Prognostic factors in diffuse proliferative lupus glomerulonephritis

A number of clinical laboratory and biopsy-derived parameters were assessed for their prognostic significance in the short (24 months), intermediate (60 months) and long terms in 45 patients (43 female, 2 male) with diffuse proliferative lupus glomerulonephritis (DPGN). The factors evaluated were serum creatinine (SCr) and urinary protein at time of biopsy, initial dose of prednisone and immunosuppressive after biopsy, activity index (AI), chronicity index (CI), their individual components, extent of extraglomerular (tubulo-interstitial) immune deposits (EGD) and mean number of intraglomerular monocytes per glomerulus (NSE index). Using proportional hazards analysis to evaluate the parameters, SCr (P = 0.003), AI (P = 0.005) and NSE index (P = 0.038) were shown to be significant predictors of outcome when all variables except the components of AI and CI were considered. When AI and CI were omitted but their components included, SCr (P = 0.0005), NSE index (P = 0.024), extent of karyorrhexis (P = 0.035) and glomerulosclerosis (P = 0.033) were then demonstrated to be significant prognostic factors of DPGN. The results suggest that intraglomerular monocyte infiltration has a protective effect and confirm that AI index is a relatively powerful predictor of outcome. Histologic and nonhistologic biopsy factors contribute significant additional prognostic information to that provided by SCr.     

Monophasic action potential recordings during acute changes in ventricular loading induced by the Valsalva manoeuvre.

OBJECTIVE--The strong association between ventricular arrhythmia and ventricular dysfunction is unexplained. This study was designed to investigate a mechanism by which a change in ventricular loading could alter the time course of repolarisation and hence refractoriness. A possible mechanism may be a direct effect of an altered pattern of contraction on ventricular repolarisation and hence refractoriness. This relation has been termed contraction-excitation feedback or mechano-electric feedback. METHODS--Monophasic action potentials were recorded from the left ventricular endocardium as a measure of the time course of local repolarisation. The Valsalva manoeuvre was used to change ventricular loading by increasing the intrathoracic pressure and impeding venous return, and hence reducing ventricular pressure and volume (ventricular unloading). PATIENTS--23 patients undergoing routine cardiac catheterisation procedures: seven with no angiographic evidence of abnormal wall motion or history of myocardial infarction (normal), five with a history of myocardial infarction but with normal wall motion, and 10 with angiographic evidence of abnormal wall motion--with or without previous infarction. One patient was a transplant recipient and was analysed separately. SETTING--Tertiary referral centre for cardiology. RESULTS--In patients with normal ventricles during the unloading phase of the Valsalva manoeuvre (mean (SD)) monophasic action potential duration shortened from 311 (47) ms to 295 (47) ms (p less than 0.001). After release of the forced expiration as venous return was restored the monophasic action potential duration lengthened from 285 (44) ms to 304 (44) ms (p less than 0.0001). In the group with evidence of abnormal wall motion the direction of change of action potential duration during the strain phase was normal in 7/21 observations, abnormal in 6/21, and showed no clear change in 8/21. During the release phase 11/20 observations were normal, five abnormal, and four showed no clear change. In those with myocardial infarction four out of five patients had changes that resembled those with normal ventricles but the changes were less pronounced. There were no differences in any of the three groups between the changes in monophasic action potential duration in patients taking beta blockers and those who were not. The changes in monophasic action potential duration in the transplanted heart resembled those in the group with normal ventricles. Inflections on the repolarisation phase of the monophasic action potential consistent with early afterdepolarisations were seen in three of the patients with abnormal wall motion and in none of those with normal wall motion. CONCLUSIONS--These results are further evidence that changes in ventricular loading influence repolarisation. When wall motion was abnormal the effects on regional endocardial repolarisation were often opposite in direction to those when it was normal. Thus regional differences in wall motion could generate local electrophysiological inhomogeneity which may be relevant to the association of arrhythmia with impaired left ventricular function.     

Reformulation and drop size of apraclonidine hydrochloride.

We performed a prospective, double-masked, placebo-controlled, six-period, cross-over study in which normal subjects were randomly assigned to treatment and compared three different formulations of apraclonidine hydrochloride (the present commercially available formulation, and formulations with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or lysolecithin). We also evaluated the efficacy of a 16-microliters and 30-microliters drop size. The magnitude and duration of decrease in intraocular pressure was comparable for all formulations. Most subjects tolerated all formulations well with only a few reporting any side effects. The best-tolerated formulation was 0.5% apraclonidine hydrochloride delivered with a 16-microliters drop size. Dry mouth developed frequently with the commercially available 1% apraclonidine solution. Blurred vision complicated the use of the formulation containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Both dry mouth (P less than .05) and blurred vision (P = .004) were statistically significant side effects.     

Flow cytometric DNA analysis of placental-site trophoblastic tumors.

The placental-site trophoblastic tumor is a rare form of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Although originally considered benign, it is now apparent that this lesion can be associated with aggressive clinical behavior. Our study examined the DNA ploidy status and clinicopathologic features of four new cases of placental-site trophoblastic tumor. Three cases demonstrated diploid DNA stemlines with S-phase fractions ranging from 6% to 16%. These patients were alive and well at follow-up and had low-serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels. A fourth patient, who had a large tumor, demonstrated a tetraploid DNA peak with a prominent S-phase fraction. This patient exhibited an elevated serum hCG at limited follow-up. Flow cytometric DNA analysis may be a useful adjunct for the identification of placental-site trophoblastic tumors with malignant potential.     

The dietary intake of homeless males sleeping rough in Central London

Data concerning the food and beverage intake (including alcohol) of 79 males, aged 19–50 years, sleeping rough in Central London, who did not appear to be under the influence of drink, drugs or suffering from mental illness were collected by prompted 24-h recall and food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The source of food was noted and the subjects were asked about food availability and food needs. The group had intakes significantly lower than Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for the UK for energy, carbohydrate, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), folate, zinc and magnesium. Significantly higher values were seen for protein, fat, vitamin B₁₂, calcium and iron. Alcohol intake was higher than that assumed to approximate current intakes of the UK population. Mean macronutrient intakes for the group were similar to means for British adult men (OPCS, 1990), only protein and NSP were significantly lower. The FFQ showed very low consumption/week of fruit, vegetables, salad, fruit juice and wholewheat/brown products. Organized charities provided the major source of food energy for the group as a whole. Self-supplied sources provided the major source of total energy. It is suggested that the group may benefit from an increase in dietary fibre and energy, with an increase in the proportion of energy supplied by carbohydrate and a reduction in energy from fat and alcohol. A varied supply of food and hot meals during weekends as well as during the week may benefit the group both aesthetically and nutritionally. It may be advisable to increase the supply of wholemeal/brown bread, fruits, vegetables and salad foods without decreasing the energy content of the food available.