Dietary patterns and 1-h post-load glucose in essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Normoglucosetolerants (NGT) are considered at low risk, even if a 1-h post-load glucose (PLG) value ≥ 155 mg dl(-1) identifies NGTs at high risk of type-2 diabetes (T2D) and sub-clinical organ damage. Specific dietary factors may affect insulin sensitivity and the risk of T2D. However, it is unknown whether dietary components affect 1-h PLG in hypertensive NGT. Therefore, we investigate the effect of dietary patterns on 1-h PLG. METHODS AND RESULTS: We selected 188 subjects (94 NGTs < 155 mg dl(-1) and 94 NGTs ≥ 155 mg dl(-1) PLG), well matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Insulin sensitivity was evaluated using the Matsuda index. Dietary intake was quantified by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FEQ) validated in the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. The NGT ≥ 155 group had significantly reduced insulin sensitivity (40.3 ± 19.8 vs. 73.3 ± 28.8; P < 0.0001). With the exclusion of total calories, lipids, alcohol and fiber consumption we observed a significant difference, between groups, in starch (214.1 ± 52.4 vs. 268.8 ± 71.8 g; P < 0.0001), saturated (27.4 ± 8.7 vs. 24.1 ± 8.5 g; P = 0.009), monounsaturated (45.5 ± 8.9 vs. 48.8 ± 10.7 g; P = 0.023) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) (14.5 ± 4.0 vs. 16.8 ± 4.7 g; P < 0.0001), fructose (14.5 ± 5.3 vs. 11.2 ± 4.8 g; P < 0.0001), and oligosaccharides (103.2 ± 26.6 vs. 89.9 ± 29.2 g; P = 0.001) consumption. In the whole population, starch was the major predictor of 1-h PLG, explaining 23.2% of variation (P < 0.0001). In the NGT < 155 group, fructose was the strongest predictor, accounting for 15.4% of the variation; BMI, gender and polyunsaturated FAs added another 6.6%, 3.6% and 3.2%, respectively. In the NGT ≥ 155 group, saturated and polyunsaturated FAs were retained as the major predictors of 1-h PLG, explaining 18.2% and 11.4% of the variation. CONCLUSIONS: The present data demonstrate that dietary patterns affect 1-h PLG, remarking the importance of both quantitative and qualitative composition of a diet.

[Buflomedil in the treatment of chronic peripheral arterial diseases. Case contribution]. / Il Buflomedil nel trattamento delle arteriopatie croniche periferiche. Contributo casistico.

A group of 29 patients with arteriopathy, many inoperable or unsuccessfully operated, were treated intravenously and/or orally with Loftyl. 14 2nd stage patients benefited from the treatment, as shown by the prolongation of the interval between attacks in 3 cases and by the disappearance of a limp in one case. 3rd and 4th stage patients also showed good results, especially considering the severity of some cases. Loftyl was also well-tolerated, even at higher doses than those recommended.

[Spinal electrostimulation in the treatment of advanced chronic obliterating arteriopathies]. / L'elettrostimolazione spinale nel trattamento delle arteriopatie obliteranti croniche in stadio avanzato.

From 1989 to 1992 83 patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease without medical or surgical possibilities, were treated by spinal cord stimulation (SCS). We studied claudicatio intermittens, rest pain and ischemic lesion behaviour in all the patients. We also studied microcirculation behaviour of 21 patients, by oxygen transcutaneous tension (vasodilatation index VI = TcPO2 42 degrees C: TcPO2 45 degrees C) and laser Doppler flowmetry (resting flow RF, standing flow SF, venoarteriolar reflex VAR = RF - SF, flow temperature increase FTI = F 40 degrees C 15'-RF). The clinical follow-up at 2 years showed an improvement of walking distance in 85.7% of 7 controls, a complete rest pain control in 82.35% of 17 controls, an improvement and healing of ischemic lesions respectively in 27.07% and 53.86% of 18 controls. In arteriosclerotic arteriopathy with or without diabetes but without neuropathy VI increased and FTI decreased, after SCS, showing a sympathetic tone decrease. In arteriosclerotic arteriopathy with diabetic neuropathy V.I. decreased and FTI increased, after SCS, showing a sympathetic tone reappearance. VAR improved or reappeared, in arteriosclerotic arteriopathy with or without diabetes, showing improvement of tissue perfusion as regards a better efficiency of "paramicrovessels" and "microvascular unit". We believe that SCS, as regards favourable clinical results represents a useful and effective treatment in peripheral vascular disease treatment.

The macular recovery test after photostress in normal and diabetic subjects.

The authors present a clinical statistical study on the macular recovery test after photostress in normal subjects and retinopathic and non-retinopathic diabetics. The limits within which the test retains its reliability in predicting the development of retinopathy in diabetics are statistically analyzed.

Optimized macular recovery test for the early diagnosis and risk prediction of retinopathy in diabetics.

The authors present a clinical study on the macular recovery test, in a new optimized version, in normal subjects and in diabetic patients. The discriminating thresholds between normals and retinopathic diabetics and between non-retinopathic and retinopathic diabetics were statistically analyzed.

A technique for using strain gauges to evaluate airbag interaction with cadaveric upper extremities.

Radius and ulna fractures from airbag deployment onto the forearm have been reported in the literature. Based on laboratory experiments with eight cadaveric upper extremities, this paper presents a method for using strain gages to evaluate upper extremity loading during airbag deployment. The technique provides strain rates, bending moments, and time of fracture for the radius and ulna. Planar rosettes (350 omega, 5% strain) were selected as the best choice given the application to bone with a rosette being placed mid-shaft on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the radius and ulna. Forearm incisions were intended to be minimally invasive and to limit damage to the interosseous membrane. The bone surface was prepared with Ether, and the gauges were bonded to the surface with methyl-2-cyanoacrylate. A thin latex cover was installed over the surface of the rosettes to isolate the gauges from the surrounding tissue. Strain relief of the gauges was provided by securing the wire leads to the bone with tie-wraps, as well as suturing the wires to the skin. With this technique all gauges reported accurate data throughout the duration of the impact.

La proteina C reactiva como elemento diagnostico etiologico de las infecciones respitatorias en el nino. / C-reactive protein as etiologic element for diagnosis of respiratory infections in the child

En todo servicio de enfermedad respiratoria se plantea con frecuencia la interrogante del uso o el no uso del tratamiento antibiotico. Se estudiaron 424 ninos con una edad comprendida entre 29 dias y 14 anos ingresados en la sala 2 del hospital pediatrico docente "A. A. Aballi" en el periodo de un ano con infeccion respiratoria aguda. A todos los pacientes se les tomo muestra de sangre venosa para realizarles leucograma, eritrosedimentacion y Proteina C Reactiva. A todos los ninos se les realizo rayos X de torax. Se llego a la conclusion de que a pesar de que la Proteina C Reactiva positiva es mas definitiva que la leucocitosis, la eritrosedimentacion o la fiebre, para identificar el origen bacteriano, pueden ocurrir resultados falsos positivos o negativos. La Proteina C Reactiva debe ser usada conjuntamente con la clinica y la radiologia en la discusion del tratamiento