Influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation in pigs with intracranial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Moderate hypothermia is one of the effective therapeutic methods for head injury in recent years, there are many mechanisms of moderate hypothermia for brain protection, and its influence on cerebral oxygenation is also one of them. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation of animals with acute intracranial hypertension, and further investigate the protective mechanism of moderate hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. MATERIALS: Twenty healthy little pigs, either male or female, weighing 4.5–5.5 kg, were used. Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system (Diametrics Company, British); CMA/100 micro-injection pump (Carnegie Company, Sweden). METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the Changzheng Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA in November, 2001. The pigs were randomized into two groups: the normothermia group (control group, n =10) and moderate hypothermia group (n =10). ① Bilateral femoral arteries were separated, one was connected to pressometer for monitoring mean arterial pressure (MEP), and the other for analysis of blood gases [including peripheral blood pH value, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), HCO3–]. ② Rectal temperature was monitored with mercurial thermometer. ③ Intracranial pressure was monitored using Camino optic ICP probe placed in the subdural space. ④ Neurotrend multiparameter monitoring sensor was inserted into the white matter for about 4 cm to determine cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP, CPP=MAP(ICP), brain tissue partial oxygen pressure (PO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), HCO3– and brain temperature. The rectal temperature of animals in the moderate hypothermia group was lowered to 34 ℃ using ice bags, and the body temperature was maintained at 33–35 ℃ for 2 hours. The changes of the parameters were observed continuously, and the pigs in the normothermia group were not treated with cooling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP; Indexes of cerebral oxygenation detected with Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system; ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group. RESULTS: All the 20 pigs were involved in the analysis of results. ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP and indexes of cerebral oxygenation: In the moderate hypothermia group, the ICP after cooling was obviously lower than that before cooling [(3.31±1.19), (5.33±0.95) kPa, P < 0.05], CCP was higher, brain tissue PCO2 [(12.03±1.73), (10.59±2.01) kPa, P < 0.05], and brain tissue pH value was higher [(7.03±1.63), (9.40±1.30) kPa, P < 0.05], whereas the brain temperature was decreased as compared with that before cooling [(34.9±0.3), (37.2±0.2) ℃, P < 0.05]. ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group: There were no significant differences in the parameters of peripheral arterial blood gases analysis before and after cooling in the moderate hypothermia group (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: Moderate hypothermia will not impair the cerebral oxygenation, and it can reduce brain tissue CO2 and decrease brain tissue acidosis.     

对诊断PADAM的游离睾酮指数的评估

目的 评价诊断中老年男子部分雄激素缺乏综合征（PADAM）的游离睾酮指数（FTI）.方法 对129例45岁以上健康男性的FTI进行年龄相关分析.以推算的游离睾酮（CFT）值为依据,对FTI进行有效性检验.结果 男子在中老年期FTI与增龄呈明显的负相关.FTI敏感性97.78%,特异性58.33%.结论 计算简单的FTI可用于PADAM病人的筛选和随访,尤其对70岁以上男子是血清FT较为有效的参数.     

Flexible and floating choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle: an ultrasonographic video documentation

Introduction Choroid plexus cysts can lead to isolation of the lateral ventricles and distension of the third ventricle. We present an ultrasonographic video documentation of an infant with variably shaped and localized choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle. Case report An infant had periods of increased intracranial pressure with changing dilatation of the first to third ventricle. Cerebral ultrasonography of the not crying boy demonstrated a choroid plexus cyst limply hanging down from the roof of the third ventricle to the beginning of the aqueduct of Sylvius. During crying, the cyst prolapsed from the third into left lateral ventricle and was strangled by the foramen of Monro. Endoscopic cyst fenestration and third ventriculostomy continuously solved the problem of intermittent hydrocephalus occlusus. Conclusion Depending not only on localization and size but also on cyst form and cerebrospinal fluid pressure, a single choroid plexus cyst can cause various obstructions of cerebrospinal fluid pathways.     

Iniencephaly and long-term survival: a rare case report

Introduction Iniencephaly, a neural tube defect involving occiput and inion and combined with rachischisis of the cervical, thoracic spine, and retroflexion position of the head is a very rare congenital abnormality of the fetus–newborn with a 0.1–10 of 10,000 prevalence. This abnormality’s prognosis is thought to be dismal. This abnormality can be associated with other abnormalities such as anencephaly, encephalocele, hydrocephalus, cyclopia, absence of the mandible, cleft lip and palate, cardiovascular disorders, diaphragmatic hernia, renal abnormalities, overgrowth of the arms compared to the legs, and club food and gastrointestinal atresia. Discussion Most of the patients are dead born, and the others die in a few hours. There are only six previously documented long-term survivors. In our case, our patient with iniencephalic signs and findings is still living. She is 2 years old now. We think that this patient presents a mild form of iniencephaly.     

Comparative early and midterm results of open juxtarenal and infrarenal aneurysm repair

Background and aims Since the introduction of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) for aortic aneurysms, the number of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JRA) has been growing steadily due to selection bias (neck morphology for EVAR). This case-match study compares the perioperative outcome and midterm results of suprarenally clamped JRA with infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Methods From 1997 to 2004, patients who received open surgery with suprarenal clamping for JRA were included in the study and compared to matched patients with infrarenal clamping (AAA). Measurements analyzed were the in-hospital mortality and morbidity. Midterm results were obtained through clinical investigation and magnetic resonance angiography imaging. Results Thirty-five patients (mean age, 68.4 years; 30 male and 5 female) received suprarenal cross-clamping for JRA. The overall in-hospital mortality for JRA and for the controls (AAA) with elective aortic repair was 4.5% (6.1% JRA; 3% AAA, p = 0.058). The morbidity of JRA was elevated according to the rate of pulmonary complications (p = 0.021) and the need for re-operation (p = 0.019). The mean follow-up time was 2.3 years (range, 8–96 months). At follow-up, 28 patients (80%) from the JRA group and 29 patients from the AAA group (82.9%) were alive. Conclusion Open aortic surgery for JRA with the need for suprarenal cross-clamping shows a slightly elevated in-hospital mortality rate without statistical significance and equal midterm mortality results in comparison with infrarenally clamped aortic aneurysms.     

Cavo-portal transposition in rat: a new simple model

Background  

Liver transplantation in presence of diffuse portal vein thrombosis is possible by using caval blood as portal inflow, through cavo-portal transposition. However, clinical results are heterogeneous and experimental studies are needed, but similar hemodynamic conditions are difficult to obtain, especially in small animals. Herein we describe a new simple model of cavo-portal transposition in rat.     

Constructing osteoarthritis through discourse – a qualitative analysis of six patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis

Background  

Health service policy in the United Kingdom emphasises the importance of self-care by patients with chronic conditions. Written information for patients about their condition is seen as an important aid to help patients look after themselves. From a discourse analysis perspective written texts such as patient information leaflets do not simply describe the reality of a medical condition and its management but by drawing on some sorts of knowledge and evidence rather than others help construct the reality of that condition. This study explored patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis (OA) to see how OA was constructed and to consider the implications for self-care.     

Development of a Simple Model of Extrinsic Denervation of the Small Bowel in Mouse

Small bowel transplantation (SBT) is associated with poorly understood enteric dysfunction. The study of SBT in mice is hindered by the technical difficulty of orthotopic SBT in the mouse. Our aim was to develop an easy preparation of extrinsic denervation of the entire jejunoileum in mice as a model of orthotopic SBT. All neurolymphatic tissues accompanying the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein (SMV) were ligated just distal to the middle colic vessels. The SMA and SMV were then stripped of investing adventitia, and the mesentery to jejunum and colon were transected radially. Jejunum and colon were not transected and reanastomosed. To confirm extrinsic denervation 1, 3, and 6 months later, segments of small bowel were stained for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive intensity was then quantified using a semiquantitative analysis. Immunohistochemical fluorescence showed persistence of PGP9.5 immunoreactivity confirming enteric nerves in jejunoileum; however, there was no TH immunoreactivity in jejunoileum in denervated mice despite the expected preservation of TH immunoreactivity in the still-innervated duodenum at 1 month. At 3 months, sparse immunoreactivity for TH was present, and by 6 months, reinnervation of TH-containing nerves appeared similar to controls. Quantification of intensity at each time-point further confirmed this trend. This technique in the mouse accomplishes a complete extrinsic denervation of jejunoileum early postoperatively (1 and 3 months); reinnervation occurs by 6 months. This is an easily learned murine model of orthotopic SBT. Presented at the American Gastroenterological Association during Digestive Disease Week in Los Angeles, CA, as a poster presentation on May 23 2006. Abstract published in GastroenterologyE 2006; 130:A604.