Use of paracervical analgesia for outpatient hysteroscopic surgery: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Twenty-five women receiving sedation for outpatient hysteroscopic polypectomy were injected with 0.25% bupivacaine 10 mL (paracervical group) and another 25 received the same volume of saline (control group) at the cervical fornix. Both groups were given target-controlled propofol sedation during the procedure. More propofol (mg/min) was needed for adequate anesthesia in the control group compared to the paracervical group (6.5 versus 4.6). In addition, the postoperative pain scores were lower in the paracervical group than in the control group. Hemodynamic changes and postoperative side effects were similar in the two groups. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study confirmed the effective use of paracervical blocks. This approach has the effect of reducing the amount of intraoperative propofol and decreasing postoperative pain in outpatient hysteroscopic surgery.     

Conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in liver transplant patients presenting gastrointestinal disorders: a pilot study.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are one of the main adverse events in patients treated by mycophenolic acid (MPA). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of conversion from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) in liver transplant patients presenting GI side-effects Since January 2003, stable liver transplant patients receiving MMF and presenting GI disorders, without evidence of other origin than MMF were enrolled. Conversion was performed without a washout period at an equimolar daily dosage. Thirty-six patients were included after a median delay of 45 months after liver transplantation (LT) (16 women and 20 men, median age of 47 years). Diarrhoea was the main clinical symptom (n = 28, 77.7%). At the time of inclusion, patients were treated with MMF since 18 months (range 3-28) and GI disorders were known for 9 months (range 3-12). After a median follow-up of 12 months after conversion, GI disorders were resolved in 20 patients (55%), improved in 6 patients (17%) and not modified or worsened in 10 patients (28%). Our results strongly suggest that conversion from MMF to EC-MPS in liver transplant patients can improve gastrointestinal disorders in a majority of the patients, and therefore might be considered as the best therapeutic option.     

A survey: conscious sedation with epidural and zygapophyseal injections: is it necessary?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Substantial variation exists regarding the use of sedation before interventional spine techniques. Patient preference should play an important role in decision making regarding the need for sedation. However, little is known about patients' anxiety levels before spinal injections and their perceptions about the necessity of sedation. PURPOSE: To determine patient perception for need for sedation before epidural steroid injections and zygapophyseal joint injections. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Survey of consecutive spinal injection patients in an outpatient spine center. PATIENT SAMPLE: 500 consecutive lumbar, thoracic, and cervical patients receiving spinal injections. OUTCOME MEASURES: A 12-item questionnaire assessing patients' perceived anxiety before to a spinal injection. METHODS: Subjects were given the questionnaire after their spinal injection. Percentages requesting sedation for a first and potential second procedure were assessed. Additionally, anxiety level and pain rating, location of injection, age, sex, and other medication use were analyzed to determine the effect on the request for sedation. RESULTS: 17% of patients questioned requested sedation before an injection, and 28% would request sedation if they were to have a second injection. CONCLUSIONS: Routine sedation before diagnostic and therapeutic injections is not necessary as the majority of patients would not request sedation before the procedure when given the option. However, in some patients sedation is indicated, and all patients would benefit from educational material on sedation before the injection.     

Nonselective cation channels activated by the stimulation of muscarinic receptors in mammalian gastric smooth muscle.

Muscarinic receptors play key roles in the control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle activity. However, specific physiological functions of each subtype remain to be determined. Single cell RT-PCR experiments showed that all five subtypes of muscarinic receptors were present in circular smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig gastric antrum. Nonselective cation channels (NSCC) activated by ACh or CCh are coupled to pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive Go protein through m4 subtype as well as m2 and m3 subtypes in guinea-pig stomach. CCh-activated currents (I(CCh)), especially the steady-state I-V relationship of I(CCh) showed a chracteristic U-shaped curve; reversal potential of around 0 mV and inward rectification at around +15 mV and a negative slope conductance at negative potential range. Under physiological conditions, the measured single channel conductance of NSCC was approximately 25 pS. The single channel conductance was modulated by external monovalent and divalent cations including Na+, Cs+, Li+, and Ca2+ through changing both the open probability and unitary conductance. Through the NSCC, Ca2+ can move into the cell from extracellular solution as well as Na+. Calculated fractional Ca2+ current of I(CCh) (f(Ca)) was around 1% at the 2 mM [Ca2+]o and at the 4 mM [Ca2+]o, f(Ca) was 2.3%. Quinidine blocked I(CCh) potently in a reversible manner; IC50 was 0.25 microM. There were two kinds of I(CCh) modulations through Ca(2+)-dependent pathways in guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle cells; 1) Facilitation of I(CCh) via Ca2+/CaM-dependent MLCK pathway, 2) Desensitization of I(CCh) via Ca(2+)-dependent PKC pathway. In the mouse stomach, all seven types of TRPC mRNA were detected with RT-PCR. On the basis of electrophysiological, pharmacological, and molecular biological experiments, we reported the mTRPC5 as a candidate for the NSCC activated by muscarinic stimulation in mouse stomach.     

The modified outside-in suture: vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after decompression of a large meniscal cyst

This article describes a modified suture technique designed for the vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after arthroscopic decompression of a large meniscal cyst. This procedure comprises of three steps: first, the meniscus was pierced vertically using a suture hook and a No. 0 PDS suture. Second, both ends of the No. 0 PDS on the femoral and tibial surfaces of the meniscus were pulled to the outside of the joint capsule using a spinal needle preloaded with suture material. Finally, a skin incision was made adjacent to the suture materials, and both ends were tied. We recommend this technique not only for the vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after decompression of large meniscal cyst, but also to repair a longitudinal tear of the meniscus.     

Spinocerebellar ataxia types 2 and 3 segregating simultaneously in a single family.

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 2 and 3 are autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorders caused by mutations in two different genes. We identified mutations for SCA2 and SCA3 segregating simultaneously in a single Brazilian family. The index patient had SCA2, whereas her two second-degree cousins had SCA3. Disease was more rapidly progressive in the SCA2 patient, who presented severe brainstem and pancerebellar atrophy, as opposed to the two SCA3 patients, who had only mild cerebellar vermian atrophy. In such situations, molecular confirmation of all patients may avoid misdiagnosis of SCA subtypes and eventual errors in predictive testing of unaffected family members.     

Cognitive function after on or off pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cognitive outcome after on and off pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Seventy patients between 50 and 80 years with stable angina pectoris, ejection fraction >30%, serum creatinine <150 micromol/l, and lack of tight main stem stenosis were randomized to on or off pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Standardized neuropsychological tests evaluated attention, verbal and visuo-spatial short-term and working memory, verbal learning, delayed recall, visuo-motor speed, and aspects of executive functions. Levels of anxiety and depression were also investigated. Testing was performed before and at 1 week, 1 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was no difference in cognitive impairment (defined as a 20% reduction in at least 20% of the tests) between groups. The incidence at 1 week post-operatively was 57% in the on pump group and 58% in the off pump group, after 1 month 30% and 12% and after 6 months 19% and 15%, respectively (p for interaction=0.19). There was no difference between groups in anxiety (p=0.18) or depression (p=0.48). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomized study showed no differences in post-operative cognitive function after on pump compared to off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in low risk patients.     

Spray coated pellets as carrier system for mucoadhesive drug nanocrystals.

High pressure homogenization can be employed to produce drug nanocrystals with a number of advantages, like improved solubility behaviors, better drug targeting or even increased mucoadhesiveness. To obtain a controlled drug delivery system it is necessary to transform the resulting nanosuspension into a solid dosage form. The present study shows the feasibility to use a mucoadhesive nanosuspension of poorly soluble hydrocortisone acetate produced by high pressure homogenization as layering dispersion in a fluidized bed process, followed by the application of an enteric coating to achieve a controlled drug release. To point out the advantages of drug nanocrystals the new fomulation was compared with a formulation containing micronized drug. Both formulations were characterized with regard to their particle size and crystallinity by using laser diffractometry, photon correlation spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The pellet morphology was characterized by using the environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). In the in vitro dissolution tests an accelerated dissolution velocity and an increased drug release could be shown for the pellets containing drug nanocrystals.     

Prevalence and risk behaviors of Chinese men who seek same-sex partners via the internet in Hong Kong.

To examine the prevalence of Internet sex networking among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hong Kong and risk behaviors associated with the behavior, a telephone survey of 15,230 Hong Kong Chinese men aged 18-60 was conducted. Of the 283 active MSM (having engaged in some MSM behaviors in the last 6 months) identified, 17.7% had networked for MSM partners via the Internet in the last 6 months. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] for age < or = 25 vs. age >25 = 4.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.35-9.28) and being an anal-sex MSM (OR = 4.72, 95% CI=2.36-9.44) were independent predictors of Internet sex networking. Being an Internet sex networker was associated with some risk behaviors such as having contracted a sexually transmitted disease (adjusted OR = 4.79, 95% CI = 1.34-17.11), having had > or = 3 MSM partners (adjusted OR = 4.74, 95% CI = 2.20-10.23), and having engaged in anal sex (adjusted OR = 3.95, 95% CI = 1.89-8.23). HIV prevention programs for MSM should thereby include Internet-based interventions.