Similarities in Skeletal Muscle Strength and Exercise Capacity Between Renal Transplant and Hemodialysis Patients

Exercise intolerance is common in hemodialysis (HD) and renal transplant (RTx) patients. Aim of the study was to assess to what extent exercise capacity and skeletal muscle strength of RTx patients differ from HD patients and healthy controls and to elucidate potential determinants of exercise capacity in RTx patients. Exercise capacity, muscle strength, lean body mass (LBM) and physical activity level (PAL) were measured by cycle-ergometry, isokinetic dynamometry, DEXA and Baecke Questionnaire, respectively, in 35 RTx, 16 HD and 21 controls. VO2peak and muscle strength of the RTx patients were significantly lower compared to controls (p<0.01), but not different compared to HD patients. In RTx patients, strength (p<0.001), PAL (p=0.001) and age (p=0.045) were significant predictors of VO2peak. Muscle strength was related to LBM (p=0.001) and age (p=0.001), whereas gender (p<0.001) and renal function (p=0.01) turned out to be significant predictors of LBM. No effects of corticosteroids were observed. Exercise capacity and muscle strength seem equally reduced in RTx and HD patients compared to controls. In RTx patients, muscle strength and PAL are highly related to exercise capacity. Renal function appears to be a significant predictor of LBM, and through the LBM, of muscle strength and exercise capacity.     

Acute Renal Failure after Lung Transplantation: Incidence, Predictors and Impact on Perioperative Morbidity and Mortality

The incidence, predictors and clinical significance of acute renal failure (ARF) after lung transplantation are not well described. We retrospectively collected data on 296 patients transplanted at our center between April 1992 and December 2000; follow-up was extended until December 2002. Patients were initially divided into two groups: ARF (doubling of baseline creatinine within 2 weeks after surgery) and NoARF. The ARF group was subdivided into ARFD (dialyzed) and ARFnD (not dialyzed). The incidence of ARF was 56% (166/296), but most cases were ARFnD (n = 143). Independent predictors of ARFD (n = 23) were: baseline GFR (OR 0.98, CI 0.96-0.99, p = 0.012), pulmonary diagnosis other than COPD (OR 6.80, CI 1.5-30.89, p = 0.013), mechanical ventilation > 1 d (OR 6.16, CI 1.70-22.24, p = 0.006) and parenteral amphotericin B use (OR 3.04, CI 1.03-8.98, p = 0.045). Both ARFnD and ARFD were associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation, increased hospital stay and increased early mortality. One-year patient survival was 92.3%, 81.8% and 21.7% in the NoARF, ARFnD and ARFD groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). After controlling for important covariates, ARFD remained associated with an increased hazard of dying (HR 6.77, CI 4.00-11.44, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, ARF occurs commonly after lung transplantation and affects important clinical outcomes, especially when dialysis is required.     

椎动脉形态学异常对后循环短暂性脑缺血发作症状持续时间的影响

目的 探讨椎动脉形态学异常对后循环TIA症状持续时间的影响。
方法 回顾性分析2015年10月-2018年3月在中国科学院大学重庆仁济医院神经内科完成头颈部DSA
或CTA的后循环TIA住院患者临床资料，根据症状持续时间分为<10 min组、10～59 min组和≥60 mi n组，
比较椎动脉形态异常各亚型在3组间的差异。通过多因素Logistic回归分析明确椎动脉形态异常与后
循环TIA症状持续时间之间的关系。
结果 共纳入237例患者，其中症状持续时间<10 min组109例（45.99%）、10～59 min组71例（29.96%）
和≥60 min组57例（24.05%）。一般临床资料的比较显示，性别、椎动脉和基底动脉狭窄率≥50%
在3组间差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。椎动脉形态异常中，动脉粥样硬化性椎动脉狭窄（狭窄
率1%～99%）在3组间的差异具有统计学意义（P =0.004），而一侧迂曲、双侧迂曲、一侧优势、一
侧优势合并迂曲和起源异常在3组间差异均无统计学意义；多因素Logi sti c回归分析显示椎动脉
狭窄（OR 2.500，95%CI 1.381～4.525，P =0.002）、基底动脉狭窄率≥50%（OR 12.066，95%CI
1.446～100.668，P =0.021）是TI A症状持续时间延长的独立影响因素。
结论 椎动脉狭窄和基底动脉狭窄率≥50%是影响后循环TIA症状持续时间延长的独立影响因素。     

Cardiovascular risk factor profile on a population basis: Results from the Lipid Study Leipzig (LSL)

Population-based lipid screening studies were initiated in the city of Leipzig, Germany, and included more than 30,000 subjects. The objectives of the Lipid Study Leipzig (LSL) were to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factor profile and its dependence on age, nutrition and social factors. In addition, the study results were compared with those of other population-based studies, and the development of cardiovascular risk factors over a 10-year period was evaluated. LSL data were obtained from subjects recruited at community centres, work sites, schools and the University of Leipzig, Germany. Capillary blood cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were measured using the Reflotron dry-chemistry system (Roche Diagnostics, Germany). Study data also included blood pressure, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and the evaluation of dietary and lifestyle factors. The results of LSL show an age-dependent increase in cardiovascular risk, which may have been partly preventable. Furthermore, LSL showed an improvement in cardiovascular risk, with respect to plasma cholesterol, over the past 10 years in men and women older than 30 and 50 years, respectively. The known age dependence of total cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol is less pronounced for those following a healthy lifestyle and for vegetarians. This suggests that the age-dependent rise of these parameters is partly preventable.     

Thrombophilic risk factors and unusual clinical features in three Italian CADASIL patients

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a genetically transmitted cerebrovascular disease. Typically, the first clinical manifestation is migraine and the full clinical spectrum of the disease with recurrent strokes of the subcortical type, cognitive, and mood disorders is seen during the fourth and fifth decades of life. Vascular risk factors are usually absent in CADASIL patients and the diagnosis of the disease is particularly suspected in young adults with cerebrovascular events of unknown cause, diffuse leukoencephalopathy on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and a history of cerebrovascular diseases or dementia in many family members. We describe three Italian CADASIL patients who presented to medical attention for cerebrovascular events occurred after the age of 55 and had, in addition to hypertension and hyperlipidemia, thrombophilic risk factors such as hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated levels of lipoprotein(a), and antiphospholipid antibodies. Symptoms possibly related to cortical involvement, such as dysphasia and visual field deficits, were reported by two of these patients. We conclude that a diagnosis of CADASIL should not be disregarded in patients with vascular risk factors and presenting with symptoms not immediately referable to subcortical damage at ages more advanced than commonly reported.     

颅内动脉瘤术后低血压反应的危险因素分析

目的总结颅内动脉瘤术后低血压的发生与预后的关系,明确术后低血压发生的危险因素。方法回顾性分析接受开颅动脉瘤手术的127例病例,使用Ridit分析研究低血压的发生与预后的相关性。以性别、年龄、术前Hunt-Hess分级、术前高血压病史、低钠血症、心电图改变、术前蛛网膜下腔出血程度、术前尼膜地平应用、手术时机的选择、术中脑室穿刺引流、术中载瘤动脉阻断时间、术中控制性降压持续时间、术中控制性降压程度、术中动脉瘤破裂与否等14个可能的危险因素为自变量,设定术后“发生低血压”为变量,使用logistic回归分析研究相关的危险因素。结果正常血压组预后优于低血压组。术前心电图改变、术前蛛网膜下腔出血程度、术中载流动脉阻断时间、术中动脉瘤破裂与否等4个因素为低血压发生的危险因素。结论动脉瘤病人术后低血压反应严重影响病人预后。针对低血压发生的危险因素的防治,有望减少和纠正低血压反应,改善预后。     

A method for assessing quality of control from glucose profiles.

AIM: As the practice of multiple assessments of glucose concentration throughout the day increases for people with diabetes, there is a need for an assessment of glycaemic control weighted for the clinical risks of both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. METHODS: We have developed a methodology to report the degree of risk which a glycaemic profile represents. Fifty diabetes professionals assigned risk values to a range of 40 blood glucose concentrations. Their responses were summarised and a generic function of glycaemic risk was derived. This function was applied to patient glucose profiles to generate an integrated risk score termed the Glycaemic Risk Assessment Diabetes Equation (GRADE). The GRADE score was then reported by use of the mean value and the relative percent contribution to the weighted risk score from the hypoglycaemic, euglycaemic, hyperglycaemic range, respectively, e.g. GRADE (hypoglycaemia%, euglycaemia%, hyperglycaemia%). RESULTS: The GRADE scores of indicative glucose profiles were as follows: continuous glucose monitoring profile non-diabetic subjects GRADE = 1.1, Type 1 diabetes continuous glucose monitoring GRADE = 8.09 (20%, 8%, 72%), Type 2 diabetes home blood glucose monitoring GRADE = 9.97 (2%, 7%, 91%). CONCLUSIONS: The GRADE score of a glucose profile summarises the degree of risk associated with a glucose profile. Values < 5 correspond to euglycaemia. The GRADE score is simple to generate from any blood glucose profile and can be used as an adjunct to HbA1c to report the degree of risk associated with glycaemic variability.     

Minimal Acute Rejection after Lung Transplantation: A Risk for Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a major cause of lung allograft dysfunction. Although previous studies have identified mild to severe rejection (grade>or=A2) as a risk factor for BOS, the role of minimal rejection (grade A1) remains unclear. To determine if A1 rejection by itself is a risk factor for BOS, we performed a retrospective cohort study on 228 adult lung transplant recipients over a 7-year period. Cohorts were defined by their most severe rejection episode (none, A1 only, and >or=A2) and analyzed for the subsequent development and progression of BOS using univariate and multivariate time-dependent Cox regression analysis. In the univariate model, the occurrence of isolated minimal rejection was a risk factor for all stages of BOS. Similarly, multivariate models that included HLA mismatch, cytomegalovirus pneumonitis, community acquired viral infection, underlying disease and type of transplant demonstrated that A1 rejection was a distinct risk factor for BOS. Furthermore, the associated risk with A1 rejection was slightly greater than the risk from >or=A2 and treatment of A1 rejection decreased the risk for subsequent BOS stage 1. We conclude that minimal rejection is associated with an increased risk for BOS development and progression that is comparable to A2 rejection.     

耐磷酸盐土霉素菌株选育和发酵的研究

以土霉素生产菌株138^#为出发菌株，经饥饿培养、5-FU、UV、咖啡因复合诱变处理，再用含高磷酸盐的培养基定向筛选，得到高产突变菌株100^#。该突变株遗传特性稳定，代谢特性优于出发菌株，经57m^3发酵罐生产验证，生产稳定，低效价罐批减少59．5％，在磷酸盐浓度提高到0.04％～0.05％时，统计一年的正常罐批平均发酵效价比对照菌株提高5．76％。     

Endocrinology: Predictive value of serum oestradiol concentrations and oocyte number in severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious complicationof gonadotrophin usage but it is difficult to accurately predictits occurrence. Previous investigators have identified the combinationof high oestradiol concentrations and oocyte number as beingpredictive in 80% of cases. In this study we sought to identifythe incidence of severe OHSS in patients with high oestradiolconcentrations and large numbers of oocytes and to evaluatethe importance of pregnancy in the development of OHSS. Between1990 and 1993, we studied 139 cycles using two assisted reproductivetechniques [oocyte donor, n =72; in-vitro fertilization (IVF),n = 67] in which either oestradiol (>4000 pg/ml), oocytenumber (>25), or both were elevated. OHSS was diagnosed bystandard criteria. There were no cases of severe OHSS in theoocyte donor group and six in the IVF group. Among 10 patientswith oestradiol concentration >6000 pg/ml and >30 oocytes,only one had OHSS (10%). The relative risk of OHSS with pregnancywas 12 (confidence interval 2.18–66.14). We conclude thatthe risk of OHSS even at high levels of stimulation is lowerthan previously believed. Secondly, donors have a very low riskof OHSS, probably because of the absence of pregnancy. As such,cryopreservation of all oocytes in IVF cycles is a reasonablealternative to cycle cancellation or use of adjunctive medication.