A Randomized Comparison of Patient’s Ventilation at Induction of Anaesthesia Between Tulip GT® Airway and Guedel Airway-Face Mask by Anaesthesia Residents

The Tulip® airway is a recently introduced single sized ventilating oropharyngeal airway. Methods: We performed a randomized, controlled study of lung ventilation by anaesthesia residents using either Tulip GT® airway or face mask with Guedel airway in 100 anaesthetised patients, where the ease of insertion, intracuff pressure and volume were measured, as were the end-tidal carbon dioxide levels, airway pressures and tidal volumes over first three breaths. Results: Successful ventilation was observed with Tulip airway which provided a patent airway in comparison to facemask with a Guedel airway but 15 patients required additional cuff volume in Tulip airway. Conclusion: We conclude Tulip® airway can be used as an adjunct for airway management even by inexperienced users.

Birds as potential pollinators of the Spathodea nilotica (Bignoniaceae) in the urban environment / Aves como potenciais polinizadoras de Spathodea nilotica (Bignoniaceae) em ambiente urbano

Birds play crucial role on the pollination of many plants. However, little is known about the interactions between nectarivorous neotropical birds and exotic Angiosperms. S. nilotica is an exotic African plant widely used in Brazilian urban landscaping. However, it has been poorly studied in relation to its interactions with Neotropical birds. In this way, we studied the feeding nectar strategies and the interspecific antagonistic behaviours among nectarivorous Neotropical birds to verify the bird contributions to the S. nilotica pollination. The study was conducted from May 2008 to April 2011, but only in months of S. nilotica flowering (April to May). From 148 hours of sampling we identified 16 species feeding nectar on S. nilotica: 13 hummingbirds (Trochilidae), Aratinga aurea (Psittacidae), Tangara palmarum (Thraupidae) and Coereba flaveola (Coerebidae). Eupetomena macroura was the most frequent (96.88%), followed by Chlorostilbon lucidus (78.13%) and Coereba flaveola (59.38%). Most birds obtained nectar by punching at the base of the corolla, except for A. aurea that obtained the nectar by the upper opening of the petals in 100% of its visits, Heliomaster furcifer (95.65%), F. fusca (95%) and A. nigricollis (70.27%). Despite E. macroura also obtains nectar only by punching at the base of the corolla, it showed the highest level of legitimate visits. Antagonistic events were more frequent in E. macroura (58.65%), Florisuga fusca (11.04%) and Amazilia fimbriata (10.87%), being E. macroura dominant in all events. These results showed E. macroura plays an important role on this plant being the most important bird as a potential pollinator. Moreover, other birds contribute partially to the S. nilotica pollination. Most probably it is a result of recent Neotropical bird interactions with this African plant.

As aves representam um grupo ecologicamente importante nas interações animais-flores na região Neotropical, onde desempenham respeitável papel na polinização de diversas angiospermas. Entretanto, pouco se conhece sobre a organização das comunidades e as interações bióticas entre animais/plantas em ambientes urbanos. Como exemplo, S. nilotica, planta exótica africana amplamente explorada para fins de paisagismo urbano, têm sido pouco estudada em relação às suas interações com aves. Assim, analisamos quais espécies de aves visitam S. nilotica, o tipo de exploração dos recursos nectarívoros pelas aves e o comportamento antagonístico intra e interespecífico das aves que visitaram esta planta. O estudo foi realizado de maio de 2008 a abril de 2011, nos meses de florescimento de S. nilotica (abril a maio). Foram totalizadas 148 horas de amostragem e identificadas 16 espécies se alimentando de néctar, 13 beija-flores (Trochilidae), Aratinga aurea (Psittacidae), Tangara palmarum (Thraupidae) e Coereba flaveola (Coerebidae). As aves mais frequentes foram Eupetomena macroura (96,88%), Chlorostilbon lucidus (78,13%) e Coereba flaveola (59,38%). A frequência de visitas foi maior no período matutino, exceto para E. macroura, H. longirostris e T. palmarum. A maioria das aves obteve o néctar através de rompimento na base da corola (orifícios), com exceção de A. aurea que obteve néctar pela abertura superior entre as pétalas em 100% de suas visitas e H. furcifer (95,65%), F. fusca (95%) e A. nigricollis (70,27%). Eventos antagonísticos foram mais acentuados em E. macroura (58,65%), Florisuga fusca (11,04%) e Amazilia fimbriata (10,87%), sendo E. macroura dominante durante os eventos. Os resultados demonstram que E. macroura é a ave dominante em S. nilotica e a que se apresenta com maior potencial para sua polinização. Entretanto, as outras aves contribuem parcialmente como potenciais polinizadoras de S. nilotica. Muito provavelmente isto é resultado de uma interação recente entre as aves neotropicais e esta planta Africana.

Spot Anthracnose Disease Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on Tulip Tree in Korea

The tulip tree (Liriodendron chinense) has been widely cultivated in Korea as a street or garden tree for its large flowers, which have a superficial resemblance to tulips. Occurrence of anthracnose disease on the leaves of tulip trees growing on the campus of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea, has been observed. Based on mycological characteristics, pathogenicity, and internal transcribed spacer sequence, the causal fungus was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This is the first report on anthracnose disease caused by C. gloeosporioides on tulip trees in Korea.

Introducer Curving Technique for the Prevention of Tilting of Transfemoral Gunther Tulip Inferior Vena Cava Filter

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the introducer curving technique is useful in decreasing the degree of tilting of transfemoral Tulip filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample group consisted of 108 patients with deep vein thrombosis who were enrolled and planned to undergo thrombolysis, and who accepted transfemoral Tulip filter insertion procedure. The patients were randomly divided into Group C and Group T. The introducer curving technique was Adopted in Group T. The post-implantation filter tilting angle (ACF) was measured in an anteroposterior projection. The retrieval hook adhering to the vascular wall was measured via tangential cavogram during retrieval. RESULTS: The overall average ACF was 5.8 +/- 4.14 degrees. In Group C, the average ACF was 7.1 +/- 4.52 degrees. In Group T, the average ACF was 4.4 +/- 3.20 degrees. The groups displayed a statistically significant difference (t = 3.573, p = 0.001) in ACF. Additionally, the difference of ACF between the left and right approaches turned out to be statistically significant (7.1 +/- 4.59 vs. 5.1 +/- 3.82, t = 2.301, p = 0.023). The proportion of severe tilt (ACF > or = 10degrees) in Group T was significantly lower than that in Group C (9.3% vs. 24.1%, chi2 = 4.267, p = 0.039). Between the groups, the difference in the rate of the retrieval hook adhering to the vascular wall was also statistically significant (2.9% vs. 24.2%, chi2 = 5.030, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The introducer curving technique appears to minimize the incidence and extent of transfemoral Tulip filter tilting.

Effect of Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser-induced Prostatectomy(TULIP) Procedure in Patient with BPH / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Forty two patients (ages 55 to 88 years) who had bladder outlet obstruction due to benign Prostatic hyperplasia were treated with TULIP procedure from October 1993 to Apri1 1994. Preoperatively, the patients underwent digital rectal examinations, determination of prostate specific antigen levels and transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies when necessary to rule out the presence of prostatic cancer. The overall preoperatively estimated weight of prostate gland was 37.3+/-5.0g by transrectal ultrasonography, and all types of prostatic enlargement, including median lobe obstruction, were treated. The TULIP device incorporates ultrasound visualization with 90 degree angle, side-firing Nd: YAG laser to induce coagulation necrosis of prostatic tissue. Treatment was performed primarily under epidural anesthesia, and the mean irradiated laser energy was 20,315 joules. There were no intraoperative complications such as hemorrhage or post-transurethral resection syndrome, and no blood transfusions were required. The patients were evaluated at three months following treatment. The subjective symptom scores were significantly decreased from 23.7+/-4.3 to 3.2+/-1.9 for a 87% improvement(P<0.001). Maximum flow rate increased from 8.2+/-3.2ml/sec to 13.7+/-3.4ml/sec, for a 67% improvement (P<0.001). For three months follow-up period epididymitis was developed in 2 cases, but these were easily handled with antibiotics. There were no patients of incontinence or impotence, as a complication, after TULIP procedure With these results we can conclude that TULIP is a reliable and effective procedure of little morbidity, especially for the aged patients with various medical problems.