Conventional Ultrafiltration During Elective Cardiac Surgery and Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury

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Coronary Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) is a technique in clinical evolution. Current clinical applications include assessment for coronary anomalies, aneurysms, bypass graft patency, and, in experienced centers, the exclusion of proximal and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). As local expertise increases and more extensive multicenter data become available, additional applications will be established. CMRA promises to supplement and in some cases obviate the need for X-ray contrast angiography, and to expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of CAD. Zusammenfassung Die Magnetresonanzangiographie der Koronargefäße (CMRA) ist eine sich ständig weiterentwickelnde Technik. Etablierte Anwendungen sind zurzeit die Beurteilung von koronaren Anomalien, Aneurysmen und der Durchgängigkeit von Bypasses. Auch der Ausschluss proximaler Koronarstenosen und einer koronaren Mehrgefäßerkrankung ist in einigen spezialisierten Zentren möglich. Mit zunehmender Erfahrung der jeweiligen Anwender und der Verfügbarkeit von Ergebnissen großer multizentrischer Studien können zukünftig weitere klinische Anwendungen etabliert werden. In der Zukunft könnte die CMRA ergänzende Informationen zur Indikationsstellung einer konventionellen Röntgenangiographie bringen und in einigen Fällen diese Untersuchung sogar ersetzen. Die CMRA wird unseren Einblick in die Pathophysiologie der koronaren Herzerkrankung sicher erweitern.     

Hemispheric activation vs spatio-motor cueing in visual neglect: a case study

We report a case of mild visuo-spatial neglect consequent upon right-hemisphere stroke. At the time of testing, the patient had a complete left visual field deficit but only a very slight left hemiparesis. Under conventional testing conditions, line bisection performed with the right hand showed more severe left neglect than when performed with the left hand. This pattern of performance could, however, be modified, both quantitatively and qualitatively, by changing the starting position of the patient's hand when bisecting horizontal lines. The results suggest that spatio-motor cueing has a more profound effect upon task performance than does differential hemispheric activation per se. We also provide a demonstration that, in a normal subject, the starting position of the hand is likewise a crucial determinant of task performance. In this case, however, there is also an interaction between the hand (and hence hemisphere) deployed and the position of that hand in space.     

Effects of methylphenidate and d-amphetamine on timing in the rat

Rats were trained to press a lever for food pellets provided according to a fixed interval 60-sec schedule of reinforcement. Probe trials (peak trials) assessed responding over two-min periods with no pellet delivered. The low rates of responding found early and late in probe trials were increased by methylphenidate and 1.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine (rate-dependent effect). Further, the mean time of responding (peak time) was shortened for both drugs (timing effect).     

Occurrence of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Primary CD30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is considered by some to be a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with the t(2;5) (p23;q35). However, the specificity of t(2;5) for ALCL has not been carefully studied. Therefore, we performed a detailed analysis of all cases of ALCL with abnormal cytogenetics results in the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group registry, as well as all other cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with t(2;5) in the registry. We found the t(2;5) in only five of 10 cases of ALCL, four of whom were young patients. However, we also found the t(2;5) in 11 other cases of nonanaplastic lymphoma, including eight children with typical peripheral T-cell lymphomas of various types. The t(2;5) was also found in three older adults with B-cell lymphomas of various types. Thus, the t(2;5) was not specific for CD30+ ALCL. However, t(2;5) may define a clinicopathologic entity in children and young adults characterized by variable morphologies with a T-cell or indeterminate phenotype, CD30-positivity, nodal disease with frequent extranodal involvement, advanced stage, and an excellent response to therapy, including bone marrow transplantation for relapsed disease. The clinical relevance of the t(2;5) in older patients requires further study.     

Dural sinus thrombosis: study using intermediate field strength MR imaging

The magnetic resonance (MR) images of six patients with thrombosis of a dural sinus were reviewed. The diagnosis had been verified by computed tomographic scans in three patients and arteriograms in two; in the sixth patient, only MR imaging was used to confirm the clinical syndrome. In all patients, high-intensity signal was seen from the thrombus within the affected dural sinus on all echoes. This persistent signal intensity allowed intravascular clot to be distinguished from normal causes of increased signal such as flow-related enhancement (entry phenomenon) and even-echo rephasing. MR imaging demonstrated the cause of the thrombosis in three patients: two were secondary to adjacent tumors, and one was secondary to unsuspected mastoiditis. Complications such as infarction were also demonstrated. Using MR imaging, one can easily and safely diagnose thrombosis of a dural sinus. MR should be the imaging method of choice in patients suspected of having thrombosis of a dural sinus.     

The advanced practice nurse in gastroenterology serving as patient educator.

The role of the advanced practice nurse is evolving in the specialty of gastroenterology, requiring flexibility and an openness to change on the part of the practitioner. The gastroenterology advanced practice nurse performs history and physical assessments, orders diagnostic studies, determines medical and nursing diagnoses, prescribes and evaluates pharmacologic and other therapeutic regimens, manages followup care, and evaluates patient outcomes. The advance practice nurse also provides patient, family, and group education and screening programs. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals; serving as a mentor and as a consultant; participating in continuing education, research and quality management; and providing professional leadership underscore the professional aspects of advance practice nurse activities. The focus of this article is the educational role of the advanced practice nurse. The body of knowledge applicable to the educational role is discussed, in addition to contributory professional activities.     

Inhibition of neuronally induced relaxation of canine lower esophageal sphincter by opioid peptides

Opioid peptides have profound effects on gut motility. To assess their actions on enteric neurons regulating sphincteric smooth muscle, the ability of several opioid agonists to antagonize the neuronally induced relaxation of canine lower esophageal sphincter smooth muscle was examined. Opioid peptides selective for mu (FK 33-824) or delta [( D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin) receptors produced a concentration dependent inhibition of electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxation. In contrast, neither kappa (ketocycloclazine) or sigma (SK & F 10047) opioid agonists were potent inhibitors of EFS-induced relaxation. This inhibition was relatively selective for opioid agonists since BHT 933 (alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonist) and SK & F 89124 (D2 dopamine agonist) did not inhibit EFS-induced relaxation. Furthermore, naloxone antagonized the effects of both FK 33-824 and DPDPE. These functional data suggest that opioid receptors are present on sphincteric intrinsic inhibitory neurons and that stimulation of these neuronal receptors can regulate lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.