Rupture of Aortic Sinus Aneurysms Diagnosed by Left Ventricular Opacification.

Rupture of aortic sinus aneurysms is a rare cardiac malformation that is commonly observed in the right coronary sinus but is rarely observed in the noncoronary sinus. Here, we report a case of aneurysm of the aortic sinus that ruptured into the left ventricular outflow tract and was diagnosed with left ventricular opacification. Left heart echocardiography can clearly demonstrate the structure of the heart and is one of the important diagnostic methods for diagnosing ruptured aortic sinus aneurysms. This observes the perfusion sequence of blood flow to clearly reveal the source, direction, and location of the ruptured aortic sinus aneurysm.

Cadmium Exposure is Associated with the Prevalence of Dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is a widespread environmental and occupational pollutant that accumulates in human body with a biological half-life exceeding 10 years. Cadmium exposure has been demonstrated to increase rates of cardiovascular diseases. Whether occupational cadmium exposure is associated with the increase in the prevalence of dyslipidemia and hence contributes to the risk of cardiovascular diseases is still equivocal. To test the hypothesis that exposure to cadmium is related to the prevalence of dyslipidemia, we examined the associations between blood cadmium concentration and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in workers occupationally exposed to cadmium in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on demographic data, blood cadmium level and lipid profile in cadmium exposed workers from seven cadmium smelting factories in central and southwestern China was conducted. We measured blood cadmium concentration and lipid components of 1489 cadmium exposed workers. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was compared across blood cadmium quartiles. Associations between the blood cadmium concentrations and the prevalence of dyslipidemia were assessed using confounder adjusted linear and logistic regressions. RESULTS: The blood cadmium concentration was 3.61±0.84µg/L ( mean ±SD). The prevalence of dyslipidemia in this occupational population was 66.3%. Mean blood cadmium concentration of workers with dyslipedemia was significantly higher than that of workers without dyslipidemia (p <0.01). The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased dose-dependently with elevations in blood cadmium concentrations (p for trend <0.001). Elevated levels of blood cadmium were associated with BMI, education attainment, income, smoking status and duration of exposure (all p <0.01). Furthermore, the profile of blood lipid was obviously changed in this occupational population. The prevalence of high TC, high TG, Low HDL-C and high LDL-C rose with increases in blood cadmium levels dose-dependently (p for trend <0.001). The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for dyslipidemia across the increasing blood cadmium quartiles were 1.21(1.16-1.55), 1.56(1.11-1.87), 1.79(1.26-2.25) respectively (referencing to 1.00; p for trend <0.001), after multivariate adjustment for BMI, education attainment, income, lifestyle factors and duration of exposure, the association between blood cadmium concentrations and the prevalence of dyslipidemia remained unchanged (all p for trend <0.001). CONCLUSION: Elevated blood cadmium concentration is associated with prevalence of dyslipidemia. Cadmium exposure could alter lipid metabolism in humans. It is imperative to control cadmium exposure of occupational population in cadmium related industries and reduce adverse health effects.

A case of familial Carney complex.

Carney complex is a syndrome characterized by skin pigmentation abnormalities, myxomas, endocrine tumors/overactivity, and schwannomas. It is caused by a mutation in the PRKAR1A gene that encodes the enzyme protein kinase A regulatory subunit type 1 alpha. A 23-year old male was diagnosed with Carney complex on the basis of spotty skin lentigines on his face and lips, multiple thyroid neoplasms, a right ventricular myxoma, and bilateral testicular tumors. A total bilateral orchectomy was performed and the pathological findings revealed Leydig's cell tumors on one side and a Sertoli cell tumor on the other side. When his first-degree relatives were examined, his mother was found to have Carney complex as well. This is the first reported case of familial Carney complex in China.

[Effects of occupational microwave irradiation on heat shock protein 70 expressions in rat hippocampus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the change of heat shock protein (HSP)70 expression after exposure to occupational microwave in rats hippocampus, and explore the role of HSP70 in the mechanism of bio-effect of microwave irradiation. METHODS: The animal model was established by whole body exposures in 90, 5 W/cm(2) microwave irradiation field for 20 min in rats. Changes of the mRNA of hsp70 expressions in rat hippocampus at different time were studied by RT-PCR, and the protein change by Western blot. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of hsp70 in rat hippocampus increased after 90 W/cm(2) and 5 W/cm(2) microwave irradiation for 20 min. The anal temperature and the value of SAR increased significantly. These changes were positively correlated with power and irradiation time of microwave. The results indicated that microwave irradiation led to HSP70 syntheses effectively. CONCLUSION: Microwave irradiation can obviously induce the thermal effect and activate HSP70, and initiate the endogenous protective mechanism of central nervous system.