Measurement of alveolar derecruitment in patients with acute lung injury: computerized tomography versus pressure–volume curve

Introduction  

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-induced lung derecruitment can be assessed by a pressure–volume (P–V) curve method or by lung computed tomography (CT). However, only the first method can be used at the bedside. The aim of the study was to compare both methods for assessing alveolar derecruitment after the removal of PEEP in patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome.     

平和和平和心态

在中国古代思想史上．“道”一直被人们视为是对认识客观世界最高境界的象征。以后又延伸到各个方面。     

Effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci is affected by previous use of oral contraceptives containing gestodene, and to determine whether changes in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression occur in adenomyosis during the menstrual cycle. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out in paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue obtained from patients with a histological diagnosis of adenomyosis obtained during the proliferative (n = 25) and luteal (n = 10) phases of the menstrual cycle and following the use of continuous oral contraception with gestodene/ethinyl estradiol (n = 7). COX-2 and aromatase expression were measured in both eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Aromatase expression was detected in 80% of the endometrial slices by immunohistochemistry. In positive cases, aromatase was mainly detected in the stromal cells of the eutopic endometrium, whereas in the adenomyotic foci this expression was negative in the majority of the cases. Oral contraceptives containing gestodene, on the other hand, were effective in suppressing aromatase expression in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium. COX-2 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in the glandular epithelium of both eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci and there were no significant changes in its intensity throughout the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: Aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci is suppressed by oral contraceptives containing gestodene. Increased aromatase activity may be responsible for the persistent COX-2 expression during the luteal phase.     

Left pulmonary artery evaluation through transesophageal echocardiography.

INTRODUCTION: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become increasingly useful in the study of patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of TEE in the study of the distal part of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) as well as the influence of this procedure on total echocardiographic exam duration. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study in two groups of consecutive patients referred for TEE with a one- year interval between evaluation of Group A: 33 patients, 17 male, mean age 54 +/- 24 years, and Group B: 42 patients, 20 male, mean age 48 +/- 27 years (p = NS). The procedure was considered long when it took more than 3 min to evaluate the distal part of the LPA. RESULTS: In group A we were able to visualize the distal part of the LPA in 24 patients (73%) without significant prolongation of total exam duration in 16 patients (48% of group A). In one of the patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism thrombi were only observed in the distal part of the LPA. In group B we were able to visualize the distal part of the LPA in 36 patients (86%) without significant prolongation of total exam duration in 26 patients (61% of group B). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Visualization of the distal part of the LPA was possible in more patients, and with TEE time prolongation in less patients, in group B. These differences can be accounted for by the training of the operator in this technique. 2. The importance of visualization of this part of the LPA in guiding treatment in the subset of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism confirms the usefulness of this specific procedure.     

体外诱导条件下大鼠骨髓基质细胞骨钙素和Ⅰ型胶原mRNA的表达

目的　研究体外培养大鼠骨髓基质细胞诱导条件下 ,成骨分化标志骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA水平的表达。方法　采用成骨诱导剂 (含地塞米松 10 - 8mol/ L、β甘油磷酸钠 10 mm ol/ L和抗坏血酸 AA 5 0μg/ml)对培养状态下的不同代大鼠骨髓基质细胞进行成骨诱导 ,提取 RNA,采用 RT- PCR方法 ,以β-肌动蛋白 c DNA为内参照 ,检测骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA的表达。结果　与对照组相比 ,接受成骨诱导剂作用的大鼠骨髓基质细胞随诱导时间的延长骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA出现高表达 ,且维生素 D为诱导骨钙素 m RNA表达的必需成分。结论　体外培养的大鼠骨髓基质细胞保持成骨未分化状态 ,无骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA的表达 ,诱导后可向成骨分化 ,骨钙素和 型胶原 m RNA表达升高     

非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病患者血清唾液酸的改变

测定20例NIDDM伴有心脑血管病变的患者、20例单纯NIDDM患者的血清唾液酸（SA）水平，并与20例正常人进行比较。结果发现所有NIDDM患者的血清SA水平均显著增高（P＜0．01），其中伴有心脑血管疾病患者的血清SA水平显著高于单纯NIDDM患者（P＜0．05），同时血清SA水平与血清胰岛素及C肽水平、收好压之间存在相关。提示血清SA水平与NIDDM患者的心脑血管疾病关系密切，可能是心脑血管并发症发生的一个危险因素。     

A Clinical Study of Reversing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients by Adalat

ＡＣｌｉｎｉｃａｌＳｔｕｄｙｏｆＲｅｖｅｒｓｉｎｇＬｅｆｔＶｅｎｔｒｉｃｕｌａｒＨｙｐｅｒｔｒｏｐｈｙｉｎＨｙｐｅｒｔｅｎｓｉｖｅＰａｔｉｅｎｔｓｂｙＡｄａｌａｔＺｈａｎｇＦｕｍｉｎ（张馥敏）ＸｕＤｉ（许迪）ＹｏｎｇＹｏｎｇｈｏｎｇ（雍永宏）Ｃｈｅｎ...     

溴氰菊酯对白纹伊蚊（Aedesalbopictus）C6／36细胞株的细胞遗传学效应

本研究选择１０μｇ／ｍｌ、２０μｇ／ｍｌ、４０μｇ／ｍｌ浓度的溴氰菊酯处理白纹伊蚊Ｃ６／３６细胞，以ＭＭＣ作为阳性对照物，观察溴氰菊酯处理２４ｈ后对Ｃ６／３６细胞染色体畸变率和姐妹染色单体互换（ＳＣＥ）频率的影响。结果显示，三个浓度的溴氰菊酯对Ｃ６／３６细胞染色体畸变率均没有显著影响（Ｐ＜０．０５）；溴氰菊酯浓度在４０μｇ／ｍｌ时可诱导Ｃ６／３６细胞ＳＣＥ频率轻度增高（Ｐ＞０．０５），而溴氰菊酯浓度在１０μｇ／ｍｌ、２０μｇ／ｍｌ时，对Ｃ６／３６细胞ＳＣＥ频率没有诱导作用。表明溴氰菊酯对Ｃ６／３６细胞的遗传学效应较弱     

Clinical and hormonal effects of chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment in polycystic ovarian disease

Previously, we reported that short term administration of a highly potent GnRH agonist (GnRHa) for 1 month to patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCO) resulted in complete suppression of ovarian steroidogenesis without measurable effects on adrenal steroid production. This new study was designed to evaluate the effects of long term GnRHa administration in PCO patients with respect to their hormone secretion patterns and clinical responses. Eight PCO patients and 10 ovulatory women with endometriosis were treated daily with sc injections of [D-His6-(imBzl]),Pro9-NEt]GnRH (GnRHa; 100 micrograms) for 6 months. Their results were compared to hormone values in 8 women who had undergone bilateral oophorectomies. In response to GnRHa, PCO and ovulatory women had rises of serum LH at 1 month, after which it gradually declined to baseline. In both groups FSH secretion was suppressed throughout treatment. Serum estradiol, estrone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone levels markedly decreased to values found in oophorectomized women by 1 month and remained low thereafter. In contrast, serum pregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone were partially suppressed, and dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol levels did not change. Clinically, hyperplastic endometrial histology in three PCO patients reverted to an inactive pattern, and proliferative endometrium in two other PCO patients became inactive in one and did not change in the other. Regression of proliferative endometrial histology occurred in all ovulatory women. Vaginal bleeding occurred in all women studied during the first month of GnRHa administration, after which all but one PCO patient became amenorrheic. Hot flashes were noted by all ovulatory women and by four of eight PCO patients. All PCO patients noted subjective reduction of skin oiliness, and five had decreased hair growth. We conclude that in premenopausal women: 1) chronic GnRHa administration results in apparently complete persistent suppression of ovarian steroid secretion; 2) adrenal steroid secretion is not influenced directly or indirectly; and 3) its use may be helpful in the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and ovarian androgen excess in women with PCO.