Anaesthesia monitoring: the human factors component of technology transfer

Resistance to change in monitoring practices from within the anaesthesiology community is a formidable obstacle, and coercive and exhortatory solutions are likely to be unsuccessful in some situations. An analysis of publications about technology transfer and professional obsolescence, and application of this data to the practice of anaesthesia, reveals various stresses that technology transfer from research areas to the workplace may induce in vulnerable anaesthesiologists and account for their attitudes. It is suggested that the invaluable pronouncements of high profile anaesthesiologist groups must be supplemented by supportive behaviour by physicians and administrators at an institutional level. The human factors issues to be addressed include: (i) Monitored data acquisition skills. (ii) Possibility of acting on monitored data. (iii) Assistance for personal insight into attitudinal difficulties that may be encountered. (iv) Data supporting the value of the device. (v) Ergonomically effective integration of the monitor into the work station.Alternatively the perceptions of potential users may accurately reflect changes in their status in the new work situation created by monitors, and decision making aids that may or may not be derived from them. Thus, plans to present job satisfaction in related clinical areas or to associate the proposed new system with evaluation of its effect on patient outcome will be necessary. In this way the clinician becomes involved in clinical research, a quality of personal and quality care development.     

体感诱发电位在椎管内占位显微手术中的监测

目的　评价体感诱发电位 (SEP)在神经外科脊髓疾病显微手术中的监测作用 ,避免或减少医源性脊髓损伤。方法　 2 8例病人行术前、术中SEP全程监测 ,包括脊髓SEP(SSEP)及皮层SEP(CSEP) ,术中及时把监测信息反馈给术者。并将术中监测结果与术后疗效对照分析。结果　椎管内占位手术在行髓内肿瘤切除时最易引发SEP波幅降低及潜时延长。术中监测按Frankel分级D、E级患者波幅较基准电位下降不超过 50 % ,潜伏期延长不超过7% ;B、C级患者波幅较基准电位下降不超过 40 % ,潜伏期延长不超过 5 %。术后不会引起脊髓功能不可逆损害。结论　脊髓手术时行SSEP和CSEP联合监测可及时反映出脊髓功能的变化 ,提高术者术中操作的安全性 ,避免或减少术后并发症     

模糊数学方法用于职业危害因素的综合评价

模糊数学方法用于职业危害因素的综合评价徐新云（湖南省劳动卫生职业病研究所，长沙４１０００７）用模糊数学方法进行综合评价时，首先要确定评判等级，各评判因素在不同等级中的取值，以及各评判因素的权重系数三方面内容。本文将评判等级定为优、良、一般、差、很差５...     

Toluene in blood as a marker of choice for low-level exposure to toluene

The validity of two new biological exposure markers of toluene in blood (TOL-B) and toluene in urine (TOL-U) was examined in comparison with that of the traditional marker of hippuric acid in urine (HA-U) in 294 male workers exposed to toluene in workroom air (TOL-A), mostly at low levels. The exposure was such that the geometric mean for toluene was 2.3 ppm with a maximum of 132 ppm; the workers were also exposed to other solvents such as hexane, ethyl acetate, styrene, and methanol, but at lower levels. The chance of cutaneous absorption was remote. Higher correlation with TOL-A and better sensitivity in separating the exposed workers from the nonexposed subjects were taken as selection criteria. When workers exposed to TOL-A at lower concentrations (< 50 ppm, < 10 ppm, < 2 ppm, etc.) were selected and correlation with TOL-A was examined, TOL-B showed the largest correlation coefficient which was significant even at TOL-A of < 1 ppm, whereas correlation of HA-U was no longer significant when TOL-A was < 10 ppm. TOL-U was between the two extremes. The sensitivities of TOL-B and TOL-U were comparable; HA-U showed the lowest sensitivity. Thus, it was concluded that TOL-B is the indicator of choice for detecting toluene exposure at low levels.     

声音振动刺激试验在临床上的应用

应用声振仪对１９９２年２个月～１９９３年６个月单胎３６～４３周妊娠孕妇１５０例进行了声音振动刺激试验（ＶＡＳ－Ｔ）并与无负荷试验（ＮＳＴ）对照。对此结果ＶＡＳ－Ｔ（＋）１４６例，（－）４例，ＮＳＴ反应型９６例，无反应型５４例。ＮＳＴ无反应型预测价值８％，假阴性率９２％。ＮＳＴ无反应型经声音刺激后５０例成ＶＡＳ－Ｔ（＋）。ＶＡＳ－Ｔ预测价值９９．３％。ＮＳＴ有效率６６％，ＶＡＳ－Ｔ有效率９９％。ＮＳＴ至少需做２０ｍｉｎ，ＶＡＳ－Ｔ９５％在３ｍｉｎ内达到标准，最长１５ｍｉｎ。为避免ＮＳＴ假无反应型，应进行ＶＡＳ－Ｔ。     

A neuromuscular monitoring system based on a personal computer

We have developed a computerized neuromuscular monitoring system (NMMS) using commercially available subsystems, i.e., computer equipment, clinical nerve stimulator, force transducer, and strip-chart recorder. This NMMS was developed for acquisition and analysis of data for research and teaching purposes. Computer analysis of the muscle response to stimulation allows graphic and numeric presentation of the twitch response and calculated ratios. Since the system can store and recall data, research data can be accessed for analysis and graphic presentation. An IBM PC/AT computer is used as the central controller and data processor. The computer controls timing of the nerve stimulator output, initiates data acquisition, and adjusts the paper speed of the strip chart recorder. The data processing functions include establishing control response values (when no neuromuscular blockade is present), displaying force versus time and calculated data graphically and numerically, and storing these data for further analysis. The general purpose nature of the computer and strip chart recording equipment allow modification of the system primarily by changes in software. For example, new patterns of nerve stimulation, such as the posttetanic count, can be programmed into the computer system along with appropriate data display and analysis routines. The NMMS has functioned well in the operating room environment. We have had no episodes of electrocautery interference with the computer functions. The automated features have enhanced the utility of the NMMS. The prime advantages of this system are (1) the ability to customize its features by altering its controlling programs, (2) the ready availability of the hardware and software, (3) the general purpose nature of the system, so that it is not limited to this one application, and (4) the adaptable nature of the system.     

Soluble CD14 but not interleukin-6 is a new marker for clinical activity in atopic dermatitis

Summary Levels of soluble IL-2 receptors, IL-6, soluble CD23, soluble CD14 and ECP (eosinophilic cationic protein) were measured as markers of T-cell, B-cell, monocyte and eosinophilic leucocyte activation in 26 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) on admission to (A) and at discharge from (D) the Department of Dermatology in Zurich. The serum levels of sIL-2R, IL-6, sCD23, sCD14 and ECP were significantly elevated in AD patients in comparison with the normal values of healthy donors. A significant decrease in sIL-2R (p=0.0093) and in sCD14 (p=0.0134) levels was demonstrated between A and D, correlating with the improvement in the skin intensity score (SIS). In addition, a significant correlation of the sCD14 levels and the SIS at A was demonstrated (p=0.0415). These results also incriminate monocytes in the pathogenesis of AD, indicating that, besides sIL-2R and ECP, SCD14 could also be a possible marker for the disease activity.     

Multiplex PCR analysis of in vivo-arising deletion mutations in the hprt gene of human T-lymphocytes

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was adapted for the rapid and efficient evaluation of deletions of the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene in human T-lymphocytes. The hprt clonal assay was used to isolate in vivo-arising hprt-deficient T-cells from six healthy males. Mutant frequencies ranged from 9-27 × 10^?6. Simple crude cellular extracts from 223 mutants were analyzed for hprt gene deletion. Sixteen (7.2%) were found to be due to total gene deletion and 22 (9.9%) were due to partial gene deletion. The relatively high frequency of total gene deletions was caused by replicate isolates of a single mutational event as shown by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR)-γ genes. Eighteen of the 22 partial hprt gene deletion mutants were determined to be of independent origin based on a unique hprt mutation or SSCP-TCR-γ pattern. One-half (9/18) of the partial deletion mutants involved all or part of exon 4 alone, suggesting that this region of the hprt gene is prone to deletion. The small deletions effecting exon 1 (1 mutant), exon 2 (2 mutants), and exon 4 (6 mutants) would not have been detected by conventional Southern blot analysis and may represent a new, previously unrecognized class of mutations. The ready isolation of such intragenic deletions will allow the characterization of breakpoint junctions and may provide insights into the important processes of DNA breakage and rejoining. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

End-tidal Carbon Dioxide Monitoring during Procedural Sedation

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively determine whether end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitors can detect respiratory depression (RD) and the level of sedation in emergency department (ED) patients undergoing procedural sedation (PS). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in an urban county hospital of adult patients undergoing PS. Patients were monitored for vital signs, depth of sedation per the physician by the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale (OAA/S), pulse oximetry, and nasal-sample ETCO2 during PS. Respiratory depression was defined as an oxygen saturation <90%, an ETCO2 >50 mm Hg, or an absent ETCO2 waveform at any time during the procedure. The physician also determined whether protective airway reflexes were lost during the procedure and assisted ventilation was required, or whether there were any other complications. Rates of RD were compared with the physician assessment of airway loss and between agents using chi-square statistics. Spearman's rho analysis was used to determine whether there was a correlation between ETCO2 and the OAA/S score. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were enrolled in the study. Forty (54.1%) received methohexital, 21 (28.4%) received propofol, ten (13.5%) received fentanyl and midazolam, and three (4.1%) received etomidate. Respiratory depression was seen in 33 (44.6%) patients, including 47.5% of patients receiving methohexital, 19% receiving propofol (p = 0.008), 80% receiving fentanyl and midazolam, and 66.6% receiving etomidate. No correlation between OAA/S and ETCO2 was detected. Eleven (14.9%) patients required assisted ventilation at some point during the procedure, all of whom met the criteria for RD. Pulse oximetry detected 11 of the 33 patients with RD. Post-hoc analysis revealed that all patients with RD had an ETCO2 >50 mm Hg, an absent waveform, or an absolute change from baseline in ETCO2 >10 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between ETCO2 and the OAA/S score. Using the criteria of an ETCO2 >50 mm Hg, an absolute change >10 mm Hg, or an absent waveform may detect subclinical RD not detected by pulse oximetry alone. The ETCO2 may add to the safety of PS by quickly detecting hypoventilation during PS in the ED.     

母亲苯丙酮尿症后代的脑MRI表现

目的 提高对母亲苯丙酮尿症(MPKU)后代脑MRI表现的认识。资料与方法 报告2例生化及临床检查证实为MPKU双胞胎的．MRI改变，并复习文献。结果 文中2例表现与文献报道不一致．与苯丙酮尿症患儿的表现相似。常规T2WI及FLAIR均显示室周白质、侧脑室三角区、半卵圆中心条片状高信号。弥散加权成像(DWI)除更清楚地显示上述改变外，尚显示双侧内囊后肢及胼胝体压部信号增高。结论 常规T2WI及FIJAIR上可显示MPKU后代脑白质异常，DWI可提供更多诊断依据。