Association between septic patient mortality and blood survivin concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: Survivin is a member of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins family. There are not data about the association between mortality of septic patients and blood survivin concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether exist that association. DESIGN: Observational and prospective study. SETTING: Three Spanish Intensive Care Units. PATIENTS: Patients with sepsis or septic shock according to Sepsis-3 Consensus criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Serum survivin concentrations were determined at moment of sepsis diagnosis. MAIN VARIABLE OF INTEREST: Mortality at 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients were included in the study, of which 75 (36.8%) died in the first 30 days. Lower age (p<0.001), serum lactic acid levels (p=0.001), rate of septic shock (p=0.001) and SOFA (p<0.001), and higher serum survivin levels (p=0.001) exhibited surviving (n=129) than non-surviving patients (n=75). We found in multiple logistic regression analysis an association between serum survivin concentrations and mortality independently of SOFA, lactic acid, age, INR, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and empiric antimicrobial treatment adequate (OR=0.968; 95% CI=0.946-0.990; p=0.005), and also independently of APACHE-II, lactic acid, platelet, INR, aPTT and empiric antimicrobial treatment adequate (OR=0.966; 95% CI=0.943-0.989; p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between septic patient mortality and low blood survivin concentrations.

[Mandibular osteoradionecrosis. Part II: efficiency of revascularization surgery]. / Osteoradionécroses mandibulaires. Partie II : efficacité de la chirurgie de revascularisation.

INTRODUCTION: The physiopathology of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is linked to vascular and cellular aspects of bone physiology. The authors had for aim to check whether the transposition of non-irradiated tissues could repair vascular and bone lesions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was made from 1992 to 2002 on all patients operated for a mandibular ORN (59 patients). The reconstructions performed with a bone flap (42%), bone composite flap (34%), periosteal free flap (14%), cutaneous flap (4%), or muscular flap (5%) were assessed. The radiological and clinical results and the effect of re-vascularization were analyzed. RESULTS: A skin paddle was required in 47% of cases, impairing dental rehabilitation. The bone flap had to be osteotomized in 25% of iliac flaps, and 75% of fibula flaps. The free flap reconstruction had a 90% success rate. Complications were observed in 60% of cases and were more frequent when the stage was higher. The analysis of the surgical technique allowed determining its interest. DISCUSSION: The analysis of results showed the feasibility of this technique in irradiated tissues. The iliac bone free flap was the best solution taking into consideration the shape, bone volume and vestibular morphology. The osteo-induction by a non-irradiated tissue transplantation was demonstrated clinically and radiologically.

[Mediatisation and "facial graft" or "to whom belongs the facial graft"?]. / Médiatisation et "greffe de visage" ou "à qui appartient la greffe de visage"?

Mediatisation of a scientific event could be neither controlled, nor verifiable. The experience which has been lived through the first worldwide allotransplantation of composite tissues of the face confirms that the actors of a surgical innovation are not the owners. Because there is neither confidentiality nor possible patent. Curiously the scientific world, providing with a sharing ethic, which rightly privileges the free spreading of knowledge in the way that most people could benefit of it. Obviously it is made without denied controversy, for truth as purpose. This scientific word that way joins the media one, with a specific ethic of the duty of information, but also interested in mercantile preoccupations quick to cultivate controversy not to enlighten this truth but to better sell pictures or papers. Than the author should only sustain this instrumentation which could certainly flatter him, and from which he could used, but in reality that paralysed him a little to go on in serenity with his shadow worker way.

[Classification of vascular tumors and malformations: basis for classification and clinical purpose]. / Classification des tumeurs et malformations vasculaires: fondement de la classification et intérêt clinique.

Vascular anomalies are a complex pathological group. They are especially difficult to study because of confusion in the terminology used. The classification developed by the ISSVA (International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies) now allows using a common scientific language. The classification is based on clinical, radiological, hemodynamic, and histological arguments. There are two groups of lesions: vascular tumors and vascular malformations. Vascular tumors are associated to vascular proliferation. They are called hemangioma and can be infantile or congenital. Vascular malformations are associated to vessels with morphologic anomalies. They are classified according to the distorted vessel type, capillary, venous, lymphatic, and arteriovenous). Such a classification has many implications. It is a guide for the orientation of radiological exams and treatment of vascular anomalies. The management of these anomalies is still difficult and must involve an interdisciplinary approach.

[Tuberculosis of the submandibular gland: a case report]. / Tuberculose de la glande sous-mandibulaire: un piège diagnostique.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis remains an important public health problem in France. After a certain decline, its incidence has remained unchanged since 1990. 30% of tuberculosis cases are extra-pulmonary form, most of them concern nodes especially in cervical areas. CASE REPORT: This case of submandibular tuberculosis illustrates diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. DISCUSSION: There are few clinical signs or laboratory clues suggestive of tuberculosis, however a surgery cannot be avoided and must be performed in combination with antituberculosis chemotherapy.

Washing machine associated 50 Hz detected as ventricular fibrillation by an implanted cardioverter defibrillator.

This case report describes a patient with an automatic ICD who suffered a defibrillation shock without warning symptoms. An electrical interference can be observed in the stored EGM of the episode. The patient explained that the moment he felt the shock he was touching a washing machine. After correct grounding of this machine the patient did not suffer more inappropriate shocks.

High-resolution crystal structure of deoxy hemoglobin complexed with a potent allosteric effector.

The crystal structure of human deoxy hemoglobin (Hb) complexed with a potent allosteric effector (2-[4-[[(3,5-dimethylanilino)carbonyl]methyl]phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid) = RSR-13) is reported at 1.85 A resolution. Analysis of the hemoglobin:effector complex indicates that two of these molecules bind to the central water cavity of deoxy Hb in a symmetrical fashion, and that each constrains the protein by engaging in hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with three of its four subunits. Interestingly, we also find that water-mediated interactions between the bound effectors and the protein make significant contributions to the overall binding. Physiologically, the interaction of RSR-13 with Hb results in increased oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues. Thus, this compound has potential therapeutic application in the treatment of hypoxia, ischemia, and trauma-related blood loss. Currently, RSR-13 is in phase III clinical trials as a radiosensitizing agent in the treatment of brain tumors. A detailed structural analysis of this compound complexed with deoxy Hb has important implications for the rational design of future analogs.

Q-wave evolution of a first acute myocardial infarction without significant ST segment elevation.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting without significant ST segment elevation develop a Q-wave infarction. It is unclear whether these patients can be identified from the admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and whether they differ in their in-hospital prognosis from those who retain a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. METHODS: In 432 consecutive patients admitted to our centre with a first acute myocardial infarction without Q waves and with ST segment amplitudes < or =0.1 mV on admission, we assessed the frequency, the electrocardiographic predictors and the short-term implications of a Q-wave evolution. RESULTS: In 94 patients (22%), a Q-wave myocardial infarction evolved before hospital discharge (14 anterior, 26 inferior, six lateral, and 48 posterior). Minor anterior ST segment elevation was 36% sensitive and 95% specific in predicting anterior Q waves; minor inferior ST segment elevation, 42% and 89%, respectively, for inferior Q waves; and a maximal ST segment depression > or =0.2 mV in leads V2-V3 with upright T waves and without remote ST segment depression, 38% and 97%, respectively, for posterior R waves. Although patients with a Q-wave evolution had a greater creatinkinase MB peak than those retaining a non-Q-wave pattern (191+/-113 vs. 105+/-77 IU/l, respectively, P<0.001), they experienced a benign in-hospital course, with similar risk of severe complications after adjustment for the baseline clinical predictors than non-Q-wave patients. CONCLUSIONS: About one fifth of patients with a first acute myocardial infarction without a significant ST segment elevation develop a Q-wave infarction and the admission ECG can help identify them. This evolution, however, is not associated with a worse in-hospital outcome.

Prognostic significance of ST segment depression in lateral leads I, aVL, V5 and V6 on the admission electrocardiogram in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the short-term prognostic value of the admission electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction (MI) without ST segment elevation. BACKGROUND: ST segment depression on hospital admission predicts a worse outcome in patients with a first acute MI, but the prognostic information provided by the location of ST segment depression remains unclear. METHODS: In 432 patients with a first acute MI without Q waves or > or = 0.1 mV of ST segment elevation, we evaluated the ability of the initial ECG to predict in-hospital death. RESULTS: The presence, magnitude and extent of ST segment depression were associated with an increased mortality, but the only electrocardiographic variable that was significant in predicting death after adjusting for baseline predictors was ST segment depression in two or more lateral (I, aVL, V5, or V6) leads (odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 10.6). Patients with lateral ST segment depression (n = 91, 21%) had higher rates of death (14.3% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001), severe heart failure (14.3% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001) and angina with electrocardiographic changes (20.0% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.04) than did the remaining patients, even though they had similar peak creatine kinase, MB fraction levels (129 +/- 96 vs. 122 +/- 92 IU/liter, p = NS). In contrast, ST segment depression not involving the lateral leads did not predict a poor outcome. Among patients who were catheterized, those with lateral ST segment depression had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (57 +/- 12% vs. 66 +/- 13%, p = 0.001) and more frequent left main coronary artery or three-vessel disease than did the remaining patients (60% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a first non-ST segment elevation acute MI, ST segment depression in the lateral leads on hospital admission predicts a poor in-hospital outcome.

Neurally mediated depressor hemodynamic response induced by intracoronary catheter balloon inflation in pigs.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether intracoronary catheter balloon inflation triggers a neurally mediated hemodynamic response that interacts with the ischemia-induced myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: Forty-eight chloralose anesthetized pigs underwent a 60 s intraluminal catheter balloon inflation of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery before and after one of these treatments: disruption of LAD pericoronary nerves with phenol (n=6), bilateral stellectomy (n=8), bilateral cervical vagotomy (n=6), atropine (n=5), and ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium (n=10). In 13 other pigs, we assessed the reproducibility of two balloon inflations spaced 15 min (n=6) or 60 min (n=7). The ECG, left ventricular (LV) pressure, and LV dP/dt were recorded during each intervention. Right ventricular (RV) pressure, RV dP/dt, and aortic blood flow were also measured in a subset of pigs. RESULTS: Balloon inflation induced an early (10 s) and reproducible (ANOVA, P<0.001) drop in systolic pressure and peak dP/dt; a decrease in aortic blood flow; a rise in end-diastolic pressure; and elevation of the ST segment. Pericoronary denervation, stellectomy and ganglionic blockade attenuated (P<0.001) the drop in LV parameters during coronary inflation, but atropine and vagotomy did not. CONCLUSIONS: A depressor hemodynamic response subserved by pericoronary nerves worsens the LV dysfunction induced by brief coronary catheter balloon inflation in anesthetized pigs. Cholinergic fibers do not appear to play a major role.

[Estrogen dependance of the progesterone "receptor" in human tissues (author's transl)]. / Oestrogéno-dependance de la concentration des récepteurs de la progesterone dans les tissus humains.

The concentration of specific progesterone receptor (RP) has been measured in the endometrium of 31 normal menstruating women during the two phases of their menstrual cycle, and compared with the plasma oestradiol-17 beta (E2) concentrations. There was no relationship between RP and plasma E2 when the two phases of the cycle were considered, however a correlation was observed when the follicular phase was only considered. The relationship between oestrogen and RP was then more directly studied in a breast cancer cell line in tissue culture (MCF-7). RP induction by E2 as well as oestriol was demonstrated, but oestrone was ineffective.

PIP: 31 patients were observed to measure the concentration of progesterone receptor (PR) in the endometrium during the 2 phases of the menstrual cycle; concentrations were then compared with those of plasma estradiol-17 beta (E2). A relationship between RP and plasma E2 was found only when the follicular phase of the cycle was considered. When the relationship between estrogen and RP was studied in a breast cancer cell in tissue culture, RP induced by E2 and by estriol was found, but not by estrone.