Deep venous thrombophlebitis: detection with 4-hour versus 24-hour platelet scintigraphy

Thirty-one nonheparinized patients with suspected deep venous thrombophlebitis (DVT) underwent contrast venography and indium-111 platelet scintigraphy (In-111 PS). Venography permitted identification of acute DVT in 12 of 31 cases (39%). One additional patient was considered to have acute DVT despite nonconclusive venography results. In-111 PS results were positive at 4 hours in nine of 13 cases (69%) and at 24 hours in 12 of 13 cases (92%). Two of four patients with false-negative 4-hour In-111 PS studies had received warfarin. Thus, the sensitivity of 4-hour In-111 PS in patients not receiving anticoagulants was 82%. Venography results were negative for acute DVT in 18 cases, and 4-hour In-111 PS studies were negative or equivocal in each. In-111 PS is an alternative to contrast venography for detecting acute DVT. If 4-hour In-111 PS results are positive, anticoagulation can be initiated. Delayed images are necessary if the 4-hour images are negative or equivocal.     

Two common mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms are highly associated with migraine headache and cyclic vomiting syndrome

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hypothesized component in the multifactorial pathogenesis of migraine without aura (MoA, 'common migraine') and the related condition of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). In this study, the entire mitochondrial genome was sequenced in 20 haplogroup-H CVS patients, a subject group studied because of greater genotypic and phenotypic homogeneity. Sequences were compared against haplogroup-H controls. Polymorphisms of interest were tested in 10 additional CVS subjects and in 112 haplogroup-H adults with MoA. The 16519C→T polymorphism was found to be highly disease associated: 21/30 CVS subjects [70%, odds ratio (OR) 6.2] and 58/112 migraineurs (52%, OR 3.6) vs. 63/231 controls (27%). A second polymorphism, 3010G→A, was found to be highly disease associated in those subjects with 16519T: 6/21 CVS subjects (29%, OR 17) and 15/58 migraineurs (26%, OR 15) vs. 1/63 controls (1.6%). Our data suggest that these polymorphisms constitute a substantial proportion of the genetic factor in migraine pathogenesis, and strengthen the hypothesis that there is a component of mitochondrial dysfunction in migraine.     

Neuroactive neurosteroids: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulphate

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate ester (DHEAS) are neuroactive and are both imported into the brain from the circulation and produced in the nervous system. These neurosteroids have neurotrophic and excitatiory effets, and further study is needed to delineate their physiological and pathological functions.     

The cBio cancer genomics portal: an open platform for exploring multidimensional cancer genomics data

The cBio Cancer Genomics Portal (http://cbioportal.org) is an open-access resource for interactive exploration of multidimensional cancer genomics data sets, currently providing access to data from more than 5,000 tumor samples from 20 cancer studies. The cBio Cancer Genomics Portal significantly lowers the barriers between complex genomic data and cancer researchers who want rapid, intuitive, and high-quality access to molecular profiles and clinical attributes from large-scale cancer genomics projects and empowers researchers to translate these rich data sets into biologic insights and clinical applications.     

Evaluation of antiretroviral therapy results in Blantyre,Malawi

We performed a cross sectional study to evaluate treatment results of the paying antiretroviral therapy clinic of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre. The only antiretroviral therapy was a fixed drug combination of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine.

Methods

Interviews, laboratory tests (CD4 count, viral load, nevirapine plasma levels, transaminases) and data extraction from files. 422 (59 %) of the patients who started antiretroviral therapy since 2000 were lost to follow up. The 176 patients enrolled in the study had good virological and excellent clinical treatment results. The most common side effect was peripheral neuropathy. Nevirapine plasma levels were remarkably high and associated with successful virological treatment results. Two simple adherence questions pertaining to the use of medication in the previous 8 days corresponded well with nevirapine levels. The most important reasons for non-adherence were shortage of drugs in the hospital pharmacy and personal financial constraints.

Conclusions

1. Many patients were lost to follow up.
2. High nevirapine levels contributed to good therapy results in those studied.
3. Simple adherence questions predicted sub-therapeutic nevirapine levels.
4. Antiretroviral drug supply needs to be uninterrupted and free of charge, to prevent avoidable non-adherence.

     

Prevalence of alcohol use among school children and vocational school students in Murmansk

Anonymous questionnaires were distributed among 1564 schoolchildren in Murmansk for the study carried out in accordance with the method recommended by Center for Monitoring Harmful Habits among Children and Adolescents at Ministry of Health of Russia. The data indicate alcoholization of adolescents in the city. The results were used for planning and implementation of preventive measures within the framework of the SOS! complex regional program.     

Placental abruption and subchorionic hemorrhage in the first half of pregnancy: US appearance and clinical outcome

In 30 pregnant patients who experienced vaginal bleeding between 10 and 20 weeks gestation, subchorionic hematomas were demonstrated on ultrasound examination. In 18 patients (60%), the margin of the placenta was separated from the uterine wall. In 15 patients the outcome was favorable (full-term delivery of normal infant) and in 15 patients the outcome was unfavorable (seven preterm births, four stillbirths, three spontaneous abortions, one therapeutic abortion). The major prognostic factor related to pregnancy outcome was the volume of the hematoma and, to a lesser extent, the relative volume of the hematoma (volume of hematoma divided by volume of gestational sac). For a volume less than 60 ml, the outcome tended to be favorable, and for a relative volume less than 0.4, the outcome tended to be favorable.     

Detection of multivessel disease after myocardial infarction using intravenous stress digital subtraction angiography

Forty-six patients with prior myocardial infarction underwent stress intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and coronary angiography. The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and wall-motion responses to exercise were correlated with the coronary anatomy. Twenty-five patients with single vessel disease showed essentially no change in left ventricular EF with exercise (a decrease from 66% to 64%), but those with multivessel disease (21 patients) had a significant decrease in left ventricular EF (from 59% to 48%) (P = .0001). A decrease in left ventricular EF had a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 60% for the detection of multivessel disease, whereas an increase in wall-motion abnormality had a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 71%, respectively. After myocardial infarction, a fall in left ventricular EF with stress intravenous DSA is highly sensitive for the detection of multivessel disease, but there are a number of false-positive results, resulting in only moderate specificity. A new wall motion abnormality has only a moderate sensitivity and specificity.