炎性标记物对急性脑梗死早期预后的影响

目的探讨炎性标记物对急性脑梗死早期预后的影响。方法连续收集急性脑梗死患者272例,根据高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平分为高hs-CRP组(hs-CRP>3mg/L,116例)和低hs-CRP组(hs-CRP≤3mg/L,156例)。入院后行TOAST分型,美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、Barthel指数(BI)评分和改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分;检测入院后24h内血白细胞、空腹血糖、同型半胱氨酸和hs-CRP;并采用多因素logistic回归分析对急性脑梗死早期预后不良的独立危险因素进行探讨。结果高hs-CRP组年龄、心房颤动、TOAST分型心源性栓塞、同型半胱氨酸、空腹血糖、白细胞和1、7、14dNIHSS评分及1、7、14、90dmRS评分明显高于低hs-CRP组,1、7、14dBI评分明显低于低hs-CRP组,2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。hs-CRP、白细胞、高脂血症、入院1d时BI评分是急性脑梗死早期预后不良的独立危险因素。结论炎性标记物hs-CRP及白细胞计数增高可能是急性脑梗死早期预后不良的独立危险因素。     

西安地区急性脑梗死患者1年预后不良的相关危险因素分析

目的探讨西安地区急性脑梗死患者1年预后不良的相关危险因素。方法通过西安脑卒中数据库平台,收集2015年1月1日~12月31日4所三级甲等医院连续入院的急性脑梗死患者2016例,并分别在患者发病1、3、6个月以及1年时进行随访,以1年随访时改良Rankin评分(mRS评分)分为预后良好组(mRS评分≤2分)1660例,预后不良组(mRS评分≥3分)356例。通过单因素和多因素logistic回归分析急性脑梗死患者1年预后不良的危险因素。结果 2组年龄、入院48h不能行走、入院美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分和白细胞计数比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。多因素logistic回归分析显示:年龄60岁(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.49~3.77,P=0.001)、心房颤动(OR=2.61,95%CI:1.42~4.80,P=0.002)、入院NIHSS评分(OR=1.15,95%CI:1.10~1.21,P=0.001)、入院48h不能行走(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.54~3.65,P=0.001)、白细胞计数10×109/L(OR=1.49,95%CI:1.09~2.72,P=0.010)是急性脑梗死患者1年预后不良的独立危险因素。结论早期识别预后不良危险因素,关注高危人群、进行有针对性的预防,有助于降低急性脑梗死患者1年不良预后的风险。     

西安地区急性脑梗死合并心房颤动患者短期预后的影响因素研究

背景急性脑梗死合并心房颤动(AF)患者的临床特征及预后因地理环境、饮食习惯、经济发展水平等差异而不尽相同。目的探讨西安地区急性脑梗死合并AF患者短期预后的影响因素。方法通过西安脑卒中数据库纳入西安市第一医院、西安市中心医院、西安市第九医院和西安市中医医院2015年收治的急性脑梗死合并AF患者260例,根据随访90 d后改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分分为预后良好组(mRS评分0~2分)155例和预后不良组(mRS评分3~6分)105例。比较两组患者临床特征,急性脑梗死合并AF患者短期预后影响因素分析采用多因素Logistic回归分析。结果(1)预后不良组患者糖尿病发生率、肺炎发生率、入院时NIHSS评分4~13分及≥14分者所占比例、白细胞计数高于预后良好组(P<0.05);两组患者年龄、性别、体质指数、心率、文化程度、吸烟情况、饮酒率、有卒中病史者所占比例、高血压发生率及总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白、空腹血糖、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、碱性磷酸酶、同型半胱氨酸、肌酐、尿素氮、尿酸水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(2)多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,糖尿病〔OR=2.47,95%CI(1.10,6.18)〕、肺炎〔OR=3.28,95%CI(1.17,9.22)〕、入院时NIHSS评分高〔OR=18.36,95%CI(4.93,72.74)〕及白细胞计数升高〔OR=1.12,95%CI(1.02,1.30)〕是西安地区急性脑梗死合并AF患者短期预后不良的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论糖尿病、肺炎、入院时NIHSS评分高及白细胞计数升高是西安地区急性脑梗死合并AF患者短期预后不良的独立危险因素,临床应及早识别、筛查高危人群并给予有针对性的预防和干预措施,以降低患者短期预后不良发生风险。     

急性脑梗死早期患者血糖水平对预后的影响

目的：观察急性脑梗死早期患者血糖水平对预后的影响。方法104例发病72 h内入院的急性脑梗死患者,入院后立即行血清葡萄糖测试,采用美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（ NIHSS）进行评分,运用改良Rankin残障量表评分（mRs）评估预后。结果104例急性脑梗死患者中,43例（41．3％）出现高血糖,高血压（OR＝3．655,95％CI：1．218～10．969,P＜0．05）、糖尿病（OR＝17．714,95％CI：3．568～87．939,P＜0．05）、NIHSS评分（OR＝2．731,95％CI：1．637～5．458,P＜0．05）为急性脑梗死后高血糖的独立危险因素。 NIHSS评分（OR＝0．322,95％CI：0．181～0．572,P＜0．05）、高血糖（OR＝6．782,95％CI：1．654～26．373,P＜0．05）为预后不良的独立危险因素。结论部分急性脑梗死患者早期血糖升高,高血糖为急性脑梗死预后不良的独立危险因素。     

急性缺血性卒中患者早期神经功能恶化的预测因素

目的 探讨急性缺血性卒中患者早期神经功能恶化(early neurologic deterioration,END)的危险因素.方法 回顾性纳入急性缺血性卒中患者,收集患者的临床资料和实验室检查结果.根据发病后7d内美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分变化分为END组与非END组,END定义为NIHSS评分较基线水平增加≥3分.采用多变量logistic回归分析确定急性缺血性卒中患者END的独立危险因素.结果 共纳入328例急性缺血性卒中患者,其中74例(22.6％)发生END,254例(77.4％)未发生END.END组男性、高血压、既往卒中或短暂性脑缺血发作史、脑干或小脑梗死、入院前使用抗高血压药的患者构成比以及入院前收缩压均显著高于非END组(P均＜0.05),白细胞计数、中性粒细胞百分比、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、空腹血糖、高半胱氨酸、C反应蛋白和纤维蛋白原水平均显著高于非END组(P均＜0.05).多变量logistic回归分析显示,白细胞计数[优势比(odds ratio,OR)2.126,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)1.240 ～4.325);P=0.028]、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(OR 2.486,95％ CI 1.932 ～6.021;P=0.036)、高半胱氨酸(OR 2.787,95％ CI 1.194 ～6.902;P=0.036)和C反应蛋白(OR 3.416,95％ CI 1.552～10.650;P =0.032)较高是急性缺血性卒中患者发生END的独立预测因素.结论 白细胞计数、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高半胱氨酸和C反应蛋白较高是急性缺血性卒中患者END的独立预测因素.     

醒后卒中的临床特点及早期预后研究

目的探讨醒后卒中的临床特点及早期预后情况。方法前瞻性、连续性纳入2017年4月至9月所有入住重庆医科大学附属第一医院神经内科发病3 d以内的274例急性缺血性卒中患者,根据发病时间是否明确分为醒后卒中组与非醒后卒中组,随访发病90 d改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分,将醒后卒中患者分为预后良好组(mRS评分0～1分)及预后不良组(mRS评分≥2分),分析醒后卒中的临床特点、预后情况及影响早期预后的因素。收集所有患者人口学及基线临床资料、影像学特点、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、格拉斯哥昏迷量表(GCS)评分、急性卒中治疗Org10172试验(TOAST)卒中病因分型。采用单因素分析比较醒后卒中组与非醒后卒中组以及醒后卒中患者预后良好组与预后不良组间各因素的差异,采用多元Logistic回归方程分析醒后卒中早期预后不良的独立危险因素。结果 274例急性缺血性卒中患者中,醒后卒中70例(25.5%),其中47例预后良好,23例预后不良。单因素分析显示,醒后卒中与非醒后卒中的危险因素、病情严重程度、TOAST病因分型及90 d预后差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05),醒后卒中组血清白蛋白水平明显高于非醒后卒中组(P0.05)。醒后卒中患者预后良好组与预后不良组患者间入院NIHSS评分、入院NIHSS评分≥5分、入院GCS评分差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,入院NIHSS评分≥5分(OR=7.042,95%CI:1.770～28.013,P0.05)是醒后卒中早期预后不良的独立危险因素。结论醒后卒中与非醒后卒中具有相似的危险因素、疾病严重程度、TOAST卒中病因学分型及早期预后,入院NIHSS评分≥5分是醒后卒中早期预后不良的独立危险因素。     

中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的预测价值

目的探讨入院时外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2018年1月—2018年12月在扬州市江都人民医院住院的急性脑出血病人128例,根据3个月时改良Rankin评分量表(mRS)评分分为预后良好组(mRS≤3分)87例,预后不良组(mRS3分)41例,单因素分析两组病人入院时的临床、影像学及实验室资料,采用二分类Logistic回归分析探讨影响急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的危险因素,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价NLR对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的预测价值。结果①128例急性脑出血病人中预后不良41例(32.0%)。②与预后良好组相比,预后不良组病人糖尿病病史、脑卒中病史、饮酒史的比例以及年龄、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分均升高,血肿体积大,出血破入脑室比例高,白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、NLR及入院时即刻血糖(ABG)升高,淋巴细胞计数低(P均0.05)。③二分类Logistic回归分析显示,年龄[OR=1.120,95%CI(1.026,1.222),P0.05]、血肿体积[OR=1.165,95%CI(1.038,1.307),P0.01]、NLR[OR=1.260,95%CI(1.042,1.525),P0.05]、ABG[OR=1.707,95%CI(1.112,2.621),P0.05]及NIHSS评分[OR=1.304,95%CI(1.110,1.530),P0.01]升高为急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的独立危险因素。④Spearman和Pearson相关性分析显示,NLR与基线NIHSS评分和血肿体积之间均呈明显的正相关(P0.05);⑤ROC曲线分析表明,NLR预测急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的曲线下面积为0.817[95%CI(0.744～0.890),P0.001],预测价值优于白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、淋巴细胞计数。结论入院时升高的NLR值对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良有一定的预测价值。     

血清胆碱酯酶水平与急性脑梗死患者病情严重程度及预后的关系研究

目的探讨血清胆碱酯酶(CHE)水平与急性脑梗死患者病情严重程度及预后的关系。方法选取2012—2016年上海市松江区方塔中医医院收治的急性脑梗死患者90例,根据美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分分为A组(NIHSS评分≥5分,n=44)与B组(NIHSS评分5分,n=46);根据改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分分为预后良好组(mRS评分0~2分,n=41)与预后不良组(mRS评分3~6分,n=49)。比较A组与B组患者血清CHE水平,血清CHE水平与急性脑梗死患者NIHSS评分的相关性分析采用Pearson相关性分析;比较预后良好组与预后不良组患者临床资料,急性脑梗死患者预后的影响因素分析采用多因素Logistic回归分析。结果 A组患者血清CHE水平低于B组(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,血清CHE水平与急性脑梗死患者NIHSS评分呈负相关(r=-0.436,P0.05)。预后良好组与预后不良组患者性别、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)及血清总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);预后不良组患者年龄大于预后良好组,NIHSS评分、空腹血糖(FPG)及血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、C反应蛋白(CRP)水平高于预后良好组,血清CHE水平低于预后良好组(P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄[OR=1.99,95%CI(1.66,2.39)]、NIHSS评分[OR=3.77,95%CI(2.59,5.48)]、FPG[OR=3.01,95%CI(1.99,4.54)]是急性脑梗死患者预后良好的危险因素,血清CHE水平[OR=0.92,95%CI(0.88,0.96)]是急性脑梗死患者预后良好的保护因素(P0.05)。结论血清CHE水平与急性脑梗死患者病情严重程度有关,年龄、NIHSS评分、FPG是急性脑梗死患者预后良好的危险因素,血清CHE水平是急性脑梗死患者预后良好的保护因素。     

尿酸与急性缺血性脑卒中早期预后关系的研究

目的探讨血清尿酸与急性缺血性脑卒中早期预后的关系。方法选择2015年3月～2016年3月西安交通大学第一附属医院神经内科连续住院治疗的急性缺血性脑卒中患者421例,根据出院时预后情况分为预后良好组232例[改良的Rankin评分(modified Rankin scale,mRS)0～2分],预后不良组189例(mRS 3～6分)。采集整理患者入院时人口学信息、血管相关危险因素、尿酸等实验室指标、影像学资料及疾病相关临床指标,包括美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(national institutes of health stroke scale,NIHSS)评分。对2组患者上述临床特点进行比较,并通过非条件logistic回归分析尿酸与急性缺血性脑卒中早期预后的关系。结果预后不良组心房颤动、收缩压、TC、LDL、尿素、NIHSS评分、脑梗死位于大脑前动脉及大脑中动脉、住院时间、死亡和出院mRS评分明显高于预后良好组,尿酸和格拉斯哥昏迷评分明显低于预后良好组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。非条件logistic回归分析显示,收缩压、NIHSS评分和尿酸为急性缺血性脑卒中患者预后不良的主要因素(OR=1.017,95%CI:1.003～1.031,P=0.018;OR=1.274,95%CI:1.178～1.378,P=0.000;OR=0.993,95%CI:0.989～0.996,P=0.000)。结论血清低尿酸可能与急性缺血性脑卒中早期预后不良相关。     

微量白蛋白尿与急性缺血性卒中的严重程度和转归的关系

目的 探讨微量白蛋白尿(microalbuminuria,MAU)与急性缺血性卒中的危险因素、病情严重程度及转归的关系.方法 前瞻性纳入连续的急性缺血性卒中患者,根据尿白蛋白/肌酐比率(urine albumin/creatinine ratio,UACR)分为MAU阳性组(≥30 mg/g)和MAU阴性组(＜30 mg/g),根据改良Rankin量表(modified Rankin Scale,mRS)评分分为转归良好组(0～2分)和转归不良组(＞2分),对各项人口统计学和临床资料进行比较,并分析急性缺血性卒中转归不良和MAU阳性的独立因素.结果 共纳入156例急性缺血性卒中患者,其中男性84例,女性72例;年龄53～ 78岁,平均(65.4±6.2)岁;发病至入院时间为1.5～28 h;94例转归良好,62例转归不良,无死亡病例;76例MAU阳性,80例MAU阴性.多变量logistic回归分析显示,高龄[优势比(odds ratio,OR)1.992,95％可信区间(c onfidence interval,CI)1.108～2.374;P=0.015]、合并糖尿病(OR 2.497,95％ CI1.177～5.298;P =0.017)和心房颤动(OR 2.338,95％ CI1.062 ～5.148;P=0.035)、高血清高半胱氨酸(homocysteine,Hcy)水平(OR 2.541,95％ CI 1.073～6.02;P=0.047)和UACR(OR 2.130,95％ CI1.396 ～3.017;P =0.001)、MAU阳性(OR 3.291,95％ CI1.681 ～6.444;P=0.001)、高基线美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分(OR9.196,95％ CI2.828～19.815;P ＜0.001)是急性缺血性卒中患者转归不良的独立危险因素.MAU阳性组合并糖尿病的患者比例(P=0.038)以及空腹血糖水平(P=0.025)、血清Hcy水平(P=0.022)和颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度(intima-media thickness,IMT)(P=0.019)与MAU阴性组存在显著性差异.MAU阳性组前循环梗死比例较低(P=0.033),基线NIHSS评分(P=0.003)和转归不良率较高(P＜0.001).多变量logistic回归分析显示,合并糖尿病(OR 2.237,95％ CI1.036 ～4.829;P =0.040)以及空腹血糖(OR 1.223,95％ CI1.145 ～1.673;P=0.027)和Hcy水平(OR 2.542,95％ CI 1.047～6.612;P=0.025)、颈动脉IMT(OR1.295,95％ CI1.106 ～1.362;P=0.023)和基线NIHSS评分(OR1.206,95％ CI1.044 ～1.219;P =0.023)增高与急性缺血性卒中患者MAU阳性独立相关.结论 MAU阳性是急性缺血性卒中转归不良的独立危险因素之一,且与急性缺血性卒中的部分危险因素密切相关,并对急性缺血性卒中病情严重程度和转归有着显著的影响.     

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.