Dual microcatheter and guidewire snare technique for retrieval of intravascular foreign body: technical note

A transjugular snare technique was used to retrieve a stretched, residual mechanical detachable coil which extended from the cavernous sinus to the femoral vein, obliterating the transpetrosal route for further embolisation. The coil was snared by a microguidewire. Our new technique is described in this paper. Received: 19 April 1995 Accepted: 31 July 1995     

不同记忆负荷对事件相关电位—P300的影响

我们研究了不同记忆负荷条件下,ERP-P_(300)变化的规律性和特点及ERP-P_(300)与脑力负荷难度之间的关系。在三种脑力作业时,要求受试者记忆2、4、6位随机数字。结果表明,1、随着记忆数字增加,P_(300)波幅相应增大,三种记忆作业P_(300)波幅之间均有显著性差异。2、记忆错误率和记忆难度主观评价值,亦随着记忆数字增加而增大,且在三种记忆作业之间均有显著性差异。3、P_(300)波幅和记忆难度主观评价值之间相关分析表明呈正相关(P<0.01)。我们建议,P_(300)波幅测量可以作为评价脑力负荷的一项客观指标。     

A Biomechanical Double Sac (Pericardium-Pebax) for Specially Shaped Artificial Ventricles: A Computerized Study to Evaluate Its Mechanical and Volumetric Properties

Abstract: For original ovoid shaped artificial ventricles. a biomechanical double sac consisting of a biological sac (porcine pericardium) as the blood contact interface and a synthetic sac (Pebax 3533) as the mechanical support to assume systolic-diastolic dynamic constraints was conceived. The volumetric and mechanical properties were assessed with a three-dimensional modeling of Pebax sacs and computerized simulations of their systolic distortions for both right and left ventricular configurations. The stresses and strains of these sacs were represented as quantitative mappings for a maximum end-systolic state and were below the respective threshold values above which the Pebax material is jeopardized for permanent structure impairment. After fatigue tests applied on Pebax strips under the alleged working conditions of Pebax sacs, the material structure was unchanged and maintained its intrinsic mechanical properties. The theoretical maximum stroke volumes were 74.4 cm³ and 62.4 cm for the left and right ventricular configurations, respectively. With these mechanical and volumetric features, the biomechanical double sac concept was considered valid and could be provided for a consequent specific total artificial heart.     

Turbulent stress measurements downstream of three bileaflet heart valve designs in pigs

Objective: Mechanical heart valves can cause thromboembolic complications, possibly due to abnormal flow patterns that produce turbulence downstream of the valve. The objective of this study was to investigate whether three different bileaflet valve designs would exhibit clinically relevant differences in downstream turbulent stresses. Methods: Three bileaflet mechanical heart valves (Medtronic Advantage^®, CarboMedics© Orbis™ Universal and St. Jude Medical^® Standard) were implanted into 19 female 90 kg pigs. Blood velocity was measured during open chest conditions in the cross sectional area downstream of the valves with 10 MHz ultrasonic probes connected to a modified Alfred^® Pulsed Doppler equipment. As a measure of turbulence, Reynolds normal stress (RNS) was calculated at three different cardiac output ranges (3–4, 4.5–5.5, 6–7 L/min). Results: Data from 12 animals were obtained. RNS correlated with increasing cardiac outputs. The highest instantaneous RNS observed in these experiments was 47 N/m², and the mean RNS taken spatially over the cross sectional area of the aorta during systole was between 3 N/m² and 15 N/m². In none of the cardiac output ranges RNS values exceeded the lower critical limit for erythrocyte or thrombocyte damage for any of the valve designs. Conclusions: Reynolds normal stress values were below 100 N/m² for all three valve designs and the difference in design was not reflected in generation of turbulence. Hence, it is unlikely that any of the valve designs causes flow induced damage to platelets or erythrocytes.     

红细胞膜通道力学效应的探讨

在考察红细胞双凹碟形体形成的基础上,讨论了红细胞的输氧功能与红细胞变形的关系,揭示了红细胞膜通道的力学效应:当红细胞呈双凹碟形时,PiPo的地方,红细胞膜通道有释放出氧的现象,其氧的总流率为 J=Lo_2(Pio_2-Poo_2) Lp(Pi-Po) 式中Lo_2为O_2分压差引起的膜通道对氧的流导,PiO_2、Poo_2为膜内外的氧分压;Lp为由于压差引起的膜通道对氧的流导。     

Invasive ventilation in the emergency department: Part 2: Implications for patient safety

The use of mechanical ventilation in the Emergency Department requires adequate resources in order to maintain patient safety and avoid potential risks. Moreover, developments in technology require increased knowledge of mechanical ventilation techniques to address the complexity of decision-making involved. Organisational issues and system factors have the potential to negatively impact on the ability of the emergency service to provide optimum care to patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These issues include staffing and skill-mix, demand on emergency services, role-delineation, scope of practice, and current mechanisms for monitoring of quality and safety. Furthermore, in response to advances in ventilator technology, current education programs for both nursing and medical staff require review to ensure that they provide comprehensive information about the types of ventilation techniques now available and the relative risks and benefits associated with their application.This article is the second in a two-part series and explores the educational and organisational factors that impact upon safety and quality of care delivered to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the emergency department. Recommendations for future policy development, curriculum review and reporting mechanisms to support further research in the application of mechanical ventilation in the emergency department are made.     

院前紧急气管插管与机械通气24例临床分析

目的总结紧急气管插管与机械通气在院前急救中应用的经验,以期提高院前急救水平。方法回顾性分析24例院前气管插管与机械通气抢救心搏呼吸骤停病人的临床资料。结果24例病人气管内插管均获成功,成功率100%。完成气管内插管的时间是15s～60s,平均时间(25±15)s。心搏、自主呼吸恢复4例(16.7%),心搏恢复8例(33.3%);心搏及自主呼吸均未恢复12例(50.0%)。结论气管插管与机械通气是急诊抢救危重病人的基础,对保证进一步心肺复苏、挽留手术机会以及提高危重患者抢救成功率有重要意义。要加强对抢救人员进行紧急气管插管和机械通气的培训。     

Effect of compressive follower preload on the flexion-extension response of the human lumbar spine.

Traditional experimental methods are unable to study the kinematics of whole lumbar spine specimens under physiologic compressive preloads because the spine without active musculature buckles under just 120 N of vertical load. However, the lumbar spine can support a compressive load of physiologic magnitude (up to 1200 N) without collapsing if the load is applied along a follower load path. This study tested the hypothesis that the load-displacement response of the lumbar spine in flexion-extension is affected by the magnitude of the follower preload and the follower preload path. Twenty-one fresh human cadaveric lumbar spines were tested in flexion-extension under increasing compressive follower preload applied along two distinctly different optimized preload paths. The first (neutral) preload path was considered optimum if the specimen underwent the least angular change in its lordosis when the full range of preload (0-1200 N) was applied in its neutral posture. The second (flexed) preload path was optimized for an intermediate specimen posture between neutral and full flexion. A twofold increase in flexion stiffness occurred around the neutral posture as the preload was increased from 0 to 1200 N. The preload magnitude (400 N and larger) significantly affected the range of motion (ROM), with a 25% decrease at 1200 N preload applied along the neutral path. When the preload was applied along a path optimized for an intermediate forward-flexed posture, only a 15% decrease in ROM occurred at 1200 N. The results demonstrate that whole lumbar spine specimens can be subjected to compressive follower preloads of in vivo magnitudes while allowing physiologic mobility under flexion-extension moments. The optimized follower preload provides a method to simulate the resultant vector of the muscles that allow the spine to support physiologic compressive loads induced during flexion-extension activities.     

Lipoprotein lipase in relation to inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To evaluate the impact of chronic inflammation on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) levels and triglyceride metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design. Plasma levels of LPL activity and mass before and after heparin were determined in post-menopausal women with active RA and in controls. The results were related to lipid levels and inflammatory variables. The LPL activity and mass together with triglyceride levels were also measured before and 6 h after an oral fat load. Setting. The study was performed on in- and out-patients at a University Rheumatology clinic. The controls came from the same reference area. Subjects. Altogether 17 consecutive post-menopausal female patients with RA and 16 age and sex matched controls were enrolled for the initial determination of LPL. Fifteen of the patients and 15 of the controls agreed to take part in the fat load. Of these, one patient and one control were excluded. Main outcome measures. LPL determination: basal levels and post-heparin levels of LPL activity and mass. Correlations between LPL and blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), lipoprotein levels (high density lipoprotein, HDL; low density lipoprotein, LDL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) acute phase proteins (orosomucoid, haptoglobin, fibrinogen mass) and cytokines (tumour necrosis factor α, TNF-α; interleukin 1β, IL-1β; and interleukin-6, IL-6). Fat tolerance test: LPL activity, mass and triglyceride levels before and 6 h after a per oral fat load. Results. Pre-heparin LPL mass (P<0.01) and activity (P<0.01) were significantly lower in the rheumatoid patients. Pre-heparin LPL mass showed no correlation to the lipid levels, but an inverse correlation to several inflammatory parameters; it was significant for orosomucoid (r_s=?0.63, P<0.05) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r_s=?0.54, P<0.05) and close to significant for haptoglobin (r_s=?0.48, P=0.087) and IL-6 (r_s=?0.52, P=0.061). Six hours after a lipid load the LPL activity and mass were significantly lower in RA (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) but the triglyceride level was not significantly different compared to controls. Conclusion. An inverse relationship exists between inflammatory status and pre-heparin LPL mass. Pre-heparin LPL mass reflects mainly the inactive monomeric fraction of LPL. This has been shown to hinder the uptake of remnant lipoprotein particles through competition with lipoprotein bound dimeric LPL for the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP receptor) on hepatocytes and macrophages in culture. A decrease of the level of monomeric LPL in plasma may thus be beneficial for remnant catabolism. The same mechanism may on the other hand increase macrophage uptake of lipids. This may not affect global lipid metabolism but may be important in driving the atherosclerotic process in the vessel wall.     

力学刺激对3月龄骨质疏松大鼠成骨细胞增殖与合成功能的影响

探讨周期性双轴力学应变对成骨细胞增殖与分化合成功能的影响。将正常 3月龄雌性 SD大鼠和骨质疏松大鼠颅顶骨分离的成骨细胞分别在含 10 %胎牛血清的 F- 12培养液中培养 ,并接种在双轴力学应变装置中。当细胞生长至亚融合状态 (Subconfluence) ,给细胞施加力学刺激 ,频率为 1Hz,力学刺激分别为 4 0 0、10 0 0、4 0 0 0μ strain;作用时间分别为每天 30 m in,2、4、8h,共加载两天。以未受力学刺激的细胞为对照组 ,受力学刺激的细胞为实验组 ,并进行比较。采用流式细胞技术测定细胞增殖变化 ;采用同位素标记方法检测成骨细胞骨钙素、I型胶原 C端前肽 (PICP)和总蛋白的分泌量。结果表明 :1)在静态培养条件下 ,3ovx组与 3control组比较 ,其细胞功能活性无明显变化 ,但 3ovx组大鼠成骨细胞增殖活性明显增高 ,这与绝经后骨质疏松骨代谢的高转换率相一致。 2 )4 0 0、10 0 0 μstrain力学刺激可以促进 3control组成骨细胞 I型胶原、骨钙素和总蛋白的分泌量增加 ,促进成骨细胞的分化成熟 ;在 10 0 0μstrain力学刺激下 ,成骨细胞合成骨基质的能力增加最为明显。同时 ,在 4 0 0、10 0 0μstrain力学刺激的初期也可以促进成骨细胞的增殖 ,而促进成骨细胞的分化成熟的作用大于促进细胞增殖的作用。 3)在4 0 0 0 μ