Haemodynamic profiles of etomidate vs propofol for induction of anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Background

Etomidate is frequently selected over propofol for induction of anaesthesia because of a putatively favourable haemodynamic profile, but data confirming this perception are limited.

Do children with primary nocturnal enuresis have a retarded bone age? A cross‐sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Nocturnal enuresis is a common pediatric problem, the etiology of which is unclear. In recent years, various studies have been published stating that children with nocturnal enuresis exhibit growth and skeletal maturation retardation. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included 27 patients (16 boys, 11 girls) between the ages of 6 and 14 years who had presented with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) complaints. We included in the evaluation 19 healthy subjects (12 boys, 7 girls), who were the siblings of the children with PNE, as the control group. RESULTS: The patients in both groups were similar in chronological age, bone age, height and weight, with no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The two groups in our study consisted of the same genetic background. Thus, our results were found to be different from the previous studies. We have concluded that there is no direct relationship between enuresis nocturnal and skeletal maturation.     

Different mechanisms by which anti-DNA MoAbs bind to human endothelial cells and glomerular mesangial cells.

The mechanisms by which anti-DNA MoAbs derived from MRL-lpr/lpr mice, bind to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and glomerular mesangial cells were studied using a cellular ELISA. DNAse-treatment of either the MoAb or HUVEC followed by reconstitution with DNA and/or histones was performed to determine whether DNA and histones mediated such binding. It was found that MoAb410 bound to HUVEC and mesangial cells in the form of preformed DNA/anti-DNA immune complex, and such binding was facilitated by histones. In contrast, MoAb 152 bound directly to cell membrane-associated DNA, and adding DNA to MoAb 152 reduced its cellular binding. DNA binds endothelial cell surface and histones enhance the binding of both MoAb 410 and MoAb 152 to HUVEC by increasing cell membrane-associated DNA. Finally, the degree of MoAb binding to HUVEC is critically influenced by the relative concentrations of antibody, DNA, and histones.     

Diurnal variation of intraocular pressure and the overriding effects of sleep

Intraocular pressure (IOP) was recorded regularly over a 24-h period in 13 normal subjects. All subjects showed a dramatic rise in IOP after sleep, ranging from 37 to 248%. In a second experiment, IOP decreased when 15 subjects remained upright and awake throughout the night. When sleep was not permitted IOP was lowest at 3:00 a.m. (0300); when six of these subjects were permitted to sleep from 0600 to 0800, they showed a rapid and significant increase in IOP of up to 150%, whereas the remaining nine subjects showed (posturally induced) increases of up to 38%.     

Serum ionic fluoride levels in haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

High serum fluoride (F-) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with risk of renal osteodystrophy and other bone changes. This study was done to determine F- in normal healthy controls and patients with ESRD on haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Seventeen healthy controls (12 males, 5 females) and 39 ESRD patients on dialysis (17 males, 22 females) were recruited in the study in a community with 47.4 +/- 3.28 microM/l (range 44-51 microM/l) of F- content in drinking water. Control subjects showed a mean serum F- concentration of 1.08 +/- 0.350 microM/l. Males in control group showed slightly higher F- levels (1.15 +/- 0.334, range 0.55-1.9 microM/l) than females (0.92 +/- 0.370, range 0.6-1.5 microM/l). Mean serum F- concentration did not correlate significantly with age and sex among control subjects, whereas such correlation was observed in patients with ESRD on dialysis. Mean serum F- concentration was significantly higher in patients on dialysis (2.67 +/- 1.09, range 0.8-5.2 microM/l) than normal controls. When grouped according to sex, the mean serum F- concentration in males (3.05 +/- 1.04, range 1.8-5.2 microM/l) was significantly higher than females (2.38 +/- 1.08, range 0.8-5.2 microM/l). When patients were grouped according to age, it was observed that F- concentration was significantly higher in patients with age groups 21-70 (2.86 +/- 1.05) than those with age group 13-20 years (1.42 +/- 0.531). Thus F- concentration correlated with age and sex, being higher in males and above 20 years. Despite appreciable clearance of F- (39-90%) across the peritoneum, patients on CAPD showed higher serum F- concentration than those on HD (3.1 +/- 1.97 vs 2.5 +/- 1.137 microM/l). Of the total 39 patients on dialysis 39% had their serum F- concentration above 3.0 microM/l, posing the risk of renal osteodystrophy.      

THE IMPACT OF PRE-CLERKING CLINICS ON SURGICAL OPERATION CANCELLATIONS: A PROSPECTIVE AUDIT

Pre-clerking of all patients undergoing elective general surgical operations was introduced at our hospital in an attempt to reduce an unacceptably high operation cancellation rate. A prospective audit has been performed on the effect of this policy on the cancellation rate. Before the introduction of pre-clerking there was a marked seasonal variation in the number of patients who failed to attend for surgery, which could be explained by absence on holiday. This seasonal variation disappeared after the start of pre-clerking clinics, but there has been no reduction in the number of cancellations for medical reasons.