N-acetylcysteine attenuates ventilator-induced lung injury in an isolated and perfused rat lung model

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) suppresses the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are implicated in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We thus hypothesised that NAC attenuates VILI. VILI was induced by mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume (Vt) of 15mlkg(-1) in isolated and perfused rat lung. NAC was administered in the perfusate prior to the onset of mechanical ventilation. A group ventilated with low Vt of 5mlkg(-1) served as control. Haemodynamics, lung injury indices, inflammatory responses and activation of apoptotic pathways were determined upon completion of the mechanical ventilation. There was an increase in lung permeability and lung weight gain after mechanical ventilation with high Vt, compared to low Vt. The levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) increased in lung lavage fluids; the concentrations of H(2)O(2) were higher in lung lavage fluids, and the expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO), JNK, P38, pAKT and caspase-3 in lung tissue was greater in the high Vt than in the low Vt group. The concentrations of glutathione (GSH) in lung tissue were higher in low Vt than those in high Vt. The administration of NAC increased GSH, attenuated ROS, cytokines, MPO, JNK, pAKT and caspase-3 and lung permeability associated with decreased activation of nuclear factor-κB. VILI is associated with inflammatory responses including the generation of ROS, cytokines and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. The administration of NAC attenuates the inflammatory responses, apoptosis and VILI in the isolated, perfused rat lung model.     

Combined St. Thomas and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarat solutions for myocardial preservation in heart transplantation patients

Background

To establish quicker cardiac arrest and less myocardial distension injury during heart procurement, we combined St. Thomas and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions for donor heart preservation since June 2008.

Methods

From June 2008 to March 2010, we enrolled 31 heart transplantation (HT) patients in this study. During heart procurement we initially infused 1,000 mL cold St Thomas cardioplegic solution to achieve cardiac arrest. After procurement, a further 2,000 mL of cold HTK solution was infused at low perfusion pressure. Another 1,000 mL cold HTK solution was perfused before donor heart implantation. We examined donor age, recipient preoperative characteristics, ischemia time, hospital stay, postoperative graft function, major cardiac events, and transplant vasculopathy (TCAD).

Results

Twenty-two patients (71.0%) presented with dilated cardiomyopathy and 7 (23.3%) with ischemia cardiomyopathy. There were 23 (76.7%) male donors, and the mean donor age was 38.4 ± 13.8 years. Six patients underwent a redo sternotomy, 1 patient needed a third-do sternotomy, and 1 a seventh sternotomy (third HT) for repeated endocarditis and graft failure. The average ischemia time was 224.9 ± 71.0 minutes and the postoperative hospital stay was 57.7 ± 47.7 days. The surgical mortality (3.2%) was not accompanied by hospital or follow-up mortality. Patient left ventricular ejection fraction postoperative was 59.6 ± 2.3% with good functional status. Major cardiac events occurred in 8 patients (26.7%) without major complications. There were two subjects with TCAD but normal graft function. The correlation between ischemia time and hospital stay was insignificant (r = 0.21; P = .26).

Conclusions

Donor heart preservation combining St Thomas cardioplegic arest and low-pressure perfusion with HTK solution seemed to be safe with. short-term survival similar to other approaches.     

Imaging evaluation of kidney using multidetector computerized tomography in living-related renal transplantation

Background

Multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) is lesser invasive than conventional angiography and has the advantage of assessment of vessels and surrounding anatomic variants before laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Methods

From May 2005 to March 2011, 62 consecutive living kidney donors of mean age 45.3 ± 12.7 years (range 24-70 y, male:female 26:36) underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy to paired recipients of mean age 44.8 ± 14.0 years (range 17-74 y, male:female 38:24). The clinical characteristics and laboratory data of donors and recipients were collected for analysis. Graft function as indicated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained from the last stable visit of the donors and the best value displayed by the recipients.

Results

There was no significant correlation between CT kidney volume and and eGFR. By univariate analysis, donor age was associated with worse graft function (−0.51 mL/min lower eGFR per 1 year of donor age; P < .0001). Female sex and higher effective renal plasma flow/body mass index ratio were associated with better graft function; conversely, body weight and BMI were associated with poor graft function upon univariate and multivariate analysis. An ERPF of <220 mL/min and a donor age >45 y showed significantly lower eGFR. There was no effect of CT kidney volume <100 mL.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data suggest that CT kidney volume does not predict posttransplantation graft function, but MDCT is still important for analysis of anatomy before laparoscopic nephrectomy among living donors.     

Long-term outcomes of living kidney donors over the past 28 years in a single center in Taiwan

Background

The chronic shortage of kidneys for transplantation has increased the number of living donations, but demand remains high, which has created a long waiting list of end-stage kidney disease patients. Donors with decreased renal mass may suffer a higher risk of developing proteinuria, hypertension (HTN), and chronic renal disease (CKD) during long-term follow-up.

Methods

We retrospectively retrieved medical data of living kidney donors at our hospital over the past 28 years.

Results

There were 45 male and 60 female donors with a mean donation age of 46.34 ± 12.47 years (range = 20-70y). The mean follow-up duration was 4.67 ± 4.78 years. The serum creatinine (Cr) at donation was 0.93 ± 0.22 mg/dL, while the latest Cr was 1.26 ± 0.45 mg/dL (P < .001). The mean age at follow-up was 50.95 ± 14.57 years. At last follow-up, eight subjects (7.6%) displayed HTN requiring treatment, 10 (9.5%), proteinuria and 55.4%, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min, including one with diabetic nephropathy at 10 years after donation who required long-term hemodialysis. Although gender did not correlate with occurrence of HTN, proteinuria, and CKD, the occurrence of CKD was associated with age at donation (P < .001, odds ratio [OR] = 1.076), and age at follow-up (P < .001, OR = 1.071). HTN donors were older (P = .036, OR = 1.057) with longer follow-up durations (P = .007, OR = 1.166) and had higher Cr values at donation (P = .044, OR = 94.4). Donors with proteinuria were not related to gender, follow-up duration, initial Cr, warm ischemic time, or duration of admission. eGFR was indeed worse after donation (P = .002).

Conclusions

Our results indicated a significant proportion of living donors may develop CKD upon long-term follow-up. The factors affecting donor risk of CKD were baseline renal function, older age, and duration after kidney donation.     

Application of the Calgary-Cambridge guideline to communication skills training for nursing students practising in emergency room

目的 探讨卡尔加里-剑桥指南(下称指南)在急诊实习护生沟通技巧培训中的应用效果.方法 将急诊科实习护生63名按入科实习时间分为观察组(32例)和对照组(31例),观察组接受指南进行沟通技巧的培训,对照组接受常规沟通指导;采用护患沟通满意度调查问卷A、B卷调查两组护生所服务的患者和两组护生的沟通满意度情况.结果 观察组患者护患沟通总体满意度和11个条目(除外“保护隐私”)显著优于对照组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);观察组护生沟通总体满意度及沟通过程中的8个条目(除外“有礼貌、尊重患者”及“保护隐私”等4个条目)显著优于对照组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论 指南可有效提高急诊患者及实习护生对沟通过程的满意度.     

Free medial sural artery perforator flap for ankle and foot reconstruction

Resurfacing shallow defects over the ankle and foot with an appropriately thin flap is a common but difficult task. This can be accomplished by harvesting the medial sural artery perforator flap from the medial aspect of the upper calf. Based on the musculocutaneous perforator of the medial sural artery, this flap preserves the medial gastrocnemius muscle and avoids unnecessary flap bulkiness. Between January 2002 and February 2004, we used 2 variants of the free medial sural artery perforator flap for ankle and foot reconstruction in 13 patients (10 fasciocutaneous flaps and 3 adipofascial flaps). In these patients, skin defects were combined with bone, joint, or tendon exposure. The main advantage of this flap is that it provides a thin and pliable coverage to achieve better accuracy in the reconstructive site. Other advantages include maintaining the function of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, providing a long vascular pedicle, and avoiding the need to sacrifice major arteries of the leg. The main disadvantages are the tedious process of intramuscular retrograde dissection of the perforator and the unsightly skin graft over the medial calf.     

小剂量左旋布比卡因复合芬太尼腰麻-硬膜外联合麻醉用于经尿道前列腺电切术的观察

目的评价小剂量左旋布比卡因复合芬太尼椎管内联合麻醉在老年患者经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)中的麻醉效果及其副作用。方法选择行TURP男性患者40例,年龄60~83岁,随机分为两组:A组,左旋布比卡因5mg加芬太尼25μg与10%葡萄糖水配成2.5ml溶液,20例;B组,左旋布比卡因7.5mg与10%葡萄糖水配成2.5ml溶液,20例。实施腰麻-硬膜外联合麻醉。观察并记录:感觉阻滞最高平面,到达感觉阻滞最高平面时间,改良Bromage评分法判断运动神经阻滞程度,运动神经阻滞消退时间,血压与心率变化以及恶心、呕吐、寒战、皮肤瘙痒、呼吸抑制等副作用。结果所有患者麻醉镇痛完善。B组低血压和寒战的发生率显著高于A组(P<0.01);B组运动神经阻滞评分与阻滞持续时间显著高于A组(P<0.01)。结论小剂量左旋布比卡因复合芬太尼腰麻-硬膜外联合麻醉能完全满足老年患者TURP的麻醉要求,且副作用明显减少。     

改良后路张力带钢板治疗不稳定性骶骨骨折

目的 探讨改良后路张力带钢板治疗因骶骨骨折导致的骨盆后环不稳定病人的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2015年6月至2018年6月我院采用改良后路张力带钢板治疗的7例因骶骨骨折导致骨盆后环不稳定病人的临床资料,其中男4例,女3例,年龄为23~63岁,Tile分型B1 1例,B2 1例,B3 1例,C1 3例,C2 1例。骶骨骨折Denis分区1区4例,2区3例。高处坠落伤3例,车祸伤4例。记录病人软组织激惹等并发症发生情况,采用Majeed评分标准评估骨盆功能。结果 病人手术时间平均为32 min,失血量平均为58 mL。所有病人均获得骨性愈合,愈合时间平均为19周。7例病人平均随访了16个月。根据Majeed评分,优6例,良1例,优良率100%。未出现软组织激惹、神经血管损伤、体表能触及钢板等并发症。结论 改良的后路张力带钢板能有效治疗因骶骨骨折导致的骨盆后环不稳定,安全有效,且软组织激惹较少。     

Oral and dental manifestations in diabetic and nondiabetic uremic patients receiving hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the dental condition and oral manifestations in diabetic and nondiabetic uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 128 patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy were classified into the diabetic and nondiabetic groups and examined for uremic oral manifestations, dental caries, and the periodontal status. All the patients received predialytic salivary pH examination. In the diabetic group, the correlation between oral findings and glycemic controlled levels, which was collected based on Hb A1C values, were further studied. RESULTS: The diabetic group exhibited significantly higher prevalence of caries and more severe dry mouth, taste change, and mucosa pain than the nondiabetic group. The diabetic group tended to have lower predialytic salivary pH, and patients with poor glycemic control (ie, Hb A1C > 9%) showed higher incidence of dry mouth, mucosal pain, and tongue coating. However, the DMFT and CPI index were not associated with glycemic control in the diabetic group. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that diabetic uremic patients undergoing maintained hemodialysis exhibited a potentially higher risk for dental decay and xerostomia. Lower salivary pH and poor glycemic control may affect oral manifestations. Further research is needed to clarify the combined influence of diabetic nephropathy on oral health.     

Effect of ischemia/reperfusion on bladder nerve and detrusor cell damage

Ischemia, reperfusion, and subsequent free radical damage have been implicated in many voiding disorders. Our goal was to investigate further the mechanisms of these disorders, with particular emphasis on nerve and mitochondrial function and on detrusor smooth-muscle cells. The effects on contractile responses to various stimulations, citrate synthase, choline acetyltransferase activities, and vesicular acetylcholine transporter were evaluated after ischemia alone and ischemia/reperfusion 2 h, 7 days, and 14 days. Nerve density and detrusor cell apoptosis were also measured. The contractile responses were significantly decreased at both 7 and 14 days reperfusion, although at 14 days some recovery was observed. Similar patterns were seen for the intramural nerves, both nerve cell cytoskeletal structures and cholinergic neurotransmitters. Citrate synthase activity was also depressed by ischemia and 2 h reperfusion, but the activity recovered by 7 days. Detrusor cell apoptosis was not significantly affected by ischemia and 2 h reperfusion; but showed an approximately 14-fold increase at both 7 and 14 days reperfusion. Reperfusion following ischemia resulted in worsening intramural bladder nerve dysfunction, nerve fiber injury, mitochondrial injury, and damaged detrusor muscle cells. However, at 14 days reperfusion, nerve and mitochondrial regeneration occurred and resulted in partial recovery of contractile function.