2 121例老年急性冠脉综合征患者血清脂类浓度的分析

目的分析60岁以上老年人血清脂类水平的参考值,并探讨急性冠脉综合征与血脂指标的相关性.方法将3 766例健康成人分为≤60岁和＞60岁的两个年龄段,采用生物化学的方法测量他们的血脂水平,找出60岁以上老年人的脂类参考值.同时分析2 121例老年急性冠脉综合征病人的脂类指标.结果 60岁以上老年人血脂参考值为:TC 4.65±1.96×1.05mmol/L;TG 1.02±1.96×0.45mmol/L;HDL-C 1.47±1.96×0.40mmol/L;LDL-C 2.98±1.96×0.56mmol/L;ApoA1 1.32±1.96×0.25g/L;ApoB 0.99±1.96×0.35g/L,并且急性心肌梗死和不稳定性心绞痛病人血清脂类各项指标之间没有显著性差异.结论血清LDL-C/HDL-C＞5和TG ≥1.9mmol/L这两项联合指标比其他单独指标与老年人急性冠脉综合征关系更密切.     

A randomized, double‐blind trial of the effect of glucocorticoid, antileukotriene and bβ‐agonist treatment on IL‐10 serum levels in children with asthma

BACKGROUND: Levels of an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are reduced in asthmatic airways, potentially contributing to more intense inflammation. Triamcinolone has anti-inflammatory properties and the anti-inflammatory effects of montelukast and formoterol have been discussed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the effect of treatment with triamcinolone, montelukast and formoterol on the serum level of IL-10, eosinophil blood counts, eosinophil cationic response (ECP) and clinical parameters (symptom score, FEV1 and PC20H) in children with moderate asthma. METHODS: An 8-week, placebo-controlled and randomized, double-blind trial was carried out. The subjects were 91 children with moderate atopic asthma who were allergic to dust mite. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 400 microg triamcinolone (n = 19), 5 or 10 mg (according to age) montelukast (n = 18), 24 microg formoterol (n = 18) or placebo (n = 36). RESULTS: Seventy-nine children completed the study. After treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast the level of IL-10 in blood serum significantly increased, eosinophil blood counts and ECP levels significantly decreased and all clinical parameters improved; treatment with formoterol had no effect on IL-10 level, eosinophil blood counts in serum and bronchial hyper-reactivity; ECP level significantly decreased after treatment and asthma symptoms and FEV1 improved significantly. Mean IL-10 levels in serum before and after treatment with triamcinolone were 7.23 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.74 -7.72% and 14.24 pg/mL with 95% CI, 11.6-16.88%, respectively (P < 0.001); with montelukast they were 6.59 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.26-7.23% and 10.94 pg/mL with 95% CI, 8.24-12.65%, respectively (P < 0.002); with formoterol they were 7.06 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.61-7.52% and 7.04 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.15-7.93%. We found statistically significant correlations between serum level of IL-10 and serum level of ECP after treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that one possible way by which triamcinolone and montelukast contribute to inhibition of inflammation is by increasing IL-10 levels.     

Fluconazole dosing in continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVHF): need for a high daily dose of 800 mg

To cover intermediate sensitive Candida glabrata in ICU patients,fluconazole plasma peak levels at least in the range of 16–32µg/ml appear necessary for treatment. Previous studiesdid not reach these fluconazole levels under continuous veno-venoushaemofiltration (CVVHF) with dosages of 200–600 mg fluconzoledaily. In the present study, nine patients simultaneously requiringCVVHF for treatment of acute oligoanuric renal failure and antimycotictherapy of Candida septicemia received fluconazole 800 mg/day.Fluconazole plasma levels were determined to evaluate whetherthis dosage is adequate to reach the advised fluconazole levels.Patients were dialysed on two consecutive days with an ultrafiltrationrate (UF) of 1000 ml/h or 2000 ml/h, respectively, in a randomizedorder. The predilution was 800 ml/h and 1800 ml/h, respectively.The treatment was tolerated without adverse effects. All patientsreached plasma fluconazole concentrations between 16 and 32µg/ml, remaining in this range for a minimum of 1 up to24 h with a mean of 9.6 h and a UF rate of 2000 ml/h, and 15.7h with a UF rate of 1000 ml/h. So far, there are no in vivodata on the fluconazole plasma concentrations required for effectivetreatment. However, our data demonstrate, that at least thefluconazole concentrations desirable on the basis of in vitrosusceptibility testing can be reached in critically ill patientson CVVHF in an ICU setting. However, in these patients, 800mg fluconazole/day are necessary to achieve fungicidal drugconcentrations.     

Inadequate Erythropoietin Response to Anaemia in HIV Patients: Relationship to Serum Levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Interleukin-6 and Their Soluble receptors

Severe anaemia is a frequent complication in advanced HIV infection. In our study we investigated the interaction between cytokine network, HIV infection and erythropoietin (Epo) response with increasing anaemia levels. No correlations could be established between circulating tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and any of the examined parameters. However, a negative correlation was found between haemoglobin values and soluble TNF receptor levels (sTNF-R-I: r  = −0.54; P  < 0.001; sTNF-R II: r  = −0.47; P  < 0.001) as well as interleukin-6 levels ( r  = −0.29; P  < 0.001). In contrast, no significant increase in log[Epo], counterbalancing haemoglobin decline and paralleling the rise in sTNF receptors, was found. In patients classified as stage III, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classification, the erythropoietin response was significantly more impaired than in patients from CDC groups I and II ( P  < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that similar to its action in vitro , activation of the TNF/TNF-R system may impair erythropoietin production in HIV-associated anaemia. Due to the brief half-life of TNF-α, this activation is particularly reflected by elevations of soluble TNF receptor levels.     

Before-birth climatologic data may play a role in the development of allergies in infants

While an exacerbation in allergic symptoms corresponding to seasons has long been reported, few studies have investigated the association between the season of birth and allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the climatologic data before and after birth affected the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and the results of allergy-related blood tests in early infancy. From February 1995 to January 2000, 2136 infants were tested for AD and followed for 12 months. AD patients were tested by using allergy-related blood tests. Data were compared according to the month of birth and the climatologic data using a computed statistical software package. Six hundred and thirty infants had AD before 12 months old, and significant differences were found according to the season of birth (p < 0.0001). Infants born in spring showed the lowest (22.3%) incidence, while those born in autumn showed the highest (34.6%). In 369 patients, total serum IgE levels, and serum specific IgE levels with egg white at 3 months old were also different according to the season of birth. All of these levels were lower in patients born in spring and summer, and higher in patients born in autumn and winter. Furthermore, the cumulative sunshine amount during the 3 months before and after birth was inversely correlated, while the average temperature over the 3 months before birth was positively correlated to the incidence of AD according to the month of birth. The climatologic data around birth may play an important role in whether an infant develops allergies.     

Synovial fluid levels of fluconazole in a patient with Candida parapsilosis prosthetic joint infection who had an excellent clinical response

A 73-year-old woman presenting with persistent swelling of the right knee 30 months after total joint arthroplasty was found to have a Candida parapsilosis infection. Treatment with fluconazole resulted in full recovery.     

Serum levels and clinical response in long-term pharmacotherapy with zuclopenthixol decanoate

Twenty-six patients diagnosed as chronic schizophrenics were given injections of zuclopenthixol decanoate (cis(Z)-clopenthixol decanoate) 200 mg every 3 weeks for at least 6 months. Before treatment and on each day of injection the patients' mental state was assessed by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), 18 items. A registration of side effects and basal laboratory data was also performed. Blood samples were drawn on each day of injection before injection and 3–7 days after injection (time of maximum concentration). Neuroleptic activity, which was considered equivalent to the concentration of zuclopenthixol, was determined in serum by radio-receptor assay (RRA). Based on amelioration scores ≥50% on the BPRS, 15 patients were characterized as responders and 11 as non-responders. The responder group showed a statistically significant reduction in BPRS score, whereas this was not the case for the non-responders. Apart from a few patients, the serum concentrations showed a low intra-individual variation, but a relatively high inter-individual variation. The responder group had a significantly higher mean preinjection concentration than the non-responder group, whereas no significant difference was found in day 3–7 concentrations. The fluctuation of the serum concentration expressed as the ratio between maximum (days 3–7) and minimum (pre-inj.) was found to be significantly lower for responders than for non-responders. Thus although the present study did not demonstrate a clear relationship between serum level and clinical effect, it indicates that the best antipsychotic effect is obtained with a serum concentration which fluctuates only slightly (the ratio max/min concentration not exceeding 2.1).     

Elevated serum levels of the apoptosis related molecules TNF-α, Fas/Apo-1 and Bcl-2 in oral lichen planus

BACKGROUND: The serum circulatory levels of apoptosis related molecules measured in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and healthy individuals in order to investigate possible alterations associated with the clinical forms of OLP. METHODS: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, soluble Fas (sFas) and Bcl-2 studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in whole blood samples in 13 OLP reticular, 13 OLP atrophic-erosive form patients and 26 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Significantly elevated levels of TNF-alpha and sFas detected in OLP patients as compared with controls. Serum concentrations of Bcl-2 although increased in 17/26 patients, they were not statistically significant. Reticular OLP exhibited slightly elevated TNF-alpha and significantly elevated Bcl-2 serum levels, compared with erosive OLP. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a putative dysfunction in the Fas/FasL mediated apoptosis might be involved in the OLP pathogenesis. A downregulation of Bcl-2 serum levels in the atrophic-erosive OLP may be associated with promotion of the disease activity.     

Rapid drop in serum testosterone after bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy.

Bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy was performed in six patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma. In these patients the serum levels of testosterone were determined serially up to twenty-four hours. Castrate levels of testosterone were achieved in about two and one-half hours. This is the first published report of such a rapid decrease in serum testosterone. Castrate levels of serum testosterone using the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists are achieved in fourteen to twenty-one days. The relative cost of orchiectomy and LH-RH agonists, for thirty-six months, was $2,042.00 and $12,780.00, respectively. LH-RH agonists may be effective for only a year. Urologists are urged to continue using bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy and not use LH-RH agonists in the management of metastatic prostatic carcinoma.     

Fluid-fluid levels in cavernous hemangioma of soft tissue

Five cases of cavernous hemangioma with fluid-fluid levels on magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography are reported. The signal characteristics were those of blood and histological analysis of the fluid-fluid levels showed that they were blood-filled cavities in the tumor. Although this finding itself is not specific, it may help in confirming the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma.