Arterial stiffness in women previously with preeclampsia from a semi-rural region of South Africa

Women with pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The aim of the study was to establish the presence and pattern of arterial stiffness in women previously with pre-eclampsia from a semi-rural region of South Africa. This was a prospective longitudinal study which involved 36 previously pre-eclamptic women and 86 non-pregnant controls (NPC) who had a past history of non-complicated pregnancy. Maternal wave reflection (augmentation index) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were assessed noninvasively, using applanation tonometry with the SphygmoCor device. Endothelial function was assessed by EndoPAT 2000 device; pneumatic probes were fitted to the index fingers; induced flow-mediated reactive hyperemia; the ratio of the readings before and after occlusion was then used to calculate the score, the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) as a measure of endothelial function.

Pulse wave velocity remained significantly higher in previously pre-eclamptic women than non-pregnant controls up to three months after delivery (p < 0.05), then it reduced to nonsignificant values. All blood pressure indices (central and brachial pressures), were higher in previously pre-eclamptic women as compared to nonpregnant controls up to one year postpartum.

Regional (aortic) arterial stiffness, though it persists for some time after delivery, is transitory in previously pre-eclamptic women from the rural Africa setting. However, their increase blood pressure is an indication of compromised arterial compliance in women previously with pre-eclampsia.     

X线及MRI对聚丙烯酰胺凝胶隆胸后乳腺病变诊断价值的评价与比较

目的对聚丙烯酰胺凝胶(PAG)注射式隆胸术后,出现并发症或合并乳腺其他病变的X线与MRI的诊断价值进行评估。方法回顾性分析26例PAG隆胸术后钼靶X线与MRI的影像表现。结果钼靶X线及MRI能显示充填物位置、形态,合并乳腺病变4例,X线全部漏诊,MRI能检出病灶。结论钼靶X线是PAG隆胸术后普查、随访的首选方法,但出现并发症或者合并乳腺病变时,MRI具有无法比拟的优越性,在临床诊断与治疗中发挥了重要作用。     

Vertical interpositional augmentation genioplasty with porous polyethylene

Recent advances in the field of biomatrix porous implant technology has stirred the interest of the oral and maxillofacial surgical community. One such material (Medpor), is a biocompatible, large-pore, high-density polyethylene implant which has proven both experimentally and clinically to fulfil the criterion for maxillofacial reconstructive and aesthetic surgical grafting.     

缬沙坦加参麦注射液治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床观察

目的观察缬沙坦（Valsartan）加参麦注射液（Shenmai Injection,SI）对充血性心力衰竭（CHF）心肌损害的疗效。方法采用随机分组的方法,分别用常规治疗（31例）和缬沙坦、SI加常规治疗（31例）,并对CHF的各项实验室指标[血浆肌钙蛋白T（cTnT）、心肌酶谱]进行观察。结果在CHF进程中,cTnT浓度随着心功能恶化呈进行性增高。应用缬沙坦加SI治疗2周后,患者左室收缩功能得到明显改善,未发现严重不良反应。结论血浆cTnT可作为CHF患者预后判断的一项重要生化指标。缬沙坦加SI是治疗CHF安全有效的药物。     

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of augmentation cystoplasties

OBJECTIVE: Tumors arising within augmentation cystoplasties are aggressive, have poor prognosis and the majority are not detected at follow-up cystoscopy. Genetic changes in tumors precede morphological abnormalities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic abnormalities detected by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) could be used to identify those patients with augmentation cystoplasties at increased risk of tumorigenesis. METHODS: Bladder biopsy samples were obtained from 16 augmentation cystoplasty patients both distant from and near to the enterovesical anastomosis. CGH was used to detect genetic abnormalities in DNA extracted from the biopsies, archival specimens of two augmentation cystoplasties and two de novo bladder adenocarcinomas. RESULTS: A greater number of amplifications on 2p, 3q, 8q, 9p, 17p, 18pq and 20pq, were observed in bladder biopsies obtained near to the enterovesical anastomosis compared to those taken distant to the suture line. CGH of archival augmentation cystoplasty tumor DNA indicated abnormalities at several loci with amplifications at 2q, 5q, 10p and 21pq, while deletions occurred at 5p and 16p. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the urothelium adjacent to the bladder and/or bowel anastomosis in augmentation cystoplasties is genetically unstable. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are required to establish whether or not patients exhibiting genetic instability following augmentation cystoplasty are at greater risk of developing tumors than those with genetically stable epithelia.     

Breast augmentation with silicone implants: the role of surgical drainage—report on 502 consecutive patients

Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures worldwide. We report on a series of 502 consecutive cosmetic breast augmentations by a single surgeon, using both the submuscular and submammary approaches. A vacuum drain was placed in the surgical pocket at the end of the procedure. The drain fluid collection was recorded immediately after the surgery and the following day before removal. A tenfold increase in the amount of fluid collection was noted in the drain’s reservoir. Thirteen patients presented with minor wound healing problems at the second postoperative follow-up, which were treated conservatively; two of them had the implant removed and replaced after 2 months. There were only two capsular contractions at 1-year follow-up. We focus our discussion on the drainage in the early postoperative period and conclude that the routine use of a surgical drainage reduces the risk for complications. Based on our findings, we advocate that short-term routine use of a surgical drain is advisable.