Antidiuretic hormone and renal function after water loading in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

Renal function and plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels were studied basally and after oral water load in four groups of subjects: 15 healthy controls (group I), 15 cirrhotics without ascites (group II), 15 cirrhotics with ascites (group III), and 10 decompensated cirrhotics with hyponatremia (group IV). Renal function and ADH levels were normal in group II. In groups III and IV water diuresis and fractional proximal sodium excretion were significantly decreased, whereas fractional distal sodium resorption and fractional excretion of potassium did not differ from those of controls. Basal ADH was significantly increased only in patients of group IV. In these patients ADH remained abnormally high after water loading. ADH did not correlate with water diuresis, plasma osmolality, mean arterial pressure, and plasma renin activity. We conclude that impaired water excretion in decompensated cirrhotics without hyponatremia cannot be ascribed to high serum levels of ADH. On the contrary, it seems to be related mainly to a reduced delivery of filtrate to the diluting segment of the nephron. In cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia high levels of ADH may play an additional role.     

Nitric oxide metabolites and arginase I levels in β-thalassemic patients: an Egyptian study

Stored red blood cells become deficient in nitric oxide that limits their ability to transfer oxygen to tissues that need it. The aims of this study are to assess the endogenous nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and arginase I levels in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemic patients; to compare these levels in patients transfused with fresh RBCs with patients transfused with old RBCs, β-thalassemic minor patients, and normal control; and to correlate these levels with some clinical variables. Group I was composed of 23 patients with homozygous β-thalassemia on hypertransfusion regimen. They were adequately transfused with fresh RBC. Group II was composed of 17 patients with homozygous β-thalassemia on hypertransfusion regimen. They were adequately transfused with old RBCs. Group III was composed of 30 patients with homozygous β-thalassemia. They were adequately transfused with fresh RBCs. Group IV was composed of 18 patients with homozygous β-thalassemia. They were adequately transfused with old RBCs. Both group III and group IV were supposed to be on hypertransfusion regimen, but they did not follow the regimen. Group V was composed of 21 patients of β-thalassemia minor. Nineteen apparently healthy individuals (HbAA) served as a control group (group VI). In addition to routine laboratory investigations, plasma levels of NOx and serum levels of arginase I were assessed in all subjects. The mean values of plasma NOx were significantly decreased in groups III and IV compared to the other groups. Also, the levels of NOx were significantly decreased in patients who received old RBCs compared to the other groups. There were high serum levels of arginase I in groups III and IV compared to the other groups. There were significant negative correlations between plasma NOx and some hemolytic biochemical markers in groups III and IV. There were significant positive correlations between serum arginase I and some hemolytic biochemical markers in groups III and IV. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between plasma NOx and serum arginase I levels in groups III and IV. In non-adequately transfused patients with β-thalassemia major, inactivation of NO correlates with hemolytic rate and is associated with the erythrocyte release of cell-free hemoglobin, which consumes NO directly, and the simultaneous release of the arginine-metabolizing enzyme arginase, which limits bioavailability of the NO synthase substrate, arginine, during the process of hemolysis. New treatments aimed at improving arginine and NO bioavailability through arginase inhibition, suppression of hemolytic rate, oral arginine supplementation, predonation testing, and transfusion of fresh RBCs or use of NO donors represent potential therapeutic strategies for this common hemolytic disorder.     

舒张性心力衰竭患者血浆Apelin-12水平变化

目的:探讨舒张性心力衰竭(心衰)患者血浆Apelin-12水平的变化及临床意义。方法:选择2010-01-2010-06期间在我院心内科住院的慢性心衰患者60例,舒张性心衰(A组)20例,收缩性心衰(B组)40例,后者再分为3个亚组,心功能Ⅱ级组9例,心功能Ⅲ级组20例,心功能Ⅳ级组11例。健康体检者20例为对照组。酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定血浆Apelin-12水平。结果:A组和B组血浆Apelin-12水平均明显低于对照组[(1.55±0.18)ng/L,(0.91±0.15)ng/L∶(3.55±0.26)ng/L,均P<0.05],其中,A组高于B组,P<0.05。B组不同的心功能分级Apelin-12水平差异无统计学意义,P=0.126。结论:舒张性心衰患者和收缩性心衰患者,血浆Apelin-12水平均降低,与心功能分级无关。     

Representative drug susceptibility patterns for guiding design of re-treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Iran

Background and objective:   The prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has increased substantially in the past 20 years, however, there are no data specific to Iran. This study investigated patients suspected to have MDR-TB, attending the TB referral hospital in Iran.
Methods:   All patients suspected of having MDR-TB on hospital admission in the period 2003–2005 were included in this study. Sputum from all patients was tested for smear and culture, and drug sensitivity testing was performed using the proportion method. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their history of medical treatment. Group I consisted of patients with CAT I regimen failure; Group II consisted of patients with a history of CAT II regimen failure and Group III comprised patients with a history of more than two courses of irregular CAT I anti-TB regimen.
Results:   There were 105 patients recruited; 32 in Group I, 53 in Group II and 20 in Group III. There were no significant differences between the three groups in their resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs. Fifty-five patients were diagnosed with MDR-TB. The prevalence of MDR-TB was 56% (18 cases) in group I, 49% (26 cases) in group II and 55% (11 cases) in group III. No significant difference in the pattern of drug resistance was observed between the three groups.
Conclusion:   The prevalence of MDR-TB was high in this study. The lack of response of MDR-TB patients to CAT II treatment indicates that antibiotic sensitivity testing is essential in patients with CAT I treatment failure.     

Elevation of serum and ascites cancer antigen 125 levels in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 elevation has been reported in patients with liver disease, but it is poorly characterized. The present study aimed to evaluate the range of serum and ascitic CA 125 levels in patients with liver cirrhosis and to explore possible factors associated with CA 125 elevation. METHODS: A total of 70 patients were studied. Group I consisted of 30 patients with liver cirrhosis with or without ascites. Group II consisted of 30 patients with digestive malignant tumors with or without ascites. Group III consisted of 10 patients with benign ascites. The CA 125 levels were measured in the serum of all patients and also simultaneously in the ascitic fluid of 15 patients. RESULTS: Serum CA125 levels in 80% of (24/30) patients from group I were elevated, particularly in those with ascites, irrespective of the etiology of cirrhosis. Serum CA 125 levels were correlated with Child-Pugh scores (r = 0.38), but not significantly (P = 0.06). All patients from group II with ascites and from group III had elevated serum CA 125 levels, but there was no difference in the serum CA 125 levels between patients with ascites from group I (275 +/- 175 U/mL), group II (368 +/- 190 U/mL) or group III (396 +/- 287 U/mL), nor was there a significant difference in ascitic CA 125 levels (P > 0.05). The levels of serum CA 125 (198 +/- 108 U/mL) were lower than, but correlated with that of ascites (460 +/- 234 U/mL, r = 0.58, P = 0.026). The elevation of serum CA 125 accompanied by abnormalities of other tumor markers was more common in malignant ascites than in benign ascites (90% compared with 6%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The elevation of serum CA 125 is common in patients with liver cirrhosis. It is related to the presence of ascites, and possibly to the insufficiency of liver function, but not the etiology of cirrhosis and ascites. Serum CA 125 probably comes from ascites. It usually predicts benign disease if the elevation of serum or ascites CA 125 is not accompanied by the abnormalities of other tumor markers.     

直立倾斜试验中血压、心率及血浆去甲肾上腺素变化意义的初步探讨

目的：研究直立倾斜试验（ＨＵＴ）中平均动脉压、心率及血浆去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）水平变化。方法：３５例不明原因晕厥患者及１５名正常对照者行ＨＵＴ时，观察平均动脉压、心率及ＮＥ的改变。结果：平卧位及直立倾斜后５分钟ＨＵＴ阳性（Ｉ组）、阴性（Ｉ组）和对照（ＩＩ组）３组平均动脉压、心率及ＮＥ无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。ＨＵＴ检查结束时，Ｉ组平均动脉压、心率较平卧位显著下降（Ｐ＜０．０１），而Ｉ、ＩＩ组较平卧位则上升（Ｐ＜０．０５）；Ｉ组与ＩＩ、ＩＩ组有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．０１）。血浆ＮＥ水平３组均较平卧位有显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５），但３组之间无显著性差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。结论：ＨＵＴ时不能仅仅依据血浆ＮＥ水平来判断体内交感神经张力的高低。     

The possibility of hereditary factors in the susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in NIDDM]

Diabetic nephropathy is the most important complication of diabetes, because it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for diabetic subjects. Since not all subjects with diabetes are at risk of developing this complication, we conducted a study to determine if heredity might be a possible risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in non-insulin dependent diabetes. Twenty-one factors including inheritance of nephropathy and hypertension were investigated in 109 individuals with NIDDM: 50 patients without proteinuria (Group I), 20 patients with intermittent proteinuria (Group II), and 39 patients with continuous proteinuria (Group III) matched for age and duration of diabetes. Of those patients, 55 patients with inheritance of diabetes were also divided into three groups: 29 patients without proteinuria (Group I), 9 patients with intermittent proteinuria (Group II), and 17 patients with continuous proteinuria (Group III). Individuals in Groups II and III has significantly higher frequency of inheritance of diabetic nephropathy than those in Group I, and also individuals with inheritance of diabetic nephropathy had significantly higher frequency of diabetic nephropathy than those without it. Frequency of hypertension, retinopathy and body mass index in the past were significantly higher in subjects in Groups II or Group III than in those in Group I. There were no significant differences between subjects in Groups II and III. These findings suggest that susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in NIDDM may be hereditary, although hypertension and obesity may also be important risk factors for diabetic nephropathy.     

Procalcitonin,and cytokines document a dynamic inflammatory state in non-infected cirrhotic patients with ascites

AIM: To quantitate the simultaneous serum and ascitic fluid levels of procalcitonin and inflammatory markers in cirrhotics with and without ascites.METHODS: A total of 88 consecutive severe cirrhotic patients seen in a large city hospital liver clinic were studied and divided into two groups, those with and without ascites. Group 1 consisted of 41 cirrhotic patients with massive ascites, as demonstrated by necessity for therapeutic large-volume paracentesis. Group 2 consisted of 47 cirrhotic patients without any clinically documented ascites to include either a recent abdominal computed tomography scan or ultrasound study. Serum and ascitic fluid levels of an array of inflammatory markers, including procalcitonin, were measured and compared to each other and a normal plasma panel (NPP).RESULTS: The values for inflammatory markers assayed in the serum of Groups 1 and 2, and ascitic fluid of the Group 1. The plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, interferon gamma (IFNγ) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were all significantly greater in the serum of Group 1 as compared to that of the serum obtained from the Group 2 subjects (all P < 0.05). There were significantly greater serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, vascular endothelial growth factor and EGF when comparing Group 2 to the NPP. There was no significant difference for IL-1A, IL-1B, IL-2, IL-4 and IFNγ levels between these two groups. Serum procalcitonin levels were increased in cirrhotics with ascites compared to cirrhotics without ascites, but serum levels were similar to ascites levels within the ascites group. Furthermore, many of these cytokines, but not procalcitonin, demonstrate an ascites-to-serum gradient. Serum procalcitonin does not demonstrate any significant difference segregated by liver etiology in the ascites group; but ascitic fluid procalcitonin is elevated significantly in cardiac cirrhosis/miscellaneous subgroup compared to the hepatitis C virus and alcoholic cirrhosis subgroups.CONCLUSION: Procalcitonin in the ascitic fluid, but not in the serum, differentiates between cirrhotic subgroup reflecting the dynamic interplay of ascites, bacterial translocation and the peri-peritoneal cytokine.     

Paracentesis with Dextran 70 vs. paracentesis with albumin in cirrhosis with tense ascites : Results of a randomized study

Forty-one patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites were randomized to receive daily paracentesis of 5 liters associated with Dextran 70 as volume expander (6 g for each 1000 ml of ascites removed) (group I = 20 patients) or paracentesis with albumin (6 g for each 1000 ml of ascites) (group II = 21 patients). The basal clinical features, laboratory data, and plasma renin activity were similar in both groups. The volume of ascites removed was 12.9 +/- 4.4 and 10.9 +/- 3.7 liters in group I and II, respectively (n.s.). No significant changes were observed in liver and renal function tests, KPTT, platelet count, factor VIII, serum electrolytes or plasma renin activity 24 and 96 h after the last paracentesis in both groups, except for a decrease in bilirubin in group I and a transient increase of serum albumin in group II. Four patients developed complications in each group, mainly hyponatremia, while one patient in each group developed renal impairment. One patient from group I died with hepatic encephalopathy. Moreover, the probability of survival and readmission to the hospital because of tense ascites were similar in both groups of patients during the follow-up. The treatment cost with Dextran 70 was 15.50 dollars vs. 364.30 dollars with albumin for each patient treated. These results indicate that repeated large volume paracentesis associated with Dextran 70 is as effective and safe as paracentesis associated with albumin in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites. However, due to its reduced cost, paracentesis with Dextran 70 may be considered the treatment of choice in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites without liver cancer and renal failure.     

Use of Captopril in the Diagnosis of Renal Hypertension

Abstract: 1 . The effects of a single 25 mg oral dose of captopril on blood pressure, heart rate and circulating renin, angiotensin I, angiotensin II, bradykinin and catecholamine levels were examined in untreated patients with essential (n = 10, Group I), accelerated (n = 6, Group II) and renal hypertension (n = 8, Group III) studied on a normal sodium diet .
2 . Mean blood pressure fell only slightly in Group I patients, (113 ± 3 to 109 ± 3 mmHg at 60 minutes) but a greater fall was observed in Group II (153 ± 8 to 135 ± 11 mmHg) and a marked fall in Group III, (136 ± 3 to 114 ± 5 mmHg). There were no significant changes in heart rate in any group .
3 . Plasma angiotensin II levels were significantly reduced 30 minutes after captopril in all three groups and returned toward resting values after four hours. The falls in plasma angiotensin II levels were accompanied by reciprocal increases in blood angiotensin I and plasma renin, but blood bradykinin and plasma catecholamine concentrations remained unchanged .
4 . Resting plasma renin levels showed considerable overlap in the three groups and the mean renin values were not significantly different in the three groups. After captopril a marked rise in plasma renin concentration (>2.5 ng/ml/hr) was observed in seven patients in Group III, including all six patients with renovascular disease. In contrast, none of the patients with essential hypertension and only one patient with accelerated hypertension had such an increase. Determination of the acute renin and blood pressure responses to converting enzyme inhibition with a single oral dose of captopril appears to be useful in identifying patients with renovascular hypertension .     

Altered heel-pad mechanical properties in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To compare the heel-pad mechanical properties in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with forefoot ulceration, without forefoot ulceration and age-matched healthy subjects. METHODS: Heel-pad mechanical properties in 40 heels of 20 healthy subjects (group I) age-matched with the other groups, 42 heels of 21 diabetic patients without forefoot ulceration (group II), and 14 heels of 12 diabetic patients with active forefoot ulceration (group III) were assessed using a self-constructed loading-unloading device and a 10-MHz linear-array ultrasound transducer. RESULTS: There were no differences in the unloaded heel-pad thickness, compressibility index and elastic modulus between the three groups. When compared with group I subjects (mean +/- SD, 27.9 +/- 6.1%), a significant increase (P < 0.001) was found in both group II (36.1 +/- 8.7%) and group III patients (43.2 +/- 6.6%) for the energy dissipation ratio. This ratio was also significantly different (P = 0.003) between groups II and III. CONCLUSIONS: The higher impact energy dissipated in the heel-pad may put patients with Type 2 diabetes at higher risk for developing foot ulceration.     

Unpredictability of clinical evaluation of renal function in cirrhosis: Prospective study

The natural course of renal function in patients with cirrhosis and ascites but without azotemia is unclear. Therefore, a prospective evaluation of 23 non-azotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites was carried out over a three-year interval. Assessment included evaluation of serum electrolyte values, liver function tests, plasma renin levels, and parathyroid hormone levels. Renal function was determined by measurement of clearances of water and solute excretion, and simultaneous clearances of para-amino hippurate, inulin, and creatinine. The initial mean glomerular filtration rate was 66 mi/minute, serum creatinine level was 1.1 mg/dl, and blood urea nitrogen value was 13 mg/dl. The glomerular filtration rate showed marked variability among patients. On the basis of initial glomerular filtration rate, the patients were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of patients with supranormal filtration rates (mean 183 ml/minute), Group II constituted patients with normal filtration rates (mean 92 ml/minute), and Group III comprised patients with severely impaired filtration rates (mean 32 mi/minute). The serum creatinine level was below 1.5 mg/dl in all three groups. Serial measurement of renal function was performed in 18 patients over a mean of 310 days (range four to 1,176 days). Eighty-six percent of patients studied from Groups I and II maintained a normal or supranormal glomerular filtration rate over one year. However, most patients in Group III showed a progressive decline in filtration rate, despite no change in serum creatinine value. Sixty-seven percent of Group III patients died over a mean of one year. The mean 24-hour solute excretion among Group III patients was only 263 mOsm per day, significantly less than the control value of 874 mOsm per day in other hospitalized non-cirrhotic patients. The serum creatinine level frequently failed to rise above normal even when the glomerular filtration rate was very low (less than 25 ml/minute), and creatinine clearance overestimated inulin clearance by a factor of two in Group III patients. However, the creatinine index was an aid in determining true glomerular filtration rate and may be a useful clinical test in the evaluation of renal insufficiency in cirrhotic patients with normal serum creatinine values. Many patients with cirrhosis and ascites will have a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 ml/minute but a normal serum creatinine level. These patients may constitute a previously unrecognized large group.     

Effect of smoking on different biological parameters in aging mice

To investigate the harmful effect of smoking three groups of CBA/Ca male mice of different ages were subjected to smoking for different time durations. Body weight changes and acute cold tolerance were measured throughout the experiment. Thyroid hormone levels (T4, T3), TSH and lipid peroxidation products (as malondialdehyde and lipofuscin) were determined from either the blood or some organs. There was a decrease in body weight related to aging and it was most pronounced in the oldest animals (Group III). However, significant body-weight loss due to smoking was found in the youngest animals (Group I). Similarly, smoking resulted in a body-weight loss of the other two older groups (Groups II and III) as well. The greatest change in withstanding cold stress was measured in Group I and less so in Group II, as a consequence of smoking. Simultaneously, the youngest animals (Group I) showed the most remarkable changes in thyroxine (T4) and 3,3,4-triiodothyronine (T3) serum concentrations. Both hormone levels were significantly lower in the smokers. The T3 serum levels of the oldest animals (Group III) did not differ, while the T4 levels apparently increased. The TSH blood level in the oldest group was lower (by 20%) in the smokers compared to controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipofuscin content in most of the organs were considerably higher in the aging animals than those of the younger ones. The most significant elevations of these lipid peroxidation products were found in the smokers compared to the age-matched controls. The present results indicate that smoking probably accelerates the aging process.     

Effects of carbohydrate-containing and carbohydrate-restricted hypocaloric and eucaloric diets on serum concentrations of retinol-binding protein, thyroxine-binding prealbumin and transferrin

The effects of diet on the serum concentrations of albumin, transferrin, thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) were studied in 3 groups of obese subjects (Groups I-III) and 1 group of normal weight subjects (Group IV). Group I subjects ate either a 830 kcal carbohydrate-containing diet (CCD) or carbohydrate-restricted diet (CRD), Group II and III subjects ate a hypocaloric CRD. Subjects in Group IV ate a eucaloric CRD. Serum albumin concentrations did not change in any of the 4 groups. Only the subjects in Group II had a statistically significant decrease in serum transferrin concentration 6 wk after starting the hypocaloric, CRD. Group I individuals eating the CRD and the subjects in Groups II, III and IV had significant decreases in the serum concentrations of TBPA and RBP after 1 wk which persisted without further change during the remaining 3-5 wk of the diets. Group I subjects eating the CCD had a significant decrease in TBPA concentration at 1 and 6 wk. The RBP serum concentration was significantly decreased after 1 wk on the diet, but was not significantly different from the control diet period at 6 wk. The magnitude of the decreases in serum concentrations of TBPA and RBP in the Group I subjects eating the CRD were significantly greater than in the Group I subjects eating the CCD. Thus, ingestion of a hypocaloric, CRD by obese individuals results in decreased serum concentrations of TBPA and RBP. Isocaloric substitution of carbohydrate for fat reduces this effect. Dietary carbohydrate apparently modulates the serum concentrations of TBPA and RBP, independently of caloric intake, since ingestion of a eucaloric CRD by normal weight individuals also decreased the serum concentration of the two visceral proteins.     

Pituitary gland growth during normal pregnancy: an in vivo study using magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE: Autopsy studies have shown that pregnancy results in physiologic pituitary enlargement. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to corroborate those findings in vivo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on gestational age, 32 normal primigravid patients were divided into three groups: Group I (n = 10), less than 12 gestational weeks; Group II (n = 11), 13 to 26 gestational weeks; and Group III (n = 11), 27 gestational weeks or more. The pituitary dimensions and volumes in these groups were compared with those in 20 healthy nulliparous women (control group). RESULTS: MRI measurements showed a significant increase in pituitary volume in Groups I, II, and III when compared with the control group (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, there was an increase in pituitary volume between Groups I and II and between Groups II and III, although the former was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). At the end of pregnancy, the hypophysis had increased 2.6 mm in vertical, anteroposterior, and transversal dimensions, with an overall increase of 136 percent when compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Baseline measurements of the normal enlargement of the pituitary gland that occurs during pregnancy could prove useful when evaluating pregnant patients with suspected pituitary tumors or lymphocytic hypophysitis.     

肾素、血管紧张素Ⅱ及抗利尿激素与肝硬化腹水形成的关系

目的肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统（RAAS）、抗利尿激素（ADH）与腹水的形成有着密切的关系，本研究旨在通过观察肝硬化患者血浆肾素活性（PRA）、血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）以及ADH水平，探讨PRA、AngⅡ及ADH与肝硬化患者腹水形成的关系。方法选择47例肝硬化患者，其中Child—Pugh分级A级13例，B级19例，c级15例，肝硬化无腹水13例，腹水伴肝肾综合征（hepatorenal syndrome，HRS）8例，腹水无HRS26例，应用放射免疫方法分别检测其血浆PRA、AngⅡ及ADH表达水平进行检测，并以30例健康人为对照组进行比较。结果（肝功能）Child—PughB级及C级患者PRAAngⅡ及ADH水平均明显高于对照组与A级组，肝硬化患者在未合并腹水时PRA、AngⅡ及ADH水平与对照组比较无显著差异，在出现腹水后，与对照组比较差异有显著意义（P〈0．01）。腹水伴HRS组与腹水无HRS组比较，有显著差异（P〈0．05）。结论肝硬化患者血浆PRA、AngⅡ及ADH与肝硬化腹水的形成密切相关。     

Mitochondria number as a prognostic parameter in dilated cardiomyopathy. A long-term follow-up study

According to morphological criteria of the myocardium, patients with clinical and hemodynamic signs of dilated cardiomyopathy were divided into three groups. Group I: patients with 1-2 mitochondria per 2 sarcomeres (n = 46); Group II: patients with more than 2 mitochondria per 2 sarcomeres (n = 47); Group III: patients with histological findings of myocarditis in the past (n = 33). Mean follow-up in groups I, II, III was 29, 22, 26 months, respectively (6-58, 3-52, 3-62/median 29, 18, 22). Clinical parameters were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the prospective observation and were classified clinically as "improved, unchanged, deteriorated"; "heart transplantation", "death of cardial causes", "death of other than cardial causes" or "lost to follow up" were the other endpoints of the observation. At the beginning there were no hemodynamic differences between groups I, II, III, except significant difference in ejection fraction and mean ventricular shortening velocity between groups I and II. Scored together with the clinical symptoms "deterioration" and "death of cardial causes" as endpoints, survival rates without event up to 5 years in group I were 83 +/- 7% compared with group II 33 +/- 13% and group III 86 +/- 8%. There were significant differences (p less than 0.01). We conclude that the increased number of mitochondria per 2 sarcomeres in biopsy specimen of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy can be a significant parameter of deteriorated prognosis.     

Exercise testing in patients with the sick sinus syndrome

Heart rate response to exercise was compared in three groups of subjects; 22 patients (mean age 63.7 years) with sick sinus syndrome and no other significant heart disease (Group I); 10 subjects of the same age with stable, asymptomatic sinus bradycardia at rest (Group II); 29 age-matched controls (Group III). All subjects underwent maximal, symptom-limited exercise testing and the maximal heart rate (HR max), the ratio between HR max and the theoretical maximal heart rate (HR%), exercise capacity (EC) and the ratio between heart rate % and exercise capacity (HR%/EC) % of the three groups were compared. Maximal heart rate, heart rate % and (HR%/EC) % in Group I patients were significantly lower than in Group III subjects (119.1 +/- 24.0 vs 139.0 +/- 18.2; 76.0 +/- 13.9 vs 87.9 +/- 10.8 and 83.0 +/- 19.3 vs 97.5 +/- 15.1 respectively); (HR%/EC) % was significantly lower in Group I patients compared to Group II subjects (83.0 +/- 19.3 vs 101.5 +/- 28.6). Heart rate response was the same in Group I and Group II patients and exercise capacity did not differ in the three groups. Maximal heart rate, heart rate % and (HR%/EC) % were similar in Group II and Group III subjects. The association of (HR%/EC) % less than or equal to 85% with either HR max less than or equal to 110/min or HR% less than or equal to 70% at the end of maximal exercise testing may be suggestive of sick sinus syndrome. The reduced heart rate response during exercise may be helpful in assessing sick sinus syndrome in patients with no other signs of heart disease.     

Plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profile in alcoholic patients with and without liver disease: on the relative roles of alcohol and liver injury

In the present study, we report on alterations in plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein patterns in three separate populations of alcoholic patients, one without liver damage (Group I), a second presenting steatosis or mild alcoholic hepatitis or both (Group II) and a third with alcoholic cirrhosis (Group III), using a healthy, normolipidemic, nonalcoholic group as controls (Group C). Total plasma cholesterol levels were elevated in Groups II and III when compared with Groups I and C, while the ratio of esterified to free cholesterol was considerably lower in Group III than in the other groups. Plasma apo-AI levels were higher in Groups I and II than in Group C, but varied over a wide range in Group III. Apo-AII was present at higher concentrations in Groups I and II than in both Groups III and C. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in total apo-B levels, irrespective of the group. Modifications in the chemical composition of plasma lipoproteins primarily concerned a reduction in the cholesteryl ester content of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in Group III, this being compensated by a reciprocal increase in triglyceride. In addition, Group III lipoproteins, with the exception of HDL3 (density 1.100 to 1.140 gm per ml), exhibited a greater content of phospholipids than those of corresponding density from patients in Groups I and II. No significant differences were found in very low-density lipoprotein concentrations, while LDL levels increased in parallel with the severity of liver injury. In Groups I and II, HDL2 concentrations were elevated relative to Group C, while HDL3 decreased in parallel with the degree of impairment of liver function and thus from Group C to Group III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

To evaluate the serum cortisol,salivary cortisol,and serum interleukin-1 B level in patients of chronic periodontitis with smoking and stress and without smoking and stress

The role of cognitive, social and biological factors in the etiology of chronic periodontitis has been reported.The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary cortisol level and interleukin-1 B level in patients of Chronic periodontitis in smokers and stress and nonsmokers without stress.The design of study randomized, prospective, double-blinded, and prospective study.The total sample size was comprised of 600 subjects between the ages of 20 and 50 years. The sample size was divided into 300 males and 300 females. Out of 600 subjects, 200 subjects comprised of subjects with chronic periodontitis with positive depression level with a history of smoking (Group I), 200 subjects comprised of subjects with chronic periodontitis without depression and without smoking (Group II), and 200 subjects who were taken as the control group comprised of healthy subjects without chronic periodontitis, without depression level, and no smoking history (Group III). Salivary cortisol levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The result showed that there was a positive correlation between morning and evening salivary cortisol level in all the groups with correlation coefficient. There was significant higher value of salivary cortisol in Group I patients when compared with Group II and Group III. However, when the comparison of salivary cortisol levels was done between the Group II and Control group, the result showed nonsignificant P value.It is suggested that stress is positively correlated with the salivary cortisol levels in smokers and nonsmokers.