Normal cerebral perfusion measurements using arterial spin labeling: reproducibility, stability, and age and gender effects.

Before meaningful conclusions can be drawn from clinical measures of cerebral blood perfusion, the precision of the measurement must be determined and set in the context of inter- and intrasubject sources of variability. This work establishes the reproducibility of perfusion measurements using the noninvasive MRI technique of continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL). Perfusion was measured in 34 healthy normal subjects. Intersubject variability was assessed, and age and gender contributions were estimated. Intersubject variation was found to be large, with up to 100% perfusion difference for subjects of the same age and gender. Repeated measurements in one subject showed that perfusion remains remarkably stable in the short term when compared with intersubject variation and the large capacity for perfusion change in the brain. A significant decrease in the ratio of gray-matter to white-matter perfusion was found with increasing age (0.79% per year (P < 0.0005)). This appears to be due mainly to a reduction in gray-matter perfusion, which was found to decrease by 0.45% per year (P = 0.04). Regional analysis suggested that the gray-matter age-related changes were predominantly localized in the frontal cortex. Whole-brain perfusion was 13% higher (P = 0.02) in females compared to males.     

High-resolution myocardial perfusion mapping in small animals in vivo by spin-labeling gradient-echo imaging.

An ECG and respiration-gated spin-labeling gradient-echo imaging technique is proposed for the quantitative and completely noninvasive measurement and mapping of myocardial perfusion in small animals in vivo. In contrast to snapshot FLASH imaging, the spatial resolution of the perfusion maps is not limited by the heart rate. A significant improvement in image quality is achieved by synchronizing the inversion pulse to the respiration movements of the animals, thereby allowing for spontaneous respiration. High-resolution myocardial perfusion maps (in-plane resolution=234 x 468 microm2) demonstrating the quality of the perfusion measurement were obtained at 4.7 T in a group of seven freely breathing Wistar-Kyoto rats under isoflurane anesthesia. The mean perfusion value (group average +/- SD) was 5.5 +/- 0.7 ml g(-1)min(-1). In four animals, myocardial perfusion was mapped and measured under cardiac dobutamine stress. Perfusion increased to 11.1 +/- 1.9 ml g(-1)min(-1). The proposed method is particularly useful for the study of small rodents at high fields.     

Quantification of perfusion fMRI using a numerical model of arterial spin labeling that accounts for dynamic transit time effects.

A new approach to modeling the signal observed in arterial spin labeling (ASL) experiments during changing perfusion conditions is presented in this article. The new model uses numerical methods to extend first-order kinetic principles to include the changes in arrival time of the arterial tag that occur during neuronal activation. Estimation of the perfusion function from the ASL signal using this model is also demonstrated. The estimation algorithm uses a roughness penalty as well as prior information. The approach is demonstrated in numerical simulations and human experiments. The approach presented here is particularly suitable for fast ASL acquisition schemes, such as turbo continuous ASL (Turbo-CASL), which allows subtraction pairs to be acquired in less than 3 s but is sensitive to arrival time changes. This modeling approach can also be extended to other acquisition schemes.     

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS Ⅰ. EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF OPEN NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS BY QUALITATIVE ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ISOENZYME IN AMNIOTIC FLUID

The measurement of amniotic fluid (AF) acetylcholinesterase isoenzyme (AChEI) is a relatively new method for early diagnosis of open neural tube defects (NTDs). As quantitative methods are of unproven reliability at present, the authors used a high resolving power qualitative method-vertical slab polyaerylamide gel electrophoresis. The benefits of this technique are: simplicity of operation, accuracy, unsophisticated equipment, and easily available reagents. Combined results of 9 NTDs studies revealed that samples from early pregnancy gave more accurate results than those from late pregnancy.     

Safe anesthesia for endoscopic laryngeal laser surgery

Anesthesia safety for endoscopic laryngeal laser surgery has been a major limiting factor for laser applications in the larynx and the hypopharynx. Several anesthesia techniques have been proposed and each technique appears to have its own limitations. This paper will deal with the distinct advantages offered by the malleable copper tube which is used for delivery of the open Venturi system anesthesia for endoscopic laser surgery. A retrospective study of 100 patients who have undergone this modality of anesthesia at our institution will be presented. Our conclusion from this study shows clearly the superiority of the copper tube over the conventional aluminium-foil-wrapped endotracheal tube in safety and the exposure of the larynx during surgery.     

大肠杆菌内毒素所致肺血管收缩部位及山莨菪碱的作用

将动、静脉阻断法用于恒速灌流的在体山羊左肺,使其总压力降区分为动脉端、静脉端及中间段三部分。大肠杆菌内毒素主要升高肺静脉端压力降及肺毛细血管压;山莨菪碱可显著缓解内毒素所致的改变,但对正常肺血管各段压力降无明显影响。5-羟色胺主要升高肺动脉端压力降,对肺静脉端及毛细血管压无明显影响。去甲肾上腺素及组胺主要升高肺静脉端压力降及肺毛细血管压,但对肺动脉端无明显影响。去甲肾上腺素和组胺可能介导内毒素性肺动脉高压。     

Mechanism of uptake and retention of F-18 BMS-747 158-02 in cardiomyocytes: a novel PET myocardial imaging agent

Background BMS-747158-02 is a novel fluorine 18-labeled pyridazinone derivative designed for cardiac imaging. The uptake and retention mechanisms of F-18 BMS-747158-02 in cardiac myocytes were studied in vitro, and the biodistribution of F-18 BMS-747158-02 was studied in vivo in mice. Methods and Results Fluorine 19 BMS-747158-01 inhibited mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) in bovine heart submitochondrial particles with an IC₅₀ of 16.6±3 nmol/L that was comparable to the reference inhibitors of MC-1, rotenone, pyridaben, and deguelin (IC₅₀ of 18.2±6.7 nmol/L, 19.8±2.6 nmol/L, and 23.1±1.5 nmol/L, respectively). F-18 BMS-747158-02 had high uptake in monolayers of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (10.3%±0.7% of incubated drug at 60 minutes) that was inhibited by 200 nmol/L of rotenone (91%±2%) and deguelin (89%±3%). In contrast, an inactive pyridaben analog, P-0 (IC₅₀ value>4 μmol/L in MC-1 assay), did not inhibit the binding of F-18 BMS-747158-02 in cardiomyocytes. Uptake and washout kinetics for F-18 BMS-747158-02 in rat cardiomyocytes indicated that the time to half-maximal (t_1/2) uptake was very rapid (approximately 35 seconds), and washout t_1/2 for efflux of F-18 BMS-747158-02 was greater than 120 minutes. In vivo biodistribution studies in mice showed that F-18 BMS-747158-02 had substatial myocardial uptake (9.5%±0.5% of injected dose per gram) at 60 minutes and heart-to-lung and heart-to-liver ratios of 14.1±2.5 and 8.3±0.5, respectively. Positron emission tomography imaging in the mouse allowed clear cardiac visualization and demonstrated sustained myocardial uptake through 55 minutes. Conclusions F-18 BMS-747158-02 is a novel positron emission tomography cardiac tracer targeting MC-I in cardiomyocytes with rapid uptake and slow washout. These characteristics allow fast and sustained accumulation in the heart.     

组织工程心肌补片对黑山羊陈旧性心肌梗死心功能和建立侧支循环的影响

目的探讨自体骨髓间充质干细胞(m arrow m esenchym a l stem ce lls,M SC s)-小肠黏膜下层(sm a llin testina l subm ucosa,S IS)构建的组织工程心肌补片,移植于陈旧性心肌梗死区后对心功能及缺血区建立侧支循环的影响。方法将已建立急性心肌梗死模型后6周的黑山羊16只,随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组抽取自体骨髓,经体外分离M SC s,进行培养、传代,以第3代细胞行5-B rdU标记并与S IS支架材料复合培养5 d,制备M SC s-S IS组织工程心肌补片。将其缝合至陈旧性心肌梗死区;对照组仅行假手术处理。于植入后6周,采用超声心动图观察两组动物心功能变化,数字减影血管造影选择性左冠状动脉造影观察缺血心肌侧支循环的建立。结果术后6周实验组及对照组:心博出量、左心室射血分数分别为42.81±4.91、37.06±4.75 m l和59.20%±5.41%和44.56%±4.23%,组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);左心室舒张末期容积、左室收缩末期容积分别为72.55±8.13、83.31±8.61 m l和29.75±5.98、46.25±6.68 m l,组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);左心室舒张功能各项指标分别为:E峰最大速度分别为54.85±6.35 cm/s和43.14±4.81cm/s(P<0.01);A峰最大速度分别为52.33±6.65 cm/s和56.91±6.34 cm/s(P>0.05)。超声心动图显示对照组左室腔扩张明显,室壁运动明显减弱,梗死区呈瘤样扩张,局部室壁反常运动;实验组左室腔明显小于对照组,室壁运动较对照组强,心尖梗死区扩张不明显。选择性左冠状动脉造影见实验组左冠状动脉前降支远端与回旋支间明显侧支循环建立。结论M SC s-S IS构建的组织工程心肌补片移植于黑山羊陈旧性心肌梗死区后侧支循环建立,心功能有明显改善作用。     

A clinical comparison of the Laryngeal Tube™ and the Laryngeal Mask™ in spontaneously breathing anesthetized patients

Abstract: Background: The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) can be used in general anaesthesia without neuromuscular block. The laryngeal tube (LT) is a new airway device with similar airway features as LMA. LT is provided with a distal cuff to prevent regurgitation. In this study we compared the LMA and LT concerning patient and user aspects. Methods: Sixty patients with ASA (American Society of Anestesiologists) score 1–2 scheduled for minor surgery were randomized to be ventilated either through LMA or LT. After insertion, the number of insertion attempts, and “positioning” and “airway-assessment” was evaluated. The patients reported on “sore throat” after 30 and 60 minutes and the day after anaesthesia. Results: Gender and mean age were equal in both groups. The first insertion attempt was successful in 25 of 28 patients randomised to LMA and in 23 of 27 patients randomised to LT. LMA was evaluated to be easier in “positioning” whereas no difference in “sore throat” was reported. Conclusion: We found no difference between the LMA and the LT in terms user and patient friendliness and safety.     

Increased response of renal perfusion to the antioxidant vitamin C in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species play a major role in the development of endothelial dysfunction. It is as yet unspecified whether increased oxidative stress contributes to endothelial dysfunction of the renal vasculature in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Renal haemodynamics were studied in 20 patients with type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension (age 62 +/- 5 years) and 20 non-diabetic hypertensive patients at baseline and following infusions of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 4.25 mg/kg); the substrate of nitric oxide synthase, L-arginine (100 mg/kg); and the antioxidant, vitamin C (3 g, co-infused with L-arginine 100 mg/kg). RESULTS: The response of renal plasma flow (RPF) to L-NMMA (-54 +/- 62 and -45 +/- 42 ml/min/1.73 m(2); P = NS) and L-arginine (+46 +/- 36 and +49 +/- 25 ml/min/1.73 m(2); P = NS) was not different between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. In contrast, vitamin C induced a more pronounced increase in RPF in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients when co-infused with L-arginine (+71+/-47 and +43+/-33 ml/min/1.73 m(2); P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the response of renal perfusion to an antioxidant suggests increased formation of reactive oxygen species and thereby reduced nitric oxide bioavailability in the renal vasculature of patients with type 2 diabetes.