Role of Brain Endothelin Receptor Type B (ETB) in the Regulation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Olfactory Bulb of DOCA-Salt Hypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that endothelins (ETs) regulate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and expression in the olfactory bulb (OB) of normotensive and hypertensive animals. Applying an ET receptor type A (ETA) antagonist to the brain suggested that endogenous ETs bind to ET receptor type B (ETB) to elicit effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of central ETB stimulation on the regulation of blood pressure (BP) and the catecholaminergic system in the OB of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats.

METHODS

DOCA-salt hypertensive rats were infused for 7 days with cerebrospinal fluid or IRL-1620 (ETB receptor agonist) through a cannula placed in the lateral brain ventricle. Systolic BP (SBP) and heart rate were recorded by plethysmography. The expression of TH and its phosphorylated forms in the OB were determined by immunoblotting, TH activity by a radioenzymatic assay, and TH mRNA by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Chronic administration of IRL-1620 decreased SBP in hypertensive rats but not in normotensive animals. Furthermore, the blockade of ETB receptors also decreased TH-mRNA in DOCA-salt rats, but it did not modify TH activity or protein expression.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that brain ETs through the activation of ETB receptors contribute to SBP regulation in DOCA-salt hypertension. However, the catecholaminergic system in the OB does not appear to be conclusively involved although mRNA TH was reduced. Present and previous findings suggest that in this salt-sensitive animal model of hypertension, the OB contributes to chronic BP elevation.

Long-term therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin in cancer patients with venous thromboembolism

Long-term therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the treatment of choice for cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the ideal doses of LMWH have not been thoroughly studied. We used the RIETE Registry data to assess the influence of the daily LMWH dosage on outcome during the first three months after VTE. We used propensity score-matching to compare patients who received <150 vs. those receiving ≥150 UI/kg/day LMWH. Up to July 2010, 3,222 cancer patients with VTE received long-term therapy with fixed doses of LMWH. Of these, 1,472 (46%) received <150 IU/kg/day (mean, 112 ± 28), and 1,750 received ≥150 IU/kg/day (mean, 184 ± 32). Results of the propensity score matching involved 1269 matched pairs. During follow-up, the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) recurrences was similar (1.2% vs. 1.9%), but patients receiving <150 IU/kg/day LMWH had a lower incidence of fatal PE than those treated with ≥150 IU/kg/day (0.2% vs. 1.0%; p=0.004). Multivariate analysis confirmed that patients receiving <150 IU/kg/day LMWH had a lower risk for fatal PE (odds ratio [OR]: 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.8) and for major bleeding (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.3–1.0) than those treated with ≥150 IU/kg/day. In real life, one in every two cancer patients with VTE received lower doses of LMWH than those used in randomised trials, with large variations from patient to patient. Unexpectedly, patients treated with <150 IU/kg/day LMWH had fewer fatal PE cases and fewer major bleeding events than those receiving ≥150 IU/kg/day LMWH. This finding, however, should be validated in prospective clinical trials.

A prognostic score to identify low-risk outpatients with acute deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs

BACKGROUND

No prior studies have identified which patients with deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs are at a low risk for adverse events within the first week of therapy.

METHODS

We used data from the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) to identify patients at low risk for the composite outcome of pulmonary embolism, major bleeding, or death within the first week. We built a prognostic score and compared it with the decision to treat patients at home.

RESULTS

As of December 2013, 15,280 outpatients with deep vein thrombosis had been enrolled. Overall, 5164 patients (34%) were treated at home. Of these, 12 (0.23%) had pulmonary embolism, 8 (0.15%) bled, and 4 (0.08%) died. On multivariable analysis, chronic heart failure, recent immobility, recent bleeding, cancer, renal insufficiency, and abnormal platelet count independently predicted the risk for the composite outcome. Among 11,430 patients (75%) considered to be at low risk, 15 (0.13%) suffered pulmonary embolism, 22 (0.19%) bled, and 8 (0.07%) died. The C-statistic was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.65) for the decision to treat patients at home and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.72-0.79) for the score (P = .003). Net reclassification improvement was 41% (P < .001). Integrated discrimination improvement was 0.034 for the score and 0.015 for the clinical decision (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using 6 easily available variables, we identified outpatients with deep vein thrombosis at low risk for adverse events within the first week. These data may help to safely treat more patients at home. This score, however, should be validated.

Impact of dementia on hospitalization

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to analyze and determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of hospitalized dementia patients compared with nondemented patients.

METHODS

We examined hospital discharge database records dated 1998-2003 from public hospitals in Andalusia, Spain. We used ICD-9-CM codes to identify patients with dementia. The variables examined included age, length of stay, discharge diagnosis, diagnostic-related groups, and mortality of both dementia and nondementia patients over 65 years of age.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of dementia was documented for 40,482 cases. The prevalence of dementia increased from 3.43% to 4.64% between 1998 and 2003 and was higher among older patients and women. Dementia was the reason for admission in 5.6% of cases. Medical reasons constituted 82.4% of admittances. Dementia patients had hip surgery more frequently than patients without dementia, and other procedures (orthopedic surgery, cataracts, or hernia repair) were less frequent (p < 0.001). The mean duration of the hospital stay was longer (13.4 vs. 10.7 days) and the intra-hospital mortality rate was greater (19.3% vs. 8.7%) for patients with dementia compared to those without dementia. Dementia was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.72-1.82).

CONCLUSIONS

Dementia is increasing among hospitalized patients. Dementia patients have different reasons for hospitalization and higher mortality. It is necessary to identify these differences and to improve the hospital care of dementia patients.

The clinical uroselectivity of alfuzosin is not significantly affected by the age of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of the age of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on the clinical uroselectivity of alfuzosin during general medical practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present national, multicentre, open-labelled, observational study involved 4018 Spanish outpatients with BPH, i.e. showing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction. The patients received sustained release (SR) alfuzosin, 5 mg twice daily, for 2 months. The primary efficacy criteria were symptomatic improvements, as assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) index. Safety was assessed by monitoring cardiovascular data and adverse events.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into four age groups, i.e. < 56, 56-65, 66-75 and > 75 years. All groups of patients showed a mean IPSS decrease of 11-12 (55.8-65.4% from baseline) at the end of the study, while the QoL decreased by 2-3 points (55.6-63.6% from baseline). There were no relevant effects of age on the efficacy of the treatment. Moreover, alfuzosin was well tolerated independently of the age of the patient; 1.2% of the patients enrolled withdrew because of adverse events. The qualitative distribution of vasodilatory/nonvasodilatory adverse events was similar in all age groups. The incidence of asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension was low (0.58%) and not affected by the age of the patients.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that the clinical uro-selectivity of SR-alfuzosin, already described in ran-domized controlled studies, is not significantly affected in clinical practice by the age of the patients. This is considered particularly relevant to the characteristics of patients with BPH, as they are mostly elderly men.

Safety and efficacy of sustained-release alfuzosin on lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia in 3,095 Spanish patients evaluated during general practice

OBJECTIVES

This general practitioner-run study assess the security as well as the efficacy and impact on health-related quality of life of a sustained-release (SR) form of alfuzosin in Spanish patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

3,095 patients with symptomatic BPH were enrolled into a national, multicentric, open, phase IV observational study. The period of active treatment studied (5 mg, twice daily) was 60 days. Safety was assessed by monitoring blood pressure and spontaneous adverse events. Symptoms were assessed using a validated Spanish International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS). Impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life was assessed using the quality of life index (L).

RESULTS

101 adverse events were reported in 82 patients (2.6%). 28 adverse events (2.6%) were classified as severe. 49 patients (1.6%) dropped out of the study due to adverse events but only 17 of these patients (0.5%) showed adverse events related to vasodilation. Incidence of postural events (vertigo, postural hypotension/hypotension, headache and dizziness) was low (55 patients, 1.8%) and effects on sexual function were found not significant: no retrograde ejaculation was reported and only 1 patient (0.03%) showed impotence. Blood pressure or heart rate showed no clinically significant changes. All the I-PSS scores decreased significantly during the treatment with alfuzosin, improvement being excellent in 60% of the patients. Symptomatic improvement was associated with a significant improvement in health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This large study conducted during general practice on Spanish BPH patients confirms the efficacy on LUTS and good safety profile of SR alfuzosin, especially its low incidence of postural symptoms and no deleterious effect on sexual function.

The value of comparative volumetric analysis of urinary and blood erythrocytes to localize the source of hematuria

PURPOSE

We evaluate comparative volumetric analysis of blood and urinary red blood cells (RBCs) to identify the source of hematuria. Comparative volumetric analysis is defined as the difference between mean corpuscular erythrocyte volume in peripheral blood (MCVB) diluted in urine supernatant after centrifugation and mean corpuscular volume of urinary erythrocytes (MCVU). The potential of MCVB-MCVU to distinguish the origin of hematuria is compared to MCVU alone. The fundamental hypothesis is that RBCs that can go through the glomerulus will be smaller than those from the collecting system or lower urinary tract, thus having a smaller MCVU and larger difference between MCVB and MCVU.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective detailed urological evaluation was performed on 210 patients with glomerular or nonglomerular hematuria detected by urinary sediment, clinical radiological evaluation, endoscopy, cytology and sometimes bladder or renal biopsy. After evaluation 24 cases with an uncertain source of hematuria were excluded from study. Specialized urinalysis, volumetric analysis and clinical investigation were performed in a blind fashion. MCVU and MCVB-MCVU were registered for every patient. The Technicon H-3 system with angle laser scattering dual system allowed measurement of mean corpuscular volume in a minimal number of RBCs, and resuspension of RBC pellets in the same urinary supinate avoided effects of osmolarity and pH on RBC size and shape. Reproducibility in assessing the index was tested in 50 cases in which comparative volumetric analysis was repeated on 2 consecutive days. Unpaired t test was performed, and a threshold value of MCVB-MCVU with maximum sensitivity and specificity to detect glomerular hematuria was identified. The potential of urinary and comparative volumetric analysis to distinguish the source of hematuria was evaluated and compared by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis.

RESULTS

Hematuria was nonglomerular in 53 (28.4%) and glomerular in 133 (71.6%) patients. Mean MCVB-MCVU was significantly different for nonglomerular (0.6 fl.) and glomerular (30.5 fl.) sources (p<0.0001). There was a correlation between repeat independent measures of MCVU and MCVB-MCVU. The highest positive predictive value to detect a glomerular origin is desirable so that unnecessary investigation can be obviated without the risk of missing a nonglomerular source. With a limit of 16 fl. specificity and positive predictive value were 98 and 99%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis to localize the source of hematuria revealed significant differences in favor of comparative volumetric analysis versus urinary volumetric analysis alone.

CONCLUSIONS

MCVB-MCVU using the Technicon H-3 system is a useful noninvasive and accurate method to locate the source of hematuria. A value of 16 fl. or greater practically rules out a nonglomerular origin and obviates further urological investigation. We have incorporated this investigation in our diagnostic algorithm for hematuria.

Fibrinolytic treatment in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

We document a 30 y old man with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome (PAPS) and thrombosis of the common femoral vein and both the external and common iliac veins, extending to the lower vena cava, which failed to respond to high dose heparin. After three days of fibrinolytic treatment with urokinase there was complete venous recanalization.

[Secondary neoplasm in patients with bladder carcinoma. A case-control study]

Presentation of a case-control study on 755 subjects with the purpose of defining whether the development of a neoplasia on any organ and of any histological type, either synchronous or metachronous, occurs more frequently in patients who already have vesical carcinoma (338 cases) versus other populations of similar epidemiological characteristics comprising subjects who do not present that condition (417 controls). The evaluation of the difference between both groups establishes a cause-effect relationship expressed in terms of an odds ratio of 2:11 which allows to claim that presence of a second neoplasia is more frequent in patients with vesical carcinoma (p < 0.001). The paper also includes a discussion on the distribution to organs and systems. Once the cases with urothelial site (renal pelvis, ureter or urethra) are excluded, prostate adenocarcinoma is the most frequent form associated to vesical carcinoma, followed at a distance by renal adenocarcinoma, epidermoid carcinoma of the larynx and bronchopulmonary carcinoma. Cumulative incidence of secondary neoplasias, including tumours diagnosed synchronically is 12% at 54 months.

Total and regional bone mass in metastatic cancer of the prostate

OBJECTIVES

Given the discrepancies in the findings of regional bone densitometry in patients with osseous metastases of prostate cancer, we decided to evaluate total and regional bone mineral content in 21 patients with stage D cancer of the prostate. These measurements were compared with those of a group of healthy subjects of similar age (n = 21).

METHODS

A full body bone densitometry was carried out in all of the men. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used.

RESULTS

There were no differences between groups in the anthropometric variables (Student's t test). There were no differences between groups in the bone mass of the skull and arms, but patients had less bone mass in the trunk and legs (p < 0.05) and in the pelvis (p < 0.0001). Total body bone mineral content and total body bone mineral content corrected for weight also were lower in the patients than in the control group (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

These results show that patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases have decreased bone mass, possibly because of a predominance of osteolytic over osteoblastic metastases.

Association between HLA class II antigens and primary antiphospholipid syndrome from the south of Spain

Recent studies have suggested an association between primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), antiphospholipid antibodies and some major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. We have studied the relationship between MHC class II antigens and PAPS in 19 patients from the south of Spain. Univariant analysis showed an association between PAPS and HLA-DQ7 (47% vs 25%l P = 0.3), DR4 (32% vs 16%; P = 0.08) and DQ3 (63% vs 39%; P = 0.04). However, multivariant analysis confirmed the association with DQ7 (RR = 2.5; CI 80%: 1.3-4.7) and DR4 (RR = 2.2; CI 80%: 1.1-4.4) but not with DQ3. When we introduced DRw53 into this analysis, we noticed a DR4 confounding effect, with DQ7 (RR = 3.1; CI 80%: 1.7-5.8) and Drw53 (RR = 2.3; CI 80%: 1.2-4.4) remaining as the most important HLA antigens related to PAPS. In conclusion, in PAPS patients from the South of Spain, HLA-DQ7 antigen showed the highest relative risk for PAPS, followed by DRw53.

[Staging error in bladder carcinoma: anatomo-clinical correlation]

Presentation of clinico-pathological correlation in a series of patients with bladder carcinoma. All of them had a complete pathological and clinical staging following TNM guidelines (UICC 1987). Clinical evaluation consisted of a clinical examination, urography and/or ultrasound, cystoscopy, bimanual palpation under anaesthesia and biopsy. As an option, pelvic CAT, MRI and a bone scan were performed. In all cases a reliable pathological staging was obtained, either from cystectomy or complete TUR. Overall, there is a 66% clinico-pathological correlation (60% for Ta category, 78% for T1, 25% for T2, 57% for T3, and 74% for T4). There is a global error of 34% (40% of cases clinically considered Ta were invasive, 16% T1 were pT2 or more, 42% T2 were pT3 or more, and 10% T3 were pT4; while 6% of those considered T1 were pTa, 33% of T2 were pTa or pT1, 33% of T3 were pT2 or less, and 26% of T4 were pT3 or less). We therefore conclude that when T is lower the risk of being clinically understaged is greater, while higher T values increase the risk of clinical overstaging. From a practical point of view, the most severe errors are in the understaging of T2 and T3 (pT3-pT4) tumours and the overstaging of T2 (pT1) tumours. When cystectomy is performed, the risk of understaging is greater for tumours interpreted as T2-T3 while the risk of overstaging T4 tumours is lower. We conclude that, even when adequate staging of bladder cancer is attempted, pre-treatment tumour classification using the diagnostic methods currently available is far from satisfactory.

[Brucellar orchitis with abscess]

A clinical case of orchitis with brucellosis etiology is presented. Testicular symptomatology appeared from the beginning of the brucellosis's general clinical picture. It envolved painfully and increased the testicular size, with no mictional symptoms, expanding progressively in spite of specific brucellosis therapy given from the beginning, towards formation of an intratesticular abscess which required orchiectomy, a way of progression we have not found in the related literature. The main differential diagnosis must be done with tuberculosis orchitis. Since our country had the largest incidence of brucellosis in Europe, and it is possible that in many cases a orchiepididymarial condition can become apparent in the initial phases, this is an etiology that should be taken into account among specific orchiepididymitis.