Usefulness of measuring electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses in children with inner ear malformations during cochlear implantation

Conclusions: EABR is a reliable and effective way of objectively confirming device function and implant-responsiveness of the peripheral auditory neurons up to the level of the brainstem in cases of inner ear malformation. Objective: To investigate the usefulness of measuring the intra-operative electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) in patients with and without congenital inner ear anomalies during cochlear implantation. Method: Thirty-eight consecutive children (40 ears) aged 5 or younger with congenital profound hearing loss. Twenty-four (25 ears) lacked congenital inner ear anomalies. The 14 patients (15 ears) with a malformation had common cavities (four ears), incomplete partition type I (three ears), cochlea hypoplasia type III (three ears), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (four ears), and cochlear nerve canal stenosis (one ear). Main outcome measures are ECAP and EABR responses. Results: Of the 25 ears lacking any malformation, 21, three, and one showed ‘Good’, ‘Variable’, and ‘No’ ECAP responses, respectively, and 24 and one showed ‘Good’ and ‘Variable’ intra-cochlear responses, respectively. Of the 15 ears with a malformation, two showed ‘Good’ ECAP responses, nine had ‘Variable’ ECAP responses, and four showed ‘No’ ECAP responses. Moreover, five showed ‘Good’ EABR responses and 10 showed ‘Variable’ EABR responses.     

Lymphomas of mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue in common variable immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by low serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, and usually IgM. The central immune deficiency is impaired secretion of immunoglobulins and lack of antibody production; however, T cell dysfunction and a variety of inflammatory complications suggest global immune dysregulation. A number of reports have documented the association of primary immunodeficiency diseases with the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In CVID, the risk has been estimated to lie between 1.4% and 7%. As for NHL arising in other immunodeficiency states, the lymphomas in CVID are extranodal and are usually B cell in type. Of 22 B cell lymphomas that have appeared over a period of 25 years in a cohort of subjects with CVID, five lymphomas, appearing in more recently studied subjects, that arose in mucosal sites would be classified as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. MALT lymphomas are low-grade B cell lymphomas that result from a proliferation of neoplastic marginal-zone related cells of lymphoid tissue and tend to occur in organs that have acquired lymphoid tissue due to long-term infectious or autoimmune stimulation. Lymphomas of this kind have not been described in patients with congenital immunodeficiency, although chronic mucosal antigen stimulation is an integral part of these immune deficiency states.     

Placement of a biliary metal stent to expand a choledochus stenosis after Frey''s surgery

A 47-year-old patient presented with jaundice. Laboratory examinations confirmed cholestasis. The patient had a long history of chronic pancreatitis. Subsequently, cholecystectomy and a duodenumpreserving resection of the pancreatic head (Frey's surgery) had been performed. Endoscopic retrograd holangiography was done. The endoscope was inserted the normal way to the untouched papilla vateri. After injection of contrast medium, only the side-to-side choledocho-jejunal anastomosis but not the common bile duct could be visualized because the catheter spontaneously slipped into the jejunum via the side-to-side choledocho-jejunal anastomosis.

After introducing a catheter percutaneously into the intrahepatic bile duct system, a long stenosis of the common bile duct could be visualized. It was possible to overcome the stenosis with a wire, but the wire also dislocated into the jejunum via the side-to-side choledocho-jejunal anastomosis and could not be placed through the papilla into the duodenum.

The problem was solved in a tricky way: A wire was introduced into the common bile duct via the papilla and placed into the duodenum. A loop was brought in percutaneously and was also placed in the jejunum. With the loop, the wire was grabbed and taken out percutaneously. Now a biliary metal stent could be positioned correctly over the wire to expand the stenosis.

After the procedure jaundice was cured quickly. The further course was uneventful with complete recovery.     

Clinical comparison of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) and intracorporeal electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) in difficult bile duct stones

Today, nearly 90% of common bile duct stones are extracted endoscopically. Problems are encountered if there are large stones or a duct stenosis. Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) as well as intracorporeal electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) serve as an alternative to surgical intervention for those few patients in whom endoscopic measures have failed. A total of 35 patients with common bile duct stones in whom conventional endoscopic treatment had failed were selected on the condition that stone visualization through ultrasound was possible and that the papilla was within easy reach of the endoscope. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomly treated either by EPL or EHL. The average age of our patients was 73 years. The main reasons for failure of conventional endoscopy were due to the large size of the stones (13 patients), impacted stones (16), or the presence of a biliary stricture (6). In the EPL group, visualization of the stones by ultrasound and ensuing treatment were possible in 16 of 18 patients (89%); stones could be fragmented in 15 patients. In 13 patients, the biliary tree could then be completely freed of calculi; the success rate was 72% for all the patients (13 of 18). On average, the patients had 2.3 treatments on the lithotripter, and 3870 shock waves were applied per treatment. In the EHL group stones were successfully fragmented in 13 of 17 patients (76.5%). The average number of treatments was 1.4. Comparing both therapies, there was no difference in stone-free rates. In both groups, additional endoscopic interventions were necessary to clear the bile duct. The mean number of lithotripsy sessions was less in the EHL group (1.4 vs 2.3). There were no major differences in average hospital stay, 30-day mortality was zero in both groups. Combined treatment including EPL, EHL, and intracorporeal laser lithotripsy was finally successful in 32 patients (91.5%). It is concluded that EHL might be the method of choice for smaller, single stones in the more proximal parts of the common bile duct. In these cases, complete duct clearance in one lithotripsy session can be achieved. Multiple and large stones are probably best accessible to EPL. With a combination of the methods described, the bile duct can be cleared of concrements in almost every instance. As a result, surgery for choledocholithiasis has become the absolute exception.This work was presented in part at the 1993 Annual Meeting of the american Gastroenterological Association in Boston and published in abstract form (Gastroenterology 104:A347, 1993).     

健康教育路径在常见喘息性疾病患儿住院期间的应用效果

目的 探讨健康教育路径在小儿常见喘息性疾病患儿住院期间治疗护理中的应用效果, 为改善和促进患儿健康提供科学依据。方法 将2013年1-6月在河北联合大学附属医院儿科住院的200例喘息性疾病患儿, 按单双日分为干预组和对照组, 每组100例。对照组采用传统健康教育方式, 干预组采用健康教育路径, 比较两组患儿的护理效果。结果 干预组患儿住院时间[(5.52±1.26)d]比对照组[(6.53±1.29) d]明显缩短, 吸入方法得分干预组(7.00±1.84)比对照组(5.90±1.98)明显提高, 精神状况(38%)比对照组(25%)有所改善、患儿家长知识掌握度(52%)好于对照组(18%)、护理满意度(80%)亦高于对照组(65%), 差异均有统计学意义(P=0.000)。结论 健康教育路径在常见喘息性疾病患儿治疗护理中的应用效果明显, 促进其健康。     

Molecular Evolution of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus

Despite safe and efficacious vaccines against peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), this virus has emerged as the cause of a highly contagious disease with serious economic consequences for small ruminant agriculture across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. We used complete and partial genome sequences of all 4 lineages of the virus to investigate evolutionary and epidemiologic dynamics of PPRV. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of all PPRV lineages mapped the time to most recent common ancestor and initial divergence of PPRV to a lineage III isolate at the beginning of 20th century. A phylogeographic approach estimated the probability for root location of an ancestral PPRV and individual lineages as being Nigeria for PPRV, Senegal for lineage I, Nigeria/Ghana for lineage II, Sudan for lineage III, and India for lineage IV. Substitution rates are critical parameters for understanding virus evolution because restrictions in genetic variation can lead to lower adaptability and pathogenicity.     

Comparison of emergent versus elective laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for patients with or without nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with common bile duct stones

Background

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has already been established for the treatment of patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) in elective situations. However, the effect of emergent LCBDE on those patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emergent LCBDE on patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with CBDS.

Methods

Seventy-two patients with CBDS admitted from January 2009 to December 2012 were included for this retrospective study. LCBDE of transductal approach for CBDS was performed to all patients. Thirty-seven patients underwent emergent LCBDE for nonsevere acute cholangitis and 35 patients underwent elective LCBDE. Duration of the procedure, complications, retained stone of bile duct, hospital stay, and total charges were compared between the two groups. In addition, the characteristics of patients underwent emergent LCBDE were also compared before and after surgery.

Results

There was no significant difference with regard to the diameter of common bile duct and number of CBDS from imaging and/or operative findings between the two groups. There was no conversion to open common bile duct exploration, no major bile duct injuries, and no mortality in both the group of patients. There was no significant difference in patients with or without acute or chronic cholecystitis, duration of surgery, overall hospital stay (16.41 ± 1.03 versus 14.54 ± 0.94, P > 0.05), and total charges (18,603 ± 1774.64 versus 14,951 ± 1257.09 Yuan in renminbi, P > 0.05) between the two groups. Four cases with retained stones were found in patients with emergent LCBDE and two in elective LCBDE patients. There were four cases of biliary leak in patients with emergent LCBDE and three cases in elective LCBDE group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The biliary leak was cured postoperatively after drainage. Control of septic symptoms was achieved in all patients after emergent LCBDE.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that emergent LCBDE is as safe and effective as elective LCBDE for the treatment of patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with CBDS.     

经脐入路腹腔镜胆总管探查一期缝合术后胆漏34例分析

目的分析经脐入路腹腔镜胆总管探查一期缝合术后胆漏并发症的发生及其治疗,探讨有效的防治措施。方法回顾性分析2008年11月至2013年3月,本院34例经脐入路腹腔镜胆总管探查一期缝合术后发生胆漏并发症患者的临床资料。结果胆漏发生率为22．7％（a4／150）。34例胆漏患者中,22例在术后24h内出现,12例在术后3～7d出现,经腹腔引流34例患者均治愈。结论严格掌握手术适应证,术中操作轻柔,认真仔细缝合胆总管以及加强营养支持等,是防治经脐入路腹腔镜胆总管探查一期缝合术后胆漏的有效措施。     

Insulin resistance and endothelial function in children and adolescents

Aims

Insulin resistance (IR) impairs cellular response to insulin due to a dysfunction in glucose metabolism, associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship among homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA index), endothelial function and vascular morphology in order to better stratify cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents.

Methods

A total of 150 children and adolescents (55 pre-pubertal, mean age 10.4 ± 3.1 years) were enrolled. Anthropometric [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC)], laboratory [blood lipids, inflammatory markers, insulinemia, glycemia], HOMA index and ultrasound parameters [flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), common carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and antero-posterior diameter of infra-renal abdominal aorta (APAO)] were assessed.

Results

cIMT was positively related to age (r = 0.274, p < 0.01), BMI (r = 0.318, p < 0.01), WC (r = 0.315, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.230, p < 0.01). APAO measurements showed a linear positive correlation with age (r = 0.435, p < 0.01), BMI (r = 0.505, p < 0.01), WC (r = 0.487, p < 0.01), triglycerides (r = 0.280, p < 0.01), C-reactive protein (r = 0.209, p < 0.05), fasting insulin (r = 0.378, p < 0.01) and HOMA index (r = 0.345, p < 0.01). FMD was inversely related to age (r = − 0.251, p < 0.01), rough BMI (r = − 0.318, p < 0.01), WC (r = − 0.340, p < 0.01), fasting insulin (r = − 0.281, p < 0.01) and HOMA index (r = − 0.282, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis found no influence of HOMA index on APAO and cIMT. HOMA index was an independent predictor for brachial artery FMD worsening after the statistical adjustment.

Conclusion

HOMA index increase induced a worsening in endothelial function since childhood.     

芎麻滴丸对血管性认知障碍大鼠社交行为的影响

目的 观察双侧颈总动脉结扎致血管性认知障碍大鼠社交行为的变化,探讨芎麻滴丸对其干预作用。方法 采用永久性结扎双侧颈总动脉法制备血管性认知障碍模型。实验大鼠随机分为假手术组（生理盐水10 mL·kg^-1）,模型组（生理盐水10 mL·kg^-1）,芎麻滴丸高剂量组（生药1.5 g·kg^-1）,芎麻滴丸低剂量组（生药0.75 g·kg^-1）。模型制备第28,42天采用Morris水迷宫对大鼠的学习记忆能力进行测试;模型制备第7,14,28,42天用社交行为仪检测大鼠社交能力的变化。结果 模型制备第7,14天大鼠社交行为无明显变化,模型制备第28天和第42天,模型组大鼠持续接触时间减少（P<0.05）;模型制备第42天,模型组大鼠接触次数减少,逃避潜伏期显著增加,穿越平台次数显著减少（P<0.01）。与模型组大鼠相比,模型制备第28天,芎麻滴丸高剂量组大鼠接触次数显著增加（P<0.05）;芎麻滴丸高、低剂量组大鼠持续接触时间显著增加（P<0.05或<0.01）;模型制备第42天,芎麻滴丸低剂量组大鼠接触次数和持续接触时间增加（P<0.05）,芎麻滴丸高、低剂量组大鼠逃避潜伏期显著减少（P<0.01）。结论 模型制备第42天大鼠出现学习记忆障碍;模型组大鼠第28天大鼠开始出现社交行为障碍,经芎麻滴丸干预后,接触时间和接触次数增加,即可认为其有效缓解由双侧颈总动脉结扎造成的社交能力障碍,且低剂量效果优于高剂量。