Changes in splenic size after abdominal trauma

Article Abstract:

Internal bleeding is a major cause of death from accidents that severely injure abdominal organs. Injuries to the liver and spleen require immediate diagnosis and treatment. Computed tomography (CT) is one diagnostic technique used in these cases. CT after such injuries often shows increased volume of the spleen. The significance of this finding and the frequency of its occurrence have not been well studied. Changes in splenic volume as seen by CT were therefore compared with other findings in patients with abdominal trauma. The study involved examining the records of 44 patients who had blunt abdominal trauma and who had not been treated surgically. CT examination showed evidence of liver or spleen damage in 36 of the patients and intraperitoneal (abdominal cavity) blood in 25 patients. Splenic volume was found to increase significantly in 25 of the patients upon a later CT. The average increase in size for this group was 56 percent. Small but statistically significant correlations between splenic volume increases and other observations were found. These included bleeding in the abdomen, number of units of blood transfused and severity of trauma. The increased volume at CT did not correlate with signs that the patient was deteriorating or with the need to remove the spleen. CT is a useful diagnostic tool for examining the abdominal region after trauma is incurred. However, CT findings of an enlarged splenic volume should not be interpreted to indicate a deteriorating clinical condition. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Injuries, Abnormalities, CT imaging, CAT scans, Abdomen, Spleen, Abdominal injuries

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Chlorpromazine inhibits vesiculation, alters phosphoinositide turnover and changes deformability of ATP-depleted RBCs

Article Abstract:

When red blood cells are depleted of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an important compound for metabolism, they become more easily deformed and fragile. This phenomenon has been reported to be related to the rate of synthesis and destruction (metabolic turnover) of a class of phosphate-rich molecules found in the red blood cell membrane, the phosphoinostides. This study continues the research on the ability of a major tranquilizer, chlorpromazine, to prevent the shape transformation and increased fragility of red blood cells depleted of ATP. Chlorpromazine has been found to prevent the breakdown (in this case removal of phosphate, dephosphorylation) of ATP-depleted cells.

Research, Cell membranes, Adenosine triphosphate, ATP, Erythrocytes, Red blood cells, Chlorpromazine

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Targeting toxic proteins for turnover

Article Abstract:

A report that a heatshock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor could reduce aggregates in a mouse model of X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is presented. Treatment of SBMA-like mice with the inhibitor promotes the degradation of misfolded protein and thereby retards disease progression.

Heat shock proteins, Spinal muscular atrophy

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