RESTORATION OF NITRIC OXIDE FUNCTION IN HUMAN HYPERLIPIDAEMIA, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND LIVER CIRRHOSIS

1. There is accumulating evidence for a range of abnormalities in the nitric oxide (NO) signalling cascade in human cardiovascular disorders. 2. In the present review we assess the literature detailing such evidence in early (hyperlipidaemia) and end-stage (heart failure) disease, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which the disturbances are thought to occur. 3. Strategies for the correction of disturbed NO signalling in these states are reviewed and include both prescribed pharmacological interventions, such as lipid-lowering therapy and novel uses of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, as well as non-pharmacological interventions, such as exercise and dietary supplementation with l -arginine and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. 4. In addition to a decreased production/function of NO, the possible detrimental effects of a chronic elevation in NO production in patients with liver cirrhosis, together with a novel use of antibiotics to correct this perturbation, is outlined.     

挤压综合征救治原则的争议探讨

挤压伤/挤压综合征是突发性自然或人为灾害中（地震、车祸、矿难或战争）最常见的损伤,可继发严重的全身反应,致死致残率极高,救治困难。本文总结近年来国内外地震造成的挤压伤/挤压综合征的发病率、机制、治疗措施及存在问题,以期改进治疗方法与措施,提高生存率及保肢率。     

Ferrite particles for bowel contrast in MR imaging: design issues and feasibility studies

Diverse materials with varying physical and magnetic properties have been evaluated as gastrointestinal contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Uniform marking of the small bowel remains the greatest challenge. Ferrites are magnetically active iron oxide particles that are miscible with water and cause loss of signal on MR images. The decrease in MR signal intensity produced by ferrites occurs with a wide range of iron concentrations (0.1-10 mM) and with both T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences. These effects of ferrites are explained by predominant T2 shortening with negligible T1 effects. The ferrite preparation used in this study was stable in vitro, with little iron solubilized by acid. Intragastric administration of ferrite (5 mg of iron per kg in 6 ml) routinely marked the small bowel of rats. The authors conclude that ferrites represent a promising new class of contrast agents for gastrointestinal MR imaging.