The Suitability of Maltose for Parenteral Nutrion

Maltose infusion were performed in rats and normal human subjects. Utilisation of maltose in a rat is fairly good. Blood glucose and lactic acid concentrations are elevated during the high dose of maltose in the rat and renal loss is limited to less than 5 % of the total amount infused. In the human subject no steady state is reached during the 4 hour continuous infusion and the renal loss of maltose and glucose was 31 % of the intravenous load. In contrast to the rat the blood glucose concentration in man did not increase. The metabolic utilisation of maltose in man was however demonstrated by a decrease in inorganic phosphate and serum free fatty acid concentration. It is concluded that maltose is not suited as a fuel for parenteral nutrition because of its low metabolic rate in the human being.     

Definition, Klassifikation und Diagnose des Fibromyalgiesyndroms

BACKGROUND: Interdisciplinary guidelines for the definition, classification and diagnosis of chronic widespread pain (CWP) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were developed by collaboration of 10 German medical and psychological associations and 2 patient self-help organizations. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library (1993-12/2006), Medline (1980-2006), PsychInfo (1966-12/2006), and Scopus (1980-12/2006). Levels of evidence were assigned according to the classification system of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Grading of the strength of recommendation was done according to the German program for disease management guidelines. Standardized procedures to reach a consensus on recommendations were used. RESULTS: CWP is defined by the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR--strong consensus). FMS can be diagnosed for clinical purposes by symptom-based criteria (without tender point examination) as well as by the ACR criteria (strong consensus).     

Evaluation of an end-tidal portable ETCO2 colorimetric breath indicator (COLIBRI)

Evaluation of tube position is important after in-hospital and prehospital emergency intubation. Colorimetric breath indicators are devices for immediate control of tube positioning by showing a color change according to end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) concentrations. We hypothesized that colorimetric breath indicators can yield reliable results for confirmation of tube position. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new colorimetric breath indicator (Colibri, ICOR AB, Bromma, Sweden) in 147 patients during general anesthesia, in critically ill patients, during transport to in-hospital interventions, and in a study design after insertion of a second tube into the esophagus in long-term ventilated patients. The Colibri was attached between the respective airway and ventilatory tubing. Seventy-three patients were investigated during general anesthesia, 39 patients were observed during long-term ventilation with an average duration of 33 hours, in 15 patients during transport to an intervention for up to 4 hours, and in 20 long-term ventilated patients at the medical intensive-care unit after insertion of a second tube intentionally into the esophagus with the help of a laryngoscope. The Colibri worked well in all groups investigated and showed no false results in the group with tubes inserted into the trachea and esophagus. Data suggest that the Colibri might serve as a valuable tool for evaluating and controlling tube position. This device is independent of power supply or electronic equipment, portable, small, and immediately ready for use.     

Renal function and outcome after heart transplantation

Objectives

To investigate whether measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) is a risk factor for death and/or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after heart transplantation (HTx).

Os efeitos condrotóxicos e apoptóticos de levobupivacaína e bupivacaína na articulação do joelho de coelhos

Background

A single dose injection or continuous infusion of local anesthetics into the joint space is considered to be a well‐defined analgesia technique. The aim of this study was to investigate the chondrotoxic and apoptotic effects of single‐dose intra‐articular injection of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine on rabbit knee joint tissues.

Adherence of Renal Transplant Recipients to Once-daily,Prolonged-Release and Twice-daily,Immediate-release Tacrolimus-based Regimens in a Real-life Setting in Sweden

Background

In this study we investigated medication adherence of kidney transplant patients (KTPs) to an immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-T) regimen and, after conversion, to a prolonged-release tacrolimus (PR-T) regimen in routine clinical practice.

Ligamentäre Verletzungen und Bandinstabilitäten der Fingergelenke

Joint capsule and ligamentous lesions are common injuries of the upper extremities. Athletes are particularly inclined to suffer from these injuries. Clinical and radiological examinations are the cornerstone of an adequate treatment. Ultrasound-based diagnostics as a non-invasive and dynamic investigation method are gaining increasing relevance based on the development of high resolution probes. A correct interpretation of the findings is only feasible with a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy. The most important goal is stability as a prerequisite for early active and passive motion with unrestricted range of motion.