柴芩肾安方对IgA肾病大鼠肾小球足细胞nephrin表达的影响

目的：探讨柴芩肾安方对IgA肾病（IgAN）大鼠肾小球足细胞nephrin表达的影响。方法：通过切除单侧肾并反复静脉注射葡萄球菌肠毒素B（SEB）复制大鼠IgAN模型,分为正常组、切肾组、IgAN组、柴芩肾安方组和氯沙坦组。第12周末,检测各组大鼠24h尿蛋白量（Upr）,观察肾小球形态学和超微结构变化,并采用免疫组化和实时定量PCR法检测肾小球足细胞nephrin蛋白及mRNA的表达。结果：与正常组相比,IgAN组大鼠Upr显著升高（P〈0.01）,肾小球系膜增生,足突融合明显,足细胞nephrin蛋白及mRNA表达均明显下调（P〈0.01）。经柴芩肾安方治疗后上述指标均明显改善,与IgAN组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01或P〈0.05）。结论：柴芩肾安方能减轻IgAN大鼠蛋白尿及肾小球病变,这可能与其恢复肾小球足细胞nephrin表达有关。     

复方积雪草防治局灶节段性肾小球硬化模型大鼠足细胞损伤的实验研究

目的:探讨复方积雪草对局灶节段性肾小球硬化(focal segmental glomerulo sclerosis,FSGS)模型大鼠足细胞裂孔膜蛋白nephrin、podocin表达的影响,阐述其延缓肾小球硬化的部分分子生物学机制。方法:采用左肾摘除+阿霉素重复静脉注射方法建立FSGS模型。复方组分别予高中低剂量复方积雪草膏剂灌胃;对照组予苯那普利混悬液;于第8周末留取24h尿蛋白定量,检测血肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)和血浆蛋白(Alb);留取右肾标本,光镜标本行HE染色;用免疫组化法观察裂孔膜蛋白nephrin和podocin表达;RT-PCR法检测肾组织nephrin和podocinmRNA表达。结果:各复方组24h尿蛋白定量及血Scr、BUN、TC、TG较模型组有显著改善,且与西药组疗效相似。RT-PCR及免疫组化结果显示模型组足细胞裂孔膜蛋白表达较正常组明显降低(P<0.05)。而各治疗组表达较模型组均有明显增加(P<0.05),且与正常组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:复方积雪草能通过上调模型大鼠肾小球内nephrin和podocin分子表达,减轻足细胞损伤,延缓肾小球硬化。     

方格星虫提取物对膜性肾病模型的治疗作用及机制初探

目的:初步探讨方格星虫粗提物(SNP)对膜性肾病(MN)的治疗作用及其可能机制。方法:50只SD大鼠随机分为模型组和对照组,模型组大鼠腹腔一次注入抗FxlA血清建立被动性Heymann肾炎模型,模型建立1周后依24 h尿蛋白排泄量(24 h UPE)随机将Heymann肾炎大鼠分为SNP治疗组和未治疗组,治疗组用SNP灌胃治疗。考马斯亮蓝法每周测定24 h UPE。治疗4周结束后处死大鼠取双肾,光镜、电镜观察肾脏病理改变,RT-PCR法检测肾组织nephrin mRNA和podocin mRNA的表达量。结果:SNP治疗4周后大鼠24 h UPE较未治疗组降低(P<0.05);模型组大鼠肾小球基底膜增厚,上皮下电子致密物沉积,足细胞足突融合等病理改变,SNP治疗组大鼠上述病变较未治疗组减轻,经测定,足细胞足突融合率较未治疗组显著降低(P<0.01);SNP治疗组nephrin mRNA和podocin mRNA表达量较未治疗组升高(P<0.05)。结论:SNP可通过上调膜性肾病大鼠足细胞nephrin和podocin基因表达水平,一定程度上减轻足细胞足突融合,进而减少尿蛋白滤过,可能对人类膜性肾病具有辅助治疗作用。     

N-乙酰半胱氨酸对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞的保护作用

目的：探讨N-乙酰半胱氨酸（NAC）对糖尿病肾病（DN）大鼠足细胞的保护作用。方法：制备DN大鼠模型,将动物随机分为正常对照组、DN组和NAC组。8周后观察尿蛋白排泄量,免疫荧光方法和Western blotting检测肾皮质nephrin和podocin蛋白表达,透射电镜检测足细胞超微结构变化。结果：（1）与正常对照组比较,DN组和NAC组尿白蛋白排泄率增多（P〈0.01）,nephrin和podocin蛋白表达减少（P〈0.01或P〈0.05）和肾脏病理病变明显;（2）与DN组比较,NAC组尿蛋白排泄减少（P〈0.01）,nephrin和podocin蛋白表达较高（P〈0.01或P〈0.05）和足细胞的病变较轻。结论：NAC对DN大鼠肾脏保护作用,其部分机制与上调nephrin和podocin蛋白表达及改善足细胞病变有关。     

足细胞分子高表达致阿霉素肾病大鼠发生蛋白尿

目的 动态观察足细胞裂孔隔膜复合体分子nephrin、podocin、CD2AP及α-actinin-4在阿霉素肾病大鼠蛋白尿发生发展中的表达变化，探讨其在蛋白尿发生发展中的分子行为及其机制。方法 尾静脉注射阿霉素建立阿霉素肾病大鼠模型，3、7、14、28 d每组处死6只大鼠留取肾脏标本。应用间接免疫荧光染色、实时定量PCR、Western 印迹分别检测各个时间点nephrin、podocin、CD2AP、α-actinin-4的分布、mRNA和蛋白表达量的变化。结果 (1)14 d肾病组大鼠24 h尿蛋白显著高于对照组(P < 0.01)，增高持续到28 d。(2)透射电镜显示14 d肾病组足突不同程度变宽，28 d足突弥漫性融合。(3)与对照组相比，从第7天开始肾病组nephrin和podocin染色从沿肾小球毛细血管袢线样分布向不连续粗颗粒样的分布模式转变；CD2AP节段染色增强区逐渐扩大，有的区域呈斑片状和连续线状增强；α-actinin-4从沿肾小球毛细血管袢均匀的点线样分布向不均匀粗颗粒的分布转变，而且随时间进展这种转变逐渐加重。(4)与对照组相比，肾病组于7 d时nephrin mRNA表达显著增高(P < 0.01)；podocin mRNA表达14 d时显著增高(P < 0.05)，直至28 d(P < 0.05)；CD2AP mRNA表达28 d时显著增高(P < 0.05)。(5)与对照组相比，肾病组nephrin蛋白表达28 d时显著增高(P < 0.05)；podocin蛋白表达于7 d时显著增高(P < 0.05)，而28 d时又显著降低(P < 0.05)；CD2AP蛋白表达于14 d时显著增高(P < 0.05)，直至28 d (P < 0.05)。(6)α-actinin-4 mRNA与蛋白表达在实验过程中未出现明显变化。结论 nephrin、podocin和CD2AP的表达增加及分布异常是导致阿霉素肾病大鼠蛋白尿发生发展的分子机制，而分子表达的增加是足细胞抵抗损伤的一种代偿反应。     

防己黄芪汤对阿霉素肾病大鼠蛋白尿及足细胞病变的影响

目的：探讨防己黄芪汤对蛋白尿及其发生原因——足细胞病变的影响。方法：采用阿霉素肾病大鼠造成肾病综合征模型。以防己黄芪汤、2倍剂量防已黄芪汤、防已黄芪去甘草汤灌胃。于14d、28d、42d测24h尿蛋白定量;实验42d取血、取肾,检测血生化,观察肾组织病理改变,免疫组织化学法、Western-blotting、RT-PCR检测肾组织nephrin、podoein蛋白及基因水平。结果：模型组大鼠蛋白尿明显增加,伴血Alb下降;与模型组比较,防己黄芪汤组大鼠尿蛋白定量在实验14d、28d、42d明显减少。2倍剂量防己黄芪汤组、防己黄芪去甘草汤组大鼠尿蛋白定量在42d明显减少。模型组大鼠nephrin蛋白表达上调,药物干预后表达明显下降;模型组podoein蛋白和基因表达下调,药物干预后表达明显增加。结论：防己黄芪汤明显改善阿霉素肾病大鼠蛋白尿,这可能与其对足细胞关键结构nephrin、podoein表达的调节有关。     

三种不同药物作用下足细胞分子的变化

目的 从足细胞分子的角度探讨抗蛋白尿药物作用的细胞分子机制。方法 建立阿霉素肾病大鼠模型。注射阿霉素后次日分别给予利生普利、泼尼松以及全反式维甲酸(ATRA)干预蛋白尿。注射阿霉素后第3、7、14、28 天每组处死6 只大鼠，留取肾脏标本。应用间接免疫荧光染色、实时PCR、Western印迹分别检测各个时间点nephrin、podocin、CD2相关蛋白(AP)、α辅肌动蛋白(actinin)-4 的分布、mRNA 和蛋白表达量的变化。应用免疫沉淀检测nephrin 与podocin、nephrin与CD2AP 分子间作用以及nephrin 磷酸化水平。结果 与对照组相比，第14天时肾病组尿蛋白显著增加(P < 0.01)。与肾病组相比，利生普利、泼尼松和ATRA干预后均显著降低了蛋白尿( P < 0.05)， 减轻了足突融合。通过分析不同时间点足细胞分子的表达，显示3种干预药物均引起了nephrin、podocin、CD2AP 表达的变化，维持了正常的nephrin 磷酸化水平，而且利生普利和泼尼松首先抑制了podocin 分子，而ATRA首先抑制了CD2AP 分子的异常变化。与此同时，nephrin、podocin、CD2AP 和α-actinin-4 分子的分布在干预后也趋于正常。此外，无论在肾病组还是干预组大鼠，nephrin 与podocin、nephrin 与CD2AP 分子间一直保持着共沉淀关系。 结论 利生普利、泼尼松和ATRA 都通过稳定重要的足细胞分子nephrin、podocin、CD2AP 来发挥它们的抗蛋白尿作用。     

益肾胶囊对高糖环境下小鼠足细胞nephrin、podocin表达的影响

目的:通过探讨益肾胶囊含药血清干预高糖环境下培养的小鼠足细胞nephrin、podocin的表达,以期为益肾胶囊防治糖尿病肾病提供理论依据。方法:将体外培养的小鼠足细胞随机分为7组:正常组、高糖组、等渗组、益肾低剂量组、益肾中剂量组、益肾高剂量组、贝那普利组;按照上述分组培养48 h后,用CCK-8法检测足细胞的增殖;免疫荧光方法检测足细胞nephrin、podocin的表达;用Western blot检测足细胞nephrin、podocin的表达。结果:与正常组相比,高糖组足细胞的增殖明显降低(P0.01),nephrin及podocin的蛋白表达明显下调(P0.01);与高糖组相比,益肾高剂量组与贝那普利组足细胞的增殖显著升高(P0.01),nephrin及podocin的蛋白表达明显上调(P0.01);与贝那普利组相比,益肾高剂量组足细胞的增殖、nephrin及podocin的蛋白表达无明显变化(P0.05)。结论:高糖环境下足细胞nephrin、podocin的表达明显减少;益肾胶囊含药血清可能是通过上调nephrin、podocin的表达,从而保护了肾小球足细胞,其具体机制有待进一步研究。     

厄贝沙坦治疗糖尿病肾病大鼠蛋白尿作用机制

目的 研究厄贝沙坦治疗糖尿病肾病(DN)蛋白尿作用机制.方法 应用链脲佐菌素建立大鼠糖尿病肾病模型,成模大鼠随机分为模型对照组(M)、厄贝沙坦干预组(I),另设正常对照组(C).各组干预12周后,分别检测:①血糖、血肌酐、24h尿蛋白定量等;②肾脏病理、电镜以及免疫组化分析;③实时定量RT-PCR分析.结果 与正常组比较,模型组大鼠24h尿蛋白含量显著增加,肾小球基底膜增厚,足细胞nephrin、podocin表达显著减少,通过厄贝沙坦干预治疗,上述指标改善(P＜0.05),且蛋白尿的程度与nephrin、podocin表达呈负相关(P＜0.05).结论 厄贝沙坦可通过拮抗DN大鼠的足细胞损害;减少其尿蛋白.     

雷公藤多苷对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞病变的影响

目的 探讨雷公藤多苷（TWP）对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞病变的影响。 方法 SD大鼠100只,按随机数字表法分为正常对照组（A组）、糖尿病组（B组）与TWP治疗组（C组）。并将C组按4、8、16 mg?kg-1?d-1不同给药剂量分为3组（Ca、Cb、Cc）。糖尿病组与TWP治疗组大鼠分别给予链脲菌素（STZ）一次性腹腔注射建立糖尿病大鼠模型。12周后检测24 h尿蛋白量、血肌酐（Scr）、尿素氮（BUN）、外周血白细胞（WBC）、血糖（Glu）、肾质量/体质量（KW/BW）的变化;HE染色检测肾组织病理变化;透射电镜测量足细胞超微结构变化;免疫荧光法检测肾皮质nephrin和podocin蛋白表达。 结果 （1）与A组比较,B组及C组Scr、BUN增高（P ＜ 0.05）;Glu、KW/BW和24 h尿蛋白量显著增高（P ＜ 0.01）,除Cc组（3/20）出现肝酶（ALT、AST）增高及WBC下降外,各组ALT、AST、WBC差异无统计学意义;肾脏皮质nephrin和podocin蛋白表达减少,肾小球、小管间质及足细胞病变明显。（2）与B组比较,C组KW/BW和24 h尿蛋白量降低（P ＜ 0.01）,肾脏皮质nephrin和 podocin蛋白表达增高（均P ＜ 0.01）,肾小球、小管间质及足细胞病变明显减轻,并随雷公藤多苷剂量的增加而越加明显。 结论 TWP对糖尿病大鼠足细胞病变具有保护作用,并与剂量相关。其部分机制可能与上调nephrin和podocin蛋白表达有关。     

Histochemical and contractile properties of striated muscles of urethra and levator ani of dogs and sheep

AIMS: To understand their possible importance in long- and short-term control of continence, some properties of the striated muscles of the urethra and pelvic floor (levator ani) of dogs and sheep were investigated, especially fiber types and contractile characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Striated muscles of urethra and levator ani of 29 male and 6 female dogs and 11 male and 6 female sheep were removed and cut into strips. Some strips were frozen and stained for ATPase at pH 9.4 and 4.3 for fiber typing; others were set up in an organ bath to study contractile responses to nerve stimulation. RESULTS: All muscles contained both type I (slow) and type II fibers, ranging from 97% type II in female greyhound urethra to 60% in female sheep levator ani. For each muscle, there were fewer type II muscles in sheep than in dog. The diameters of the urethral fibers were about 60% of the levator ani in dogs and 34% in sheep. Contraction of the urethral muscle was faster than for levator ani and declined to about 80% of the peak, 500 msec after the beginning of stimulation at 20 Hz. The levator ani contraction rose to a steady level as long as stimulation continued. CONCLUSIONS: Both the levator ani and urethral striated muscles contain slow and fast fiber types. The levator ani muscles are capable of sustained contraction with rapid onset which will produce long-term closure of the urethra. The circular urethral muscle contraction was faster but less well maintained.     

Recognition and management of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours arising from the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. These tumours may be identified incidentally, as part of a work-up for multiple endocrine neoplasia or following haemodynamic surges during unrelated procedures. Advances in perioperative management and improved management of intraoperative haemodynamic instability have significantly reduced surgical mortality from around 40% to less than 3%. Surgery is the definitive treatment in most cases and laparoscopic resection where possible is associated with improved outcomes. Anaesthetic management of PPGL cases represents a unique haemodynamic challenge both before and after tumour resection. In this article we describe the physiology of these tumours, their diagnosis, preoperative optimization methods, intraoperative anaesthetic management and management of postoperative complications.     

Physiology and pharmacology of nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are both very unpleasant experiences. The physiology is poorly understood; however, understanding what we do know is key to tailoring a preventative or therapeutic antiemetic regime. There are two key sites in the central nervous system implicated in the organization of the vomiting reflex: the vomiting centre and the chemoreceptor trigger zone. There are five key neurotransmitters involved in afferent feedback to these areas. These are histamine (H₁ receptors), dopamine (D₂), serotonin (5-HT₃), acetyl choline (muscarinic) and neurokinin (substance P). Postoperative nausea and vomiting will occur in around one-third of elective patients who have no prophylaxis. This can result in many detrimental effects including patient dissatisfaction, unplanned admission and prolonged recovery. It is therefore essential that clinicians understand how they can prevent and treat nausea and vomiting using either a single agent or a combination of antiemetics to target relevant receptors. Commonly used drugs include antihistamines, dopamine antagonists, serotonin antagonists and steroids. More novel agents are being developed such as aprepitant, a neurokinin receptor antagonist, palonosetron, a 5HT₃ receptor antagonist and nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid.     

Physiology and pharmacology of nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are both very unpleasant experiences. The physiology is poorly understood; however, understanding what we do know is key to tailoring a preventative or therapeutic antiemetic regime. There are two key sites in the central nervous system implicated in the organization of the vomiting reflex: the vomiting centre and the chemoreceptor trigger zone. There are five key neurotransmitters involved in afferent feedback to these areas. These are histamine (H₁ receptors), dopamine (D₂), serotonin (5-HT₃), acetyl choline (muscarinic) and neurokinin (substance P). Postoperative nausea and vomiting will occur in around one-third of elective patients who have no prophylaxis. This can result in many detrimental effects including patient dissatisfaction, unplanned admission and prolonged recovery. It is therefore essential that clinicians understand how they can prevent and treat nausea and vomiting using either a single agent or a combination of antiemetics to target relevant receptors. Commonly used drugs include antihistamines, dopamine antagonists, serotonin antagonists and steroids. More novel agents are being developed such as aprepitant, a neurokinin receptor antagonist, palonosetron, a 5HT₃ receptor antagonist, and nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid.     

Instrumented ligamentotaxis and stabilization of compression and burst fractures of dorsolumbar and mid-lumbar spines

Background:

Controversy continues regarding the best treatment for compression and burst fractures. The axial distraction reduction utilizing the technique employing the long straight rod or curved short rod without derotation to reduce fracture are practised together with short segment posterolateral fusion (PLF). Effects of the early postoperative mobilization without posterolateral fusion on reduction maintenance and fracture consolidation were not evaluated so far. The present prospective study is designed to assess the effectiveness of i) reduction and restoration of sagittal alignment, ii) no posterolateral fusion on the reduced, fractured vertebral body and injured disc, iii) fracture consolidation and iv) the fate of the unfused cephalad and caudal injured motion segments of the fractured vertebra.

Materials and Methods:

The study includes 15 Denis burst and two Denis type D compression fractures between T₁₂ and L₃. The lordotic distraction technique was used for ligamentotaxis utilizing the contoured short rods and pedicle screw fixator. Three vertebrae including the fractured one were fixed. The patients after surgery were braced for ten weeks with activity restriction for 2-4 weeks. The patients were evaluated for change in vertebral body height, sagittal curve, reduction of retropulsion, improvement in neural deficit. The unfused motion segments, residual postoperative pain and bone and metal failure were also evaluated.

Results:

The preoperative and postreduction percentile vertebral heights at, zero (immediate postoperative), at three, six and 12 months followup were 62.4, 94.8, 94.6, 94.5 and 94.5%, respectively. The percentages of the intracanal fragment retropulsion at preoperative, and postoperative at zero, 3, 6 and 12 months followup were 59.0, 36.2,, 36.0, 32.3, and 13.6% respectively.The preoperative and postreduction percentile loss of the canal dimension and at zero, three, six and 12 months were 52.1, 45.0, 44.0, 41.0 and 29% respectively suggesting that the under-reduced fragment was being resorbed gradually by a remodeling process. The mean initial kyphosis of 33° became mean 2° immediately after reduction and mean 3° at the final followup. The fractured vertebral bodies consolidated in an average period of ten weeks (range 8-14 weeks). The restored disc heights were relatively well maintained throughout the observation period. All paraparetic patients recovered neurologically. There were no postoperative complications.

Conclusion:

Instrument-aided ligamentotaxis for compression and burst fractures utilizing the short contoured rod derotation technique and the instrumented stabilization of the fractured spine are found to be effective procedures which contribute to the fractured vertebral body consolidation without recollapse and maintain the motion segment function.     

Incorporation and release of85Sr and14C-proline-hydroxyproline in mineral and collagen of bone and incisor teeth of growing rats

The extent to which exchange and reutilization processes of mineral tracers affect skeletal mineral accretion and resorption measurements was evaluated by comparing the rates of appearance and disappearance of⁸⁵Sr and¹⁴C-proline-hydroxyproline in bones and teeth in growing rats for 12 days following simultaneous parenteral injection of these tracers. Expressions for the relative rates of collagen synthesis and breakdown, which unlike mineral metabolism are considered not to be complicated by exchange phenomena, were based on¹⁴C-proline conversion to¹⁴C-hydroxyproline; the specific activity of the latter was determined. Both the mineral and the collagen specific activities reflected the rates and patterns of growth of the samples assayed; rapid growth and a short interval of time between formation and resorption of tissue in themetaphyseal bone which contains the cartilagineous growth plate, slow growth and an interval of time between formation and resorption of tissue indiaphyseal bone and incisor teeth which is longer than the 12 days of the experiment. However, in metaphyseal bone the specific activity collagen/mineral ratio dropped by one half during the 4–12 day interval in contrast to diaphyseal bone and incisor teeth in which no change in this ratio was observed during this period of time. The data indicate that collagen in the metaphyseal growth zone is removed by resorption before it has become fully mineralized, and that exchange is a relatively unimportant factor in the long term kinetics of bone mineral.

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Zusammenfassung Das Ausmaß, bis zu welchem Austausch- und Wiederverwendungsprozesse der mineralen Tracer die Messungen des mineralen Skelett-Auf- und Abbaues beeinflussen können, wurde ausgewertet; zu diesem Zweck wurde die Geschwindigkeit des Auftretens und Verschwindens von⁸⁵Sr und von¹⁴C-Prolin-Hydroxyprolin in Knochen und Zähnen von wachsenden Ratten während der 12 auf die simultane parenterale Injektion dieser Tracer folgenden Tage verglichen.Der Ausdruck für die relative Geschwindigkeit des Kollagen-Auf- und Abbaues, bei welchem im Gegensatz zum Mineralmetabolismus kein Mitwirken des Austauschphänomens vermutet wird, basiert auf der Umwandlung von¹⁴C-Prolin zu¹⁴C-Hydroxyprolin; die spezifische Aktivität des letzteren wurde bestimmt.Aus der spezifischen Aktivität des Minerals sowie jener des Kollagens konnten die Geschwindigkeit und die Art des Wachstums der untersuchten Proben ersehen werden, d.h.schnelles Wachstum und ein kurzes Zeitintervall zwischen Bildung und Resorption des Gewebes imKnochen der Metaphyse, die auch die knorpelige Wachstumsplatte enthält, und andererseitslangsames Wachstum und längeres Zeitintervall (länger als die 12 Tage des Experimentes) zwischen Bildung und Resorption des Gewebes imKnochen der Diaphyse und in den Schneidezähnen. Immerhin fiel die spezifische Aktivität des Kollagen/Mineral-Anteils im Knochen der Metaphyse während dem 4–12tägigen Zeitintervall auf die Hälfte, im Gegensatz zum Knochen der Diaphyse und der Schneidezähne, bei welchen während dieser Zeitspanne kein Unterschied in diesem Verhältnis beobachtet wurde.Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, daß Kollagen in der Wachstumszone der Metaphyse durch Resorption verschwindet, bevor es ganz mineralisiert ist, und daß der Austausch ein relativ unwichtiger Faktor in der Kinetik auf lange Sicht des Knochenminerals ist.

     

动静脉穿刺网络课件的开发及其应用

目的:确保护理教学效果,提高教学水平。方法:应用多项信息技术将动静脉穿刺技术制作成教学网络课件,并用于临床教学。结果:该课件在本校园网上运行半年余,2000余人次对其进行访问,受到师生好评。结论:该课件能及时反映动静脉穿刺的最新研究进展及具体操作步骤和使用方法,实现护理教学的直观性和交互性,对护理教学和临床带教指导有一定的借鉴作用。     

Physiology and pharmacology of nausea and vomiting

The physiology of nausea and vomiting is poorly understood. The initiation of vomiting varies and may be due to motion, pregnancy, chemotherapy, gastric irritation or postoperative causes. Once initiated, vomiting occurs in two stages, retching and expulsion. The muscles responsible for this sequence of events are controlled by either a vomiting centre or a central pattern generator, probably in the area postrema and the nearby nucleus tractus solitarius. Drugs which induce vomiting include ipecacuanha, a gastric irritant, and apomorphine, a dopamine-receptor agonist. Opioid drugs also induce vomiting, but opioid antagonists are not useful to treat nausea and vomiting. Anti-emetic drugs consist of a variety of neurotransmitter antagonists and may act in the periphery, the central nervous system or both sites. The most important drugs are antagonists at muscarinic, dopamine D₂, 5-HT₃, histamine H₁ and neurokinin NK₁ receptors. These drugs are discussed with particular attention to post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV).     

Principles and Practice of Hemofiltration and Hemodiafiltration

There is growing interest in the convective dialysis therapies, hemofiltration (HF) and hemodiafiltration (HDF). Both require dialysis membranes which are highly permeable to solutes as well as fluid, and in both cases large volumes of ultrafiltration are the condition for convective transport. In HDF the convection is combined with diffusion, and as a consequence, maximum clearance over the entire molecular weight spectrum is achieved. Optimal forms of HDF provide urea clearance 10–15% higher than the corresponding diffusive mode. The larger the solute, the greater is the impact of convection, and β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) levels may be up to 70% reduced. Traditional postdilution HF provides high clearance of medium sized and large molecules. Satisfactory clearance of small solutes requires blood flows in excess of 500 ml/min. With access to practically unlimited volumes of substitution solution through on-line ultrafiltration, predilution HF can now be used. This increases the clearance of small solutes to an acceptable range. For HDF as well as HF, large patient populations consistently treated for longer periods of time are needed to make valid outcome comparisons with other therapies.