Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in long-term coma patients at different phases: a report from neurosurgical department / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEC) in long-term coma patients at different phases who received trans-nasal feeding in Department of Neurosurgery. Methods A total of 51 patients who received trans-nasal feeding because of long-term coma were randomly divided into 2 groups to undergo PEG at 25-39 days after coma (n =24) or at 40-60 days (n = 27) , respectively. The rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, average episodes of bleeding, average hemostatic time, the rates of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia were compared between the 2 groups. Results The rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, aspiration and aspiration pneumonia in post-PEG patients were significantly lower than those in pre-PEG patients (P < 0.05). Before the procedure of PEG, the rates of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage,average episodes of bleeding, rates of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia in 25-39-day group were significantly lower than those in 40-60-day group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between 2 groups, in regarding of either hemostatic time, or rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, aspiration and aspiration pneumonia after PEG (P > 0. 05). Conclusion PEG may decrease the rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, aspiration and aspiration pneumonia in neurosurgical patients receiving trans-nasal feeding because of long-term coma. PEG is preferably performed on 25-39 days of onset to 40-60 days. If there is no contraindication, 25-39 days after coma is likely to be the optimal time for PEG.

Gradient changes of bilateral cerebral hemisphere pressure in patients with lateral hemisphere injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the gradient changes of bilateral cerebral hemisphere pressure after lateral hemisphere injury and observe their effects on craniotomy. Methods Twenty-four patients with cerebral contusion and subdural intracerebral hematoma were included in this study. All patients received brain parenehyma pressure (BPP) monitoring by introducing optic fibro sensor into each cerebral hemisphere via the frontal lobe. All patients underwent surgical craniotomy for evacuation of space occupying lesions such as cerebral hemisphere contusion, subdural and/or intracerebral hematoma.Preoperative and postoperative BPP data at different time points were recorded and analyzed. Results Preoperative BPP value of the injured hemispheres was significantly higher than that of the other hemisphere (P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was no significant statistical difference upon BPP value at 0, 24 and 48 hours after operation between both hemispheres ( P ＞ 0.05 ). The postoperative BPP value of bilateral hemispheres was lower than the preoperative one. Conclusions BPP monitoring sensors should be introduced into the injured hemisphere so that the valuable information can be timely showed. When the cerebral hemisphere has lesions after brain injury, such lesion becomes the source of elevated intracranial pressure and can result in bilateral hemisphere pressure gradient. Craniotomy can not only effectively lower the intracranial pressure, but also eliminate the BPP gradient, which contritbutes to reposition of the oppressed brain tissue.

Identification Proteins of Globin-like Fold / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Identifying protein fold is an important issue in protein structure research. Based on the classification of SCOP1.65,17 Globin-like proteins from four homology families (