Insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insulin resistance is associated with a number genetic syndromes and a variety of defects of insulin action. METHODS: We describe three members of an extended family spanning two generations with insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals. The proband had secondary amenorrhoea, male pattern hair distribution, acne, hirsutism, deep voice, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, diabetes, features of acromegaly, raised creatine kinase and triglyceride levels and short 5th metacarpals. Her growth hormone, adrenal steroid and testosterone levels were normal. The proband's daughter had severe acne, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, raised triglyceride, glucose and testosterone level short metacarpals and normal insulin receptor gene. The proband's son had a muscular build, raised creatine kinase, hypertriglyceridaemia and short 5th metacarpals. His fasting insulin levels were normal but pro-insulin was raised. RESULT/CONCLUSION: There are many familial and genetic syndromes associated with insulin resistance. This family was diagnosed as having insulin resistance Type A. This family does not conform entirely to any of the previously described syndromes and a number of family members have the phenotype of short 5th metacarpals, which appears to be associated with the features of insulin resistance Type A.     

高果糖诱导IR大鼠模型血清脂质代谢的改变及意义

目的: 评估高果糖膳食对机体胰岛素敏感性及血清脂质代谢的影响及意义.方法:以高果糖膳食(果糖占总热量34.5%)诱导并经钳夹技术证实建立胰岛素抵抗(IR)大鼠模型,生化比色法测定血清游离脂肪酸(FFA),生化酶法测定血清甘油三酯(TG)及总胆固醇(TC).结果:高果糖膳食喂养4周后,实验组大鼠葡萄糖输注率由(11.5±0.6)mg/kg·min-1下降至(6.6±0.4)mg/kg·min-1(P<0.01);血清FFA由(0.45±0.09)mmol/L增至(0.78±0.19)mmol/L(P<0.01);TG由(0.54±0.10)mmol/L增至(0.96±0.22)mmol/L(P<0.01);TC由(1.96±0.32)mmol/L增至(2.42±0.21)mmol/L(P<0.01).结论:高果糖膳食可导致机体严重IR,是建立IR大鼠模型的有效手段;该模型同时伴有血清脂代谢各相关指标的明显异常,血脂的变化既是IR的结果,也是IR向纵深发展的原因和必要条件.     

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on bacterial clearance

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the oxygen radical scavenger N -acetylcysteine ( N -AC) impairs bacterial clearance, thus predisposing the host to increased risk of disease. Blood clearance of Escherichia coli and organ colonization were investigated in anaesthetized rabbits after pretreatment with N -AC (250 mg kg^-1 body weight, n = 16) and in sham-operated animals ( n = 12). To enable quantification of the clearance process, defined numbers of exogenous E. coli [1.3 times 108 colony-forming units (CFUs)] were injected intravenously. Parameters monitored were kinetics of bacterial elimination from the blood, and polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) oxidative burst activity. Samples of liver, kidney, spleen and lung were collected for bacterial counts. Compared with controls, pretreatment with N -AC resulted in delayed bacterial elimination from blood and higher organ colonization with increased numbers of E. coli in liver, lung and kidney ( P < 0.05). N -AC treatment was associated with a suppressed PMN oxidative burst activity. Impaired bacterial clearance and enhanced organ colonization in N -AC-treated animals correlated with reduced oxidative burst activity, suggesting impaired granulocyte-dependent bacterial killing due to N -AC application.     

Increasing prevalence of penicillinase‐producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the emergence of high‐level, plasmid‐mediated tetracycline resistance among gonococcal isolates in The Gambia

Summary One hundred and three strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from a periurban STD clinic in The Gambia were studied for antimicrobial susceptibility, plasmid profile, and serogroup using standard procedures. Seventy-nine (77%) were penicillinase producers (PPNG) and fully resistant to penicillin (MIC ≥8 mg/l). One isolate showed chromosomally induced resistance to penicillin (MIC 2 mg/l). None of the isolates was sensitive to tetracycline; 16 (16%) showed intermediate resistance (MICs 1–8 mg/l) and 87 (84%) showed high-level plasmid-mediated resistance (TRNG) (MICs >10 mg/l). This is the first report of TRNG in The Gambia. Only 6 (6%) strains were fully sensitive to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (MIC <8 mg/l); 78 (76%) showed intermediate level resistance (MICs 8–16 mg/l) and 19 (18%) were fully resistant (MIC >32 mg/l). Indications of an increase in MIC to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone were found in 6 (6%) and 1 (1%) strains, respectively, although all remained fully sensitive (MICs 0.004–0.03 mg/1 and 0.001–0.015 mg/l). All PPNG and TRNG strains carried the 3.2 MDa and 25.2 MDa plasmids, respectively. All isolates carried the 2.6 MDa cryptic plasmid and 9 (3 PPNG and 6 non-PPNG) carried the 24.5 MDa conjugative plasmid. Forty-four (43%) strains were typed group W1, 58 (56%) W11/111 and 1 had cross-reacting antigens. Because PPNG are frequently encountered and high-level TRNG is now prevalent, the newer cephalosporins and quinolones must now be considered as first-line drugs for the treatment of gonorrhoea in The Gambia.     

Changes in bladder function following a surgical alteration in outflow resistance

The changes in bladder function occurring after a surgical alteration in bladder outflow resistance were studied in 20 males undergoing transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) and in 20 females undergoing an endoscopic bladder neck suspension (EBNS). Serial cystometrograms (CMG) were performed before operation, and on alternate days after spontaneous micturition was re-established, for 5 days in the males and for 21 days in the females. CMGs were repeated at 3 months and 1 year after operation. After TURP voiding pressures (P_det) fell rapidly from a mean of 118 cm H₂O before operation to 57 cm H₂O at 5 days, with an increase in flow rate during this time from 10.5 ml/s to 24 ml/s. Detrusor instability that had been present in 14 patients resolved within 2 days in 12. There was no further significant urodynamic change over the 1-year study period. After EBNS, there was an early rise in voiding pressure (P_det rose from 26 cm H₂O before operation to 42 cm H₂O at 3 days). This continued to increase up to 21 days particularly in those patients with initial large residuals. Three patients developed detrusor instability. Flow rates were greatly reduced at first (27 ml/s before operation and 13 ml/s at 3 days), and gradually increased in line with voiding pressures, yet were still diminished 1 year after operation. The urodynamic changes following a reduction in bladder outflow resistance by TURP are immediate and sustained and unlikely to be the result of structural changes within the bladder wall. EBNS produces an increase in outflow resistance and it can be several weeks before balanced voiding is achieved, with significantly increased detrusor pressures needed to achieve complete bladder emptying at a reduced flow rate.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: investigation of a hospital outbreak using a case-control study

A retrospective case-control study of 50 MRSA-positive patients was carried out during an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at an acute general hospital in London. Controls were randomly selected from MRSA-negative patients admitted during the outbreak period. Risk factors investigated included length of admission prior to screening, number of ward changes, main diagnosis, extent of staff contact, pressure sores, surgical and other invasive procedures and antibiotic treatment. Outcome variables examined were rates of infection (versus colonization) with MRSA and mortality. Patients with MRSA were in hospital longer before microbiological specimens were taken and moved wards more often than controls. In a logistic regression analysis, length of stay in hospital, pressure sores, physiotherapy and surgical procedures were associated with a significantly increased risk of acquiring MRSA. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for having acquired MRSA were: 8·3 (1·02−71·43) if a patient had pressure sores; 3·7 (1·10−12·5) if they received physiotherapy; and 3·2 (1·82−10·0) if they underwent surgical procedures. The rate of clinical infection amongst patients with this strain of MRSA was 26% and included life-threatening infections such as septicaemia, underlining the potential virulence of MRSA. Surgery and physiotherapy may have been markers of debility. Physiotherapy was probably a marker of increased rates of contact with all hospital staff, and high standards of hand hygiene should be promoted amongst all staff as the most important factor in controlling an outbreak of MRSA. Good bed management is essential for hospital infection control.     

Hereditary Hypertriglyceridemic Rat: A New Animal Model of Metabolic Alterations in Hypertension

Hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats (hHTg) were developed as a new genetic model for the study of relationships between blood pressure (BP) and metabolic abnormalities. This strain has been produced by selective inbreeding from Wistar rats according to the rise of plasma triglycerides induced by a high-sucrose diet. Though hHTg rats display hypertriglyceridemia, impaired glucose tolerrance, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and increased BP even without nutritional stimuli, high sucrose feeding further aggravates these symptoms. High plasma triglycerides levels in hHTg rats seem to be a consequence of their hyperproduction. Impaired insulin action is responsible for the defective glucoregulation in this strain. The loss of insulin responsiveness might be due to a reduction in the number of glucose transporters. Highly significant relationships among plasma triglycerides, ouabain-resistant Na⁺ transport and BP were demonstrated in the hHTg rats. Segregating populations (F2 hybrids) should be used for genetic analysis of the primary role of lipid and/or ion transport abnormalities in the pathogenesis of this form of genetic hypertension.     

Posture-induced nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis

Nasal resistance is affected by posture. In this study, the effects of supine and lateral recumbent positions were investigated in eight normal subjects and 31 patients with allergic rhinitis. Of the 31 patients with allergic rhinitis, five showed unilateral complete nasal obstruction and one patient showed bilateral complete obstruction during the change of posture. Total nasal resistance had a tendency to increase with repeating the change of posture (a paired t-test, P < 0.05). The supine and lateral recumbent positions did not induce variable changes in total nasal resistance in normal subjects. Posture induces complete nasal obstruction in the supine or lateral recumbent positions in some patients with allergic rhinitis.     

HIV/AIDS合并深部真菌感染的调查与耐药研究

目的：了解艾滋病病毒／艾滋病(HIV／AIDS)合并深部真菌感染的临床状况、病原菌分类及耐药现状。方法：总结近年来收治的131例HIV/AIDS患者的临床资料，分析深部真菌感染的发生情况及药敏试验结果。结果：HIV／AIDS患者合并深部真菌感染48例，感染率为36．6％，其中以念珠菌为主，占61％，感染部位以消化道为主，占62．7％。随着CD4^ T淋巴细胞的减少，合并深部真菌感染的感染率逐渐增加。念珠菌对益康唑(ECO)、酮康唑(KET)、咪康唑(MIC)、制霉菌素(NYS)、氟康唑(FLU)、伊曲康唑(ITR)、5-氟胞嘧啶(5-FC)、两性霉素B(AMB)耐药率分别为69．4％、66．7％、58．3％、44．4％、43．8％、36．4％、14．3％、13．9％。结论：HIV／AIDS患者合并深部真菌感染率高，且多有药耐药性，特别是对咪唑类抗真菌药物已呈明显耐药，应引起临床医生的高度警惕。     

感染性心内膜炎手术时机的初步探讨

本文报道了15例感染性心内膜炎（IE）的外科治疗结果。左心IE9例，其中3例合并风湿性心脏病。右心IE6例，均合并先天性室间隔缺损（VSD）。活动性IE13例，静止期IE2例。右心IE的手术方法是修补VSD，剥除三尖瓣上的赘生物并涂以0.5％活力碘，环缩三尖瓣环。左心IE的处理方法为瓣膜置换。手术死亡2例。本文着重对手术时机进行了讨论。