Clinical correlates of high signal lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease

Summary The pathophysiology and clinical significance of high signal lesions, visualized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), remain controversial. Since they are known to correlate with vascular disease and vascular risk factors, we reviewed the clinical correlates of periventricular high signal (PVH) and subcortical white matter lesions (WML) in a sample of 106 patients with probable AD, excluding persons with treated vascular risk factors or symptomatic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. Grade 2 PVH were seen in 26 (25%) and scattered WML were identified in 29 (18%). PHV were associated with advancing age and gait disturbance. WML were associated with gait disturbance and incontinence. Neither radiologic finding was related to dementia severity. The findings suggest that these lesions are common in patients with AD even when those with evidence of cerebrovascular disease are excluded; their presence, therefore, should not preclude a diagnosis of AD. Additionally, the data suggest that HSL on MRI may be one of many risk factors associated with functional disability in persons with probable AD.     

Viridans group streptococci: a reservoir of resistant bacteria in oral cavities

The worldwide spread of erythromycin A-resistant streptococci, including Streptococcus pneumoniae , is of concern. Many studies have demonstrated that the viridans group streptococci can be a reservoir of erythromycin A resistance. Within oral streptoccoci, an important difference in the susceptibility pattern has been noted. The purpose of this short editorial is to highlight the importance of this group of bacteria as a reservoir of resistance to erythromycin A and the possible transfer of resistance to S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes.     

5-羟色胺对大鼠脊髓P物质痛觉调制的影响(英文)

比较SP,5-HT与For诱发的脊髓内c-fos表达的异同,以及它们之间的相互关系,从而进一步了解SP在脊髓痛觉调制中的主要作用.方法:用免疫组织化学法和痛阈测定法.结果:发现大鼠it P物质(sP)10μg和sc5％甲醛(For)150μL诱发的脊髓c-fos表达主要在背角Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅴ及Ⅵ层,同时SP使痛阈降低,For使痛级均数(PIR)升高.5-HT it 20μg引起的c-fos表达较多地分布于背角Ⅲ—Ⅳ层,并可使痛阈升高.5-HT和Fen可分别减弱和增加SP及For诱发的脊髓c-fos表达及痛反应.结论:SP在脊髓内可能主要起致痛作用,5-HT可抑制SP引起的脊髓c-fos表达,从而参与SP的痛觉调制作用.     

Solid-phase synthesis of oxytocin using iodotrichlorosilane as Boc deprotecting agent

Deprotection of the tert-butoxycarbonyl group during solid-phase synthesis of peptides can be conveniently and efficiently carried out using a neutral reagent, silicon tetrachloride/sodium iodide (iodotrichlorosilane). This simple and rapid method has been advantageously employed during the solid-phase synthesis of the pituitary hormone, oxytocin.     

高频超声检测颈动脉内膜-中层厚度及外周血管内皮功能评价动脉粥样硬化

目的 探讨高频超声检测颈动脉内膜-中层厚度与肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能在动脉粥样硬化中的诊断价值.方法 冠状动脉造影的老年患者69例及青年志愿者20例,分别行颈动脉超声检查,同时采用充气加压法测定肱动脉血流介导的内径扩张值,超声测值与冠脉造影结果对照分析.结果 ①颈动脉内膜-中层厚度值随粥样硬化斑块的增多、冠脉狭窄程度的加重而增高;②动脉粥样硬化患者在内膜-中层厚度值增高之前即可出现内皮功能损伤,肱动脉内径扩张值降低早于内膜-中层厚度值增高之前出现,内径扩张值随冠脉狭窄程度加重而下降.结论 高频超声检测颈动脉内膜-中层厚度、内径扩张值诊断早期动脉粥样硬化敏感性高,并且有助于对冠脉狭窄程度作出判断.     

Effect of dialysis flux and membrane material on dyslipidaemia and inflammation in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress are prominent risk factors that potentially cause vascular disease in haemodialysis patients. Dialysis modalities affect uraemic dyslipidaemia, possibly by modifying oxidative stress, but the effects of dialyser flux and membrane material on atherogenic remnant particles and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are unknown. METHODS: We performed a randomized crossover study in 36 patients on haemodialysis to analyse the effect of dialyser flux and membrane material on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Stable patients on low-flux dialysis with polysulphone for >/=6 weeks were assigned to high-flux polysulphone or high-flux modified cellulose with similar dialyser surface area and permeability characteristics and crossed over twice every 6 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty patients completed the study per protocol. Treatments with high-flux polysulphone and modified cellulose lowered serum triglyceride (by 20% and 10%, respectively; P<0.05) and remnant-like particle cholesterol by 32% (P<0.001) and 11% (NS) after the first 6 weeks of treatment. Oxidized LDL decreased significantly with high-flux polysulphone, but not with modified cellulose. Apolipoproteins CII and CIII were reduced, whereas the ratio CII/CIII was increased (all P<0.05). Acute-phase proteins and LDL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol remained unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized crossover study demonstrates a potent effect of high-flux haemodialysis on uraemic dyslipidaemia. Polysulphone membrane material showed superiority on oxidatively modified LDL, an indicator of oxidative stress in haemodialysis patients.     

不同海拔高度严重烧伤延迟复苏大鼠脑组织中能量负荷的变化及其意义

目的：探讨不同海拔高度严重烧伤延迟复苏大鼠脑组织能量负荷变化及其意义。方法：以120只雄性Wistar大鼠建立高原（海拔3800m）实验模型（TBSA30％，Ⅲ度），随机分为延迟、即时复苏组和正常对照组，分别于伤后1、6、12、24、72h及7d取材。兰州地区取相等数量动物重复实验。应用高效液相色谱法检测脑组织中AMP、ADP、ATP的含量，并计算能量负荷。结果：能量负荷在高原正常对照组与兰州地区正常对照组差异显著（P〈0．01）。高原烧伤后脑组织能量负荷与对照组相比均降低，即时复苏组伤后早期即出现显著变化（P〈0．01），伤后72h开始恢复，伤后7d差异无显著，延迟复苏组伤后7d仍星显著差异（P〈0．01）。与即时复苏组比较伤后6～24h无显著差异，伤后72h～7d呈显著性差异（P〈0．01）。高原地区各时相点与兰州地区比较，EC值均降低，除即时复苏组6h外，具有统计学意义。结论：不同海拔高度严重烧伤延迟复苏大鼠脑组织能量负荷的改变一定程度上反映了脑损伤的严重程度。     

一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病的临床预防

目的　探讨临床治疗措施对一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病的预防。方法　将 130例一氧化碳中毒患者随机分为A、B、C 3组 ,A组采用纳络酮、低分子肝素、高压氧治疗 ;B组采用胞二磷胆碱、醒脑注射液、高压氧治疗 ;C组采用胞二磷胆碱、醒脑注射液治疗。结果　A组昏迷时间与B、C组对比 ,B组与C组对比 ,明显缩短 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ;本组 130例患者中 ,共发生迟发性脑病15例 ,发生率为 11.5 % ,迟发性脑病发生率A组与B、C组对比 ,B组与C组对比 ,明显降低 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1)。结论　选择有效的药物 ,及早应用高压氧和充足的疗程是迟发性脑病临床预防的关键。     

Postgraduate qualifications of British doctors

Among British-qualified doctors of 1974 and 1977, about 80% held postgraduate qualifications of some kind. The commonest qualifications were DRCOG, MRCP and MRCOG. There were considerable differences between medical schools in the numbers of qualifiers taking various examinations. Apart from the MRC Psych, DRCOG and Family Planning Certificate, qualifications were more commonly held by men than women. Tables show the type of work being done 9-13 years after leaving medical school by holders of various postgraduate qualifications; e.g. 60% of MRCP holders were working in medicine or a medical specialty and 84% of FRCS holders in general surgery or a surgical specialty. Discussion deals with the plurality, specificity, variability, perceived necessity, sufficiency, international utility and career significance of British postgraduate qualifications.     

Conformation of glycyl residues in globular proteins

Glycine is unique among the amino acids in view of its symmetric nature. While the overall distribution of glycyl residues in the (φ, ø) plane is near-symmetric, there can be certain preferences for the individual conformations. An analysis of the observed glycyl conformations in 70 proteins has been carried out to find the influence of residues adjoining the glycyl residues. For this purpose, the (φ, ø) plane has been divided into two regions: (a) the region in which φ is negative and (b) the region in which φ is positive. The analysis is done in terms of the number of conformations occurring in these regions. It has been found that while the overall percentage distribution of glycyl residues between the positive and the negative φ regions is 54:46, the distribution shows asymmetry when the examples are sorted out in terms of X-Gly and Gly-Y doublets. The asymmetry becomes more prominent when the data are sorted out into triplets X-Gly-Y. Using the available information, it has been possible to designate 25 triplets as P-predominant and 19 as N-predominant. An examination of P-predominant triplets for possible occurrence in β-bends having one of the conformations in the positive φ region shows that only 25% are of this nature. Thus, the P-preference of P-predominant triplets is not an outcome of the bend formation alone and must be an inherent property of these triplets.