Left Ventricular Apical Cannulation for Circulatory Support

Abstract Circulatory support is occasionally needed for postcardiotomy low output. The left atrium may not be accessible for inflow cannulation. This article describes cannulation of the left ventricular apex for circulatory support. (J Card Surg 1998;13:51–55)     

A comparison of two methods of diagnosing hysteria.

The authors compare the syndrome of hysteria, defined as or indicated by a specified response to a 55-item symptom checklist previously used by Guze and other researchers, with the definition of hysterical personality in the second edition of APA's Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II). When 20 control subjects and 10 hysterical personalities (DSM-II) were given the Perley-Guze test, the results showed a close correlation between positive scores on the symptom checklist and the DMS-II diagnosis. The authors comment briefly on the theoretical usefulness and practicality of the test and note some difficulties in administration.     

Synergistic activity of cefsulodin combined with cefoxitin and sulbactam against Bacteroides species

The in-vitro activity of cefsulodin combined with sulbactam, cefoxitin or cefotaxime was investigated against 32 strains of beta-lactamase-producing Bacteroides species. Synergy of cefsulodin-sulbactam or cefsulodin-cefoxitin could be demonstrated against 30 of 32 and 32 of 32 strains tested at the concentrations readily achievable in serum. In the presence of 1 mg/l of sulbactam or cefoxitin, more than 90% of the Bacteroides isolated were inhibited by 32 mg/l of cefsulodin. The inhibitory activity of cefsulodin-sulbactam or cefsulodin-cefoxitin combinations was bactericidal against Bact. fragilis and Bact. vulgatus. In contrast, no synergistic inhibitory or bactericidal activities can be observed by the cefsoludin-cefotaxime combination. Both sulbactam and cefoxitin were potent inhibitors of beta-lactamases produced by Bact. fragilis and Bact. melaninogenicus suggesting that this inhibitory activity might be one of the factors contributing to the synergistic combinations.     

Is malrotation significant in the pathogenesis of duodenal atresia?

The association between duodenal atresia and intestinal malrotation has been recognised for many years. We discuss the hypothesis that embryonic bands crossing the developing duodenum can cause enough compression to create an atresia or stenosis. We support this hypothesis with the operative findings of all the duodenal atresias treated at our institution over a 15-year-period.     

Human patient simulation evaluation rubrics for nursing education: measuring the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice

With the call for curriculum that meets the educational needs of nurses in the 21st century, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing provided nine essentials for baccalaureate nursing education in The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, which serves as a critical guide to inform and shape baccalaureate nursing program curricula. Nursing programs must demonstrate program outcomes that reflect all of the essentials. Human patient simulation was specifically acknowledged as an appropriate educational tool for meeting these needs. This article identifies and assesses six rubrics purported to measure outcomes of human patient simulation and evaluates how these rubrics measure outcomes reflecting the baccalaureate essentials. Psychometric data were limited for the majority of the rubrics, especially validity data. The rubrics consistently failed to measure Essentials V and VII. Suggestions for how these Essentials might be integrated into the existing rubrics are provided.