Evaluation of the effectiveness of continuous renal replacement therapy in critical patients after cardiovascular surgery

The efficacy of continuous methods of renal substitute therapy (RST) in patients with multiple organ failure is assessed. The patients were divided in 2 groups administered different types of PST. Group 1 were 16 patients subjected to RST by peritoneal dialysis, in group 2 (n = 16) GP and/or GDP were used. Hemodynamics, hematological and biochemical values, and clearance of inflammation mediators were monitored and hemohydrobalance and complications of therapy assessed in the course of RST. Both RST methods proved to be highly effective. The possibility of differentiated use of peritoneal dialysis and GP/GDP permits an individual approach to treatment, and equally high efficacy of both methods solves the problem of treating total renal insufficiency in the majority of patients with multiple organ failure following cardiovascular surgery.     

Rapid, sensitive procedure to determine buspirone levels in rat brains using gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection

Reported here is a rapid, sensitive and relatively inexpensive procedure using gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC-NPD) to quantify buspirone levels in brains of rats. The analyte was directly extracted from brain homogenate with toluene after basification and then subjected to GC-NPD analysis using a capillary column. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 10 to 320 ng per 2 ml of brain homogenate, with typical r2 values >0.99. The assay was highly reproducible and gave peaks with excellent chromatographic properties.     

Diamorphine-bupivacaine mixture compared with plain bupivacaine for analgesia

We have studied the efficacy of two extradural infusions (10 ml h-1) in 50 patients in active labour. Patients in the diamorphine group (n = 25) received 0.0625% plain bupivacaine 6.25 mg h-1 mixed with 0.005% diamorphine 0.5 mg h-1 and those in the control group (n = 25) received 0.125% plain bupivacaine 12.5 mg h-1. Both groups received intermittent "top-ups" of 0.25% bupivacaine 10 ml when indicated. Although median pain scores during the infusion were similar in both groups, patients in the diamorphine group indicated greater satisfaction with the infusion (88% very satisfied, compared with 52% in the control group (P < 0.02)). There were no differences in the incidence of hypotension, instrumental vaginal delivery, number of "top-ups", duration of the second stage or extent of motor block. However, patients in the diamorphine group had a high incidence of pruritus (44%, compared with 0% in the control group (P < 0.01)).     

Lichtenstein herniotomy

All standard methods of hernia repair involve suturing together tissues which are not normally in apposition. This violates the basic surgical principle that tissue must never be approximated under tension and accounts for an unacceptable number of failures. Total reinforcement of the inguinal floor with a sheet of suitable biomaterial and employment of a "tension-free" technique is a more effective approach. Since June 1984, 3250 primary inguinal hernias have been repaired at the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute by the open tension-free technique using Marlex mesh. All operations were performed under local anesthesia. Patients were discharged from the hospital within two or four hours after the operation. The patients were followed from one to 8 years by physician examination. The follow-up rate was 87%. There were four recurrences. The causes of recurrence and how to avoid them are discussed.     

Critical care medicine: opportunities and strategies for improvement

BACKGROUND: Like other areas of health care, critical care faces increasing pressure to improve the quality while reducing the cost of care. Strategies drawn from the literature and the authors' experiences are presented. STRATEGIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENTS: Ten process- or structure-related areas are targeted as strategically important focuses of improvement: (1) restructuring administrative lines to better suit key processes; (2) physician leadership in critical care units; (3) management training for critical care managers; (4) triage; (5) multidisciplinary critical care; (6) standardization of care; (7) developing alternatives to critical care units; (8) timeliness of care delivery; (9) appropriate use of critical care resources; and (10) tracking quality improvement. TIMELINESS OF CARE DELIVERY: Whatever the root cause(s) of unnecessary delays, the result is inefficient use of critical care resources-and ultimately either a need for more resources or longer wait times. Innovations designed to reduce wait times and waste, such as the establishment of a microchemistry stat laboratory, may prove valuable. APPROPRIATE USE OF CRITICAL CARE RESOURCES: Possible strategies for the appropriate use of critical care resources include better selection of well-informed patients who undergo procedures. Reduction in variation among physicians and organizations in providing therapies will also likely lead to a reduction in some high-risk procedures offering little or no benefit, and therefore a reduction in need for critical care services. Better preparation of patients and families should also make end-of-life decisions easier when questions of "futility" arise. Better information on outcomes and cost-effectiveness and consensus on withdrawal of critical care treatments represent two additional strategies.     

Mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern of coloured flavanol‐anthocyanin and anthocyanin‐flavanol derivatives in aged red wines of Rioja

Background and Aims: During wine ageing, a great variety of reactions take place, resulting in an immense variety of products whose structure sometimes remains unknown. The aim of this work is the study of different fragmentation patterns of flavanol‐anthocyanin derivatives formed along the wine ageing; these patterns are useful for elucidating the different structures of these compounds and other new related ones. Methods and Results: Several wines from the Protected Denomination of Origin Rioja have been studied by an analytical method that combines column chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass and tandem mass spectrometric detections. Thirty‐five coloured flavanol‐anthocyanin compounds formed by direct reaction or by acetaldehyde‐mediated condensation have been identified. For direct reaction derivatives, two different fragmentation patterns (one of them not previously reported) have been observed depending on the position of flavanol in the coloured derivative. Several compounds have been identified in aged wines for the first time to the authors' knowledge, like (+)‐gallocatechin‐cyanidin‐3‐glucoside and (+)‐catechin‐cyanidin‐3‐glucoside Conclusions: The developed analytical procedure has allowed the identification of some compounds for the first time, and two different fragmentation patterns have been observed depending on the position of flavanol in the pigment. Significance of the Study: The establishment of different fragmentation patterns allows the structural elucidation of unknown compounds.     

Inkjet-printed patch antenna emitter for wireless communication application

This research focuses on exploring low-cost and rapid production solutions for fabricating emitters for patch antennas for wireless communication applications. Additive manufacturing technique is employed to fabricate two patch antennas using silver nanoparticle ink on FR4 substrate. Finite-element simulation software, HFSS is used to analyse and predict the theoretical performance of the antenna designs for 2.4?GHz MIMO and 6?GHz wireless data transmission. The fabricated antennas have resonant frequencies closely matching the design values. The work provides a viable solution for fabricating emitters and finally antennas commercially using inkjet printing platform, thus overall reducing the cost and simplifying the process.     

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第八届国际公路水运交通技术与设备展览会（CHINA TRANSPO 2006）将于2006年9月26-29日在北京全国农业展览馆举行。截至目前．参展企业已近300家，包括徐工、柳工、三一重工、中联重科、西筑等筑路机械厂家．中海油、壳牌等道路材料生产企业．中国重型汽车集团、宇通客车、厦门金龙等商用车辆制造企业，尤其引人注目的是，本届展会有十余家省市交通厅局单位设台参展，这是历年来同类展会中不多见的。据悉，目前预订的展位面积已达38000平方米，一场交通行业的国际展览盛宴正在徐徐拉开帷幕。