Use of fibronectin and somatomedin-C as markers of enteral nutrition support in traumatized patients using a modified amino acid formula

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of serum fibronectin and serum somatomedin-C as nutritional markers during enteral nutrition support (ENS) of critically ill, traumatized patients using an enteral product containing high concentrations of branched-chain amino acids. Twelve critically injured patients received a standard enteral formula with 30 g of a 44% branched-chain amino acid supplement added to each liter of formula. Fibronectin concentration, somatomedin-C concentration, and nitrogen balance were measured on study days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 or until adequate oral intake began. Both fibronectin and somatomedin-C concentrations increased significantly from baseline by day 7 of ENS. Nitrogen balance increased significantly from baseline by day 4. On days 14 and 21, only somatomedin-C and nitrogen balance increased significantly from baseline. Nitrogen balance was significantly correlated with somatomedin-C concentration (r = 0.53, p less than 0.01), cumulative caloric intake (r = 0.68, p less than 0.01), and cumulative nitrogen intake (r = 0.72, p less than 0.01). The results of this study suggest that serum somatomedin-C is useful and serum fibronectin has potential in monitoring nutrition support response in critically ill, traumatized patients.     

6种中药制剂治疗急性脑梗死的成本-效果分析

目的：运用药物经济学的方法对在我院应用的6种中药注射液进行成本-效果分析。方法：271例急性脑梗死患者依据药物治疗方案不同分为6组，即血塞通组、舒血宁组、苦碟子组、疏血通组、川芎嗪组、丹红组，分别观察疗效，并运用药物经济学的方法进行成本-效果分析。结果：疏血通组的成本为3 419.90元，总有效率最高（91.84%），6组间增量成本-效果最低。因此疏血通组是较为合理、经济的方案。     

Factors causing interrupted delivery of enteral nutrition in trauma intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND: The intent of this study was to ascertain the adequacy of delivery of enteral nutrition (EN) to critically ill adult multiple trauma patients and to identify potential detrimental factors that affect EN delivery. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. Trauma intensive care unit (TICU) in a university-affiliated hospital. Adult patients (>/=18 years of age) admitted to the TICU who received enteral feeding. RESULTS: Fifty-six adult patients were enrolled for study. Patients received, on average, 67% +/- 19% of what was prescribed for 5.7 +/- 2.0 days. A total of 222 occurrences for temporary discontinuation of tube feeding were identified. Gastrointestinal intolerance, as defined by a gastric residual volume of >150 mL, abdominal pain, or >3 liquid stools per day, accounted for only 11% of the occurrences for discontinuation of feeding. Surgery (27%) and diagnostic procedures (15%) represented the majority of reasons for inadequate nutrient delivery. Minor factors for EN interruptions were mechanical feeding tube problems (8%), pharmacy delivery delay (4%), and miscellaneous factors (3%). Multiple and unknown reasons contributed to 14% and 18% of the occurrences, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery and diagnostic procedures accounted for the largest factor in enteral feeding discontinuations in our critically ill trauma patients. Gastrointestinal intolerance contributed a minor role in the temporary discontinuation of enteral feeding.     

Lipoprotein (a) levels in those with high molecular weight apo (a) isoforms may remain low in a significant proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported an increase in median Lipoprotein (Lp) (a) in patients with high molecular weight (HMW) apolipoprotein (apo) (a) isoforms and renal impairment. Some studies identify Lp (a) levels as a risk factor for vascular disease in renal failure whilst others have demonstrated an association with apo (a) isoform type and vascular disease. METHODS: A total of 239 patients at end-stage renal failure (ESRF) were studied prior to the initiation of dialysis. Blood was taken for Lp (a) levels and apo (a) isoforms. Clinical vascular disease (CVD) was assessed on the basis of clinical history and Rose questionnaire. The control group for Lp (a) levels consisted of 228 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Despite a higher median Lp (a) level in those with HMW isoforms, 30% of patients had Lp (a) levels <10 mg/dl. Overall, 49% patients were identified as having CVD. Diabetes, smoking history and Lp (a) levels were significantly associated with CVD in logistic regression analysis, although when patients with low molecular weight (LMW) and HMW isoforms were analysed separately, Lp (a) levels were not significantly associated with CVD in those with LMW isoforms. The rates of CVD in those with HMW isoform and low Lp (a) levels were significantly lower than those with HMW isoforms and elevated Lp (a) levels, 34 vs 57% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although median Lp (a) levels in those patients at ESRF with HMW isoforms are higher than controls, in a third of such patients Lp (a) levels remain relatively low. These patients have lower rates of CVD than those with high levels of Lp (a).     

新生儿颅内出血的临床分析

目的 为探讨各种类型新生儿颅内出血的早期诊断方法，明确其临床特点与CT的关系。方法 对176例经CT证实有颅内出血新生儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 176例患儿中缺氧所致123例(72．6％)，产伤21例(11．9％)，新生儿出血症22例(12．5％)，早产儿10例。患儿有意识障碍者156例(88．6％)，惊厥98例(55．68％)，肌张力改变113例(64．2％)，原始反射减弱或消失104例(59％)，贫血16例。CT示：SAH121例。占68．75％，为NICH最常见类型；SDH17例，IPH13例，IVH5例，混合性出血20例。结论 根据临床表现考虑NICH者应做头颅CT或头颅B超检查。Cr是确诊的最佳手段，能正确显示出血部位、范围、程度及区分各种类型，头颅B超对早产儿、低出生体重儿的IVH、IPH检出率高。     

Constancy and variability of gallbladder ejection fraction: impact on diagnosis and therapy.

The main objective of this study was to test the constancy and variability of gallbladder (GB) ejection fraction (EF) in long-term studies to (a) determine whether EF ever becomes normal once it is low, (b) determine how long it takes for the EF to become abnormal once it is found to be normal, (c) explore the cause of low EF, and (d) define objective parameters for biliary and nonbiliary abdominal pain. METHODS: Fifty-two patients (42 women, 10 men) who underwent quantitative cholescintigraphy twice (total studies, 104), over a mean period of 38.54 mo between studies, were chosen for retrospective analysis. They were divided into the following groups: control (n = 13; nonbiliary abdominal pain), chronic acalculous cholecystitis (CAC) (n = 27; biliary abdominal pain), chronic calculous cholecystitis (CCC) (n = 6; biliary abdominal pain), and opioid (n = 6; nonbiliary abdominal pain). The last group had received an opioid before cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) infusion in one study but not in the other study. A GBEF value of > or =35% was considered normal with a 3-min infusion and > or =50% as normal with a 10-min infusion of CCK-8. RESULTS: The mean GBEF value was reproducible between the 2 sequential studies in the control group (66.0% +/- 20.5% vs. 73.9% +/- 17.7%), CAC group (24.4% +/- 22.3% vs. 16.9% +/- 10.9%), and CCC group (20.8% +/- 20.9% vs. 27.5% +/- 34.5%) but not in the opioid group (14.8% +/- 14.6% vs. 56.5% +/- 31.7%). The severity of GBEF reduction in CAC increased with time: 7.2% +/- 8.1% within 12 mo, 16.1% +/- 14.9% in 13-47 mo, and 23.5% +/- 21.3% in 48-168 mo. None of the 27 patients with CAC developed a gallstone as detected by ultrasound during the study period. In 5 patients with CAC, a mean period of 52.6 +/- 28.9 mo was required for conversion from normal to a low EF. CCK-induced cystic duct spasm is the etiology for low EF in both CAC and CCC. CONCLUSION: Normal and low GBEF values are reproducible in long-term studies. Once the EF reaches a low value, it does not return to normal, and a normal value requires many years to become abnormal. CCK-induced cystic duct spasm is the cause of low GBEF in CAC and CCC, and the severity of EF reduction is similar for both. Exclusion of opioid intake immediately before the study is critical before attributing a low GBEF value to an irreversible GB motor dysfunction.     

球囊二尖瓣扩张术后心房纤颤复律的临床研究

目的探讨二尖瓣狭窄合并心房纤颤患者在球囊二尖瓣扩张后,转复心房纤颤的临床效果及影响心房纤颤转复后窦性心律维持的相关因素.方法 206例二尖瓣狭窄合并心房纤颤患者在球囊扩张术后,采用口服胺碘酮及电复律治疗心房纤颤,对复律成功的患者给予小剂量胺碘酮维持窦性心律并随访1年.结果服用胺碘酮者58例,17例转复成功(29.3%);189例行电转复,178例转复成功(94.2%),电转复成功率明显高于胺碘酮转复(P＜0.01).心房纤颤复发组与保持窦性心律组相比,左心房内径明显扩大(P＜0.01),心房纤颤持续时间明显长(P＜0.01),中度二尖瓣关闭不全人数的比率明显高(P＜0.05).随访1年,有45例患者心房纤颤复发.影响心房纤颤转复后维持窦性心律的相关因素有左心房内径扩大、心房纤颤持续时间长及明显的二尖瓣关闭不全.结论对左心房内径明显扩大、心房纤颤持续时间过长及有明显的二尖瓣关闭不全的患者,在选择心房纤颤转复时应慎重.     

Bacteraemia in diabetics

During a period of 22 months one or more episodes of bacteraemia were detected in 168 patients in hospital. Of these, 29% also had diabetes compared with 10% of the total number of patients admitted to hospital during this time (P less than 0.001). The diabetics with bacteraemia were elderly and diabetes had usually been present for many years. Most of them were not receiving insulin at the time bacteraemia was diagnosed. Escherichia coli was the commonest pathogen (33%) in the diabetics, the main source of infection being the urinary tract. This finding may be due to diabetic autonomic neuropathy, which leads to a poorly emptying, chronically infected bladder. Urinary tract infections with bacteraemia in elderly diabetics are often accompanied by vague non-specific symptoms and poor diabetic control. Fever is infrequent. Prompt antibiotic therapy and insulin injections to control the diabetes usually cure these serious infections.