Research on severe maternal morbidities and near-misses in Brazil: what we have learned

The occurrence of complications during pregnancy depends less on the degree of human development than differences in the way complications in pregnancy are detected and managed. It is the quick diagnosis and correct management that really contribute to the enormous differences in maternal mortality ratios between countries and regions. Understanding of the determinants of maternal mortality may be improved by studying cases of severe maternal morbidity. In this paper, various approaches to the concept of severe maternal morbidity and near-misses are discussed, and the relationship between these and maternal deaths. Although no consensus has been reached on a strict definition of near-miss or severe maternal morbidity, we show that the definitions used may be tailored to support diverse objectives, including monitoring progress, epidemiological surveillance and auditing of health care. We conclude that the versatility of the concept, the greater frequency of cases available for study and the possibility of interviewing the survivors of severe complications all support the value of studying severe maternal morbidity to help guide local efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Although this may almost be a reality in developed countries, it continues to represent an important and difficult challenge to overcome in places where its benefits would be most evident.     

危重新生儿应激性高血糖及其预后分析

目的探讨危重新生儿预后与应激性高血糖之间的关系。方法对85例危重新生儿入院后即采静脉血用葡萄糖氧化酶法测血糖,血糖>7mmol/L诊断为高血糖,此后应用微量血糖仪进行动态监测。结果入院时高血糖者56例,占65.9%,治愈组与死亡组的血糖值分别为7.38±2.70、17.8±8.50mmol/L(P<0.01);无脏器功能衰竭、单器官及多器功能衰竭患儿的血糖分别为6.02±2.82、10.8±3.85、14.1±4.80mmol/L(P<0.01)。高血糖与器官功能衰竭关系密切,血糖越高,病情越严重,预后越差。结论危重新生儿血糖水平可作为预后判断的一项依据。     

Transmission of Syphilis by Solid Organ Transplantation

Two organ recipients developed serologic evidence of syphilis infection after renal transplantation from a common deceased donor with a history of treated syphilis. Testing of donor serum for syphilis, which occurred after transplantation, gave results interpreted as consistent with past infection. However, subsequent serologic results in the recipients suggested transmission of infection at transplantation due to active infection of the donor. This may be explained by recent donor re-infection in view of the current syphilis epidemic in the United Kingdom. An initial error in the treatment of recipients further served to highlight unfamiliarity in managing this resurgent infection in the context of organ transplantation.     

腺苷A1受体诱导预处理延迟效应对供心保存的影响及机制探讨

目的　探讨腺苷A1受体激动剂预处理延迟效应对保存大鼠心脏的影响及其机制。方法　Wistar大鼠随机分为 8组 ,A、C组以高选择性腺苷A1受体激动剂 (CCPA)预处理 ;D、E、F组在CCPA预处理前分别注射锰 超氧化物歧化酶 (Mn SOD)反义、有意义、错配寡核苷酸 (ODN) ;B、G组注射生理盐水 ,H组只注射反义寡核苷酸。 2 4h后 ,A、B组用 4℃St.Thomas液保存 4h ,复灌 1h ,而另 6组采取低温缺血 3h ,复灌 1h。观测心功能、磷酸肌酸激酶 (CK mb)、三磷酸腺苷 (ATP)含量等。结果　A组左室内压上升与下降最大速率恢复率 (±dp/dtmax,% )为 6 2 .83± 17.2 7,6 6 .81± 18.99,心肌ATP含量 (10 3 μmol/g)为3.6 7± 1.4 2 ;而B组分别为 4 0 .4 1± 18.2 9,4 4 .70± 2 5 .14 ,1.4 6± 0 .5 4 ;A组均明显高于B组 ,差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 1orP <0 .0 5 )。C组±dp/dtmax恢复率、ATP、Mn SOD活性均明显高于D、G、H组 (P <0 .0 1orP <0 .0 5 ) ,而与E、F组比较 ,差异无显著性。结论　腺苷A1受体激动剂能诱导预处理的延迟效应 ,改善离体大鼠心脏的保存效果 ,而该效应与Mn SOD的高表达有关。     

Introducing expert systems to medical students using esta, Expert System Teaching Aid

Medical students are allocated little curriculum time for exposure to expert systems. ESTA, a computer model of an expert system, was developed to make best use of this time. The nature of the students' interaction with ESTA is described, and their reactions to the expert system concepts and the place of expert systems in medicine are presented. A discussion of these reactions draws some conclusions about teaching expert systems in particular, and computers in general, in the basic medical course.     

Experience with the Berlin Heart Assist Device

Abstract: Different mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSS) have been in clinical use since 1987 to keep patients alive by assisting the heart during cardiac recovery after open heart surgery, myocardial infarction, acute graft failure after heart transplantation, or as a bridge to transplantation in heart transplant candidates. Four different hospitals in Germany used the Berlin Heart Assist Device. Up until 1993, there were 22 patients in the "recovery" group; 4 patients were weaned from the system, and only 1 patient was discharged from the hospital. In 112 patients the Berlin Heart Assist Device was implanted for the purpose of a bridge to transplantation, 68 were transplanted and 46 patients left the hospital. It was concluded that patients may be kept alive with this system for weeks and months after any kind of cardiogenic shock. Complete cardiac recovery may be achieved in patients with early posttransplant graft failure. Reliable prediction of outcome in bridge–to–transplantation patients requires further experience and improvement of system components.     

修正正交分段线性函数及其在线性与时变线性系统中应用

把分段线性函数和斜波脉冲函数进行统一处理，定义成新的函数，使得新的函数既保持了原先两种函数的基本特性，又获得微分和积分递推算法。应用中具有方便，快速计算的优点。