Distribution of lipoprotein fractions in men with arteriosclerosis obliterans

The fasting serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were determined in fifty male patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) confirmed by angiography. Twenty five of the patients were hyperlipidemic and significantly elevated concentration of atherogenic lipoproteins could be demonstrated compared to age matched control group of healthy subjects (n = 20). The HDL-cholesterol level in the patient group was significantly decreased even if comparing normolipemic patients to controls. In the postprandial phase of cholesterol loading (600 mg) the serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels did not change in both groups. A marked increase in serum total triglyceride, VLDL-cholesterol and VLDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio was detected and the differences between the two groups regarding these lipoprotein fractions were increased. The importance of cholesterol-rich VLDL in ASO and its relationship to familial dysbetalipoproteinemia are discussed.     

Sexual behaviour and multiple infections in drug abusers

We have studied the prevalence and the serological profile of HBV, HCV, HDV and HIV infections in 137 Italian subjects addicted to the intravenous use of heroine and correlated the virological findings with sexual behaviour. HBV and HCV viremia were also measured in 114 patients. Anti-HCV was detected in 81% of the addicts, and one or more markers of HBV infection were detected in 62.8% (4.4% were carriers of HBsAg, 58.4% had evidence of past HBV infection and 13.1% of the latter also had HDV markers). Anti-HIV was positive in 23.4%; 26% of those positive for anti-HCV and 4.6% of those positive for HBV markers had no other viral marker: none had only anti-HIV. HBV-DNA was negative in the carriers of HBsAg, and HCV-RNA was not detected in any of the HBsAg carriers who also had circulating anti-HCV Overall, 34% of the anti-HCV positive addicts had HCV-RNA in their blood. The prevalence of the virus infection correlated with the duration of drug addiction but not with sexual behaviour, and sexual behaviour did not influence the acquisition of any virus. HCV infection was most frequent and probably the first infection to occur, but exposure to HBV was also common despite a low rate of HBsAg carriage. The prevalence of HDV infection was high (50%) in the HBsAg carriers, while the overall prevalence of HIV was lower (23%) than expected. Lack of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA in carriers of HBV with anti-HCV in serum may indicate that HBV and HCV mutually inhibit their own replication.     

Failure of high doses of potentially antiviral agents to prevent death in virus-infected mice

The influence of increasing doses of various potentially antiviral agents on Mengo virus-and Sindbis virus-infected mice was assessed determining death rates and histologic lesions. All drugs given in abundance showed dose-dependent decrease of antiviral activity following the maximum protective effects in either animal model. From the toxicological point of view the antiviral agents in question could be classified into two groups. High doses of tilorone hydrochloride or 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone produced toxic effects in both uninfected and virus-infected animals. In contrast, high doses of quercetin, double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), 1-ethylisatin-S-n-butylisothiosemicarbazone or Norakin induced no obvious drug-mediated histologic alterations either in uninfected or in virus-infected individuals, but exerted a decreased protection in virus-infected animals. It is suggested that high doses of the compounds of second group adversely affect early host defence in both Mengo virus and Sindbis virus-infected mice.     

Maximal explosive power and aerobic exercise in humans

The maximal explosive power (wmax), i.e. the mechanical power developed over short bursts (less than 5 s) of all-out cycling, or uphill running, in humans attains 12-17 W*kg-1 in non athletics subjects. Thus, in terms of O2 consumption wmax is about four times larger than the subjects VO2max. The peak instantaneous power during a vertical jump off both feet (w) in non athletic subjects is about 50-55 W kg-1 and attains 70-75 W*kg-1 in "power" athletes. Both wmax and w decrease when the all-out efforts is performed from a priming aerobic exercise: if the intensity of this last approaches VO2max, then wmax and w are reduced to about 75% the value attained from rest. Thus, in the course of high intensity efforts, an athlete can develop a still remarkable fraction of his maximal absolute power. The decrease mentioned above is proportional, and presumably causally related, to the decrease of the high energy phosphate concentration occurring in the muscle at the onset of the exercise, and maintained throughout the effort duration.     

Comparison of porcine collagen paste injection and rectal advancement flap for the treatment of complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas: a 2-year follow-up study

<div class="AbstractSection" id="ASec1">

Background

Rectal advancement flap is the standard surgical treatment for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas, while Permacol? collagen paste is considered an innovative treatment option for anorectal fistulas. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with complex cryptoglandular fistulas treated by endorectal advancement flap versus Permacol? paste.div><div class="AbstractSection" id="ASec2">

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of patients with complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas. Thirty-one patients were treated with the rectal advancement flap (RAF group), while 21 were treated with Permacol? paste injection (PP group). In PP group, the approach consisted of loose seton positioning followed several weeks later by closure internal opening with a resorbable sutures associated with paste injection into the fistula track. Clinical outcomes were assessed in terms of healing rate, faecal continence and patient satisfaction.div><div class="AbstractSection" id="ASec3">

Results

Seton drainage was done in all patients in both groups for a median duration of 8 weeks (range 4–18 weeks) before the final surgery (p?=?0.719). No patient had faecal incontinence (CGS ≥ 5) preoperatively. Five patients (16%) in the RAF group and one (5%) in the PP group experienced faecal incontinence postoperatively. The 2-year disease-free survival was 65% in the RAF group and 52% in the PP group (p?=?0.659). The median satisfaction scores were 5 (range 1–10) in the RAF group and 7 (range 2–10) in the PP group (p?=?0.299).div><div class="AbstractSection" id="ASec4">

Conclusion

The RAF appeared superior to PP in terms of fistula healing, although this result was not statistically significant. On the contrary, PP has a potential advantage in terms of continence disorders. Permacol? paste can be considered as the initial treatment option for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas in patients with faecal continence disorders.div>     

米力农对人离体肺血管舒张功能的影响

目的:评估米力农(Milrinone)对人离体肺血管的舒张能力,并探讨其可能的作用机制.方法:26例胸外科患者行肺叶切除术后,取出肺血管(肺动脉和肺静脉),根据血管的性质和有无去除血管内皮,将其分为去内皮肺动脉组(A1组)、去内皮肺静脉组(A2组)、正常内皮肺动脉组(B1组)、正常内皮肺静脉组(B2组)四组,依次加入0.1、1.0、10.0μmol/L的米力农,测血管张力的改变.结果:①米力农对人肺血管有浓度依赖的舒张作用;②米力农对A1组与B1组、A2组与B2组,其血管舒张作用无显著差异;③米力农对血管的舒张作用A2和B2组分别强于A1、B1组.结论:米力农对人肺血管有浓度依赖的舒张作用.其作用与血管内皮完整性无关,对肺静脉的舒张作用强于对肺动脉的舒张作用.     

以心肌梗死为首发表现的嗜铬细胞瘤(2例报告)

1　病例介绍例 1　男性 ,48岁。以“胸闷、胸痛 2天”为主诉入院。入院前 2天出现胸闷、心悸 ,每天发作数次 ,每次发作持续约半小时 ,发作时心前区绞痛 ,大汗淋漓 ,恶心、呕吐出胃内容物数次 ,伴头晕、头痛。既往无高血压、冠心病史 ,无吸烟史。BP:2 0 0 / 10 5 mm Hg,神清 ,颈静脉 (- ) ,心界不大 ,HR 130min- 1 ,律齐 ,A2 >P2 ,各瓣膜区未闻及杂音 ,肝脾未触及 ;WBC 2 1.9g/ L ,N 0 .486 ,L 0 .2 2 2 ,ECG V1 ～ V5 ST段抬高约 0 .2～ 0 .3 m V,V3～ V5 导联 QRS波群呈 q R型 ,T波倒置双向 ,见图 1。二维 B超于右肾上腺区探及…