Technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy for the assessment of lower extremity ischaemia in peripheral arterial disease

Technetium-99m sestamibi was used for functional investigation of the muscle perfusion of lower extremities in 35 patients with peripheral vascular disease. The aim was to test what useful information could be obtained by additional imaging of the legs in patients referred for risk stratification with dipyridamole myocardial scanning. Posterior images were acquired over the thighs and calves after postocclusive reactive hyperaemia and at rest. Inter- and intraextremity ratios and differences between the stress and rest data were used for the assessment of abnormal circulation. Arteriography was performed in every case, and surgical procedures or transluminal angioplasty in 31 patients. To estimate diagnostic accuracy, the results of^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy were compared with those of angiography and the functional consequences of revascularization procedures. The sensitivity and specificity of^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy were 55% and 25%, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 50%. Apparently methodological error was not responsible for these poor results. Instead, a paradoxically high uptake of the radiopharmaceutical in muscles supplied by significantly stenosed vessels was identified as the main source of both false-negative and false-positive results. This phenomenon resembles the findings of a previous study involving delayed administration of thallium-201 after exercise. In conclusion,^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy has not proved sufficiently reliable to help in the management strategy for patients with peripheral vascular disease.     

2型糖尿病患者载脂蛋白E基因多态性的研究

目的：探讨中国人2型糖尿病患者载脂蛋白E（apoE)基因多态性及其与血脂和载脂蛋白水平的关系。方法：采用聚合酶链反应－限制性酶切片段长度多态性法，分别对74例2型糖尿病患者及191例血脂、血糖正常且无糖尿病史者的apoE基因型、空腹血脂及载脂蛋白AI、AⅡ、B100、CⅡ、CⅢ及E进行全面分析。结果：2型糖尿病患者的血清甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC），低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDLC），非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（nHDLC),载脂蛋白B100、CⅡ、CⅢ、E水平及TG／HDLC比值较对照组显著升高（P＜0．01）；血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDLC），apoE/apoCⅢ比值显著降低（P＜0．05）。2型糖尿病组与对照组apoE基因频率分布无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。携带ε2等位基因组血清TG／HDLC比值较E3／3基因型显著降低；而携带ε4等位基因组血清apoAⅡ水平较E3／3基因型及携带ε2等位基因组显著升高（P＜0．001）。结论：2型糖尿病患者apoE基因多态性与血TG／HDLC及apoAⅡ有一定关联。     

Relation Between Cycle Length, Volume, and Pressure in Type I Atrial Flutter

Assuming that type I atrial flutter is a macroreentrant circuit, its cycle length should vary with the atrial dimensions. In order to test this hypothesis, flutter cycle length was measured while inducing atrial volume and pressure changes by postural and pharmacological means in seven patients undergoing a therapeutic programmed stimulation for type 1 atrial flutter conversion. Right atrial volume was estimated from B-mode echocardiography data. Basal values were compared with those obtained during inspiration, expiration, Valsalva maneuver, negative tilt (head down), and positive tilt (head up) with 0.8–1.6 mg p.o. nitroglycerin. The right atrial size increased slightly from 17.8 to 18.3 cm² (P = 0.04) during the pressure load induced by negative tilt (+ 3 mmHg), with a corresponding lengthening of the flutter cycle length from 228 to 233 msec (P = 0.02). Similarly, pressure unloading of -2 mmHg by positive tilting and nitrates was accompanied by a decrease in right atrial size to 16.6 cm² (P = 0.04), with a corresponding decrease in cycle length from 228 to 219 msec (P = 0.03). Respiratory maneuver yielded similar results with an inspiratory cycle lengthening, expiratory shortening, and further shortening during Valsalva maneuver. These experiments demonstrate a direct relation between cycle length and atrial volume in human type I atrial flutter. They underline the importance of the right heart preload and atrial size for the electrophysiological characteristics of type I atrial flutter. Beside its fundamental interest, this finding is important for the understanding of the mechanism of maintenance and therapeutic responses of this common arrhythmia.     

Vasopressin stimulation of NaCl transport in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop is decreased in aging mice

The maximal urinary osmolality that can be reached by the kidney is reduced with age. This may be due to impaired NaCl transport by the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, which is part of the renal concentrating mechanism and is modulated by antidiuretic hormone (ADH). We therefore tested in vitro a possible age-related change in the transport capacity and in the response of this nephron segment to ADH in young (1–2 months) and old (20–24 months) mice. The transepithelial potential difference (V _te) was significantly higher in young mice (+8.5±0.4 mV, n=13) than in old ones (+6.6±0.5 mV, n=17). Addition of 0.1 nmol.l^–1 ADH to the bath solution significantly increased V _te by 5.2±0.5 mV in the young and by 3.1±0.6 mV in the old animals. Application of dibutyryl-cAMP (0.1 mmol.1^–1) did not further increase the hormonal response in both groups. The ADH-mediated increase in the corresponding equivalent short-circuit current (I _SC = V _te/R_te) was twice as great in young mice as in old, indicating that the stimulation of NaCl transport by ADH across the medullary thick ascending limb is significantly reduced with age. These results suggest that the previously reported age-related defect in the urinary concentrating ability of the kidney is partly due to a decreased response of the medullary thick ascending limb to ADH.     

儿茶酚-邻-甲基转移酶基因多态性与强迫症

目的：探索儿茶酚-邻-甲基转移酶(COMT)基因多态性同强迫症临床特征的关系。方法：采用聚合酶链反应扩增技术与限制性片段长度多态(PCR-RFLP)测定120例强迫症(OCD)患者和130例健康对照者的基因型；根据Yale-Brown强迫量表评分将强迫症划分亚型。结果：强迫症患者COMT基因型与等位基因分布与健康对照者之间无显著差异；强迫行为组与强迫思想组的COMT基因型分布存在差异；G／A基因型多见于强迫行为组。结论：COMT基因多态可能对强迫症的发病没有直接的作用，但G／A基因型可能对症状是否表现为强迫动作有一定的影响。     

Restless legs syndrome: diagnosis and review of management options

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is one of the commonest movement disorders affecting sleep and also daytime functioning. The prevalence may be 8%–10% of the white Caucasian population. The diagnosis is simple and is based on a well-validated clinical questionnaire, yet misdiagnosis is common and the condition remains underdiagnosed and consequently inappropriately treated, often causing great distress to the sufferers. In spite of robust evidence for effective treatment of RLS, patients may often be told to “put up with the symptoms” and suffer the consequence of years of poor sleep which may lead to major lifestyle changes. This review addresses the diagnostic issues, the differential diagnosis, and the evidence base for treatment of the common condition.     

髓内固定系统治疗下肢骨折临床应用

目的:探索髓内固定系统在下肢骨折治疗中的操作原理。方法:认真术前掌握髓内钉系统的设计和操作,结合对骨折部位、类型及生物力学分析等选择内固定,通过对下肢骨折157例的术中观察及术后摄片对照等探索髓内钉系统的操作情况。结果:术后摄片骨折达解剖或功能复位,随诊3～24月,优良率为94.88%。结论:下肢骨折治疗中,髓内钉系统是一种优良的支撑、复位、固定器材:术前认真分析骨折类型及力学特点,有助于术中顺利操作和骨折的坚强固定。     

桡骨与尺骨的测量及回归分析

本文测量了桡骨与尺骨各100例,其中桡骨15项指标,尺骨14项指标。并用IBM·PC—XT计算机DBASEⅢ数据库管理系统进行了统计分析以及用桡、尺骨最大长分别与桡、尺骨其它各项指标间进行直线相关分析,建立了25个回归方程。     

骨骼肌最大收缩力与最适初长度及其参数的研究

本实验以免载体股直肌为实验模型,研究了该肌在一定脉冲电流刺激下其初长度与收缩力、肌张力及肌力变化的相互关系。同时测定了正常生理状态下兔伸屈膝时股直肌拉长度的变化。结果表明:兔股直肌延长在1.0cm内时,肌力随初长度的延长而增大,超过1.0cm时增大已不明显(p<0.0 1),1.0cm与股直肌的生理最大延长度1.1cm相似。说明兔股直肌的初长度变化不应超过生理最大延长度。而人的骨骼肌与哺乳动物的骨骼肌没有本质的区别,因此,人骨骼肌的初长度变化也不应超过生理最大延长度。肌腱转位后的活动范围应在原位的生理活动范围内,才能发挥最佳收缩效应。     

Estimating neuron dendritic length in 3D from total vertical projections and from vertical slices

The recently developed method of total vertical projections is illustrated to estimate the total dendritic length of a human Substantia Nigra neuron. Next, the length of the different orders of dendritic branches, and the mean segment length for each order - commonly regarded as important parameters in neuron physiology - are also estimated. Finally, it is shown how to estimate the mean dendritic length in a population of neurons from vertical slices of arbitrary and unknown thickness. Being unbiased and highly efficient, the proposed methods offer interesting alternatives to current procedures used for the metric analysis of neuron arborizations.