Sevoflurane‐induced post‐conditioning has no beneficial effects on neuroprotection after incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether sevoflurane‐induced post‐conditioning has a neuroprotective effect against incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods: After cerebral ischemia by right common carotid artery occlusion in combination with hemorrhagic hypotension (35 mmHg) for 30 min, 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane was administered for 15 min (Post‐C 15, n=8), 30 min (Post‐C 30, n=8), or 60 min (Post‐C 60, n=8) in rats. Sevoflurane was not administered in control (n=8) and sham control rats (n=8). Neurologic evaluations were performed at 24, 48, and 72 h after ischemia. Degrees of neuronal damage in ischemic hippocampal CA1 and the cortex were assessed by counting eosinophilic neurons, and detection of DNA fragmentation was performed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) staining. Results: Neurologic deficit scores in the Post‐C 60 group were higher than in the control group at 48 and 72 h post‐ischemia (P<0.05). No differences were observed in the percentages of eosinophilic neurons among the control (CA1: 37.3 ± 25.4, cortex: 26.0 ± 8.9), Post‐C 15 (CA1: 54.0 ± 21.4, cortex: 30.8 ± 19.9), or Post‐C 30 (CA1: 68.4 ± 17.5, cortex: 38.0 ± 11.0) groups in ischemic CA1 and cortices. However, in the Post‐C 60 group, the percentages of eosinophilic neurons were higher than in the control group in CA1 and cortices (P<0.05). The percentages of TUNEL‐positive cell were similar in the control group and the post‐conditioned groups. Conclusion: These findings show that sevoflurane administration after ischemia does not provide neuroprotection in rats subjected to incomplete cerebral ischemia.     

Familial acanthosis nigricans with madarosis

We report familial acanthosis nigricans affecting a 35-year-old woman, her 7-year-old son and 5 year-old daughter. Absence of the eyebrows and eyelashes was noted in this family. The mother had no axillary hair and her pubic hair was sparse. The boy also suffered from congenital heart disease and a congenital cataract in the left eye. The combination of acanthosis nigricans and ectodermal defects in this family may represent a distinct nosological entity.     

DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE DNA IN FORMALIN-FIXED, PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED SAMPLES FROM MULTIBACILLARY AND PAUCIBACILLARY LEPROSY PATIENTS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

Background. Diagnosis of paucibacillary leprosy is often difficult. A method that could confirm the diagnosis is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of M. leprae DNA. This reaction was applied to biopsied tissues of leprotic patients to determine the suitability and sensitivity of the reaction. Methods. Biopsy samples were taken from previously untreated patients with multibacillary (5 patients) and paucibacillary (3 patients) leprosy, fixed in formalin, and embedded in paraffin, DNA was extracted from paraffin blocks and PCR applied. The sensitivity of the PCR method was tested by using the serially diluted DNA sample as the template. Results. All eight patients showed a positive PCR for M. leprae DNA. The sensitivity was such that a single organism of M. leprae, as counted by staining of the acid-fast bacilli was identified by the PCR. Conclusions. The PCR method is simple, sensitive, specific, and does not require the use of radioisotopes. It can be applied to the unequivocal diagnosis of paucibacillary leprosy which is difficult by other means. The diagnosis can be obtained within 10 hours. Int J Dermatol 1993; 32:710–713     

Superimposition of nutcracker syndrome in a hematuric child with idiopathic hypercalciuria and urolithiasis

We report a 5-year-old girl with idiopathic hypercalciuria who developed gross hematuria and left flank pain despite normalization of calciuria, a renal stone, and microscopic hematuria. She was found to have nutcracker syndrome by renal Doppler ultrasound, which revealed the significant differences of the peak blood flow velocities in the two portions of the left renal vein.     

Role of the VEGF 936 C/T polymorphism in diabetic microvascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients

Aim:   Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications and the genetic polymorphism of this gene may contribute to the development and progression of diabetic microvascular complications. In this study, we investigated whether a genetic polymorphism of VEGF is associated with diabetic complications.
Methods:   A total of 398 type 2 diabetic patients and 526 healthy controls were enrolled. The study subjects were divided based on the state of nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy. The VEGF 936 C/T polymorphism was evaluated using standard PCR techniques, and plasma and urinary levels of VEGF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:   There was no difference in VEGF genotype distribution between the control and diabetic patients based on the state of diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy. However, a higher frequency of the TT genotype was observed in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, plasma levels of VEGF were significantly higher in the TT genotype. However, urinary levels of VEGF did not show a significant relationship with the VEGF genotype. Urinary VEGF levels showed a significant relationship with urinary albumin excretion, proteinuria, serum creatinine level and creatinine clearance, as well as fasting blood glucose levels, postprandial 2 h glucose levels and C-reactive protein.
Conclusion:   Our study suggests that the 936 C/T polymorphism of the VEGF gene may be an important factor determining plasma VEGF levels and that its polymorphism is related with diabetic retinopathy. Urinary levels of VEGF are not associated with plasma VEGF levels and associated with the stage of diabetic nephropathy.     

Resistance and reactance in oscillation lung function reflect basal lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness respectively

Background and objective:   Currently there are few data available regarding the use of impulse oscillometry parameters to assess airflow obstruction during standardized methacholine challenge testing.
Methods:   Methacholine challenge tests were performed using impulse oscillometry and conventional spirometry in 64 healthy and 39 asthmatic children, in order to determine airway resistance ( R ) and reactance ( X ) at frequencies of 5–35 Hz, as well as FEV₁.
Results:   Baseline R and X were significantly different between the healthy and asthmatic children, with the most discriminating parameter being resistance at 5 Hz ( R 5). In asthmatic children BHR was well demonstrated by FEV₁, X 5 and X 10, but not by R 5. However, when the actual R 5 values obtained in this study were compared with the predicted values, there appeared to be differences in the lung function measures that corresponded to varying methacholine concentrations. In addition, the PC20_FEV₁ and PC70_ X 5 were significantly more sensitive than other parameters for methacholine challenge testing.
Conclusions:   Measuring resistance at 5 Hz using impulse oscillometry facilitates significant differentiation of baseline lung function between asthmatic and healthy children. Additionally, X may be a suitable replacement for PC20 in methacholine challenge testing.