Chewing and spitting out food among eating-disordered patients

OBJECTIVE: The symptom of chewing and spitting out food (CHSP) is fairly common among patients with eating disorders. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations of the symptom in patients with eating disorders. METHOD: Patients who reported CHSP were compared with those who did not. The relationship between CHSP and other symptoms was assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CHSP was found in 22% of patients. Patients with anorexia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified who reported CHSP showed more severe eating-related pathology. This was not so for bulimia nervosa patients with CHSP who differed only in reporting greater distortion of body image. Binging was not related to CHSP in any of the diagnostic groups. DISCUSSION: CHSP is a common symptom in all groups of patients with eating disorders. The symptom may serve different functions for different patients, depending on diagnosis.     

Unstable diabetes and peritoneal dialysis--what are the challenges?

This case study outlines the care of a young woman undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) who has Type 1 diabetes mellitus as the underlying cause of her renal disease. Although she is able to manage the practical aspects of her fluid exchanges and exit-site care, she has difficulty with managing her fluid balance. This necessitates the use of two 3.86% glucose bags per day, which in turn sometimes leads to high, unstable, blood glucose levels. This study will outline the nursing challenges and interventions and will evaluate the nursing management.     

Chronic radiographic lung changes in children with vertically transmitted HIV-1 infection

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively studied children with and without maternally transmitted HIV-1 infection born to mothers infected with HIV-1 to determine the incidence of chronic radiographic lung changes (CRC) and to correlate these changes with clinical assessments. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1997, we scored 3050 chest radiographs using a standardized form. Group I children (n = 201) were HIV-1-infected at enrollment. Group II children (n = 512) were enrolled prenatally or before 28 days postpartum and subsequently subdivided into group IIa (n = 86), children identified as HIV-1-infected; and group IIb (n = 426), those who were HIV-1-uninfected. CRC were defined as parenchymal consolidations or nodular disease lasting 3 months or more or increased bronchovascular markings or reticular densities lasting 6 months or more. Morbidity was assessed by CD4 counts, viral load, the presence of low oxygen saturation, wheezing, tachypnea, crackles, and clubbing. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of chronic radiographic lung changes in HIV-1-infected children was 32.8% by 4 years old, with increased bronchovascular markings or reticular densities being most common. Chronic changes were associated with lower CD4 cell counts and higher viral loads. Resolution of these chronic changes was associated with decreasing CD4 cell counts but not with lower rates of clinical findings, viral load, or difference in survival. CONCLUSION: With increased survival, CRC are becoming more common. The resolution of these changes may indicate immunologic deterioration rather than clinical improvement.     

Exploration of xenon as a potential cardiostable sedative: a comparison with propofol after cardiac surgery

Xenon anaesthesia is thought to have minimal haemodynamic side-effects. It is, however, expensive and requires special delivery systems for economic use. In this randomised cross-over study, we: (i) investigated the haemodynamic profile and recovery characteristics of xenon compared with propofol sedation in postoperative cardiac surgery patients, and (ii) evaluated a fully closed breathing system to minimise xenon consumption. We demonstrated a significantly faster recovery from xenon (3 min 11 s) than propofol sedation (25 min 23 s). Relative to propofol, xenon sedation produced no change in heart rate or mean arterial pressure and there were significantly higher mean values for central venous pressure (10.6 vs. 8.9 mmHg), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (11.2 vs. 9.5 mmHg), mean pulmonary artery pressure (20.1 vs. 18.3 mmHg) and systemic vascular resistance index (2170 vs. 1896 dyn.s.cm-5.m-2). The haemodynamic profile seen with propofol reflected its known vasodilator effects. This was supported by the almost identical left ventricular stroke work indexes seen with both methods of sedation.     

Sexual precocity: sex incidence and aetiology

The aetiology of 197 girls and 16 boys presenting with sexual precocity was reviewed. Ninety one girls and four boys had central precocious puberty (M:F 23:1); a cause was identified in all the boys but in only six girls. All boys with precocious puberty need detailed investigation; in girls investigation should be based on clinical findings, particularly the consonance of puberty.     

Intrapartum ultrasonographic depiction of fetal malpositioning and mild parietal bone compression in association with large lower segment uterine leiomyoma

With normal flexion of the fetal head prior to and during early normal labor, the fetal biparietal diameter becomes engaged in (and subsequently traverses) the anterior posterior aspect of the pelvic inlet. Thus, the biparietal diameter (characterized sonographically by depiction of the falx cerebri, thalami, and cavum septum pellucidum) will be obtainable upon transverse suprapubic placement of the ultrasound transducer during the first stage of labor. Deflexion, or extension, of the fetal head may be demonstrated sonographically at the level of the cervical spine. Recently, during intrapartum ultrasonographic assessment of a nulliparous patient with a known, large, lower-segment, uterine fibroid, exhibiting poor progress of labor, the fetal biparietal diameter was documented upon midsagittal suprapubic placement of the transducer. In addition, mild compression of the distal parietal fetal bone was demonstrated and considered consistent with compression by the leiomyoma. Following abdominal delivery, due to fetal distress and arrest of descent, significant deflexion of the fetal head (not suspected by intrapartum cervical examinations) and mild parietal bone depression, consistent with the ultrasonographic examination, were noted.