Natural history, clinical pattern, and surgical considerations of pneumatosis intestinalis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Pneumatosis intestinalis has been increasingly detected in recent years with the more frequent use of computed tomography for abdominal imaging of the intestine. The underlying causes of the gas found during radiographic studies of the bowel wall can vary widely and different hypotheses regarding its pathophysiology have been postulated. Pneumatosis intestinalis often represents a benign condition and should not be considered an argument for surgery. However, it can also require life-threatening surgery in some cases, and this can be a difficult decision in some patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The spectrum of pneumatosis intestinalis is discussed here based on various computed tomographic and surgical findings in patients who presented at our University Medical Centre in 2003-2008. We have also systematically reviewed the literature to establish the current understanding of its aetiology and pathophysiology, and the possible clinical conditions associated with pneumatosis intestinalis and their management.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pneumatosis intestinalis is a primary radiographic finding. After its diagnosis, its specific pathogenesis should be ascertained because the appropriate therapy is related to the underlying cause of pneumatosis intestinalis, and this is sometimes difficult to define. Surgical treatment should be considered urgent in symptomatic patients presenting with an acute abdomen, signs of ischemia, or bowel obstruction. In asymptomatic patients with otherwise inconspicuous findings, the underlying disease should be treated first, rather than urgent exploratory surgery considered. Extensive and comprehensive information on the pathophysiology and clinical findings of pneumatosis intestinalis is provided here and is incorporated into a treatment algorithm.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The information presented here allows a better understanding of the radiographic diagnosis and underlying aetiology of pneumatosis intestinalis, and may facilitate the decision-making process in this context, thus providing fast and adequate therapy to particular patients.</p

Concentration Kinetics of Serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 after Blunt Multiple Injuries in the Early Posttraumatic Period

Metalloproteinases are secreted in response to a variety of inflammatory mediators and inhibited by tissue inhibitors of matrixmetalloproteinases (TIMPs). Two members of these families, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, were differentially expressed depending on clinical parameters in a previous genomewide mRNA analysis. The aim of this paper was now to evaluate the posttraumatic serum levels and the time course of both proteins depending on distinct clinical parameters. 60 multiple traumatized patients (ISS > 16) were included. Blood samples were drawn on admission and 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after trauma. Serum levels were quantified by ELISA. MMP-9 levels significantly decreased in the early posttraumatic period (P < 0.05) whereas TIMP-1 levels significantly increased in all patients (P < 0.05). MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum concentration kinetics became manifest in an inversely proportional balance. Furthermore, MMP-9 presented a stronger decrease in patients with severe trauma and non-survivors in contrast to minor traumatized patients (ISS ≤ 33) and survivors, initially after trauma

Duration and predictors of emergency surgical operations - basis for medical management of mass casualty incidents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hospitals have a critically important role in the management of mass causality incidents (MCI), yet there is little information to assist emergency planners. A significantly limiting factor of a hospital's capability to treat those affected is its surgical capacity. We therefore intended to provide data about the duration and predictors of life saving operations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The data of 20,815 predominantly blunt trauma patients recorded in the Trauma Registry of the German-Trauma-Society was retrospectively analyzed to calculate the duration of life-saving operations as well as their predictors. Inclusion criteria were an ISS ≥ 16 and the performance of relevant ICPM-coded procedures within 6 h of admission.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From 1,228 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria 1,793 operations could be identified as life-saving operations. Acute injuries to the abdomen accounted for 54.1% followed by head injuries (26.3%), pelvic injuries (11.5%), thoracic injuries (5.0%) and major amputations (3.1%). The mean cut to suture time was 130 min (IQR 65-165 min). Logistic regression revealed 8 variables associated with an emergency operation: AIS of abdomen ≥ 3 (OR 4,00), ISS ≥ 35 (OR 2,94), hemoglobin level ≤ 8 mg/dL (OR 1,40), pulse rate on hospital admission < 40 or > 120/min (OR 1,39), blood pressure on hospital admission < 90 mmHg (OR 1,35), prehospital infusion volume ≥ 2000 ml (OR 1,34), GCS ≤ 8 (OR 1,32) and anisocoria (OR 1,28) on-scene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The mean operation time of 130 min calculated for emergency life-saving surgical operations provides a realistic guideline for the prospective treatment capacity which can be estimated and projected into an actual incident admission capacity. Knowledge of predictive factors for life-saving emergency operations helps to identify those patients that need most urgent operative treatment in case of blunt MCI.</p

Quantum stereodynamics of Li + HF reactive collisions: The role of reactants polarization on the differential cross section

A complete quantum study for the state-to-state Li + HF(v,j,m) → LiF(v′,j′,Ω′) + H reactive collisions has been performed using a wave packet method, for different initial rotational states and helicity states of the reactants. The state-to-state differential cross section has been simulated, and the polarization of products extracted. It is found that the reactivity is enhanced for nearly collinear collisions, which produces a vibrational excitation of HF, needed to overcome the late barrier. It is also found that LiF(v′ = 0) products are preferentially forward scattered, while vibrationally excited LiF(v′ = 1 and 2) are backward scattered. These results are interpreted with a simple reaction mechanism, based on the late character and bent geometry of the transition state, originating from a covalent/ionic crossing, which consists of two steps: the arrival at the transition state and the dissociation. In the first step, in order to get to the saddle point some HF vibrational excitation is required, which favors head-on collisions and therefore low values of m. In the second step a fast dissociation of H atom takes place, which is explained by the ionic Li+F -H character of the bent transition state: the FH- is repulsive making that H depart rapidly leaving a highly rotating LiF molecule. For the higher energy analyzed, where resonances slightly contribute, the orientation and alignment of product rotational states, referred to as reactants frame (with the z-axis parallel to k), are approximately constant with the scattering angle. The alignment is close to -1, showing that j′ is perpendicular to k, while starting from initial states with well defined rotational orientation, as states with pure m values, the final rotational are also oriented. It is also found that when using products frame (with the z′-axis parallel to k′) the rotational alignment and orientation of products varies a lot with the scattering angle just because the z′ axis changes from being parallel to anti-parallel to k when varying from θ = 0 to π. © the Owner Societies 2011.This work has been supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, under grants CSD2009-00038 (programa CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 entitled “Molecular Astrophysics: the Herschel and Alma era”), FIS2010-18132, CTQ2008-02578 and CTQ2007-62898, and by Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (CAM) under Grant No. S-0505/MAT/0303.Peer Reviewe

Unguis incarnatus – konservative oder operative Therapie?

Unguis incarnatus, an ingrown toenail, is a common condition in primary care, which is encountered by various medical professions. Inconsistent conservative treatment and nonindicated surgical treatment often result in complications and recurrence of the disease. Patients must be thoroughly informed about the complexity of the nail organ. This is a prerequisite to prevent trivialization of the disease and to achieve appropriate patient compliance for treatment. In this article a practical diagnostic and treatment algorithm for unguis incarnatus is presented. In mild cases of acute unguis incarnatus a consistent conservative treatment is the first-line strategy showing promising results. In cases of moderate to severe forms of acute unguis incarnatus, surgical procedures that preserve the nail matrix should be applied. For cases of chronic unguis incarnatus without an acute infection, elective partial matrixectomy can be indicated. Prior to any surgical intervention, detailed informed consent must be obtained from the patients. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der Unguis incarnatus ist ein häufiges Krankheitsbild, mit dem sich Patienten in der Hausarztpraxis, der dermatologischen Klinik oder der chirurgischen Notaufnahme vorstellen. Häufig führt die inkonsequente konservative Therapie oder die falsch-indizierte operative Intervention zu langwierigen und komplikationsreichen Verläufen, inklusive Rezidiven. Die Patienten sollten über die Komplexität des Nagelorgans aufgeklärt werden, um der Banalisierung der Erkrankung vorzubeugen, und eine entsprechende Compliance in der Therapie zu erreichen. In diesem Manuskript wird die sachgerechte Versorgung des Unguis incarnatus im Sinne eines praktischen Behandlungsalgorithmus dargestellt. Die konsequente konservative Therapie ist bei akutem Unguis incarnatus mit milder Ausprägung die Therapie der ersten Wahl mit guten Behandlungsergebnissen. Nagelerhaltende operative Eingriffe kommen bei moderaten/schweren akuten Formen zum Einsatz. Der chronische Unguis incarnatus, ohne floride Infektion, stellt eine elektive Operationsindikation dar. Sowohl bei den nagelerhaltenden Eingriffen als auch bei erweiterten operativen Maßnahmen ist eine chirurgische Operationsaufklärung obligat

Impact of STAT/SOCS mRNA Expression Levels after Major Injury

Background. Fulminant changes in cytokine receptor signalling might provoke severe pathological alterations after multiple trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the posttraumatic imbalance of the innate immune system with a special focus on the STAT/SOCS family. Methods. 20 polytraumatized patients were included. Blood samples were drawn 0 h–72 h after trauma; mRNA expression profiles of IL-10, STAT 3, SOCS 1, and SOCS 3 were quantified by qPCR. Results. IL-10 mRNA expression increased significantly in the early posttraumatic period. STAT 3 mRNA expressions showed a significant maximum at 6 h after trauma. SOCS 1 levels significantly decreased 6 h–72 h after trauma. SOCS 3 levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors 6 h after trauma. Conclusion. We present a serial, sequential investigation in human neutrophil granulocytes of major trauma patients evaluating mRNA expression profiles of IL-10, STAT 3, SOCS 1, and SOCS 3. Posttraumatically, immune disorder was accompanied by a significant increase of IL-10 and STAT 3 mRNA expression, whereas SOCS 1 mRNA levels decreased after injury. We could demonstrate that death after trauma was associated with higher SOCS 3 mRNA levels already at 6 h after trauma. To support our results, further investigations have to evaluate protein levels of STAT/SOCS family in terms of posttraumatic immune imbalance

Does the Constitution Provide More Ballot Access Protection for Presidential Elections Than for U.S. House Elections?

Both the U.S. Constitution and The Federalist Papers suggest that voters ought to have more freedom to vote for the candidate of their choice for the U.S. House of Representatives than they do for the President or the U.S. Senate. Yet, strangely, for the last thirty-three years, the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts have ruled that the Constitution gives voters more freedom to vote for the candidate of their choice in presidential elections than in congressional elections. Also, state legislatures, which have been writing ballot access laws since 1888, have passed laws that make it easier for minor-party and independent candidates to get on the ballot for President than for the U.S. House. As a result, voters in virtually every state invariably have far more choices on their general election ballots for the President than they do for the House. This Article argues that the right of a voter to vote for someone other than a Democrat or a Republican for the House is just as important as a voter’s right to do so for President, and that courts should grant more ballot access protection to minor-party and independent candidates for the House