不同性别≥75岁老年冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的预后分析

目的:探讨不同性别≥75岁老年冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)后的院内及远期预后。方法:将2013年1月至12月于阜外医院行PCI且≥75岁的681例患者按性别分为男性组(n=410)和女性组(n=271),又利用倾向性评分匹配,得出基线无显著差异的男性组(n=228)和女性组(n=227)。比较2组患者匹配前后院内及2年的临床预后。采用COX回归分析性别与PCI后不良事件的相关性。结果:匹配前,女性组患者的院内全因死亡率高于男性组(2.6%vs 0.5%,P0.05)。649例(95.3%)患者完成了2年随访。匹配后,女性组与男性组患者在院内(4.8%vs 3.1%,P=0.33)及2年随访(15.0%vs 14.9%,P=0.94)的主要心脑血管不良事件发生率差异均无统计学意义。匹配后的多因素Logistic分析(HR=3.72,95%CI:0.66~20.90,P=0.14)和COX回归分析(HR=1.43,95%CI:0.56~3.69,P=0.46)表明,性别仍不是院内及2年全因死亡的独立危险因素。结论:≥75岁老年女性患者院内全因死亡明显高于男性。不同性别≥75岁老年冠心病患者PCI后远期预后无明显差异。     

ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后近期和远期预后的性别差异

目的:探讨ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)后近期和远期预后的性别差异。方法:连续性纳入了2013年1月至2016年1月于北京友谊医院心内科行PCI的STEMI患者909例,按照性别分为男性组(n=703)和女性组(n=206)。比较两组患者的基线特征以及近期和远期的预后情况。近期终点事件为PCI后30天内全因死亡。远期终点事件包括PCI后30个月内主要不良心血管事件(MACE,包括全因死亡、非致死性心肌梗死和血运重建的复合终点)、全因死亡、心原性死亡、非致死性心肌梗死和血运重建。结果:与男性组患者相比,女性组患者的年龄更大,合并高血压及糖尿病的比例更高(P均0.05),两组患者冠状动脉病变的严重程度以及介入干预的情况差异无统计学意义(P均0.05)。女性组PCI后30天内全因死亡的发生率显著高于男性组(5.3%vs 1.4%,P=0.001),但女性并非PCI后30天内死亡的独立危险因素(OR=2.41,95%CI:0.64～9.10,P=0.192)。多因素校正后,女性患者PCI后30个月内MACE (HR=0.91,95%CI:0.52～1.60,P=0.762)、全因死亡(HR=0.65,95%CI:0.29～1.45,P=0.300)、心原性死亡(HR=0.62,95%CI:0.27～1.45,P=0.279)、非致死性心肌梗死(HR=0.48,95%CI:0.17～1.36,P=0.172)以及血运重建(HR=1.28,95%CI:0.51～3.22,P=0.598)的发生风险均与男性患者相近,差异无统计学意义。结论:女性STEMI患者在PCI后近期预后较差,全因死亡发生率高,但远期预后与男性患者相似。     

临床表型对冠状动脉病变低危患者介入治疗远期预后的影响

目的:探讨急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)和稳定性冠心病(SCAD)对不同性别冠状动脉病变SYNTAX评分≤22分患者介入治疗远期预后的影响。方法:纳入2013年1月至12月在中国医学科学院阜外医院行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)且SYNTAX评分≤22分的患者9458例。按临床表型将不同性别的患者分为ACS和SCAD患者,其中包括女性患者2169例(其中ACS 853例、SCAD 1316例),男性患者7289例(其中ACS 4404例,SCAD 2885例)。患者在术后1个月、6个月、1年和2年接受门诊或电话随访。研究主要终点为全因死亡,次要终点为心原性死亡、再发心肌梗死和主要不良心脑血管事件(MACCE,包括全因死亡、再发心肌梗死、血运重建、脑卒中和支架内血栓形成)。采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析PCI后2年远期预后的影响因素。结果:PCI后2年,女性ACS患者全因死亡[1.7%(23/1316)vs.0.6%(5/853),log-rank P=0.004]、心原性死亡[1.0%(13/1316)vs.0.2%(2/853),log-rank P=0.011]的发生率均高于女性SCAD患者,而再发心肌梗死和MACCE两者的差异无统计学意义。男性ACS和SCAD患者远期预后差异无统计学意义。多因素Cox回归分析显示,ACS是SYNTAX评分≤22分的女性患者PCI后2年全因死亡(HR=3.27,95%CI:1.05~10.18,P=0.041),心原性死亡(HR=16.63,95%CI:1.49~185.91,P=0.022)的独立危险因素。结论:在接受PCI SYNTAX评分≤22分的患者中,女性ACS患者2年全因死亡和心原性死亡明显高于SCAD,而男性ACS与SCAD患者2年预后相似。     

慢性完全闭塞病变对接受急诊介入治疗的急性心肌梗死患者远期预后的影响

目的:分析慢性完全闭塞(CTO)病变对接受急诊介入治疗的急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者远期预后的影响。方法:分析自2013年1月至2014年9月间纳入中国急性心肌梗死(CAMI)注册登记研究的接受急诊介入治疗的14176例AMI患者,根据冠状动脉造影的结果,将患者分为AMI合并CTO病变组(n=1235)和AMI不合并CTO病变组(n=12941)。随访2年,比较两组的临床预后,主要研究终点为死亡率,次要研究终点为包括心原性死亡、脑卒中、心力衰竭再入院、再次血运重建等的主要不良心血管事件。结果:合并CTO病变的AMI患者占8.7%(1235/14176)。随访2年,AMI合并CTO病变组的患者全因死亡率(9.9%vs.5.4%)和心原性死亡率(5.0%vs.2.6%)明显高于AMI不合并CTO病变组患者(P均<0.01)。单因素分析显示,CTO病变增加AMI患者死亡(HR=1.44,95%CI:1.02~2.03,P=0.04)和再次血运重建(HR=2.14,95%CI:1.55~2.96,P<0.01)风险。多因素回归分析显示,高龄(HR=1.07,95%CI:1.05~1.09)和就诊时存在心力衰竭(HR=2.05,95%CI:1.36~3.09)与患者2年死亡的不良预后明显相关(P均<0.01),而CTO病变不是2年死亡的独立危险因素(HR=1.33,95%CI:0.93~1.90,P=0.11)。结论:合并CTO病变的AMI患者的远期死亡率和心原性死亡率明显高于不合并CTO病变的患者。高龄和就诊时存在心力衰竭是远期死亡的独立危险因素,而CTO病变并不是远期死亡的独立危险因素。     

老年女性急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者远期预后的影响

目的探讨老年女性急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者远期预后的影响。方法入选我院住院明确诊断为急性STEMI的老年患者287例,按性别分为男性组190例,女性组97例。比较2组患者的临床特点、住院期间及远期主要不良心脑血管事件(MACCE)。结果与男性组比较,女性组平均年龄、高血压、LDL-C、空腹血糖水平明显升高,吸烟、血肌酐、血管病变支数比例显著降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。2组远期MACCE发生率比较无显著差异(23.4%vs 18.6%,P=0.639)。Cox回归分析显示,高血压(HR=1.954,95%CI:1.058~3.608,P=0.032)、Killip分级(HR=2.017,95%CI:1.454~2.798,P=0.000)、术后TIMI分级(HR=0.552,95%CI:0.422~0.723,P=0.000)及急诊PCI(HR=0.240,95%CI:0.112~0.513,P=0.000)是老年STEMI患者远期MACCE的独立预测因素。结论老年STEMI患者近、远期预后无性别差异,提示性别可能不是老年STEMI患者远期预后的独立预测因素,而高血压、Killip分级、术后TIMI分级及急诊PCI能独立预测老年STEMI患者远期转归。     

冠状动脉介入术对再发急性冠状动脉综合征介入治疗预后的影响分析

目的探讨既往经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(Percutaneous Coronary Intervention,PCI)对再发急性冠脉综合征(Acute Coronary Syndrome,ACS)患者行再次介入治疗的有效性、安全性和对远期预后影响。方法连续纳入2013年1月至12月在阜外医院进行PCI治疗的ACS患者,分为既往PCI和非既往PCI两组,并进行倾向性评分匹配,并进行2年随访,记录死亡、心原性死亡、心肌梗死、再次血运重建、再发卒中、主要心脑血管不良事件(包括死亡、心肌梗死、再次血运重建及再发卒中)及支架内血栓的发生情况,对比两组的远期预后差别。结果共纳入6194例行PCI的ACS患者。既往PCI组共1256例,既往非PCI组共4938例。既往PCI组患者年龄更高,合并冠心病危险因素更多。2年随访结果显示,既往PCI组全因死亡率(2.3%vs.1.1%,p=0.001)、心原性死亡(1.7%vs.0.5%,p0.001)、急性心肌梗死(2.7%vs.1.8%,p=0.040)及主要心脑血管不良事件(13.9%vs.11.8%,p=0.039)显著高于既往非PCI组,而血运重建、脑卒中及支架内血栓发生率没有显著差别。多因素COX回归分析发现:既往PCI、年龄、左室射血分数40%及介入治疗不成功是全因死亡和心原性死亡的独立危险因素(p0.05)。经过倾向性评分匹配后,两组在年龄、左室射血分数、介入治疗不成功等方面均无显著差异。多因素COX回归显示:年龄、左室射血分数低于40%及糖尿病史是全因死亡的独立危险因素(p0.05),同时年龄、左室射血分数低于40%及介入治疗不成功是心原性死亡的独立危险因素(p0.05),而既往PCI不再是全因死亡(HR=1.81,95%CI:0.99–3.28,p=0.051)和心原性死亡(HR=1.09,95%CI:1.04–1.14,p=0.062)的独立危险因素。结论在中国单中心大样本人群,对于有相同危险因素的患者,既往PCI不是再发ACS介入治疗远期预后不良的独立危险因素。     

老龄主动脉瓣置换联合冠状动脉旁路移植术患者预后危险因素分析

目的:分析老龄主动脉瓣置换联合冠状动脉旁路移植术(AVR-CABG)患者的临床特征及早期和远期预后的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析我院2004-02至2014-09期间232例年龄≥65岁以上行AVR-CABG患者的临床资料。多因素Logistic分析和Cox比例风险模型确定影响人群早期和远期预后的危险因素。结果:全组患者住院死亡7例(3.0%),术后早期并发症以呼吸机通气时间延长(28例,12.1%)和出血(14例,6.0%)较常见。远期随访225例,随访率91.1%,随访3个月~10年,平均随访(41.2±29.0)个月,其中随访期间心原性死亡6例(2.7%),术后远期不良事件以心功能Ⅲ~Ⅳ级或心绞痛复发为主(8.9%)。Logistic分析表明女性[P=0.019,(比值比OR)=2.576]、术前心房颤动(房颤)(P=0.012,OR=3.541)和体外循环时间(P=0.000,OR=3.781)是影响患者早期预后的独立危险因素。Cox比例风险模型提示:高脂血症[P=0.025,风险比(HR)=2.535]、吸烟(P=0.009,HR=3.414)和经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)史(P=0.013,HR=3.562)是影响AVR-CABG术后远期预后的独立危险因素。结论:本研究显示老龄患者行AVR-CABG术总体效果令人满意。女性、术前房颤和体外循环时间是影响这类高危人群早期预后的独立危险因素,高脂血症、吸烟和PCI史是影响人群远期预后的独立危险因素。     

择期经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后获得性血小板减少对患者远期预后的影响

目的:探讨择期经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)患者术后获得性血小板减少的发生率及其危险因素,并评价其对患者远期预后的影响。方法:连续纳入2013-01至2013-12在阜外医院择期PCI患者8 271例,根据术后血小板计数水平分组,以血小板计数150×10~9/L为界将患者分为血小板正常组(血小板计数≥150×10~9/L,n=7 617)及血小板减少组(血小板计数150×10~9/L,n=654),比较两组患者的临床和冠状动脉造影资料及平均随访30个月的远期预后情况,并分析血小板减少发生的独立预测因子。结果:8 271例患者中,PCI后发生血小板减少的共654例(7.91%),其中轻度血小板减少(100×10~9/L～150×10~9/L)共634例(7.67%),中、重度血小板减少(100×10~9/L)20例(0.24%)。平均随访30个月,与血小板正常组相比,血小板减少组的全因死亡率(2.3%vs 1.0%P=0.0086)及心原性死亡率(1.2%vs 0.5%P=0.0261)均明显增加。其中,中、重度血小板减少患者心原性死亡率增加约13倍(HR=13.578,95%CI:1.812～101.750)、支架内血栓发生率增加约7倍(HR=7.765,95%CI:1.064～56.679)、心肌梗死发生率增加约11倍(HR=11.309,95%CI:2.749～46.530)。结论:择期PCI患者术后获得性血小板减少发生率较高,并与患者远期全因死亡及心原性死亡预后相关。     

血清γ-谷氨酰转移酶水平与老年冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后远期死亡率的关系

目的:探讨血清γ-谷氨酰转移酶(GGT)水平与老年(≥65岁)冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)后远期死亡率的关系。方法:选取2012-01至2013-01在北京安贞医院接受PCI的老年冠心病患者1 674例。根据血清GGT水平按三分位法将患者分为三组:GGT 20 U/L组(n=570),20~36 U/L组(n=549), 36 U/L组(n=555)。比较三组患者3年随访期内死亡率。结果:随访期内共有146例患者死亡。GGT 20 U/L组、20~36 U/L组和 36 U/L组的全因死亡率分别为5.3%、8.6%和12.4%(P=0.000);心原性死亡率分别为2.5%、4.2%和4.5%(P=0.146);非心原性死亡率分别为:2.8%、4.4%和7.9%(P=0.000)。校正混淆因素后,GGT 20~36 U/L组和 36 U/L组全因死亡风险分别是20 U/L组的1.719倍(95%CI:1.086~2.721,P=0.021)和2.508倍(95%CI:1.627~3.865,P=0.000)。GGT 20~36 U/L组和 36 U/L组非心原性死亡风险分别是20 U/L组的1.587倍(95%CI:0.842~2.991,P=0.153)和2.828倍(95%CI:1.588~5.035,P=0.000)。多因素Cox回归分析显示:Log GGT是老年冠心病患者PCI术后3年全因死亡(HR=4.707,95%CI:2.427~9.126,P=0.000)和非心原性死亡(HR=18.901,95%CI:7.730~46.214,P=0.000)的独立预测因素。结论:PCI术前血清GGT水平升高的老年冠心病患者,PCI术后远期全因死亡和非心原性死亡风险增高。     

高龄冠心病患者行PCI术后发生并发症的危险因素

目的研究行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的75岁及以上高龄冠心病患者临床特征并分析术后6个月发生并发症的危险因素。方法回顾分析2011年1月~2014年2月因冠心病收治入长征医院心内科并接受PCI的患者1228例,其中男性936例,女性292例,年龄30~92岁(60±10岁)。按年龄分为≥75岁组(n=261)和75岁组(n=967)。分析比较两组患者入院时基本资料、实验室数据、手术相关治疗数据及围手术期和术后6个月并发症的情况。结果与75岁组比较,≥75岁组患者年龄、住院天数、合并高血压比例、合并慢性肾衰竭比例、合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病比例、既往卒中比例、入院时合并急性心力衰竭比例、入院时合并恶性心律失常比例增加,差异有统计学意义(P均0.05)。与75岁组比较,≥75岁组患者血红蛋白、血小板、白蛋白、三酰甘油下降,而凝血酶原时间、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血肌酐、血尿酸、血尿素氮、pro-BNP升高,RCA和LAD病变比例、三支及以上病变比例、左主干病变比例、钙化病变比例、长病变比例增加,桡动脉入路比例减少,差异有统计学意义(P均0.05)。与75岁组比较,≥75岁组患者院内死亡、出血相关并发症、造影剂肾病、PCI术中心肌梗死、PCI相关心力衰竭比例增加,术后6个月全因死亡比例增加,非致死性心肌梗死比例减少,差异具有统计学意义(P均0.05)。多因素回归分析表明吸烟(OR=3.677,95%CI:1.561~8.622)、入院时合并急性心力衰竭(OR=4.086,95%CI:1.733~9.636)、入院时合并恶性心律失常(OR=9.286,95%CI:3.864~22.316)、既往卒中史(OR=3.517,95%CI:1.524~8.116)与高脂血症(OR=4.996,95%CI:1.278~19.530)是PCI术后并发症的独立危险因素。结论高龄冠心病患者合并症更多,冠状动脉病变更复杂,PCI术后并发症更多。吸烟、入院时合并急性心力衰竭或恶性心律失常、既往卒中史、高脂血症患者PCI术后发生并发症风险更高。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.