Primary hyperaldosteronism causing posttransplantation hypertension: localization by adrenal vein sampling

A 58 year-old man with end-stage renal disease who had received a cadaveric renal transplant presented with persistent hypertension and hypokalemia. Allograft renal artery stenosis, rejection, and cyclosporine effects were excluded. Hypokalemia persisted despite potassium supplementation and antihypertensive medications with hyperkalemic effects. The biochemical findings of primary hyperaldosteronism with a normal adrenal anatomy imaged by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) necessitated adrenal vein sampling to lateralize a left adrenal adenoma. His hypokalemia was cured by the removal of the adenoma, and his blood pressure (BP) control was easily achieved with a less complex regimen of antihypertensives. We suggest that the concomitant existence of resistant hypokalemia and posttransplantation hypertension, especially in the cyclosporine era, should stimulate a search for hyperaldosteronism; once transplant renal artery stenosis has been excluded, the patient should be investigated for primary hyperaldosteronism. When imaging studies fail to show adrenal pathology, adrenal vein sampling will likely do so.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to choroid rupture after blunt-head trauma

Purpose To describe and report the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) as primary treatment for secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after choroidal rupture due to blunt-head trauma. Design Interventional case report. Methods The study was of the left eye of a patient who presented with choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal rupture due to blunt-head trauma. The patient received single intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) bevacizumab as treatment for CNV after informed consent was signed. The patient underwent fundus fluorescein angiography (FA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT) before the bevacizumab injection and then again three months after. Visual acuity was also measured before and after treatment. The patient was re-examined on the first day, and monthly thereafter. After intravitreal injection of bevacizumab the visual and anatomic responses were observed. Results The patient showed regression of the neovascularization three months after injection of bevacizumab. There was no loss of vision in the immediate postoperative period and at the 3rd month vision improved from 20/60 to 20/20. Central retinal thickness decreased. No cataract progression, endophthalmitis, or injection-related complications were observed. Conclusions Our study shows that intravitreal 1.25 mg bevacizumab can be an effective alternative treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to choroidal rupture. The authors have no proprietary interest in the material used in this study.     

济南市艾滋病流行特征与趋势分析

[目的]全面了解济南市艾滋病流行特征,探讨切实有效的防治模式.[方法]对济南市近年来有关艾滋病疫情资料进行分析.[结果]1998年以来,累计发现抗-HIV阳性者95例,其中HIV感染者65例,艾滋病病人30例.HIV感染者和艾滋病病人逐年增加.95例中,流动人口80例;男性71例,女性24例;20～39岁青壮年71例;经性接触感染者29例,静脉注射吸毒感染者28例.[结论]济南市HIV感染者和艾滋病病人逐年上升,以性接触、静脉吸毒途径感染为主,外来流动人员占多数.     

Acute radiation effects on cutaneous microvasculature: evaluation with a laser Doppler perfusion monitor

Laser Doppler perfusion monitoring is a noninvasive technique for measuring blood flow in epidermal microvasculature that makes use of the frequency shift of light reflected from red blood cells. Measurements in patients undergoing radiation therapy show increases in blood flow of ten to 25 times baseline at doses above 50 Gy, and increases are observed with doses as low as 2 Gy. Follow-up measurements show rapid decreases in flow levels after completion of therapy, but levels remain elevated even at 1 year.     

Aphthoid ulcers in Crohn disease: radiographic course and relationship to bowel appearance

The relationship of aphthoid ulcers to the appearance of the colon in 14 patients with Crohn disease was determined by retrospective evaluation of radiographs obtained over several years during which various therapeutic regimens had been undertaken. The numbers and locations of the ulcers on the first radiographic examination were recorded and compared with the numbers and sizes on each subsequent examination. The appearance of the bowel area containing aphthoid ulcers was evaluated in comparison with ulcer-free areas. No attempt was made to correlate the course of ulceration with the therapeutic regimen. Results indicate that the fate of aphthoid ulcers is unpredictable. No significant correlation was found between changes in the appearance of the bowel and the numbers and locations of ulcers. Aphthoid ulcers can remain in the colon for years despite worsening or lessening of disease in other bowel segments. In some instances, the bowel segment containing ulcers became frankly diseased; in others, the ulcers disappeared and surrounding tissue appeared normal.     

Decreased tear secretion after laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in tear secretion and tear film stability after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for high myopia. METHODS: One eye of 28 patients underwent unilateral LASIK for the correction of myopia with spherical equivalent refractions ranging from -6.37 to -18.25 D (mean, -11.98 +/- 3.45 D). Schirmer tear test values without anesthesia at 5 minutes and tear break-up time values were measured 4 weeks after LASIK. Unoperated contralateral eyes were used as a control for each patient. The Schirmer tear test and tear break-up time values were analyzed statistically using the independent t-test. RESULTS: The mean Schirmer tear test value was 16.17 +/- 2.50 mm in the operated eyes and 21.07 +/- 7.03 mm in the unoperated (control) eyes of the same patients (P = .001). The mean tear break-up time value was 21.0 +/- 3.55 seconds in the operated eyes and 21.27 +/- 6.79 seconds in the control eyes (P = .85). CONCLUSION: Tear secretion decreased following LASIK probably due to decrease in corneal sensitivity, but tear film stability appeared unaltered.     

Ocular penetration of cefepime following systemic administration in humans

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the penetration of cefepime (a fourth generation cephalosporin) into the aqueous humor after single-dose intravenous administration in humans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Before receiving cataract surgery, 30 patients received randomly 1 g (group 1, 15 patients) and 2 g (group 2, 15 patients) single intravenous injection of cefepime before surgery. Samples of aqueous humor and serum were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 12 hours after injection. Three patients were sampled each time for 1 g and 2 g of cefepime. Samples were assayed for cefepime concentrations with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: All the patients had detectable cefepime in their aqueous humor and serum measurable by HPLC. A mean peak aqueous humor level was 5.16 +/- 0.88 microg/mL in group 1 and 5.87 +/- 1.64 microg/mL in group 2 at 0.5 hour after injection. The mean level of cefepime in aqueous humor decreased after 0.5-hour measurements in both groups and was measured as 0.82 +/- 0.21 microg/mL in group 1 and 2.04 +/- 0.30 microg/mL in group 2 at 12 hours after injection. CONCLUSION: Aqueous humor levels of cefepime after single IV injection were above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) for most ocular pathogens, but the duration of exposure to an antibiotic was not sufficient for therapeutic effect.     

阿片类联合激素及抗惊厥药治疗晚期癌痛的临床观察

目的　探讨晚期癌痛应用阿片类药物的合理用药方案。方法　选择伴有中、重度疼痛的晚期肿瘤患者,分３组,第一组３６例,采用盐酸羟考酮控释片（奥施康定）单药治疗;第二组１９例,用奥施康定和甲强龙联合治疗;第三组２５例,用奥施康定联合加巴喷丁。观察３组患者治疗后的疼痛缓解情况和生活质量。结果　单用奥施康定组完全缓解率为６３.９％,奥施康定联合甲强龙组为６８.４％,奥施康定和加巴喷丁联用组为４８.０％。主要毒副反应为便秘,其次为恶心、呕吐。第二组毒副反应最轻,第三组部分患者出现头晕和嗜睡。结论　阿片类药物奥施康定治疗晚期癌痛具有较好的疗效,其中奥施康定联合甲强龙尤其适合肺癌伴脑转移或骨转移患者,且安全性高,值得临床推广。