Myocardial sestamibi single-photon emission tomography: Variations in reference values with gender, age and rest versus stress?

Reference data files support the evaluation of myocardial perfusion single-photon emission tomography (SPET). The aim of this study was to create a large reference data base for technetium-99m sestamibi SPET, age and gender matched to the general patient population. One hundred and twenty-eight healthy volunteers (76 males and 52 females) with a likelihood of coronary artery disease of less than 5% underwent rest and maximal exercise^99mTc-sestamibi SPET with a 2-day protocol and 180° elliptical rotation. The normalized activity values of^99mTc-sestamibi in the inferior wall differed significantly between men and women. Age variations were found for men in the anterior wall. Normalized activity values in all four walls were strikingly similar during rest and stress. Our results suggest that the use of reference files in^99mTc-sestamibi SPET requires a gender- and, for males, possibly an age-matched reference population. Different reference files at rest and during stress might not be necessary.     

Chromium supplementation in impaired glucose tolerance of elderly: effects on blood glucose, plasma insulin, C-peptide and lipid levels.

Altogether twenty-six elderly subjects (aged 65-74 years) with persistent impaired glucose tolerance (World Health Organization (1985) criteria) identified in a population-based study, were randomly treated either with chromium-rich yeast (160 micrograms Cr/d) or with placebo for 6 months. The 24 h urinary Cr increased from 0.13 (SE 0.03) to 0.40 (SE 0.06) micrograms/d in the Cr group (n 13) but no change was found in the placebo group (n 11) (0.13 (SE 0.02) v. 0.11 (SE 0.02) micrograms/d). No significant change was observed in the oral glucose tolerance test (glucose dose 75 g; 0, 1 and 2 h blood glucose respectively): 5.3 (SE 0.1), 9.3 (SE 0.3), 8.2 (SE 0.3) mmol/l v. 5.0 (SE 0.1), 8.5 (SE 0.4), 7.3(SE 0.5) mmol/l in the Cr group; 4.9 (SE 0.2), 9.2 (SE 0.6), 8.1 (SE 0.3) mmol/l v. 4.8 (SE 0.2), 8.5 (SE 0.5), 7.0 (SE 0.6) mmol/l in the placebo group (baseline v. 6 months). Glycosylated haemoglobin, plasma insulin, C-peptide and apolipoprotein A1 and B levels remained unchanged, and no improvement was seen in serum total cholesterol (6.2 (SE 0.3) v. 6.4 (SE 0.3) mmol/l for the Cr group, 6.2 (SE 0.4) v. 6.5 (SE 0.3) mmol/l for the placebo group), high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (1.1 (SE 0.1) v. 1.2 (SE 0.1) mmol/l for the Cr group, 1.0 (SE 0.1) v. 1.1 (SE 0.1) mmol/l for the placebo group) or triacylglycerols (2.5 (SE 0.4) v. 2.0 (SE 0.4) mmol/l for the Cr group, 2.4 (SE 0.2) v. 2.5 (SE 0.2) mmol/l for the placebo group). The present results indicate that Cr supplementation does not improve glucose tolerance or serum lipid levels in elderly subjects with stable impaired glucose tolerance.     

Tumor necrosis factor production in septic conditions following pancreatitis (preliminary report)]

Detectable TNF levels in sera 33% of patients with sepsis following pancreatitis have been found. No correlation was observed between serum TNF concentration and the severity of illness. However, monocytes and granulocytes of septic patients exerted higher TNF-mediated cytotoxicity than leukocytes of normal blood donors. The in vitro TNF-producing capacity was also higher in the patients in the study group, and it decreased only before fatal outcoming of sepsis. Our results suggest that determination of the TNF-producing capacity of leukocytes might be more informative than measurement of the serum TNF level in the evaluation of the severity or prognosis of sepsis.     

Hip arthroplasty after failed internal fixation of the trochanteric fractures in aged patients with co-existent osteoporosis]

The authors present the results of hip arthroplasty of 67 patients treated after failed internal fixation of the osteoporotic, trochanteric fractures of the femur, which were primary stabilised with angular plate AO in 39 patients and with dynamic hip screw (DHS) in 28 patients. In the discussed material 16 persons were male and 51 female, in the age between 51 and 83 years old. According to the Evans classification in 4 cases we diagnosed type I of fracture, in 10--type II, 31--type III and in 22--type IV. Hip arthroplasty was made from the 3rd to the 39th week after primary fixation of the fracture. In 42 patients we made total hip arthroplasty, in 14 cases Austin-Moore hemiarthroplasty, and in 11 patients bipolar arthroplasty. According to the Postel and Merle d'Aubigne classification there were obtained 29 very good, 21 good and 17 satisfactory results.     

Alloplastic injectable biomaterials for soft tissue augmentation: a report on two cases with complications associated with a new material (DermaLive) and a review of the literature

A wide variety of biological and alloplastic injectable biomaterials are available for soft tissue augmentation, but the ideal material has not yet been discovered. Biological materials such as collagen and hyaluronan yield temporary results, while injectable alloplasts are apt to cause varying degrees of foreign body reactions that may result in lumps and chronic inflammation.We present two cases (one is the first filed case in the world) of migratory subcutaneous inflammatory masses secondary to injection of acrylic hydrogel (DermaLive), which is an alloplastic biomaterial recently introduced into the market in Europe. Histology revealed foreign body reaction to acrylic hydrogel with granuloma formation containing multinucleated giant cells. Following this, further reports on complications have been reported elsewhere in Europe. The use and development of injectable materials, as well as alternative methods and future directions are reviewed.     

Expression of histidine decarboxylase in human colonic cancer cells and adenomatous polyps

Inflammation Research -     

Tumor cell surface-associated binding site for the M(r) 72,000 type IV collagenase.

We have studied the capacity of two human breast adenocarcinoma cells, MDA-MB231 and MCF-7, to bind exogenous M(r) 72,000 type IV collagenase by both morphological and radioreceptor binding assays. By indirect immunofluorescence, staining with a specific anti-M(r) 72,000 type IV collagenase antibody was strongly induced when cells were preincubated with the purified enzyme. Scatchard plot analysis indicated the existence of a binding site for the M(r) 72,000 type IV collagenase with high affinity for both cell lines (Kd = 2 x 10(-9) M). These results are the first demonstration of the existence of a tumor cell membrane-associated putative receptor for a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, as previously evidenced for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator.     

Keratoendotheliitis fugax hereditaria. A clinical and specular microscopic study of a family with dominant inflammatory corneal disease

A peculiar hereditary corneal disease seen in one pedigree is presented. The disease manifests itself as transient attacks of kerato-endotheliitis. These attacks last from a few days to some weeks. Clinically, corneal oedema and endothelial guttata-like changes with very slight anterior chamber reaction can be seen; after many attacks there may be permanent opacities in the stroma. Endothelial specular photography during an attack reveals dramatic changes: large black nonreflecting areas between quite normal-looking hexagonal cells. Also between the attacks and among family members who have no clinical corneal disease, changes in the endothelium: black spots in the centres of endothelial cells and marked pleomorphism, are to be seen. Among the family members a high incidence of collagen diseases was found.     

Synthesis and characterisation of novel nanospheres made from amphiphilic perfluoroalkylthio-beta-cyclodextrins.

This work describes the synthesis of new amphiphilic perfluorohexyl- and perfluorooctyl-propanethio-beta-cyclodextrins and the comparison of the ability of these molecules and alkyl analogue, nonanethio-beta-cyclodextrin to form nanospheres. Nanospheres were prepared using nanoprecipitation method (perfluoroalkylthio-beta-cyclodextrin in THF [0.11 x 10(-3)M], stirring rate 700rpm, addition of aqueous phase at 64 degrees C into organic phase at 50 degrees C). They were characterised by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) and by electron microscopy (SEM and cryo-TEM). The nanospheres prepared from these new beta-cyclodextrin derivatives have an average size of 260nm, and appear to be spherical in cryo-TEM images. Whereas alkyl analogue forms polydisperse aggregates with sizes in the range 60-350nm.