Renin-angiotensin system polymorphisms and coronary artery surgery patients

The frequencies of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion, angiotensinogen-M253T, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor-A1166C polymorphisms were analyzed in 105 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (group 1) and a control group of 105 non-cardiac patients (group 2). Blood samples were obtained for biochemical analyses and DNA extraction. Genotyping was performed by polymerase-chain-reaction-based restriction analysis. According to the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism, 36.3% of patients in group 1 and 30.7% in group 2 were homozygous for the DD allele. This difference was not statistically significant. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor-A1166C genotype polymorphism was also not significantly different between the groups. The results showed the angiotensinogen-M235T polymorphism to be heterogenous. The MM homozygote frequency was significantly higher in controls (72.3%), whereas 80% of the TT homozygote frequency was in the surgical group ( p = 0.001). These results show that although there were no significant differences in angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion and angiotensin II type 1 receptor-A1166C genotype polymorphisms between the groups, angiotensinogen-M235T polymorphism of TT homozygote frequency was significantly associated with patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.     

Anesthesia management in Kabuki make-up syndrome

Kabuki make-up syndrome KMS is a rare condition with a number of characteristic congenital abnormalities. The syndrome is characterized by peculiar facial appearance resembling the make-up of actors in Kabuki, the traditional Japanese theater, skeletal anomalies, dermatoglyphic abnormalities, postnatal growth deficiency, and mental retardation. These are rare reports of central nervous system dysfunctions, other than mental retardation, and no previously described congenital talipes calcaneo-valgus in this syndrome. We report the case of a 22-month-old girl having Kabuki make-up. At presentation, she had an adenoid hypertrophy and a history of recurrent otitis media. She had also delay in motor development, and a postnatal growth deficiency. The variable phenotypic expression is a well-known characteristic of the syndrome. For that reason, we should perform careful morphologic examination in every patient and their parents, and use flexotype laryngoscope Heine, Germany to visualize vocal cord in case of difficult intubation. At preoperative examination, as clinicians, we must be careful regarding patient morphology. Congenital heart defects and epilepsy are important for anesthesia management in KMS.     

Prevalence and risk factors of occupational asthma among hairdressers in Turkey

This study was designed to evaluate the questionnaire-based prevalence and possible risk factors of occupational asthma among hairdressers in Turkey. We investigated occupational history and respiratory, ocular, dermal, and nasal symptoms using a standardized questionnaire, evaluated worksite pulmonary function tests, and performed allergen skin testing. We then determined asthma risk factors using age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression models. The prevalence of occupational asthma in hairdressers was 14.6%. The odds ratio for hairdressers in a high work intensity group was 3.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 10.9) with a significant dose-response trend (chi 2 trend = 4.875; P = 0.027). The odds ratio for occupational asthma among workers with atopy was 4.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 17.2). We also observed an excess risk of occupational asthma with allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Occupational asthma did not differ among subgroups of hairdressers. We observed an important risk of occupational asthma among hairdressers. The most prominent risk factors were work intensity and atopy.     

宫腔镜及B超在异常子宫出血中的诊断价值

目的:分析宫腔镜检查与B超检查对异常子宫出血病因的诊断价值。方法:对220例异常子宫出血患者病历资料进行回顾性分析,对病历中B超、宫腔镜和病理检查结果进行对照研究。结果:①在异常子宫出血病因诊断中,宫腔镜对宫内残留、子宫内膜炎及子宫内膜息肉的敏感度高,对子宫内膜癌、子宫粘膜下肌瘤和宫内残留的特异度高;②B超对子宫粘膜下肌瘤的敏感度高,对宫内残留的特异度高;③对子宫内膜息肉和子宫内膜增生的诊断,B超与病理检查的符合率和宫腔镜与病理检查的符合率之间存在极显著性差异(P<0.01),对子宫粘膜下肌瘤和宫内残留的诊断,上述两组符合率之间差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论:①宫腔镜对异常子宫出血的病因有很高的诊断价值,与B超之间存在互补关系;②提倡将B超、宫腔镜及定位活检合理地综合应用,使异常子宫出血的病因从影像学、形态学和组织学三方面得以准确诊断。     

Occupational dust exposure and the risk of laryngeal cancer in Turkey

OBJECTIVES: A hospital-based case-referent study was conducted to identify occupational risk factors for laryngeal cancer. In a previous report an association was found between laryngeal cancer and occupations with potential dust exposure; a job-exposure matrix was developed to aid further evaluation of laryngeal cancer risks from five occupational dust exposures. METHODS: Among 7631 cancer cases from the Okmeydani Hospital, Istanbul, between 1979 and 1984, 958 larynx cancer cases were identified among men. After exclusions, 940 laryngeal cancer cases and 1519 referents were available. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain basic information on the patients. Seven-digit standard occupational and industrial codes were created to classify the job and industrial titles. A job-exposure matrix was developed for occupational dusts, including silica, asbestos, wood, cotton, and grain, and age-, smoking-, and alcohol-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to evaluate risks of laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: An excess of laryngeal cancer occurred for workers potentially exposed to silica and cotton dust, particularly for supraglottic cancer (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.3, for silica and OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5, for cotton dust), and there was a significant dose-response relationship with silica exposure. No relationship was found between laryngeal cancer and asbestos, grain, or wood dust exposures. CONCLUSION: Laryngeal cancer, especially supraglottic tumors, is associated with silica and cotton dust exposures in Turkey.     

An unusual cause of bilateral scrotal abscess in a preterm infant: Candida albicans

Acute scrotal abscess is a rare condition in neonates. Most of these abscesses were reported to be unilateral and caused by Staphylococcus and Salmonella spp. Herein, we report a bilateral scrotal abscess in a preterm infant and Candida albicans was isolated from the scrotal fluid culture. To our knowledge, this is the first bilateral scrotal abscess in a preterm infant caused by C. albicans. Therefore, this organism must be suspected in differential diagnosis of acute scrotal abscess in neonates, especially in preterm infants.     

A phase I/II clinical trial of enzyme replacement therapy in mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter syndrome)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and explore the efficacy of idursulfase (recombinant human iduronate-2-sulfatase) treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II). STUDY DESIGN: Twelve patients were enrolled into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 24 weeks followed by an open-label extension study. Three groups of 4 patients were enrolled sequentially, with 3 patients in each group receiving idursulfase and 1 patient receiving placebo. The first group received idursulfase at 0.15 mg/kg infused every other week with the 2nd and 3rd groups receiving 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. After 24 weeks the placebo-treated patients were changed to idursulfase at the dose of their group. The primary endpoint was a change from baseline in urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans. Results were pooled for analysis by ANOVA and compared to baseline. RESULTS: Urinary glycosaminoglycans were reduced within 2 weeks of initiating idursulfase and were decreased 49% after 48 weeks of treatment (P<0.0001). Both liver and spleen volume were decreased at 24 weeks (P<0.01) and 48 weeks (P<0.001). The 6-minute walk test distance increased an average of 48 meters after 48 weeks (P=0.013). Six patients in the higher dose groups developed IgG antibodies that did not influence the clinical effects of idursulfase. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the first experience with enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of patients with MPS II. Idursulfase was generally well tolerated and was associated with reductions in urine glycosaminoglycans levels and organ size, as well as an increased 6-minute walk test distance.     

Demonstration of ventricular myocardial extensions into the pulmonary artery and aorta beyond the ventriculo-arterial junction

BACKGROUND: A subgroup of outflow tract (OT) ventricular tachycardias (VT) originate from the aortic sinuses or the main stem of the pulmonary artery. The anatomic substrate for these tachycardias is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of ventricular myocardial extensions (VME) into the pulmonary artery (PA) and aorta (Ao) beyond the ventriculo-arterial junction (VAJ) and determine the anatomical and histological characteristics of these muscle extensions. METHODS: Ninety-five consecutive human hearts obtained at autopsy were studied. Longitudinal strips of tissue containing each cusp, aortic, and pulmonary artery walls and left and right ventricular outflow tracts were excised and histologically analyzed. Anatomical measurements, including length and thickness of VMEs, obtained at autopsy, were made. RESULTS: VMEs beyond the VAJ were found in 21 of 95 (22%) patients studied. VMEs were found in 16 of 95 PAs (17%) and 7 of 95 Aos (7%) were examined. VMEs were located within the adventitia in 23 (88%) and on the epicardial surface in three (12%). The majority of VMEs were in continuity with the underlying ventricular OT muscle tissue. Myocellular hypertrophy and fibrosis were present in 19 (73%) and fatty tissue between the layers of VME in 18 (69%). Clinical data were available in 14 of 21 patients with positive VME. None of the patients (clinical data available group) had history of cardiac disease or signs or symptoms (palpitations or syncope) of cardiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: VMEs into the PA and Ao beyond the VAJ are relatively common. It seems that their mere presence does not predispose to OT VTs. There are probably intrinsic arrhythmogenic properties in tissues specific to these regions in those patients who develop OT VTs.