Comparison of the Antibacterial Activity of Lidocaine 1% Versus Alkalinized Lidocaine In Vitro

Background: Infections after epidural and spinal blocks are rare. The topical anesthetic liclocaine used in these procedures has been found to have antibacterial effects on various microorganisms.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial effects of alkalinized liclocaine on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods: Lidocaine 2%, alkalinized lidocaine, and physiologic saline (as a control solution) were added to standard bacterial preparations. The final concentration of the lidocaine was 10 mg/mL (1%). At baseline and 3 and 6 hours after incubation at 37°C, 3-mL aliquots were vortexed and pipetted into sterile polystyrene spectrophotometer cuvettes. Baseline referred to the end of the period of preparation of the solution (≤20 minutes). Growth was measured as the optical density at a wavelength of 540 nm.Results: Compared with the control, lidocaine significantly inhibited the growth of S aureus, E coli, and P aeruginosa at baseline and 3 and 6 hours after incubation (all, P < 0.05). Alkalinized lidocaine significantly inhibited the growth of S aureus at baseline and 3 and 6 hours (all, P < 0.05), while it significantly inhibited the growth of E coli and P aeruginosa only at 6 hours (both, P < 0.05). The growth of E coli was significantly less in lidocaine than in alkalinized lidocaine at 0 and 3 hours (both, P < 0.05).Conclusion: The antibacterial effect of lidocaine 1% on S aureus was not changed after alkalinization. The effect of alkalinized lidocaine on E coli and P aeruginosa was significant only at 6 hours. Lidocaine significantly inhibited the growth of these 3 microorganisms at all study periods.     

Sympathetic Overactivity in Patients with Pulmonary Stenosis and Improvement after Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty

Objective : Percutaneous balloon valvulotomy (PBV) is the procedure of choice for the treatment of valvular pulmonary stenosis (PS) with similar results comparable to surgical valvotomy but less invasive. . Methods and Results : Twenty‐seven consecutive patients with PS being evaluated for PBV were enrolled in the study. Peak instantaneous transvalvular gradient, right ventricle (RV) diameter, mean atrial pressures, RV systolic pressure (RVSP), pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP) levels significantly decreased immediately after PBV. Regarding heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, mean HR (heart rate), LF (low frequency) day and night, LF/HF day and night significantly decreased and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), P number of NN intervals that differed by more than 50 ms from adjacent interval divided by the total number of all NN intervals (PNN50), HF (High frequency) day and night significantly increased 1 day after PBV and these changes were shown to be preserved at the first month. The increase in SDNN was correlated with the decrease in right atrial pressure (RAP) (r =?0.5, P = 0.04); the increase in standard deviation of the 5‐minute mean RR intervals (SDANN) was correlated with the decrease in proBNP (r =?0.4, P = 0.03). Conclusions : Sympathetic overactivity and increased proBNP levels were associated with the symptomatic status of patients with PS. Associated with a decrease in atrial pressures and proBNP levels, PBV yielded a decrease in adrenergic overactivity in the patients with PS.     

Increased asymmetric dimethylarginine and nitric oxide levels in patients with migraine

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been found as correlated with endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. There are few studies regarding ADMA and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with migraine and alterations of ADMA and NO levels during migraine attack are not well-known. Therefore, in present study, we aimed to measure NO and ADMA levels in patients with migraine and compare them with the control group to investigate the correlation between migraine, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. The migraine group consisted of 59 patients, including 22 suffering from migraine with aura and 37 suffering from migraine without aura. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers without headache. The patients in migraine group were divided into subgroups based on whether attack period was present or not and whether it was migraine with or without aura. Plasma ADMA levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Migraine patients had higher concentrations of NO (35.6±7.7, 31.0±6.2 μmol/L, respectively, p=0.005) and ADMA (0.409±0.028, 0.381±0.044 μmol/L, respectively, p = 0.001) levels when compared with the healthy controls. During migraine attack, NO and ADMA levels were found to be significantly higher in migraine group as compared to control group (respectively, p=0.015, p=0.014). Similarly, NO and ADMA levels in the patients with migraine in the interictal period were found to be significantly higher as compared to control group (p=0.011, p=0.003). In conclusion, higher ADMA and NO levels of patients with migraine supported that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction may have a role in migraine pathogenesis.     

The relationship between terminal QRS complex distortion and early low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography in acute anterior myocardial infarction

Although the damage in myocardial infarction has been demonstrated to be related with the magnitude and number of ST elevation, its relation with terminal distortion of QRS is unclear. The relationship between terminal QRS distortion in ECGs on admission and the results of early low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (LDSE) performed 6 +/- 2 days later was investigated. Patients admitted to our clinic within the first six hours of their chest pain and without a prior infarction diagnosis were divided into two groups based on the admission electrocardiogram as the absence (QRS-, n = 33) or presence (QRS+, n = 29) of distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS in > or = 2 leads (QRS+; J point at > 50% of the R wave amplitude in lateral leads or presence of ST elevation without S wave in leads V1-V3). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to thrombolytic therapy or reperfusion criteria. During LDSE, the infarct zone wall motion score index (WMSI) in the QRS- group was significantly decreased relative to baseline (from 2.93 +/- 0.65 to 2.37 +/- 0.84, P = 0.02), and it was significantly different compared with WMSI in the QRS+ group (P = 0.005). Improvement of akinetic regions to hypokinetic regions in the infarct zone (IZ) was found to be 33.5% (44/131) in the QRS- group and 17.8% (27/151 P = 0.004) in the QRS+ group. Furthermore, 55.1% (10/29) of the patients in the QRS+ group and only 18.1% (6/33) of those in the QRS- group did not respond to LDSE (P < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, while there was no relationship between good left ventricular functions (WMSI < 2) and terminal QRS distortion under basal conditions (P = 0.07), an independent relation was observed to exist between them after LDSE (P = 0.03, OR 4.48, 95% CI, 1.13-17.7). Moreover, plasma CK levels were higher in the QRS+ group (P = 0.03), whereas the ejection fraction was worse (P = 0.01). In both groups, there was no correlation between the Selvester score and left ventricle WMSI at baseline, but this correlation was significantly improved with LDSE (QRS-; r = 0.39 P = 0.02 and QRS+; r = 0.44 P = 0.01) The viability in the IZ is relatively less in those patients with terminal QRS distortion observed in their ECG on admission. This simple classification would be useful in predicting left ventricular function at the time of discharge.     

Measurement of myocardial fractional flow reserve during coronary angioplasty in infarct-related and non-infarct related coronary artery lesions

Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFRmyo) has been demonstrated to be a useful method for determining the physiologic importance of a given coronary lesion. However, the reliability of the FFRmyo measurement is unknown in infarct-related arteries (IRA). The aim of this study was to measure and correlate the FFRmyo results of 14 consecutive patients who had recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (Group 1) with 14 consecutive patients who didnOt have AMI (Group 2) before and after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and FFRmyo measurements were determined both before and after optimal PTCA for all patients. FFRmyo was measured by use of a 0.014 inch guidewire as the ratio of the pressure distal to the target lesion to the aortic pressure taken during the maximal hyperemia induced by intracoronary adenosine. There were no differences between the two groups related to gender, target artery reference diameter, minimal luminal diameter and percent diameter stenosis of the vessel both before and after PTCA. While FFRmyo results after PTCA were not different between the groups, they were statistically different before PTCA (Group 1: 77.6+/-5.4%, Group 2: 63.3+/-8.4%; p<0.001). Although QCA-determined percent diameter stenosis revealed a significant degree of stenosis (66.5+/-10.5%) for Group 1, FFRmyo values were higher than 75% (77.6+/-5.4%), indicating insignificant stenosis. Thus, it was concluded that FFRmyo measurements before PTCA were significantly different between IRA and non-IRA and that the method may not be valid for the determination of stenosis significance in IRA.     

Insulin response to oral glucose loading and coronary artery disease in nondiabetics

Hyperinsulinemia is related to coronary artery disease (CAD), as an indication of decreased insulin sensitivity. Although there are many studies showing the relation between fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance, there are fewer studies on postprandial insulin levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between postprandial insulin levels and CAD and its extent in our patients. For this purpose, oral glucose tolerance testing was performed in 222 patients with no known diabetes and who were scheduled to undergo diagnostic coronary angiography. The patients were first separated into two groups, one group (group I) having an insulin response within reference values to oral glucose loading, and the other group (group II) with a higher than normal insulin response. The presence and extent of CAD in the two groups were compared. While 65% of the patients in group 1 had CAD, this rate increased to 79% in group 2 patients (P = 0.02). The mean vessel scores were 0.92 +/- 0.78 in group 1 and 1.67 +/- 0.99 (P < 0.0001) in group 2 patients. The stenosis scores were 2.192 +/- 2.077 in group 1 and 5.588 +/- 3.519 (P < 0.001) in group 2, while the extent scores were 1.230 +/- 1.292 in group 1 and 2.729 +/- 1.847 in group 2 (P < 0.0001). The differences between the two groups were significant. Postprandial insulin values were positively correlated with CAD (P = 0.001, r = 0.214), vessel scores (P < 0.0001, r = 0.326), stenosis scores (P < 0.0001, r = 0.261), and extent scores (P < 0.0001, r = 0.419). Logistic regression analysis revealed hyperinsulinemia increased CAD independent from the other risk factors (OR = 5.742, CI 95%: 1.809-18.227, P = 0.003).     

Metabolic syndrome: major impact on coronary risk in a population with low cholesterol levels--a prospective and cross-sectional evaluation

The prevalence and the excess coronary heart disease (CHD) risk of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components were investigated in the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study in both a prospective and a cross-sectional manner. In a population sample, representative of Turkish adults who have low levels of high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C), MS was identified in conformity with the definition used in the recent NCEP guidelines. Prospective analysis was based on 2398 men and women (mean age at baseline 49.1+/-13 years) who had a baseline examination in 1997/98 and were followed-up for a mean of 3 years. CHD was diagnosed based on clinical findings and Minnesota coding of resting electrocardiograms. Fatal and nonfatal CHD developed in 126 subjects. 27% of men and 38.6% of women were found to have MS at baseline examination. When adjusted for age, MS was an independent predictor of subsequent overall fatal and nonfatal CHD in both genders, displaying an RR of 1.71. At the final cross-sectional evaluation, coronary risk associated with MS in men was primarily accounted for by standard MS components (largely inherent in glucose intolerance, hypertension and in a surrogate of small, dense LDL particles), in addition to a minor independent contribution by C-reactive protein (CRP). In women with MS, a substantial residual coronary risk remained after controlling for five components, which was partly accounted for by levels of LDL-C and CRP. It was estimated that MS was the culprit in just over half the cases of CHD in Turkey. CONCLUSION: MS was the major determinant of CHD risk in a population having generally low levels of HDL-C and LDL-C in middle-aged and elderly adults, extending to three out of every eight adults, and imposing an overall excess CHD risk of approximately 70%. In contrast to men, a substantial residual coronary risk is retained in Turkish women after controlling for five MS components.     

Osteoprotegrin interacts with biomarkers and cytokines that have roles in osteoporosis,skin fibrosis,and vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: A potential multifaceted relationship between OPG/RANKL/TRAIL and Wnt inhibitors

Abstract

Objectives: We explored the interactions of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with biomarkers of bone turnover and cytokines, including soluble receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (sRANKL), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL), and Wnt inhibitors in osteoporosis, vasculopathy and fibrosis related to systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: The study included 46 SSc patients and 30 healthy controls. Skin thickness, pulmonary fibrosis and/or hypertension, digital ulcers, and calcinosis cutis of SSc patients were assessed. We determined bone mineral density (BMD), and OPG, sRANKL, TRAIL, secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP-1), Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1), sclerostin in the serum of both patients and controls.

Results: OPG, sclerostin, and sFRP-1 levels were similar between patients and controls (P?>?0.05). Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD and vitamin D levels were lower, and the OC, NTX, sRANKL, DKK1 and TRAIL levels were significantly higher, in patients than in controls (p?<?0.05). In subgroup analysis, patients with higher modified Rodnan skin score (mRodnan) had higher DKK-1, sclerostin, and TRAIL levels (p?<?0.05); those with diffuse SSc subtype had lower BMD values than those with limited SSc (p?<?0.05). Skin and pulmonary fibrosis linked negatively with BMD measures.

Conclusion: we showed that sRANKL levels were higher and correlated with bone turnover markers. It may be related to osteoporosis in SSc. The OPG level was unaltered in SSc patients. Higher TRAIL levels associated with skin thickness may indicate vascular dysfunction or injury. Higher DKK-1 and sclerostin levels may be related to a reactive increase in cells and be prominently linked to fibrosis in SSc.     

Concomitant Gerbode‐Like Defect and Anterior Mitral Leaflet Perforation after Aortic Valve Replacement for Endocarditis

We present a case of concomitant left ventricle (LV) to right atrial shunt (Gerbode‐like defect) and anterior mitral leaflet perforation in a 32‐year‐old male after aortic valve replacement for infective endocarditis of bicuspid aortic valve. This case emphasises that intra‐operative transesophageal echocardiography is a sine qua non for valvular surgical procedures.     

Maple syrup urine disease: diffusion-weighted MRI findings during acute metabolic encephalopathic crisis

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is caused by a genetic defect of branched-chain amino acids, which include leucine, isoleucine and valine. We report diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings in a newborn child with MSUD who presented with acute metabolic encephalopathic crisis. DWI (b = 1,000 s/mm(2)) showed high signal localized within the myelinated white matter (WM) areas including the cerebellar white matter, pons, bulbus, cerebral peduncles, lentiform nucleus, posterior limbs of the internal capsules, corona radiata and bilateral perirolandic cortex. The apparent diffusion coefficient values of these regions were markedly low in the affected areas. The presence of these findings was considered cytotoxic or intramyelinic edema evidenced by restricted water diffusion. In conclusion, our findings suggest that during the acute phase and early encephalopathic crisis stage of MSUD, DWI can demonstrate the involvement of myelinated WM in newborns.