a diagnostic laboratorial parameter in predicting IE compared to CRP.     

慢型、潜在型克山病患者的血管内皮功能观察

目的观察山东省慢型、潜在型克山病患者的临床特点和血管内皮功能,探讨机体内皮功能失调与克山病发生发展的关系。方法选择慢型、潜在型克山病患者57人、病区健康人34人,分别采集清晨空腹血检测ET、NO、NOS、iNOS及cNOS含量及活性。结果(1)克山病患者ET水平明显高于病区健康人(P<0.01);心功能越差,ET升高越明显(P<0.01);(2)NO和NOS含量,潜在型、慢型克山病均明显高于病区健康人(P<0.01);慢型高于潜在型(P<0.01);iN-OS含量克山病患者也高于病区健康人(P<0.05);慢型克山病高于潜在型克山病(P<0.05)。结论ET、NO水平的变化可能作为一种中间环节参与了克山病的发病机制;心功能不同,血浆ET、NO升高的程度也不同;ET、NO可作为克山病病情严重程度的预测指标。     

Papillomavirus Infectious Pathways: A Comparison of Systems

The HPV viral lifecycle is tightly linked to the host cell differentiation, causing difficulty in growing virions in culture. A system that bypasses the need for differentiating epithelium has allowed for generation of recombinant particles, such as virus-like particles (VLPs), pseudovirions (PsV), and quasivirions (QV). Much of the research looking at the HPV life cycle, infectivity, and structure has been generated utilizing recombinant particles. While recombinant particles have proven to be invaluable, allowing for a rapid progression of the HPV field, there are some significant differences between recombinant particles and native virions and very few comparative studies using native virions to confirm results are done. This review serves to address the conflicting data in the HPV field regarding native virions and recombinant particles.     

三七有效组分Rx对兔动脉粥样硬化的实验研究

目的：探讨三七有效组分R。对兔动脉粥样硬化的影响。方法：40只雄性新西兰大白兔随机分成正常对照组、高脂模型组、三七总皂甙组三七有效组分Rx高荆量组、三七总皂甙组三七有效组分Rx低刺量组，喂饲12周后同时处死．分别测定血一氧化氮(NO)、内皮素(ET)、PAI、t—PA、血浆脂质过氧化物、红细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)，并行主动脉壁形态学、主动脉壁光镜、透射电镜观察。结果：三七有效组分Rx高、低剂量组明显升高血NO、t—PA，降低血清ET、PAI水平，抗脂质过氧化，提高红细胞内SOD活性。大体形态、光镜、电镜显示，三七有效组分Rx高、低剂量组能减轻动脉粥样硬化病变程度，减少泡沫细胞层数。结论：三七有效组分Rx有干预动脉粥样硬化的作用。     

前列腺干细胞抗原在人前列腺癌组织中的表达及意义

目的 探讨前列腺干细胞抗原（PSCA）在人前列腺癌（PCa）和正常前列腺（NP）、良性前列腺增生（BPH）组织中的表达及其与临床分期、病理分级的关系。方法 采用免疫组织化学（IHC）链霉菌过氧化物酶法（SP法）检测26例人PCa石蜡包埋标本、10例BPH患者的前列腺切除标本及3例NP标本中PSCA的表达。结果 PSCA在PCa组织中表达阳性率为96．2％，其中强阳性率为88．5％。NP组织阳性率为66．7％（均为弱阳性）。BPH组织阳性率为70．0％（均为弱阳性）。PCa与NP、BPH组织表达水平差异有显著性意义（P〈0．01），BPH与NP组织表达水平无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。PSCA在PCa组织主要表达于癌细胞，细胞间质和肌肉组织均无表达；NP及BPH组织表达则定位于前列腺上皮的基底细胞层。PSCA表达水平与PCa临床分期、病理分级均无相关性（P〉0.05）。结论 PSCA是一个新的细胞表面抗原，可能在PCa的诊断、免疫治疗等方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

Relevance of Endocavitary Structures in Ablation Procedures for Ventricular Tachycardia

Endocavitary Structures and Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation. Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) has high failure rates. Whether endocavitary structures (ECS) such as the papillary muscles (PMs), moderator bands (MBs), or false tendons (FTs) impact VT ablation is unknown. Methods and Results: We retrospectively reviewed records of 190 consecutive patients presenting for VT ablation and identified 46 (24%) where ECS affected ablation. In 31 of 46 patients (67%), the ECS created difficulty with catheter manipulation (n = 20), interpretation of pace map data (n = 7), or with accurately defining a scar (n = 4). In 15 of 46 (33%), specific mapping and RF energy delivery targeting the ECS itself was necessary to eliminate the arrhythmia. Detailed electroanatomic mapping was performed in 11 of 15 (73%), noncontact mapping in 3 of 15 (20%), multielectrode catheter mapping in 1 of 15 (7%), and intracardiac ultrasound in 14 of 15 (93%) patients. The ablated ECS was a PM in 5 of 15, the MB in 7 of 15, and an FT in 3 of 15. The arrhythmogenic substrate on the ECS was a focus of automatic tachycardia in 9 of 15 and the slow zone responsible for reentrant arrhythmia in the remaining 6 of 15. Successful elimination of tachycardia without recurrence was obtained in all 15 cases. There was no evidence of valvular damage or disruption of the valvular apparatus. Conclusion: During VT ablation procedures, ECS should be considered for specific mapping and targeted ablation. Once recognized, these structures can be successfully targeted for ablation without valve damage. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 245–254, March 2010)     

降钙素原在医院获得性肺炎和呼吸机相关性肺炎的诊断和抗感染管理中的应用价值

医院获得性肺炎(HAP)和呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)是我国现患率居第一位的医院感染性疾病。国内外相关指南相继进行了更新,旨在提高HAP/VAP诊断和治疗水平,改善患者的结局,但我们仍然面临诸多挑战。降钙素原(PCT)是较C反应蛋白(CRP)更特异的感染相关生物学标志物,对重症细菌感染和脓毒症具有反应快速、特异性高的优点,动态监测PCT可指导HAP/VAP的诊断及抗菌药物治疗的疗程。     

Palliative management of refractory dyspnea in COPD

COPD is a progressive illness with worldwide impact. Patients invariably reach a point at which they require palliative interventions. Dyspnea is the most distressing symptom experienced by these patients; when not relieved by traditional COPD management strategies it is termed “refractory dyspnea” and palliative approaches are required. The focus of care shifts from prolonging survival to reducing symptoms, increasing function, and improving quality of life. Numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can achieve these goals, though evidence supporting their use is variable. This review provides a summary of the options for the management of refractory dyspnea in COPD, outlining currently available evidence and highlighting areas for further investigation. Topics include oxygen, opioids, psychotropic drugs, inhaled furosemide, Heliox, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial support, breathing techniques, and breathlessness clinics.     

Methemoglobin Forming Effect of Dimethyl Trisulfide in Mice

Abstract

Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) is a natural organic trisulfide that has been patented as a promising antidotal candidate against cyanide (CN). The primary mode of action of DMTS is as a sulfur donor that enables the conversion of CN to thiocyanate. Recently, it was discovered that DMTS is capable of oxidizing hemoglobin (Hb) to methemoglobin (MetHb) in vitro. The goal of these experiments was to measure the extent of DMTS-induced MetHb formation in vivo. In these experiments, intramuscular (IM) injections of formulated DMTS were administered to mice. Following the IM injection, blood was drawn and analyzed for MetHb using a rapid spectrophotometric method. Methemoglobin levels peaked in a dose-dependent manner between 20 and 30?min., and then began dropping. The highest MetHb levels measured for the 50, 100, 200 and 250?mg/kg doses of DMTS were respectively 3.28, 6.12, 9.69, and 10.76% MetHb. These experiments provide the first experimental evidence that IM administered DMTS generates MetHb in vivo and provide additional evidence for the presence of a secondary therapeutic pathway for DMTS - CN scavenging by DMTS-generated MetHb.     

Expression of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases in synovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis

We investigated the expression of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase (MT-MMP) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) mRNAs in synovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 5) or osteoarthritis (OA, n = 5) by Northern blot analysis. Northern analysis demonstrated strong expression of MT1-MMP, MT3-MMP, MMP-1, and MMP-3 and weak expression of MT2-MMP and MMP-8 in synovial tissue from patients with RA or OA. MT4-MMP was not detected. No significant difference was shown in the expression of MT-MMP mRNAs between RA and OA. Synovial tissue of RA or OA patients expressed MT-MMPs as well as MMPs. These results indicate that, in addition to MMPs, MT1-MMP, MT3-MMP, and probably MT2-MMP may play a role in the degradation of bone and cartilage matrix in RA and OA. Such information may provide a clue to the development of a novel therapeutic approach targeted on the prevention of joint destruction. Received: April 30, 2000 / Accepted: September 19, 2000     

Developing a virtual reality simulation system for preoperative planning of thoracoscopic thoracic surgery

BackgroundVideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become a standard approach for the treatment of lung cancer. However, its minimally invasive nature limits the field of view and reduces tactile feedback. These limitations make it vital that surgeons thoroughly familiarize themselves with the patient’s anatomy preoperatively. We have developed a virtual reality (VR) surgical navigation system using head-mounted displays (HMD). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential utility of this VR simulation system in both preoperative planning and intraoperative assistance, including support during thoracoscopic sublobar resection.MethodsThree-dimensional (3D) polygon data derived from preoperative computed tomography data was loaded into BananaVision software developed at Colorado State University and displayed on an HMD. An interactive 3D reconstruction image was created, in which all the pulmonary structures could be individually imaged. Preoperative resection simulations were performed with patient-individualized reconstructed 3D images.ResultsThe 3D anatomic structure of pulmonary vessels and a clear vision into the space between the lesion and adjacent tissues were successfully appreciated during preoperative simulation. Surgeons could easily evaluate the real patient’s anatomy in preoperative simulations to improve the accuracy and safety of actual surgery. The VR software and HMD allowed surgeons to visualize and interact with real patient data in true 3D providing a unique perspective.ConclusionsThis initial experience suggests that a VR simulation with HMD facilitated preoperative simulation. Routine imaging modalities combined with VR systems could substantially improve preoperative planning and contribute to the safety and accuracy of anatomic resection.     

Efficacy of combination treatment with cyclosporin A and corticosteroids for acute interstitial pneumonitis associated with dermatomyositis

Interstitial pneumonitis (IP) associated with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) is a serious complication that affects prognosis. We therefore undertook a retrospective multicenter study to examine the efficacy of a combination treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) and corticosteroids. Fifty-three IP patients with PM/DM (9 PM, 44 DM) were analyzed. Thirty-two patients treated with CsA plus corticosteroids (9 PM, 23 DM) were included in the study. Four parameters, i.e., subjective symptoms, ausculatory sound, chest radiographs, and respiratory index, were serially evaluated. A general evaluation was performed 4 weeks after the start of the combination treatment. All patients with PM and chronic IP with DM, and 52% of those with acute IP with DM were graded as better than partially effective in the general evaluation. In contrast, all patients graded as progressive in the general evaluation had acute IP with DM. It is of note that in acute IP with DM, the survival rate of the group primarily treated with CsA and corticosteroids from the early stage of their disease was significantly higher than that of the group initially treated with corticosteroids alone (P = 0.049). In conclusion, a combination treatment of CsA and corticosteroids from the early stage of disease may be advantageous for patients with IP with PM/DM, especially acute IP with DM.     

冠状动脉支架植入术后血浆C反应蛋白水平的评价

目的：测定冠状动脉支架植入（CSI）术后血清C反应蛋白（CRP）水平，了解其意义。方法：选择2000年1月－2001年7月在我院行CSI术患者为研究对象（n=58)，分为A组（阵旧性心肌梗死及心绞痛患者，n=43例），及B组（急性心肌梗死患者,n=15)。A组于CSI术前、后，B组于CSI术当日，术后1，3，8日清晨抽取空腹血进行血清CRP及肌酸激酶同功酶（CK－MB）测定。结果：A组：CSI术后平均血清CRP水平高于术前（P＜0．01），CK－MB较术前无显著性差异；B组：CSI术后CRP及CK－MB水平随时间的推移呈递减趋势。结论：CSI术后血清CRP水平升高；它与局部机械损伤引起的炎症有关，可作为CSI术损伤程度及AMI病程转归的监测指标。     

促血管生成素-1对糖尿病大鼠肾脏色素上皮衍生因子和血小板反应蛋白-1基因表达的影响

目的 观察色素上皮衍生因子（PEDF）、血小板反应蛋白-1（TSP-1）在糖尿病大鼠肾脏的表达变化,探讨促血管生成素-1（Ang-1）对上述因子的影响. 方法 将雄性SD大鼠分正常对照（NC）组、DN组、空载处理（BV）组、Ang-1处理（AV）组.采用STZ腹腔注射诱导大鼠DN模型.成模8周后尾静脉注射Ang-1腺病毒载体.多时点检测24 hUAlb和肾组织PEDF、TSP-1蛋白及mRNA表达水平.结果 DN、BV、AV组24 hUAlb均升高,其中AV组于20周后降低（P＜0.05）.DN、BV、AV组肾组织PEDF蛋白及mRNA表达下调,TSP-1表达上调（P＜0.05）,其中AV组12周后肾组织PEDF和TSP-1mRNA及蛋白表达变化较DN、BV组改善明显（P＜0.05）. 结论 糖尿病大鼠肾脏PEDF、TSP-1异常表达参与DN发生发展,给予Ang-1可改善糖尿病大鼠肾脏PEDF、TSP-1异常表达.     

Efficacy of combination treatment with cyclosporin A and corticosteroids for acute interstitial pneumonitis associated with dermatomyositis

Abstract

Interstitial pneumonitis (IP) associated with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) is a serious complication that affects prognosis. We therefore undertook a retrospective multicenter study to examine the efficacy of a combination treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) and corticosteroids. Fifty-three IP patients with PM/DM (9 PM, 44 DM) were analyzed. Thirty-two patients treated with CsA plus corticosteroids (9 PM, 23 DM) were included in the study. Four parameters, i.e., subjective symptoms, ausculatory sound, chest radiographs, and respiratory index, were serially evaluated. A general evaluation was performed 4 weeks after the start of the combination treatment. All patients with PM and chronic IP with DM, and 52% of those with acute IP with DM were graded as better than “partially effective” in the general evaluation. In contrast, all patients graded as “progressive” in the general evaluation had acute IP with DM. It is of note that in acute IP with DM, the survival rate of the group primarily treated with CsA and corticosteroids from the early stage of their disease was significantly higher than that of the group initially treated with corticosteroids alone (P = 0.049). In conclusion, a combination treatment of CsA and corticosteroids from the early stage of disease may be advantageous for patients with IP with PM/DM, especially acute IP with DM.     

Efficacy and safety of bucillamine, a d-penicillamine analogue, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis

Japanese rheumatologists consider bucillamine (Buc) to be a useful disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and often give Buc to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prior to administering methotrexate (MTX). However, no large studies on the efficacy and safety of Buc in RA patients have been published in English to date. We therefore investigated the clinical course of RA patients treated with Buc and compared the results with those for patients treated with MTX to evaluate and confirm the place of Buc in therapeutic strategies for RA in Japan. Our results suggested that Buc should be given to patients with moderately active RA either before or after the administration of MTX because its efficacy can be judged within 3 months and because serious adverse events are rare. Issues like the ability of Buc to prevent joint destruction and its efficacy and safety when combined with agents like etanercept require future study.     

质子泵抑制剂对胃粘膜环氧化酶-2表达的影响

目的探讨质子泵抑制剂(PPI)对大鼠胃粘膜环氧化酶—2(COX-2)表达的影响。方法 1.大鼠经胃管给予Rabeprazole(雷巴拉唑),Lansoprazole(兰索拉唑),Pantoprazol(潘妥拉唑),50mg/kg,对照组给予0.5％碳氧甲基纤维素(carboxymethyllulose,CMC),5ml/kg每天一次,连续14天,应用免疫印渍检测胃粘膜COX-1和COX-2表达水平。2.连续14天给予0.5mg/kg,5mg/kg或50mg/kg的兰索拉唑,对照组给予0.5％CMC,应用酶免疫测定法(EIA)检测大鼠胃粘膜中前列腺素E_2(PGE_2)含量,并观察兰索拉唑对酒精所致急件胃粘膜损伤的保护作用.3.特异性COX-2抑制剂(NS-398)对大鼠胃粘膜PGE_2合成及胃粘膜保护作用的影响.结果 1.PPI显著地增加大鼠胃粘膜COX-2的表达水平而不影响COX-1的表达。2.胃粘膜中PGE_2含量,对照组为266±81pg/gwet tissue:0.5mg/kg,5mg/kg 50mg/kg的兰索拉唑组分別为427±32 pg/g,483±121 pg/g(p<0.05 vs.对照组),614±82pg/g(p<0.01 vs.对照组).3.酒精对大鼠胃粘膜的损伤指数.对照组为3.78±0.29％,0.5mg/kg～50mg/kg的兰索拉唑组分别为3.01±0.38％(p<0.05、vs.对照组).2.16±0.40％(p<0.005 vs.对照组)和0.96±0.20％(p<0.005 vs.对照组)。4.NS398有效地阻断了兰索拉唑诱导的PGE_2合成及胃粘膜保护作用。结论 PPI通过诱导胃粘膜COX-2表达,增加PGE_2合成而发挥胃粘膜保护作用。     

A novel BMT technique for treatment of various currently intractable diseases

A recently-developed BMT method combines a "Perfusion Method" (PM) for collecting bone marrow cells (BMCs) with the Intra-Bone Marrow (IBM) injection of BMCs (IBM-BMT). As distinct from the conventional aspiration method (AM), the PM allows rapid (within 1?h) collection of BMCs without T cell contamination (T cells?相似文献   

Variability in the anti-tumor effect of tegafur-uracil depending on histologic types of lung cancer

Background

Tegafur-uracil (UFT) is an anticancer agent that inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS). The degree of TS expression in primary lung cancer (LC) is different according to histologic cell type. In this study, we examined the variability of the anti-tumor efficacy of UFT monotherapy depending on histological subtypes of LC.

Methods

In the current single-institution, retrospective study, we assigned the patients with LC to three histologic groups [the squamous (Sq) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)] group, the non-Sq NSCLC group and the SCLC group] and then compared the clinical response to UFT monotherapy between the three groups.

Results

Our clinical series of 149 patients include 54 cases of Sq NSCLC, 67 cases of non-Sq NSCLC and 28 cases of SCLC. For Sq NSCLC, non-Sq NSCLC and SCLC group, the overall response rates (ORRs) were 1%, 1% and 0% (P=0.522), respectively. The disease control rates (DCRs) were 38.9%, 31.3% and 10.7% (P=0.012), respectively. The median progression-free survivals (PFSs) were 2.68, 2.25 and 1.46 months (P=0.004 for three groups and P=0.773 for two groups except for the SCLC group at the log-rank test), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in median overall survival (OS).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the degree of the anti-tumor effect of UFT was higher in patients with NSCLC as compared with SCLC. But it showed no significant difference between the patients with Sq NSCLC and those with non-Sq NSCLC.