The additional value of an oblique image plane for MRI of the anterior and posterior distal tibiofibular syndesmosis

Objective: The optimal MRI scan planes of collateral ligaments of the ankle have been described extensively, with the exception of the syndesmotic ligaments. We assessed the optimal scan plane for depicting the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. Materials and Methods: In order to determine the optimal oblique caudal-cranial and lateral-medial MRI scan plane, two fresh frozen cadaveric ankles were used. The angle of the scan plane that demonstrated the anterior and posterior distal tibiofibular ligament uninterrupted in their full length was determined. In a prospective study this oblique scan plane was then used in addition to the axial and coronal planes, for MRI scans of both ankles in 21 healthy volunteers. Two observers independently evaluated the anterior tibiofibular ligament (ATIFL) and posterior tibiofibular ligament (PTIFL) regarding the continuity of the individual fascicles, thickness and wavy contour of the ligaments in both the axial and the oblique plane. Kappa was calculated to determine the interobserver agreement. McNemar's test was used to statistically quantify the significance of the two scan planes. Results: In the axial plane the ATIFL was in 31% (13/42) partly and in 69% (29/42) completely discontinuous; in the oblique plane the ATIFL was continuous in 88% (37/42) and partly discontinuous in 12% (5/42). Compared with the axial plane, the oblique plane demonstrated significantly less discontinuity (p < 0.001), but not significantly less thickening (p = 1.00) or less wavy contour (p = 0.06) of the ATIFL. In the axial scan plane the PTIFL was continuous in 76% (32/42), partially discontinuous in 19% (8/42) and completely discontinuous in 5% (2/42); in the oblique plane the PTIFL was continuous in 100% (42/42). Compared with the axial plane, the oblique plane demonstrated significantly less discontinuity (p = 0.002), but not significantly less thickening (p = 1.00) or less wavy contour (p = 0.50) of the PTIFL. The interobserver agreement score and kappa (κ) regarding the continuity for the ATIFL in the axial and oblique planes was 91% (κ = 0.79) and 91% (κ = 0.55) respectively; for the PTIFL it was 86% (κ = 0.65) and 100% (κ = not defined). Conclusion: The ATIFL and PTIFL are routinuely scanned in the orthogonal planes. The advantage of MRI scanning in an oblique image plane of about 45 degrees permits a better evaluation of the ligaments compared with the axial plane, particularly a better interpretation of ligament continuity, thickening and wavy contour. This may lead to a reduction in false-positive results, especially regarding partial or complete ligament ruptures. This can be of considerable aid in therapeutic management

Left ventricular isovolumic relaxation and renin-angiotensin system in the growth restricted fetus

To determine left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (LV IRT) in normally developing and growth restricted fetuses (FGR) as an indicator of fetal cardiac afterload and neonatal systolic blood pressure

Multiplex Bead Array Assay for Detection of 25 Soluble Cytokines in Blister Fluid of Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1

Inflammatory processes are known to be involved at least in the early phase of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1). Blister fluid obtained from the involved extremities displayed increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα compared with the noninvolved extremities. The aim of this paper is to investigate the involvement of mediators by measurement of several other cytokines using new detection techniques that enable multiple cytokine measurement in small samples. The use of a multiplex-25 bead array cytokine assay and Luminex technology enabled simultaneous measurement of representative (1) proinflammatory cytokines such as GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α; (2) Th1/Th2 distinguishing cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10; (3) nonspecific acting cytokines IFN-α, IL-7, IL-12p40/p70, IL-13, IL-15, and IL-17; and (4) chemokines eotaxin, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MIG, and RANTES. Although minimal detection levels are significantly higher in the bead array system than those in common ELISA assays, in blister fluid, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-12p40/p70, MCP-1, and MIP-1β were detectable and increased in CRPS1 affected extremities. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-α simultaneously measured by ELISA (Sanquin Compact kit) and by multiplex-25 bead array assay (Biosource) were highly correlated (r = 0.85, P < .001 for IL-6 and r = 0.88, P < .001 for TNF-α). Furthermore, IP-10 and eotaxin were detectable but diminished in CRPS1, whereas detectable amounts of IL-10 were similar in involved and noninvolved extremities. Multiplex bead array assays are useful systems to establish the involvement of cytokines in inflammatory processes by measurements in blister fluids of CRPS1. Ten representative cytokines were detectable. However, detection levels and amounts measured are at least 3 times higher in the multiplex-25 array assay than in the ELISA assays used simultaneously for the measurement of cytokines

Daily interruption of sedation in critically ill children:study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: In adult patients who are critically ill and mechanically ventilated, daily interruption of sedation (DSI) is an effective method of improving sedation management, resulting in a decrease of the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of stay in the hospital. It is a safe and effective approach and is common practice in adult ICUs. For critically ill children it is unknown if DSI is effective and feasible. The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of daily sedation interruption in critically ill children. METHODS/DESIGN: Children between 0 and 18 years of age who require mechanical ventilation, with an expected duration of at least 48 h and need for sedative infusion, will be included. After enrollment patients will be randomly assigned to DSI in combination with protocolized sedation (intervention group) or protocolized continuous sedation (control group). A sedation protocol that contains an algorithm for increasing and weaning of sedatives and analgesics will be used. The sedative infusion will be restarted if the patient becomes uncomfortable or agitated according to the sedation protocol. The primary endpoint is the number of ventilator-free days at 28 days. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NTR203

Hand disinfection in a neonatal intensive care unit: continuous electronic monitoring over a one-year period

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Good hand hygiene compliance is essential to prevent nosocomial infections in healthcare settings. Direct observation of hand hygiene compliance is the gold standard but is time consuming. An electronic dispenser with built-in wireless recording equipment allows continuous monitoring of its usage. The purpose of this study was to monitor the use of alcohol-based hand rub dispensers with a built-in electronic counter in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting and to determine compliance with hand hygiene protocols by direct observation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A one-year observational study was conducted at a 27 bed level III NICU at a university hospital. All healthcare workers employed at the NICU participated in the study. The use of bedside dispensers was continuously monitored and compliance with hand hygiene was determined by random direct observations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 258,436 hand disinfection events were recorded; i.e. a median (interquartile range) of 697 (559–840) per day. The median (interquartile range) number of hand disinfection events performed per healthcare worker during the day, evening, and night shifts was 13.5 (10.8 - 16.7), 19.8 (16.3 - 24.1), and 16.6 (14.2 - 19.3), respectively. In 65.8% of the 1,168 observations of patient contacts requiring hand hygiene, healthcare workers fully complied with the protocol.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that the electronic devices provide useful information on frequency, time, and location of its use, and also reveal trends in hand disinfection events over time. Direct observations offer essential data on compliance with the hand hygiene protocol. In future research, data generated by the electronic devices can be supplementary used to evaluate the effectiveness of hand hygiene promotion campaigns.</p

On the Early Digging of Peanut Fruits

1. The flowering period of peanut is about 100 days or more, which differentiates very much the respective maturity of each fruit of peanut, so it is difficult that growers catch its exact yielding time. 2. By the factors of climate, especially temperature, the flowering or maturing period is controlled, and the yielding period is from the middle of September to the end of October. 3. The effective flowering period was until the end of August, and the seeded plant at the beginning of July had its effective flowering period of only about one month, and so the July-seeded plant had only half of the product of the optimum seeded plant at the beginning of May. The seeded plant after July had the common pods, but brought no grain. 4. Immature grains decreased rapidly after about 90 days from the first flowering of each plant, or about 40 days from the maximum flowering time. 5. The plants harvested after the middle of October, which passed over the 110 days from the first flowering of each plant, produced many over-mature grains and germinating grains. 6. The early harvesting time is better than the customary time, and when the immature pods are many, the mature fruits should be harvested and the plants with immature pods should be gathered at the corner of the field and planted temporarily. After they were laid on till the frost time, the Secondly harvest should be done. 7. The optimum harvesting time was about after one month from the end of effective flowering period, or after one month and a half from the maximum of fertile percentage

The timing of ostomy closure in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis: a systematic review

Item does not contain fulltextPURPOSE: The optimal timing of ostomy closure is a matter of debate. We performed a systematic review of outcomes of early ostomy closure (EC, within 8 weeks) and late ostomy closure (LC, after 8 weeks) in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. METHODS: PubMed, EMbase, Web-of-Science, and Cinahl were searched for studies that detailed time to ostomy closure, and time to full enteral nutrition (FEN) or complications after ostomy closure. Patients with Hirschsprung's disease or anorectal malformations were excluded. Analysis was performed using SPSS 17 and RevMan 5. RESULTS: Of 778 retrieved articles, 5 met the inclusion criteria. The median score for study quality was 9 [range 8-14 on a scale of 0 to 32 points (Downs and Black, J Epidemiol Community Health 52:377-384, 1998)]. One study described mean time to FEN: 19.1 days after EC (n = 13) versus 7.2 days after LC (n = 24; P = 0.027). Four studies reported complication rates after ostomy closure, complications occurred in 27% of the EC group versus 23% of the LC group. The combined odds ratio (LC vs. EC) was 1.1 [95% CI 0.5, 2.5]. CONCLUSION: Evidence that supports early or late closure is scarce and the published articles are of poor quality. There is no significant difference between EC versus LC in the complication rate. This systematic review supports neither early nor late ostomy closure

Disturbance of Glucose Homeostasis After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

This study aimed to evaluate the time course of perioperative blood glucose levels of children undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease in relation to endogenous stress hormones, inflammatory mediators, and exogenous factors such as caloric intake and glucocorticoid use. The study prospectively included 49 children undergoing cardiac surgery. Blood glucose levels, hormonal alterations, and inflammatory responses were investigated before and at the end of surgery, then 12 and 24 h afterward. In general, blood glucose levels were highest at the end of surgery. Hyperglycemia, defined as a glucose level higher than 8.3 mmol/l (>150 mg/dl) was present in 52% of the children at the end of surgery. Spontaneous normalization of blood glucose occurred in 94% of the children within 24 h. During surgery, glucocorticoids were administered to 65% of the children, and this was the main factor associated with hyperglycemia at the end of surgery (determined by univariate analysis of variance). Hyperglycemia disappeared spontaneously without insulin therapy after 12–24 h for the majority of the children. Postoperative morbidity was low in the study group, so the presumed positive effects of glucocorticoids seemed to outweigh the adverse effects of iatrogenic hyperglycemia

Harmonic long shears further reduce operation time in transanal endoscopic microsurgery

Background: Previous research indicates that application of 5-mm harmonic shears rather than diathermia significantly reduces operation time in transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). Frequently, however, additional instruments were required to complete resection. We investigated whether the new 5-mm harmonic long shears (H-LS) are better equipped for TEM compared with regular harmonic shears (HS). Methods: Between 2001 and 2006, 162 tumors (117 adenomas, 42 carcinomas, and 3 other tumors; mean distance 6.6 cm, mean area 40 cm2) were excised in 161 patients (82 men, 79 women; mean age 66 years). Results: Eighty-eight resections were performed with HS and 74 with H-LS. Tumor and patient characteristics were similar except for specimen area. Tumors resected by H-LS were on average smaller than those resected by HS (34.4 versus 44.1 cm2; Mann-Whitney U-test: p = 0.027). Mean operation time was 48 min and proportional to area in both groups (univariate analysis of variance p<0.001). Mean operation time was 54 min using HS and 41 min using H-LS (t-test: p<0.001). After correction for area, operation time for H-LS was reduced by 14% compared with HS (t-test: p<0.001). H-LS is singly capable of completing resection in 88% compared with 26% for HS (Mann- Whitney U-test: p<0.001). Mean blood loss was 16 cc for HS and 3 cc for H-LS (p<0.001). Morbidity (11%) and mortality (0.6%) were not different between the two groups (Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: Performing transanal endoscopic microsurgery with 5-mm harmonic long shears reduces operation time compared with regular shears, and completing resection seldom requires other instruments