Prevalence of silent myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis detected by electron beam tomography

BACKGROUND: Electron beam tomography coronary calcium imaging is an evolving technique for the early detection of coronary atherosclerosis, and recent studies have established its prognostic value in asymptomatic individuals. The relationship of coronary artery calcium scores (CAC) to obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) has been poorly studied but is clinically relevant because it determines which individuals are likely to benefit from revascularization procedures. Hence, we prospectively evaluated the prevalence of myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 864 asymptomatic patients with no previous CAD but with cardiovascular risk factors, referred for electron beam tomography coronary calcium imaging to our institution over an 18-month period. From this group, 220 consecutive patients (85% men; mean age, 61 +/- 9 years; age range, 31-84 years) with moderate to severe atherosclerotic disease (coronary calcium score > or =100 Agatston units) were prospectively evaluated by technetium 99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Patients were followed up (mean follow-up, 14 months) and data regarding their subsequent clinical management recorded. Of the 220 patients, 119 had moderate atherosclerosis (CAC score of 100-400 Agatston units) and 101 had severe atherosclerosis (CAC score > or =400 Agatston units). Abnormal SPECT findings were seen in 18% of patients with moderate atherosclerosis (n = 21) and 45% of patients with severe atherosclerosis (n = 45). Increasing severity of atherosclerosis was related to increasing ischemic burden (summed difference score = 1 +/- 0.2 for CAC score of 100-400 Agatston units and 3.2 +/- 0.5 for CAC score > or =400 Agatston units). In a multivariate linear regression model incorporating risk factors, CAC was the only predictor of silent ischemia. CONCLUSION: In comparison to previously published data, we detected a higher prevalence of silent ischemia even in patients with moderate coronary atherosclerosis (18%). This may reflect the differing risk factor profile of our patient population. When coronary calcium screening is used to preselect asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors for myocardial perfusion imaging, the optimum coronary calcium score threshold will depend on the population prevalence of risk factors and asymptomatic obstructive CAD.     

急性缺血性脑血管疾病的药物序贯治疗

目的:探讨药物的序贯治疗对急性缺血性脑血管病的治疗效果。方法:随机分成去纤酶、奥扎格雷钠、盐酸丁格地尔序贯治疗组和使用肠溶阿斯匹林、复方丹参针对照组,治疗组和对照组在治疗前后作神经功能评估,患者的生活能力状态评价及脑循环血流变化的测定。结果:治疗组显效率76.1%,有效率8.7%,总有效率84.8%,对照组显效率23.5%,有效率14.7%,总有效率38.2%(P<0.05)。结论:药物序贯治疗急性缺血性脑血管病比常规治疗疗效显著。     

Pineal atrophy and other neuroendocrine and circumventricular features of the naked mole-rat,heterocephalusglaber (Rüppell), a fossorial,equatorial rodent

Summary Quantitative aspects of the microanatomy of the pineal gland and other neuroendocrine and circumventricular structures were studied in a small, reproductively suppressed, female Naked Mole-rat from central Kenya, Africa. The atrophic pineal is the smallest in absolute size (0.002135 mm³) of any so far described in a species of rodent, and in size relative to body weight is second only to that of another tropical species. The subcommissural organ and posterior collicular recess are also relatively small and less well differentiated than those in most other examined rodent species. In contrast, the subfornical organ, OVLT and median eminence are large and well vascularized. It is concluded that the pineal in this species follows the previously described trend among rodents of relatively smaller size in species whose centers of distribution are in lower latitudes. Although the pineal is atrophic, the Naked Mole-rat still exhibits 24-hour and seasonally timed patterns of behavior and seasonal reproduction. However, in this species these events are probably cued by moisture, temperature and social factors rather than by photic information.     

Transmyocardial revascularization ameliorates ischemia by attenuating paradoxical catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction

Background  The mechanism by which transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) offers clinical benefit is controversial. We hypothesized that TMR ameliorates ischemia by reversing paradoxical catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction. Methods and Results  Chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy was created in 11 dogs by placing ameroid constrictors on the proximal coronary arteries and their major branches. Six weeks later, 35 channels were created percutaneously in the left circumflex artery region, with the left anterior descending artery region serving as control. At rest, wall thickening and myocardial blood flow did not change in the treated region, whereas they deteriorated in the control bed. Contractile and myocardial blood flow reserve increased in the treated region but deteriorated in the control region. There was diminished iodine 123 metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake and a significant reduction in noradrenergic nerves in the treated region compared with the control region, with a corresponding reduction in tissue tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Conclusions  We conclude that the absence of a catecholamine-induced reduction in MBF reserve and contractile reserve in the TMR-treated region with associated evidence of neuronal injury indicates that the relief of exercise-induced ischemia after TMR most likely results from reversal of paradoxical catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction. These findings may have implications in selecting patients who would benefit from TMR. Supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01-HL66034 and K-08-HL074290-01). Bethesda. Md. The radio-labeled microspheres were provided by DuPont Pharmaceuticals, North Billerica. Mass, and the ultrasound equipment was supplied by Philips. Andover, Mass. Dr Leong-Poi was the recipient of a Fellowship Training Grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.     

经皮激光椎间盘减压术治疗颈性眩晕的临床研究

目的探讨经皮激光椎间盘减压术治疗颈性眩晕的疗效及机制。方法对31例颈性眩晕患者36个突出间盘行经皮激光椎间盘减压术，观察术后3个月以上的疗效。结果28例术后眩晕立即消除(90％)，明显改善者2例(7％)，无效者1例(3％)，无神经损害、感染等并发症发生。结论导致颈性眩晕的主要原因是颈椎间盘突出、颈椎失稳，激惹交感神经诱发椎动脉痉挛。钩突关节肥大并非是主要致病因素。经皮激光椎间盘减压术使椎间盘内压骤然降低，加之局部直接热疗，从而可消除椎动脉痉挛，对治疗颈性眩晕有明显疗效。     

Detailed Analysis of Mucosal Restoration of the Small Intestine After the Cavitary Two-Layer Cold Storage Method

Small bowel transplantation (SBT) is associated with a high incidence of infectious complications because of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mucosal injury concomitant with potent immunosuppression. In this study, we evaluated whether the cavitary two-layer method (cTLM) could reduce I/R injury and allow early mucosal restoration, particularly after prolonged preservation and transplantation. Canine heterotopic segmental SBT was performed immediately without preservation (group 1), after 24-h preservation in UW solution (group 2) or by the cTLM (group 3). The graft samples were taken 1 h after reperfusion and on days 1, 4 and 7. We assessed graft mucosa with detailed microscopic and electromicroscopic analyses. In Group 3, histological injury and cell apoptosis after transplantation were significantly alleviated and rapidly recovered to a similar level of group 1. The mucosal restoration was morphologically completed within 4 days. In contrast, in group 2, more pronounced mucosal injury and delayed recovery were noted. Crypt cell proliferation activity was well maintained in groups 1 and 3 throughout the experimental period. Our ultrastructural analysis suggested that mitochondrial integrity achieved by the cTLM was a basal mechanism under the prompt mucosal restoration. The cTLM could reduce I/R injury, facilitate mucosal regeneration and restore the nearly normal structure early after SBT.     

保留后方韧带复合体在胸腰椎骨折治疗中的意义

[目的]探讨保留后方韧带复合体在胸腰椎骨折治疗中的意义。[方法]1998～2002年单一节段胸腰椎爆裂骨折治疗中保留后方韧带复合体44例，同期行胸腰椎爆裂骨折治疗切除后方韧带复合体者35例。两种方法分别有15例（定义为A组）和12例（定义为B组）行2次手术取出内固定物，比较AB两组间2次手术前后腰椎功能JOA评分。[结果]2次手术前腰椎功能JOA评分：A组平均24．5分（19～29分）；B组平均22．8分（19～29分），二者无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。2次手术后JOA评分：A组平均24．8分（20～29分），B组平均17．5分（13～26分）。二组有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。[结论]胸腰椎骨折治疗中保留后方韧带复合体，利于术后腰椎功能恢复。     

鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤炎症反应及环磷酰胺影响

目的 探讨脑缺血再灌注不同缺血区域炎症反应特点及环磷酰胺影响.方法 将大鼠随机分为假手术组、对照组、环磷酰胺预处理组,建立局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型.用免疫组化法和生化法观察额顶部皮质和基底节区P-选择素表达、髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性变化;并进行TTC染色和HE染色.结果 (1)再灌注3h缺血侧额顶部皮质和基底节区出现P-选择素表达,12h达高峰.环磷酰胺预处理组和对照组相比较,差异无显著性(P＞o.05).(2)再灌注12h以后MPO活性明显升高.基底节区的MPO活性在再灌注48h达到高峰后下降.额顶部皮质MPO活性在再灌注24h达到高峰后至96h仍维持较高水平.和对照组相比较,环磷酰胺预处理组MP(活性升高受抑制(P＜0.05).(3)环磷酰胺预处理可显著缩小脑梗死体积(P＜0.05).结论 (1)脑缺血再灌注损伤存在主动性炎症反应,额顶部皮质比基底节区的炎症反应更持久和剧烈.(2)环磷酰胺减少缺血侧中性粒细胞浸润数量,具有神经保护作用,但不直接影响P-选择素的表达.     

阴道B超介导下后穹窿穿刺治疗盆腔囊肿

目的　介绍阴道B超介导下后穹窿穿刺治疗盆腔囊肿的方法和疗效。方法　 38例盆腔囊肿病人在阴道B超介导下行后穹窿穿刺术 ,并与 2 8例住院行经腹囊肿切除术病人进行对比。结果　阴道B超介导下后穹窿穿刺术治愈率 10 0 % ,复发率 2 6 %。与经腹囊肿切除术相比 ,手术时间短 ,术中出血少 ,病人可接受程度高 ,花费少 ,差异显著 (P <0 0 1)。结论　阴道B超介导下后穹窿穿刺治疗盆腔囊肿 ,方法简便、安全高效、创伤小、价廉 ,是一项理想的保守疗法 ,值得推广应用。     

Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α may be a marker for vasculitic neuropathy

Neuromuscular biopsy is still an essential method for diagnosing vasculitic neuropathy, although its diagnostic sensitivity is at most 60%. Our objective was to examine the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) in peripheral nerves and to evaluate its usefulness in diagnosing vasculitic neuropathy, especially for discrimination from other axonal neuropathies. Forty‐one patients with vasculitic neuropathy consisting of 20 definite, 14 probable and seven possible diagnoses, 15 patients with metabolic neuropathy, five with motor neuron disease and six with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy were included. Nerve biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically examined for HIF‐1α and various cell markers. Distinct immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in nuclei of endoneurial cells in 54% (22/41) of vasculitic patients, while specimens from metabolic neuropathies showed less nuclear IR and the difference of mean density of HIF‐1α‐positive nuclei was significant. Two patients with possible vasculitis who showed HIF‐1α‐positive nuclei in endoneurium, were later confirmed to have vasculitis by skin biopsies. Most of the cells expressing HIF were demonstrated to be Schwann cells. There was a trend in the vasculitic patients with early phase nerve damage to display higher endoneurial HIF‐1α‐IR. HIF‐1α may be an immunohistochemical marker for vasculitic neuropathy, especially when the observed section contains no vasculitic lesions.