CONTINUOUS INTERCOSTAL BLOCKADE AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY

The provision of analgesia using continuous bilateral intercostalblockade was compared with that provided by conventional i.v.narcotics for the first 48 h after cardiac surgery. The subjectivequality of analgesia was significantly superior with the regionaltechnique. However, pulmonary function tests, gas exchange,lung volume, and radiological and clinical evidence of pulmonarycomplications were not improved. The failure to reduce morbidityand the potential for complications such as pneumothorax, makesit difficult to recommend the regional analgesia technique inthis situation.     

Raised levels of antistreptokinase antibody and neutralization titres from 4 days to 54 months after administration of streptokinase or anistreplase

Streptokinase and anistreplase are antigenic and their administrationoften leads to antibody formation. These can cause allergicreactions and/or neutralization of streptokinase with resultingsuboptimal treatment. Currently, streptokinase re-administrationis considered appropriate for up to 5 days and from 1 year aftera previous dose. Antistreptokinase antibody and neutralizationtitres (NT) were measured in three groups of patients to determineif this practice is appropriate: 1. (early)—36 patientswhose titres were measured for at least 5 days after thrombolysis;2. (late)—57 patients who received thrombolysis 12–54months previously; 3. (controls)—182 consecutive suspectedmyocardial infarction patients (without previous exposure tothrombolysis). Results were as follows (mean±SEM): 1. (early)—theantibody and/or NT were raised by day 4 in 19.4% of the patients.One patient could have neutralized 1.97 million units (MU) ofstreptokinase by day 4. (Day 4—antibody 1:39±11,NT 0.19±0.05 MU; day 5–1:136±41 and NT 0.7±0.43MU respectively.) 2. (late)—23 patients (40%) had eitherantibody titres 1:160 and/or NT> 1.5 MU. (12–23 months—antibody1:243±43, NT 0.63±0.15 MU; 24–35 months—1:98±31and 0.69±0.22 MU; 36–54 months—1:87±14and 0.54±0.12 MU.) All titres were significantly higherthan the controls (antibody 1:25±3. NT 0.14±0.01MU, P<0.01). After streptokinase or antistreplase, antibodies are raisedfrom 4 days to at least 54 months. It would seem prudent toavoid their re-administration during this time interval.     

Definition of novel GP6 polymorphisms and major difference in haplotype frequencies between populations by a combination of in-depth exon resequencing and genotyping with tag single nucleotide polymorphisms

BACKGROUND: Common genetic variants of cell surface receptors contribute to differences in functional responses and disease susceptibility. We have previously shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in platelet glycoprotein VI (GP6) determine the extent of response to agonist. In addition, SNPs in the GP6 gene have been proposed as risk factors for coronary artery disease. METHODS: To completely characterize genetic variation in the GP6 gene we generated a high-resolution SNP map by sequencing the promoter, exons and consensus splice sequences in 94 non-related Caucasoids. In addition, we sequenced DNA encoding the ligand-binding domains of GP6 from non-human primates to determine the level of evolutionary conservation. RESULTS: Eighteen SNPs were identified, six of which encoded amino acid substitutions in the mature form of the protein. The single non-synonymous SNP identified in the exons encoding the ligand-binding domains, encoding for a 103Leu > Val substitution, resulted in reduced ligand binding. Two common protein isoforms were confirmed in Caucasoid with frequencies of 0.82 and 0.15. Variation at the GP6 locus was characterized further by determining SNP frequency in over 2000 individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS: The SNPs were polymorphic in all populations studied although significant differences in allele frequencies were observed. Twelve additional GP6 protein isoforms were identified from the genotyping results and, despite extensive variation in GP6, the sequence of the ligand-binding domains is conserved. Sequences from non-human primates confirmed this observation. These data provide valuable information for the optimal selection of genetic variants for use in future association studies.     

Occult lupus nephropathy: a correlated light, electron and immunofluorescent microscopic study

Renal biopsies obtained from four adolescent girls who developed symptomatic thrombocytopenia with serologic evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus, without clinical signs of renal involvement, showed glomerular disease by electron and immunofluorescent microscopy with light microscopic changes in two cases. Subsequently, three of the patients developed proteinuria, and repeat biopsies from all four showed appearances ranging from resolution to significant glomerulitis. The findings illustrate the variable patterns of occult glomerulitis in lupus, and highlight the value of correlating light, electron and immunofluorescent studies in renal pathology.