Comparison of iodine-123 low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and indium-111 LDL binding to mononuclear cells of healthy normolipaemic controls and patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia

The binding of radiolabelled lipoproteins, iodine-123-labelled low-density. lipoprotein (LDL) and indium-111-labelled LDL, to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) was compared in normolipaemic subjects and in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). ¹²³I-LDL and ¹¹¹In-LDL binding to MNCs exhibited high-affinity, highly specific, time- and temperature-dependent binding reaching saturation at concentrations above 50 nM. The number of LDL binding sites (B_max) was significantly (P<0.01) lower in FH patients (P<0.001; ¹²³I-LDL: B_max 279±44 ng protein/10⁸MNCs; ¹¹¹In-LDL: B_max 309±43 ng protein/10⁸MNCs) as compared with controls (¹²³I-LDL: B_max 2874±246 ng protein/10⁸ MNCs; ¹¹¹In-LDL: B_max 3145±339 ng protein/10⁸ MNCs). The corresponding dissociation constants (K _d) were 16±8 nM for ¹²³I-LDL and 12±6 nM for ¹²³In-LDL in healthy volunteers (¹²³In-LDL vs ¹¹¹In-LDL, P<0.05). In FH patients, the K _d values were 20±8 nM for ¹²³I-LDL and 16±6 nM for ¹²³In-LDL (P<0.05 vs controls for both ¹²³I-LDL and ¹¹¹In-LDL). ¹¹¹In-LDL binding to MNCs was inhibited (IC₅₀) by 30±8 nM in healthy controls and 38±12 nM in FH patients (P<0.05). ¹²³In-LDL binding to MNCs was inhibited (IC₅₀) by 34±8 nM in healthy controls and 46±10 nM in FH patients (P<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest a reduced number of LDL receptors expressed on MNCs from FH patients. We conclude that ¹¹¹In-LDL and ¹²³I-LDL are equally well suited as a probe of receptor-mediated binding and uptake of LDL.     

Uveal effusion syndrome complicated by anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

We report on a case of idiopathic uveal effusion syndrome complicated by AION. To our knowledge such an association hasn't been previously described. We suggest that scleral thickening caused obstruction of vortex veins followed by uveal effusion and compression of posterior ciliary arteries within their intrascleral tract, leading to AION. Nevertheless it can't be excluded that AION was the result of mechanical compression on ciliary vessels of optic disc by choroidal detachment.     

Correlations between nerve function and tissue oxygenation in diabetic patients: further clues to the aetiology of diabetic neuropathy?

Summary Transcutaneous oxygen, laser Doppler flowmetry, peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity and skin temperature were assessed in both legs of 34 diabetic patients, who had a mean age of 41 (range 29–77) years, and diabetes duration of 21 (3–34) years. Transcutaneous oxygen significantly correlated with peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity (r=0.59 p<0.001) and laser Doppler flowmetry (r=0.7 p<0.001). Laser Doppler flowmetry correlated weakly with peroneal motor conduction velocity, (r=0.34 p<0.05). In each patient the leg with the higher transcutaneous oxygen (mean 70.2±9.3 (SD) mmHg) had a significantly higher peroneal motor conduction velocity (45.3±7.1 vs 41.5± 6.3 m/s, p<0.01), than the leg with the lower transcutaneous oxygen (61.0±11.9 mm Hg), though no difference in skin temperature was observed, 31.4±0.4 vs 31.1±0.5°C. We then assessed the potential for reversibility of conduction velocity deficits in ten non-diabetic patients, aged 59 (52–77) years, undergoing unilateral femoro-popliteal bypass, measuring transcutaneous oxygen, peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity and skin temperature pre- and 6 weeks post-surgery. In the control leg (unoperated) there was no significant change in transcutaneous oxygen (63.2±8.8 vs 63.0±4.6 mm Hg), peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity (45.1±7.8 vs 43.4±7.2 m/s) or skin temperature (30.8±1.3 vs 30.2±1.2°C) after surgery (all NS). In the operated leg, transcutaneous oxygen increased from 59.3±10.7 to 70.7±7.2 mm Hg (p<0.01), and peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity from 42.6±6.1 to 46.7±3.2 m/s (p<0.01), but skin temperature was unchanged 30.3±0.4 vs 30.4± 1.3°C (NS). These studies provide further evidence that peripheral nerve function is associated with tissue hypoxia and that improving tissue oxygenation can significantly improve nerve conduction over a short period of time.     

Thoracoscopic wedge resection

Summary Thoracoscopic surgery is decidedly expanded by the ability to perform pulmonary wedge resections of the lung by using the Endo-GIA-stapler. In addition to thoracoscopic biopsies, since July 1991 we have carried out wedge resections in 12 patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax (nine) or peripheral bronchial carcinoma (three). Postoperatively one air fistula persisted over 9 days. The chest tube was removed within 48 h in all other patients. There was no other major complication. The postoperative hospitalization period lasted 4.6 days (1–9 days). Operating time was 44 min (30–70 min). The benefit for the patient consists in the little-impaired breathing mechanics, the short hospital stay, and the favorable cosmetic result.     

RESULTS OF OPEN CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE: A COMPREHENSIVE,RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 188 HANDS

Background : Many recent reports of the results of decompression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel have concentrated on only one aspect of recovery (numbness, grip etc.), and there are no reports of a comprehensive study of outcome. The aim of the present study was to review comprehensively the results of the direct visualization method of decompression of the carpal tunnel and to compare them with the published results of endoscopic release. Methods : Patients' perceptions of the severity of pain, numbness and paraesthesiae due to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), before and after open carpal tunnel release (CTR) in 188 hands were reviewed retrospectively at a minimum time of follow-up of 18 months. Motor and sensory testing, provocation testing and measurement of scar tenderness in 135 hands were performed at a clinical review. Results : Subjective results showed that 70% experienced a reduction in the severity of pain after CTR, 78% of hands experienced a reduction in the severity of paraesthesiae and 77% experienced a reduction in the severity of numbness. A total of 49% had improvements in all three symptoms after CTR. At the clinical review, sensory testing revealed that 59% of hands had normal or slightly diminished light touch, 35% had normal static two-point discrimination and 61% had normal dynamic two-point discrimination. Results for Tinel's test, Phalen's test and pressure provocation testing were positive in 10% of hands. There was no scar tenderness in 38%, no persisting thenar atrophy in 90%. Normal grip strength was found in 93% and 91% had normal pinch strength. Conclusions : It was concluded that open carpal tunnel release remains a safe and reliable treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The very low incidence of serious complications from the open technique of CTR, when compared with endoscopic CTR as published by different authors in the literature, and the comparable clinical results, appears to make the open technique a safer and preferable option. However, a properly controlled trial of both techniques is necessary to compare them.     

复方红芪减方对周围神经再生影响的实验研究

目的　研究复方红芪提取液进行减方后对周围神经再生的作用。方法　建立钳夹损伤大鼠双侧坐骨神经的动物模型。按术后每日灌服药物的不同将 40只SD雄性大鼠随机均分为 4组。对照组 :灌服生理盐水 ;复方红芪组 :灌服复方红芪提取液 2ml ;减方组 :灌服复方红芪减方后提取液 2ml;补阳还五汤组 :灌服补阳还五汤 2ml。术后 2周及 4周 ,观察坐骨神经功能指数、运动神经传导速度及单位视野有髓神经纤维计数。结果　坐骨神经功能指数 :红芪组和减方组与对照组、红芪组与减方组的差异均有显著意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,且减方组优于红芪组 (P >0 .0 5 )。有髓神经纤维计数 :复方红芪组优于对照组 (P<0 0 1) ,减方组明显优于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ,而红芪组与减方组间无显著差异。运动神经传导速度 :红芪组、减方组、补阳还五汤组与对照组相比 ,均优于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但前 3组间无明显差异。结论　复方红芪减方提取液早期可以促进周围神经再生 ,药效更为专一 ,且优于传统方剂补阳还五汤。     

A statistically significant sex difference in the number of colony-forming cells from human peripheral blood

 The number of colony-forming cells (CFC) in the peripheral blood (PB) of 43 volunteers was examined using a semisolid clonogenic culture assay. In all, 22 male (age 21–39 years) and 21 female individuals (age 21–39 years) were tested, ten of each group twice to examine the intraindividual variability of colony-forming cells in PB. A statistically significant sex difference in the number of CFC, erythroblastic colonies (BFU-E), and granulocyte/macrophage colonies (CFU-GM) in PB was detected in favor of male individuals. No significant difference between female and male PB was found for the number of CFU-GEMM. The intraindividual variability of CFC and BFU-E was significantly higher in female donors. These results support previous reports by others on a potential influence of sex steroids on hematopoiesis. Received: 8 November 1996 / Accepted: 4 April 1997     

An atypical case of mononeuritis multiplex in primary Sjogren's syndrome

We present an atypical case of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in Sjogren's syndrome in a 63 year-old woman. Symptoms of an entrapment neuropathy were the first manifestation of the systemic disease and they were subsequently coupled to those of a mononeuritis multiplex. Clinical and laboratory signs for the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome became subsequently overt. The mononeuritis multiplex remained clinically limited to the upper limbs and characterized by unusually severe motor symptoms which progressed up to the development of a final complete deplegia. By contrast, sensory symptoms at the upper limbs remained mild over the entire course of the disease and the lower limbs revealed a subclinical sensory-motor damage only during the late stage.     

硅胶管套接法治疗陈旧性周围神经损伤

我院自1998年6月-2000年9月间,用硅胶管套接法治疗10例陈旧性周围神经损伤患者,取得满意疗效,现报告如下.……