南京地区慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者的阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征流行状况

目的探讨南京地区慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)的发状况及其相关特征。方法对受试人群进行病情评估,内容包括:BMI、6 min步行试验测试、慢性阻塞性肺病评估测试(CAT)、Epworth嗜睡量表(ESS)测试、肺功能检测、多导睡眠监测(PSG)。结果共计纳入患者40例,其中患有重叠综合征(OS)的患者为21例(52.5%),仅患COPD而不存在OSAHS的为19例(47.5%)。两组间BMI、颈围有显著性差异。肺功能和6 min步行试验两组间均无显著性差异。多导睡眠监测结果提示两组间存在显著性差异,OS组呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)明显较高,为22.2±19.3次/h,而COPD非OSAHS组基本正常。CAT评分和ESS测试显示两组间有显著性差异。结论 C级至D级COPD患者具有较高的OSAHS发病率,OS患者较单纯COPD患者生活质量和睡眠质量更差。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征与高血压的相关性

目的 了解阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome,OSAHS)患者高血压发病情况及其程度,分析OSAHS对高血压患者血压昼夜节律的影响,从夜间低氧血症和睡眠结构方面探讨高血压发生的危险因素.方法 采用多导睡眠监测仪对77例OSAHS患者(重度33例,中度23例,轻度23例)进行夜间7 h睡眠监测和24 h动态血压监测,对睡眠相关指标及不同时段血压进行分析,并与不伴OSAHS的高血压患者(15例)和正常对照者(15例)进行比较.结果 (1)重度、中度和轻度OSAHS组体质指数(body mass index,BMI)分别为(29.1±2.8)、(25.0±2.5)和(23.2±3.0)kg/m~2,均显著高于对照组的(20.3±4.1)kg/m~2(P均<0.05);睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea hypopnea index,AHI)分别为(56.2±14.7)、(19.1±4.4)和(11.2±4.3)次/h,显著高于对照组的(2.9±1.0)次/h(P均<0.05);氧减指数(oxygen desaturation index,ODI)分别为(62.5±20.4)、(19.6±8.8)和(24.8±22.7)次/h,显著高于对照组的(2.7±2.0)次/h((P均<0.05));微觉醒指数(microarousal index,MI)分别为(47.5±20.9)、(12.8±4.6)和(9.8±4.6)次/h,显著高于对照组的(1.3±1.1)次/h(P均<0.05);24 h平均收缩压分别为(133±14.5)、(126±6.5)和(118±9.9)mm Hg,重度和中度OSAHS组显著高于对照组的(117±9.6)mmHg(P均<0.05);24 h舒张压分别为(92.8±9.6)、(86.3±7.5)和(81.9±3.9)mm Hg,重度和中度OSAHS组显著商于对照组的(78.5±5.6)mm Hg(P均<0.05);最低血氧饱和度分别为(65.5±10.4)%、(78.5±5.1)%和(79.7±9.6)%.重度和中度OSAHS组显著低于对照组的(84.7±8.2)%(P<0.05).(2)高血压组与对照组睡前和醒后血压无显著差异,OSAHS合并高血压组醒后血压显著高于睡前[(142.0±12.4)/(110.0±10.2)mm Hg对(127.4±9.8)/(84.2±6.0)mm Hg,P<0.05];(3)OSAHS合并高血压组ODI和MI分别为(43.5±26.2)次/h和(31.6±21.2)次/h,均显著高于无高血压OSAHS组的(26.7±13.2)次/h和(27.5±20.6)次/h(P均<0.05),而且前者非快速动眼睡眠S3+4期和睡眠效率分别为(5.1±3.5)%和(62.2±15.4)%,均显著低于后者[分别为(8.8±5.2)%和(69.92±14.8)%,P分别<0.05和0.01).(4)OSAHS合并高血压组非杓型血压曲线构成比为56.1%,显著商于对照组的13.1%和单纯高血压组的16.7%(P均<0.01).(5)多变量logistic回归分析显示,校正BMI、性别和年龄因素后,ODI(OR=1.129,95%CI1.057～1.207;P=0.001)、MI(OR=0.925,95%CI0.874～0.980;P=0.008)和S3+4期时间(OR=1.087,95%CI1.034～1.142;P=0.001)与高血压发生显著相关.结论 OSAHS组收缩压和舒张压均显著高于正常对照组,且血压随OSAHS病情的加重而增高,昼夜血压节律消失,血压波动呈非杓状曲线.导致OSAHS患者合并高血压的主要危险因素为夜间低氧血症,其次为睡眠结构严重紊乱和MI增高.     

鼻腔扩容术对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者睡眠质量的影响

目的 探讨鼻腔扩容术对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome,OSAHS)的影响.方法 对52例鼻阻塞的OSAHS患者采用鼻腔扩容术,术前及术后分别监测PSG和进行Epworth嗜睡量表(ESS)评分.结果 呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea and hypopnea index,AHI)术前、术后分别为(37.52±18.00)次/h和(38.12±16.44)次/h(P=0.15),睡眠总记录时间(453.7±32.0)min和(460.7±41.8) min(P =0.147),总睡眠时间(368.5±35.1)min 和(360.2±46.1) min(P=0.206),醒觉指数(Arousal index) (35.2±16.1)次/h和(14.7±11.0)次/h,(P ＜0.001),1期睡眠时间(42.1±19.1)min和(21.7±18.1) min,(P=0.028),2期睡眠时间(255.0±30.5) min和(186.1±46.2) min(P=0.031),3～4期睡眠时间(21.0±16.9) min和(36.1±24.2) min(P=0.039),快动眼睡眠时间(56.9±25.5) min和(51.5±31.5)min(P=0.071),最低血氧饱和度(lowest oxygen saturation,LSaO2)术前、术后分别为(77.78±8.13)％和(79.74±7.11)％(P=0.063),体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)术前、术后分别为(27.68±3.01) kg/m2和(27.96±3.52)kg/m2(P=0.43),手术前后AHI、LSaO2、BMI差异无统计学意义;ESS评分术后下降明显,具有统计学意义(P =0.015).结论 单纯鼻腔扩容术对OSAHS的AHI、LSaO2等客观指标无改善,但能改善睡眠质量、减轻白天嗜睡程度,仍不失为一种可选择的手术.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者血尿酸变化的临床意义

目的:了解不同程度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者血尿酸水平的变化,并分析二者之间的相关性。方法:选择我院2007年3月至2009年7月就诊的OSAHS患者80例,根据睡眠监测得出的睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)分为轻度OSAHS组(5次/h≤AHI≤20次/h,27例)、中度OSAHS组(20次/h40次/h,34例)和对照组(AHI<5次/h,20例);观察各组年龄、性别、体质量指数(BMI)、血清胆固醇、甘油三脂、血糖、尿酸及睡眠各项指标变化,比较3组间各观察指标的差异;对OSAHS组血清尿酸水平与AHI、最低脉搏容积血氧饱和度(LSpO2)和氧减<90%的时间T90进行相关性分析。结果:组间年龄及性别相比差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。轻、中度OSAHS组血尿酸水平分别为(365.30±92.37)μmol/L,(374.63±78.17)μmol/L均高于对照组(336.82±74.08)μmol/L,但差异无统计学意义;重度OSAHS组血清尿酸水平(440.26±92.14)μmol/L与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);OSAHS组血清尿酸水平与AHI、T90呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.441、0.309,P均<0.001)与LSpO2呈负相关(r值为-0.370,P<0.001)。结论:OSAHS患者中血清尿酸水平随着AHI的增加和缺氧程度的加重而增高,并与AHI、T90及LSpO2有较强的相关性。提示OSAHS患者反复发作低氧血症可能是心血管病高发的另一个原因。     

高海拔地区慢性肺心病缓解期并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症患者的临床特点和NIPPV治疗效果

目的探讨高海拔地区慢性肺心病缓解期并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症(OSAHS)患者的临床特点和NIP-PV治疗效果。方法对高海拔地区慢性肺心病(HACCP)缓解期患者40例(A组)和慢性肺心病缓解期并OSAHS患者32例(B组)作了睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、平均氧饱和度(MSaO2)、平均最低氧饱和度(MmSaO2)、1秒钟用力呼气容积(FEV1)占预计值的百分比(FEV1%)、FEV1/用力肺活量(FVC)比值(FEV1/FVC)、动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)、平均肺动脉压(mPAP)和右心室流出道(RVOT)检测;并对B组进行了夜间持续气道正压无创通气(NIPPV)治疗3周,治疗后重复测定肺功能、动脉血气、mPAP和RVOT。结果B组FEV1%、FEV1/FVC、PaO2、睡眠MSaO2和MmSaO2[分别为(35.2±4.4)%、(42.5±5.4)%、(39.7±4.7)mmHg、(64.0±5.7)%、(51.3±6.1)%]显著低于A组[分别为(44.1±5.6)%、(50.3±6.7)%、(48.2±5.5)mmHg、(73.6±6.2)%、(65.5±6.0)%,均P0.01],而PaCO2、mPAP、RVOT、AHI[分别为(55.9±7.1)mmHg、(46.2±5.5)mmHg、(40.2±4.2)mm、(46.2±11.2)次/h,]显著高于A组[分别为(46.7±5.4)mmHg、(34.4±4.2)mmHg、(34.1±3.5)mm、(4.5±0.9)次/h,均P0.01]。B组AHI与FEV1%、FEV1/FVC、PaO2、睡眠MSaO2、MmSaO2均呈显著负相关(分别r=-0.621、-0.633、-0.754、-0.724、-0.719,均P0.01),与PaCO2、mPAP、RVOT均呈显著正相关(分别r=0.622、0.848、0.784,均P0.01)。B组夜间NIPPV治疗后,FEV1%、FEV1/FVC、PaO2[分别为(39.0±5.8)%、(46.7±6.8)%、(45.2±5.1)mmHg]显著升高(P0.01或P0.05),PaCO2、mPAP、RVOT[分别为(48.3±6.7)mmHg、(38.4±5.7)mmHg、(33.5±3.8)mm]显著降低(均P0.01)。结论高海拔地区慢性肺心病并OSAHS患者的心肺功能受损较单纯肺心病严重,AHI次数越多心肺功能损害越严重。夜间NIPPV治疗能有效地改善其心肺功能损害。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征空腹血糖升高相关因素

目的探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者空腹血糖(FPG)升高的相关因素。方法连续选择163例确诊为OSAHS的患者,检测其FPG,并按照标准分为FPG升高组(55例)和FPG正常组(108例),应用SPSS17.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 FPG升高组与FPG正常组的体重指数(BMI)、腰围身高比(WHt R)、最低血氧饱和度(LSaO_2)、平均血氧饱和度(MSaO_2)、血氧饱和度低于90%所占时间比(CT90%)、呼吸暂停指数(AHI)、总呼吸暂停时间及高血压病史有统计学差异(χ~2=7.323,P=0.008)。LSaO_2、MSaO_2与FPG呈负相关,r值分别为-0.216、-0.291,WHt R、CT90%、AHI、体重、BMI、总呼吸暂停时间、高血压病史分别与FPG呈正相关,r值分别为0.155、0.252、0.190、0.155、0.156、0.170、0.212。多因素Logistic回归分析示:MSaO_2进入模型(t=-2.457,P=0.015,OR=0.859)。结论 OSAHS与FPG升高密切相关,慢性间歇缺氧是OSAHS患者FPG升高的独立危险因素。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征对Stanford B型主动脉夹层患者肾功能的影响

目的探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAHS)对老年Stanford B型主动脉夹层肾功能的影响及可能机制。方法前瞻性收集住院的Stanford B型主动脉夹层患者157例,根据有无OSAHS分为单纯主动脉夹层组92例,OSAHS组65例,OSAHS组根据睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)分为轻度OSAHS组34例、中重度OSAHS组31例。抽血检测血清胱抑素C、肌酐、尿素、尿酸、β2微球蛋白,并分析其与AHI的相关性。结果 OSAHS组体质量指数、清晨高血压比例明显高于单纯主动脉夹层组[(27.7±4.6)kg/m2 vs(22.9±3.5)kg/m2,76.9%vs50.0%,P0.05]。OSAHS组血清胱抑素C、尿素和β2微球蛋白水平明显高于单纯主动脉夹层组[(1.39±0.36)mg/L vs(0.86±0.34)mg/L,P0.01;(5.82±1.32)mmol/L vs(5.16±1.22)mmol/L,P0.05;(2.26±0.67)mg/L vs(1.87±0.45)mg/L,P0.05]。中重度OSAHS组血清胱抑素C、尿素和β2微球蛋白明显高于轻度OSAHS组[(1.43±0.37)mg/L vs(0.93±0.32)mg/L,P0.05;(5.93±1.34)mmol/L vs(5.25±1.26)mmol/L,P0.05;(2.31±0.66)mg/L vs(1.89±0.44)mg/L,P0.05]。Pearson相关性分析显示,血清胱抑素C(r=0.422,P=0.007)、β2微球蛋白(r=0.287,P=0.027)与AHI呈正相关。结论中重度OSAHS可预测老年Stanford B型主动脉夹层患者的肾功能。     

自动调节持续气道正压通气强化治疗对老年阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者的疗效

目的 探讨自动调节持续气通正压通气(auto CPAP)强化治疗对老年阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者的疗效并分析影响其疗效的因素. 方法 用半随机对照方法将2009年4月至2011年4月在复旦大学附属中山医院鼾症和睡眠呼吸障碍诊治中心确诊的老年OSAHS患者分为强化治疗组(强化组,111例)与非强化治疗组(非强化组,109例),前者进行3d连续医院内强化治疗,治疗过程中对其进行针对性健康教育和指导,并根据其前一天治疗情况,对auto-CPAP呼吸机参数进行适当调整;后者仅进行1d的auto-CPAP治疗,辅以常规的健康教育和指导.比较两组患者的治疗参数包括呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、夜间最低血氧饱和度(SaO2min)、夜间平均血氧饱和度(SaO2mean)及血氧饱和度＜90％的时间(tSaO2＜90％)、临床症状和不良反应发生率、Epworth嗜睡量表评分的差异,并对影响强化治疗的因素进行相关分析. 结果 强化组治疗后Epworth评分、AHI、tSaO2 ＜90％分别为(3.58±3.76)分、(7.85±6.53)次/h、(5.65±15.43) min,与非强化组治疗后(6.84±3.22)分、(10.42±7.27)次/h、(15.26±33.14) min相比显著减少(t=6.90、2.76、2.77,均P＜0.05);强化组治疗后SaO2 min和SaO2 mean分别为(88.24±4.43)％和(96.57±1.53)％,与非强化组(83.28±5.06)％和(94.63±1.38)％比较显著增加(t=-7.74、-9.87,均P＜0.05);临床症状及不良反应(除皮肤过敏)明显减轻(均P＜0.05).女性患者强化治疗后AHI(41.03±21.99)次/h比男性(38.59±20.83)次/h更低(t=2.13,P＜0.05),相关分析显示患者体质指数(BMI)、年龄、性别、治疗前病情程度与疗效相关(均P＜0.05). 结论 医院内强化治疗能显著改善老年OSAHS患者病情,降低临床症状及不良反应发生率,有助于提高老年OSAHS患者治疗依从性,强化治疗疗效与患者BMI、年龄、性别及治疗前病情程度等因素有关.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征对患者心肌缺血负荷的影响

目的探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)对患者心肌缺血的影响及可能机制。方法纳入52例OSAHS患者和21名健康体检者,应用多导睡眠监测系统(PSG)行至少7 h睡眠呼吸监测,长程动态心电图(Holter)同步记录心电动态变化,分析心肌缺血与呼吸紊乱指数(AHI)的关系。结果轻中度OSAHS组(5次/h≤AHI<30次/h)与重度OSAHS组(AHI≥30次/h)均表现为睡眠时心肌缺血负荷显著大于觉醒时,且OSAHS患者AHI与睡眠时心肌缺血负荷相关(r=0.667,P<0.01)。轻中度OSAHS组与重度OSAHS组分别根据有无心肌缺血情况,分为心肌缺血组和无心肌缺血组。轻中度组亚组分析显示,与无心肌缺血组相比,心肌缺血组清醒时与睡眠时的平均心率均显著增快[(83.33±6.86)次/min比(76.30±8.52)次/min;(64.71±6.94)次/min比(59.18±2.94)次/min,均为P<0.05]。重度组亚组分析显示,与无心肌缺血组相比,心肌缺血组睡眠效率(74.71%±8.32%比86.36%±6.33%,P<0.01)、最低血氧饱和度(52.36%±17.32%比64.80%±14.86%,P<0.05)、平均血氧饱和度(87.93%±4.80%比92.00%±1.73%,P<0.01)及总非快速动眼期时间/总睡眠时间(68.67%±4.19%比76.87%±7.16%,P<0.05)均显著降低,SaO_2<90%的时间及最长呼吸暂停时间[(236.65±132.72)min比(124.10±82.99)min;(71.63±15.94)s比(55.28±22.05)s,均为P<0.05]均显著延长。结论 OSAHS患者睡眠时的心肌缺血与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停相关。轻中度OSAHS患者睡眠时心肌缺血可能由反复交感神经系统激活相关的改变所致,重度OSAHS患者的心肌缺血可能与低氧血症及睡眠结构紊乱相关。     

利拉鲁肽对2型糖尿病合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者睡眠呼吸紊乱及微血管病变的影响

目的探讨胰高糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)类似物对2型糖尿病(T2DM)合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者睡眠呼吸紊乱及微血管病变的影响。方法选取2017年1月至2018年12月河南省人民医院内分泌科及睡眠中心239例T2DM住院患者为研究对象,进行多导睡眠图(PSG)监测及糖尿病微血管病变筛查,纳入患糖尿病微血管病变的T2DM合并OSAHS患者93例,其中利拉鲁肽治疗患者50例作为治疗组,常规降糖治疗患者43例作为对照组,比较两组治疗6个月前后体质指数(BMI)、腰围、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、血压、血脂、尿酸、呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)等指标的变化及糖尿病微血管病变改善情况。两组间比较采用t检验、非参数秩和检验或χ2检验,评价各指标与AHI变化值的相关性采用偏相关分析、协方差分析,利拉鲁肽与糖尿病微血管病变改善的相关性采用Logistic回归分析。结果治疗后利拉鲁肽治疗组较对照组BMI、腰围、HbA1c、收缩压、AHI下降更显著[分别为(-1.85±2.46)比(0.02±0.46)kg/m2、(-3.24±10.34)比(-0.07±0.88)cm、(-0.83±0.55)%比(-0.06±0.40)%、(-7.92±14.16)比(-0.56±16.16)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)、(-3.16±3.52)比(0.5±1.54)次/h,t=2.159~7.703,均P<0.05],糖尿病周围神经病变改善比例更高[26.0%(13/50)比9.3%(4/43),χ2=4.315,P<0.05]。治疗后AHI变化值与BMI变化值、腰围变化值、HbA1c变化值呈正相关(r=0.238、0.232、0.317,均P<0.05),与年龄呈负相关(r=-0.21,P<0.05)。调整年龄、糖尿病病程、BMI、腰围、收缩压、HbA1c等因素后,利拉鲁肽与AHI变化值水平有关(F=8.155,P=0.005)。调整年龄、糖尿病病程、BMI、腰围、HbA1c、收缩压、AHI等因素后,多因素Logistic回归分析显示利拉鲁肽对糖尿病周围神经病变有改善作用(OR=3.426,95%CI:1.024~11.46,P=0.046)。结论利拉鲁肽治疗可能有改善T2DM合并OSAHS患者睡眠呼吸紊乱及糖尿病周围神经病变的作用,对糖尿病肾脏病变、糖尿病视网膜病变无影响。     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

Microbiology of human immunodeficiency virus anorectal disease

PURPOSE: Individuals who are seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus are at high risk for opportunistic infection and anorectal disorders. Little prospective information is available regarding anorectal pathogens in these patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three HIV-seropositive patients presented to the colorectal clinic between 1989 and 1992. Forty-seven (29 percent) patients were thought to have an infectious process and were prospectively studied using a standardized multiculture protocol. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 (range, 19–59) years. All were male; high-risk behavior accounted for 87 percent of HIV transmissions. Presenting complaints included anorectal pain (79 percent), pus per anum (28 percent), and blood per anum (26 percent). Examination revealed perianal tenderness (60 percent), condyloma (38 percent), perianal ulcers (38 percent), and anal fissures (34 percent). Sixty-six sets of cultures were performed; 28 patients had one set, 15 had two sets, and 4 had three sets. Thirty-two of these 47 patients (68 percent) had positive cultures including herpes (50 percent), cytomegalovirus (25 percent),Neisseria gonorrhoeae (16 percent), chlamydia (16 percent), acidfast bacilli (2 percent), and others (9 percent). Six of 32 patients with positive cultures had more than one organism cultured. Sixteen (50 percent) patients with positive cultures were treated medically, 8 (25 percent) were treated surgically and 8 (25 percent) were treated with both modalities. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 17 patients for condylomata. Eighteen patients had 20 procedures for abscesses, 50 percent of whom had positive cultures for other than common bowel flora; all improved. Fourteen patients underwent 33 procedures for perianal fistulas.Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from one patient who required 13 procedures for abscesses and fistulas. Forty-five (96 percent) patients were followed for an average of 12.5 months ±2.9 SEM (range, 1–94 months). Symptoms were improved or resolved in 22 of 32 (69 percent) patients with positive cultures and in 11 of 13 (84 percent) with negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pathogens may often be identified in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with anorectal disorders if aggressively sought. Although patients without specific pathogens identified may be expected to improve with planned empiric treatment, positive identification allows more directed therapy.