Acupuncture of specific points influences cortical auditory evoked potentials--a volunteer crossover study

Specificity of acupoints remains a crucial question in acupuncture research. The aim was to investigate whether acupuncture of specific points influences the Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP). Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study according to inclusion criteria. One of 4 acupoints: TH3, GB43 (both claimed as specific for auditory system by Traditional Chinese Medicine) and non-specific points H7 and ST44, was stimulated during one session. Each volunteer received 4 sessions of acupuncture with an interval of 1 week between the sessions. The latencies and amplitudes of CAEP were registered before and after the acupuncture during each session. The mean peak latencies of P2 component decreased after stimulation of TH3 by 11 ms and GB43 by 14 ms whereas the peak latencies of N2 component increased after stimulation of TH3 by 9 ms and GB43 by 4 ms compared to baseline values (p<0.05). The stimulation of H7 and ST44 did not produce any changes. These findings confirm the specificity of acupuncture points TH3 and GB43 in relation to auditory system.     

Pork intake and human papillomavirus‐related disease

Clinical and ecological evidence supporting an association between human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related tumors and dietary factors are presented. Abstinence from high intake of fried pork (600–1,000 g/day) was associated with regression of an urethral condyloma in a healthy 19‐year‐old man treated with interferon gamma. International correlations suggest that pork intake is positively associated with incidence of cervical cancer, a disease also related to HPV. Pork meat or dietary factors associated with pork meat consumption may be involved in the development of HPV‐related diseases.     

A Centrifugal Pump Driven Tidal Flow Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation System Tested with Neonatal Mock Circulation

In 1993, Chevalier published his experiences with tidal flow venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) featuring a single lumen cannula, non-occlusive roller pump, and alternating clamps. Using a neonatal mock circulation (NMC), which enables different hemodynamic states for neonatal ECMO research, the tested hypothesis was that it is possible to create a centrifugal pump driven tidal flow neonatal venovenous ECMO system. Additionally, the resulting hemodynamic effects in a condition of circulatory impairment were investigated. The ECMO circuit tested was assembled using a pediatric centrifugal pump head, a distensible reservoir, and a rotary clamp separating drainage from the injection phase. Using the NMC, end tidal volumes, mock circulation flow, and arterial and venous pressures were measured at different pump speeds after the drainage and injection phases. Effective venovenous ECMO flow (evvEF) was calculated. Mock circulation baseline values (ECMO clamped) were compared to values during tidal flow ECMO. At 3,000 rpm, a centrifugal pump speed of 75 ml/kg/min evvEF was reached, and it increased with higher pump speeds. At this point, the end tidal mock circulation flow (representing cardiac output) after drainage differed significantly from that during the injection phase (p < 0.01) but not from the baseline value. The end tidal arterial and venous pressures after the drainage phase were found to be significantly decreased compared to the baselines (p < 0.01). In conclusion, a centrifugal pump driven tidal flow venovenous ECMO system can be created enabling sufficient tidal volumes. Tested in the described NMC simulating posthypoxic circulatory impairment, significant hemodynamic effects could be demonstrated. Animal experiments for confirmation are necessary.     

Auxiliary liver transplantation in acute liver failure in the rat – an illustrated description of a new surgical approach

INTRODUCTION: To investigate auxiliary liver transplantation successfully in rats suffering from acute liver failure, we developed a new surgical approach. METHODS: A 70% hepatectomized liver graft was implanted into the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The donor portal vein was anastomosed with the recipient's right renal artery using the splint technique. The donor infrahepatic vena cava was attached onto the recipient vena cava end to side. The bile duct was implanted into the duodenum.     

Histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution for organ preservation in human liver transplantation—a prospective multi-centre observation study

Based on experimental work and clinical small studies, histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate (HTK) solution was found to be suitable not only for heart and kidney preservation but also for liver preservation. We decided, therefore, to use this preservation solution for clinical liver preservation in a prospective multi-centre trial. Enrolment to the study was from 1996 to 1999 in four European centres, and the results of 214 patients with HTK-preserved organs were analysed. Analysis showed a primary dysfunction (PDF) rate of 8.8%, with a primary non-function (PNF) rate of 2.3% and initial poor function (IPF) in 6.5%. Patient survival rate at 1 year was 83% and 1-year graft survival rate was 80%. In a univariate and a multivariate analysis PDF, early surgical complications and tendentiously severe infections (septicaemia, pneumonia, cholangitis) were identified as independent risk factors for graft and patient survival. Preservation with HTK can be regarded as an established alternative to preservation with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution when preservation times are short. Definitive assessment of the efficacy of preservation solutions requires further prospective randomised clinical trials that compare HTK and UW.