Two-dimensional, M-mode and Doppler-derived echocardiographic parameters in sedated healthy growing female sheep

Despite the fact that sheep are a widely used animal model in cardiovascular research, reference values for transthoracic echocardiography in normal growing animals are not available. Eight healthy female lambs underwent two-dimensional, M-mode and pulsed wave Doppler echocardiographic examination at 100 days of age and every three months thereafter over a 12-month period. The study was conducted under sedation with midazolam, butorphanol and constant rate infusion of intravenous propofol. Their growth phase was completed at about one year of age. All the echocardiographic parameters considered were significantly correlated with body weight and age class except for the left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters. Functional indices were not correlated to body weight or age except for the E-point to septal separation distance (EPSS). Doppler-derived parameters were not influenced by independent variables. Transthoracic echocardiography can be considered an applicable method for cardiovascular research using a growing lamb animal model after appropriate adjustments for age and body size.

Resting state cortical electroencephalographic rhythms and white matter vascular lesions in subjects with Alzheimer's disease: an Italian multicenter study

Resting state electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms do not deteriorate with the increase of white matter vascular lesion in amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects [1], although white matter is impaired along Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we tested whether this is true even in AD subjects. Closed-eye resting state EEG data were recorded in 40 healthy elderly (Nold), 96 amnesic MCI, and 83 AD subjects. White matter vascular lesions were indexed by magnetic resonance imaging recorded in the MCI and AD subjects (about 42% of cases following ADNI standards). The MCI subjects were divided into two sub-groups based on the median of the white matter lesion, namely MCI+ (people with highest vascular load; n = 48) and MCI- (people with lowest vascular load; n = 48). The same was true for the AD subjects (AD+, n = 42; AD-, n = 41). EEG rhythms of interest were delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha1 (8-10.5 Hz), alpha2 (10.5-13 Hz), beta1 (13-20 Hz), beta2 (20-30 Hz), and gamma (30-40 Hz). LORETA software estimated cortical EEG sources. When compared to Nold group, MCI and AD groups showed well known abnormalities of delta and alpha sources. Furthermore, amplitude of occipital, temporal, and limbic alpha 1 sources were higher in MCI+ than MCI- group. As a novelty, amplitude of occipital delta sources was lower in AD+ than AD- group. Furthermore, central, parietal, occipital, temporal, and limbic alpha sources were higher in amplitude in AD+ than AD- group. Amplitude of these sources was correlated to global cognitive status (i.e., Mini Mental State Evaluation score). These results suggest that in amnesic MCI and AD subjects, resting state posterior delta and alpha EEG rhythms do not deteriorate with the increase of white-matter vascular lesion. These rhythms might be more sensitive to AD neurodegenerative processes and cognitive status rather than to concomitant lesions to white matter.

The effects of different environmental conditions on thermoregulation and clinical and hematological variables in long-distance road-transported calves

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-distance road transport (19 h, from Poland to Italy) during 2 seasons (summer vs. winter) on clinical and hematological variables in calves. The environmental temperature range that could compromise the thermoregulation system (thermal stress) of the calves was tested. For the 7 Holstein calves in each transport, the BW and rectal temperature (RT) were measured, and blood samples were collected at the farm of origin, before loading at the transit center (T2), after unloading at the farm of destination (T3), and 1, 2, 3, and 4 d after arrival. The body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored from T2 to T3. The data were statistically analyzed according to a mixed model that considered the fixed effects of transport (repeated measurements), season of journey, and their interaction. Within the observed temperature-humidity index (THI) range (30 to 80), effective thermoregulation allowed the calves to maintain their BT with small physiologic changes to prevent thermal stress, particularly in the summer. With no seasonal differences, the HR was greater at loading than unloading (120 vs. 115 beats per min; P = 0.012). As for the transport effect, the BW was less (P < 0.001) after unloading, and the RT was greater (P = 0.004). This effect was more marked in summer. The hematological variables indicated a moderate effect of transport on the hydration condition, reactive and muscular systems, and metabolism, although hematocrit (P = 0.004), erythrocytes, cortisol, NEFA, β-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase activity (P < 0.001), and total protein (P = 0.007) were greater after unloading. This was confirmed by a moderate decrease in total leukocytes (P = 0.031) and glucose concentration (P = 0.002). The changes in the clinical variables were similar for both seasons even though in the summer, hematocrit (P < 0.001), urea (P = 0.008), and total protein (P = 0.010) increased and glucose concentration (P = 0.038) decreased. In conclusion, the data did not show a pronounced effect attributable to the season of the journey. Long-distance road transport leads to notable changes in clinical and hematological variables at the end of the journey. However, these variables remained within their physiological ranges and returned to basal values within a few days after the journey.

[Pressure and metabolic effects of terazosin in essential hypertension]

To assess the efficacy and safety of different doses of the alpha-1 blocker terazosin on long-term therapy, 12 essential hypertensives (7 males, 5 females, aged 27-61) were investigated. The study was conducted according to the Latin square design and each patient underwent 4 periods of treatment with 2, 5, 10 mg/day terazosin and placebo, in a double-blind, randomized order. Each treatment lasted 4 weeks. In comparison to placebo, a fall in diastolic pressure was observed already with the 2 mg/daily dose, with a decrease > 10 mmHg in 7 patients (responders). Body weight increased in a dose dependent manner, while atrial natriuretic peptide, serum glucose and insulin during oral glucose tolerance test, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides were unaffected. It is concluded that terazosin is effective and safe in essential hypertensives already at 2 mg daily dose. Further reduction in blood pressure at higher doses is likely to be counteracted by salt and water retention.

[The clinical usefulness of tumor markers in thyroid neoplastic pathology. Our experience]

The authors report on the last 100 cases of intervention in which thyroid pathology has been used and also prove how, in their experience, thyroglobulin is an MO, highly specific for CDT. In some cases its dosage changes even in the course of benign thyroid pathology but the value has never exceeded, in these cases, twice the norm. This also confirms, therefore the importance of this MO for the follow up of patients operated on using CDT.

Spirometric lung function. Distribution and determinants of test failure in a young adult population

Spirometric test failure has been defined as failure by a subject to meet the acceptability and/or reproducibility criteria laid down by the American Thoracic Society for measurements derived from forced expiratory maneuvers. The prevalence and determinants of spirometric test failure were examined in 416 men and women aged 20 to 45 yr working in an office environment. In this study population, 11.5% (28 men and 20 women) exhibited test failure for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The main determinant of test failure in men was bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge (odds ratio 6.7; confidence interval 1.7, 27.1) and in women being a current smoker (odds ratio 4.02; confidence interval 1.13, 14.33). There was also a relationship to eczema in both men and women, but not at a statistically significant level. When FEV1 variability was defined as the difference (in milliliters) between the two best FEV1 values and the results of men and women combined for analysis, significant predictors were a history of eczema, recurrent chest illness in the past 3 yr, and level of bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine. These findings contribute to the gathering evidence that test failure may be of itself an indicator of impaired respiratory health, and its association with bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in men suggests that in them test failure is related to airway lability, but in women the relationship to smoking suggests an irritative mechanism.

[Primary mucinous carcinoid of the ovary]

A case of primary mucinous carcinoid of the ovary observed in a 52-year-old woman is reported after some remarks on the various histogenetic theories. The observation of this extremely rare cancer was fortuitous during surgery carried out for benign pathology in the contralateral organ. Careful postoperative controls absolutely excluded the possibility of a metastatic tumour. The patient was treated by combining surgery with chemotherapy and eight months after operation is apparently free of cancer.

Visual evoked potentials altered by serum IgG of patients with multiple sclerosis

Immunoglobulin G, isolated from serum of patients with multiple sclerosis was repeatedly injected into guinea pigs and serial visual evoked potentials were recorded. Latency changes indicated a reversible delay in conduction velocity in the central visual pathways. This finding suggests that some component of immunoglobulin plays a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.

Urban hospital reaches out to its area's aged

In the medically underserved Bronx, NY, a hospital's gerontology center provides screening, health education, and outpatient services to elderly residents in the community.