T1‐Weighted MRI shows stage‐dependent substantia nigra signal loss in Parkinson's disease

Depigmentation of the substantia nigra is a conspicuous pathological feature of Parkinson's disease and related to a loss of neuromelanin. Similar to melanin, neuromelanin has paramagnetic properties resulting in signal increase on specific T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this study was to assess signal changes in the substantia nigra in patients with Parkinson's disease using an optimized neuromelanin‐sensitive T1 scan. Ten patients with Parkinson's disease and 12 matched controls underwent high‐resolution T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging with magnetization transfer effect at 3T. The size and signal intensity of the substantia nigra pars compacta were determined as the number of pixels with signal intensity higher than background signal intensity + 3 standard deviations and regional contrast ratio. Patients were subclassified as early stage (n = 6) and late stage (n = 4) using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Hoehn and Yahr Parkinson's disease staging scale. The T1 hyperintense area in the substantia nigra was substantially smaller in patients compared with controls (?60%, P < .01), and contrast was reduced (?3%, P < .05). Size reduction was even more pronounced in more advanced disease (?78%) than in early‐stage disease (?47%). We present preliminary findings using a modified T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging technique showing stage‐dependent substantia nigra signal reduction in Parkinson's disease as a putative marker of neuromelanin loss. Our data suggest that reduction in the size of neuromelanin‐rich substantia nigra correlates well with postmortem observations of dopaminergic neuron loss. Further validation of our results could potentially lead to development of a new biomarker of disease progression in Parkinson's disease. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society     

Complicated eyelid reconstruction after an unusual glabellar flap repair

Remote flaps may be used for lid reconstruction when tissue loss is extensive and there is insufficient tissue in the adjoining areas. Median forehead flaps are usually used for upper lid, medial canthal or nasal repairs. We describe a complicated reconstruction of the lid and correction of a deformity which resulted from the injudicious use of a glabellar flap for lower lid repair. Improper use of a median forehead flap may interfere with the functioning of the lid, leading to corneal exposure and poor cosmesis. Lower lid defects are better repaired by advancement flaps or techniques like Tenzel's semicircular flap, reverse Cutler Beard, Hughes procedure or Mustarde's repair.     

Neurofibroma of the lacrimal sac

Neurofibroma is an extremely rare neural tumor of the lacrimal sac. We present a case of neurofibroma of the lacrimal sac in a 45-year-old lady. Based on the history of intermittent epiphora, presence of a mass in the lacrimal sac region, dacryocystogram suggestive of space occupying lesion within the lacrimal sac and computed tomographic image of a tumor lying in the lacrimal fossa region, a tentative diagnosis of lacrimal sac neoplasm was made. Excision of the tumor with repair of the lacrimal sac was performed. Histopathology proved it to be neurofibroma of the lacrimal sac. Until now, only four cases have been reported worldwide. The paucity of reported cases limits our knowledge regarding the natural course, treatment, results and prognosis of this tumor.     

Free fatty acids reduce splanchnic and peripheral glucose uptake in patients with type 2 diabetes

Splanchnic glucose uptake (SGU) plays a major role in the disposal of an oral glucose load (OGL). To investigate the effect of an elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration on SGU in patients with type 2 diabetes, we measured SGU in eight diabetic patients (mean age 51 +/- 4 years, BMI 29.3 +/- 1.4 kg/m(2), fasting plasma glucose 9.3 +/- 0.7 mmol/l) during an intravenous Intralipid/heparin infusion and 7-10 days later during a saline infusion. SGU was estimated by the OGL insulin clamp method: subjects received a 7-h euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (insulin infusion rate = 100 mU x m(-2) x min(-1)), and a 75-g OGL was ingested 3 h after starting the insulin clamp. After glucose ingestion, the steady-state glucose infusion rate during the insulin clamp was decreased appropriately to maintain euglycemia. SGU was calculated by subtracting the integrated decrease in glucose infusion rate during the 4-h period after glucose ingestion from the ingested glucose load (75 g). 3-[(3)H]glucose was infused during the 3-h insulin clamp before glucose ingestion to determine the rates of endogenous glucose production and glucose disappearance (R(d)). Intralipid/heparin or saline infusion was initiated 2 h before the start of the OGL clamp. Plasma FFA concentrations were significantly higher during the OGL clamp with the intralipid/heparin infusion than with the saline infusion (2.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.11 +/- 0.02 mmol/l, P < 0.001). During the 3-h insulin clamp period before glucose ingestion, Intralipid/heparin infusion reduced R(d) (4.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.3 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.01). During the 4-h period after glucose ingestion, SGU was significantly decreased during the intralipid/heparin versus saline infusion (30 +/- 2 vs. 37 +/- 2%, P < 0.01). In conclusion, an elevation in plasma FFA concentration impairs both peripheral and SGU in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

分娩前单疗程激素给药与分娩时间间隔及其与新生儿结局的相关性

目的：本研究旨在对单疗程激素给药7d后分娩的新生儿进行研究，以确定这种分娩前治疗能否有效减少其呼吸功能不全的发生。研究设计：设计一个回顾性表格，统计所有孕〈34周分娩的孕妇，受试者均在分娩前接受过一个疗程的激素（地塞米松或倍他米松）治疗。图表回顾母亲和新生儿资料，确证治疗方案，统计新生儿发病率。结果：在197例接受分娩前激素补充治疗的孕产妇中，98例于给药后7d内分娩，99例给药7d后分娩。两组孕产妇分娩孕周相似（分别为孕33周与孕33^＋4周），在母亲年龄、种族、体质、应用激素种类、分娩方式、新生儿性别及出生体重方面也无显著差异。结果，给药7d内分娩的婴儿，需接受〉24h呼吸支持者较少（62％vs8l％，P〈0．01），但两组在以下方面无显著差异：表面活性剂治疗（39％vs47％）、呼吸机应用（49％vs59％）、坏死性小肠结肠炎（6％vs4％）、脑窜内出血（15％vs20％）、28d内吸氧（24％vs23％）、预产期为孕36周者（13％vs12％）、住院时间（34dvs38d）及死亡率（2例似0例）。