兔心肌梗塞模型制备方法的改进及其在MRI中的应用

目的　对兔心肌缺血的模型制备方法进行改进 ,并探讨其在 MRI诊断研究中的价值。方法　分别采用高位结扎左冠状动脉前降支 (L AD)和同时低位结扎 L AD及左冠状动脉旋支 (L Cx)建立兔心肌梗塞模型 ,并在术后行 MRI检查 ,对取材后心肌标本行氯化三苯四氮唑 (TTC)及病理检查。结果　 1L AD组 2 0 % (5 / 2 5 )发生心室颤动导致死亡 ,L AD +L Cx组无一例发生室颤死亡。 2 L AD组 EKG改变明显者占 5 6 % (14 / 2 5 ) ,其中 2 1.4 3% (3/14 )在即刻就有 EKG明显改变 ,并在 30分钟后恢复正常 ;EKG改变不明显者占 4 4 % (11/ 2 5 ) ;L AD +L Cx组 10 0 %有 EKG明显改变 ,且 30分钟后亦无明显恢复。 3L AD组心肌梗塞范围较小 ,并均限于左室前壁 ,室间隔前部损害 ;而 L AD+L Cx组心肌梗塞范围较大 ,且累及左室前壁及侧壁 ,无一例有室间隔前部损害。4 L AD组中有 30 % (6 / 2 0 )不能显示小灶缺血局部心肌运动降低 ,16 .6 7% (3/ 18)无法分辨早期小梗塞灶的 MRI信号变化 ;而 L AD+L Cx组均能显示缺血局部心肌运动降低及梗塞灶早期的 MRI信号变化。结论　低位结扎兔心 L AD+L Cx,手术死亡率低 ,EKG改变明显 ,梗塞面积较大 ,是 MRI研究中一种较理想的心肌缺血动物模型制备方法。     

High-resolution US of non-traumatic recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons: a case report

We report the case of a young girl with recurrent sharp pain in the outer aspect of the ankle. She had no previous trauma. High-resolution US (HRUS) showed a complete intermittent dislocation of the peroneal tendons. Post-traumatic chronic peroneal instability is quite common, whereas complete dislocation is rare. HRUS is an important adjunct to clinical examination and radiographic evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and ankle [1]. This paper reports its value in non-traumatic recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons. Received: 23 May 1997 Accepted: 1 December 1997     

Comparative study of time-course of hemodynamic effect of isosorbide dinitrate spray and sublingual tablets in patients with pulmonary congestion

Summary We compared the time-course of the hemodynamic effect of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), 5 mg, in the form of sublingual tablet and oral spray, in 15 patients with isolated chronic pulmonary congestion (pulmonary arterial end-diastolic pressure of 15 mmHg or more in the presence of normal or only slightly reduced cardiac index). Both formulations produced significant reductions in the pulmonary arterial end-diastolic pressure. The effect of ISDN tablet (sublingually) became evident at 10 minutes after administration and was maximal at 30 minutes. The effect of ISDN oral spray became evident at 3 minutes and reached a peak at 10 minutes. The magnitude of hemodynamic response was similar. These findings indicate that ISDN oral spray is superior to ISDN sublingual tablets for rapid relief of pulmonary congestion     

The use of ITS1 rDNA PCR in detecting pathogenic African trypanosomes

There are 11 different pathogenic trypanosomes in trypanosomiasis endemic regions of Africa. Their detection and characterisation by molecular methods relies on species-specific primers; consequently several PCR tests have to be made on each sample. Primers ITS1 CF and ITS1 BR, previously designed to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of rDNA, have been evaluated for use in a universal diagnostic test for all pathogenic trypanosomes. Blood was collected from 373 cattle and 185 camels. The primers gave constant PCR products with the stocks of each taxon tested. Members of subgenus Trypanozoon (T. brucei brucei, T. evansi, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense) gave a constant product of approximately 480 bp; T. congolense, savannah 700 bp, T. congolense kilifi 620 bp and T. congolense forest 710 bp: T. simiae 400 bp, T. simiae tsavo 370 bp, T. godfreyi 300 bp and T. vivax 250 bp. The sensitivity of the test ranged from 10 pg for Trypanozoon, T. congolense clade and T. vivax to 100 pg for T. simiae and T. godfreyi. The primers detected cases of multi-taxa samples, although the sensitivity was reduced with an increase in the combinations. A better detection rate of trypanosome DNA was recorded with buffy coats than from direct blood. With the field samples, the diagnostic sensitivity was close to the sensitivity obtained using single reactions with species-specific primers for Trypanozoon 38/40 (95%) and T. congolense savannah 30/33 (90.9%) but was lower with T. vivax 25/31 (77.4%). The primers offer promise as a routine diagnostic tool through the use of a single PCR; however, further evaluation is recommended.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx with osteosarcoma-like stromal metaplasia

Osseous or chondroid metaplasias are uncommonly found adjacent to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These findings are less unusual in the spindle cell variant. We describe a moderately differentiated laryngeal SCC associated with osteocartilaginous metaplasia of the adjacent stroma which exhibited very similar morphologic changes and mitoses to an osteosarcoma. These uncommon findings can be more clearly understood if they are viewed as changes determined by the microenvironment of the tumour-host interface, as indicated in recent studies. Tumour cells seem able to regulate stromal development and differentiation via the release of growth factors and the induction of growth factor receptor expression on the cell surface. Irrespective of the limited number of reported cases, the association of SCCs of the larynx with osteocartilaginous metaplasia does not seem to support the adoption of treatments of choice that differ in approach to those for site- and stage-matched SCCs without osteocartilaginous metaplasia.     

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy type 1 (ARVD1): confirmation of locus assignment and mutation screening of four candidate genes

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy type 1 (ARVD1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by progressive degeneration of right ventricular myocardium, arrhythmias and risk of sudden death. By linkage analysis, we previously mapped the involved gene to chromosome 14q24.3. In the present study we report on linkage analysis of one additional and unrelated family, which enabled to confirm previous locus assignment. Another family is reported, in which genetic and clinical data suggest linkage to the same locus. Direct sequencing of DNA from individuals belonging to established ARVD1 families failed to detect causative mutations in exonic sequences of four genes (POMT2, TGFbeta3, KIAAA1036 and KIAA0759) expressed in the heart and which defects could possibly induce plasma membrane instability or apoptosis, key features of ARVD pathogenesis.     

An inter- and intra-laboratory comparison of breath ¹³CO₂analysis

BACKGROUND: 13C breath test analysis requires accurate 13CO2 measurements. AIM:: To perform a multicentre study to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of breath 13CO2 analysis. METHODS: Two series of 25 paired randomly coded tubes (each consisting of 23 13CO2-enriched breath samples and two samples of standard reference pure CO2 with certified delta 13CPDB) were sent to participating centres for 13CO2 measurement. Each series of tubes was analysed 10 days apart. The repeatability and reproducibility of 13C measurements was assessed by Mandel's k and h statistics. RESULTS: Twenty-two centres participated in the study: 18 showed good inter- and intra-laboratory variability, whilst four showed abnormally high inter- or intra-laboratory variability. Breath test results were also significantly affected by the accuracy of the 13C analytical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: A low accuracy of 13C measurements may significantly affect the results of breath tests, leading to inappropriate clinical decisions. Standardization of 13C analysis is required to guarantee optimal 13C measurements and accurate 13C breath test results.