The Prospective Assessment of Autonomic Nerve Function by Pupillometry in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

The study aimed to compare the longitudinal assessment of autonomic nerve function by computerized infrared pupillometry and standard cardiovascular tests in adolescents with diabetes. Adolescents (n = 150) were assessed at two time points (T1 and T2). The median time interval between assessments was 1.5 (range 0.9–3) years. At T1 the median age was 14.5 (range 8.3–19.5) years and the median duration was 6.5 (range 1.1–16) years. The pupillary variables assessed included the resting pupil diameter, the maximum constriction velocity, and the reflex amplitude of constriction. Heart rate reflexes were assessed in response to deep breathing, the Valsalva manoeuvre, and on standing from a lying position (30/15 ratio). Between visits there was a significant decrease in maximum constriction velocity (6.0 mm s^?1 vs 6.3 mm s^?1, p = 0.0001) and resting pupil diameter (6.2 mm vs 6.3 mm, p = 0.001). At reassessment pupillary abnormalities increased from 32 (21 %) to 45 (30%), with 17 (54 %) of the initial abnormalities persisting. Adolescents with abnormally slow maximum constriction velocity compared to those with normal maximum constriction velocity had a higher glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1c%) at T2 (p = 0.02) and between assessments (p = 0.01). Cardiovascular test abnormalities did not increase between visits and the persistence of initial abnormalities was low (21 %). In summary, pupillometry appears a more sensitive test of autonomic nerve dysfunction in adolescents with diabetes than assessment of cardiovascular reflexes.     

泌尿生殖系罕见病3例报告并文献复习

目的：探讨泌尿男生殖系罕见病的诊断与治疗方法。方法：回顾性分析3例精阜纤维上皮性息肉、先天性膀胱颈挛缩以及阴囊皮样囊肿患者的临床资料，术前采用排尿性膀胱尿道造影、膀胱尿道镜、尿动力学检查诊断；手术采用经尿道电切、钦激光内切开以及开放手术。结果：3例患者均于术前获得正确诊断，经手术治疗均得到满意疗效。结论：提高泌尿外科医生对罕见病的诊断及治疗水平十分重要。     

大鼠坐骨神经慢性挤压性损伤后痛阈和血清IL-6的变化及相关性研究

目的:通过大鼠坐骨神经慢性挤压伤(CCI)神经性疼痛模型的热敏变化及血清中IL-6含量的变化,探讨血清IL-6在神经性疼痛形成中的作用及可能机制.方法:36只250～300g的健康雄性Wistar大鼠,在戊巴比妥钠麻醉下于大腿中部暴露坐骨神经并作结扎,取对侧大腿坐骨神经暴露作为模拟对照(B组).术后1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 d测定大鼠(n=12)两侧后爪对热敏阈值的变化.于术后第15 d处死大鼠,取血清,ELISA法测定IL-6浓度.结果:大鼠双侧后爪(CCI和B)的收缩潜伏期在术后第3,5,7,9,11,13,15 d有显著差异;CCI组血清IL-6与对照组比较有显著差异.结论:IL-6与大鼠坐骨神经慢性挤压性损伤后出现的神经源性疼痛过敏有关.     

Conduction studies in peripheral cat nerve using implanted electrodes: III. The effects of prolonged constriction on the distal nerve segment

Electrophysiological properties were monitored in detail in chronically constricted peripheral nerves by implanted, multicontact nerve cuff electrodes and correlated with morphometric histology in selected cases. The physiological and histological responses in nerve to a range of constricting cuffs of standard sizes were readily graded. The initial response to any significant constriction was a transient, focal conduction slowing or block at the constriction, followed by more protracted distal effects; the latter ranged from loss of excitability consistent with "dying-back" degeneration to reductions in conduction velocity consistent with histologically observed atrophy. Smaller myelinated fibers tended to have similar but less pronounced changes than larger diameter fibers. Recordings from ventral and dorsal roots showed that distal degeneration was more pronounced in motor than in sensory fibers of similar caliber. Electronmicroscopical measurements showed that basal laminas were relatively preserved around even the most atrophic and demyelinated axons. Perimeter measurements of the basal lamina could be used to estimate the diameter of the original nerve fiber.     

Determinants of pulmonary blood volume. Effects of acute changes in pulmonary vascular pressures and flow

To examine the effects of pulmonary vascular pressures and flow on pulmonary blood volume (PBV), experiments were performed at constant heart rate and zone 3 conditions (mean left atrial pressure (LAP) above airway pressure) in six anesthetized, open-chest dogs. PBV was calculated as the product of electromagnetic aortic flow and pulmonary mean transit time for ascorbate, obtained without blood withdrawal by polarographic recording of aortic ascorbate changes. In three series of experiments LAP was raised similarly in three steps, from 4.5 to 14.8 mmHg: by mitral constriction which reduced pulmonary blood flow, by blood volume expansion which more than doubled pulmonary blood flow, or by a combination of the two procedures which kept pulmonary blood flow constant. In all three series, LAP and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) rose in proportion, but PBV was better correlated to PAP (r=0.87±0.02) than to LAP (r=0.66±0.09). These experiments suggest that PAP is the most important factor in determining PBV under zone 3 conditions, whether PAP is raised by increasing pulmonary blood flow or by mitral constriction.     

Congenital Pseudarthrosis of Femur and Sciatic Nerve Palsy with Congenital Constriction Band Syndrome: Report of the First Case in Literature

Congenital constriction band syndrome has varied clinical presentations ranging from small, incomplete skin deep constriction band to in utero amputation. Pseudarthrosis of underlying bone most commonly tibia has been reported by many authors. We report the first case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the femur with congenital constriction band syndrome. Nine-day-old female presented with the constriction band in the left thigh with open pseudarthrosis of the femur. The left femur had gross recurvatum deformity and the posterior apex of the pseudarthrosis was exposed via skin ulceration. She had an ipsilateral paralytic clubfoot. She was treated with single-stage excision of constriction band and Z-plasty. Spontaneous union of the femur was achieved at 3 months. Procurvatum deformity of the femur improved gradually over 3 years. This happens to be the first and only reported case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the femur with sciatic nerve palsy due to congenital constriction band.     

Mulibrey nanism: Three additional patients and a review of 39 patients

We report on 3 patients with Mulibrey nanism (MN), or Perheentupa syndrome: the first 2 sibs from Argentina and a new patient from Spain. All 3 patients had growth failure, short stature, abnormal pigmentary retinal changes, and a J-shaped sella turcica. These findings are considered major criteria of MN. Two had pericardial constriction, which is a frequent and lifethreatening abnormality in this syndrome. MN is a rare autosomal recessive condition. Reviewing the 39 patients described so far, we have classified the anomalies into the very frequent (present in more than 66%), frequent (in at least 25%), and not frequent. Identifying the anomalies specific to MN should help its early diagnosis and treatment. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

氢化可的松对豚鼠离体气管平滑肌收缩活动的影响

目的：研究氢化可的松对豚鼠离体气管平滑肌收缩活动的影响。方法：用组胺和乙酰胆碱引起气管条明显收缩和张力增加。用氢化可的松20-30秒后,观察组胺和乙酰胆碱所引起的气管条收缩活动的改变。结果：用氢化可的松20～30s后,组胺和乙酰胆碱所引起的气管条收缩活动减弱、张力明显降低。结论：氢化可的松可以快速舒张豚鼠气管平滑肌。