Histamine differentially interacts with tumor necrosis factor-α and thrombin in endothelial tissue factor induction: the role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase

BACKGROUND: Histamine plays an important role in vascular disease. Tissue factor (TF) expression is induced in vascular inflammation and acute coronary syndromes. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of histamine on tumor necrosis factor-alpha- (TNF-alpha-) vs. thrombin-induced endothelial TF expression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Histamine (10(-8)-10(-5) mol L-1), TNF-alpha (5 ng mL-1), and thrombin (1 U mL-1) induced TF expression in human endothelial cells. Although TF expression by TNF-alpha and thrombin was identical, histamine augmented TNF-alpha-induced expression 7.0-fold, but thrombin-induced expression only 2.6-fold. Similar responses occurred with TF activity. The H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine abrogated these effects. Differential augmentation by histamine was also observed at the mRNA level. Histamine-induced p38 activation preceded a weak second activation to both TNF-alpha and thrombin. Histamine-induced c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation was followed by a strong second activation to TNF-alpha, and less to thrombin. Selective inhibition of this second JNK activation by SP600125 reduced TF induction to histamine plus TNF-alpha by 67%, but to histamine plus thrombin by only 32%. Histamine augmented TNF-alpha- and thrombin-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression to a similar extent. Consistent with this observation, VCAM-1 induction to TNF-alpha and thrombin was mediated by p38, but not by JNK. CONCLUSIONS: Histamine differentially augments TNF-alpha- vs. thrombin-induced TF expression and activity, which is mediated by the H1-receptor, occurs at the mRNA level, and is related to differential JNK activation.     

MR血管成像在诊断下肢深静脉血栓形成中的价值并与DSA对照研究

目的探讨下肢深静脉血栓形成MR血管成像（MRA）的临床价值。方法对30例怀疑下肢深静脉血栓形成的患者进行了MRA和DSA检查，MRA采用二维时间飞越法（2DTOF）。对MRA与DSA表现进行对照分析。结果下肢深静脉血栓形成的MRA表现有1静脉充盈缺损（14例）、静脉闭塞和中断（8例）、静脉再通（3例）、侧支循环形成（25例）。以DSA为标准，MRA诊断出所有病变，但有1例假阳性。结论MRA作为无创性检查，是诊断下肢深静脉血栓有效的检查方法之一。     

Co-segregation of the PROS1 locus and protein S deficiency in families having no detectable mutations in PROS1.

Inherited deficiency of protein S constitutes an important risk factor of venous thrombosis. Many reports have demonstrated that causative mutations in the protein S gene are found only in approximately 50% of the cases with protein S deficiency. It is uncertain whether the protein S gene is causative in all cases of protein S deficiency or if other genes are involved in cases where no mutation is identified. The aim of the current study was to determine whether haplotypes of the protein S gene cosegregate with the disease phenotype in cases where no mutations have been found. Eight protein S-deficient families comprising 115 individuals where previous DNA sequencing had failed to detect any causative mutations were analyzed using four microsatellite markers in the protein S gene region. Co-segregation between microsatellite haplotypes and protein S deficiency was found in seven of the investigated families, one family being uninformative. This suggests that the causative genetic defects are located in or close to the protein S gene in a majority of such cases where no mutations have been found.     

Vascular Access for Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

Abstract: Adequate venous access is an essential component of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPEX). The simplest kind of venous access is venipuncture of antecubital veins, but this technique may be limited by venous size or scarring following the procedure, requiring the placement of a specialized vascular access device (VAD). VADs provide reliable central venous access and may remain in place for several weeks or months, depending on the VAD and the venous site chosen. Their use, however, is potentially limited by the risk of complications. We discuss indications for insertion, choice of catheter and access site, and complications of VAD placement for TPEX.     

Vein of Galen and sinus thrombosis with bilateral thalamic infarcts in sickle cell anaemia: CT follow-up and angiographic demonstration

A 2-year-old boy with known sickle cell disease presented in acute coma. CT revealed bilateral thalamic infarcts and incomplete sinus thrombosis. Angiography confirmed thrombosis of the straight sinus and vein of Galen.     

体外丹参、藻酸双酯钠对脑血栓形成患者红细胞与内皮细胞粘附的影响

丹参、藻酸双酯钠是临床治疗脑血管病的常用药。本研究发现，在体外流场中用丹参、藻酸双酯钠分别处理脑血栓形成病人的红细胞后，此红细胞与培养的人脉静脉内皮细胞的粘附数目明显减少、粘附强度明显减弱；而且，在临床常用剂量下藻酸双酯钠的这种抗粘附作用优于丹参。认为丹参、藻酸双酯钠的这种抗粘附作用可能是临床用以治疗脑血栓形成的一个重要机理。     

The current status of thrombolytic therapy

Fibrinolytic therapy substantially reduces mortality from acute myocardial infarction. Patient selection is, however, important. The patient must present within 12 hours of the onset ofischaemic symptoms, have definite ECG changes of ST elevation or left bundle branch block and no contraindications. The major contraindications are those for risk of an intracerebral bleed, recent stroke, intracranial tumour or risk of a major systemic bleed. Age and hypertension are not contraindications but may modify the regimen used.
Heparin is required with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator but is optional with streptokinase.
The recent COBALT trial suggests that the accelerated weight related t-PA regimen given over 90 minutes is more satisfactory than double bolus t-PA. However, inpatients under 75 years of age, the two regimens were equivalent.
For patients suffering acute myocardial infarction, practitioners should now individualise choice of therapy, rather than give the same cocktail to all patients. The choice of regimen will depend on the cardiac risk, the stroke risk, the bleeding risk and the cost.     

脑静脉血栓病人的死亡因素分析(附5例分析)

目的分析脑静脉血栓(CVT)病人的死亡原因。方法回顾分析136例CVT病人中5例死亡病例的病因、临床表现、影像学资料、治疗经过及死亡原因。结果病死率为3.7%。2例在急性期死亡,3例在慢性期死亡。直接死亡因素均为脑疝;间接死亡因素为颅内多发性出血和多个部位的脑静脉血栓形成,死亡组(3.20±0.84)支静脉受累,存活组(2.09±1.00)支静脉受累(P=0.016)。而性别、年龄、确诊时间、癫疒间发作、病灶部位及治疗前颅内压等没有显著增加死亡的危险性。某些临床表现,如失语、运动障碍、精神症状及意识障碍与死亡有关,但其系多发性颅内出血及多个部位脑静脉血栓所致。结论CVT病人的直接死亡原因为脑疝,间接原因为多发性脑静脉血栓和颅内多发性出血。死亡不仅可以发生在急性期,也可以出现在慢性期。     

The use of deep inspiration preceding the valsalva maneuver and rapid expiration in color doppler imaging of the lower extremity veins

Deep inspiration preceding Valsalva maneuver and rapid expiration immediately following it (DIVE) enhance venous blood flow on color Doppler flow imaging (CDI). The effect of DIVE was assessed in 115 consecutive lower extremity examinations. Of these, 95 or 115 (83%) had negative CDI sonograms, and 20 of 115 (17%) had partially (six of 115) or completely (14 of 115) occluding deep vein thrombosis. DIVE enhanced venous blood flow in 68% of the negative cases, resulting in transient venous distention, and/or more complete color filling, and/or greater spectral flow velocities. The 14 cases with completely occluding thrombi showed no response to DIVE. Six cases with partially occluding thrombi showed moderate to mild response to DIVE, with improved color delineation of the residual patent lumen around the thrombus. The authors conclude that DIVE facilitates deep venous CDI, especially when compression cannot be used to augment venous flow.