The missing pedicle: a radiodiagnostic challenge

The absence of a vertebral pedicle, regardless of location, always merits careful consideration. There are a variety of disease states in addition to intrinsic mechanisms which may influence the development of the spine and hence potentiate pedicular absence. Each of these diseases or processes must be considered when confronted by a missing pedicle. This paper will identify and briefly discuss the most common conditions resulting in pedicular absence.     

Protein restriction in chronic renal failure

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a protein restricted diet on renal function and growth of children with chronic renal failure. In a multicentre prospective study 56 children (aged 2-18 years) with chronic renal failure were randomly assigned to the protein restricted (0.8-1.1 g/kg/day) or the control group. All children were followed up by the same paediatrician and dietitian. After a follow up period of three years there was no significant difference in glomerular filtration rate between children on a protein restricted diet and children of the control group. There was no significant difference in weight with respect to height and height SD score between the protein restricted and the control group. Compliance with the protein restricted diet, as indicated by the prospective diet diaries and the serum urea:creatinine ratio, was good. This study shows that children with chronic renal failure do not benefit from a protein restricted diet.     

A phase I trial of recombinant human interleukin-11 (neumega rhIL-11 growth factor) in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy

We performed a phase I trial of recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL- 11) in women with breast cancer. Cohorts of three to five women were accrued to five dosage levels of rhIL-11 (10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 micrograms/kg/d). rhIL-11 alone was administered by a daily subcutaneous injection for 14 days during a 28-day prechemotherapy "cycle 0." Patients (pts) subsequently received up to four 28-day cycles of cyclophosphamide (1,500 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) chemotherapy followed by rhIL-11 at their assigned dose (days 3 through 14). Sixteen pts (13 stage IV, 3 stage IIIB) were accrued to this study. Median age was 53 years and median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status was 0. A grade 3 neurologic event was seen in 1 pt at 100 micrograms/kg. Because of the degree of grade 2 constitutional symptoms (myalgias/arthralgias and fatigue) at 75 micrograms/kg, dose escalation was stopped and 75 micrograms/kg was the maximally tolerated dose. No other grade 3 or 4 adverse events related to rhIL-11 were seen. The administration of rhIL-11 was not associated with fever. Reversible grade 2 fatigue and myalgias/arthralgias were seen in all pts at 75 micrograms/kg. Weight gain of 3% to 5% associated with edema was seen at doses > 10 micrograms/kg but a capillary leak syndrome was not seen. rhIL-11 alone was associated with a mean 76%, 93%, 108%, and 185% increase in platelet counts at doses of 10, 25, 50, and 75 micrograms/kg, respectively. No significant changes in leukocytes were seen. A mean 19% decrease in hematocrit was observed. Acute-phase proteins increased with treatment at all doses. Compared with patients at the 10 micrograms/kg dose, patients receiving doses > or = 25 micrograms/kg experienced less thrombocytopenia in the first two cycles of chemotherapy. We conclude that rhIL-11 has thrombopoietic activity at all doses studied, is well tolerated at doses of 10, 25, and 50 micrograms/kg, and at doses > or = 25 micrograms/kg has the potential to reduce chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in this model.     

Multiple digitalis receptors A molecular perspective

The Na,K-ATPase is the only established receptor for cardiac glycosides like digoxin or ouabain. There are now known to be three different isoforms of its principal subunit. These isoforms can differ from one another in their intrinsic affinity for cardiac glycosides. Recent work examines the molecular structure of the binding site. The relative level of expression of the isoforms in cardiac tissue is modified in several developmental, hormonal, and pathological states, contributing to alterations in the digitalis sensitivity of the tissue.     

Corrosion of lead shielding in a radiology department

Corrosion of lead sheet used for structural radiation protection in the Princess Alexandra Hospital radiology department has been identified. The corrosion is thought to have been caused by organic acid vapours released from oregon timber wall panelling. Non-destructive testing (NDT) and X-ray transmission measurements were used to define the extent and severity of damage, and subsequently to provide the data necessary for estimation of staff and public radiation doses. Although radiation dose limits have not been exceeded, corrective actions including structural modifications and staff information sessions have been undertaken.     

Metformin treatment may be associated with decreased levels of NT-proBNP in patients with type 2 diabetes

PurposeIndividuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure (HF). In patients with T2DM elevated serum concentrations of the N-terminal fragment of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) correlate with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify predictors of increased serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with T2DM.MethodsThe study included 185 patients with T2DM treated with either oral antidiabetic agents (49.7%) or insulin (17.8%), or both (32.5%). We divided the patients into two groups: with high (>200 pg/mL) and low (≤200 pg/mL) NT-proBNP concentrations.ResultsWe found differences between the patients with high and low NT-proBNP levels including age, prevalence of dyslipidemia and HF, history of previous myocardial infarction (MI), heart rate, hemoglobin level, platelet count, creatinine, urea and uric acid concentrations, use of beta-blockers, loop diuretics, metformin and insulin. In a multivariate analysis metformin was a negative predictor of increased NT-proBNP concentration. Age, history of HF and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were positive predictors. We found no correlation between NT-proBNP serum concentration and insulin treatment or history of coronary artery disease or MI.ConclusionMetformin correlates with lower concentrations of NT-proBNP in patients with T2DM.     

2－［对－（二甲氨基）苯乙烯］氯化甲基吡啶对大鼠心电图、豚鼠左心房收缩及乳头肌动作电位的影响

２－［对－（二甲氨基）苯乙烯］氯化甲基吡啶（ＤＳＰＭ－ＣＩ），是由氯取代２－［对－（二甲氨基）苯乙烯］碘化甲基吡啶（ＤＳＰＭ）上的碘而得。本文应用心电图、机械收缩描记方法及细胞内标准微电极技术，研究ＤＳＰＭ－Ｃｌ对大鼠心电图（ＥＣＧ）、豚鼠心房肌量效曲线及对豚鼠乳头肌快反应动作电位（ＡＰ）、高钾除极慢反应动作电位（ＳＡＰ）的影响。结果显示，ＤＳＰＭ－Ｃｌ（２ｍｇ·ｋｇ￣（－１））对大鼠有明显的负性频率、负性传导作用，分别使ＰＰ间期、ＰＲ间期延长达６６．２％（Ｐ＜０．０１），１７．０％（Ｐ＜０．０１），５０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ￣（－１）能明显抑制左心房收缩力，非竟争性拮抗Ｉｓｏ及ＣａＣｌ＿２对豚鼠左心房的正性肌力作用，ＰＤ￣２＇分别为４．６，４，３４，１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ￣（－１）ＤＳＰＭ－Ｃｌ延长动作电位时程ＡＰＤ＿（９０），有效不应期（ＥＲＰ），降低高钾除极豚鼠乳头肌０期最大上升速率Ｖｍａｘ，其作用与Ｖｅｒ相似，提示ＤＳＰＭ－Ｃｌ可能为钙拮抗剂。     

A study to the fibroblast—populated collagen lattices

ＦＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＯｒａｌＭａｘｉｌｌｏｆａｃｉａｌＳｕｒｇｅｒｙ ,2ｎｄＣｌｉｎｉｃａｌＣｏｌｌｅｇｅｏｆＣｈｉｎａＭｅｄｉｃａｌＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ ,Ｓｈｅｎｙａｎｇ 1 1 0 0 0 3,Ｃｈｉｎａ(ＷｕＺＱ)ＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＯｒａｌＳｕｒｇｅｒｙ ,ＭｅｄｉｃｉｎｅａｎｄＰａｔｈｏｌｏｇｙ ,ＤｅｎｔａｌＳｃｈｏｏｌ,ＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙｏｆＷａｌｅｓＣｏｌｌｅｇｅｏｆＭｅｄｉｃｉｎｅ ,ＣａｒｄｉｆｆＣＦ44ＸＹ ,ＵｎｉｔｅｄＫｉｎｇｄｏｍ (ＫＪＤａｖｉｅｓ ,ＤＷＴｈｏｍａｓ)ｉｂｒｏｂｌａｓ…     

复方硫酸氢黄连素灌肠液的抗菌活性研究

目的观察复方硫酸氢黄连素灌肠液比单方黄连素制剂抗菌活性是否有所增加.方法采用琼脂平板稀释法和平皿法,并以志贺氏痢疾杆菌感染小鼠为动物模型,测定复方硫酸氢黄连素灌肠液的体内、体外抗菌活性.结果复方制剂比单方制剂的MIC和MBC分别降低1～125倍和1～15倍,抑菌环增大,敏感性增强,体内感染细菌小鼠死亡率降低.结论复方硫酸氢黄连素灌肠液对常见细菌感染比单方黄连素制剂具有较强的抗感染作用.