Laparoscopic spinal fusion

This article details the development of the laparoscopic technique of interbody spinal fusion. The rationale for this procedure is discussed as are indications, contraindications, and operative technique. The results of over 100 laparoscopic lumbar fusions are presented along with their complications and surgical recommendations.     

Effects of neutral endopeptidase inhibition and combined angiotensin converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase inhibition on angiotensin and bradykinin peptides in rats

The respective roles of apoptosis and accidental cell death after thermal injury were evaluated in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. By coupling the LIVE/DEAD fluorescence viability assay with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method and ultrastructural morphology, these two processes could be distinguished. Cells were grown on glass coverslips with a microgrid pattern so that the results of several staining procedures performed sequentially could be visualized in the same cells after heating at temperatures of up to 72 degrees C for 1 second. After exposure to temperatures of 58 to 59 degrees C, cells died predominantly by apoptosis; viable cells became TUNEL positive, indicating degradation of DNA. After exposure to temperatures of 60 to 66 degrees C, both TUNEL-positive viable cells and TUNEL-positive nonviable cells were observed, indicating that apoptosis and accidental cell death were occurring simultaneously. Cells died almost immediately after exposure to temperatures above 72 degrees C, presumably from heat fixation. The fluorescent mitochondrial probe MitoTracker Orange indicated that cells undergoing apoptosis became TUNEL positive before loss of mitochondrial function. Nucleosomal fragmentation of DNA analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and gel electrophoresis occurred after exposure to temperatures of 58 to 59 degrees C. The characteristic morphological findings of cells undergoing apoptosis, by transmission electron microscopy, included cellular shrinkage, cytoplasmic budding, and relatively intact mitochondria. Depending on temperature and time of exposure, normal human epidermal keratinocytes may die by apoptosis, accidental cell death, or heat fixation.     

Sources of diagnostic uncertainty for chronically psychotic cocaine abusers

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the sources and frequency of diagnostic uncertainty for patients with chronic psychosis and active cocaine abuse or dependence and assessed the usefulness of prospective follow-up in clarifying diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 165 male patients with chronic psychoses and cocaine abuse or dependence on inpatient units of a Veterans Affairs medical center were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-R), urine tests, hospital records, and interviews with collateral sources. An algorithm allowing key SCID-R items and diagnostic criteria to be designated as provisionally met or uncertain was applied, resulting in a provisional diagnosis and a list of alternate diagnoses. The assessment was repeated 18 months later in an attempt to resolve diagnostic uncertainty. RESULTS: In 30 cases (18 percent), initial assessment produced a definitive diagnosis, including 21 cases of schizophrenia, six of schizoaffective disorder, and three of psychostimulant-induced psychotic disorder. In the other 135 cases, a definitive diagnosis could not be reached because of one or more sources of diagnostic uncertainty, including insufficient periods of abstinence (78 percent), poor memory (24 percent), and inconsistent reporting (20 percent). Reassessment at 18 months led to definitive diagnoses in 12 additional cases. CONCLUSIONS: It was frequently difficult to distinguish schizophrenia from chronic substance-induced psychoses. Rather than concluding prematurely that psychotic symptoms are, or are not, substance induced, clinicians should initiate treatment of both psychosis and the substance use disorder in uncertain cases. The persistence or resolution of psychosis during abstinence and additional history from the stabilized patient or collateral sources may clarify the diagnosis.     

Transforming growth factor-beta receptor types I and II are expressed in renal tubules and are increased after chronic unilateral ureteral obstruction

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a profibrotic cytokine which has been implicated in the renal fibrosis which follows unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in the rat. TGF-beta receptor type I (TGF-RI) and TGF-beta receptor type II (TGF-RII) are part of the complex which mediates the response to TGF-beta. We sought to determine if TGF-RI and TGF-RII are found in the kidney, and if their expression is changed as a result of UUO. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine expression of mRNA for TGF-RI and TGF-RII in the kidney. Immunoperoxidase was used to localize and quantify the expression of these receptors at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after UUO, and in sham-operated animals. Expression of mRNA for TGF-RI and TGF-RII was demonstrated in sham operated, obstructed and contralateral unobstructed kidneys using PCR. Using immunoperoxidase, a uniform distribution of TGF-RI and TGF-RII was found in cortical tubules of sham operated kidneys, whereas medullary tubules showed a patchy TGF-RI distribution and no TGF-RII staining. After UUO, an increased tubular expression of TGF-RI and TGF-RII was noted in both obstructed and contralateral kidneys compared to sham operated kidneys. No staining for either TGF-RI or TGF-RII was noted in glomeruli, vasculature or interstitial cells. TGF-beta receptors I and II were found exclusively in renal tubules and were shown to increase in both the obstructed and contralateral kidneys relative to sham operated animals. Upregulation of TGF-beta receptors in both kidneys suggests that TGF-beta may contribute to the fibrotic response in the obstructed kidney and the hypertrophic response of the contralateral kidney.     

Which types of hospital mergers save consumers money?

This study analyzes the changes in costs and prices from 1986 to 1994 for more than 3,500 U.S. short-term general hospitals, including 122 horizontal mergers. These mergers were generally financially beneficial to consumers, providing average price reductions of approximately 7 percent. Merger-related price reductions were considerably less in market areas with higher market concentration levels. Merger-related price reductions in areas with higher penetration by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were approximately twice those in areas with lower HMO penetration. Merger-related price reductions were greater for low-occupancy hospitals, nonteaching hospitals, nonsystem hospitals, similar-size hospitals, and hospitals with greater premerger service duplication.     

Rotational vertebral artery occlusion: a mechanism of vertebrobasilar insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic dynamic changes in blood flow secondary to vertebral artery compression with rotational head motion are evaluated in a series of patients as a cause for posterior circulation transient ischemic attacks. These cases are classic examples of rotational vertebral artery occlusion and allow for the discussion of the anatomic basis, angiographic features, and treatment options. ILLUSTRATIVE CASES: In our series, symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency were reproducible with rotational head movement. Compression of the vertebral artery was demonstrated angiographically. The correct site of occlusion of the vertebral artery was apparent only by dynamic angiography with progressive head rotation. All of the patients presented in the illustrative cases had occlusion at the C2 level; however, one patient had been previously misdiagnosed and another had an additional site of occlusion. The anatomic course of the vertebral artery is described in addition to the sites of rotational occlusion. CONCLUSION: Rotational vertebral occlusion is an important cause of vertebrobasilar symptoms, which may lead to permanent neurological deficit if left undiagnosed. Dynamic angiography is the established method of diagnosis. Great care must be taken to avoid misdiagnosing the site of occlusion or missing a second occlusive site. For this reason, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the anatomic course of the vertebral artery and the muscular and tendinous insertions, which may cause rotational occlusion. The decision for treatment must be based on the site of occlusion as well as the assessment of the patient as a surgical candidate. A review of the literature reveals that surgical treatment is effective and must be considered to avoid further morbidity.     

Tenascin supports lymphocyte rolling

Tenascin is a large extracellular matrix molecule expressed at specific sites in the adult, including immune system tissues such as the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and T cell areas of lymph nodes. Tenascin has been reported to have both adhesive and anti-adhesive effects in static assays. We report here that tenascin supports the tethering and rolling of lymphocytes and lymphoblastic cell lines under flow conditions. Binding was calcium dependent and was not inhibited by treatment of lymphocytes with O-glycoprotease or a panel of glycosidases including neuraminidase and heparitinase but was inhibited by treatment of cells with proteinase K. Binding was to the fibrinogen-like terminal domain of tenascin as determined by antibody blocking studies and binding to recombinant tenascin proteins. When compared to rolling of the same cell type on E-selectin, rolling on tenascin was found to be smoother at all shear stresses tested, suggesting that cells formed a larger number of bonds on the tenascin substrate than on the E-selectin substrate. When protein plating densities were adjusted to give similar profiles of cell detachment under increasing shears, the density of tenascin was 8.5-fold greater than that of E-selectin. Binding to tenascin was not dependent on any molecules previously identified as tenascin receptors and is likely to involve a novel tenascin receptor on lymphocytes. We postulate that the ability of tenascin to support lymphocyte rolling may reflect its ability to support cell migration and that this interaction may be used by lymphocytes migrating through secondary lymphoid organs.     

Metallurgical Reaction Characteristic for the Combined Blowing Process of Top-Bottom Blown Oxygen and Bottom Blown Natural Gas

The experiment was carried out in a combinedblowing converter.The natural gas was supplied asthe cooling medium for the bottom lance.The blow-ing practice of medium P hot metal(0.30-0.85% [P]) indicated that with better stirringat the bottom of the converter and lower P_(CO),thissteelmgking process was favorable to reduce theamount of [C] and [O] and increase the (P_2O_5)/[P].The maximum rate of dephospborization might behigh up to 0.0a5%/min and the P content in steelcould be reduced to lower than 0.03% by singleslag-forming operation.