Epidemiological evidence of increased waist circumference,but not body mass index,associated with impaired baroreflex sensitivity

Although an inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was found, the effect of waist circumference (WC) on BRS is still inconclusive. The contradictory results of previous studies may be related to the heterogeneity and relatively small sample size of the subjects examined. The aim of this population-based study was to investigate whether the influence of increased WC is more detrimental to BRS than BMI. A total of 760 community dwellers were recruited and they were classified into Q1 (n = 189), Q2 (n = 183), Q3 (n = 192) and Q4 (n = 196) groups, based on WC quartiles. Spontaneous BRS was determined by spectral α coefficient method. Valsalva ratio was the longest RR interval after release of Valsalva maneuver divided by the shortest RR interval during maneuver. Cardiac autonomic function was calculated by power spectrum of heart rate in low and high frequency (LF, 0.04–0.15 Hz; HF, 0.15–0.40 Hz), and LF/HF ratio in supine position for five minutes. There were significant differences in spontaneous BRS and Valsalva ratio among different WC groups. In multivariate analysis, obesity was inversely associated with spontaneous BRS and Valsalva ratio. However, these inverse relationships became insignificant after further adjustment for WC quartiles. In contrast, Q4 vs. Q1, Q3 vs. Q1 and Q2 vs. Q1 of WC were inversely related to spontaneous BRS. Q4 vs. Q1 and Q3 vs. Q1 of WC were negatively associated with the Valsalva ratio. In conclusion, increased and even high-normal WC had a stronger adverse effect on BRS than BMI, independent of cardio-metabolic risk factors.     

Recipient hypertonic saline infusion prevents cardiac allograft dysfunction

Objective

Hypertonic saline (HTS) has potent immune and vascular effects. We assessed recipient pretreatment with HTS on allograft function in a porcine model of heart transplantation and hypothesized that HTS infusion would limit endothelial and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction following transplantation.

The quality of spontaneous adverse drug reaction reports from the pharmacovigilance centre in western China

Background: High-quality adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports are essential for conducting drug safety monitoring in pharmacovigilance. The study aim was to assess the current quality of ADR reports in western China, and to identify problems with ADR report quality.

Research design and methods: A sample of 1139 reports received by the Shaanxi ADR Monitoring Center from January 2015 to December 2017 was selected. ADR report quality was evaluated using an ADR report quality evaluation system.

Results: None of the reports were rated as excellent and 1.40% (n = 16) as good. Report quality was better for new and serious reports than for general reports. Medical institutions generated higher quality reports than pharmaceutical manufacturers. Nurses generated higher quality reports than doctors, pharmacists, and other professionals. Reporters of different occupations showed significant differences in the quality of the indicators Reporting time limit, Intervention ADR time, ADR termination time, ADR intervention measures, Original disease, and Cause of medication (P = 0.000).

Conclusions: The ADR data quality was poor in western China, and of lower quality than reported data from previous research in other regions. Improvements in the quality and availability of ADR reports are urgently needed.     

早产患者血清粒细胞集落刺激因子的检测及其意义

目的探讨粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)与自发性早产的关系及其对预测早产的可能意义。方法采用ELISA-双抗体夹心法分别对28-34周、34-37周不同孕龄组早产妇女及正常妊娠妇女的血清G-CSF进行检测。结果孕28-34周早产妇女血清G-CSF水平较正常对照组妇女升高(P<0.05)。结论高水平的血清G-CSF与妊娠<34周发生的早产有关,检测妊娠妇女血清G-CSF水平对预测妊娠34周之前发生的早产有重要意义。     

92例重型肝炎并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎的诊断与治疗

目的探讨重型肝炎并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎(SBP)的诊断和抗生素使用。方法回顾性分析2002年7月~2005年6月间收治的92例并发SBP的重型肝炎患者的临床资料。结果92例患者中,发热72例(78.26%),腹胀85例(92.39%),腹痛38例(41.30%),反跳痛35例(38.04%),83例(90.21%)外周血中性粒细胞(PMN)分类≥0.75,40例(45.98%)腹水PMN计数≥250个/mm3,79例(90.80%)腹水PMN比值≥0.50,11例(12.00%)腹水细菌培养阳性,共分离出细菌17株,G-杆菌占52.9%(9/17),其对头孢曲松、头孢哌酮、头孢他啶、左旋氧氟沙星及泰能敏感,对丁胺卡那、氧哌嗪青霉素敏感性较低。临床治疗显示,联合使用头孢他啶和甲硝唑效果较好,并较少出现继发真菌感染。结论重型肝炎并发SBP患者的临床表现不典型,腹水培养阳性率低,外周血和腹水PMN比值是诊断SBP比较可靠的参数。治疗SBP,可首选二联使用头孢他啶与甲硝唑,疗程约10~14日。     

Regulation of fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction by interleukin-1β

Fibroblasts incorporated within collagen gels induce a cell-mediated contraction of the gel to form a three-dimensional, tissue-like structure by a mechanism thought to mimic wound contraction in vivo . In this study a gel contraction model was used to investigate the ability of fibroblasts derived from adult gingiva, adult skin and fetal skin to organise a collagen matrix. In addition the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the contraction process was also investigated. Over the concentration range 5-50 U/ml, IL-1β induced a statistically significant inhibition of gel contraction in all fibroblast cell types ( P <0.05), although fetal fibroblasts appeared least responsive and gingival fibroblasts most responsive to the inhibitory effects of this cytokine. Comparison of gel contraction by the different fibroblast strains indicated that fetal and gingival fibroblasts shared similar contraction kinetics. For the adult skin fibroblasts, three of five strains studied showed significantly diminished levels of gel contraction compared to fetal and gingival cells. This apparent difference in fibroblast phenotype may, at least in part, explain the fetal-like wound healing pattern seen in the oral mucosa.     

Dural arteriovenous malformations at the base of the anterior cranial fossa: report of nine cases

Nine men with dural arteriovenous malformations (DAVM) at the base of the anterior cranial fossa are described. Four patients had intracerebral haemorrhage and four had seizures, associated with haemorrhage in two. In three cases the fistula was an incidental finding. In five cases the diagnosis could be made before angiography, on the basis of CT findings. Angiographically, venous drainage was always seen into ascending cortical veins. Five cases demonstrated drainage via the olfactory vein into the basal vein of Rosenthal; in four this way was the principal route of drainage. Five patients underwent surgery, the therapy of choice. One fistula closed spontaneously after angiography. Two patients refused treatment and one was not treated because of his poor general condition. Because arterial supply was usually bilateral, from small branches of the ophthalmic artery, embolisation seemed to be more dangerous. Compared to dural fistulae in other locations the DAVM of the anterior cranial fossa have a higher risk of complications and should be treated even if asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.