Relationship between peripheral diabetic neuropathy and microvascular reactivity in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus -- neuropathy and microcirculation in diabetes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in the relationship between peripheral diabetic neuropathy and microvascular reactivity in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Twenty-eight type 1 and 37 type 2 diabetic patients were included in the study. Control groups consisted of 18 and 25, age and body mass index matched healthy persons. The presence of peripheral neuropathy was estimated by vibration perception threshold higher than 20 V evaluated by biothesiometry. Microvascular reactivity was examined by laser doppler fluxmetry using postocclusive reactive hyperemia and thermal hyperemia. The following variables of vascular reactivity were examined: peak flow after occlusion as a difference between maximal and basal perfusion (PORH (max)), mean velocity increase during postocclusive hyperemia (PORH (max)/t (1)), peak flow during thermal hyperemia (TH (max)) and the mean velocity increase in the perfusion during thermal hyperemia (TH (max)/t (2)). These parameters are expressed in perfusion units (PU) or in perfusion units per second (PU . s (-1)). The microvascular reactivity in type 1 diabetic patients without evidence of peripheral neuropathy was comparable with that in healthy persons and it was significantly higher than in type 1 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy in all tested parameters (PORH (max): 64 [40; 81] PU vs. 24 [17; 40] PU, p < 0.001, PORH (max)/t (1): 5.41 [2.69; 8.18] PU/s vs. 1.21 [0.69; 2.5] PU/s, p < 0.001, TH (max): 105 [77; 156] PU vs. 56 [46; 85] PU, p < 0.001 and TH (max)/t (2): 2.48 [1.67; 3.33] PU/s vs. 0.87 [0.73; 1.06] PU/s, p < 0.001). On the contrary, no difference in the microvascular reactivity parameters was found between type 2 diabetic patients with and without neuropathy (PORH (max): 48 [30; 60] PU vs. 49 [36; 57] PU, NS, PORH (max)/t (1): 3.46 [2.15; 5.19] PU/s vs. 3.29 [2.45; 4.8] PU/s, NS, TH (max): 95 [78; 156] PU vs. 97 [73; 127] PU, NS and TH (max)/t (2): 1.45 [0.95; 2.84] PU/s vs. 1.37 [1.12; 1.95] PU/s, NS). In both these groups microvascular reactivity was comparable with that estimated in the age and BMI matched healthy persons. An inverse relationship was observed between microvascular reactivity and vibratory perception threshold in type 1 diabetic patients, but it was not true in type 2 diabetic patients. We suppose that the pathogenesis of neuropathy and impaired microvascular reactivity may be differently influenced by metabolic factors in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.     

Surgical Complications and Long-Term Outcome of Different Biliary Reconstructions in Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis—Choledochoduodenostomy versus Choledochojejunostomy

Choledochojejunostomy (CJS) is commonly used for biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We alternatively performed choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) and side-to-side choledochodocholedochstomy in a large cohort of patients. Fifty-one patients with PSC, transplanted between 1988 and 2000, were analyzed retrospectively. Biliary reconstruction was CDS in 25 (49%), CJS in 20 (39%) and CC in 6 transplantations (12%). Biliary leaks occurred in the early follow-up (< or =41 days) only in CDS patients (20%). However, in the late follow-up (>4 months), stricturing of anastomosis was found once in CDS (4%) and CJS (5%). Later (>9 months), intrahepatic bile duct strictures were diagnosed in four CDS (16%), one CJS (5%) and one CC (17%) patient(s). In 48% of CDS (12/25), 60% of CJS (12/20) and 17% of CC (1/6) at least one incidence of cholangitis was observed. Overall, biliary complication rates were significantly higher in CDS (40%) than CJS (10%) and CC (17%); of those none in CC and 12% in CDS were anastomosis-related. Graft/patient survival showed no significant differences among groups. Based on our results we consider CJS the standard method for biliary reconstruction in PSC; however, in selected cases where CJS is difficult to accomplish because of previous surgery or for retransplantation, CDS may present an alternative technique.     

急性出血坏死性胰腺炎肝损伤中TLR2/4mRNA的表达及氯喹的干预效应

目的： 研究急性出血坏死性胰腺炎（AHNP）肝损伤中Toll-样受体(TLR)2/4mRNA表达的变化及氯喹的干预效应。 方法：采用逆行胰胆管牛磺胆酸钠（TAC）注射造成大鼠AHNP肝损伤动物模型。动物分为假手术组（S组）、胰腺炎组和氯喹（CQ）治疗组。后2组于术后3，6，12 h分批剖杀，S组于术后6 h剖杀。观察血清淀粉酶、ALT和AST及肝组织NO和TNF-α的变化，RT-PCR方法检测各组不同时点肝组织TLR2和TLR4mRNA的表达。 结果：相对于S组，胰腺炎组大鼠3 h肝组织TLR2和TLR4mRNA表达开始增高，术后6～12 h肝组织TLR2和TLR4mRNA表达迅速达到峰值（P<0.05），肝损伤加重，血清淀粉酶升高，肝组织TNF-α浓度升高，NO浓度逐渐降低（P<0.05）；相对胰腺炎组，CQ治疗组TLR2/4mRNA表达降低（P<0.05），肝损伤程度减轻，血清淀粉酶降低，肝组织TNF-α浓度降低，NO浓度显著升高（P<0.05）。 结论：AHNP大鼠肝组织内TLR2和TLR4的基因表达上调；其表达增高可能在AHNP肝损伤的发生、发展中起重要作用。氯喹对大鼠AHNP过程中肝损伤可能有保护作用。     

伴随结节性硬化的浸润性视网膜星形细胞瘤4例

众所周知，视网膜星形细胞瘤常伴有结节性硬化的表现。视网膜星形细胞瘤一般是发生在视网膜神经纤维层的无蒂轻度隆起性病变。临床上可以是单侧发生，也可以是双侧发生。可以单个病灶，也可以多个病灶。可以是透明的，也可以是不透明的。可以有钙化，也可以没有钙化。视网膜星形细胞瘤相对固定的伴有眼内结节性硬化，很少表现为浸润性增长。在很少的情况下视网膜星形细胞瘤可以表现出浸润性增长，造成局部严重并发症。     

Analysis of the strain relatedness of oral Candida albicans in patients with diabetes mellitus using polymerase chain reaction‐fingerprinting

To increase our understanding of Candida pathogenicity, the identification of those strains most frequently associated with infections is of paramount importance. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based methods are extremely effective in differentiating and determining reproducibility, they require minimum starting material and are rapid and simple to perform. In this study, the genetic relatedness of Candida albicans was assessed for two geographically different patient groups (London, UK and Parma, Italy) affected by diabetes mellitus. C. albicans samples from the oral cavities of non‐diabetic healthy subjects were also examined by PCR fingerprinting to evaluate the possible genetic differences among endogenous strains in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus. PCR fingerprinting, with subsequent phylogenetic analysis of C. albicans isolates from the diabetic patients from London and Italy and from the non‐diabetic subjects, revealed that there were significant differences (P < 0.0001) between C. albicans isolates indicative of the distinct ecological niches that occur in the oral cavities of these patient cohorts. The most diverse group comprised the isolates from the diabetic patients in the UK, possibly reflecting the antifungal treatment that these patients had received. Further studies that include isolates from patient cohorts with systemic diseases other than diabetes mellitus, and from more diverse geographic localities are required to explain the relatedness of C. albicans isolates in the mouth.     

超短波对大鼠坐骨神经损伤后脊髓内GAP-43和CGRP表达的影响

目的探讨超短波对坐骨神经损伤后大鼠脊髓中GAP-43和CGRP表达的影响。方法60只成年雌性SD大鼠制成右侧坐骨神经钳夹损伤模型，随机分为超短波治疗组和非治疗对照组。免疫荧光方法观察术后1周、2周、4周、8周和12周不同时间点两组大鼠脊髓中GAP-43和CGRP表达的动态变化规律。结果大鼠坐骨神经损伤后脊髓内GAP-43和CGRPmRNA表达增强。术后1、2、4和8周超短波治疗组的变化与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），且GAP-43的表达在时间上早于对照组。结论超短波在早期能够明显增加GAP-43和CGRP的表达量，提示早期应用超短波治疗能够促进周围神经的     

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction and adenosine deaminase assay for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children. METHODS: PCR, adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) were evaluated in the fluid of 31 tuberculous (20 pleural, 8 ascites and 3 pericardial) and 24 non-tuberculous (10 transudtative ascites, 8 empyema thoracis, 3 malignant pleural and 3 pyopericardium) effusions. RESULTS: Fluid PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in 74% of tuberculous effusions, whereas it was falsely positive in 13% of the non-tuberculous group. The mean fluid ADA and ALC values were significantly higher in tuberculous effusions than in non-tuberculous effusions (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PCR, ADA (> or =38 IU/l) and ALC (> or =275/mm3) were 74% and 88%, 81% and 75%, and 90% and 83%, respectively, in diagnosing tuberculous effusions. The sensitivity of PCR, ADA and ALC was 100%, 100% and 88%, respectively, for confirmed tuberculous effusions. When the two tests were combined (either/or positive), the sensitivity increased (90-100%) at the expense of specificity. When both the tests were positive, then the specificity markedly increased (92-96%), but sensitivity of the tests decreased. CONCLUSION: Fluid PCR alone should not be relied on as a single test; rather, combined analysis with either ADA or ALC could be more useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.     

代孕技术中的伦理道德及法律问题

新近发展的代孕技术给众多不孕夫妇带来为人父母的喜悦之时,也对人们传统的生殖伦理观念形成冲击并挑战现存法律制度.人们不仅要肯定代孕技术的合理性,也要警惕其所产生的潜在的破坏性影响.合理利用该技术和制定相应的法规是避免出现伦理和社会混乱的有效途径.     

高同型半胱氨酸血症与进展型卒中的关系

目的 研究高同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)血症与进展型卒中(SIP)的关系.方法 本研究采用放免荧光法检测法测定47例进展性卒中患者,45例非进展性卒中患者的血浆Hcy水平.结果 血浆Hcy水平在SIP组为(25.49±15.73)μmol/L,在非进展性卒中组为(19.78±9.36)μmol/L.SIP组显著高于非进展性卒中组和对照组.结论 SIP患者的Hcy水平显著高于非进展性卒中患者,其鉴别诊断意义可做进一步研究.