Aetiological, clinical and therapeutic prognostic factors for the evolution of deep vein thrombosis followed up with serial venous Doppler ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a dynamic process that can be followed up with Doppler ultrasound (DUS). AIMS: To evaluate the role of certain factors that can influence the evolution of DVT. METHODS: In 121 DVT patients (mean age 58.19 ± 14.47 years; 30 with no venous thromboembolism (VTE) identifiable risk factors (RF), 31 with weak RF, 30 with moderate RF and 30 with strong RF), DUS was performed at admission and after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Favourable evolution was defined as complete resolution of thrombus, whereas unfavourable evolution was defined as incomplete resolution, thrombosis recurrence or post-thrombotic syndrome. RESULTS: Complete thrombus resolution was found at 1 month (M1) in 24.8% of patients, at 6 months (M6) in 49.6% and at 24 months (M24) in 61.2% of patients. Favourable evolution was seen in younger patients at M1 and M3 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.045) and in cases with earlier treatment (P < 0.0001). In proximal DVT, the risk of non-favourable evolution was higher (4.05 times at M3, 4.23 times at M6 and 4.29 times at M12). Patients with moderate RF had an earlier favourable evolution (40% at M1, 56.67% at M6 and 70% at M24), and patients with strong RF had the lowest rate of thrombus regression (20% at M1, 36.67% at M6 and 43.33% at M24). CONCLUSIONS: DVT evolution can last up to 24 months. Older age, strong VTE RF, proximal DVT localisation and late start of therapy constitute unfavourable evolutive prognosis. These cases need closer clinical and DUS monitoring to prevent complications.

Exploring the relation between mortality and left ventricular structure and function in stable hemodialysis treated patients, a longitudinal multicenter cohort study.

Left ventricular (LV) structure and function anomalies are frequent during the CKD continuum and are associated with increased risk of mortality. Cross section and longitudinal ultrasound data are available for advanced CKD and transition to ESKD. Less information is available about LV changes during stable, long-term hemodialysis (HD) treatment. All stable HD patients from 9 HD centers (1034 patients, 671 males, age 58.71 ± 12.94 years) have been enrolled in January 2015. The cohort was followed-up for 4 years, kidney transplantation or death. Yearly, two-dimensional and M-mode continuous and Pulse Doppler echocardiography were performed. During the follow-up, the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities significantly increased (p < 0.0001), coronary artery disease (CAD) from 73.5 to 88.8%, peripheral artery disease (PAD) from 29 to 40.9%, cerebral vascular disease (CVD) from 20.4 to 30.8%, heart valves calcification (VC) from 65.6 to 89.3% and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) from 67.6 to 76.5%. The mortality risk increased with the presence of CAD (1.59-fold), PAD (1.61-fold), CVD (1.59-fold), and VC (1.77-fold). Mortality risk was increased in those with LVEF < 50% (LVEF 40-49% 1.5-fold and LVEF < 40% 2.3 fold). Among the survivors of the first year, LVEF varied (> 5% decrease, > 5% increase and ± 5% variations). More than 5% increase of LVEF was associated with higher mortality risk (crude 1.5-fold, adjusted 1.43-fold) compared to stationary EF (p = 0.001). Cardiovascular disease progresses during stable long-term HD therapy and increases mortality risk. HF becomes highly prevalent but only HF with decreased LVEF < 50% is associated with increased risk of mortality.

The Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis toAmbrosia Elatior in OlteniaArea and the Association with Allergic Conjunctivitis or Asthma.

Introduction-Ambrosia elatior pollen sensitivity can lead to respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. Ambrosia is quite an important source of pollen and it is thought to be an invasive plant. Sensitivity prevalence to Ambrosia pollen varies from one country to another. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of pollen allergic rhinitis caused by Ambrosia elatior in the Oltenia area located in the south west part of Romania. Material and method - The study was carried on 1004 patients with allergic rhinitis. All the patients experienced symptoms of allergic rhinitis, associated with /without conjunctivitis or asthma, and positive skin tests to aeroallergens. Results - In the group under study, 48,80% of the cases are sensitized to Ambrosia elatior pollen. The number of patients with allergic rhinitis and pollen sensitivity to Ambrosia is higher in 2014-2015 compared to 2012, i.e. 282 cases and the symptoms are moderate-severe. Conclusions - Ambrosia elatior pollen has become a major source of aeroallergen in Oltenia area.

Biochemical correlations between some organs and the liver after acute ethanol intoxication in rats.

The influence of different doses of ethanol on the phospholipid metabolism in rat was investigated with 32P. Male rats received by oral intubation a single intoxicating dose of ethanol (3.5 or 5.8 g/kg body wt) as a 45% solution. The corresponding control rats received an equal volume of water. The rats were killed at 2, 4, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The liver, brain, kidney and spleen responses depend on the administered dose and vary with time.

Phospholipid variation in acute ethanol intoxication in rats.

The effects of acute ethanol intoxication in different rat organs were studied with 32P. Since 32P incorporation in all compounds of cell membrane formation faithfully illustrate their structural and functional integrity, levels of 32P labelled phospholipids, from different organs were investigated in acute experiments. Researches were carried out on male rats, by administering doses of 3.5 and 5.8 g/kg body wt., and killing them at 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The response of the liver, brain, kidneys and spleen depends on the administered dose and varies with time.

Histochemical changes in the digestive tract in irradiated rats.

Wistar rats (110-125 g) were irradiated with a single dose of 500 R. Histochemical studies were done concerning the glycoproteins (GP) of sublingual glands, gastric, small intestine and colon mucosa, and some intestinal enzymes: acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP, ALP) leucineaminopeptidase (LAP), Mg-dependent ATP-ase, NADH-diaphorase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). After irradiation all these reactions were diminished, with a maximal effect between 3-5 days. This impairment is in accord with the maximal lethality in this interval after such a degree of irradiation that produced the gastrointestinal syndrome. Cocarboxylase, a radioprotector, improved these changes regarding the structures of the small intestine and also the GP of sublingual glands, stomach, small intestine and colon, demonstrating there its efficiency.

Serum alphaphetoprotein in chronic hepatitis. Scintigraphic correlations.

On studying a number of 59 patients with chronic active hepatitis and with hepatic cirrhosis, with 37% and 41% cases respectively our research-works have proved increased serum AFP concentrations varying between 30-45 ng/ml, their values being much larger in active hepatic cirrhosis. The significant increase in aminotransferase and bilirubin has been correlated with a more severe stage of the hepatic disease. The gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) assays for 9 of the 17 cases with active chronic hepatitis and for 17 cases with alcoholic hepatitis have shown a 6-15 times increase of this enzyme as compared to the other cases. Very high values of AFP, ranging between 300-900 ng/ml, have been found in the hepatic adenocirrhosis cases. A certain correlation between the AFP modifications and the scintigraphy has been found in 5 of the cases with malignant changes, in contrast with the AFP low and sporadic increase in the case of other gastrointestinal tract tumors. The scintigraphic modifications have been evident with low or multiple lacunary fixations, in considerable sizes and forms, with irregular edges, their dimensions, depending upon the disease evolution stage.

Effects of chronic ethanol intake on isozyme patterns of liver alcohol dehydrogenase.

ADH isozyme patterns in cirrhotic humans who had chronic alcoholic histories were studied to elucidate the relationship between their changes and the degree of liver damage. Liver ADH activity was significantly reduced in alcoholic cirrhosis. Electrophoretic separation of ADH isozyme revealed three fractions : two faster moving anodic isozymes (A1, A2) and one cathodic from the intermediate mobility (C). No significant differences was observed in the ADH isozyme patterns among control cases. The percentages of A1, A2 and C forms were 15 - 20%, 60 - 70% and 5 - 10% of the total enzyme activities, respectively. The isozyme patterns of ADH in the liver of cirrhotic patients were somewhat different from those in control cases : the average activity of A1 and C isozyme decreased markedly while the A2 form could not be observed.