AF椎弓根钉内固定系统治疗胸腰椎骨折

目的 评价AF椎弓根钉内固定系统治疗胸腰椎骨折合并脊髓损伤的临床疗效。方法 采用AF钉治疗胸腰椎骨折40例,其中胸椎8例,腰椎32例,合并不同程度脊髓损伤34例。32例同时进行椎板切除减压。结果 椎体高度完全恢复30例,恢复程度>90％ 5例,>80％ 5例;术后神经功能恢复按Frankel标准,所有病例均有不同程度恢复。结论 AF钉固定可靠,操作简单,能达到良好的复位及减压,认为是治疗胸腰椎骨折的有效方法。 目的 评价AF椎弓根钉内固定系统治疗胸腰椎骨折合并脊髓损伤的临床疗效。方法 采用AF钉治疗胸腰椎骨折40例,其中胸椎8例,腰椎32例,合并不同程度脊髓损伤34例。32例同时进行椎板切除减压。结果 椎体高度完全恢复30例,恢复程度>90％ 5例,>80％ 5例;术后神经功能恢复按Frankel标准,所有病例均有不同程度恢复。结论 AF钉固定可靠,操作简单,能达到良好的复位及减压,认为是治疗胸腰椎骨折的有效方法。     

Inhibitory effects of water extract of propolis on doxorubicin-induced somatic mutation and recombination in Drosophila melanogaster.

Propolis is a substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Its components are strong antioxidants and free radical scavengers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of a water extract of Brazilian green propolis (WEP) combined with the antitumor agent doxorubicin (DXR) on Drosophila melanogaster wing cells through the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART). Two different crosses were used: The standard (ST) cross and the high bioactivation (HB) cross. The HB cross is characterized by a constitutively enhanced level of cytochrome P450 which leads to an increased sensitivity to a number of promutagens and procarcinogens. Larvae obtained from these two crosses were chronically treated with different concentrations of WEP (12.5,25.0 and 50.0 mg/mL) alone or combined with DXR (0.125 mg/mL). The results obtained with the two different crosses were rather similar. Neither toxicity nor genotoxicity were observed in WEP treated series. Simultaneous treatment with different concentrations of WEP and DXR led to a reduction in the frequency of recombination compared to the treatment with DXR alone. This anti-recombinogenic effect was proportional to the concentrations applied, indicating a dose-response correlation and can be attributed to the powerful scavenger ability of WEP.     

Neurodevelopmental disorder associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol (ND-PAE): A proposed diagnostic method of capturing the neurocognitive phenotype of FASD

Neurobehavioral Disorder associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) was proposed as a diagnostic formulation intended to capture the range of mental health problems occurring in alcohol-affected individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure. The proposed criteria for the disorder are reviewed as well as various factors considered in the development of the disorder and its associated criteria. The taxonomic research related to the disorder is reviewed with preliminary analyses indicating that clinicians are readily able to agree when applying the diagnostic criteria but that the adaptive functioning criteria may need to be modified to expand its coverage of alcohol-affected individuals and to aid in discriminating these individuals from others not alcohol-affected. Finally, the challenges with translating the diagnosis into European medical and mental healthcare systems are discussed and recommendations for facilitating implementation are made.     

Changes in Left Atrial Appendage Dimensions Following Volume Loading During Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure

ObjectivesThis study sought to determine whether volume loading alters the left atrial appendage (LAA) dimensions in patients undergoing percutaneous LAA closure.BackgroundPercutaneous LAA closure is increasingly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindications to anticoagulation, to lower their stroke and systemic embolism risk. The safety and efficacy of LAA closure relies on accurate device sizing, which necessitates accurate measurement of LAA dimensions. LAA size may change with volume status, and because patients are fasting for these procedures, intraprocedural measurements may not be representative of true LAA size.MethodsThirty-one consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous LAA closure who received volume loading during the procedure were included in this study. After an overnight fast and induction of general anesthesia, patients had their LAA dimensions (orifice and depth) measured by transesophageal echocardiography before and after 500 to 1,000 ml of intravenous normal saline, aiming for a left atrial pressure >12 mm Hg.ResultsSuccessful implantation of LAA closure device was achieved in all patients. The average orifice size of the LAA at baseline was 20.5 mm at 90°, and 22.5 mm at 135°. Following volume loading, the average orifice size of the LAA increased to 22.5 mm at 90°, and 23.5 mm at 135°. The average increase in orifice was 1.9 mm (p < 0.0001). The depth of the LAA also increased by an average of 2.5 mm after volume loading (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsIntraprocedural volume loading with saline increased the LAA orifice and depth dimensions during LAA closure. Operators should consider optimizing the left atrial pressure with volume loading before final device sizing.     

Baseline Characteristics and Prognostic Implications of Pre-Existing and New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Results From the FRANCE-2 Registry

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) and of patients who presented with new-onset AF after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).BackgroundLittle is known regarding the impact of AF after TAVI.MethodsThe FRANCE-2 registry included all patients undergoing TAVI (N = 3,933) in France in 2010 and 2011. New-onset AF was defined as the occurrence of AF post-procedure in a patient with no documented history of AF.ResultsAF was documented before TAVI in 25.8% of patients. New-onset AF was observed in 174 patients after TAVI among patients without a history of pre-existing AF (6.0%). At 1 year, the rates of all-cause death (26.5 vs. 16.6%, respectively; p < 0.001) and cardiovascular death (11.5 vs. 7.8%, respectively; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with pre-existing AF compared with those without AF. Rehospitalization for worsening heart failure and New York Heart Association functional class was also higher in patients with pre-existing AF versus those without, resulting in a higher rate of combined efficacy endpoint in this group (p < 0.001). A history of stroke, surgical (nontransfemoral) approach, cardiological, and hemorrhagic procedure-related events were all independently related to the occurrence of new-onset post-procedural AF. New-onset AF in patients without pre-existing AF was associated with a higher rate of combined safety endpoint at 30 days (p < 0.001) and a higher rate of both all-cause death and combined efficacy endpoint at 1 year (p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively).ConclusionsPre-existing and new-onset AF are both associated with higher mortality and morbidity after TAVI.     

Alternative medicine in atrial fibrillation treatment—Yoga,acupuncture, biofeedback and more

The last decade has seen a significant improvement in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) with the development of newer medications and improvement in catheter ablation techniques. Recurrence of AF remains a significant problem in these patients and medications offer limited supportive role. Complementary and alternative treatment strategies therefore remain a viable option for these AF patients. Several studies have shown improvement in AF symptoms with yoga therapy, acupuncture and biofeedback. There are also several herbal medicine and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, barberry, motherwort, cinchona, Shensongyangxin, hawthorn, Kella and Wenxin Keli that have been evaluated as potential therapeutic options in AF. These studies are however limited by small sample sizes with mixed results. Besides the pharmacological action, metabolism, interactions with other medications and the adverse effects of the herbal medications and supplements remain poorly understood. In spite of the above limitations, complementary therapies remain a promising option in the management of AF and further studies are necessary to validate their safety and efficacy.     

Catecholamine and divalent cation effects on frog liver adenylate cyclase

Frog liver adenylate cyclase was characterized with respect to divalent cation interaction and hormonally stimulated activities. The enzyme catalyzed the synthesis of cyclic [³²P]3′,5′-AMP from α-³²P-labeled ATP. The activity of the enzyme was linear with time and00 protein concentration. The K_m for ATP was 0.5 mM, in the presence or absence of stimulators. The temperature optimum was 25°. GTP (10^?4M) increased the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by epinephrine. Similar activities were obtained using 5 mM Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺. At higher concentrations, both ions inhibited epinephrine-stimulated, but not basal or fluoride-stimulated activities. Approximately equivalent hormonal stimulation was obtained with maximal stimulating concentrations of epinephrine, isoproterenol, glucagon, and prostaglandin E₁. Norepinephrine was less stimulatory. Only catecholamine-stimulated activities were inhibited by propranolol (10^?5M). The data suggest that catecholamines stimulate frog liver adenylate cyclase through interactions with β adrenergic receptors. The adenylate cyclase in frog liver differs from its mammalian counterpart in its response to temperature and maximally stimulatory concentrations of hormones.     

A randomized trial comparing heparin initiation 6 h or 24 h after pacemaker or defibrillator implantation

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this randomized study was to evaluate the prevalence of pocket hematomas in patients treated with heparin 6 h or 24 h after pacemaker or defibrillator implantation.

BACKGROUND

The risks of pocket hematoma and need for evacuation after device implantation have not been defined in patients who require anticoagulation.

METHODS

Forty-nine consecutive patients with an indication for anticoagulation with heparin after implantable defibrillator or pacemaker implantation were randomized to receive intravenous heparin either 6 h (n = 26) or 24 h (n = 23) postoperatively. Both groups also received warfarin on a daily basis starting the evening of surgery. Twenty-eight patients who received postoperative warfarin alone and 115 patients who did not receive anticoagulation were followed up in a study registry.

RESULTS

A pocket hematoma developed in 6 of 26 patients (22%) who were treated with intravenous heparin 6 h postoperatively, as compared with 4 of 23 patients (17%) who were treated with intravenous heparin 24 h postoperatively (p = 0.7). In total, a pocket hematoma developed in 10 of 49 patients (20%) treated with heparin, 1 of 28 patients (4%) treated with warfarin alone and 2 of 115 (2%) patients who received no anticoagulation (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous heparin initiation 6 h or 24 h after pacemaker or defibrillator implantation is associated with a 20% prevalence of pocket hematoma formation. Warfarin therapy or no anticoagulation is associated with only a 2% to 4% risk of pocket hematoma formation.