Kawasaki Disease in a Father and Son

The pathogenesis and etiology of Kawasaki disease are unknown, but some studies suggest increased genetic susceptibility. The case is presented of an infant with Kawasaki disease whose father suffered from the same illness 21 years previously. The A, B and C loci of the HLA antigens were examined.     

Epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction: pitfalls and look-alikes

Epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction are benign self-limiting conditions that are more frequent than generally assumed. Both disorders frequently mimic symptoms of an abdominal surgical emergency, often leading to clinical misdiagnosis of appendicitis or diverticulitis. Because a misdiagnosis can result in an unnecessary laparotomy, a correct diagnosis is of great importance. Ultrasound and computed tomography can be used to make a reliable diagnosis. This pictorial essay illustrates the various ultrasonographic and computed tomographic appearances of epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction and focuses on their radiologic differential diagnoses and pitfalls. Received: 22 February 2001/Accepted: 18 April 2001     

Parent satisfaction with paediatric day-surgery: a questionnaire-based study

Potential advantages of paediatric day-surgery are cost saving, improved utilization of staff and hospital facilities, and reduction of stress for the paediatric patient and their family. A successful programme requires careful case selection, full operating and anaesthetic facilities and good follow-up. Current practice is reviewed with regard to initial assessment, preparation for surgery and overall management during the day admission. To provide information on how patients and their parents experience essential aspects of daycare paediatric surgery, a questionnaire-based study on parental satisfaction of paediatric day-surgery was performed. Most children were back to normal, within a few days. Recovery from paediatric day-surgery was rapid and the overall level of parent satisfaction was high.     

综合医院医务人员感染SARS情况对比分析

目的：分析在防治SARS工作初期、后期医务人员感染SARS的差异和采取的对策，为减少综合医院内医务人员SARS的感染提供参考。方甚：对本院自2003年3月24日至6月2日SARS诊断治疗任务中发生的医务人员的感染原因和采取的对策进行回顾性分析。结果：防治SARS工作初期，急诊科交叉感染和在SARS隔离病房等与SARS患者密切接触的工作岗位，共有17名医务人员感染，及时隔离治疗，均已痊愈，未造成医护人员的进一步交叉感染：经加强防护培训，改善工作条件，在防治SARS工作后期，仅发生2名护工感染，亦已痊愈，派出非典医疗队实现零感染。结论：综合医院内医务人员感染SARS的问题严峻，加强医院内的全员防护培训，按岗分区管理，改善医务人员的工作条件和病人的隔离观察环境，做好监督检查，积极应对，可以减少医务人员的SARS感染。     

重组血红素加氧酶-2在大肠杆菌中表达与纯化方法的研究

目的　确定重组血红素加氧酶 2在大肠杆菌中表达与纯化方法。方法　将已构建的血红素加氧酶 2(HO 2 )的重组质粒pMW1 72a HO 2转入大肠杆菌BL 2 1 ,分析不同温度及摇床转速对HO 2表达的影响 ,确定可溶性表达最佳条件。使用超声波、超速离心、分级盐析、分子筛层析等方法纯化HO 2。检测酶活性。结果　确定了HO 2可溶性表达最佳条件为 37℃ ,(85± 5 )r min ;确定了HO 2具体纯化路线。得到蛋白纯度为 95 .0 % ,纯化倍数为 2 .9倍 ,收得率为 4 0 .9%的活性HO 2蛋白。结论　获得了纯度高、具有活性的HO 2蛋白 ,为进一步进行HO 2结构与功能之间关系的研究提供了可行的纯化路线     

HPCE法测定蛹虫草及其培养物中核苷类化合物的含量

目的　建立蛹虫草中核苷类化合物的高效毛细管电泳测定法 ,比较天然蛹虫草及其培养物中核苷类化合物的含量。方法　在HV - 30 1高效毛细管电泳仪上进行定量分析 ,采用石英毛细管柱 ,以pH9.0的 4 0mmol·L-1 硼砂溶液作为电极缓冲液 ;分离电压为 1 6KV ;检测波长为 2 5 4nm。结果　天然蛹虫草中核苷类化合物主要集中在子座部分。人工培养蛹虫草子座和菌丝中虫草素的含量分别是天然蛹虫草子座中的 5 .0 4倍和 1 0 .85倍 ;液体培养蛹虫草菌丝中腺嘌呤、腺苷、尿苷、鸟苷含量均高于固体培养蛹虫草子座。结论　天然蛹虫草及其培养物中核苷类化合物的种类和含量具有较大的差异。高效毛细管电泳法可以用于蛹虫草的定量分析 ,具有分离度高、简便、准确 ,样品消耗少等特点     

Family Functioning and Social Support in the Adaptation of Caregivers of Children With Sickle Cell Syndromes

Objective: To examine moderating effects of family functioningand social support on the relationship of child-related stressorsto caregivers' psychological adaptation in a sample of caregiversof children with a chronic illness. Method: Participants were 67 caregivers of children and adolescentswith sickle cell syndromes. We conducted MANOVAs and subsequenteffect size calculations to determine if family functioningwould buffer the effects of caring for difficult-to-manage childrenwith this illness. Results: Findings supported a moderator effect of family functioningon the association of children's externalizing behavioral problemsto caregivers symptoms of hostility. Greater levels of cohesiveand adaptive family functioning buffered the potential detrimentaleffects of caring for children perceived as hard to manage.No significant associations were obtained between measures ofcaregivers' psychological adaptation and the severity of theirchildren's disease. Conclusions: We make recommendations for family systems interventions,particularly for caregivers of children with behavior problems.     

Management of ascites in cirrhosis

Ascites is one of the earliest and most common complications of patients with cirrhosis. A typical circulatory dysfunction characterized by arterial vasodilation, high cardiac output and stimulation of vasoactive systems is commonly present in these patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. The treatment of ascites has been based on the combination of a low-sodium diet and the administration of diuretics. The reintroduction of paracentesis and the recent introduction of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are the most relevant innovations in the treatment of ascites during the past two decades, although controlled trials in large series of patients are needed to delineate whether TIPS is a safe and useful treatment for these patients.     

Inhaled fentanyl as a method of analgesia

A study was undertaken to investigate the use of fentanyl by aerosol for postoperative analgesia. Seven patients had placebo, six received fentanyl 100 micrograms and seven were given fentanyl 300 micrograms. A significant improvement in postoperative pain, as assessed by linear visual analogue scale, was achieved in the higher dose group, and in both fentanyl groups the time to alternative analgesia was significantly longer than in the control group. Serum fentanyl levels after inhalation of 100 micrograms reached a plateau around 0.04 ng/ml and after 300 micrograms at around 0.1 ng/ml after 15 minutes. Inhaled fentanyl may have a useful analgesic effect despite these low serum levels; this supports the hypothesis that the mode of analgesia from inhaled opioids may be different from that after other routes of administration. There were no adverse effects such as respiratory depression, bronchospasm, nausea or drowsiness.