Body weight and comorbidity predict mortality in COPD patients treated with oxygen therapy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between clinical variables and all-cause and respiratory mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). The authors retrospectively studied a historic cohort of 128 patients with COPD (126 males, mean age+/-SD 68.9+/-9.7 yrs, body mass index (BMI) 25.1+/-4.5 kg.m-2, and forced expiratory volume in one second 25.4+/-8.8% predicted), who were being treated with long-term oxygen therapy in a tertiary teaching hospital between 1992 and 1999. Comorbidity, assessed with the Charlson Index, was present in 38% of the patients. Vital status and cause of death were assessed through the population death registry. A total of 78 patients (61%) had died by the end of follow-up. Three-year survival was 55%. Death was due to respiratory causes in 77% of cases. On Cox analysis, BMI<25 kg.m-2, comorbid conditions, age>or=70 yrs and cor pulmonale were associated with all-cause mortality. The BMI and comorbidity were the only significant predictive factors when the analysis was restricted to respiratory mortality. In conclusion, body mass index<25 kg.m-2 and comorbidity were predictors of all-cause and respiratory mortality in a cohort of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients treated with long-term oxygen therapy. These factors should be taken into account when considering the management and prognosis of these patients.     

针对MAGE-1基因RNAi在恶性胶质瘤SHG-44细胞中的作用研究

目的构建抑制黑色素瘤抗原-1(MAGE-1)的siRNA表达载体,鉴定其在人恶性胶质瘤细胞系SHG-44细胞中对MAGE-1基因表达的干涉作用。方法化学合成2对编码短发夹RNA序列的靶向MAGE-1基因寡核苷酸链,克隆到经BglⅡ、HindⅢ双酶切的pSUPER载体上,重组构建RNA干涉(RNAi)质粒载体。利用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)、流式细胞术和荧光显微镜,检测经稳定转染后SHG-44细胞中MAGE-1的表达,以了解siRNA的干扰效果。结果重组构建的pSUPER-MAGE-1载体经双酶切电泳及插入基因片段序列分析,表明寡核苷酸链成功插入到预计位点,并且序列与预期完全一致。稳定转染后G418筛选出的SHG-44多克隆细胞MAGE-1的表达经RT-PCR、流式细胞术和荧光显微镜检测,2对siRNA均有较明显的干涉作用。结论成功构建了针对MAGE-1基因的siRNA表达载体,抑制SHG-44细胞中的MAGE-1分子的表达。     

Tuberculosis trends in Madrid, 1994-2003: impact of immigration and HIV infection.

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) cases reported from nine districts of Madrid, where the percentage of immigrant population varied from 1.9% in 1996 to 12.2% in 2003. OBJECTIVE: To describe the trends in TB incidence from 1994 to 2003. DESIGN: Observational study. RESULTS: Between 1994-1995 and 2002-2003, the TB rate decreased from 48.5 (95% CI 45.8-51.1) to 23.3 per 100000 population (95% CI 21.5-25.1) (P < 0.001). The percentage of TB cases co-infected with HIV decreased from 55.9% in 1994 to 14.3% in 2003 (P < 0.001), whereas TB cases in foreigners increased from 2.6% in 1994 to 33.7% in 2003 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the TB rates showed a marked decrease in the study period, the increasing impact of immigration contributed to slowing down the trend.     

醋酸精氨酸对创烧伤患者预后的影响及安全性分析——86例多中心、随机、双盲、安慰剂对照试验

目的观察服用醋酸精氨酸对创烧伤患者预后的影响及可能出现的不良反应。方法采用多中心、随机、双盲、安慰剂平行对照的研究方法,将96例创烧伤患者(实际完成86例)随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组41例,服用醋酸精氨酸0．4 g·kg-1·d-1;对照组45例,服用安慰剂酪氨酸,剂量同前,均连用7 d。两组患者采用等氮、等热量的营养支持疗法。比较患者创面(切口)愈合时间、住院时间及不良反应发生情况。结果创伤患者治疗组(29例)创面(切口)愈合时间和住院时间分别为(11．1±2．8)、(19±6)d,明显短于对照组(13．2±5．5)、(22±6)d(33例,P< 0．05);烧伤患者治疗组(12例)创面愈合时间和住院时间各为(20±5)、(28±6)d,与对照组(22±8)、(29±8)d(12例)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。在整个试验过程中,患者出现的不良反应为恶心、腹泻,其中治疗组1例占2．44％,对照组1例占2．22％,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P= 1．000)。以上不良反应停药后消失。结论服用醋酸精氨酸能显著促进创伤患者创面(切口)愈合,缩短住院时间,且无明显不良反应,但对烧伤患者的预后无明显改善,这可能与病例数较少有关,其确切疗效有待于通过大样本的临床试验予以确定。     

Dentin enhances the effectiveness of bioactive glass S53P4 against a strain of Enterococcus faecalis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to test the impact of dentin powder on the antimicrobial efficacy of bioactive glass S53P4 (BAG). STUDY DESIGN: BAG was suspended (preincubated) in saline at 37 degrees C for different time periods with or without human dentin powder, hydroxylapatite, or decalcified dentin. Subsequently, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 cells were added to these suspensions and bacterial recovery measured with and without the use of gentle sonication. Furthermore, survival of bacteria in test and control suspensions was assessed over time. Supernatants of suspensions were analyzed for their element contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The effects of pH, silica, and osmolarity on E faecalis viability were assessed using specifically prepared solutions. RESULTS: BAG preincubated with dentin powder caused a significant (P < .05) decrease in viability compared to pure BAG suspensions. This was not based on adherence of bacteria to solid particles or agglutination of the cells, because sonication did not increase bacterial yields. Hydroxylapatite and decalcified dentin did not increase BAG killing efficacy. The additive effect of BAG + dentin powder was dose dependent, occurred only with solids in suspension, and increased with suspension time. An augmented dissolution of glass components, especially silicon, was measured in BAG + dentin powder compared to pure BAG suspensions or counterparts containing hydroxylapatite or decalcified dentin. High osmolarity per se did not affect E faecalis viability, whereas high pH and silica levels did. CONCLUSION: The observed phenomenon was related to an increased BAG dissolution triggered by dentin powder, causing elevated local pH and silica levels.     

原发性肾上腺皮质癌的诊治分析

目的总结和提高原发性肾上腺皮质癌的诊治水平。方法回顾分析16例肾上腺皮质癌患者的临床资料。根据其临床症状、内分泌功能测定、影像学特点做出诊断，手术治疗并随访。结果16例患者中，内分泌功能紊乱者8例，以库欣征、性征异常、醛固酮增多症为主。超声、CT、MRI测定肿瘤直径为4．8～19．5cm，平均7．8cm。3例有远处转移。行根治性切除术13例，侵及同侧肾脏者做肾和肾上腙切除术2例，肾上腺肿瘤并腔静脉癌栓切除2例，腔静脉部分切除1例。病理结果：Ⅰ其耳2例，Ⅱ期8例，Ⅲ期3例，Ⅳ期3例。随访3-62个月，手术2年以上的11例患者中有6例仍存活，但1例肺转移，1例骨转移；死亡5例，平均存活26个月。结论肾上腺皮质癌患者预后差。影像学检查结合临床症状是早期诊断的关键，根治性手术是惟一有效的治疗方法。     

Spinocerebellar ataxia types 2 and 3 segregating simultaneously in a single family.

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 2 and 3 are autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorders caused by mutations in two different genes. We identified mutations for SCA2 and SCA3 segregating simultaneously in a single Brazilian family. The index patient had SCA2, whereas her two second-degree cousins had SCA3. Disease was more rapidly progressive in the SCA2 patient, who presented severe brainstem and pancerebellar atrophy, as opposed to the two SCA3 patients, who had only mild cerebellar vermian atrophy. In such situations, molecular confirmation of all patients may avoid misdiagnosis of SCA subtypes and eventual errors in predictive testing of unaffected family members.     

Cognitive function after on or off pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cognitive outcome after on and off pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Seventy patients between 50 and 80 years with stable angina pectoris, ejection fraction >30%, serum creatinine <150 micromol/l, and lack of tight main stem stenosis were randomized to on or off pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Standardized neuropsychological tests evaluated attention, verbal and visuo-spatial short-term and working memory, verbal learning, delayed recall, visuo-motor speed, and aspects of executive functions. Levels of anxiety and depression were also investigated. Testing was performed before and at 1 week, 1 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was no difference in cognitive impairment (defined as a 20% reduction in at least 20% of the tests) between groups. The incidence at 1 week post-operatively was 57% in the on pump group and 58% in the off pump group, after 1 month 30% and 12% and after 6 months 19% and 15%, respectively (p for interaction=0.19). There was no difference between groups in anxiety (p=0.18) or depression (p=0.48). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomized study showed no differences in post-operative cognitive function after on pump compared to off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in low risk patients.     

Spray coated pellets as carrier system for mucoadhesive drug nanocrystals.

High pressure homogenization can be employed to produce drug nanocrystals with a number of advantages, like improved solubility behaviors, better drug targeting or even increased mucoadhesiveness. To obtain a controlled drug delivery system it is necessary to transform the resulting nanosuspension into a solid dosage form. The present study shows the feasibility to use a mucoadhesive nanosuspension of poorly soluble hydrocortisone acetate produced by high pressure homogenization as layering dispersion in a fluidized bed process, followed by the application of an enteric coating to achieve a controlled drug release. To point out the advantages of drug nanocrystals the new fomulation was compared with a formulation containing micronized drug. Both formulations were characterized with regard to their particle size and crystallinity by using laser diffractometry, photon correlation spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The pellet morphology was characterized by using the environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). In the in vitro dissolution tests an accelerated dissolution velocity and an increased drug release could be shown for the pellets containing drug nanocrystals.     

Blunted renal dopaminergic system activity in puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A primary tubular sodium handling abnormality has been implicated in the edema formation of nephrotic syndrome. Dopamine synthesized by renal proximal tubules behaves as an endogenous natriuretic hormone by activating D(1)-like receptors as a paracrine/autocrine substance. METHODS: We examined the time courses of the urinary excretion of sodium, protein and dopamine in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-treated and control rats. The rats were sacrificed during greatest sodium retention (day 7) as well as during negative sodium balance (day 14) for the evaluation of renal aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of renal dopamine. Also, the influence of volume expansion (VE) and the effects of the D(1)-like agonist fenoldopam (10 microg/kg bw/min) on natriuresis and on proximal tubular Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity were examined on day 7. RESULTS: The daily urinary excretion of dopamine was decreased in PAN-treated rats, from day 5 and beyond. This was accompanied by a marked decrease in the renal AADC activity, on days 7 and 14. During VE, the fenoldopam-induced decrease in proximal tubular Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was more pronounced in PAN-treated rats than in controls. However, the urinary sodium excretion during fenoldopam infusion was markedly increased in control rats but was not altered in PAN-treated animals. CONCLUSION: PAN nephrosis is associated with a blunted renal dopaminergic system activity which may contribute to enhance the proximal tubular Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. However, the lack of renal dopamine appears not to be related with the overall renal sodium retention in a state of proteinuria.