Post-transplantation diabetes is better controlled after conversion from prednisone to deflazacort: a prospective trial in renal transplants

It is well known that long-term use of steroids plays a decisive role in the development of glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus (DM). Deflazacort, an oxazoline derivative of prednisolone, has been introduced as a potential substitute for conventional steroids in order to ameliorate glucose intolerance. We initiated a randomized study of conversion from prednisone to deflazacort in kidney transplantation (Tx) recipients presenting with pre-Tx or post-Tx DM to ascertain whether or not the switch to deflazacort would ameliorate the diabetic state. Forty-two recipients in the conversion group were compared with 40 patients on prednisone (the control group) in a prospective manner. The dose reduction of insulin or oral blood glucose-lowering agents, the adequacy of glucose control, and the development of side effects were the criteria for evaluating outcome. In the conversion group, patients were switched to deflazacort at a dose ratio of 6 mg deflazacort to 5 mg prednisone. During the mean follow-up period of 13.2 months, neither graft dysfunction nor acute rejection developed in the conversion group. Improvement in blood glucose control in the conversion group was noted. When the conversion group was stratified into pre- or post-Tx DM, promising effects were clearly evident in the post-Tx DM patients. More than 50 % dose reduction of blood glucose-lowering agents was possible in 42.3 % of post-Tx DM patients. In conclusion, it was readily possible to control blood glucose better in post-Tx DM recipients without seriously affecting the immunosuppressive activity after conversion to deflazacort. Received: 20 August 1996 Received after revision: 25 November 1996 Accepted: 6 December 1996     

Catabolism of newly synthesized decorin in vitro by human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that decorin and biglycan account for over 70% of the proteoglycans (PGs) synthesized by human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). Since these PGs are involved in the control of cell growth, cell differentiation, and matrix assembly, we investigated their turnover in cultured HPMCs. METHODS: Confluent HPMCs were metabolically labeled with [35S]-sulfate and the labeled products isolated from the cell medium and the cell layer characterized by sensitivity to bacterial eliminases. Experiments were undertaken with exogenous labeled decorin, and its metabolic state was studied. RESULTS: In a 24-hour labeling period, 75% of the newly synthesized chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) PGs appeared in the culture medium, the majority of which (90%) was decorin. In the cell layer, protein-free glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains accounted for 21% of the total CS/DS at 24 hours and exhibited constant specific activity at 12-16 hours. The latter material was turned over with a half-life of approximately 2.5 hours. Exogenous decorin underwent receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequent intracellular degradation. Uptake but not degradation could be inhibited by heparin. CONCLUSIONS: HPMCs are distinguished by a rapid turnover of decorin. A characteristic metabolic feature is the existence of a large intracellular pool of protein-free DS-GAGs. Understanding the control of decorin turnover in HPMCs might lead to delineation of its potential role in both the physiology and pathophysiology of the membrane in PD patients.     

Palmar advancement flap with V-Y closure for thumb tip injuries

The palmar advancement flap with V-Y closure was used in two patients with thumb tip injuries. This technique allows more distal advancement of the flap than does a conventional palmar advancement flap and does not require skin graft coverage.     

儿茶酚-邻-甲基转移酶基因多态性与强迫症

目的：探索儿茶酚-邻-甲基转移酶(COMT)基因多态性同强迫症临床特征的关系。方法：采用聚合酶链反应扩增技术与限制性片段长度多态(PCR-RFLP)测定120例强迫症(OCD)患者和130例健康对照者的基因型；根据Yale-Brown强迫量表评分将强迫症划分亚型。结果：强迫症患者COMT基因型与等位基因分布与健康对照者之间无显著差异；强迫行为组与强迫思想组的COMT基因型分布存在差异；G／A基因型多见于强迫行为组。结论：COMT基因多态可能对强迫症的发病没有直接的作用，但G／A基因型可能对症状是否表现为强迫动作有一定的影响。     

Role of plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 in the pathogenesis and outcome of the hemolytic uremic syndrome.

BACKGROUND. Deposition of fibrin in glomeruli and renal failure are characteristic features of the hemolytic uremic syndrome. An inhibitor of glomerular fibrinolysis has been detected in plasma from children with this disorder. In this study, we define the inhibitor and show that its plasma level is correlated with the outcome of the disease. METHODS AND RESULTS. Plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in plasma was measured with an assay employing a specific monoclonal antibody in 40 consecutive children hospitalized with the hemolytic uremic syndrome: 12 who recovered adequate renal function (serum creatinine, less than or equal to 2.0 mg per deciliter [177 mumol per liter]) without dialysis, 23 who recovered adequate renal function after peritoneal dialysis, and 5 who did not recover adequate renal function after undergoing dialysis. At presentation, plasma PAI-1 levels were higher in the patients with the hemolytic uremic syndrome than in nine children with other forms of acute renal failure. That the inhibitor was PAI-1 was indicated by the fact that it was a potent inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator, was acid-resistant, and was not inhibited by denaturation (all unique traits of PAI-1) and that it was neutralized by an antibody specific for PAI-1. Multivariate discriminant-function analysis revealed that the duration of elevated PAI-1 activity was strongly correlated with the outcome of the disease (P less than 0.001). Peritoneal dialysis reduced plasma PAI-1 levels dramatically. CONCLUSIONS. Our studies suggest that PAI-1 is the circulating inhibitor of fibrinolysis in the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Normalization of plasma PAI-1 levels (e.g., by peritoneal dialysis) is correlated with improvement in renal function. However, the possibility that increased plasma levels of PAI-1 are either causes or effects of the hemolytic uremic syndrome is not unequivocally established by these studies.     

EVOKED POTENTIALS OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER： STATE OR TRAIT MARKER

Objective To investigate the status of evoked potentials in obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Methods Evoked potentials P300, auditory brainstem response (ABR) and visual evoked potential ( VEP) were recorded from 35 OCD patients and 28 normal controls (NC) with a Nicolet Spirit Instrument. 23 of the OCD patients were followed up after 5 months with the same markers. Results Compared with NC, OCD patients showed decreased P3 of P300 amplitude (OCD group 3. 5 ±1. 6μv vs. NC group 5.9 ±2. 1μv, P <0. 01), delayed V latency (6.4±0. 4ms vs. 5. 5 ±0. 3ms, P <0. 01) and increased V amplitude(0. 35±0. 1μv vs. 0. 16 ±0.09μv, P <0. 05) of ABR and delayed P2 of VEP latency (199±39ms vs. 183±28ms, P <0. 05). The follow-up measures of evoked potentials suggested that decreased P3 of P300 amplitude and delayed P2 of VEP latency might be state markers of OCD, while decreased V amplitude and delayed V of ABR latency might be trait markers of OCD. Conclusion The changes of P300 and VEP are related to clini