Coronary Artery Embolism: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Coronary embolism (CE) is an uncommon and unique cause of acute myocardial infarction. In this report, we review 216 cases of CE including 2 new cases from our institution. The mean patient age was 52.5 years and 62% of the patients were males. Chest pain was the most common presenting symptom followed by dyspnea, and the most commonly affected vessel was the left anterior descending artery. Leading etiologies of the embolus were atrial fibrillation, septic emboli, and iatrogenic causes. Treatment approaches varied with thrombus aspiration being used in 30% of cases. In-hospital mortality rate was 36% and 13% of the cases were complicated by cerebrovascular accident. CE is a unique pathology that leads to acute myocardial infarction. It portends a high mortality rate and requires a high level of suspicion as symptoms may be misleading. Further research is needed in order to improve recognition and management and to lower associated mortality.     

Modulators of platelet function in aging

Abstract

Platelets are small, anucleated effector cells that play an important role in linking the hemostatic and inflammatory processes in the body. Platelet function is known to be altered under various inflammatory conditions including aging. A gain in platelet function during aging can increase the risk of thrombotic events, such as stroke and acute myocardial infarction. Anti-platelet therapy is designed to reduce risk of serious cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events, but the adverse consequences of therapy, such as risk for bleeding increases with aging as well. Age-associated comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia also contribute to increased platelet activity and thus can enhance the risk of thrombosis. Therefore, identification of unique mechanisms of platelet dysfunction in aging and in age-associated comorbidities is warranted to design novel antiplatelet drugs. This review outlines some of the current areas of research on aging-related mechanisms of platelet hyperactivity and addresses the clinical urgency for designing anti-platelet therapies toward novel molecular targets in the aging population.     

Differential diagnosis of diarrhoea in patients with neuroendocrine tumours:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Approximately 20% of patients with neuroendocrine tumours(NETs) develop carcinoid syndrome(CS),characterised by flushing and diarrhoea.Somatostatin analogues or telotristat can be used to control symptoms of CS through inhibition of serotonin secretion.Although CS is often the cause of diarrhoea among patients with gastroenteropancreatic NETs(GEP-NETs),other causes to consider include pancreatic enzyme insufficiency(PEI),bile acid malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.If other causes of diarrhoea unrelated to serotonin secretion are mistaken for CS diarrhoea,these treatments may be ineffective against the diarrhoea,risking detrimental effects to patient quality of life.AIM To identify and synthesise qualitative and quantitative evidence relating to the differential diagnosis of diarrhoea in patients with GEP-NETs.METHODS Electronic databases(MEDLINE,Embase and the Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to September 12,2018 using terms for NETs and diarrhoea.Congresses,systematic literature review bibliographies and included articles were also hand-searched.Any study designs and publication types were eligible for inclusion if relevant data on a cause(s) of diarrhoea in patients with GEP-NETs were reported.Studies were screened by two independent reviewers at abstract and full-text stages.Framework synthesis was adapted to synthesise quantitative and qualitative data.The definition of qualitative data was expanded to include all textual data in any section of relevant publications.RESULTS Forty-seven publications(44 studies) were included,comprising a variety of publication types,including observational studies,reviews,guidelines,case reports,interventional studies,and opinion pieces.Most reported on PEI on/after treatment with somatostatin analogs;9.5%-84% of patients with GEP-NETs had experienced steatorrhoea or confirmed PEI.Where reported,14.3%–50.7% of patients received pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.Other causes of diarrhoea reported in patients with GEP-NETs included bile acid malabsorption(80%),small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(23.6%-62%),colitis(20%) and infection(7.1%).Diagnostic approaches included faecal elastase,breath tests,tauroselcholic(selenium-75) acid(Se HCAT) scan and stool culture,although evidence on the effectiveness or diagnostic accuracy of these approaches was limited.Assessment of patient history or diarrhoea characteristics was also reported as initial approaches for investigation.From the identified evidence,if diarrhoea is assumed to be CS diarrhoea,consequences include uncontrolled diarrhoea,malnutrition,and perceived ineffectiveness of CS treatment.Approaches for facilitating differential diagnosis of diarrhoea include improving patient and clinician awareness of non-CS causes and involvement of a multidisciplinary clinical team,including gastroenterologists.CONCLUSION Diarrhoea in GEP-NETs can be multifactorial with misdiagnosis leading to delayed patient recovery and inefficient resource use.This systematic literature review highlights gaps for further research on prevalence of non-CS diarrhoea and suitability of diagnostic approaches,to determine an effective algorithm for differential diagnosis of GEP-NET diarrhoea.     

Treatment of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma in children and adolescents

Introduction: The treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in children is a story of success. Nowadays, more than 90% of patients are cured and overall survival is nearly 100% at 5 years. Efforts have been made to avoid related effects of therapies; therefore, children are treated using different chemotherapy schemes in comparison with adults.

Areas covered: This review includes a view of the clinical classification and risk assessment in children suffering from HL. The chemotherapy more commonly employed is revisited. The use of PET/CT to evaluate the disease in order to guide therapy is analyzed. New options of chemotherapy and emerging immunotherapy are also included.

Expert opinion: In order to make the right treatment choice, a proper initial assessment of risk is mandatory. The choice of therapy in these kinds of patients must be done according to the experience of the team, and also, the cost and logistics related to the eligible scheme are very important. If possible, efforts must be made to include PET/CT in guiding therapy and avoiding overtreatment and long-term adverse effects in children. New options in immunotherapy are emerging and must be considered with caution in selected patients.     

玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物体内组织分布规律及特征研究

目的：建立UPLC-MS/MS分析方法同时测定玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分新橙皮苷和柚皮苷在大鼠10种脏器组织中含量，分布规律及特征。方法：采用UPLC-MS/MS技术建立提取物效应组分新橙皮苷及柚皮苷在大鼠心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑、胃、小肠、脂质、肌肉组织中的定量分析方法；大鼠给药后分别于0.33，0.67，1，4，8 h的5个时间点，分别摘取以上10种脏器组织，测定脏器组织及血液中效应组分的质量浓度，采用DAS（V 2.0）药动学软件对各样本的药物浓度-时间数据进行房室拟合，并计算不同组织效应组分的药-时曲线下面积（AUC）及平均滞留时间（MRT）。结果：所建立的UPLC-MS/MS定量分析方法具备良好的专属性、标准曲线及线性范围良好、方法准确度与精密度、定量下限均符合有关规定；玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分在血液中的分布符合一室模型，除肾脏及脑组织外，其余脏器中提取物效应组分的房室特征多为静脉注射的二室模型，柚皮苷在肾脏中的拟合结果为非静脉注射的二室模型，新橙皮苷在脑组织拟合结果为静脉注射的三室模型，给药后8 h各组织中效应组分新橙皮苷及柚皮苷AUC值大小顺序均为小肠 > 胃 > 肾 > 脂质 ≈ 脾脏 > 肺 > 肌肉 > 肝 > 心 > 脑，效应组分在各脏器中均无明显蓄积；效应组分在血液、肾脏、肝脏中的滞留时间较长，MRT均大于2 h，脂质最短，MRT不足1 h；各脏器中新橙皮苷的药-时曲线下面积约是柚皮苷的3倍，而心、肝、肾中则是3.5，2.1和3.4倍。结论：玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分在大鼠组织中分布迅速，达峰时间早于血液；效应组分在肠道内消除缓慢，给药8 h后在各脏器中的含量均显著下降且无特异的蓄积部位。研究结果揭示玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分在大鼠体内的分布特征及规律，为进一步理解玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物在体内的作用靶点及机制奠定了基础。     

HPLC-MS Method for Simultaneous Quantitative Determination of an Innovative Russian Gestagen and its Metabolites in Rat and Rabbit Blood Sera

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - An HPLC-MS method for simultaneous quantitative determination of a novel gestagenic pharmaceutical and two of its metabolites in rat and rabbit blood sera was...     

Valor de la escala ASPECTS de circulación posterior y del índice puente-mesencéfalo en imágenes de TC sin contraste y angiografía por TC en pacientes con oclusiones de la arteria basilar recanalizados tras trombectomía mecánica

Purpose

Endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy devices demonstrated high recanalization rates but functional outcome did not correlate with high rates of recanalization obtained. Patient selection prior to the endovascular treatment is very important in the final outcome of the patient. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) and Pons-Midbrain Index (PMI) scores in patients with Basilar Artery Occlusion (BAO) treated with successful angiographic recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy.

神经源性声带运动障碍与喉神经电生理

声带运动障碍的病因和临床表现复杂多变，涉及多学科，从病因上分为神经源性和非神经源性。对于神经源性声带运动障碍的诊治，首先通过喉镜等检查明确有无声带运动障碍及严重程度，值得注意的是声带纵向张力变化障碍也属于运动障碍的范畴；然后采用喉肌电图（LEMG）检查进行定性分析，在确诊神经源性损伤后，进一步对神经损伤部位进行定位诊断并查找导致神经损伤的病因；同时根据喉部神经电生理评估结果，判断预后。最后综合上述的评估结果制定相应的治疗策略。