Epidural magnesium reduces postoperative analgesic requirement

Background: Magnesium has antinociceptive effects in animal and human modelsof pain. Our hypothesis was that the addition of magnesium topostoperative epidural infusion of fentanyl may decrease theneed for fentanyl. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing hip surgery were enrolled to receiveeither fentanyl (Group F) or fentanyl plus magnesium sulphate(Group FM) for 24 h for epidural analgesia. All patients wereequipped with a patient-controlled epidural analgesia deviceand the initial settings of a demand bolus dose of fentanyl25 µg. In Group FM, patients received 50 mg magnesiumsulphate epidurally as an initial bolus dose followed by a continuousinfusion of 100 mg day^–1. Ventilatory frequency, heartrate, blood pressure, pain assessment using a visual analoguescale (VAS), sedation scores and fentanyl consumption were recordedin the postoperative period. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in the timeto first analgesic requirement. Compared with Group F, patientsin Group FM received smaller doses of epidural fentanyl (P <0.05). The cumulative fentanyl consumption in 24 h was 437 (SD110)µg in Group F and 328 (121) µg in Group FM (P <0.05). Patients in Group F showed a higher VAS score in thefirst hour of the postoperative period (P < 0.05). The groupswere similar with respect to haemodynamic and respiratory variables,sedation, pruritis, and nausea. Conclusion: Co-administration of magnesium for postoperative epidural analgesiaresults in a reduction in fentanyl consumption without any side-effects.     

The effects of gingko biloba extract (EGb 761) on experimental acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute pancreatitis is an important and fatal disease with high mortality and morbidity. Although the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is poorly understood, there are many studies that suggest the role for oxygen free radicals (OFRs) in the development of pancreatitis and its complications and show beneficial effects of scavenger treatment. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether Egb761, the standardized extract of gingko biloba, restrains the generation of OFRs and ameliorates the histopathologic findings of acute pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following experimental groups. In early and late pancreatitis and treatment groups, acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate. In treatment groups, 100 mg/kg Egb 761 was given intraperitoneally (IP) 24 h and immediately before induction of pancreatitis. Sham-operated rats received isotonic saline instead of sodium taurocholate. After observation times of 3.5 and 12 h, the pancreas was removed for light microscopy and determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker for OFRs-induced lipid peroxidation. Serum samples also were obtained for amylase and lipase levels. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in control and sham-operated groups in terms of histopathologic findings and serum enzyme levels. The tissue concentrations of MDA and serum enzyme levels were significantly elevated in early and late treatment groups as compared with the control group. The treatment with Egb 761 caused significant decrease in serum amylase and lipase levels and histopathologic scores as compared with early and late pancreatitis groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic application of Egb761 exerts highly beneficial influence on the course of acute pancreatitis, and this seems to be related to the oxygen radical scavenger effect of Egb761.     

涂阳肺结核病人发现程序的探讨

目的　探索高发现、操作简便、成本低的病人发现程序。方法 山东省2000年结核病流行病学抽样调查资料。结果 在1715例同时胸透和痰涂片检查的可疑肺结核症状者中,发现涂阳肺结核病人51例,其中胸透诊断正常者15例。结论 对可疑肺结核症状者必须全部查痰。     

Childhood parapneumonic effusions: biochemical and inflammatory markers

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Biochemical and inflammatory markers in pleural inflammation were evaluated in pediatric cases of parapneumonic effusions, and interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations were tested for possible differentiation of the complicated nature of effusions. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight patients (12 female) who were admitted to Hacettepe University Childrens' Hospital over a 2-year period were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS: Patients were grouped according to the stage of effusion. Pleural fluid leukocyte count, neutrophil ratio, pH, protein, glucose levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, TNF-alpha levels, IL-8 levels, and nitrite levels were obtained. RESULTS: Of these patients, 13 had empyema, 10 had complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPEs), and 5 had uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (UPEs). Protein and glucose levels decreased, leukocyte count, neutrophil ratio, TNF-alpha levels, nitrite levels, and IL-8 levels increased progressively as the stage of the disease progressed. IL-8 levels, but not TNF-alpha and nitrite levels, were statistically different among the groups. IL-8, TNF-alpha, and nitrite levels all correlated positively with each other (all p < or = 0.001), and pH correlated negatively with these markers (all p < or = 0.001). At a cutoff value of 76.6 pg/mL, TNF-alpha discriminated between CPEs and UPEs with a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy of 78%. At a cutoff value of 701.6 pg/mL, IL-8 differentiated CPE and UPE with a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 80%, and an accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive changes in common biochemical markers (ie, pH, and protein, glucose, and LDH levels) are interrelated during stages of pleural inflammation. IL-8 may be used as an alternative marker for discriminating between CPEs and UPEs in pediatric parapneumonic effusions.