Über Diuresehemmung durch Histamin und Cholin

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 2 Kurven.     

Comparison of pediatric outcomes data collection instrument scores and range of motion before and after shoulder tendon transfers for children with brachial plexus birth palsy

BACKGROUND: Children with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) may undergo shoulder external rotation tendon transfers (ERTT) to improve function. In terms of outcome measurements, and according to the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model, ERTT reduces impairment as measured by range of motion (ROM), but has not been shown to improve activity and participation. Furthermore, correlation between these outcome measures has not been established. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) is a well-validated musculoskeletal health questionnaire that addresses activity and participation components of function. The aim of this study is to determine whether PODCI scores improve after ERTT, and whether this improvement correlates with improvement in ROM. METHODS: A total of 23 children with a mean age of 6.3 years (range, 4.4-12.8 years) with BPBP and standard indications for ERTT underwent preoperative and 1-year postoperative shoulder ROM measurements, and parental completion of the PODCI. Change in ROM was compared with change in PODCI scores to determine if these were correlated. RESULTS: Average range of active shoulder abduction improved 35 degrees (P < 0.001), and average range of active external rotation improved 41 degrees (P < 0.001). The PODCI scores for Upper Extremity Function, Sports Function, and Global Function improved (12 points [P < 0.001], 4 points [P = 0.04], and 6 points [P = 0.001], respectively). Improvement in ROM did not correlate with improvement in PODCI scores. However, postoperative peak active abduction correlated strongly with postoperative PODCI scores for Upper Extremity Function, and Global Function (rs = 0.712 [P < 0.001], rs = 0.735 [P < 0.001], respectively), and moderately with Transfers and Basic Mobility and Sports Function scores (rs = 0.496 [P=0.016], rs = 0.449 [P = 0.032], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: For children with BPBP, ERTT is associated with reduced impairment and improved activity and participation. Maximum postoperative abduction is positively associated with PODCI scores, but change in ROM is not. Further study is needed to determine if ceiling effects or other factors account for the lack of correlation between these outcome measures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level of evidence IV, case series.     

The Unilateral Below Elbow Test: a function test for children with unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency

The Unilateral Below Elbow Test (UBET) was developed to evaluate function in bimanual activities for both the prosthesis wearer and non-wearer. Nine tasks were chosen for each of four age-specific categories defined by development stages of hand function (2-4y, 5-7y, 8-10y, and 11-21y). Two scales, Completion of Task and Method of Use, were designed to rate performance. To measure reliability, four occupational therapists scored samples of videotaped UBET performances. For Completion of Task, an interval scale, agreement in scoring was measured with interclass correlation coefficients (ICC; n=9; five females, four males). For Method of Use, a nominal scale, chance-adjusted association was calculated with Cohen's kappa coefficients (interobserver n=198; 111 females, 87 males; intraobserver n=93; 56 females, 37 males). For Completion of Task, the average ICC was 0.87 for the prosthesis-on condition, and 0.85 for the prosthesis-off condition. ICCs exceeded 0.80 for eight out of nine tasks for the two older age groups, but for only five out of nine tasks in the younger age groups. Higher inter- and intraobserver kappa coefficients for Method of Use resulted when scoring children with their prostheses on versus off. The oldest age group had lower kappa values than the other three groups. The UBET is recommended for the functional evaluation of Completion of Task in children with unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency with and without their prostheses. Method of Use scoring can evaluate individuals for directed therapy interventions or prosthetic training.     

Pseudomembranous and obstructive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis - optimal diagnostic strategy and outcome

Pseudomembranous and obstructive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis (PMATB/OATB) are still considered to be refractory to therapy and to have a fatal outcome. To evaluate the optimal diagnostic strategy and to describe factors affecting the outcome of PMATB and OATB. Retrospective analysis of four new cases of PMATB and OATB combined with 16 previously reported cases over a 10-year period (1995-2004). Among the four new cases reported and the 16 published cases, four patients survived their infection. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the group of ventilated patients [94% (15 of 16 patients)] than in the group of non-ventilated patients [25% (1 of 4 patients), P < 0.05, Fisher's exact test]. In all 20 patients, diagnosis was established by bronchoscopy. Culture examination of mucous plugs was positive in 8 of 10, culture of the tracheobronchial aspirate was positive in 8 of 12, and bronchoalveolar lavage was diagnostic in 7 of 13 patients. All bronchoscopic techniques were complementary in improving the yield of bronchoscopy. However, microscopy of mucous plugs and/or necrotic material was the best diagnostic modality [positive in 94% (17 of 18 patients)]. Prognosis of PMATB and OATB remains poor. Microscopy of respiratory specimens is the most sensitive tool to confirm the diagnosis. The characteristic appearance of the disease makes it possible to start antifungal therapy immediately.     

Providing health care services to the formerly homeless: a quasi-experimental evaluation

We performed a quasi-experiment to assess the effects of a focused health care intervention delivered in transitional housing facilities in Sacramento, California. Four transitional housing facilities (THFs) receiving the intervention were compared with 2 THFs that did not receive it. A multidisciplinary team provided a diverse package of services to residents at the intervention sites. Residents at comparison sites received usual care. Survey and physical examination data were collected in repeated cross-sectional surveys at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 and 18 months of follow-up (post-intervention). Using analysis of covariance techniques, our statistical models showed improved odds of receiving recommended gynecologic preventive care and decreased odds of frequent Emergency Department use at 18 months among residents at the intervention sites. At 6 months, residents at the intervention sites also experienced improved blood pressure control. There was no intervention effect on residents' access to specialists or on physical functioning, mental health, or dental health.     

Markov chain Monte Carlo without likelihoods

Many stochastic simulation approaches for generating observations from a posterior distribution depend on knowing a likelihood function. However, for many complex probability models, such likelihoods are either impossible or computationally prohibitive to obtain. Here we present a Markov chain Monte Carlo method for generating observations from a posterior distribution without the use of likelihoods. It can also be used in frequentist applications, in particular for maximum-likelihood estimation. The approach is illustrated by an example of ancestral inference in population genetics. A number of open problems are highlighted in the discussion.     

Ethnic disparity in HIV prevalence and zidovudine treatment among childbearing women and pediatric AIDS cases in California

OBJECTIVE: To compare, by ethnicity, the prevalence of HIV and zidovudine treatment among a cross-sectional survey of childbearing women in California in 1998, and the number of pediatric AIDS cases from 1998 to 2001. METHODS: Blood specimens, collected via infant heel-stick for metabolic screening during the third quarter of 1998, were anonymously tested for HIV antibody. Positive specimens were subsequently tested for evidence of zidovudine therapy. Pediatric AIDS cases with diagnosis dates from 1998 to 2001 were obtained from the AIDS case registry. RESULTS: Of the 119 108 specimens tested, 77 (0.65 per 1000) were HIV-antibody positive. Most (37.7%) of the 77 HIV-positive specimens were from newborns of African-American mothers, followed closely by Latina mothers (35.1%). The absence of zidovudine therapy was highest for Latina and African-American women, 29.6 and 24.1%, respectively. Latino and African-American children accounted for the majority of California pediatric AIDS cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2001. CONCLUSION: Innovative approaches are needed to increase the rate of zidovudine therapy among African-American and Latina HIV-infected childbearing women. These could include a shorter-course zidovudine regimen or rapid HIV testing and counselling of women in late-term pregnancy.