Inhibiting effects of serotonin and serotonin antagonists on the migration of mononuclear leucocytes

The effect of serotonin and the serotonin antagonists ketanserin, methiotepine and ICS-205-930 on the migration of leucocytes was studied by using the sealed capillary migration technique. The migration of mononuclear leucocytes was inhibited by serotonin at 10(-4) and 10(-6)-10(-10)mol/l. An inhibition of the mononuclear leucocyte migration was also caused by ICS-205-930 at 10(-4)mol/l, ketanserin at 10(-4) and 10(-8)-10(-10)mol/l and methiotepine at 10(-4) and 10(-6)-10(-8)mol/l. No inhibiting effects of serotonin or the serotonin antagonists were found on the migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Thus, both serotonin and serotonin antagonists may inhibit mononuclear leucocyte migration.     

Surgical management of congenital high vaginal atresia

In the past 15 years five neonates and children have been treated for high vaginal atresia at the Surgical Unit of Department of Pediatrics, University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary. In three of the six patients distal atresia of the vagina was found (Type III). Two of the three were neonates and had a large hydrometrocolpos and the third, a 13-year-old girl, hematometrocolpos. In the fourth patient the vaginal atresia was associated with cloacal and anorectal malformation (Type V). In the fifth there was a duplication of uterus and vagina; however, only one of the two vaginas was atretic. In three patients a pull-through of the vagina was carried out, in one of them according to Pena, in another a transvesical approach, as suggested by Monfort, was used. Following repeated surgeries in the patient with cloacal malformation the vagina was replaced with large intestine. In the case of duplication of vagina and uterus one half of the duplication was removed.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors inhibit [3H]quinpirole binding in rat striatal membranes

The paper deals with methods facilitating the preparation of oncospheres of the cestode, Hymenolepis diminuta, for experimental studies. Described in detail are procedures for the infection of the definitive hosts with the oncospheres; collection and artificial hatching of oncospheres; purification of hexacanths; preparation of extracts from the hexacanths; and preparation of hexacanths for electronmicroscopic studies.     

Restenosis and arterial remodelling after coronary angioplasty

Restenosis after coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a complex process and is still the major problem, despite improvements in equipment and technique. Thrombus formation and intimal hyperplasia have been considered to be the main causes of the development of restenosis after primary successful angioplasty. As yet, pharmacological trials to prevent restenosis have failed to prevent it, despite the fact that the therapy has been aimed at reducing thrombus formation and intimal hyperplasia. Several new angioplasty devices have been developed. Series of observations and a few controlled trials have demonstrated restenosis rates similar to those obtained with conventional balloon angioplasty, except in the case of stent implantation, which appears to be promising. Intravascular ultrasound studies have provided new insight and a more complete understanding of the process leading to restenosis. Vascular remodeling is now considered as an important pathogenetic factor. It consists of a change in the cross-sectional vessel area and may involve an actual constriction of the artery. This may lead to lumen-narrowing and finally restenosis with minimal neointimal formation. In this review we summarise the literature on the restenosis process and the current status of the clinical trials aimed at preventing restenosis.     

Bone grafts to the nose in Binder's syndrome (maxillonasal dysplasia): a follow-up of eleven patients with the use of profile roentgenograms

Bone grafts are used to lengthen the dorsum and elevate the tip of the nose in patients with Binder's syndrome. Disappointing long-term results in some patients generally have been assumed to be a result of resorption and/or displacement of the grafts. Treatment outcome was studied in 11 patients with the use of serial profile roentgenograms. At 40 months, the mean values after surgery were reduction of the initial transplant length by 28 percent and reduction of the transplant angle by 4 degrees. The initial nose length was increased by 1 mm, and nose tip projection was increased by 2 mm. Although the mean changes of nose length and nose tip projection seemed small, treatment outcome varied considerably between patients. In contrast with earlier assumptions, no correlation could be found between the degree of transplant resorption and/or displacement and the effect of surgery on nose length and nose tip projection.     

Parents and procedures: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Previous work has shown that parents prefer to be present when their children undergo common invasive procedures, although physicians are ambivalent about parental presence. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a parent-focused intervention on the pain and performance of the procedure, anxiety of parents and clinicians, and parental satisfaction with care. POPULATION: Children younger than 3 years old undergoing venipuncture, intravenous cannulation, or uretheral catheterization. SETTING: Pediatric emergency department of Boston City Hospital. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with three groups; parents present and given instructions on how to help their children; parents present, but no instructions given; and parents not present. INTERVENTION: The parents were instructed to touch, talk to, and maintain eye contact during the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 431 parents was randomized to the intervention (N = 153), present (N = 147), and not present (N = 131) groups. The groups were equivalent with respect to measured sociodemographic variables and parents' previous experience in the pediatric emergency department. No differences emerged with respect to pain (3-point scale measured by parent and clinician, and analysis of cry); performance of the procedure (number of attempts, completion of procedure by first clinician, time); clinician anxiety; or parental satisfaction with care. Parents who were present were more likely to rate the pain of the children as extreme/severe (52%) in comparison to clinicians (15%, kappa .07, poor agreement) and were significantly less anxious than parents who were not present. CONCLUSION: Overall, the intervention was not effective in reducing the pain of routine procedures. Parental presence did not negatively affect performance of the procedure or increase clinician anxiety. Parents who were present were less anxious than those who were not present. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: In general, parents have indicated that they want to be present when their children undergo procedures. The results of this study challenge the traditional belief that parental presence negatively affects our ability to successfully complete procedures. We should encourage parents who want to be present to stay during procedures.