Basement membrane thickening in the placentae from diabetic women

A light microscopy study was carried out on 48 placentae. Seventeen placentae were obtained from non-diabetic mothers while the other 31 placentae were from both women with controlled diabetes and women who had an abnormality of the glucose tolerance test. All the women delivered at 38-40 weeks of gestation. Placentae from diabetic patients showed immaturity of the villi, hypertrophy of the capillaries and thickening of the basement membrane of the trophoblastic villi (3.2 +/- 0.35 microns) and the amniotic membrane (1.8 +/- 0.3 microns). Focal fibrinoid necrosis, an increase in the number of Hofbauer cells and dilatation of villi capillaries were also commonly observed in placentae from diabetic mothers, and the normal cuboidal cells lining the amniotic membrane tended to become tall columnar (17.6 +/- 6.3 microns) with distally located nuclei. Similar findings were observed in patients who had a potentially abnormal glucose tolerance test, which suggests the possibility of primary lesion in origin. Therefore, control of hyperglycemia may only partially prevent the development of placental abnormalities.     

Incidence of analgesic nephropathy among patients undergoing renal replacement therapy in Czech republic and Slovak republic

BACKGROUND.: The occurrence of analgesic nephropathy (AN) among renal replacementtherapy patients in former Czechoslovakia is not known. Previoussurveys were not based on representative samples and lackeduniform criteria for diagnosing the disease. METHODS.: Incidence of AN in former Czechoslovakia was investigated inpatients commencing renal replacement therapy in 24 (1/3 ofall) dialysis centres from 1 January to 31 December 1992. Patientsshowing an unclear renal diagnosis (n=149) were investigatedwith an interview and renal imaging techniques. The diagnosisof AN was withheld or rejected on the base of recently publisheddiagnostic criteria demonstrating that a decreased renal massof both kidneys combined with bumpy contours and/or papillarycalcifications had a high performance for diagnosing AN (NephrolDial Transplant 1992; 7: 479–486). RESULTS.: Based on the renal imaging criteria, AN was diagnosed in 30of 328 registered patients, resulting in an AN incidence of9.1% while the EDTA data only mentioned an incidence of 4.8%(period 1986–1989). The products most commonly abusedwere analgesic mixtures containing two analgesic substancescombined with caffeine and/or codeine. CONCLUSIONS.: AN was found to be a common disease in the Czech and SlovakRepublics. The disease was diagnosed using reliable renal imagingcriteria.     

黄芪治疗糖尿病肾病近期疗效观察

目的　观察黄芪注射液治疗Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病的疗效。方法　Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病 58例随机分为两组 ,治疗组在常规治疗基础上加黄芪注射液 30ml/d静滴。对照组不用黄芪注射液 ,余同治疗组 ,共治疗 2个疗程 2 8d。结果　治疗组治疗前后对比尿蛋白减少 (P <0 0 1 ) ,血白蛋白上升 ,LDL、TG、TC下降 (P <0 0 5) ,疗效优于对照组。结论　黄芪注射液治疗Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病有效     

茎突CT薄层冠状扫描在诊断茎突过长综合征中的价值

目的 探讨“一点一线垂直法”茎突CT薄层冠状扫描在诊断茎突过长中的价值。方法测量72例双侧茎突的长度、方位、形态、厚度、尖端与咽侧壁距离,总结茎突过长病人的临床症状与诊断。 结果 ①41例67侧长度超过3.0cm,符合茎突过长的诊断;②12例12侧茎突虽未超过3.0cm(均在2.5～2.9cm),且茎突方位角>20°、末端与咽侧壁的距离<20mm,并有临床症状的应考虑茎突过长综合征;③按茎突的形态进行分型:锥型(分直锥、弧锥),束状型,分节型,发育不良型。其中分节型与临床症状有密切关系。结论 ①茎突CT薄层冠状扫描能清晰显示茎突的长度、形态、厚度、末端与咽侧壁距离,是诊断茎突过长的一种可靠方法;②“一点一线垂直法”茎突CT薄层冠状扫描无需进行图像重建,可操作性强、简捷易行、便于推广。     

Ultrastructural organization of proteoglycans and fibrillar matrix of the tectorial membrane

The molecular and supramolecular structure of the tectorial membrane (TM) was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Collagen (type A) fibrils in the TM were found associated with proteoglycans (PGs) and type B fibrils. Most PGs were orthogonally oriented and attached D-periodically to collagen fibrils. Computer averaged projections of PG particles and linear aggregates of PGs in crystalline arrays, stained with Cuprolinic blue, showed an elongated, electron-dense structure 50–65 nm in length and 10 nm in width. Image analysis of type B fibrils showed that they are constructed of globular domains arranged with a periodicity of 12–14 nm. Each globular domain contains two thin ‘arms', extended in opposite directions, which contact the ‘arms' of adjacent fibrils. Numerous type B fibrils were found between collagen fibrils. They are attached to adjacent collagen fibrils by the ‘arms' of their globular domains. An association of type B fibrils and PGs with collagen seems to result in the local ordered arrangement of the TM matrix. A hypothetical model of the TM matrix supramolecular structure is presented.     

Renal functional reserve in insulin dependent diabetic children

Abstract Background: Microalbuminuria has been shown to be predictive for clinical diabetic nephropathy. Renal functional reserve (RFR), as a response to protein loading in a short period of time, is a parameter to assess the ability of kidneys to increase the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The aim of this study was to predict the early phase of diabetic nephropathy by measuring urinary albumin level and RFR capacity in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Methods: Twenty-two patients with IDDM were studied: 11 with a disease duration of less than 5 years (group 1) and 11 with a disease duration of more than 5 years (group 2). As the control group, 15 healthy children (group 3) were included in the study. At the beginning of the study, glucose was measured and the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was calculated. Average glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA₁c) over 1 year was determined. After protein loading (red meat containing 2 g/kg of protein), the creatinine clearance was calculated at each hour for a duration of 4 h. The RFR was accepted as the peak percentage increase in GFR over the baseline value.
Results: Although metabolic control in group 2 was better, the RFR in group 2 was significantly lower than in group 1 (P < 0.05). Urinary microalbumin levels between the groups did not differ (P < 0.05). In two patients in whom microalbuminuria was detected, the RFR was much lower.
Conclusions: Detecting lower RFR levels in patients with normal urinary albumin excretion, as well as in patients with microalbuminuria, may support the idea that the RFR capacity is more sensitive than microalbuminuria in assessing the early phase of diabetic nephropathy.     

Diabetic nephropathy in children and adolescents: a critical review with particular reference to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Clinical diabetic nephropathy is a well-recognized cause of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes. The finding that microalbuminuria predicts progression to overt nephropathy has allowed early diagnosis and preventive interventions. Several studies have demonstrated that treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors slows down the rate of decline of the glomerular filtration rate in type 1 diabetes patients with established proteinuria. The renoprotective properties of the ACE inhibitor captopril extend beyond its antihypertensive effects. ACE inhibitors represent the most appropriate class of antihypertensive drugs for treating type 1 diabetes patients because of their efficacy and safety. When microalbuminuria is detected and confirmed in a diabetic child or adolescent, and if it persists despite 6-12 months of improved metabolic control, treatment with ACE inhibitors should be started, even if the child is normotensive. Careful follow-up of renal function is essential.     

膜性肾病患者临床病理特点及外周血T及Th细胞亚群分析

例膜性肾病患者,根据24 h蛋白尿、血清白蛋白水平分为中高危组78例,低危组22例。另取同期体检的健康志愿者66名为对照组。流式细胞术检测外周血T及Th细胞亚群水平。检测结果显示,间质炎性细胞浸润、肾小管急性病变区在中高危组与低危组之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。膜性肾病患者中IgG4荧光强度最高,IgG2荧光强度最弱。T细胞亚群中中高危组和低危组CD3＋CD45＋、CD3＋CD4＋、CD4＋/CD8＋明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。Th细胞亚群中Th9、Th1、Th2、Th2/Th9在各组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);Th9、Th1、Th2水平明显低于对照组,Th2/Th9明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果证明,尿蛋白量越大,膜性肾病患者肾脏急性和慢性病变程度越严重;中高危组患者IgG4为主沉淀,低危组患者IgG1为主沉淀;膜性肾病患者外周血T细胞亚群以CD4＋T细胞为主,伴随Th9、Th1、Th2水平明显升高, Th2/Th9值下降。     

Association of Dietary Fish and n-3 Unsaturated Fatty Acid Consumption with Diabetic Nephropathy from a District Hospital in Northern Taiwan

Nephropathy caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To understand the association of dietary intake with renal function indicators among patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN), this cross-sectional study was conducted at the dietetic consultation clinic of the Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital in Taiwan. In total, 317 participants were recruited for this study. Patients with diabetes who had a urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) of ≥30 mg/g were defined as having DN. The anthropometric characteristics, blood biochemistry, and renal function of the participants were assessed. Furthermore, a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) was administered to investigate the dietary intake of the participants in the DM and DN groups. The result showed that participants in the DN group were older, had longer diabetes duration and poorer glycemic control and renal function than those in the DM group. Logistic regression models revealed that intake of high-fat marine fishes had the lowest odds ratio (OR) for DN risk compared with other fishes (OR: 0.868; 95% CI: 0.781–0.965, p = 0.009). Shellfish, soybean products, and skim milk also provided better protective effects to decrease the risk of DN. A further analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acids revealed that Σn-3 PUFAs significantly reduced DN risk, while Σn-6 PUFAs did not, especially EPA (OR: 0.821; 95% CI: 0.688–0.979, p = 0.029) and DHA (OR: 0.903; 95% CI: 0.823–0.992, p = 0.033) regardless of whether the variables were adjusted, including diabetes duration, age, and HbA1c. Our findings suggest that a diet that incorporates high-fat fish, shellfish, soybean products, and a lower Σn-6/Σn-3 ratio can mitigate DN risk.     

高效毛细管电泳法同时测定尿液清蛋白和肌酐

目的建立同时测定尿液清蛋白和肌酐的高效毛细管电泳法。方法对缓冲系统、pH值、缓冲液的离子强度、检测波长、表面活性剂、电压及电流和进样方法等进行研究,建立同时测定清蛋白和肌酐的毛细管电泳法。结果选择20mmol/L、pH9.3硼砂-NaOH(含6mmol/LSDS)缓冲液作为毛细管区带电泳运行液,利用外标法定量,检测波长214nm,同时测定肌酐和清蛋白。非涂层毛细管有效长度47.5cm,内径75μm;电流79μA,压力进样1psi、4s,电泳时间为12min。肌酐和清蛋白的线性范围分别为4.32～8840μmol/L和1.95～1000mg/L,肌酐和清蛋白最低检出限分别为0.977μmol/L和0.285mg/L。本法的日内和日间变异系数均小于4.8%。肌酐和清蛋白的平均回收率分别为99.6%和102.4%。结论建立的方法线性范围宽,测定简单快速,可用于临床检测。