Partially reversible cardiomyopathy after renal transplant associated with anti-troponin I antibodies.

Cardiomyopathy associated with dialysis has been shown to be reversible in some cases. A 58-year-old female patient with polycystic renal disease and end-stage renal disease had a renal transplant after 9 years on hemodialysis. Dilated cardiomyopathy with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction markedly improved after transplantation, with normalization of the ejection fraction. High titers for anti-troponin I antibodies were measured: IgG 1:640, IgM 1:80. In our case, the presence of anticardiac (anti-troponin I) antibodies may suggest that the syndrome of reversible cardiomyopathy seen after renal transplantation is associated with immunosuppression therapy acting on immunological mechanisms previously at play.

Fear of falling among elderly patients with dizziness and syncope in a tilt setting.

The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of fear of falling (FOF) among patients over age 60 with dizziness, falls, or syncope; and to analyze risk factors associated with FOF, including data from the tilt table test. This study included 200 older patients referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic specializing in dizziness, falls, and syncope. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients who experienced FOF (yes vs. no) and whether FOF restricted leaving home alone or performing activities of daily living. FOF occurred in 50 per cent of patients in this population. Among these, 44 per cent gave up going out alone and 10 per cent stopped doing basic activities of daily living. Beyond age 75, FOF was associated with recurrent dizziness, depression, and symptoms on standing, but not prior falls.

The distribution of sensory fibers immunoreactive for the TRPV1 (capsaicin) receptor in the human prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the distribution of sensory fibers immunoreactive to the pain receptor TRPV1 in the human prostate. METHODS: Eight prostates were harvested from cadaver transplant donors and immediately immersion fixed. Longitudinal and transverse 20 microm sections were cut on a cryostat and immunoreacted with two anti-human TPRV1 antibodies. RESULTS: TRPV1-immunoreactive nerve fibers were distributed throughout the prostatic urethral mucosa, verumontanum, ejaculatory ducts and periurethral prostatic acini. In the urethral mucosa, TRPV1-immunoreactive fibers penetrated the epithelial layer up to its surface. In the transitional and peripheral zones of the gland no TRPV1-immunoreactive nerve fibers were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of a rich TRPV1 sensory innervation in the human prostate may open new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of pain in patients with chronic prostatitis (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome).