Ventricular Fibrillation After Intravenous Atropine in a Patient with Atrioventricular Block

A 69-year-old black woman with complete AV block developed ventricular fibrillation following an IV injection of 1 mg of atropine sulphate. After a successful DC countershock, the ECG showed a polymorphous ventricular tachycardia which subsided spontaneously. Cardiac catheterization revealed a small left ventricular diverticulum and normal coronary arteries. This seems to be the first reported case of atropine-induced ventricular fibrillation in a patient with complete AV block. The fact that this occurred without previous change of the ventricular rate suggests that the adverse action of atropine was mediated through a mere vagolytic effect at the ventricular level.     

Brain- and heart-type fatty acid-binding proteins in the brain: tissue distribution and clinical utility

BACKGROUND: Detection of brain injury by serum markers is not a standard procedure in clinical practice, although several proteins, such as S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), myelin basic protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, show promising results. We investigated the tissue distribution of brain- and heart-type fatty acid-binding proteins (B-FABP and H-FABP) in segments of the human brain and the potential of either protein to serve as plasma marker for diagnosis of brain injury. METHODS: B-FABP and H-FABP were measured immunochemically in autopsy samples of the brain (n = 6) and in serum samples from (a) patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI; n = 130) and (b) depressed patients undergoing bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT; n = 14). The protein markers S100B and NSE were measured for comparison. Reference values of B-FABP and H-FABP were established in healthy individuals (n = 92). RESULTS: The frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes, the striatum, the pons, and the cerebellum had different tissue concentrations of B-FABP and of H-FABP. B-FABP ranged from 0.8 microg/g wet weight in striatum tissue to 3.1 microg/g in frontal lobe. H-FABP was markedly higher, ranging from 16.2 microg/g wet weight in cerebellum tissue to 39.5 microg/g in pons. No B-FABP was detected in serum from healthy donors. H-FABP serum reference value was 6 microg/L. In the MTBI study, serum B-FABP was increased in 68% and H-FABP in 70% of patients compared with S100B (increased in 45%) and NSE (increased in 51% of patients). In ECT, serum B-FABP was increased in 6% of all samples (2 of 14 patients), whereas H-FABP was above its upper reference limit (6 microg/L) in 17% of all samples (8 of 14 patients), and S100B was above its upper reference limit (0.3 microg/L) in 0.4% of all samples. CONCLUSIONS: B-FABP and H-FABP patterns differ among brain tissues, with the highest concentrations in the frontal lobe and pons, respectively. However, in each part of the brain, the H-FABP concentration was at least 10 times higher than that of B-FABP. Patient studies indicate that B-FABP and H-FABP are more sensitive markers for minor brain injury than the currently used markers S100B and NSE.     

The effects of an acute serotonergic challenge on brain-gut responses in irritable bowel syndrome patients and controls

BACKGROUND: Serotonin, a key denominator of the brain-gut axis is involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal function as well as cognition, mood and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-mediated neuroendocrine responses. AIM: To assess the effects of an acutely increased serotonergic activity, using a 20 mg intravenous citalopram challenge test on visceral perception, affective memory performance, mood and neuroendocrine responses, respectively, in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients and controls. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 14 diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients and 14 matched controls were studied under citalopram and placebo conditions, respectively. Visceral perception was scored in response to rectal distensions. Affective memory performance, mood, levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, prolactin and biochemical parameters of serotonergic metabolism were simultaneously assessed. RESULTS: Visceral perception did not significantly differ between the citalopram and placebo condition. Citalopram administration enhanced affective memory performance because of a bias towards positive material but no significant changes in mood. Citalopram significantly increased plasma serotonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels compared with placebo. Citalopram did not differentially affect the patient or control group. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided evidence that acutely increased serotonergic activity influences neuroendocrine responses and cognition in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and controls without a significant effect on visceral perception.     

Increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) expression in malignant breast, ovarian and melanoma tissue: an investigational study

Background  

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) is a metalloprotein enzyme that belongs to the acid phosphatases and is known to be expressed by osteoclasts. It has already been investigated as a marker of bone metastases in cancer patients. In this study, which examined the value of serum TRAP concentrations as a marker of bone disease in breast cancer patients, we observed high concentrations of TRAP even in patients without bone metastases. To elucidate this phenomenon, we examined the expression of TRAP in breast cancer cells and the cells of several other malignancies.     

Idiopathic Hypertrophie Pyloric Stenosis : Our Experience

Background

A typical infant with idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is described as a male child, first in the order of birth with a positive family history. However our experience suggests otherwise which is presented in this report. Methods : A retrospective analysis of medical records of 8 infants, who were diagnosed to be suffering from idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and subjected to surgical treatment, was undertaken.

Results

There were 5 (62.5%) males and 3 (37.5%) females. There was no family history and only one child (12.5%) was first born in the order of birth. One infant was preterm and one case (12.5%) had associated congenital anomaly (single kidney). Definitive diagnosis was established in 6 (75%) babies at admission whereas, other 2 cases (25%) required further evaluation. All the infants were in a state of moderate dehydration and in a varying state of hypochloremic alkalosis. The pH and serum chloride levels ranged from 7.52 to 7.67 and 86-94 mmol/L respectively. All were subjected to traditional Ramstedt''s pyloromyotomy after having undergone vigorous correction of fluids and electrolytes for 24-48 hours. Intraoperatively, there was one iatrogenic mucosal perforation, which was closed with an omental patch. Postoperative feeding was initiated 12 hrs after surgery in 6 (75%) babies.

Conclusion

Our series suggests a clinical profile of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in our subset of patients which is different from what is described in literature.Key Words: Idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, Pyloromyotomy     

Differentials and Determinants of Syndrome ‘X’ and its Role as Coronary Risk among Healthy Middle Aged Indian Army Personnel

Background

Syndrome ‘X’, a clustering of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), raised blood pressure, raised serum triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol, occurring under the influence of insulin resistance and resultant hyperinsulinaemia, has been hypothesised to be a major risk factor for ischaemic heart disease (IHD). However, there is a lack of research based evidence in this field, in our country.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional analytical epidemiological design of 614 healthy Indian Army personnel, aged 35 years and above, selected by random sampling.

Results

The study indicated that there is a statistically significant (p < 0.001) clustering between fasting hyperinsulinaemia, raised blood pressure, IGT, raised triglycerides and low HDL. The prevalence of syndrome ‘X’ was 8.47% (95% CI 6.27% to 10.47%). Initial univariate and subsequent multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression method, indicated that predictors of syndrome ‘X’ were increasing age, overweight, increasing central (abdominal) obesity, lack of adequate physical exercise and low level of physical fitness. Presence of syndrome ‘X’ increased the risk of resting ECG changes suggestive of coronary insufficiency (OR = 6.29, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Based on the findings, recommendations for prevention of this syndrome have been submitted.Key Words: Syndrome ‘X’, Insulin resistance syndrome, Ischaemic heart disease, Coronary Risk factors, Military personnel     

The use of diflunisal in post-operative pain: a report of double-blind comparative trials in patients after meniscectomy.

A series of double-blind randomized trials was carried out in patients suffering from moderate to severe pain after meniscectomy to assess the analgesic effectiveness of diflunisal. In a single-dose study, 150 patients received either diflunisal (125 mg, 250 mg or 500 mg), aspirin (600 mg), or placebo, and hourly assessments were made of pain severity over an 8-hour period. The results showed that 500 mg diflunisal produced comparable relief to aspirin within 3 to 4 hours, but the analgesic effect continued for longer and was still very marked after 8 hours. A multi-dose study in 120 patients receiving doses of diflunisal (375 mg or 500 mg) or placebo confirmed the overall effectiveness of twice daily treatment with diflunisal. In a comparative study against oxyphenbutazone (200 mg t.i.d.), hourly pain scores made on the first post-operative day showed that a single dose of 500 mg diflunisal produced comparable relief over a 12-hour period to that with 2 doses of 200 mg oxyphenbutazone. Overall response to multiple doses was assessed as excellent or good by all the patients receiving diflunisal. Preliminary results are reported on the use of diflunisal in other painful conditions.     

Lozenge directly activates argos and klumpfuss to regulate programmed cell death

We show that reducing the activity of the Drosophila Runx protein Lozenge (Lz) during pupal development causes a decrease in cell death in the eye. We identified Lz-binding sites in introns of argos (aos) and klumpfuss (klu) and demonstrate that these genes are directly activated targets of Lz. Loss of either aos or klu reduces cell death, suggesting that Lz promotes apoptosis at least in part by regulating aos and klu. These results provide novel insights into the control of programmed cell death (PCD) by Lz during Drosophila eye development.