Simultaneous noninvasive evaluation of gastric emptying and orocaecal transit times

Summary The aim of the study was to use a novel combination of two methods for the simultaneous evaluation of two effects of oral cisapride in 10 diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy; gastric emptying time was measured by following radio-opaque markers and orocaecal transit time by the sulphasalazine-sulphapridine method. The study was of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design.It was possible to evaluate the effect of a prokinetic drug on gastric emptying and orocaecal transit times using these two noninvasive techniques at the same time. Cisapride significantly reduced both the gastric emptying (1.2 h versus 2.1 h) and orocaecal tansit (5.9 h versus 7.7 h) times.     

FK506缓释膜应用于同种异体神经移植的实验研究

目的研究普乐可复(prograf,FK506)缓释膜在同种异体神经移植中的作用。方法应用异体神经桥接大鼠坐骨神经缺损,术中局部应用FK506缓释膜,分别于术后4、8、12周对移植物行大体和光镜观察,及轴突图像分析、移植神经电镜检查、小腿三头肌肌湿重比较、患肢坐骨神经电生理检查。结果C组(应用FK506缓释膜)的神经生长最好,基本与D组(自体神经移植)相同,B组(经预处理异体神经移植)次之,A组(新鲜异体神经移植)最差。经过对肌电图、轴突计数、肌湿重的统计学分析,C、B、A组的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),C、D组之间差异无统计学意义。结论应用FK506缓释膜有助于减轻同种异体神经的免疫排斥反应,为神经再生创造良好条件;在同种异体神经移植中应用FK506缓释膜有助于促进神经再生。     

神经干细胞移植防治骨骼肌失神经肌萎缩的电生理研究

目的探讨采用神经干细胞移植的方法防治骨骼肌失神经萎缩的可行性。方法采用机械分离的方法从孕14～16 d的SD孕鼠中获取神经干细胞,并于神经元限定性培养基中进行传代培养,制备神经干细胞单细胞悬液。采用切断右侧胫神经的方法建立腓肠肌失神经支配的动物(SD大鼠)模型。将108只SD大鼠按注射药物的不同随机分为3组,每组36只大鼠。实验组:将神经干细胞悬液注射到切断的胫神经远端。损伤组:注射等量的生理盐水。对照组:注射等量的细胞培养液。术后8、12周采用HRP逆行示踪技术检测失神经骨骼肌重获神经再支配的情况,并应用肌肉电生理方法对重获神经再支配的骨骼肌进行功能评价。结果术后8、12周实验组用电刺激细胞移植部位的腓肠肌,均可引出肌肉收缩活动;且随着时间的延长,单次收缩的波幅、速度,和强直收缩的时间和强直收缩波幅的恢复率均进一步得到改善。对照组和损伤组均未能引出肌肉活动。结论神经干细胞移植能够实现失神经骨骼肌的神经再支配,并且能够与骨骼肌建立起功能性突触连接,有效预防骨骼肌的萎缩。     

部分性脾动脉栓塞治疗脾功能亢进

目的探讨脾功能亢进行脾部分栓塞时对门脉压力及外周血液变化的影响。方法对36例脾功能亢进患者,采用Seldinger's法经皮脾动脉超选择性插管造影,计数直径>1mm的脾内动脉血管数。用明胶海绵碎屑(1mm×1mm×1mm)或PVA颗粒实行脾动脉栓塞,栓塞上述血管的60%～80%,并进行1～36个月(平均20个月)临床随访观察对比手术前后门脉压力、血液成分的变化。结果平均门脉压力由4.05kPa降至2.51kPa,外周血液红细胞由2.0×1012/L升至4.20×1012/L,白细胞从3.2×109/L升至5.0×109/L,血小板从40×109/L升至150×109/L。食管静脉曲张引发上消化道出血4例中,术后3例未再出血。结论栓塞程度以脾血管数为计数单位,控制在60%～80%时,可较好地改善脾功能亢进患者外周血象、门静脉压力,减轻食管静脉曲张程度。     

Influence of impaired T- and B-cell compartments on efficacy of IVIg in dysimmune neuropathies

Autoimmune mechanisms are postulated to play a role in the development and progression of dysimmune neuropathies (DN). We investigated the relation between lymphocyte number and marker expression, and disease activity in 20 patients with DN under intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) treatment. B- and T-lymphocyte markers were studied by flow cytometry of the expression of CD5, CD25, CD23 and CD38 markers on B cells and of CD3, CD4 and CD8 markers, respectively. These parameters were compared with those obtained from matched healthy volunteers. The proportions of CD38+ B cells were higher in patients compared with those of controls. Proportions of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were comparable in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients and controls, but a significant reduction of the absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were observed in DN patients. The percentages of CD25+ memory T cells were instead significantly increased in DN patients. Lastly, T-cell reduction and the CD19/CD38 ratio over total B (CD19+) cells directly correlated with a poor response to IVIg therapy. In DN, whereas T-cell number is reduced, activated T and B cells are increased, thus suggesting an intrinsic defect of the immune response.     

Effects of chronic treatment with a nitric oxide donor on nerve conduction abnormalities and endoneurial blood flow in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Abstract. This study examined the ability of nitrova-sodilator treatment with isosorbide dinitrate to prevent the development of reduced nerve conduction velocity and nutritive blood flow in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. Two month untreated diabetes caused approximately 23% and 13% reductions in sciatic motor and saphenous nerve sensory conduction velocity ( P < 0.001). Isosorbide dinitrate treatment provided 64.6 and 67.6% protection for motor and sensory nerves, respectively ( P < 0.01). Sciatic endoneurial nutritive blood flow was measured by microelectrode polarography and a hydrogen clearance technique. After 1 month untreated diabetes, flow was reduced by 41.9% ( P < 0.001). Isosorbide dinitrate treatment for 1 month in non-diabetic and diabetic rats significantly increased blood flow ( P < 0.01). When between-group variations in blood pressure were taken into account, vascular conductance increased by 29% and 31% in non-diabetic and diabetic rats, respectively ( P < 0.01). Thus, nitrovasodilator treatment improves nerve perfusion and function in experimental diabetes, probably by compensating for reduced endothelium-derived nitric oxide release or action.     

AAEM minimonograph #43: Neuromuscular problems in the performing arts

Over the past 10–15 years, there has been increasing interest in the health problems of performing artists. In this review, I will discuss the major playing-related disorders seen in instrumental musicians. Among the 672 instrumentalists evaluated, the major diagnoses identified included musculoskeletal disorders in 64%, peripheral nerve problems in 22.5%. and focal dystonia in 7%. Sixty percent of instrumentalists were female although males predominate in the group with focal dystonia. The average age of those evaluated was 32 years. Among musculoskeletal disorders overuse syndrome is the most common. Frequent peripheral nerve disorders include thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ulnar neuropathy. A characteristic distribution of symptoms and signs is identified for each instrument group. Electrodiagnostic studies are an important part of the evaluation of these disorders. With carefully designed treatment, the majority of instrumental musicians can be returned to full and pain-free playing activities. The success rate is highest in some entrapment neuropathies but remains low in focal dystonia. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease using a transluminal endatherectomy catheter (TEC): Initial results and angiographic follow-up

Purpose To evaluate the clinical results of percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Methods Rotational atherectomy was performed in 39 patients aged 39–87 years (mean 66.6 years). A total of 71 lesions (43 stenoses and 28 occlusions) were treated in 40 limbs. Additional balloon angioplasty was required in 54% of lesions. Fifteen patients (37.5%) presented in Fontaine stage II, 10 patients (25%) in Fontaine stage III and 15 patients (37.5%) in Fontaine stage IV. Rotational atherectomy at 750 rpm was carried out over a 0.014-inch guidewire with continuous aspiration into a vacuum, bottle. Follow-up angiography and color flow Doppler examinations were performed in 22 patients (23 limbs) after a mean period of 6 months (range 2–14 months) Results There was one primary technical failure. In 36 of 40 lesions there was a good angiographic result with residual stenoses in less than 30%. In 70 lesions treated by rotational atherectomy, however, 54% showed residual stenoses of 30%–50% and these cases required additional balloon angioplasty. The mean ankle-brachial index improved significantly (p<0.001), from 0.49 before the procedure to 1.01 after the procedure. A single distal embolus, related to primary recanalization, occurred and there were two large inguinal hematomas. Cumulative clinical patency after 6 months was 83.8% and cumulative angiographic patency after 6 months was 79.1%. Conclusion Percutaneous rotational atherectomy is a promising approach for the treatment of chronic peripheral vascular disease. Further prospective, randomized studies are necessary to compare percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with this new technical approach.