Coronary vasomotion in patients with syndrome X: evaluation with positron emission tomography and parametric myocardial perfusion imaging

The aim of this study was to elucidate further the causative mechanism of abnormal coronary vasomotion in patients with syndrome X. In patients with syndrome X, defined as angina pectoris and documented myocardial ischaemia during stress testing with normal findings at coronary angiography, abnormal coronary vasomotion of either the micro- or the macrocirculation has been suggested as the causative mechanism. Accordingly, we evaluated endothelial function, vasodilator reserve, and perfusion heterogeneity in these patients. Twenty-five patients with syndrome X (definitely normal coronary arteriogram, group A), 15 patients with minimal coronary artery disease (group B) and 21 healthy volunteers underwent [¹³N]ammonia positron emission tomography at rest, during cold pressor stimulation (endothelial function) and during dipyridamole stress testing (vasodilator reserve). Heterogeneity of myocardial perfusion was analysed by parametric polar mapping using a 480-segment model. In both patient groups, resting perfusion was increased compared to the normal subjects: group A, 127±31 ml·min^–1·100 g^–1; group B, 124±30 ml·min^–1·100 g^–1 normal subjects, 105±21 ml·min^–1·100 g^–1 (groups A and B vs normals,P<0.05). These differences were abolished after correction for rate-pressure product. During cold pressor stimulation, the perfusion responses (ratio of cold pressor perfusion to resting perfusion) were similar among the patients and the control subjects (group A, 1.20±0.23; group B, 1.24±0.22; normal subjects, 1.23±0.14). Likewise, during dipyridamole stress testing, perfusion responses were similar among the three groups (group A, 2.71±0.67; group B, 2.77±1.29; normal subjects, 2.91±1.04). In group A the heterogeneity of resting perfusion, expressed as coefficient of variation, was significantly different from the volunteers (20.1±4.5 vs 17.0±3.0,P<0.05). In group B (coefficient of variation 19.4±3.9) the difference from normal volunteers was not significant. In this study, patients with syndrome X and patients with minimal coronary artery disease showed normal perfusion responses during cold pressor stimulation and dipyridamole stress testing. Our findings therefore suggest that endothelial dysfunction and impaired vasodilator reserve are of no major pathophysiological relevance in patients with syndrome X. Rather, other mechanisms such as increased sympathetic tone and focal release of vasoactive substances may play a role in the pathogenesis of syndrome X.     

Pulmonary Function in Survivors of Wilms' Tumor

The respiratory status of 47 patients surviving childhood Wilms' tumor was studied. The group that had receivedflnnk irradiation (which impinges on the lower lung) (n - 17) had a sisnijGantly lower mean percent predicted for forced expiratory volume in one second, residual volume, and total lung capaci(v when compared to those who had received no irradiation (n - 23). Those patients who had received whole-lung irradiation (n - 3) had sisnijicantly lower transfn. foctor for carbon monoxide and gas transfer per unit lung volume whm compared to the nonirradiated group (n - 23). There was no sipiftiant dimue in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms between the three groups. Patients receiving any form of radiotherapy for Wilms' tumor may have abnormulities o f pulmonary function and should have pulmonary function tests performed as part o f their long-tmn follow-up.     

交感神经亢进引起的心电图改变

植物神经功能失调多见于一些中青年女性 ,临床症状表现为心悸、心前区不适、脉压差小、心电图示 T波异常 ,口服硝酸甘油可缓解 ,体格检查未发现异常     

Longitudinal decline in pulmonary function in atopic cough and cough variant asthma

OBJECTIVE: Cough variant asthma and atopic cough are different clinical manifestations of eosinophilic airway inflammation presenting with isolated chronic non-productive cough. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal change in pulmonary function in cough variant asthma and atopic cough. METHODS: Longitudinal change in FEV1 was prospectively examined in 20 patients with cough variant asthma, 14 patients with atopic cough and 271 asymptomatic healthy subjects. All were lifetime non-smokers. Of the 20 cough variant asthma patients, 13 were taking long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICS) (beclomethasone dipropionate 615 +/- 58 micro g/day) and the other seven were not. Spirometry was taken at first visit, after cough was almost completely relieved on therapy, and at least once every year for 5 or more years afterwards. RESULTS: The slope of longitudinal change in FEV1 was not significantly different among cough variant asthma patients (- 0.029 +/- 0.007/year), atopic cough patients (- 0.021 +/- 0.022/year) and asymptomatic subjects (- 0.028 +/- 0.002 L/year). In patients with cough variant asthma, the slope in patients not taking inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was 0.032 +/- 0.007 L/year, which was not significantly different from that in patients taking ICS (- 0.027 +/- 0.010 L/year). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary function decline is not greater in cough variant asthma than atopic cough and the normal population, and long-term ICS has no effect on the decline in cough variant asthma.     

重度烧伤患者休克期血浆B型钠尿肽含量变化及意义

Objective To study the plasma content of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with severe burn during shock stage and probe its clinical significance. Methods Forty-two patients aged 18-60 years, with total burn surface area ≥30%TBSA or full-thickness burn area ≥10% TBSA, hospital-ized within 4 hours after burn, were divided into A group (with total burn surface area 30% -50% TBSA or full-thickness burn area 10% -20% TBSA, n = 21 ), and B group (with total burn surface area 50% TB-SA or full-thickness burn area > 20% TBSA, n = 21 ). Twenty patients admitted during the same time for plastic surgery were enrolled as control group. The plasma levels of BNP, creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, troponin I (Tnl) of all patients were determined on admission. The levels of BNP, Tnl and fluid resuscita-tion volume were examined at 8, 16, 24, 48 post burn hour (PBH) in A and B groups. Analysis of correla-tion between BNP and fluid resuscitation volume was performed. Results On admission: BNP level in A group (68±19 ng/L) and B group (99±38 ng/L) , respectively, was increased as compared with that in control group (17±7 ng/L, P <0.01 ). Tnl level in A group (2.13±0.67 μg/L) and B group (2.98± 0.58μg/L), respectively, was increased as compared with that in control group (0.12 ± 0.03 μg/L, P < 0.01). There was no obvious difference in CK, CK-MB levels among A, B, and control groups ( P > 0.05). BNP levels in A, B groups continuously rose during 8 - 48 PBH, and they were positively correlated with fluid resuscitation volume. TnI level peaked at 24 PBH, and decreased at 48 PBH. Conclusions The plasma level of BNP is sensitive to reflect changes in myocardial ischemia and hypoxia as a rise in level of TnI in shock stage of severe burn, and it was positively correlated with fluid resuscitation volume. BNP can be used to guide fluid resuscitation during shock stage.     

人鼻粘膜表面超微结构及纤毛输送功能的研究

研究结果表明:①人鼻粘膜的上皮在胚胎期的发育并不完善。在新生儿,纤毛上皮细胞的融合刚刚开始,其表面的纤毛呈微绒毛状。②在最常见的四种鼻粘膜炎症病变中,其超微结构的损害程度以伴有化脓性感染者最重,慢性肥厚性鼻炎与萎缩性鼻炎次之,变态反应性鼻炎最轻。③上述四种炎症病人的鼻纤毛输送能力均较正常人差,其中以伴有化脓性感染者最差,慢性肥厚性鼻炎和萎缩性鼻炎次之,变态反应性鼻炎最轻。     

Changes in cardiovascular function induced by verapamil in healthy subjects and in patients with ischemic heart disease

Alterations in cardiovascular function induced by the acute intravenous administration of verapamil (5 or 10 mg) in 52 patients (29 with ischemic heart disease and 23 without heart disease) were evaluated with use of invasive techniques (right and left heart catheterization, left ventricular cineangiography, and coronary arteriography). The most significant changes were represented by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and systemic arterial pressure, and an increase in heart rate and cardiac output. Contractility indexes were not depressed in either group, and altered ventricular wall motion tended to improve to a slightly smaller degree than in patients treated with nitroglycerin. The use of verapamil in patients with ischemic heart disease appears to be safe, and concern about the negative inotropic influences in humans no longer seems justified.     

An investigation of the neuropsychological profile in adults with velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS).

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is associated with deletions on the long arm of chromosome 22, mild intellectual disability, poor social interaction and a high prevalence of psychosis. However, to date there have been no studies investigating the neuropsychological functioning of adults with VCFS. We compared 19 adults with VCFS with 19 age, gender and IQ matched controls using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Compared to controls, adults with VCFS had significant impairments in visuoperceptual ability (Visual Object and Space Perception Battery), problem solving and planning (Tower of London) and abstract and social thinking (Comprehension WAIS-R). It is likely that haploinsufficiency (reduced gene dosage) of a neurodevelopmental gene or genes mapping to chromosome 22q11 underlies the cognitive deficits observed in individuals with VCFS.     

Platelets as targets of snake venom metalloproteinases

For centuries snake venoms have been known to interfere with haemostasis and this is now known basically due either to toxins activating/inhibiting clotting factors, having effects on blood vessels or interfering with platelet function. In this short review, the interaction of one major group of toxins, the snake venom metalloproteinases, with platelets is considered. This is relevant for understanding the mechanism of haemorrhage induced by these toxins.