不同CRRT方法对减少冠心病合并肾病患者PCI术后造影剂肾病的疗效分析

目的 探讨不同连续肾脏替代疗法（CRRT）对经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）的冠心病合并慢性肾功能不全患者肾功能改善的临床疗效分析。方法 选取2016年1月（与内文不符）[]至2017年8月在我院进行PCI治疗的肾病患者56例作为研究对象,分为两组,普通组28例实行CRRT治疗时间为PCI术后的12小时,加强组CRRP治疗的时间为PCI术前24 h及PCI术后12 h内。将两组患者慢性健康情况、急性生理情况、造影剂肾病（CIN）发生率、血肌酐水平进行比较。结果 普通组与加强组患者一般资料无明显差异。加强组患者CIN发生率比普通组明显减少(7.14% 比39.28%,P< 0.01)。普通组患者PCI术后24 h血肌酐水平比PCI术前增加［(308.14±45.08)μmol/L比 (254.59±80.44)μmol/L, P=0.02］;PCI术后48 h、72 h血肌酐水平与PCI术前差别不大[(232.49±20.12)μmol/L 比 (247.52±54.81)μmol/L 比 (254.59±80.44)μmol/L, P>0.05]。加强组患者PCI术后24 h血肌酐水平与PCI术前无明显差异[(274.04±71.06)μmol/L比 (286.65±53.04)μmol/L,P>0.05];加强组患者PCI术后48 h、72 h血肌酐水平比PCI术前明显减少［(220.12±23.87)μmol/L比 (286.65±53.04)μmol/L,P=0.01］、［(250.17±44.20)μmol/L比 (286.65±53.00)μmol/L,P=0.02］。结论 实施PCI术前、术后均进行CRRT取得的效果比实施PCI术后进行CRRT的效果更好,能够减少造影剂肾病发生。     

经腹腔胆囊穿刺引流术在晚期血吸虫病患者急性胆囊炎治疗中的应用

目的 探讨经腹腔胆囊穿刺引流术（percutaneous cholecystostomy, PC）在晚期血吸虫病患者急性胆囊炎治疗中的应用价值。方法 分析2016年1月—2021年1月在上海市奉贤区中心医院行经腹腔PC的17例晚期血吸虫病合并急性胆囊炎患者临床资料,记录置管操作时间、临床症状缓解时间、保留置管时间,对比分析术前及术后72 h血清相关炎症和肝功能指标。结果 所有穿刺置管均一次性成功,置管操作时间（14.1±4.3） min,临床症状缓解时间（54.2±9.8） h,保留置管时间（19.0±5.4） d。术前血清白细胞计数、中性粒细胞百分比、超敏C反应蛋白、降钙素原、白细胞介素-6分别为20.6（18.2,23.7）×109 /L、（81.2±12.4）%、（140±15） mg/L、（0.46±0.13） ng/mL、（176±25） pg/mL;术后72 h上述血清相关炎症指标分别为13.2（11.5,16.6）×109 /L、（69.9±15.8）%、（81±14） mg/L、（0.34±0.12） ng/mL、（135±25） pg/mL,与术前相比,差异均有统计学意义（Z =-3.962,t =2.261、14.259、3.592、6.432,P均<0.05）。术前丙氨酸氨基转移酶、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶、门冬氨酸氨基转移酶、血清总胆红素、血清总蛋白分别为52.0（30.0,85.5） U/L、62.5（40.0,83.3） U/L、43.0（21.0,59.0） U/L、19.9（15.5,30.4） μmol/L、（54.0±9.7） g/L;术后72 h上述肝功能主要相关指标分别为51.0（28.3,80.5） U/L、58.0（38.5,84.5） U/L、41.9（19.5,50.0） U/L、16.1（14.7,25.7） μmol/L、（68.4±10.3） g/L,与术前相比,血清总胆红素、血清总蛋白差异有统计学意义（Z =-2.150,t =3.603,P均<0.05）。结论 晚期血吸虫病合并急性胆囊炎患者采用经腹腔PC治疗安全有效,对患者后期治疗有积极的影响。     

暴发性心肌炎患者降钙素原及细胞因子水平增高

摘要 目的：分析暴发性心肌炎（FM）患者炎症相关指标白细胞（WBC）计数、降钙素原（PCT）及细胞因子水平变化。方法：连续入选临床诊断FM患者120例，收集实验室炎症相关指标，包括WBC计数及分类、PCT和部分细胞因子水平及其动态变化结果。根据患者出院病情转归情况，将120例FM患者分为非好转组15例与好转组105例，并比较2组血常规、PCT、超敏C反应蛋白（hsCRP）、红细胞沉降率（ESR）及细胞因子水平。结果：①FM患者入院第1天，WBC总数高于正常范围 [均值(9.91±0.41)×109/L]，并且中性粒细胞绝对值升高 [均值(7.98±0.40)×109/L]；入院后第3和7天，WBC计数较第1天升高（P=0.045、0.013）。②入院第1天，PCT（均值2.92ng/mL，参考范围＜0.05ng/mL）显著高于正常值，第3天高达18.26ng/mL ，第7天仍为3.02ng/mL；血中细胞因子水平白介素（IL）-1β、IL-2R、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10和肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）-α水平均显著高于正常范围。③非好转组与好转组比较，仅hsCRP差异有统计学意义（P=0.027）。另外，非好转组细胞因子IL-2R及IL-10高于好转组（P=0.025、0.032）。结论：FM患者细胞因子水平、血浆PCT、外周血WBC及中性粒细胞均显著增高，并与细菌感染无关。     

急性左心衰竭和充血性心力衰竭患者肝功能检测指标差异的临床观察

目的探讨急性左心衰竭(ALHF)和充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者肝功能检测指标(LFTs)的差异。方法入选纽约心功能分级Ⅲ～Ⅳ级的心力衰竭患者137例,根据病情分为ALHF组59例和CHF组78例。收集患者的基本资料,比较两组LFTs和住院病死率的差异。结果与CHF组比较,ALHF组患者的谷丙转氨酶[(34.05±14.48)U/L比(29.41±9.16)U/L]、谷草转氨酶[(30.73±12.47)U/L比(26.64±6.81)U/L]和白蛋白[(38.62±2.70)g/L比(35.33±4.20)g/L]水平均显著升高(分别为t=-2.291,P=0.024;t=-2.454,P=0.015;t=-5.25,P<0.01),而谷氨酰氨基转移酶[(30.7±20.7)U/L比(41.5±32.3)U/L]、总胆红素[(14.22±7.21)μmol/L比(18.42±8.60)μmol/L]、直接胆红素[(6.28±3.46)μmol/L比(8.00±4.67)μmol/L]和间接胆红素[(7.99±4.82)μmol/L比(10.45±5.81)μmol/L]水平均降低(t=2.257,P=0.026;t=3.013,P=0.003;t=2.384,P=0.019;t=2.636,P=0.009)。两组患者的碱性磷酸酶[(75.93±29.01)U/L比(80.42±22.91)U/L]和总蛋白[(65.2±3.8)g/L比(65.9±7.8)g/L]水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。ALHF组患者病死率较CHF组高[17例(28.8%)比8例(10.3%),χ2=7.754,P=0.005]。结论 ALHF患者以谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶升高为主,与肝脏缺血相关,而CHF患者以谷氨酰氨基转移酶、总胆红素、直接胆红素、间接胆红素升高和白蛋白降低为主,与肝脏淤血相关。     

不同剂量阿托伐他汀对经皮冠状动脉介入术后对比剂急性肾损伤的影响

目的 观察经皮冠状动脉介入术（PCI）前使用不同剂量阿托伐他汀对对比剂诱导的急性肾损伤的影响。方法 入选拟行冠状动脉造影检查及拟行PCI术的患者106例,随机分成2组：20 mg阿托伐他汀组及40 mg阿托伐他汀组;入院24 h内完成常规化验检查、心脏彩色超声检查及肾脏血管超声检查,术后48 h复查肾功能。所有患者手术前当日清晨、术后2 h及术后48 h均留取约5 mL中段尿,用胶乳增强免疫透射比浊法统一测定中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白（NGAL）。结果 PCI术后,40 mg阿托伐他汀组与20 mg阿托伐他汀组比较,血清肌酐（77.44±23.14 mmol/L比94.24±36.14 mmol/L,P＝0.014）降低,尿酸（313.05±110.84 μmol/L比354.00±100.66 μmol/L,P＝0.060）降低,肾小球滤过率估计值（92.24±24.74比75.31±31.34,P＝0.009）增高; PCI术后,40 mg阿托伐他汀组与20 mg阿托伐他汀组比较,2 h NGAL（33.13±20.44 μg/L比50.67±46.95 μg/L,P＝0.013）、48 h NGAL（27.56±18.64 μg/L比58.38±56.81 μg/L,P＝0.001）减低;应用对比剂后,20 mg阿托伐他汀组发生对比剂急性肾损伤11例,发生率为20.75%,而40 mg阿托伐他汀组发生对比剂急性肾损伤5例,发生率为9.43%,两组相比差别有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 应用对比剂前3天,每天服用40 mg阿托伐他汀较每天服用20 mg阿托伐他汀更能减少对比剂诱导的急性肾损伤的发生。     

高血压合并冠心病患者血清periostin、AngII水平及其相关性

目的 探讨高血压合并冠心病患者血清骨膜素（periostin,PN）及血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）水平及其临床意义。方法 选取2018年10月至2019年7月在山西医科大学第二医院就诊患者163例,分为原发性高血压合并冠心病（EH+CHD）组81例,原发性高血压（EH）组48例和正常对照组34例;其中EH+CHD组分为陈旧性心肌梗死（OMI）亚组（22例）,不稳定型心绞痛（UA）亚组（31例）,急性心肌梗死（AMI）亚组（28例）。比较各组研究对象血清PN、AngⅡ、总胆固醇（TC） 、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平变化并分析其相关性。结果 血清PN、AngⅡ、TC、TG、LDL-C水平在对照组、EH组及EH+CHD组三组间比较差异有统计学意义,且EH+CHD组>EH组>对照组 [PN：（1629.70±209.03）ng/L比（1774.20±230.22）ng/L比（1952.78±282.41）ng/L;Ang II:（403.52±23.56）ng/L比（579.87±52.36）ng/L比（605.54±67.38）ng/L;TC:（3.92±0.75）mmol/L比（3.95±0.89）mmol/L比（4.87±1.03）mmol/L;TG:(1.29±0.56) mmol/L比(1.49±0.57) mmol/L比(1.91±0.86) mmol/L;LDL-C:(2.27±0.69) mmol/L比(2.19±0.73) mmol/L比(2.67±0.77) mmol/L]（P<0.05）;血清HDL-C水平在对照组、EH组及EH+CHD组三组间比较差异有统计学意义,且EH+CHD组＜EH组＜对照组[HDL-C:(1.21±0.28) mmol/L比(1.13±0.27) mmol/L比(0.98±0.28) mmol/L]（P<0.05）。血清TC、TG、LDL-C及HDL-C水平除在对照组和高血压组无统计学意义（P>0.05）,在其余各组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。EH+CHD的三个亚组中,血清PN与AngⅡ水平各组之间两两比较均有统计学差异,且AMI组>UA组>OMI组[PN:（2131.88±303.95）ng/L比（1955.60±196.48）ng/L比（1720.84±175.38）ng/L;Ang II:（646.41±78.86）ng/L比（602.59±47.88）ng/L比（557.68±37.21）ng/L]（P<0.05）。Pearson相关性分析,血清PN与AngⅡ、TC 、TG、LDL-C水平呈正相关关系（rAngⅡ=0.580,rTC=0.338,rTG=0.384,rLDL-C=0.318,P<0.05）,血清PN与HDL-C水平呈负相关关系（rHDL-C=-0.320,P<0.05）。结论 血清periostin水平与冠心病及高血压密切相关,联合检测PN和AngⅡ可以更好的反映高血压合并冠心病患者疾病的严重程度;PN可能是高血压合并冠心病治疗的靶点。     

氟伐他汀对糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征病人炎症因子的影响

目的观察糖尿病和非糖尿病急性冠脉综合征病人炎症反应的差异以及评价氟伐他汀治疗糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征患者炎症指标的变化。方法检测48例糖尿病急性冠脉综合征病人与年龄和性别匹配的48例非糖尿病急性冠脉综合征病人入院时的高敏C反应蛋白和白细胞记数,并分析糖尿病组加氟伐他汀和未加氟伐他汀治疗前后高敏C反应蛋白和白细胞记数的差异。结果糖尿病组急性冠脉综合征病人高敏C反应蛋白和白细胞记数明显高于非糖尿病组(13.13±3.73mg/Lν10.84±3.09 mg/L,P<0.01;8.89±1.65×109/Lν7.98±1.36×109/L,P<0.01),糖尿病组氟伐他汀治疗后高敏C反应蛋白和白细胞记数明显要低于治疗前及非氟伐他汀治疗组(9.93±2.60 mg/Lν13.23±3.81mg/L,P<0.01;7.21±1.51×109/Lν9.09±1.75×109/L,P<0.0),(9.93±2.60mg/Lν12.30±2.57 mg/L,P<0.01;7.21±1.51×109/Lν8.26±1.75×109/L,P<0.05)。结论急性冠脉综合征合并糖尿病的病人其炎性指标较非糖尿病病人升高更加明显,氟伐他汀能明显降低糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征病人的炎性指标。     

24例单核细胞增生李斯特菌败血症患者临床特征分析

目的?分析总结12例非妊娠期单核细胞增生李斯特菌（Listeria monocytogenes, LM）败血症患者和12例妊娠期LM败血症患者的临床特征，为临床诊治提供依据。方法?回顾性分析2010年10月—2021年6月在首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院住院治疗并经血培养确诊的12例非妊娠期LM败血症患者（非妊娠组）和12例妊娠期LM败血症患者（妊娠组）的临床特征。结果?临床表现包括发热、胃肠道症状等，妊娠组4例可见胎心异常（33.3%），非妊娠组患者5例合并中枢神经系统感染（41.7%）。妊娠组WBC[（15.44±6.59）×109/L vs. （7.58±3.89）×109/L，P=0.002]、中性粒细胞计数[（11.94±6.17）×109/L vs. （6.45±3.65）×109/L，P=0.015]及淋巴细胞计数[（2.32±1.39）×109/L vs. （0.66±0.55）×109/L，P=0.001]均明显高于非妊娠组患者；C-反应蛋白则低于非妊娠组患者[13.35（35.28）mg/L vs. 42.5（161.23）mg/L， P=0.011]。所有患者经验性初始治疗均以头孢菌素为主，其中妊娠组7例，非妊娠组8例。血培养阳性后调整治疗方案，最终非妊娠组5例患者死亡；妊娠组孕妇无死亡，但仅有2例孕妇顺利分娩活胎。其中1例新生儿诊断LM败血症（早发型），经青霉素钠联合美罗培南抗感染后基本病愈。结论?LM感染易误诊漏诊，妊娠期早期及时准确的治疗可避免妊娠不良结局。临床中若患者出现发热或可疑败血症时，无论免疫功能是否存在缺陷，尽早选用覆盖LM的抗菌药物及尽快明确病原学能够极大改善预后。     

Kinetics of phytohemaglutinin-induced IFN-γ and TNF-a expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B after liver transplantation

AIM:To study the association between host immunity and hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation. METHODS:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 40 patients with hepatitis B and underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) before and 2,4,8 wk after surgery. After being cultured in vitrofor 72 h, the levels of INF-γ and TNF-a in culture supernatants were detected with ELISA. At the same time, the quantities of HBV DNA in serum and PBMCs were measured by real time PCR. RESULTS:The levels of INF-γ and TNF-a in PBMC culture supernatants decreased before and 2, 4 wk after surgery in turns (INF-γ 155.52±72.32 ng/L vs 14.76±9.88 ng/L vs 13.22±10.35 ng/L, F=6.946, P=0.027<0.05; TNF-α 80.839±46.75 ng/L vs 18.59±17.29 ng/L vs 9.758±7.96 ng/L, F=22.61, P=0.000K0.05). The levels of INF-γ and TNF-a were higher in groups with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) than in those without PHA before surgery. However, the difference disappeared following OLT. Furthermore, INF-y and TNF-a could not be detected in most patients at wk 4 and none at wk 8 after OLT. The HBV detection rate and virus load in PBMC before and 2,4 wk after surgery were fluctuated (HBV detected rate:51,4%, 13.3%, 50% respectively; HBV DNA:3.55±0.674 log(10) copies/mL vs 3.00±0.329 log(10) copies/mL vs 4.608±1.344 log(10) copies/mL, F=7.582, P=0.002<0.05). HBV DNA in serum was 4.48±1.463 log(10) copies/mL before surgery and <10~3 copies/mL after OLT except for one with 5.72xl0~6 copies/mL 4 wk after OLT who was diagnosed as HBV recurrence. The levels of INF-γ and TNF-α were lower in patients with a high HBV load than in those with a low HBV load (HBV DNA detected/undetected in PBMCs:IFN-γ 138.08±72.44 ng/L vs 164.24±72.07 ng/L, t=1.065, P=0.297>0.05, TNF-α 80.75±47.30 ng/L vs74.10±49.70 ng/L, t=0.407, P=0.686> 0.05; HBV DNA positive/negative:IFN-γ 136.77±70.04 ng/L vs 175.27±71.50 ng/L, t=1.702, P=0.097>0.05; TNF-α 75.37±43.02 ng/L vs 81.53±52.46 ng/L, t=0.402, P=0.690>0.05). CONCLUSION:The yielding of INF-γ and TNF-α from PBMCs is inhibited significantly by immunosuppressive agents following OLT with HBV load increased, indicating that the impaired immunity of host is associated with HBV recurrence after OLT.     

猪尾型鼻胆引流管改制新型胆管塑料支架在肝门部胆管癌中的应用

目的　比较猪尾型鼻胆引流管改制的新型胆管塑料支架与普通胆管塑料支架在姑息治疗肝门部胆管癌中的有效性和安全性。方法　收集2018年6月—2020年12月于北部战区总医院内窥镜科因肝门部胆管癌导致的梗阻性黄疸行经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术姑息性治疗的38例患者资料,其中20例患者使用猪尾型鼻胆引流管改制支架（新型组）,18例患者使用普通塑料支架（普通组）。随访至2021年5月30日,比较两组的操作时间、住院时间、术后胆管炎发生率、胆红素下降水平、支架通畅时间等指标。结果　新型组和普通组的操作时间分别为（19.85±1.07） min和（22.00±3.38） min, 差异无统计学意义（t=1.26,P=0.607）。新型组和普通组的住院时间分别为（11.45±2.39）d和（11.33±3.51） d,差异无统计学意义（t=-0.52,P=0.938）。新型支架与普通支架术后第5天较术前总胆红素降低幅度中位数分别为122.85 μmol/L 和 96.25 μmol/L,差异有统计学意义（Z=-2.03,P=0.042）。新型组远期胆管炎发生率低于普通组［10.0%（2/20）比44.4%（8/18）］,差异有统计学意义（P=0.027）。新型组支架引流通畅时间高于普通组［（109.45±32.67）d比（82.11±20.95）d］,差异有统计学意义（t=2.23,P=0.032）。结论　相比普通胆管塑料支架,猪尾型鼻胆引流管改制的新型胆管塑料支架在姑息性治疗肝门部胆管梗阻时,可降低远期胆管炎发生率、延长胆管支架通畅期。     

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.     

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.     

N-acetyl-L-cysteine combined with mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis： Randomized,placebo-controlled pilot study

AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral N-acetyl-L-cysteine （NAC） co-administration with mesalamine in ulcerative colitis （UC） patients.
METHODS： Thirty seven patients with mild to moderate UC were randomized to receive a four-wk course of oral mesalamine （2.4 g/d） plus N-acetyl-L-cysteine （0.8 g/d） （group A） or mesalamine plus placebo （group B）. Patients were monitored using the Modified Truelove-Witts Severity Index （MTWSI）. The primary endpoint was clinical remission （MTWSI ≤ 2） at 4 wk. Secondary endpoints were clinical response （defined as a reduction from baseline in the MTWSI of ≥ 2 points） and drug safety. The serum TNF-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and MCP-1 were evaluated at baseline and at 4 wk of treatment. RESULTS： Analysis per-protocol criteria showed clinical remission rates of 63% and 50% after 4 wk treatment with mesalamine plus N-acetyl-L-cysteine （group A） and mesalamine plus placebo （group B） respectively （OR = 1.71; 95% CI： 0.46 to 6.36; P = 0.19; NNT = 7.7）. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） of data indicated a significant reduction of MTWSI in group A （P = 0.046） with respect to basal condition without significant changes in the group B （P = 0.735） during treatment. Clinical responses were 66% （group A） vs 44% （group B） after 4 wk of treatment （OR = 2.5; 95% CI： 0.64 to 9.65; P = 0.11; NNT = 4.5）. Clinical improvement in group A correlated with a decrease of IL-8 and MCP-1. Rates of adverse events did not differ significantly between both groups.
CONCLUSION： In group A （oral NAC combined with mesalamine） contrarily to group B （mesalamine alone）, the clinical improvement correlates with a decrease of chemokines such as MCP-1 and IL-8. NAC addition not produced any side effects.     

Delorme's transrectal excision for internal rectal prolapse

Surgical therapy of functional outlet obstruction in patients with internal rectal intussusception may include abdominal, perineal, or transrectal procedures. Because abdominal procedures often result in significant physiologic impact but unrelieved constipation, the authors have elected Delorme's transrectal excision for management of these patients. Since a short-term placebo effect attends many therapies, this report describes results of transrectal excision only after a threeyear postoperative period. Delorme's transrectal excision of internal intussusception accomplished sustained symptomatic relief in over 70 percent of otherwise refractory constipated patients. The association of internal intussusception with other abnormalities underscores the importance of defining both anatomic and functional components when selecting patients whose constipation may require surgical therapy. Critical technical elements, surgical pitfalls, and potential complications of the procedure are discussed.Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Toronto, Canada, June 11 to 16, 1989.     

The oral glucose tolerance test: A comparison of the time points on the basis of limit values,normal dispersion,and reproducibility

Summary Time points in the glucose tolerance test (GTT) are compared on the basis of limit values, dispersion within a reference population, and reproducibility. We suggest using the distance between a limit value and the median reference value as a measure of the magnitude of abnormality. The distance between 140 mg/100 ml and the median fasting plasma glucose value is chosen as a standard distance and limits for other points in the GTT are calculated to equal this standard distance of abnormality. We suggest that the probability of correctly interpreting an inividual result is directly related to the reproducibility of the test and inversely related to the percentage of the total range of values which is dispersed among the normal population. The ratio of reproducibility to percentage normal dispersion is proposed as an index of the probability of correctly interpreting an individual result. According to this index, the probability of correct interpretation varies in order: fasting plasma glucose concentration>3-h>2-h>0.5-h>1-h plasma glucose concentration.