阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者血浆白细胞介素-18水平与动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的 探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者血浆IL-18水平与动脉粥样硬化的关系.方法 选取就诊的男性OSAHS患者52例,年龄26～77岁,分为轻度组16例,中度组18例,重度组18例,另选对照组18例.对其中OSAHS组中20例中重度患者进行持续气道内正压(CPAP)治疗,并检测颈动脉内膜中膜厚度(IMT),测定血浆白细胞介素-18(IL-18)的水平.采用方差分析、配对t检验及Pearson相关分析进行统计学处理.结果 轻度、中度和重度OSAHS组的IL-18水平分别为(352±76)ng/L、(600±84)ng/L和(798±110)ng/L,均明显高于对照组的(250±76)ng/L,且OSAHS各组间均有明显差别.重度OSAHS组颈动脉IMT较对照组和轻度OSAHS组明显增厚.血浆IL-18水平与颈动脉IMT、呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.486、0.865,P均＜0.001),与最低脉搏氧饱和度呈显著负相关(r=-0.664,P＜0.001).CPAP治疗后OSAHS患者血浆IL-18水平明显降低,颈动脉IMT未见明显改变.结论 OSAHS患者颈动脉IMT增厚,血浆IL-18水平升高,两者密切相关.血浆IL-18水平升高与OSAHS严重程度相关,OSAHS相关炎症反应可能与动脉粥样硬化的进程相关.CPAP治疗能够改善患者AHI和最低脉搏氧饱和度,降低血浆IL-18水平.     

CPAP治疗对OSAHS及其合并高血压患者CRP和IL-6的影响

目的观察持续气道正压通气(CPAP)治疗对阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)及其合并高血压患者血清C-反应蛋白(CRP)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的影响。方法选择39例中、重度OSAHS患者和20例对照者进行血清CRP和IL-6水平的检测;对39例OSAHS患者进行CPAP治疗并检测治疗前后血清CRP和IL-6水平。比较OSAHS及合并高血压患者血清CRP和IL-6水平与对照者有无差别以及CPAP治疗后对OSAHS及合并高血压患者血清CRP和IL-6水平有无影响。结果单纯OSAHS组及OSAHS合并高血压组的血清CRP及IL-6水平均高于对照组(P0.05),OSAHS合并高血压组血清CRP及IL-6高于单纯OSAHS组(P0.05),OSAHS患者的血清CRP及IL-6水平分别与睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)呈正相关(r1=0.6 8 3、r2=0.6 0 7,P0.0 1)。经CPAP治疗后单纯OSAHS组及OSAHS合并高血压组血清CRP及IL-6水平较治疗前明显降低(P0.05)。结论 OSAHS患者血清CRP和IL-6增高,存在炎症反应,CPAP治疗能降低患者血清CRP和IL-6的水平,减轻OSAHS患者机体的炎症反应。     

高血压合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者CPAP治疗前后血压昼夜节律的变化

目的探讨高血压(HP)合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(obstructive sleep apnea,OSA)患者持续正压通气(CPAP)治疗前后血压昼夜节律的变化。方法选择2011年8月~2015年2月于南京市鼓楼医院集团仪征医院治疗的HP合并OSA患者60例。CPAP治疗前后行24 h动态血压监测,比较患者治疗前后睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、最低血氧饱和度(Sa O_2)、平均Sa O_2、24 h平均舒张压(24h DBP),24 h平均收缩压(24 h SBP),白天平均舒张压(d DBP),白天平均收缩压(d SBP),夜间平均舒张压(n DBP),夜间平均收缩压(n SBP)。结果治疗前,AHI、最低Sa O_2和平均Sa O_2分别为(45.2±10.8)次/h、(78.2±1.3)%和(91.2±1.5)%;治疗后为(28.3±8.6)次/h、(85.4±3.2)%和(93.7±1.6)%,治疗后与治疗前相比AHI下降,最低Sa O_2和平均Sa O_2升高,差异具有统计学意义(P均0.05)。治疗后,患者的24 h SBP、24 h DBP、d SBP、d DBP、n SBP及n DBP值均低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论高血压合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者存在血压昼夜变化异常,CPAP治疗可改善患者睡眠质量和血压。     

持续气道正压通气对冠心病合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者血压和昼间嗜睡的影响

目的:探讨持续气道正压通气(CPAP)对冠心病合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)患者血压和昼间嗜睡的影响.方法:入选24例冠心病合并中重度OSA的患者(简称CPAP组),进行1个月的CPAP治疗加最优化的药物治疗;同时选择24例匹配的患者作为对照组,仅给予最优化的药物治疗.基线时记录所有患者的人口学特征、多导睡眠监测的数据等.治疗1个月后,复查两组患者的诊室血压、心率、Epworth嗜睡评分等.结果:与对照组相比,CPAP组舒张压降低,两组的变化值比较差异有统计学意义(CPAP组Δ-5.1±6.5 vs对照组Δ-0.8±6.0(P=0.023);并改善Epworth嗜睡评分(CPAP组Δ-5.2±3.1 vs对照组Δ-0.5±3.2,P<0.001).结论:对于最优化药物治疗的冠心病合并中重度OSA的患者,1个月的CPAP治疗可以显著降低晨起舒张压,改善昼间嗜睡.     

脑梗死患者阻塞性睡眠呼吸紊乱与脑动脉粥样硬化风险的临床分析

目的 评估脑梗死患者合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)时脑动脉粥样硬化的风险.方法 选择经TOAST分型为大动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者进行头颅磁共振血管成像(MRA)及颈动脉彩色超声检查了解颅内外动脉病变的情况,并根据检查结果分为无狭窄、狭窄程度＜50％、狭窄程度≥50％组.所有患者均行多导睡眠图检查(PSG),根据睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)分为正常组:AHI＜5次/h;轻度OSA:5 ～ 15 次/h;中度OSA:15 ～30次/h;重度OSA:AHI≥30 次/h.比较OSA与非OSA患者脑动脉狭窄的程度、数量和狭窄分布的区别.结果 75.0％ (57/76)的患者合并OSA,其中轻度OSA为32例(56.1％),中重度OSA为25例(43.9％),颅内动脉狭窄为80.7％ (46/57),颅外动脉狭窄为54.9％ (28/51);非OSA组19例,颅内、外动脉狭窄为总发生率分别为21.1％(4/19),20.0％ (3/15).分层研究表明,随着AHI的增加,颅内外动脉狭窄的程度增加,分布更广.在轻度OSA组,颅内动脉狭窄≥50％的为28.1％(9/32),多支狭窄为28.1％(9/32),颈动脉硬化为40.7％ (11/27)而在中重度OSA组,颅内动脉狭窄≥50％的为72.0％(18/25),多支狭窄为60％ (15/25),颈动脉硬化为70.8％(17/24).轻、中重度组间差异显著(P＜0.05).前、后循环脑动脉狭窄的分布无明显差异(P=0.588).结论 OSA增加脑动脉粥样硬化风险,OSA程度越重,脑动脉硬化的程度越重,分布越广.应重视对脑梗死患者睡眠呼吸功能的评估和干预.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者残余嗜睡与中枢性睡眠呼吸暂停事件的相关性

目的 探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(obstructive sleep apnea syndrome,OSAS)患者连续气道正压通气(continuous positive airway pressure,CPAP)治疗后残余嗜睡与中枢性睡眠呼吸暂停(central sleep apnea,CSA)事件的相关性以及匹配伺服通气(adaptive Bervo-ventilation,ASV)对CSA相关残余嗜睡的影响. 方法 选择正规使用CPAP治疗且排除其他嗜睡相关疾病的中、重度OSAS患者50例,分为残余嗜睡组(26例)和无残余嗜睡的对照组(24例).2组患者均先后接受自动CPAP治疗1个月和ASV治疗1周.分别比较2组患者治疗前、自动CPAP治疗时及ASV治疗时睡眠期的中枢性睡眠呼吸暂停指数(central sleep apnea index,CSAI),微觉醒指数(micro-arousal index,MAI)等多导睡眠监测参数及白天Epworth嗜睡评分(ESS),采用酶联免疫吸附试验测定肿瘤坏死因子a(tumor necrosis factor-a,TNF-a).两组间比较采用t检验,组内比较使用单因素方差分析,组内3个阶段两两比较采用q检验,两变量相关分析采用Pearson相关检验. 结果 治疗前2组呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea hypoapnea index,AHI)、MAI、最低SpO2、ESS评分及血浆TNF-a水平组间比较差异没有统计学意义(t值分别为0.630、1.223、0.691、0.764和0.192,均P>0.05),但残余嗜睡组患者的CSAJ(14.39±4.21)次/h显著高于对照组[(8.58±5.75)次/h,t=4.097,P＜0.05].自动CPAP治疗1个月时2组的AHI、CSM、MAI和ESS评分均明显低于治疗前(g值为0.87～112.55,均P.＜0.05),但残余嗜睡组CSAI、MAI及ESS评分明显高于对照组[CSM:(7.19±1.75)次/h,(3.37±1.04)次/h,t=9.473,P＜O.05;MAI:(9.00±1.95)次/h,(2.36 4-0.66)次/h,f=14.385,P＜0.05;ESS:(9.54 4-0.51)分,(5.42±1.32)分,t=2.857,P＜0.05].ASV治疗时残余嗜睡组与对照组的CSAI、MAI及白天ESS评分均进一步下降,尤以残余嗜睡组的下降更为明显.此外残余嗜睡组内血浆TNF-a水平与治疗前(17.2±3.3)残余嗜睡,μg/L相比,自动CPAP治疗时(16.5 4-3.6)μg/L无明显下降(q值为11.696,P>0.05),但在ASV治疗时(12.6±3.4)μg/L与治疗前相比显著降低(q值为11.696,P＜0.05).血浆TNF-a水平与ESS评分呈显著正线性相关(r=0.503,P＜0.01),与MAI亦呈显著正相关(r=0.545,P＜0.01). 结论 经自动CPAP治疗后OSAS患者的残余嗜睡与治疗前、中存在的CSA事件频率有关.ASV在显著降低CSAI的同时也明显改善了提示ASV可有效治疗OSAS患者的残余嗜睡.TNF-a也与残余嗜睡患者的嗜睡程度相关,可能参与了残余嗜睡的发生.     

慢性心力衰竭患者合并睡眠呼吸紊乱的发生情况及胰岛素、内皮素水平变化

目的 观察慢性舒张性和收缩性心力衰竭患者睡眠呼吸紊乱(SDB)发生情况及胰岛素、内皮素变化.方法 对舒张性和收缩性心衰患者应用便携式睡眠监测仪进行睡眠监测,根据呼吸紊乱指数(AHI)将患者分为SDB组(AHI＞ 10次／h)和非SDB组(AHI≤10次／h),观察两组AHI与血氧饱和度(SaO2)(最低SaO2、SaO2＜ 90％占总记录时间百分比)和心率(最低心率、最高心率和最大心率变化)的关系及两组胰岛素、内皮素水平.结果 舒张性心衰90例患者有40例(44％)分为SDB组,均存在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA),其中有7例并存中枢性睡眠呼吸暂停(CSA);50例为非SDB组,两组AHI分别为(23.0±14.6)次／h和(5.1±2.4)次／h,SDB组最低SaO2更低、SaO2 ＜90％时间更长;AHI与SaO2＜ 90％的时间正相关,与最低SaO2负相关(均P＜0.05);SDB组和非SDB组发生严重心动过缓(心率≤40次／min)分别为80％ (32/40)和28％(14/50),SDB组最低心率更低,并与AHI负相关,最大心率变化与AHI正相关(均P＜0.05);20例SDB组与30例非SDB组空腹血糖无显著性差异(P＞0.05),SDB组餐后2h血糖、空腹及餐后2h血胰岛素浓度、内皮素浓度都高于非SDB组(P＜0.05).收缩性心衰54.5％患者(12/22)合并SDB,均为OSA,4例合并CSA并呈陈-施呼吸;SDB组和非SDB组AHI分别为(25.9±12.5)次／h和(5.8±2.5)次／h,SDB组最低SaO2更低,SaO2＜90％的时间更长;AHI与最低SaO2负相关,与SaO2 ＜90％的时间正相关;AHI与LVEF负相关(均P＜0.05).结论 慢性舒张性、收缩性心力衰竭合并SDB的患病率很高,且伴发严重夜间低氧血症,可致患者夜间出现严重心动过缓、内皮功能损害、胰岛素抵抗.     

子痫时可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1的变化

目的 研究可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1(sVEGFR-1)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在子痫前期及子痫患者血清中的浓度变化,探讨sVEGFR-1和VEGF在妊娠期高血压(子痫前期及子痫)中的作用.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)分别测定轻度子痫前期(n=9)、重度子痫前期(n=10)及子痫(n=5)患者(子痫组,总共n=24)与正常妊娠妇女(对照组,n=18)外周血清中sVEGFR-1和VEGF的浓度.结果 (1)子痫组各组外周血清中sVEGFR-1水平[子痫前期轻度:(58±7)mg/L、子痫前期重度:(82±15)mg/L、子痫:(96±13)mg/L]明显高于对照组[(11±3)mg/L,P＜0.01],子痫前期重度和子痫组高于子痫前期轻度组(P＜0.05);(2)子痫组各组外周血血清中VEGF水平[子痫前期轻度:(0.37±0.04)mg/L、子痫前期重度:(0.24±0.04)mg/L、子痫:(0.16±0.01)mg/L]明显低于对照组[(0.43±0.04)mg/L,P(0.05～0.01],子痫前期重度和子痫组低于子痫前期轻度组(P＜0.05～0.01);(3)正常妊娠妇女外周血血清中sVEGFR-1水平与妊娠周数成正相关(r=0.508,P＜0.05),子痫前期及子痫组血清中sVEGFR-1水平与妊娠周数无关.结论 外周血中升高的sVEGFR-1和降低的VEGF可能与妊娠期高血压(子痫前期及子痫)的发病有关,并参与了子痫前期及子痫的病理生理过程.     

持续正压通气对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停合并难治性高血压患者血压影响的Meta分析

目的:系统性评价持续气道正压通气(CPAP)对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSA)合并难治性高血压患者血压的影响。方法:计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、ScienceDirect、Web of Science等数据库并手工检索相关期刊,查找CPAP治疗对OSA合并难治性高血压患者血压影响的临床随机对照试验(RCT),对符合条件的RCT,逐一评价质量,提取资料,采用RevMan5.3和R 3.2.2软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入7篇RCT研究。Meta分析结果显示:CPAP治疗后,患者24h平均收缩压/舒张压较对照组有显著改善(P0.05)。24h平均收缩压/舒张压合并效应统计结果为:[WMD=-5.36,95%CI:(-8.60,-2.11),P=0.001;I~2=70%]/[WMD=-4.21,95%CI:(-6.39,-2.04),P=0.000 01;I~2=79%]。结论:CPAP治疗可有效地降低OSA合并难治性高血压患者的血压。     

持续气道正压通气对重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征合并高血压患者血压及血清瘦素水平的影响研究

目的探讨持续气道正压通气(CPAP)对重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)合并高血压患者血压及血清瘦素水平的影响。方法选取我院2011年3月—2014年3月收治的资料完整的重度OSAHS合并高血压患者98例,采用随机数字表法分为对照组40例和治疗组58例。对照组患者给予常规降压药物治疗,治疗组患者在常规降压药物治疗基础上给予CPAP。观察两组患者治疗前、治疗6个月后夜间收缩压、夜间舒张压、24 h平均收缩压、24 h平均舒张压、呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、最低动脉血氧饱和度(SaO2)、最长呼吸暂停时间、血清瘦素水平。结果组间比较:两组患者治疗前夜间收缩压、夜间舒张压、24 h平均收缩压、24 h平均舒张压、AHI、最低SaO2、最长呼吸暂停时间及血清瘦素水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗组患者治疗后夜间收缩压、夜间舒张压、24 h平均收缩压、24 h平均舒张压、AHI及血清瘦素水平低于对照组,最低SaO2高于对照组,最长呼吸暂停时间短于对照组(P0.05)。组内比较:对照组患者治疗后24 h平均收缩压、24 h平均舒张压较治疗前降低(P0.05),而治疗前后夜间收缩压、夜间舒张压、AHI、最低SaO2、最长呼吸暂停时间及血清瘦素水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗组患者治疗后夜间收缩压、夜间舒张压、24 h平均收缩压、24 h平均舒张压、AHI及血清瘦素水平均较治疗前降低,最低SaO2较治疗前升高,最长呼吸暂停时间较治疗前缩短(P0.05)。直线相关分析结果显示,重度OSAHS合并高血压患者治疗后24 h平均收缩压与AHI呈正相关(r=0.587,P0.05),与最低SaO2呈负相关(r=-0.519,P0.05),与血清瘦素水平呈正相关(r=0.497,P0.05)。结论在常规降压药物治疗基础上联合CAPA治疗可有效减少重度OSAHS合并高血压患者夜间间歇性低氧血症,降低交感神经兴奋性及血清瘦素水平,进而使其血压降低,有利于更好地控制血压。     

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.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

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.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

N-acetyl-L-cysteine combined with mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis： Randomized,placebo-controlled pilot study

AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral N-acetyl-L-cysteine （NAC） co-administration with mesalamine in ulcerative colitis （UC） patients.
METHODS： Thirty seven patients with mild to moderate UC were randomized to receive a four-wk course of oral mesalamine （2.4 g/d） plus N-acetyl-L-cysteine （0.8 g/d） （group A） or mesalamine plus placebo （group B）. Patients were monitored using the Modified Truelove-Witts Severity Index （MTWSI）. The primary endpoint was clinical remission （MTWSI ≤ 2） at 4 wk. Secondary endpoints were clinical response （defined as a reduction from baseline in the MTWSI of ≥ 2 points） and drug safety. The serum TNF-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and MCP-1 were evaluated at baseline and at 4 wk of treatment. RESULTS： Analysis per-protocol criteria showed clinical remission rates of 63% and 50% after 4 wk treatment with mesalamine plus N-acetyl-L-cysteine （group A） and mesalamine plus placebo （group B） respectively （OR = 1.71; 95% CI： 0.46 to 6.36; P = 0.19; NNT = 7.7）. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） of data indicated a significant reduction of MTWSI in group A （P = 0.046） with respect to basal condition without significant changes in the group B （P = 0.735） during treatment. Clinical responses were 66% （group A） vs 44% （group B） after 4 wk of treatment （OR = 2.5; 95% CI： 0.64 to 9.65; P = 0.11; NNT = 4.5）. Clinical improvement in group A correlated with a decrease of IL-8 and MCP-1. Rates of adverse events did not differ significantly between both groups.
CONCLUSION： In group A （oral NAC combined with mesalamine） contrarily to group B （mesalamine alone）, the clinical improvement correlates with a decrease of chemokines such as MCP-1 and IL-8. NAC addition not produced any side effects.     

Delorme's transrectal excision for internal rectal prolapse

Surgical therapy of functional outlet obstruction in patients with internal rectal intussusception may include abdominal, perineal, or transrectal procedures. Because abdominal procedures often result in significant physiologic impact but unrelieved constipation, the authors have elected Delorme's transrectal excision for management of these patients. Since a short-term placebo effect attends many therapies, this report describes results of transrectal excision only after a threeyear postoperative period. Delorme's transrectal excision of internal intussusception accomplished sustained symptomatic relief in over 70 percent of otherwise refractory constipated patients. The association of internal intussusception with other abnormalities underscores the importance of defining both anatomic and functional components when selecting patients whose constipation may require surgical therapy. Critical technical elements, surgical pitfalls, and potential complications of the procedure are discussed.Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Toronto, Canada, June 11 to 16, 1989.     

The oral glucose tolerance test: A comparison of the time points on the basis of limit values,normal dispersion,and reproducibility

Summary Time points in the glucose tolerance test (GTT) are compared on the basis of limit values, dispersion within a reference population, and reproducibility. We suggest using the distance between a limit value and the median reference value as a measure of the magnitude of abnormality. The distance between 140 mg/100 ml and the median fasting plasma glucose value is chosen as a standard distance and limits for other points in the GTT are calculated to equal this standard distance of abnormality. We suggest that the probability of correctly interpreting an inividual result is directly related to the reproducibility of the test and inversely related to the percentage of the total range of values which is dispersed among the normal population. The ratio of reproducibility to percentage normal dispersion is proposed as an index of the probability of correctly interpreting an individual result. According to this index, the probability of correct interpretation varies in order: fasting plasma glucose concentration>3-h>2-h>0.5-h>1-h plasma glucose concentration.