Cavernous carotid artery calcification and white matter ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relevance of cavernous carotid artery calcification on unenhanced CT scans of the brain has recently been investigated against the backdrop of the widespread implementation of coronary artery calcification scoring. We sought to determine whether the degree of cavernous carotid artery calcification correlated with scores of white matter hyperintensity seen on MR images. In so doing, we sought to establish a relative risk for future stroke on the grade of carotid calcification. METHODS: Neuroradiologic findings in 187 patients who underwent CT and MR imaging examinations within 1 month of each other were retrospectively reviewed. The degree of circumferential calcification and thickness of calcification were graded for the cavernous carotid arteries on the basis of CT findings. Using the scale developed by the Cardiovascular Health Study, the white matter was graded for degree of disease on the basis of MR findings. Correlation tests and regression analyses were performed to determine the impact of age, race, and sex on results. RESULTS: Although the cavernous carotid calcification scores and the MR imaging white matter scores showed good correlation (P <.001), the effect was mediated by age. With age factored in as a covariant, no correlation was shown between CT calcification scores and MR imaging white matter scores. Sex had no effect, but African American study participants had worse MR imaging white matter scores than did white participants. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for age, cavernous carotid calcification grades and MR imaging white matter scores do not show a significant correlation. The relative risk for future stroke cannot be predicted from cavernous carotid calcifications.     

Novel estrogen receptor: a chance for more specific and safe endocrinological treatment?

In 1996 Kuiper et al. have cloned a novel member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The cDNA of clone 29 was isolated from a rat prostate cDNA library. The new receptor was highly homologus to the rat estrogen receptor protein, particularly in the DNA-binding domain. New protein consists of 485 amino acid residues and its molecular weight is 54.2 kDa. Like other steroid receptors, ER beta has six regions, A-F. A novel receptor is expressed in the secretory epithelial cells of the prostate and also in the granulosa cells of the ovary. Differences in the ligand-binding properties and transactivation function on target genes may exist. The tissue distribution and relative level of ER alpha and beta expression seems to be quite different, i.e. moderate to high expression in uterus, testis, pituitary, ovary, kidney, and adrenal for ER alpha and prostate, ovary, lung, bladder, brain, uterus and testis for ER beta. The differences between the receptors subtypes in relative ligand binding affinity and tissue distribution could contribute to the selective action of ER aginists and antagonists in different tissues. These new findings bring up many questions. The most intriguing is how has this second ER eluded investigators for so many years? Perhaps a limited number of estrogen target tissues were screened. The biological significance of the existence of two different ERs is at this moment unclear. Perhaps the existence of two ERs subtypes provides an explanation for the selective actions of estrogens in different target tissues.     

Efficacy of tremacamra, a soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, for experimental rhinovirus infection: a randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Attachment of most rhinovirus subtypes to cells depends on a cellular receptor, the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). A recombinant soluble ICAM-1 (tremacamra, formerly BIRR 4) has shown possible efficacy in early studies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of intranasal administration of tremacamra in experimental rhinovirus colds in humans. DESIGN: Four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted in January to March 1996. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Volunteers between the ages of 18 and 60 years who had an antibody titer of 1:4 or less to the challenge virus. Subjects were isolated in a hotel room during study days 0 to 8; symptoms were recorded through day 14. A total of 198 subjects were randomized, of whom 196 received drug or placebo and were included in the safety analysis. A total of 177 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Tremacamra or placebo was given beginning 7 hours before inoculation with rhinovirus type 39 (preinoculation studies) or 12 hours after (postinoculation studies). Tremacamra as an inhaled solution or as a powder (each given preinoculation and postinoculation for a total of 4 studies) and placebo were given in 6 doses at 3-hour intervals daily during days 1 through 7. Recipients of active treatment received 367 microg of tremacamra per nostril per dose for a total of 4.4 mg/d. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effect of tremacamra on infection, as determined by virus isolation and seroconversion, and on illness, as determined by symptom scores, clinical colds, and nasal mucus weights. Treatment-by-study interaction was not significant, so results were pooled for the main analysis. RESULTS: A total of 88 (92%) of the 96 subjects in the placebo groups and 69 (85%) of the 81 subjects in the active treatment groups were infected (P=.19). For placebo vs tremacamra, respectively, the total symptom score (+/- 95% confidence interval [CI]) was 17.6 (+/- 2.7) vs 9.6 (+/- 2.9), the proportion of clinical colds was 64/96 (67% +/- 9%) vs 36/81 (44% +/- 11%), and the nasal mucus weight was 32.9 (+/- 8.8) g vs 14.5 (+/- 9.4) g (P<.001 for all comparisons). Tremacamra was not associated with adverse effects or evidence of absorption through the nasal mucosa and did not interfere with development of neutralizing antibody. CONCLUSION: Tremacamra reduced the severity of experimental rhinovirus colds. Whether tremacamra will be useful clinically will require further study.     

Klinische Bewertung des Diethanolamins in der Behandlung der Trichophytose beim jungen Mastvieh*/Clinical Evaluation of Diethanolamine in the Treatment of Ringworm in Young Cattle

Zusammenfassung: 106 junge Mastbullen, bei welchen eine Trichophytose festgestellt wurde, wurden mit Diethanolamin in Form einer Salbe behandelt. Nach 14tägiger, 21tägiger und 28tägiger Behandlung wurden jeweils 64,1%, 87,7% and 95,2% der Here als ausgeheilt erkannt. Daraus ist ersichtlich, daß sich Diethanolamin zur Behandlung von mykotischen Erkrankungen eignet. Summary: 106 young bulls with ringworm were treated with an ointment containing diethanolamine. After 14, 21 and 28 days of application of the ointment 64,1%, 87,7% and 95,2% of the animals were cured, respectively. The results of these studies demonstrate the usefulness of diethanolamine in curing mycotic diseases.     

Acute and long-term treatment of hypertension with nifedipine in the elderly

The acute hypotensive effect of nifedipine was evaluated, and the possibility of its long-term use in hypertensives over 60 years of age was studied. Sublingual nifedipine in a dose of 20 mg was given to 28 patients, mean age 73.1 yrs, and blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma drug concentration were monitored at 15 min, and every 30 min thereafter for 3 hrs. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased at 15 min by 22.1 and 7.0 mmHg, respectively, reaching a maximal decrease two hours after drug administration. The decrease in blood pressure level did not correlate with nifedipine plasma concentration, but only with the initial systolic blood pressure. Long-term treatment with nifedipine was initiated in 60 patients, with 45 patients completing the study. Mean age was 66.2 years. An initial dose of 30 mg daily had to be increased to 60-80 mg in one-third of the patients. Monotherapy was not satisfactory in some patients. Blood pressure gradually decreased from 173/99 to 148/85 mmHg at three months, and to 141/84 mmHg at six months. Drug tolerance was fairly good. Nifedipine was withdrawn due to a considerable increase in heart rate in three patients and skin allergy in one. The most frequent adverse symptoms were: rash, headache, and leg oedema. Laboratory tests revealed no changes in urea and creatinine, and an increase in fasting glycaemia. Lipid parameters did not change significantly. These data proved that a single dose of 20 mg of nifedipine produced therapeutic plasma concentration of the drug and good hypotensive effect, positively correlating with initial systolic blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of the Macintosh laryngoscope and blind intubation via the iGEL for Intubation With C-spine immobilization: A Randomized,crossover, manikin trial

Introduction

Endotracheal intubation (ETI) using a Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC) requires the head to be positioned in a modified Jackson position, slightly reclined and elevated. Intubation of trauma patients with an injured neck or spine is therefore difficult, since the neck usually cannot be turned or is already immobilized in order to prevent further injury. The iGEL supraglottic airway seems optimal for such conditions due to its blind insertion without the need of a modified Jackson position.

Evaluation of new two-thumb chest compression technique for infant CPR performed by novice physicians. A randomized,crossover, manikin trial

Background

The impact of high-quality chest compressions during CPR for the patients' outcome is undisputed, as it is essential for maintaining vital organ perfusion. The aim of our study is to compare the quality of chest compression (CC) and ventilation among the two current standard techniques with our novel “nTTT” technique in infant CPR.

Evaluation of genetic predisposition to insulin resistance by nutrient-induced insulin output ratio (NIOR).

BACKGROUND: New tools to identify genotype-phenotype interactions need to be described and implemented. The aim of this study was to identify correlation between the risk originating from gene variation and diet-dependent development of insulin resistance. METHODS: Insulin output in terms of area under the curve after an oral glucose tolerance test (AUC Ins OGTT) and lipid tolerance tests (AUC Ins OLTT) were measured in 167 overweight/obese patients. Estimation of the 18 common gene polymorphisms for obesity risk and standard phenotyping were performed. RESULTS: Insulin output (AUC Ins OGTT) correlated strongly between both insulin treatments across the whole group. However, within the genotype sub-groups, correlation was lower or did not exist. Using a nutrient-induced insulin output ratio (NIOR), calculated as AUC Ins OLTT/AUC Ins OGTT, values ranged from 0.42 to 5.83 and correlated significantly with body mass index (BMI) and leptin, but not with age, gender, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) or plasma adiponectin. High NIOR was found in a subgroup of carriers of rare allelic variants of genes characteristic for poorer tolerance to lipids in the diet. Low NIOR values were found within a sub-group with rare genetic variants regulating carbohydrate metabolism. Thus, the new insulin index NIOR may distinguish gene variant carriers into groups of glucose- or lipid-sensitive phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the OLTT/OGTT insulin output ratio (NIOR) may be predictive for identifying individuals who are phenotypically susceptible to insulin resistance in response to high fat or carbohydrate in their habitual diet.