Comparison of total intravenous, balanced inhalational and combined intravenous-inhalational anaesthesia for tympanoplasty, septorhinoplasty and adenotonsillectomy

The induction of complex bilateral leg muscle activation combined with coordinated stepping movements is demonstrated in patients with complete paraplegia. This was achieved by partially unloading patients who were on a moving treadmill. In comparison to healthy subjects, the paraplegic patients displayed a less dynamic mode of muscle activation. In all other respects leg muscle electromyographic activity was modulated in a similar manner to that in healthy subjects. However, the level of electromyographic activity in the gastrocnemius (the main antigravity muscle during gait) was considerably lower in the patients. During the course of a daily locomotor training program, the amplitude of gastrocnemius electromyographic activity increased significantly during the stance phase, while inappropriate tibialis anterior activation decreased. Incompletely paraplegic patients benefited from the training with respect to performance of unsupported stepping movements on solid ground. In about half of completely paraplegic patients with low muscle tone, no beneficial effect of the training was seen. This may be due to an inhibitory effect on spinal neuronal activity by drugs patients were taking (e.g., prazosin, clonidine, cannabinoids). In this study intrathecal application of clonidine drastically reduced, while epinephrine enhanced locomotor muscle electromyographic activity. The results of this study promise to be significant in the treatment of paraplegic patients.     

Effects of emoxipine and histochrome on lipid peroxidation and activity of serum MB-creatine phosphokinase in patients with ischemic heart disease during aortocoronary shunting]

Comparative study of the cardioprotective effect of antioxidants emoxipin and hystochrom was conducted in patients with chronic ICD during and after operation for aorto-coronary shunting. Both drugs effectively inhibited LPO activation and reduced the reperfusion damage to the myocardium recorded according to the release of MB-PCK into the blood. The new antioxidant hystochrom proved to be more effective. Its prevalent effect is associated with its higher antioxidant activity.     

Adenosine deaminase in differential diagnosis of peripheral lymph node tuberculosis

Improved hemodynamics and blood flow have been reported in patients with IABPs who experience cardiopulmonary arrest and require CPR. The following research questions, however, remain unanswered: Is there a more effective method of using IABP to prevent cardiac arrest and the need for CPR? Is the timing of balloon inflation and deflation the same for patients undergoing CPR as it is for patients who do not require CPR? Would earlier or later inflation or deflation further enhance cerebral or systemic blood flow? What are the most effective ways for healthcare staff to maintain competency skills in CPR in patients with IABPs?     

Prostate-specific antigen concentrations in serum in acute illnesses

In light of recent studies showing that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) complexes with certain blood proteins, we studied the effects of acute-phase reactants and alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2MG) on serum concentrations of PSA. Serum samples were obtained from 419 men admitted to an acute-care facility. Various acute-phase reactants-including C-reactive protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin-and A2MG were measured with a Beckman Array analyzer in parallel with determinations of PSA concentrations by two methods, the Hybritech Tandem RIA and the Abbott PSA IMx. Evaluation by Spearman rank correlation revealed a significant negative correlation of A2MG with PSA values (P < 0.01) and (as expected) a positive correlation of age with PSA values (P < 0.001). The former correlation suggests the possibility that patients with high serum concentrations of A2MG may give falsely decreased results for PSA concentrations in serum.