ABSTRACT
Antecedentes: Estudiar la posible relación entre la expresión inmunohistoquímica del receptor 1 del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (VEGFR1) y el valor máximo de captación estandarizada (SUVmáx) de la PET 18F-FDG en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas.Material y métodos:El estudio incluyó 39 pacientes con NSCLC (24 carcinomas de células escamosas y 15 adenocarcinomas). Según el estadio clínico, los pacientes se distribuyeron de la siguiente manera: 8 en estadio I, 7 en estadio II, 15 en estadio III y 9 en estadio IV. Se estudió la expresión inmunohistoquímica del VEGFR1 mediante la técnica de la matriz tisular utilizando el dispositivo de arreglo de tejidos (Beecher Instruments, Sun Prairie, WI), utilizando el anticuerpo policlonal contra el VEGFR1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California, EE. UU.).Resultados: Se observó una expresión inmunohistoquímica positiva del VEGFR1 en 23 casos (59%). El número de tumores positivos no se relacionó con el estadio clínico pero hubo una asociación estadísticamente significativa diferente (p: 0,0009) entre la positividad de VEGFR1 y el tipo histológico, correspondiendo los mayores porcentajes de resultados positivos a los adenocarcinomas (93,3%) frente a los carcinomas escamocelulares (37,5%). Asimismo, los valores SUVmáx fueron mayores (p: 0,039) en los carcinomas VEGFR1 negativos que en los tumores VEGFR1 positivos (r: 4-32,1; 16,4+/-6,4 [mediana 16,1] vs. r: 3-47; 14,5+/-8,6 [12,8]).Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados nos llevaron a considerar que en el CPCNP, la expresión inmunohistoquímica negativa de VEGFR1 se asocia significativamente con el subtipo de carcinomas de células escamosas y con valores SUVmáx más altos en 18F-FDG-PET (AU)
Background: To study the possible relation between immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and the maximum standardised uptake value (maxSUV) of 18F-FDG PET in patients with non small cell lung cancer.Material and methods: The study included 39 patients with NSCLC (24 squamous cell carcinomas and 15 adenocarcinomas). According to the clinical stage, the patients were distributed as follows: 8 stage I, 7 stage II, 15 stage III and 9 stage IV. Immunohistochemical expression of VEGFR1 was studied through the technique of tissue-matrix using tissue arrayer device (Beecher Instruments, Sun Prairie, WI), using the polyclonal antibody against VEGFR1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California, USA).Results: Positive VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression was noted in 23 cases (59%). The number of positive tumours was not related with clinical stage but there was a different statistically significant association (p:.0009) between VEGFR1 positivity and histological type, corresponding the greater percentages of positive results to adenocarcinomas (93.3%) versus in squamous cell carcinomas (37.5%). Likewise, maxSUV values were higher (p: .039) in negative VEGFR1 carcinomas than in positive VEGFR1 tumors (r: 4-32.1; 16.4+/-6.4 [median 16.1] vs. r: 3-47; 14.5+/-8.6 [12.8]).Conclusions: Our results led us to consider that in NSCLC, the negative VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression is associated significantly with squamous cell carcinomas subtype and with higher maxSUV values in 18F-FDG-PET (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/pathology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/analysis , Neoplasm Staging , Immunohistochemistry , Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Radiopharmaceuticals , Positron-Emission Tomography , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To study the possible relation between immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and the maximum standardised uptake value (SUV max) of 18F-FDG PET in patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 39 patients with NSCLC (24 squamous cell carcinomas and 15 adenocarcinomas). According to the clinical stage, the patients were distributed as follows: 8 stage I, 7 stage II, 15 stage III and 9 stage IV. Immunohistochemical expression of VEGFR1 was studied through the technique of tissue-matrix using Tissue Arrayer Device (Beecher Instruments, Sun Prairie, WI), using the polyclonal antibody against VEGFR1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California, USA). RESULTS: Positive VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression was noted in 23 cases (59%). The number of positive tumours was not related with clinical stage but there was a different statistically significant association (p:0,0009) between VEGFR1 positivity and histological type, corresponding the greater percentages of positive results to adenocarcinomas (93,3%) versus in squamous cell carcinomas (37,5%). Likewise, SUV max values were higher (p: 0,039) in negative VEGFR1 carcinomas than in positive VEGFR1 tumors (r: 4-32,1; 16,4+/-6,4 (median 16,1) vs r: 3-47; 14,5+/-8,6 (12,8)). CONCLUSIONS: Our results led us to consider that in NSCLC, the negative VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression is associated significantly with squamous cell carcinomas subtype and with higher SUV max values in 18F-FDG-PET.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Lung Neoplasms , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnostic imaging , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , RadiopharmaceuticalsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To study the possible relation between immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and the maximum standardised uptake value (maxSUV) of 18F-FDG PET in patients with non small cell lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 39 patients with NSCLC (24 squamous cell carcinomas and 15 adenocarcinomas). According to the clinical stage, the patients were distributed as follows: 8 stage I, 7 stage II, 15 stage III and 9 stage IV. Immunohistochemical expression of VEGFR1 was studied through the technique of tissue-matrix using tissue arrayer device (Beecher Instruments, Sun Prairie, WI), using the polyclonal antibody against VEGFR1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California, USA). RESULTS: Positive VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression was noted in 23 cases (59%). The number of positive tumours was not related with clinical stage but there was a different statistically significant association (p:.0009) between VEGFR1 positivity and histological type, corresponding the greater percentages of positive results to adenocarcinomas (93.3%) versus in squamous cell carcinomas (37.5%). Likewise, maxSUV values were higher (p: .039) in negative VEGFR1 carcinomas than in positive VEGFR1 tumors (r: 4-32.1; 16.4+/-6.4 [median 16.1] vs. r: 3-47; 14.5+/-8.6 [12.8]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results led us to consider that in NSCLC, the negative VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression is associated significantly with squamous cell carcinomas subtype and with higher maxSUV values in 18F-FDG-PET.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species production is the final step in skin aging. These unstable molecules can damage and destroy DNA, proteins, and membrane phospholipids. The aim of this study was to test the in vitro effect of an antioxidant precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), on human dermal fibroblasts. NAC alone and a solution of NAC and amino acids together, used in aesthetic medicine as intradermal injection treatment, were tested. METHODS: The expression levels of some connective related genes (HAS1, HYAL1, ELN, ELANE, DSP, GDF6, and IGF1) were analyzed on cultures of dermal fibroblasts using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). RESULTS: All genes were upregulated after 24 h of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An interesting effect of gene induction by administration of NAC and amino acids in vitro was demonstrated. Upregulation of elastin-, hyaluronic acid-, and GDF6-encoding genes supports the evidence of clinical improvement induced by NAC biostimulation in the prevention and correction of skin aging.
Subject(s)
Acetylcysteine/pharmacology , Antioxidants/physiology , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Skin Aging/physiology , Amino Acids/administration & dosage , Electrolytes/administration & dosage , Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics , Gene Expression/drug effects , Glucose/administration & dosage , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Injections, Intradermal , Parenteral Nutrition Solutions/administration & dosage , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Solutions/administration & dosageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several authors have used advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate whether patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) have occult damage in normal-appearing brain tissue, similarly to multiple sclerosis (MS). To date, the literature contains no data derived from the combined use of several advanced MRI techniques in the same NMO subjects. OBJECTIVE: We set out to determine whether occult damage could be detected in the normal-appearing brain tissue of a small group of patients with NMO using a multiparametric MRI approach. METHODS: Eight female patients affected by NMO (age range 44-58 years) and seven sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included. The techniques used on a 1.5 T MRI imaging scanner were magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, tract-based spatial statistics, spectroscopy and voxel-based morphometry in order to analyse normal-appearing white matter and normal-appearing grey matter. RESULTS: Structural and metabolic parameters showed no abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter of patients with NMO. Conversely, tract-based spatial statistics demonstrated a selective alteration of the optic pathways and the lateral geniculate nuclei. Diffusion tensor imaging values in the normal-appearing grey matter were found to be significantly different in the patients with NMO versus the healthy controls. Moreover, voxel-based morphometry analysis demonstrated a significant density and volume reduction of the sensorimotor cortex and the visual cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Our data disclosed occult structural damage in the brain of patients with NMO, predominantly involving regions connected with motor and visual systems. This damage seems to be the direct consequence of transsynaptic degeneration triggered by lesions of the optic nerve and spine.
Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , Diffusion Tensor Imaging , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Neuromyelitis Optica/diagnosis , Adult , Brain/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Italy , Middle Aged , Neuromyelitis Optica/metabolism , Neuromyelitis Optica/pathology , Optic Nerve/pathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Prospective Studies , Spinal Cord/pathologyABSTRACT
Premature atherosclerosis and its consequent heart disease play a crucial role in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, even in premenopausal women. It is one of the leading causes of death in long evolution lupus. We present the case of a 42-year-old premenopausal woman, smoker, with a history of hypertension, cholecystectomy and lupus for 23 years, treated with NSAID, steroids and antimalarial drugs. The patient consulted due to chest pain on moderate efforts. Due to the suspicion of ischemic heart disease, a cardiology study was initiated, performing a myocardial perfusion SPECT. This revealed an intense and extensive anterolateral perfusion defect, with very light reperfusion in rest images, consistent with the diagnosis of acute infarction in the apical region and ischemia in the territory of the left anterior descending artery, which was confirmed later by cardiac catheterization.
Subject(s)
Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon , Adult , Female , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Myocardial Infarction/etiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in the Public Health System District of Santiago de Compostela (population : 386125) from 1999 to 2002. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were: 1). microbiological and/or pathological diagnosis of TB in any specimen, and 2). patient younger 35 years old with recent medical history of TB. Mantoux test positive, and pleural effusion with linfocitosis and adenosine deaminase >47 IU/ml. RESULTS: 946 patients were included (568 men and 378 women), with ages ranging from 2 months to 96 years. The incidence of TB was 60.9/100000 in 1999, 67.6/100000 in 2000, 61.9/100000 in 2001 and 54.6/100000 in 2002. The incidence rate of tuberculous meningitis was 1.03/100000 in 1999 and 2000, 0.77/100000 in 2001 and 0.51/100000 in 2002. The percentage of cases associated with HIV was 3.4% in 1999, 1.9% in 2000, 2.4% in 2001 and 2002. We found an increase in the rate of males over 55 years of age; with incidence per 100000 inhabitants of 122.4 in 1999, 142.8 in 2000, 115 in 2001 and 119 in 2002, whereas in females the incidence was 40.6 in 1999, 60.9 in 2000, 54.1 in 2001 and 39.1 in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: In last four years the incidence of tuberculosis has decreased but remains high in males over 55 years old.
Subject(s)
Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Objetivo: conocer los parámetros epidemiológicos entre los años 1999 y 2002 de la enfermedad tuberculosa (TB) en nuestra área, que consta de 386.125 habitantes. Métodos: se consideró caso TB el que cumplía los siguientes criterios: 1) hallazgos microbiológicos y / o patológicos diagnósticos de TB, en cualquier espécimen, 2) pacientes menores de 35 años con historia clínica reciente compatible con TB, con test de Mantoux significativo, linfocitosis y adenosina deaminasa (ADA) en líquido pleural > 47UI / mL. Resultados: Hemos estudiado 946 pacientes (568 hombres y 378 mujeres), con extremos de 2 meses y 96 años. El número de casos fue de 235 en 1999, 261 en 2000, 239 en 2001 y 211 en 2002. La incidencia de TB fue de 60,9 en 1999, de 67,6 en 2000, de 61,9 en 2001 y de 54,6 en 2002, con una incidencia de formas contagiosas de 37,6 en 1999, de 42,5 en 2000, de 37,3 en 2001 y de 31,1 en 2002. La incidencia de meningitis tuberculosa fue de 1,03 en 1999 y 2000, 0,77 en 2001 y 0,51 en 2002.Las formas de asociación con VIH fue de 3,4 por ciento en 1999, de 1,9 por ciento en 2000, 2,4 por ciento en 2001 y 2002. La relación hombre / mujer fue de 1,37 en 1999, 1,46 en 2000, 1,52 en 2001 y 1,74 en 2002. En tasas absolutas, el 38,1 por ciento de ambos sexos se encontraban entre 15 y 34 años y el 49,8 por ciento entre 15 y 44 años, aquí con predominio femenino. Se evidenció un importante aumento en mayores de 55 años, con predominio masculino, tanto en valores absolutos como relativos, con incidencias de 122,4 en 1999, 142,8 en 2000, 115 en 2001 y 119 en 2002, mientras que en mujeres fue de 40,6 en 1999, 60,9 en 2000, 54,1 en 2001 y 39,1 en 2002. Conclusiones: La incidencia de la tuberculosis en nuestro medio ha disminuido en los últimos años, especialmente en el último, pero se mantiene elevada en los varones mayores de 55 años (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Male , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Infant , Tuberculosis , Spain , IncidenceABSTRACT
Upregulation of endothelial adhesion molecules is the earliest step of atherogenesis. Whether obesity induces endothelial adhesin upregulation is unknown. To address this topic, circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentrations were evaluated in 22 obese hypertensive (51.4+/-4.6 years [mean+/-SD age]), 19 obese normotensive (50.6+/-3.8 years), 18 nonobese hypertensive (52.3+/-3.9 years), and 16 nonobese normotensive (52. 4+/-3.5 years) men without other risk factors or overt atherosclerosis. All measurements were repeated in the obese subgroups after weight loss induced by 12 weeks of caloric restriction. Basal circulating VCAM-1 levels were similar between the 2 obese groups but were higher (P<0.0001) than in the 2 nonobese groups. No differences were found between nonobese hypertensives and normotensives. Serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol was weakly correlated with plasma soluble VCAM-1 levels in pooled, obese subjects (r=0.362, P=0.02). Plasma soluble adhesin and vWF concentrations decreased significantly after weight loss in obese hypertensives (VCAM-1 P=0.03, ICAM-1 P=0.004, E-selectin P<0.0001, and vWF P=0.003) and normotensives (VCAM-1 P=0.04, ICAM-1 P=0.003, E-selectin P<0.0001, and vWF P<0.0001). Body mass index was correlated with plasma E-selectin concentrations at baseline and after weight loss in obese hypertensives (r=0.501, P=0.018 and r=0. 466, P=0.03, respectively) and obese normotensives (r=0.523, P=0.021 and r=0.460, P=0.05, respectively). In conclusion, our data show that obesity per se induces early endothelial activation in hypertensive and normotensive men. Weight loss counteracted endothelial activation in both obese hypertensive and normotensive men.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , E-Selectin/blood , Hypertension/metabolism , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/blood , Obesity/metabolism , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/blood , von Willebrand Factor/metabolism , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Body Mass Index , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Humans , Hypertension/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/blood , Up-Regulation , Weight LossABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: Collagen-induced platelet aggregation and platelet count of ten paraplegic patients (four females, six males, aged 16 - 42 years) with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) (posttraumatic 12 - 48 weeks) and of ten age-matched healthy volunteers (control group; five females, five males, aged 18 - 37 years) were investigated. OBJECTIVES: Investigation of platelet aggregation in the whole blood of the patients with SCI. SETTING: Ankara/Turkey. METHODS: Platelet aggregation was evaluated by impedance technique using Chrono Log Model 560 WB aggregometer in whole blood. Platelet count was determined by Medonic Cell Analyser 610. RESULTS: Maximal intensity of collagen-induced platelet aggregation of the patients was 18.50+/-8.28 ohm (mean+/-SD) and of the controls was 7.60+/-4.25 ohm. Maximal rate of collagen-induced aggregation of platelets from the patients was 3.98+/-1.59 ohm/min, maximal rate of aggregation of platelets from the controls was 1.57+/-1.01 ohm/min. Platelet counts of the patients and controls were 290 500+/-50 357/mm3 and 273 000+/-48 343/mm3 respectively. It was determined that both maximal rate (P<0.001) and maximal intensity (P<0.01) of collagen-induced platelet aggregation of the patients were significantly higher than those of the controls. There was no significant difference between the two groups in respect to platelet counts. CONCLUSION: Collagen-induced platelet aggregation of patients with traumatic SCI 12 - 48 weeks after the trauma was significantly higher than that of the controls. Our results indicate that increased tendency of platelet aggregation, which is probably induced by free radicals, may have a great impact on the late thromboembolic complications reported in patients with traumatic SCI.
Subject(s)
Platelet Aggregation , Spinal Cord Injuries/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Collagen/metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Spinal Cord Injuries/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Iron is an important modulator of lipid peroxidation, and its levels have been associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. Little is known about the possibility that this metal, when released from tissue stores, may modulate the reactivity of blood cell components, in particular platelets. Therefore, we investigated a possible link between iron, oxygen free radical formation, and platelet function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human whole blood was stimulated with collagen 2 micrograms/mL, and an irreversible aggregation with thromboxane (Tx)B2 formation was observed (15+/-4 versus 130+/-10 ng/mL). Deferoxamine (DSF), a specific iron chelator, and catalase, an H2O2 scavenger, inhibited collagen-induced whole-blood aggregation. The aggregation was accompanied by an increase in hydroxyl radical (OH.) levels (30+/-8 versus 205+/-20 nmol/L dihydroxybenzoates), which were reduced by DSF and by 2 specific OH. scavengers, mannitol and deoxyribose. Iron (Fe2+) dose-dependently induced platelet aggregation, TxB2 formation (6+/-2 versus 135+/-8 ng/mL), and protein kinase C (PKC) translocation from the cytosol to the cell membrane when added to platelets that have been primed with a low concentration of collagen (0.2 micrograms/mL). In the same system, an increase in OH. levels was observed (37+/-12 versus 230+/-20 nmol/L dihydroxybenzoates). Mannitol and deoxyribose, but not urea, were able to reduce OH. formation, PKC activation, and platelet aggregation. Selective inhibition of PKC activity by GF 109203X prevented iron-dependent platelet aggregation without influencing OH. production. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that iron can directly interact with human platelets, resulting in their activation. Its action is mediated by OH. formation and involves PKC activity. Our findings provide an additional contribution to the understanding of the mechanism(s) by which iron overload might promote atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Subject(s)
Hydroxyl Radical/metabolism , Iron/pharmacology , Platelet Activation/drug effects , Platelet Activation/physiology , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Sulfonamides , Adult , Aspirin/pharmacology , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Blood Platelets/enzymology , Catalase/pharmacology , Chelating Agents/pharmacology , Collagen/pharmacology , Deferoxamine/pharmacology , Deoxyribose/pharmacology , Diuretics, Osmotic/pharmacology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Edetic Acid/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Female , Humans , Indoles/pharmacology , Iron/metabolism , Isoquinolines/pharmacology , Male , Maleimides/pharmacology , Mannitol/pharmacology , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Platelet Aggregation/physiology , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/pharmacology , Protein Kinase C/antagonists & inhibitors , Thromboxane A2/metabolism , Thromboxane B2/metabolismSubject(s)
Iron/blood , Oxygen/blood , Platelet Activation , beta-Thalassemia/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Free Radicals , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a specific temporal risk for opioid drug overdose. DESIGN: To study patients presenting to the ED in a comatose state from accidental drug opioid overdose. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred seventy-four patients were admitted to the ED of the Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, from 1988 to 1990, 225 men (82.1%; mean age, 25 +/- 3.4 years) and 49 women (17.9%; mean age, 23.5 +/- 2.8 years). INTERVENTIONS: Month, day, and hour and minute of admissions were recorded, and time-qualified frequency data were analyzed by the single cosinor method. RESULTS: Cosinor analysis demonstrated a significant circadian rhythm for both the total number of observations and the separate male and female subgroups with an early evening peak ("acrophase") at about 7:00 PM. No significant circannual rhythm was evident, but for the total group a significant 6-month rhythm was demonstrable with peaks in late November and late May. CONCLUSION: There is a distinct "chronorisk" of opioid drug overdose in the early evening hours.
Subject(s)
Circadian Rhythm , Opioid-Related Disorders/physiopathology , Adult , Chronobiology Phenomena/physiology , Coma/chemically induced , Coma/physiopathology , Drug Overdose , Female , Heroin Dependence/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Prospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Hypothesis of the circannual and circadian variation in onset of intracerebral haemorrhage (CH) was verified, by means of single cosinor method and chi-square test for goodness of fit, in 161 consecutive patients (94 men and 67 women) admitted into the Institute of Neurosurgery of Ferrara Hospital, Italy, over 9 years. The majority of CH occurred in the morning between 06.00 AM and 12.00 noon (36.7% of cases, p < 0.001); when considering the specific anatomical sites, typical supratentorial haemorrhages showed a similar pattern (37.4%, p = 0.01). A similar morning behavior was found when considering subgroups by sex (men 36.2%, women 37.3%), age > or = 60 years (42.5%), no presence of hypertension (39.7%), no presence of diabetes mellitus (33.3%) and non-smokers (30.4%). The results by cosinor analysis yielded a circadian rhythmicity both for total sample and, for the men's subgroup, with a morning peak at 11.44 and 11.25, respectively. For women, however, spectral analysis found a significant ultradian cycle, having a period of 12 h (p = 0.01). A circannual periodicity, with a prevalent peak in February, was found for total sample and males subgroups, too. The results of this study confirm that intracerebral haemorrhages present a characteristic circadian and circannual pattern in onset.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Circadian Rhythm , Seasons , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cerebral Hemorrhage/etiology , Circadian Rhythm/physiology , Diabetes Complications , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Hypertension/complications , Hypertension/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Smoking/adverse effects , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/etiologyABSTRACT
The increased attention to biologic rhythms and clinical manifestations of several diseases has recently led to the identification of "chronorisks" for certain pathologic events. To evaluate whether a temporal pattern exists for acute gastrointestinal bleeding, 369 consecutive patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding observed at the emergency department (ED) of S. Anna Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, during a 3-year period (1988-1990) were studied. On presentation to the ED, 287 patients had upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding (UGB), and 82 patients had lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding (LGB). In 270 cases of UGB and in 75 cases of LGB, the hour of symptom onset was known and the data were analyzed for the number of observed versus expected events during the four 6-hour intervals of a day. The majority of events occurred in the morning (32.2% of UGB and 42.7% of LGB). Cosinor analysis yielded a circadian rhythmicity with a peak in the late morning to early afternoon for both UGB and LGB independent of sex and site of bleeding.
Subject(s)
Circadian Rhythm , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Acute Disease , Adult , Aged , Colonic Diseases/complications , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/complications , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
It is well known that osteoporosis is more common in chronic alcoholists than in age-matched controls. Possible aetiological factors could be: malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D, liver disease, abnormal parathyroid function. With this study, the authors investigated parathyroid hormone (PTH) behaviour in thirteen selected patients with alcohol abuse, free from any clinical or humoral sign of hepatopathy, and in ten healthy subjects as a control group. In alcohol abusers a significant reduction of plasmatic PTH, compared to normal calcium levels were found. A possible direct interaction effect between ethyl alcohol and PTH may be suggested, even if further studies are required.
