Effects of low-dose propofol administration on central respiratory drive, gas exchanges and respiratory pattern

The effects of sedative-hypnotic doses of propofol on respiratory drive and pattern have not yet been extensively described. Repeated small boluses of propofol (0.6-0.3 mg.kg-1) were administered to ten ASA I patients undergoing carpal tunnel release using regional anaesthesia. Airway pressure, capnography and pneumotachography were continuously recorded. With respect to basal values, no significant variations of respiratory rate, minute volume, tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory time, total expiratory cycle, Ti/Ttot, TV/Ti, P0.1, EtCO2 and blood gas analysis were observed. Low doses of propofol, to maintain conscious sedation of light sleep, have not been shown to cause respiratory depression.     

8～12岁单纯性肥胖儿童心功能研究

利用多导生理仪，同步记录心电图、心音图、颈动脉搏动图和心阻抗微分图，测试８～１２岁肥胖儿童９４名，对照组儿童７６名，分析比较有关心功能数据。结果显示肥胖儿童收缩压、舒张压、平均动脉压、左室射血时间和心搏出量高于对照组儿童，心输出量与对照组比较差异无显著性，心功能指数低于对照组儿童。提示肥胖儿童由于回心血量增加，血压增高，而使心脏前、后负荷加重，心肌收缩力代偿性增强，单位体表面积心输出量下降，部分心功能指标已受到影响。     

gamma-ray spectrometry of soil samples from the Provincia dell'Aquila (Central Italy).

In the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy) there is a lack of measurements of gamma-ray activity in soils and waters. For this reason, we have planned to carry out a systematic measurement of soils in the area of the Provincia dell'Aquila, which covers about one-half of the entire region. In this paper we report the results obtained from 56 soil samples, collected in the northern part of the area of interest (about one-fourth of the total area under study). The results, in terms of content of uranium, thorium and potassium and the activity of caesium are reported, as well as the details on the experimental procedure. The results show a limited content of K and U, with no large variations from site to site, in agreement with the expectations based on the knowledge of the geo-lithological nature of the soil. The amount of Th is also quite limited, with a few exceptions where the Th content is up to five times the average value. Caesium, originated from the fall-out following the Chernobyl accident, is very irregularly distributed owing to the complicated orography of the land. Future plans are also shortly discussed.     

肩锁钩板治疗不稳定性锁骨外侧段骨折的临床研究

目的：比较肩锁钩板和传统克氏针内固定治疗不稳定性锁骨外侧段骨折的疗效。方法：54例不稳定性锁骨外侧段骨折的患者接受了手术治疗，内固定分别是锁骨钩板或克氏针，根据国外的锁骨外侧段骨折肩部功能评价标准进行6－12个月的术后随访，随访结果运用统计学方法进行分析处理，结果：克氏针内固定组的手术优良率为77．3％，并发症发生率为27．3％，骨折愈合率为81．8％；锁骨钩板内固定组的手术优良率为100％，并发症发生率为3．1％，骨折愈合率100％。两组数据统计学差异有显著性，结论：在不稳定性锁骨外侧段骨折的手术治疗中，锁骨钩板较传统克氏针内固定有较高的手术优良率和骨折愈合率，且并发症的发生率较低，因此，它是一种疗效满意的内固定方法。     

Experimental axonopathy induced by immunization with campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharide from a patient with guillain‐barré syndrome

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejunj) infection is the most common antecedent in the axonal variant of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS). Antibodies against nerve gangliosides found in GBS patients recognize cross‐reactive epitopes in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of C. jejuni. This led to the molecular mimicry hypothesis of GBS. We immunized eleven rabbits with a LPS extracted from HS:19 C. jejuni strain isolated from a patient with GBS and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)(group I). In a second experiment we immunized seven rabbits with LPS, CFA and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)(group II). All group I rabbits developed high titers of anti‐LPS, anti‐GM1, anti‐GD1b antibodies and lower titers of anti‐GD1a. One rabbit, 50 days after initial inoculation, showed tremor and weakness. All rabbits of group II developed high titres of antiganglioside antibodies and six animals showed weakness 59–113 days after initial inoculation. Two rabbits died. Pathology showed mild to moderate, tendentially grouped, axonal degeneration in sciatic nerves of four out of five animals. Control rabbits of group I (immunized with CFA only) did not develop antibodies, controls of group II (immunized with CFA + KLH) developed low titers of IgG anti‐GM1. None developed neurological signs or showed axonal degeneration. C. jejuni LPS is a potent B‐cell stimulator capable to induce a strong antiganglioside response in rabbits. However, to induce the neuropathy is crucial to employ KLH, a glycoprotein known to stimulate both humoral and cellular responses. This animal model reproduces the pathogenetic process hypothesized in axonal GBS with antiganglioside antibodies post C. jejuni infection.     

Spinal lipomas in childhood]

Spinal lipomas account for 5% of the tumors of the spinal cord, frequently present already at birth. Most commonly they are associated with forms of dysraphism, but lipomas without bony involvement are considered dysembriogenetic lesions too. Children with lipoma frequently have intact neurological functions, but may become symptomatic later on. Diagnosis is possible also in neurologically intact patients because of skin lesions or subcutaneous masses. Many surgeons suggest early surgery to prevent injury to neural structures from traction due to cord tethering; others prefer to wait for the rise of any symptom before considering surgery. However, neurological recovery after surgery is rarely observed, and, when present, is always partial; the primary goal of surgery is to stop the clinical progression through the detethering of the cord.     

Regional effect of estradiol on rat caudate-putamen dopamine receptors: lateral-medial differences

The effect of a chronic 17 beta-estradiol (10 micrograms, b.i.d.) treatment of 2 weeks to ovariectomized rats was investigated on lateral and medial caudate-putamen dopamine receptors. Dopamine D2 receptors were assayed with [3H]spiperone binding to caudate-putamen homogenates or by autoradiography of forebrain sections. Estradiol treatment leads to a significant increase in the density of lateral caudate-putamen dopamine receptors while for the medial dopamine receptors the increase is non-significant. This effect is observed when plasma levels of 17 beta-estradiol and prolactin are increased. These results indicate that the effect of estradiol on striatal dopamine receptors is heterogeneous and that those in the lateral part are more susceptible to this steroid.