Herpetic croup: two case reports and a review of the literature

Croup is an acute infectious illness usually occurring in children; it is characterized by brassy cough and stridor. The main pathogens include mainly parainfluenza and influenza viruses. Recently there have been reports of prolonged croup caused by the herpes simplex viruses. We report two cases of prolonged croup due to herpes simplex types 1 and 2. We also review and summarize the reported pediatric cases of herpetic croup.     

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Controversial issues relating to the pathobiology and classification of central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) have plagued neuropathologists for more than 70 years. Hypotheses advanced in the mid-1920's have remained as fixed concepts in contemporary literature, largely consequent to repetitious support by a small number of neuropathologists despite a growing body of information discrediting these ideas from neuroembryologists, oncologists, neuroscien-tists and pathologists.
Attention has largely focused upon PNETs arising in the cerebellum (commonly known as medul-loblastomas [MBs]), because about 80% of central nervous system (CNS) PNETs originate in this site. It has been asserted that the 20% which do not are biologically different, although most individuals agree that the histological features of PNETs that occur in different sites throughout the CNS are indistinguishable from those growing in the cerebellum.
The historical aspects of this controversy are examined in the face of evidence that there is, in fact, a unique class of CNS tumors which should appropriately be regarded as primitive neuroectodermal in nature. Specifically, a number of different approaches to the problem have yielded data supporting this hypothesis. These approaches include the identification of patterns of expression among a variety of cellular antigens (demonstrated by the use of immunopathological techniques), molecular analyses of cell lines derived from these tumors, experimental production of PNETs and molecular genetic analyses.
Differences of opinion among surgeons, oncologists and radiotherapists are typically resolved by conducting cooperative studies of patients with these tumors who are diagnosed and treated at multiple centers.     

Temporal prominence of auditory evoked potentials (N1 wave) in 4-8-year-old children

Cortical auditory evoked potentials (N1 wave) were studied in 24 adults (12 men, 12 women) and 20 children (12 boys, 8 girls; age: 4-8 years). In adults, this wave was recorded with maximal amplitude at frontocentral sites, peaking at about 100 ms poststimulation, whereas in children the auditory response displayed maximal amplitude at the midtemporal sites, with a positive wave at about 100 ms and a large negative wave at approximately 170 ms. Moreover, the modulatory effects of intensity on N1 amplitude were prominent at frontocentral sites in adults and at temporal sites in children. Frontocentral negative response was also recorded in children but was smaller in amplitude and longer in peak latency (around 140 ms) than in adults; responses were of greater amplitude at the frontal site than at the vertex before 6 years of age, whereas the reverse was more often found after this age. These data suggest great differences with age in the neural generators contributing to auditory evoked potentials recorded in the N1 latency range.     

Comparing sulindac with indomethacin for closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

Objectives: A prospective study comparing the efficiacy and side-effects of oral sulindac with intravenous indomethacin in clinically stable preterm infants (<1750 g) requiring non-invasive closure of haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.
Methodology: As maturity and birthweight are the two major determinants of ductal closure, infants were matched as closely as possible for these parameters. An eligible patient was first assigned to the sulindac group and a subsequent patient with similar gestational age (± 1 week) and birthweight (±100 g) to the previously recruited infant would automatically receive indomethacin. A total of eight infants were enrolled in each group.
Results: The ductus arteriosus was successfully closed in all eight infants receiving indomethacin, and in seven of eight infants receiving sulindac. No significant differences were found with regards to the ductal size between the two groups at diagnosis or on each of the consecutive days of treatment ( P >0.25). More renal adverse effects were encountered in the indomethacin group. Significant differences in changes from baseline value for urine output, plasma sodium, urea and creatinine concentrations were noted at 24, 48 and 72 h after commencement of treatment between the two groups ( P <0.05). All the parameters returned to normal or pre-treatment levels 48 h after stopping therapy. Unexpectedly, severe gastrointestinal complications were encountered in the sulindac group.
Conclusions: Sulindac is capable of promoting ductal constriction in clinically stable preterm infants without compromising the renal function. The spectrum of gastrointestinal complications observed in sulindac treated infants were similar to those described for indomethacin. The use of sulindac for ductal closure in the preterm infant should remain experimental.     

低氧限光方案与早产儿视网膜病的相关研究

目的:探讨低氧限光方案对预防极低出生体重儿(VLBW I)视网膜病(Rop)的有效性、安全性。方法:将2002年10月~2005年4月广州市重症孕产妇抢救中心出生后入住该科需氧疗的VLBW I 40例,随机分为低氧限光方组(II组)及常规给氧无限光组(III组)各20例,另取近5年我科住院资料完整的VLBW I15例作为对照组(I组),对照组在出生后无需氧疗或低氧治疗时间少于5 d。全部研究对象于纠正胎龄33、34、35、36周接受4次眼底检查,根据Rop结果复查直至视网膜血管发育成熟为止,连续随访视力、眼底、眼位及客观检影、脑瘫及支气管肺发育不良的发生情况。结果:①III组发生Rop达40%,显著高于I、II组(P均<0.05),各组Rop发生时间均在34~36周,平均发病年龄为纠正胎龄35.3周。②各组Rop的发生与高危单因素的分析显示出生体重、胎龄、住院时间、败血症的发生与Rop有关,对照组(I组)Rop的发生还与1 m in Apgar评分及其血压有关(P<0.05),低氧限光组(II组)Rop的发生还与BE>-10有关。用logistic综合分析发现与Rop的发生有显著相关的因素为胎龄(P<0.05)、出生体重(P<0.05)。③其中40例随访10~16个月的资料示III组视力异常及支气管肺发育不良的发生率分别为50%、25%,显著高于I、II组(P<0.05),而脑瘫的发生率在3组间无显著差异。结论:在临床上应用低氧限光方案对预防VLBW I的Rop发生是有效和安全的,且可降低支气管肺发育不良的发生率,并不增加脑瘫的发生率。     

重型颅脑损伤并发急性肾功能衰竭的危险因素和病因分析

目的探讨重型颅脑损伤合并急性肾功能衰竭（ARF）的危险因素。方法回顾性分析了27例重型颅脑损伤合并ARF患者的临床资料,对其危险因素及发病原因进行探讨。结果GCS评分低、脑挫裂伤程度重、甘露醇治疗、氨基糖甙类药物治疗、年龄大以及开颅手术后与ARF显著相关,属于风险因素。结论重型颅脑损伤合并ARF为多种因素的共同作用。     

AMP-18,一种新发现的胃黏膜保护因子

AMP-18是一种新发现的由胃腺体上皮细胞合成的小分子蛋白质,独特表达于胃黏膜,机体其他部位少见,胃癌组织中表达缺失．AMP-18 由185个氨基酸组成,除去N端信号肽(20个氨基酸)后大小约18 ku,第54-150个氨基酸组成高度保守的结构域(BRICHOS区域)承担主要的生理功能．AMP-18由胃腺体上皮细胞以胞吐的方式分泌到胃黏液中,他的合成和分泌与个体生长发育有关,并受福斯高林、吲哚美辛、地塞米松等药物的影响．目前发现 AMP-18的生理功能主要有促进胃黏膜上皮细胞的有丝分裂,促进细胞的迁徙,促胃肠黏膜损伤的修复,保持胃肠黏膜的完整等．