Urinary desmosine excretion is inversely correlated with the extent of emphysema in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

An enhanced proteolysis of lung interstitium is key event in the pathogenesis of emphysema, a major constituent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To assess whether urinary desmosine and/or hydroxyproline may be used as a marker of lung destruction we studied urinary excretions of these products in 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in 19 appropriate controls in 24h urine collection samples. For desmosine measurements, we developed a new indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The extent of emphysema was measured in high resolution computed tomography (CT) scans, by considering lung area with CT numbers <-950 Hounsfield units (HU).Urinary desmosine excretion was significantly higher in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than in controls (294+/-121 microg versus 183+/-93 microg, P=0.003), and was unrelated with both age and smoking habits. In patients with no evidence or only mild emphysema, desmosine excretion values were significantly higher (P=0.006) than those of patients with moderate to severe emphysema. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, urinary hydroxyproline excretion was positively correlated with urinary desmosine excretion but on the average, it was not different from that of controls.These data indicate that urinary desmosine is a sensitive biological marker of lung elastin catabolism. The relatively low levels of urinary desmosine observed in patients with severe emphysema may be accounted for a decrease in elastin catabolism due to reduced lung elastin mass. Urinary desmosine may be used to identify subjects at risk of developing emphysema and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.     

THE EFFECTS OF STREPTOMYCIN AND TERRAMYCIN, SINGLY AND IN COMBINATION, ON THE LEAF BLIGHT DISEASE OF MAIZE CAUSED BY BACTERIUM CAROTOVORUUM F. ZEAE SABET

The growth in vitro of Bacterium carotovorum f. zeae Sabet, the cause of the root and stalk rot and leaf blight disease of maize, was inhibited by dihydrostreptiomycin sulphate and by Terramycin (oxytetracycline). Joint applications showed a synergistic action, and the bacterium was most susceptible to a 1:1 mixture of the two antibiotics. This mixture is effective in checking the development of resistant strains which develop rapidly after treatment with streptomycin alone.
Roots of maize seedlings in water cultures, and leaves of older plants readily absorb both antibiotics. High water content of soil favoured absorption; sunlight had no effect. Absorption from leaf applications first increased with higher concentration and frequency of spraying, but after eight daily applications of streptomycin toxic symptoms appeared and there was evidence that the antibiotic was inactivated.
Antibiotic treatment of maize leaves shortly before inoculation with B. carotovorum f. zeae reduced the incidence and severity of leaf blight. The therapeutic effect extends at first both downward and upward but later only upward. Treatment of the leaves did not induce resistance to infection in the stems and roots.     

Alveolar macrophages from subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are deficient in their ability to phagocytose apoptotic airway epithelial cells

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a highly prevalent, complex disease, usually caused by cigarette smoke. It causes serious morbidity and mortality and costs the global community billions of dollars per year. While chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix destruction and increased airway epithelial cell apoptosis are reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the understanding of the basic pathogenesis of the disease is limited and there are no effective treatments. We hypothesized that the accumulation of apoptotic airway epithelial cells chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in could be due to defective phagocytic clearance by alveolar macrophages. There have been no previous studies of the phagocytic capacity of alveolar macrophages in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using physiologically relevant apoptotic airway epithelial cells as phagocytic targets. We developed a phagocytosis assay whereby cultured 16HBE airway epithelial cells were induced to apoptosis with ultraviolet radiation and stained with mitotracker green. Alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage from eight control and six chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects were analysed following 1.5 h incubation with apoptotic airway epithelial cells, then staining with macrophage marker anti CD33. CD33+/mitotracker green + events (i.e., alveolar macrophages which had phagocytosed apoptotic airway epithelial cells) were analysed using flow cytometry. Phagocytosis of polystyrene microbeads was investigated in parallel. A significantly reduced proportion of alveolar macrophages from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects ingested apoptotic airway epithelial cells compared with controls (11.6 +/- 4.1% for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease versus 25.6 +/- 9.2% for control group). Importantly, the deficiency was not observed using polystyrene beads, suggesting that the failure to resolve epithelial damage in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may result, at least partially, from specific defects in phagocytic ability of alveolar macrophages to ingest apoptotic airway epithelial cells.     

Torsion of the Testis and its Appendages

In a survey of 101 cases with an index diagnosis of torsion of the testis or its appendage, there were 86 instances of torsion of the testis and 14 of torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni. In 38 of the patients with testicular torsion there were one or more “warning” attacks of pain and swelling, due to torsion which became spontaneously untwisted. In 19 cases operative fixation was performed because of this warning history, and all the testes were preserved. In the other 19 the testes were not explored until the patient came in with a severe “classical” episode of torsion: seven of these testicles were lost from gangrene or delayed atrophy.In 31 cases torsion resulted in failure to save the testis. Of these, 20 were misdiagnosed and treated initially as epididymo-orchitis, despite there being no evidence of a urinary tract infection. There is no excuse for not exploring any actuely inflammed testicle which is unaccompanied by definite evidence of urinary or urethral infection.     

Reduction in urinary oxalate excretion in mouse models of Primary Hyperoxaluria by RNA interference inhibition of liver lactate dehydrogenase activity

The Primary Hyperoxaluria's (PH) are rare autosomal recessive disorders characterized by elevated oxalate production. PH patients suffer recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stone disease, and in severe cases end stage renal disease. Recent evidence has shown that RNA interference may be a suitable approach to reduce oxalate production in PH patients by knocking down key enzymes involved in hepatic oxalate synthesis. In the current study, wild type mice and mouse models of PH1 (AGT KO) and PH2 (GR KO) were treated with siRNA that targets hepatic LDHA. Although siRNA treatment substantially reduced urinary oxalate excretion [75%] in AGT KO animals, there was a relatively modest reduction [32%] in GR KO animals. Plasma and liver pyruvate levels significantly increased with siRNA treatment and liver organic acid analysis indicated significant changes in a number of glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolites, consistent with the known role of LDHA in metabolism. However, siRNA dosing data suggest that it may be possible to identify a dose that limits changes in liver organic acid levels, while maintaining a desired effect of reducing glyoxylate to oxalate synthesis. These results suggest that RNAi mediated reduction of hepatic LDHA may be an effective strategy to reduce oxalate synthesis in PH, and further analysis of its metabolic effects should be explored. Additional studies should also clarify in GR KO animals whether there are alternate enzymatic pathways in the liver to create oxalate and whether tissues other than liver contribute significantly to oxalate production.     

老年男性脑卒中患者排尿功能障碍的尿动力学评估

目的:存在阻塞性尿路疾患的老年男性在发生脑血管意外后,是否可通过早期症状或排尿症状类型(梗阻性还是刺激性)来预判排尿功能障碍的病因。方法:选择57例脑卒中后主诉排尿障碍的老年男性患者,所有患者均有继发于良性前列腺增生(BPH)的膀胱出口梗阻(BOO)症状。采集病史并行体检,57位患者均实行尿动力学检查,检查结果行A-G图分析并分类为:有梗阻,无梗阻及可疑梗阻。结果:患者平均年龄70岁(54-87),按排尿障碍的主诉类型分组(纯刺激症状42%,纯梗阻症状34%,两者混合24%),其中51例(89%)在脑卒中发生后即出现排尿症状,47(82%)例患者出现逼尿肌反射亢进(DH),在三组患者中无显著统计学差异。压力流率分析显示,36(63%)位患者有出口梗阻,无梗阻14(24%)例,可疑梗阻7(13%)例。在3组患者中亦无显著统计学差异。结论:所有老年男性患者呈现的症状不能预测膀胱出口梗阻或逼尿肌反射亢进的尿动力学结果。中风发生后排尿功能障碍症状的发生率明显升高,表明由脑血管意外引起的排尿功能障碍合并前期具有膀胱出口梗阻疾病时,可能会使后者的症状恶化,反之亦然。     

Value of antenatal diagnosis of abnormalities of the urinary tract.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the value of antenatal diagnosis of abnormalities of the urinary tract on ultrasonography. DESIGN--Retrospective study. SETTING--Two obstetric units in Glasgow. SUBJECTS--62 Fetuses in which renal abnormalities were diagnosed on antenatal ultrasonography. INTERVENTIONS--Six fetuses had their bladders aspirated to determine renal function. Fifteen pregnancies were terminated on the basis of the findings on antenatal ultrasonography, and if possible necropsy was performed on the fetuses. In babies who were born alive the final diagnosis was made by postnatal ultrasonography, intravenous urography, radionuclide scanning, cystography, and, in those who died in the early neonatal period, necropsy. Neonates who were referred with a known obstructed kidney had nephrostomy or pyeloplasty. END POINT--Assessment of the value of antenatal diagnosis of renal abnormalities on ultrasonography for babies who had no clinical evidence of disease postnatally. MAIN RESULTS--Eighteen fetuses did not survive birth; the antenatal diagnosis was accurate in all 18. Of the 44 babies born alive, five had normal urinary tracts, in two of whom antenatal ultrasonography had probably indicated a false positive diagnosis. Fourteen babies died during the early neonatal period. Twenty five babies with renal abnormalities were followed up; the antenatal diagnosis was inaccurate for 10 of them, the commonest misdiagnosis being hydronephrosis for multicystic kidney and vice versa, and there was one false positive diagnosis. The initial clinical findings in 14 babies would have led to the early detection of a urological abnormality. In the 30 babies with no clinical evidence of disease the antenatal diagnosis was of definite value in eight, probable value in 15, and marginal value in seven. Overall, an accurate antenatal diagnosis was made in 46 of the 62 cases (74%); in 12 cases renal disease was detected but its specific nature was not determined; and in four cases the diagnosis was misleading. CONCLUSIONS--The overall value of antenatal diagnosis is that it indicates early termination of fetuses with fatal renal disease, prepares parents and medical staff for the likelihood of serious neonatal problems, and shows abnormalities of the urinary tract that may not be detected postnatally.     

地奈德福莫特罗联合异丙托溴胺治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期的疗效及对FeNO、cTnI的影响

摘要 目的：探讨布地奈德福莫特罗联合异丙托溴胺治疗 慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期的疗效及对呼出气一氧化氮（FeNO）、心肌肌钙蛋白（cTnI）的影响 。方法：选择2020年7月-2021年5月在我院接受治疗的80例慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期患者,采用随机数表法分为试验组（n=41）和对照组（n=39）。对照组给予异丙托溴胺治疗,试验组在对照组的基础上联合布地奈德福莫特罗治疗。比较两组临床疗效、FeNO、cTnI、白细胞介素6（IL-6）、超敏C反应蛋白（CRP）、临床症状改善情况及不良反应发生情况。结果：治疗后,两组总有效率比较差异显著（P<0.05）;治疗前,试验组和对照组FeNO、cTnI比较无显著差异;治疗后,试验组和对照组FeNO、cTnI均随着时间的推移而降低,且试验组均低于对照组,差异显著（P<0.05）;治疗前,试验组和对照组血清IL-6及CRP比较无显著差异;治疗后,试验组和对照组血清IL-6及CRP均随着时间的推移而降低,且试验组均低于对照组,差异显著（P<0.05）;试验组憋喘、咳嗽、哮鸣音及湿啰音消失需要的时间均显著低于对照组,差异显著（P<0.05）;两组不良反应总发生率为9.76%、17.95%,无显著差异（P>0.05）。结论：在慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期中应用布地奈德福莫特罗联合异丙托溴胺治疗疗效显著,可有效改善患者FeNO、cTnI水平,且不会增加并发症。     

Subdural Haematoma and Effusion in Infancy

Analysis of 116 cases of subdural haematoma and effusion in infancy showed that in 40% trauma was involved and in 5% meningitis was an aetiological factor; in the remainder there was no known antecedent disease. Apart from retinal or subhyaloid haemorrhages there were no clinical features pathognomonic of the condition, though vomiting was the commonest presenting symptom and a tense fontanelle the commonest finding on examination. Treatment by subdural pleural shunt operation, which allows the fluid to drain into the chest, where it is absorbed, was found to be effective, and there is no longer any justification for the older method of removal of the subdural membrane by craniotomy.     

Mithramycin therapy in Paget's disease

Nine patients with symptomatic Paget''s disease were treated with mithramycin in doses of 15 μg/kg/day for 10 days. All but one had considerable symptomatic improvement and, in some, pain relief was dramatic after only a few days. A progressive decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase levels and urinary hydroxyproline excretion was seen at the same time. Bone scans with technetium-99m stannous polyphosphate were performed in six patients and were grossly abnormal in all, showing increased uptake in areas approximately co-extensive with the radiological changes. In five cases improvement in the scans was seen during therapy. In those cases in which the scans had not returned to normal by the end of therapy the improvement continued and was associated with a further decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase levels. We suggest that mithramycin is effective therapy for Paget''s disease and, in the dose used, is safe.     

Dermatopathic Lymphadenopathy—A Clinicopathologic Analysis of Lymph Node Biopsy Over a 15-Year Period

Forty cases of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy were found in a series of 906 consecutive lymph node biopsies (4.8 per cent).The histologic development and progression of the disease was correlated with the clinical state of the patient.In 35 of 40 cases the patients had active skin disease at the time of the biopsy; one of the remaining five patients had Hodgkin''s disease, one had multiple myeloma and one had secondary syphilis. In the other two, no organic cause was found.In nine cases (22.5 per cent), the histological pattern typical of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy was associated with malignant lymphoma. Except for two biopsies, which showed coexisting malignant lymphoma and dermatopathic lymphadenopathy, no histologic features were found which distinguished patients with malignant lymphoma from the remainder.While the pathogenesis of the lymph node changes remains obscure, the histologic features suggest that it is at least in part an immune response, although the nature of the responsible antigen is unknown.     

Pedicled Greater Omentum Graft: A New Technique to Repair Recurrent Urinary Fistulae After Kidney Transplantation

Urinary fistula is the most frequent urologic complication within the first month after kidney transplantation, which often leads to graft loss and mortality. Open surgery is the most popular approach for the treatment of these fistulae; however, it is associated with high failure rates. Here, we present a new technique of pedicled greater omentum graft to repair recurrent urinary fistulae after kidney transplantation. We used this technique in the repair of recurrent urinary fistulae in 13 post-kidney transplant patients. All operations were successful at the first attempt, and there was no fistula recurrence. Further, no complications associated with the technique have been observed during the follow-up (1–7 years). In conclusion, the use of pedicled greater omentum graft for the repair of recurrent urinary fistulae after kidney transplantation is both effective and safe.     

Day-care surgery in British Columbia: a 7-year experience (1968-74).

Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic Paget''s disease of bone were treated with synthetic salmon calcitonin for periods of 9 to 42 months (average, 23 months). Serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and urinary hydroxyproline excretion, which had been elevated before treatment, were decreased by calcitonin treatment in all patients, and some decrease was sustained in 23 in association with variable decreases in pain, heat and stiffness of major joints. Improvement was sustained further in approximately half of these patients; the other half had partial return of symptoms. Calcium absorption was increased in 9 of 10 patients studied; the increase did not correlate with plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone. The mean endogenous fecal calcium excretion was decreased significantly but there was no significant change in mean urinary calcium excretion. Mean accretion rate of calcium to bone, studied in 10 patients, was decreased by 35% after 6 months of treatment and by a further 23% 1 year later. There was no consistent effect of calcitonin treatment on bone mineral mass. No serious adverse effects of treatment such as allergic reactions were observed. Calcitonin appears to be effective initially in most patients with Paget''s disease of bone, but with long-term treatment resistance may be acquired.     

PSYCHOSOMATIC PROBLEMS IN UROLOGY

The intimate relationship between the urinary and genital systems permits stimuli in one system to influence the other. At least 15 per cent of women with symptoms of cystitis have no organic basis for their complaints. In psychiatric studies it has been noted that sexual conflict is the primary etiological factor in these patients. In some cases, continuance of the disorder leads to irreversible organic change. Urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, burning or retention are most common in women and become an automatic response to anxiety-provoking or sexual stimuli.In men, functional urinary symptoms are relatively infrequent. Often they indicate problems of genital dysfunction. Complaints of impotence, penile pain, testicular pain, or non-specific urethritis stem back to difficulties in their sexual lives. Many of the patients have symptoms of a generalized anxiety tension state due to sexual problems.A purely organic consideration of genitourinary disorders will lead to erroneous conclusions and unsatisfactory therapeutic results. The psychosomatic approach—that is, considering both physical and psychological aspects—will explain many hitherto difficult cases.     

阿奇霉素联合辛伐他汀对慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺动脉高压患者肺功能的影响

目的:探讨阿奇霉素联合辛伐他汀治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺动脉高压的临床疗效及对患者肺功能的影响。方法:选取2013年6月-2016年3月我院收治的慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺动脉高压患者107例,根据治疗方法不同分为对照组(49例)与实验组(58例)。对照组患者采用阿奇霉素治疗,实验组患者在对照组基础上给予辛伐他汀治疗。观察并比较两组患者的临床疗效、不良反应以及肺功能指标的变化情况。结果:实验组患者治疗有效率(87.93%)高于对照组(73.47%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。与治疗前比较,两组患者治疗后1 s用力呼吸容积(FEV1)、用力肺活量(FVC)及FEV1/FVC水平均升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组比较,实验组患者治疗后1 s用力呼吸容积(FEV1)、用力肺活量(FVC)及FEV1/FVC水平较高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者血清总胆固醇(TC)及三酰甘油(TG)水平均降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组比较,实验组患者治疗后血清总胆固醇(TC)及三酰甘油(TG)水平较低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:阿奇霉素联合辛伐他汀治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺动脉高压的临床效果显著,不仅能够改善患者肺功能,降低血脂相关指标水平,并且安全性较高,值得临床推广应用。     

吸入噻托溴铵治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病的疗效研究

目的：观察噻托溴铵粉吸入剂治疗稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病的有效性及安全性。方法：对2010年1月一2010年12月在本院就诊的60例稳定期COPD患者随机分成两组,对照组接受口服茶碱缓释片治疗,治疗组接受噻托溴铵粉吸入剂治疗。结果：治疗组与对照组治疗后28天FEV1改善率相互比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;治疗组与对照组治疗后（d28）以及随访期（疗后第3个月、第6个月）圣·乔治呼吸疾病问卷调查比较,总评分差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;治疗组与对照组治疗后（d28）的6MwT,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;两组患者随访期AECOPD发病次数,有统计学差异（P〈0．05）;两组患者的不良反应相互比较,无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：噻托溴铵粉吸入剂治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）疗效确切和可靠,值得临床推广。     

Prenatal diagnosis for organic acid disorders using two mass spectrometric methods, gas chromatography mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry

We performed prenatal diagnosis of organic acid disorders using two mass spectrometric methods; gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS/MS). Of 28 cases whose amniotic fluid was tested, 11 cases were diagnosed as "affected". All cases whose samples were diagnosed as "unaffected" were confirmed to have no symptoms or abnormalities in urinary organic acid analysis after birth. Of the 11 "affected" cases, two cases were missed by ESI/MS/MS but not by GC/MS. When the stability of metabolites in amniotic fluid was checked, it was found that acylcarnitines degraded in one week at room temperature, whereas organic acids such as methylmalonate or methylcitrate were stable for at least 14 days. Prenatal diagnosis by analysis using simultaneous two or more methods may be more reliable, though attention should be paid to sample transportation conditions.     

噻托溴铵联合沙美特罗治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病的临床效果

目的:探讨噻托溴铵联合沙美特罗治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病的临床效果。方法:选取我院2008年8月~2016年8月期间收治的68例慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者,由电脑随机均分为两组,每组34例,其中对照组给予沙美特罗进行治疗,而观察组在此基础上施加噻托溴铵治疗。对比观察两组患者治疗前后肺功能指标的变化、运动能力、生活质量、预后及不良事件发生率。结果:治疗前,两组患者的肺功能各项指标、6分钟步行距离(6MWD)和圣乔治呼吸问卷(SGRQ)评分均无明显差异(P0.05)。治疗后均较治疗前有明显改善,且观察组同期改善程度均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。观察组在治疗后12个月内发生急性加重的例数明显少于对照组(P0.05),且不良事件发生率明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:联合使用噻托溴铵与沙美特罗治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病,可更好地改善患者的肺功能、运动能力及生活质量,且急性加重率和不良事件发生率更低,值得进一步推广与应用。     

低温等离子射频消融术治疗小儿阻塞性呼吸暂停综合征的临床疗效观察

目的:探究低温等离子射频消融术治疗小儿阻塞性呼吸暂停综合征的临床疗效。方法:收集2014年5月到2016年5月来我院就诊的小儿阻塞性呼吸暂停综合征患者72例,根据随机数字对照表分为对照组与试验组,各36例。对照组采用传统手术治疗切除患儿肥大的扁桃体及腺样体,试验组实施低温等离子射频消融术。比较两组患者临床疗效、行为状况及VAS评分。结果:治疗后,对照组的总有效率为91.67%;试验组的总有效率为94.45%,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组患儿CBCL量表总评分均较治疗前明显降低(P0.05),抑郁、社交退缩、多动、违纪及攻击各项评分均明显降低(P0.05),但是试验组各项评分及总评分与对照组相比并无明显差异(P0.05);试验组手术后VAS评分明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:低温等离子射频消融术对小儿阻塞性呼吸暂停综合征患者有明显的治疗效果,且对患儿损伤较小。     

Bladder Leiomyoma Presenting With LUTS and Coexisting Bladder and Uterine Leiomyomata: A Review of Two Cases

Mesenchymal tumors of the urinary bladder are a rare occurrence, the most common among them being leiomyoma of the bladder. These tumors commonly present with irritative urinary symptoms progressing gradually to obstructive symptoms as the size increases. We report on two patients who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). One of the patients also had concomitant bladder and uterine leiomyomata, which is the first such case to be reported in the literature. It is essential to differentiate leiomyoma from other common causes of LUTS. Cold cup biopsy has a significant false-negative rate and, in such cases, a wide local excision provides an optimal cure with excellent results.Key words: Bladder leiomyoma, Uterine fibroid, Lower urinary tract symptomsBenign tumors of the urinary bladder are rare and can present with a wide spectrum of complaints ranging from irritative to obstructive urinary symptoms.¹ Here we report on two patients who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), one of whom also had concomitant multiple uterine fibroids. To our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported in the literature.