Selective suppression of sphincter activation during sacral anterior nerve root stimulation

The purpose of this work was to electrically activate small-diameter motor fibers in the sacral anterior roots innervating the urinary bladder, without activating the large-diameter fibers to the sphincter. Quasitrapezoidal current pulses were applied through tripolar spiral nerve electrodes on selected anterior sacral roots during acute experiments on eight dogs, maintained under pentobarbital anesthesia. Pressures were recorded from the bladder and sphincter with catheter-mounted gauges. Stimulation with biphasic quasitrapezoidal pulses showed decrease in sphincter recruitment with increasing pulse amplitudes. The minimum current amplitude that resulted in maximum sphincter suppression was used to stimulate the roots with trains of 20 Hz pulses, with 60 mL of saline filling the bladder. Pressures were also recorded when 100 micros rectangular pulse trains at 20 Hz, both continuous and intermittent, were applied. Trains of stimuli were applied before and after dorsal root rhizotomy. Suppression of sphincter activation was defined to be a percentage, [(Maximum pressure -Minimum pressure)/Maximum pressure x100. The results from 22 roots in eight animals show that with single pulses, the average percentage suppression of sphincter activation was 76.3% (+/-14.0). The minimum current for maximum sphincter suppression was 1.29 mA (+/-0.62). The average bladder pressure evoked was 50 cm of water during pulse train stimulation, with no significant difference due to pulse type. With pulse trains, the sphincter pressures were significantly higher when the bladder was filled. Evacuation of fluid occurred in three animals with average flow rates of 1.0 mL/s.     

Patch testing with Indian standard series

Hundred patients (61 males, 39 females) suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested with Indian standard series (ISS). Forty four showed one or more positive reactions. The frequent sensitizers observed were nickel sulphate--12 (15%), potassium dichromate--11 (13.75%), cobalt chloride and colophony--7 (8.75%) each, fragrance mix and thiuram mix--6 (7.5%) each. The ISS differs from the European Standard Series by inclusion of propylene glycol, nitrofurazone, gentamicin, chlorocresol, PEG-400 and ethylenediamine chloride where assesquiterpene lactone mix and primin allergens are excluded.     

Adult interhemispheric subdural haematoma: A simple option for an uncommon problem

Two cases of interhemispheric subdural haematoma are presented. None of the patients had any neurological deficit on admission. They developed progressive neurological deficits within a day or two. Surgical treatment was by a large convexity craniectomy and a wide opening of the dura. The dura was left open in one case and primary duroplasty was done in the other. No deliberate attempt was made to remove the interhemispheric clot. Both patients made a quick and complete recovery by this simple procedure. Cranioplasty was carried out subsequently. Chinese Abstract

Figure Chinese Abstract Open in figure viewer PowerPoint

Volume 6 , Issue 3 August 2002

Pages 87-90     

Percutaneous Management of Renal Hydatidosis: A Minimally Invasive Therapeutic Option

We report 2 cases of percutaneous drainage and alcohol instillation of renal hydatid cysts. The feasibility of percutaneous management of renal hydatidosis, emphasizing its safety, efficacy and obvious advantages, is discussed.     

A dissolution rate apparatus for the prediction of initial drug absorption patterns in beagles: Tolbutamide tablets

An apparatus utilizing liquid turbulence to simulate hydrodynamic conditions generated by gastrointestinal peristalsis was designed to estimate drug release from solid oral dosage forms. This turbulence was achieved through special arrangement of a pipetting pump to a dissolution chamber. By adjusting the flow rate of the pump to deliver and withdraw a fixed volume of dissolution medium per minute, a correlation was developed between dissolution rates and absorption patterns in beagles of two commercial tolbutamide tablets, A and B, and a micronized tolbutamide suspension. On the basis of this relationship, it was possible to predict the initial absorption patterns of two misformulated tablets, C and D.     

Acute renal failure in patients with ischemic heart disease: causes and novel approaches in breaking the cycle of self-perpetuating insults abrogated by surgery

At present, there seems to be diametrically opposing views on the causes of acute renal insufficiency in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) elective for cardiac revascularization. In this review, we examined recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of acute renal failure in patients with IHD and surgery-induced acute phase reaction. Emphasis is given to the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the initiation and progression of inflammation. We evaluated the different pharmacological, technical, and surgical strategies used to improve the outcome of patients with IHD with impaired renal dysfunction and analyzed the influence of renal insufficiency on long-term results after surgery.