Diabetic maculopathy induced by vitreo-macular traction: evaluation by optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Aim: To evaluate the role and efficacy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the evaluation of diabetic maculopathy induced by vitreo-retinal traction. Methods: 12 patients affected by diabetic maculopathy induced by vitreo-retinal traction were examined using biomicroscopy with a three-mirror contact lens, fluorescein angiography (FA) and OCT scanning in order to identify the presence of a vitreomacular traction. Results: OCT revealed two patterns of maculopathy which were characterised by a thickening of the superior profile of the OCT tomogram or by the disappearance and inversion of the physiologic foveal depression respectively. Conclusions: OCT may be useful in the characterisation and monitoring of diabetic maculopathy induced by vitreo-retinal traction. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lipoprotein levels in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the levels of Lp(a), Apo(a), VLDL, LDL and HDL in 23 patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and in 20 control. The Mann-Whitney U tests was used for comparisons between the two groups. Serum Lp(a) and Apo(a) levels were sigificantly raise in the PIH group (p < 0.05 andp < 0.05 respectively) and no significant correlations could be demonstrated for other lipoproteins.     

γ-Glutamyltransferase test as a new tool for identification of seminal stains

Summary A simple qualitative method for identification of seminal stains based on a high activity of -glutamyltransferase (-GTP) in human semen is described. It employs the release of -naphthylamine from N--glutamyl--naphthylamide by the -GTP action; -naphthylamine couples with Fast Garnet GBC salt to produce a strong brownish-red color. The data on its simplicity, specificity, and stability show that the present method is suitable for medicolegal examination of seminal stains as a preliminary test.     

An acute fatal occupational cadmium poisoning by inhalation

Summary A 43-year-old male smelter was admitted to a hospital on account of severe dyspnea about 2 days after exposure to brownish-yellow smoke produced by melting of copper scrap. On admission pronounced hypoxemia was revealed, and an oxygen-enriched gas was administered after intubation. Although inspired oxygen concentration was gradually increased, hypoxemia progressed and he died on day 11 in hospital.The principal autopsy finding was chiefly confined to the lungs. Both lungs were heavy (the left weighing 1,470 g; the right 1,710 g) and firm to the touch. Histologically, no normal alveoli were found throughout the entire lung. Some alveolar spaces were occupied by pneumocytes, others by organized exudate with fibrosis. Interstitial fibrosis was present. Patchy areas of inflammatory cell infiltrations as well as intra-alveolar hemorrhages were observed. On the basis of the above findings a diagnosis of diffuse alveolar damage was made.Based on the available evidence (presence of cadmium in the copper scrap, feature of the smoke, clinical signs with latent time, and high cadmium concentration of the lung), the diffuse alveolar damage was considered to have been caused by inhaled cadmium. The pulmonary change of the present case was more advanced in pathologic stage in comparison with those reported in the literature.     

Osteoclastome-like giant cell thyroid carcinoma controlled by intensive radiation and adriamycin,in a patient with meningioma and multiple myeloma treated by radiation and cytoxan

The eighth case of osteoclastome-like giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid, and the first one to be treated with adriamycin in addition to surgery and radiation, is reported. This rare variant of anaplastic thryoid carcinoma appeared in a patient operated on for meningioma and treated for multiple myeloma with cranial radiation and chronic administration of cytoxan.     

Short time delays change pattern induced flicker colors (PIFCs)

Subjects decided on whether the colors of the rings on a modified Benham's top were the same or different. The cause of color differences was a variable time delay. Δt, of the black and white stimulus pattern on the disc. Time delays of Δt = 50 μsec and less caused detectable changes in color and brightness.     

Impaired cytotoxicity of lymphocytes from patients with cancer.

We have investigated the ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 57 cancer patients and from 54 normal controls to exert cytotoxic activity in vitro on allogeneic target cells by using a residual tritiated proline assay. Phytohemagglutin was added to the cultures for potentiating the reaction. The cytotoxic potential of lymphocytes from cancer patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls. Increased survival of target cells was found in numerous reactions with patients' lymphocytes, probably reflecting a "feeder" effect. The source of plasma used for testing, i.e., autologous or pooled normal homologous plasma, did not affect the strength of cytotoxicity reactions displayed by lymphocytes from either normal or cancer patients. A lower reactivity was generally seen in patients with metastatic disease than in patients with no evidence of distant spread.     

可溶性血管细胞黏附分子1在妊高征发病中的作用

目的　研究可溶性血管细胞黏附分子 1(solublevascularcelladhesionmolecule - 1,sVCAM - 1)在妊高征发病中的作用。方法　用酶联免疫吸附法 (ELISA)测定 6 7例孕妇血清中sVCAM - 1水平 ,其中正常妊娠组 15例 ,妊高征组 5 2例。结果　中、重度妊高征患者血中sV CAM - 1水平显著高于正常妊娠组 (P <0 .0 1) ;轻度妊高征患者与正常妊娠组相比 ,虽无统计学差异 ,但有升高趋势 ;妊高征组产后该指标下降 ,与正常妊娠组比较无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。sVCAM - 1浓度与平均动脉压呈正相关 (r =0 .5 4 2 ,P <0 .0 1)。结论　妊高征患者血中sVCAM - 1水平升高 ,表明内皮细胞损伤在妊高征的发病中起重要作用。     

硬膜外阻滞分娩镇痛对妊娠高血压综合征患者血浆一氧化氮的影响

目的探讨硬膜外阻滞分娩镇痛对妊高征患者的血压及其血浆NO含量的影响。方法选择中、重度妊高征29例随机分为硬膜外阻滞分娩镇痛组14例和对照组15例,镇痛组宫颈扩展到3～4cm时开始实施镇痛。采用硝酸还原酶法测定无宫缩、宫口3～4cm(阻滞前)、宫口开全、产后2h血浆NO含量。结果宫口3～4cm(镇痛前)平均动脉压较无宫缩时明显增高(P<0.01),对照组宫口开全时和产后2h平均动脉压较无宫缩时明显升高(P<0.05),而镇痛组宫口开全时和产后2h平均动脉压较无宫缩时明显降低(P<0.01),也显著低于对照组(P<0.01);宫口3～4cm(镇痛前)血浆NO含量显著低于无宫缩时(P<0.01),对照组宫口开全时和产后2h血浆NO含量较无宫缩时明显低(P<0.01);镇痛组宫口开全时血浆NO含量较无宫缩和镇痛前明显升高(P<0.01),也显著高于对照组(P<0.01),产后2h血浆NO显著高于对照组(P<0.01),但与无宫缩时比较差异无显著性。结论硬膜外阻滞分娩镇痛可降低妊高征患者的血压,其机制可能与血浆中NO含量升高有关。     

山莨菪碱对妊娠高血压综合征子宫胎盘血流影响

目的：观察山莨菪碱对妊娠高血压综合征(妊高征)子宫动脉、脐动脉血流的短期影响.方法：妊高征患者14例给予山莨菪碱10～20 mg加入5%葡萄糖溶液500 mL中,静脉滴注,观察用药前后血压、体重、蛋白尿变化,多普勒超声监测用药前后子宫动脉、脐动脉的收缩期峰值(S)/舒张末期血流速度(D)(S/D),阻力指数(RI)、搏动指数(PI).结果：用药后收缩压及舒张压明显下降(P＜0.05)；水肿、蛋白尿减轻或消退；子宫动脉和脐动脉的S/D、RI、PI均明显下降(P＜0.01).结论：山莨菪碱治疗妊高征能降低子宫、胎盘血流阻力,增加其血流灌注,同时改善孕妇临床症状,有利于母婴预后.