Acute unilateral pulmonary nonventilation due to mucous plugs

Acute bronchial obstruction by mucous plugs may be manifested clinically by dyspnea, hypoxemia, and respiratory alkalosis mimicking pulmonary thromboembolism. In eight cases with complete interruption of ventilation to an entire lung, chest radiography failed to reveal the extent of the obstruction. Perfusion was substantially less affected than ventilation. Routine ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy with technetium-99m DTPA aerosol aids in the diagnosis of acute major bronchial obstruction in patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism.     

Role of leukotriene D4 in the early and late pulmonary responses of rats to allergen challenge

To examine the role of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) in early and late pulmonary responses to antigen, we evaluated the effects of two LTD4, antagonists, MK-571 and FPL-57231, on the changes in pulmonary resistance (RL) in the 8-h period following antigen challenge of allergic rats. A total of 69 rats, aged 6 to 8 wk, were sensitized to subcutaneous ovalbumin (OA, 1 mg) and intraperitoneal Bordetella pertussis vaccine (6 x 10(9) bacilli). At 14 days after sensitization, rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal urethane (1.1 g/kg) and intubated endotracheally. Aerosols of OA (5% wt/vol in saline for 5 min) were administered to 24 control rats, to 11 rats that were pretreated with aerosolized FPL-57231, and to 8 rats that were pretreated with MK-571; 6 rats also received MK-571 at 2 h after OA. A control group of 13 rats was challenged with aerosols of saline. We defined an early response (ER) as an increase in RL to at least 150% of the postsaline value occurring within 1 h after OA challenge. A late response (LR) was defined as a value of RL exceeding the mean plus 2 SD of all values of RL from 75 min to 8 h after OA challenge and lasting at least 30 min. An ER was observed in 17 of 24 control rats, in 8 of 11 FPL-57231-pretreated rats, and in 3 of 8 MK-571-pretreated rats (not significant). The magnitude and duration of the ER were significantly reduced by MK-571, whereas only the duration was affected by FPL-57231.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pulsatile masses surrounding vascular prostheses: real-time US color flow imaging

A prospective evaluation of color flow mapping and real-time ultrasound was performed to determine if pseudoaneurysms could be distinguished from other causes of masses surrounding vascular grafts of the lower extremities. Twelve palpable pulsatile masses were imaged. Diagnoses were confirmed at angiography (n = 11), computed tomography (n = 7), aspiration biopsy (n = 5), and operative intervention (n = 6). A swirling pattern of blood flow was seen in six of seven cases of pseudoaneurysm. Lack of flow signals was noted in four of the five collections representing hematoma (n = 2) or infection (n = 2). The seventh case was later shown to be an infected, thrombosed pseudoaneurysm. The single false-positive diagnosis was made early in the series when the flow signals detected were due to transmitted arterial pulsations. The authors conclude that color Doppler flow imaging is useful in the differential diagnosis of pulsatile masses associated with prosthetic grafts. Prosthetic graft pseudoaneurysms have a specific appearance of swirling blood flow arising from a wide neck and are distinguishable from traumatic or iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the native vascular tree.     

红外光谱法和X-射线粉末衍射法研究棉酚的多晶型

棉酚是棉子中的一种色素,具有广泛生理活性。棉酚、醋酸棉酚、甲酸棉酚曾初步试用于男性节育,但有一定毒副作用,影响了临床进一步试用。目前国内外学者仍在进一步研究。棉酚的结构式如下:     

Perforation of the inferior vena cava with aortic and vertebral penetration by a suprarenal Greenfield filter

Various complications have been reported after insertion of the Greenfield filter. This report describes an unusual complication after suprarenal placement of this filter: spreading of the filter struts, with perforation of the inferior vena cava, and penetration of the aorta and a vertebral body, followed by fracture of one of the struts.     

Teaching pregnant women about newborns

This study was undertaken to determine if a video presentation of the interactive abilities of newborns is an effective means of educating pregnant women about newborns. 38 pregnant women participated in the study; 19 in the film group and 19 in the comparison group. All the women completed a short questionnaire assessing their knowledge about the capacity of the newborn to attend, respond, and show preferences for visual and auditory stimulation. The women in the film group completed the questionnaire before viewing the film. Two to three days after birth, the women were visited in the hospital where they were given a short questionnaire similar to the first. Mother-infant interaction during breastfeeding was observed. Analysis of the data showed an intervention effect on both maternal knowledge and maternal behavior. Mothers who saw the film gave more accurate information about the interactive ability of the newborn and talked to their newborns and smiled at them more often than mothers in the comparison group.