Modified Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure using aortic flap technique for systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction in functionally univentricular heart

Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure is a useful method to relieve the systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction in functionally univentricular heart. Regurgitation of pulmonary valve and recurrence of systemic ventricular outflow obstruction are the major concerns at the late phase of this procedure. Modification of original Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure that can prevent the use of prosthetic materials is evaluated. The modified Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure using aortic flap technique was performed in eight patients with functionally univentricular heart. Patients’ ages ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean 14 months). Follow-up period was 37 months as a mean (9–71 months), and the follow-up was complete. There was no operative mortality and no late death. In addition, there was no recurrence of systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction throughout the follow-up period. Regurgitation of the pulmonary valve estimated by echocardiography at the latest follow-up was none to trivial in seven patients and mild in one. The modified Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure using aortic flap technique is a safe, useful and reproducible technique to solve systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction in functionally univentricular heart, and it can be an alternative for original technique or the so-called double-barrel modification.     

Urinary dysfunction and autonomic control in amyloid neuropathy

Abstract Uro-neurological assessment was performed in four patients with small-fiber neuropathy due to amyloidosis (2 transthyretin-type/2 immunoglobulin light-chain-type). Voiding difficulties were due to detrusor weakness and impaired bladder sensation. In two patients cholinesterase inhibition treatment caused urge incontinence, indicating detrusor denervation supersensitivity. The underlying mechanisms of urinary dysfunction seem to involve postganglionic cholinergic and afferent somatic nerves.     

低分子肝素对不稳定型心绞痛病理生理干预作用的研究

目的:观察低分子肝素(LMWH)对不稳定型心绞痛((UAP)的临床症状、心电图、血脂以及内皮素(ET)的影响。方法:前瞻性地将84例UAP患者随机分为两组:对照组使用硝酸甘油、倍他乐克、阿司匹林等药物;治疗组(LMWH组)在上述治疗基础上加用LMWH(速避凝)。治疗前后调查临床症状以及心电图改变,抽血测定血脂、红细胞压积、血小板及内皮素水平的变化。结果:两组治疗后,患者心绞痛发作次数、持续时间以及硝酸甘油的用量明显减少,心电图明显改善,且LMWH组优于对照组(P<0.05)。LMWH治疗后,患者HCT、TC、TG及ET较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05)。对照组血浆ET水平无变化。结论:LMWH对UAP患者不仅具有抗凝抗栓作用,而且可以降低血液粘度、保护血管内皮细胞,纠正脂类代谢紊乱状态,     

山莨菪碱和无创面罩正压通气治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征的临床观察

目的比较山莨菪碱联合无创正压面罩通气（654-2＋NIPPV）和传统机械通气（CMV）治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）的临床效果，评估山莨菪碱联合无创正压通气在ARDS治疗中的作用。方法将各种原因所致ARDS患者42例随机分为654-2＋NIPPV组（21例）和CMV组（21例），在给予病因治疗同时分别实施654-2＋NIPPV和CMV。观察分析两组患者在治疗过程中动脉血气变化、并发症的发生率及治疗效果。结果654-2＋NIPPV组有8例（38．1％）治疗失败转为气管插管实行CMV，其中6例（28．6％）死亡。CMV组死亡7例（33．3％），两组病死率无显著差异（P〉0.05）。两组治疗有效的患者在分别接受654-2＋NIPPV和CMV治疗后1h和6h动脉血气有相似的显著改善。654-2＋NIPPV组患者机械通气时间和住院时间短于CMV组（P〈0.05）。654-2＋NIPPV组的并发症发生率低于CMV组（P〈0.05）。结论在经过选择的ARDS患者中，应用654-2＋NIPPV治疗的临床效果与CMV相似。实施654-2＋NIPPV可缩短机械通气和住院时间，减少并发症。654-2＋NIPPV可作为经过选择的ARDS患者首选的通气支持治疗手段。     

Chlamydial etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children in the Sudan

The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in 110 Sudanese children with signs of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) was investigated. Four (3.6%) had evidence of C. pneumoniae infection, of whom 3 were culture-positive, while 1 had an antibody response suggesting a recent infection. IgG antibodies at a titer of ≥1:32 to C. pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis were detected in 27 (24.5%), 27 (24.5%) and 7 (6.4%) of the 110 ALRI cases, respectively. C. pneumoniae, C. trachomatis or C. psittaci were not detected in nasopharyngeal secretions from any of 110 patients when fluorescence-labeled specific monoclonal antibodies were used. In a seroepidemiological survey, 318 healthy Sudanese persons aged between 1 month and 67 years were studied for C. pneumoniae antibodies.     

SARS胸部影像表现与评价(附75例分析)

目的：回顾分析75例严重急性呼吸综合症(SARS)病例，探讨该病影像学表现及其与临床治疗有关的问题。方法：全部75例患者均行胸片检查，一般隔日行影像追踪复查。结果：胸部X线表现为肺实质渗出病灶为主，肺内网状改变及肺门片块影较少。影像表现与临床病程有一定关系。结论：胸部影像表现以肺实质渗出病灶较常见。胸片检查是进行本病诊断和评估病程及疗效的重要方法。     

Validation of esophageal pressure occlusion test after paralysis

Measurements of respiratory mechanics are frequently made in ventilated infants and children. Esophageal pressure measurements (P_es using a balloon on a catheter have been used to partition the respiratory mechanics into lung and chest wall components. Appropriate positioning of this balloon is crucial to obtain accurate estimates of pleural pressure. Traditionally, in spontaneously breathing subjects the balloon position is assessed with an occlusion test. In ventilated subjects, it is not always possible to perform an occlusion test prior to paralysis, and even if such a test is performed it may not be relevant under conditions of positive pressure ventilation. We have assessed a positive pressure occlusion test that is suitable for paralyzed subjects. By occluding the airway opening and applying gentle pressure to the abdomen or rib cage, positive swings in pressure can be measured by both P_es and airway opening pressure (P_ao). We compared traditional occlusion tests measured in 16 spontaneously breathing puppies to the positive pressure occlusion test performed after paralysis. In 2 pups we were unable to obtain a reasonable traditional occlusion test (>15% difference between P_es and P_ao) but we obtained 10 traditional occlusion tests in each of the remaining 14 pups (2.1–14 kg). In 11 of these animals Ape, was within 10% of P_ao. This compared well to positive pressure occlusion test using abdominal pressure performed after paralysis, where Apes was within 10% of ΔP_ao in 10 animals. In 9 of these pups occlusion tests were also performed by applying pressure on the rib cage, where ΔP_es was within 10% of ΔP_ao in 6 animals. These results suggest that it is possible to perform accurate occlusion tests in paralyzed subjects by abdominal or rib cage compression with the airway occluded. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1994; 17:56–62. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Clinical and manometric evaluation of anorectal function following low anterior resection with low anastomotic line using an EEA™ stapler for rectal cancer

Anorectal function was evaluated in eight patients who had low anterior resection of the rectum with a low anastomotic line, using an EEA^™ stapler, with determination of function based on periodic manometric studies and clinical symptoms. Immediately following surgery all patients suffered from frequent bowel actions and soiling. These symptoms improved with time and most patients could enjoy almost normal daily life by the sixth postoperative month. One month after surgery, anal canal resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure were significantly reduced and rectoanal inhibitory reflex was absent; neither showed a distinct tendency to improve thereafter. Rectal sensation and reservoir capacity, which also were seriously impaired, recovered satisfactorily by the time of the six-month examination. This suggests that an improvement of clinical symptoms following this operation is dependent upon the recovery of reservoir capacity and sensation of the neorectum, and that this operative procedure is a functionally acceptable option for low rectal cancer.     

Ascending general visceral pathways within the brainstems of two teleost fishes: Ictalurus punctatus and Carassius auratus.

The primary general visceral nucleus in goldfish (Carassius auratus) and catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is located at the ventroposterior boundary of the vagal gustatory lobe and receives coelomic visceral, but not gustatory inputs. The neuronal tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was employed to visualize sources of input to and ascending projections from the primary general visceral nucleus in these species. In addition, immunocytochemical techniques were utilized to define the cytological divisions within the pontine gustatory-visceral complex. The pontine secondary visceral nuclei in both catfish and goldfish contains numerous somata and fibers immunoreactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In contrast, the secondary gustatory nuclei are devoid of fibers and cells immunoreactive for CGRP. In both the goldfish and the channel catfish, the primary general visceral nucleus receives input from the vagal gustatory lobe, as well as the medullary reticular formation. In the channel catfish, the primary general visceral nucleus projects bilaterally to the secondary visceral nucleus, which lies rostrolateral to the secondary gustatory nucleus in the dorsal pons. Fibers cross the midline via the rostral part of the isthmic commissure. Injection of HRP into the primary general visceral nucleus of a goldfish labels ascending fibers that project to a secondary visceral nucleus situated ventral, lateral, and rostral to the secondary gustatory complex. In general, the results indicate that general visceral systems ascend in parallel to gustatory systems within the brainstem, and that general visceral but not gustatory nuclei are immunoreactive for the peptide CGRP.