Use of Oral DDT in Three Human Barbiturate Intoxications: Hepatic Enzyme Induction by Reciprocal Detoxicants

Abstract

In the management of intoxications, the major goals are enhanced elimination of the toxin from the organism and prevention of further absorption. Absorption of an orally administered substance from the gastrointestinal tract can be decreased by adequate washing of the stomach. Delayed absorption of the substance from the small intestine cannot be avoided by this procedure and after the gastric lavage, a nonspecific adsorbent must be administered and diarrhea induced (1). This study demonstrates that iatrogenic diarrhea via gut lavage can also eliminate toxins already absorbed by the body.     

Implications of uterine NK cells and regulatory T cells in the endometrium of infertile women

A range of studies have shown that the complex process of implantation and an establishment of a pregnancy also involves immune factors. Disturbances in these underlying immune mechanisms might lead to implantation and pregnancy failure and may be involved in the pathogenesis of unexplained infertility. Several studies have reported that imbalances in uterine NK (uNK) cell abundance are associated with infertility; however, controversies exist. An increased amount of CD56⁺ uNK cells along with a decrease in CD16⁺ uNK cells have been associated with normal fertility in some studies. Very few studies of FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the pre-implantation endometrium have been performed. Results are sparse and controversial, studies reporting both increased and decreased numbers of Tregs, respectively, in women suffering from infertility. In conclusion, studies imply that uNK cells, Tregs and HLA-G carry pivotal roles regarding the establishment of a healthy pregnancy, and that abnormal immune mechanisms involving these parameters may be associated with infertility. However, more research in early phases of the reproductive cycle, such as investigating the conditions in the endometrium before implantation, is needed to further clarify the underlying mechanisms.     

非外伤性横纹肌溶解症的临床特点

目的了解非外伤性横纹肌溶解症(RM)的临床特点和发病机制。方法对11例非外伤性RM的病因和临床表现进行回顾性分析。结果本组病因包括药物性3例,一氧化碳中毒2例,高强度运动2例,高强度农业劳动1例,其他3例。临床表现为肌无力、肌痛、肌肿胀、茶色尿、肾功能衰竭,实验室检验包括肌酸激酶增高,各种电解质紊乱。结论药物是引起非外伤性RM的主要原因,诊断主要依据临床表现和血清肌酸激酶显著升高。急性肾功能衰竭是其严重和导致死亡的主要并发症。     

Técnicas de imagen híbridas en cardiopatía isquémica

Hybrid imaging for ischemic heart disease refers to the fusion of information from a single or usually from multiple cardiovascular imaging modalities enabling synergistic assessment of the presence, the extent, and the severity of coronary atherosclerotic disease along with the hemodynamic significance of lesions and/or with evaluation of the myocardial function. A combination of coronary computed tomography angiography with myocardial perfusion imaging, such as single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography, has been adopted in several centers and implemented in international coronary artery disease management guidelines. Interest has increased in novel hybrid methods including coronary computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve and computed tomography perfusion and these techniques hold promise for the imminent diagnostic and management approaches of patients with coronary artery disease. In this review, we discuss the currently available hybrid noninvasive imaging modalities used in clinical practice, research approaches, and exciting potential future technological developments.     

肌钙蛋白T基因单核苷酸多态性与运动性横纹肌溶解症的关联研究

目的：分析慢肌型肌钙蛋白T（sTnT）基因第7内含子C7761T位点与快肌型肌钙蛋白T（fTnT）基因第8内含子T7955C位点单核苷酸多态性与大强度训练后血清肌酸激酶（CK）活性之间的关系,探索运动性横纹肌溶解症（ERM）的可能遗传机制。方法：85名武警战士进行一次大强度负重训练造成亚临床ERM,检测血清CK活性的时程变化;PCR-RFLP法测定sTnT（C7761T）和fTnT（T7955C）基因多态性;分析基因多态性与安静CK（CKrest）、峰值CK（CKpeak）以及CK最大变化值（ΔCKmax）之间的关系。结果：sTnT和fTnT基因型分布频率均符合哈-温平衡定律。sTnT基因：C/T和C/C基因型组CKrest均高于T/T基因型组（均P0.05）,（T/T+C/T）组CKrest低于CC基因型组（P<0.05）。fTnT基因：T/C基因型组和C/C基因型组CKrest均低于T/T基因型组（分别为P<0.05和P<0.01）,C/C基因型组CKpeak和ΔCKmax均低于T/T基因型组和T/C基因型组（均P<0.01）,（T/T+T/C）组CKpeak和ΔCKmax均高于C/C基因型组（均P<0.01）。结论：fTnT基因第8内含子T7955C位点单核苷酸多态性可作为ERM易感性的分子遗传学标记,T等位基因携带者是患ERM的高危人群。     

Response by the Authors

Abstract

Heroin addiction is known to cause various medical and neurological complications. We report here a case of rhabdomyolysis following heroin abuse, in which a neurological lesion mimicking transverse myelitis was also noted. A 29-year-old man was found comatose in a kneeling position one day after a heroin overdose. On admission, he was awake, yet with total paralysis of his lower legs. Physical examination revealed marked swelling and tenderness of the four limbs, especially the lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes and positional sense were absent in both legs; however, pin-prick sense was preserved. Transverse myelitis or spinal cord vasculitis was the initial working diagnosis. Laboratory tests disclosed significantly elevated creatinine kinase of 146289 U/L. Though suffering transient acute renal failure, his neurological abnormalities gradually improved over four weeks and a left foot drop was the only residual lesion at discharge. Rhabdomyolysis, a well defined complication following heroin use, may also cause concomitant neurological symptoms, for which careful differential diagnosis is warranted. With the increasing number of heroin addicts in Taiwan, more cases with rhabdomyolysis-induced neurological symptoms may be observed in the future     

Evolving paradigm of illnesses presented to medical Intensive Care Unit in body builders: Cases from tertiary care center

Bodybuilding is the use of progressive resistance exercise to control and develop one''s musculature. With the rise in number of persons adopting this activity, there is evolving paradigm of illnesses presented to intensive care in this population subset. Strict adherence to details of bodybuilding and avoidance of unsupervised medications are essential to prevent untoward effects.     

Fulminant and Fatal Multiple Organ Failure in a 12-Year-Old Boy With Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) is a unique pathogen that causes not only pulmonary but also extrapulmonary manifestations that must be rapidly diagnosed. A 12-year-old boy, with no relevant medical history, presented with fever, severe epigastric pain, and vomiting. Laboratory findings showed fulminant and cholestatic hepatitis, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, acute myocardial infarction, and rhabdomyolysis. His clinical condition rapidly deteriorated during intubation and continuous renal replacement therapy. Despite intensive treatment, he did not recover. We report a case of fulminant and fatal multiple organ failure in a previously healthy boy with Mp infection, describing the possible pathomechanisms of multiple organ failure involved in the disease.