Techniques for high-resolution MR imaging of atherosclerotic plaque

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the United States. Investigation of atherosclerotic plaque morphology and composition is important because the findings may be useful in predicting prognosis or response to therapy. This study presents high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques developed on a 1.5-T whole-body imager with a custom-built surface coil, for characterizing the composition and morphology of plaque removed at carotid endarterectomy. The initial comparison of MR imaging and histologic results showed good correlation. In conjunction with MR angiography, these techniques could be used in in vivo imaging to define the size, location, and contents of atherosclerotic plaque at the carotid bifurcation.     

年轻人冠状动脉壁平滑肌细胞的表型变化及其与巨噬细胞的关系——免疫组织化学研究

选用年轻人冠状动脉材料，免疫组织化学方法，观察了弥漫性内膜增厚、脂纹、动脉粥样硬化斑块中平滑肌细胞的免疫表型变化，并将这些变化同巨噬细胞进行了联系。结果表明，凡是有巨噬细胞浸润之处，不管何种病变，该处的平滑肌细胞便失去了相应抗体的反应性，但仍能被抗间叶细胞抗体所标记，提示平滑肌细胞已经发生表型转变。这一现象说明巨噬细胞在平滑肌细胞表型转变过程中起重要作用，有助于人们对动脉粥样硬化病变、冠脉成形术后再狭窄病变发生过程的认识。     

细胞粘附分子在恶性肾肿瘤中的表达

采用斑点杂交和Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ杂交技术研究１２例恶性肾肿瘤组织中细胞间粘附分子和血管细胞粘附分子基因转录水平的表达。结果发现，细胞间粘附分子的阳性表达率为１００％，血管细胞粘附分子的阳性表达率为７５％（９／１２）。提示恶性肾肿瘤细胞中存在活化的细胞间粘附分子和血管细胞粘附分子基因，并可能影响肿瘤与宿主间的免疫反应。     

Effects of metamizol on nociceptive responses to stimulation of the ureter and on ureter motility in anaesthetised rats

In this study, we have examined the effects of metamizol (dipyrone), a non-opioid analgesic which is effective in relieving renal colic pain, on nociceptive responses evoked by stimulation of the ureter, on pyeloureteral motility and on intraureter pressure after ureter obstruction in anaesthetised rats. Metamizol (5–50 mg/kg i.v.) dose-dependently inhibited reflex pressor responses evoked by distensions of the ureter to pressures of 30, 55 and 75 mmHg for 30 s (ID50=8±1 mg/kg). Metamizol also dose-dependently reduced intraureter pressure during total ureter occlusion (25 mg/kg produced a reduction of 25% in 10 min). However, metamizol at doses up to 50 mg/kg had no effect on pyleoureteric motility (contraction amplitude, rate or intraureter pressure) under normal pressure conditions. We conclude that metamizol has a direct antinociceptive action on pain of ureteric origin, and spasmolytic effects after ureter obstruction (but not under normal conditions) which may also contribute to pain relief.accepted by K. Brune     

Renin-producing renal cell carcinomas—clinical and experimental investigations on a special form of renal hypertension

Summary The pathogenetic relationship between tumour and hypertension was investigated in 129 patients with renal cell carcinoma, of whom 41 (31.8%) were hypertensive. Of these 41 patients with renal tumours and hypertension, 6 (14.6%) were found to have primary reninism. In these patients the plasma renin activity in blood from the renal veins showed a tumour kidney to contralateral kidney ratio of between 4 and 7, and 2 patients also had secondary hyperaldosteronism. In the same 6 cases the renin content in the renal tumour tissue was significantly higher than that in tissue from the adjacent tumour-free renal cortex of the ipsilateral kidney. Immunohistochemical demonstration of renin in the tumour was only possible in these 6 cases. In 5 of these patients blood pressure returned to normal following nephrectomy; in the 6th case there was a drop in blood pressure after nephrectomy. In 3 renin-positive tumours examined, autonomous renin production was demonstrated in cell culture. Renin-producing renal cell carcinomas are an uncommon cause of renal hypertension. The differential diagnosis of hypertension should therefore also include renal tumour.     

当归或三七对兔甘油致急性肾衰的保护作用及其机制研究

目的：用甘油复制兔急性肾小管坏死(ATN)模型，观察当归、三七对ATN的保护作用，并初步探讨其机制。方法：40只健康新西兰白色家兔，等分为四组：当归组、三七组、对照组、正常组。当归、三七、对照三组均用50％甘油等渗盐水15ml/kg注入兔双后肤皮下，复制ATN模型，当归组于注射甘油后即刻，第3小时，第6小时，肌注当归注射液50mg／kg，三七组于相同时点肌注三七皂甙50mg／kg，正常组则于兔双后肢皮下注射生理盐水15ml/kg，并于相同时点注射5％葡萄糖注射液。于实验第24小时取血液、尿液和肾脏，检测血清尿素氮、肌酐、尿液总渗透压、尿总氨基酸、肾组织MDA、SOD、GSH—PX、ATP酶、Ca2^ 、肾组织病理形态学检查。结果：各组与正常组比，肌酐、尿素氮明显升高，说明模型复制成功。当归、三七纪元l例死亡，对照组死士率为30％，血清肌酐、尿素氮、丙二醛、尿总氨基酸、滤过钠排泄分数和肾组织钙含量均明显低于对照组(P＜0．01)，而肾组织ATP酶、SOD、GSH-PX活性均高于对照组(P＜0.01)，病理形态学变化轻于对照组。以上指标，当归与三七组无显著差异(P＞0．05)。结论：当归、三七对甘油所致的ATN有明显保护作用，二者效果无差异，其机制可能与二者均有改善微循环、血液流变学、抑制脂质过氧化反应、保护肾脏抗氧化酶和ATP酶活性及减轻肾组织钙超载有关。     

控制肾血管的肾脏重建治疗重度肾外伤(附15例报告)

目的：提高肾外伤手术治疗的肾单位保存率。方法：采用早期控制肾血管，必要时阻断肾血管重建伤肾的方法，治疗重度肾外伤l5例。结果：5例行肾修补术，4例行肾部分切除术，2例行肾静脉修补术，4例行肾切除术，肾切除率26．3％。结论：控制肾血管的肾脏重建术能有效减少肾脏切除率，是手术治疗肾外伤的理想方法。     

Enhanced in vivo cytotoxicity of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor with etoposide in human renal cell carcinoma

Summary The combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and etoposide (ETP) was evaluated for potential cytotoxic efficacy against a human renal cell carcinoma xenograft using an in vivo assay employing an athymic mouse host with tumor implanted a the subrenal capsule site. Both antitumor efficacy (relative survival or RTS) and toxicity (weight loss) of TNF and ETP alone and in combination were evaluated. While TNF and ETP alone were mildly inhibitory (RTS 90% and 71%, respectively), the combination caused marked tumor inhibition (45% of controls). Host toxicity encountered with the combination did not exceed the toxicity associated with ETP alone, suggesting that the therapeutic index may have been augmented. It is concluded that enhanced antitumor activity without substantial augmentation of toxicity is observed with this combination, providing a rationale for further evaluation of tumor necrosis factor-based regimens for the treatment of advanced renal carcinoma.Supported by a Merit Review grant, VA Medical Research Service, Durham, NC 27710, USA     

Acute renal failure due to xanthine stones

A 9-month-old child with the skeletal abnormalities of Fuhrmann's syndrome presented with acute renal failure secondary to bilateral renal calculi. Hereditary xanthinuria was shown to be the underlying metabolic defect. Treatment with allopurinol was unsuccessful at reducing the xanthine excretion.