Applikationsverfahren und dosierungsempfehlungen zur postoperativen analgesie

Systemic application of analgesics is still the most frequently used method of postoperative relief of pain. However, neither intermittent intramuscular nor intermittent intravenous application can provide the patient with a continuous level of analgesia. Lipid-soluble analgesics or those with polar binding that are rapidly metabolized demonstrate an rapid effectiveness. If the analgesia must be administered over a long period, it is due to a low level of lipid solubility, high receptor affinity and low elimination rates. Oral as well as sublingual buccal and rectal applications are characterized by uncertain absorption conditions. There are few investigations on the subcutaneous application of analgesics. After intramuscular administration analgesic levels are achieved within 15 to 60 min, but various conditions may alter the absorption criteria. Intradeltoidal application is preferable to intragluteal injection. Analgesics may be administered intravenously as a bolus, as continuous infusion, or as patient-controlled analgesia. The bolus injection is characterized by a short period of action and the necessity to administer several bolus injections by repeated administration. The continuous infusion of analgesics should begin with the administration of an initial bolus injection. Infusion analgesia should be performed under careful monitoring conditions. The most promising method of pain relief is patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). After an initial bolus injection, the continuous infusion of an analgesic is guaranteed and may be completed by the patient with several bolus injections. PCA requires careful monitoring. We suggest that a special analgesia team to take care of the patient in special analgesia units might be appropriate in the future.     

Profile of non-compliance in lymphoblastic leukaemia

A nationwide study of intracellular drug metabolite concentrations in children prescribed 6-mercaptopurine for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukaemia was carried out to assess interpatient variability at a standardised dose. Nine children (2% of the total) had completely undetectable metabolites, indicative of non-compliance. Five were adolescents, but otherwise they had no obvious distinguishing characteristics. Not taking any 6-mercaptopurine at all is uncommon, but the problem cannot be predicted. The total number of children who do not comply cannot be determined from this study, but the nine children described represent only a fraction of these.     

Immune responses against SARS-coronavirus nucleocapsid protein induced by DNA vaccine

The nucleocapsid （N） protein of SARS-coronavirus （SARS-CoV） is the key protein for the formation of the helical nucleocapsid during virion assembly. This protein is believed to be more conserved than other proteins of the virus, such as spike and membrane glycoprotein. In this study, the N protein of SARS-CoV was expressed in Escherichia coli DHSalpha and identified with pooled sera from patients in the convalescence phase of SARS. A plasmid pCI-N, encoding the full-length N gene of SARS-CoV, was constructed. Expression of the N protein was observed in COS1 cells following transfection with pCI-N. The immune responses induced by intramuscular immunization with pCI-N were evaluated in a murine model. Serum anti-N immunoglobutins and splenocytes proliferative responses against N protein were observed in immunized BALB/c mice. The major immunoglobulin G subclass recognizing N protein was immunoglobulin G2a, and stimulated splenocytes secreted high levels of gamma interferon and IL-2 in response to N protein. More importantly, the immunized mice produced strong delayed-type hypersensitivity （DTH） and CD^8＋ CTL responses to N protein.     

固相法合成心肌兴奋肽及其类似物

用Boc-和Tos-基团分别保护氨基和侧链胍基,以1%交联度聚苯乙烯二苯甲氨基树脂为载体,用DCC固相法合成肽,HF断裂肽树脂键和去除侧链保护基团,粗产物经高效液相层析纯化,合成了心肌兴奋肽Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH_2及其类似物Phe-Pro-Arg-Phe-NH_2,并观察了此二种肽对大鼠血压和心率的影响。     

Antibacterial and Biodegradable Polysaccharide-Based Films for Food Packaging Applications: Comparative Study

One of the major objectives of food industry is to develop low-cost biodegradable food packaging films with optimal physicochemical properties, allowing for their large-scale production and providing a variety of applications. To meet the expectations of food industry, we have fabricated a series of solution-cast films based on common biodegradable polysaccharides (starch, chitosan and alginate) to be used in food packaging applications. Selected biopolymers were modified by the addition of glycerol and oxidized sucrose (starch), glycerol (chitosan), and glycerol and calcium chloride (alginate), as well as being used to form blends (starch/chitosan and starch/alginate, respectively). A chestnut extract was used to provide antibacterial properties to the preformed materials. The results of our studies showed that each modification reduced the hydrophilic nature of the polymers, making them more suitable for food packaging applications. In addition, all films exhibited much higher barrier properties to oxygen and carbon dioxide than commercially available films, such as polylactic acid, as well as exhibiting antimicrobial properties against model Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively), as well as yeast (Candida albicans).     

Radiographic analysis of lumbar lordosis: centroid, Cobb, TRALL, and Harrison posterior tangent methods

STUDY DESIGN: Delayed, repeated measures, with three examiners each twice digitizing thirty lateral lumbar radiographs. OBJECTIVES: To determine the reliability and clinical utility of the centroid, Cobb, tangential radiologic assessment of lumbar lordosis (TRALL), and Harrison posterior tangent line-drawing methods for analysis of lumbar lordosis. BACKGROUND DATA: Cobb's method is commonly used for curvature analysis on lateral lumbar radiographs, whereas the centroid, TRALL, and Harrison posterior tangent methods are not widely used. METHODS: Thirty lateral lumbar radiographs were digitized twice by each of three examiners. To evaluate reliability of determining global and segmental alignment, all four vertebral body corners of T12-S1 and the superior margin of the femur head were digitized. Angles created were segmental and global centroid, (two-line) Cobb angles, and intersections of posterior tangents. A global TRALL angle was determined. Means, standard deviations, mean absolute differences, interclass and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: The interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities of measuring all segmental and global angles were in the high range (ICCs > 0.83). The mean absolute differences of observers' measurements were small (0.6 degrees -2.0 degrees ). Distal segmental (L4-S1) and global angles of lumbar curvature were dependent on the method of measurement. CONCLUSIONS: All four radiographic methods had high reliability and low mean absolute differences of observers' measurements. Because it lacks a segmental analysis, the TRALL method is not recommended. The centroid, Cobb, and Harrison posterior tangent methods provide global and segmental angles. However, the centroid segmental method requires three segments and is less useful for a stability analysis.