Recurrent asystole resulting from high cervical spinal cord injuries.

Cervical spinal cord injury is a highly morbid condition frequently associated with cardiovascular instability. This instability may include bradyarrhythmias, as well as hypotension, and usually resolves in a relatively short time. However, over a 3-year period (January 2003-December, 2005), 5 of 30 patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries seen at our Level I trauma center required placement of permanent cardiac pacemakers for recurrent bradycardia/asystolic events. Strong consideration for pacemaker placement should be given for those spinal cord-injured patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmic events still occurring 2 weeks after injury.

Impact of length of stay on functional outcomes of TBI patients.

The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcomes of two groups of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with attention to the impact of reduced length of stay (LOS) in the trauma center (TC) and rehabilitation hospital (RH). From 1991 to 1994, 55 patients, Group 1, with serious TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale score > or = 3) were admitted to a level 1 TC and subsequently transferred to a comprehensive inpatient RH. These results have been previously published. From 1996 to 2002, 64 similarly injured patients, Group 2, received inpatient care at the same TC and RH. These patients had a marked decrease in length of stay. Functional Independence Measures (FIM) were obtained at admission (Adm), discharge (D/C), and at 1 year follow-up for both groups. The average length of stay at the TC dropped from 36 days in Group 1 to 26 days in Group 2. In addition, the average length of stay at the RH dropped from 46 days (Group 1) to 25 days (Group 2); overall, an average reduction of 31 days of inpatient care. Group 2 had significantly lower FIM scores at the time of RH discharge for self-care, locomotion, and mobility compared to Group 1. At the 1 year follow-up, however, there were no significant differences between Groups 1 and 2 in these FIM scores. FIM scores at 1 year were higher in Group 2 for communication (90% vs 71%) and social cognition (77% vs 49%) compared to Group 1. Over one-fourth of each group returned to work by the 1 year follow-up. Socially disruptive behavior occurred at least weekly in 28 per cent (Group 1) and 23 per cent (Group 2) of patients. The outcome for serious TBI is better than generally perceived. Reduction of inpatient LOS did not adversely affect the ultimate functional outcome. The decreased LOS placed a greater demand on outpatient rehabilitative services as well as a greater burden on the family of the brain-injured patient.

Effect of sub-lethal concentrations of permethrin on ovary activation in the predator Supputius cincticeps (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Insecticides may cause mortality and deleterious effects on predatory stinkbugs. For this reason, the effect of five concentrations of permethrin applied on third instar nymphs of Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was investigated on ovary activation in this predator. The nymphs received topical application of permethrin in the following concentrations (mg a.i./ml): 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3). Ovary lengths and oocyte numbers were quantified following first egg mass. Ovary length of S. cincticeps varied from 5.7 mm with 10(-4) mg a.i./ml, to 6.4 mm with 10(-7) mg a.i./ml, with similar values for the other permethrin concentrations and for the control. The number of oocytes per female varied from 13.5 with 10(-3) mg a.i./ml, to 29.2 for the control, with significant differences. The number of oocytes per female of nymphs exposed to a permethrin concentration of 10(-5) mg a.i./ml was similar to that of the control. However, the lower number of oocytes per female from nymphs exposed to other concentrations of permethrin suggests that this insecticide may affect the reproductive capacity of this predator. The results obtained are discussed in relation to tolerance of Heteroptera predators to insecticides and possible hormesis occurrence.

Effect of sub-lethal concentrations of permethrin on ovary activation in the predator Supputius cincticeps (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Inseticidas podem causar mortalidade e efeitos deletérios em percevejos predadores. Por isso investigou-se o efeito de cinco concentrações de permetrina aplicadas em ninfas de terceiro estádio de Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) em sua ativação ovariana. Essas ninfas receberam aplicação tópica de permetrina nas seguintes concentrações (mg i.a./ml): 10ù7, 10ù6, 10ù5, 10ù4, 10ù3. O comprimento dos ovários e o número de ovócitos foram quantificados após a primeira postura. O comprimento do ovário variou de 5,7 mm na concentração de 10ù4 mg i.a./ml a 6,4 mm na concentração de 10ù7 mg i.a./ml, com valores semelhantes para as outras concentrações de permetrina e controle. O número de ovócitos por fêmea variou de 13,5 (10ù3 mg i.a./ml) a 29,2 no controle, com diferenças significativas entre concentrações. O número de ovócitos por fêmea, proveniente de ninfas expostas a concentração de 10ù5 mg i.a./ml, foi semelhante àquele do controle. No entanto, o menor número de ovócitos por fêmea, provenientes de ninfas expostas a outras concentrações de permetrina, sugere que esse inseticida pode afetar a capacidade reprodutiva. Esses resultados são discutidos em relação à tolerância de Heteroptera predador aos inseticidas e a possível ocorrência de hormese.

Estimate of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) development with nonlinear models

The objective of this work was to evaluate which nonlinear model [Davidson (1942, 1944), Stinner et al. (1974), Sharpe & DeMichele (1977), and Lactin et al. (1995)] best describes the relationship between developmental rates of the different instars and stages of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and temperature. A. argillacea larvae were fed with cotton leaves (Gossypium hirsutum L., race latifolium Hutch., cultivar CNPA 7H) at constant temperatures of 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33, and 35ºC; relative humidity of 60 ± 10 percent; and photoperiod of 14:10 L:D. Low R² values obtained with Davidson (0.0001 to 0.1179) and Stinner et al. (0.0099 to 0.8296) models indicated a poor fit of their data for A. argillacea. However, high R² values of Sharpe & DeMichele (0.9677 to 0.9997) and Lactin et al. (0.9684 to 0.9997) models indicated a better fit for estimating A. argillacea development.

Estimate of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) development with nonlinear models.

The objective of this work was to evaluate which nonlinear model [Davidson (1942, 1944), Stinner et al. (1974), Sharpe & DeMichele (1977), and Lactin et al. (1995)] best describes the relationship between developmental rates of the different instars and stages of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and temperature. A. argillacea larvae were fed with cotton leaves (Gossypium hirsutum L., race latifolium Hutch., cultivar CNPA 7H) at constant temperatures of 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33, and 35 masculine C; relative humidity of 60 +/- 10%; and photoperiod of 14:10 L:D. Low R(2) values obtained with Davidson (0.0001 to 0.1179) and Stinner et al. (0.0099 to 0.8296) models indicated a poor fit of their data for A. argillacea. However, high R(2) values of Sharpe & DeMichele (0.9677 to 0.9997) and Lactin et al. (0.9684 to 0.9997) models indicated a better fit for estimating A. argillacea development.

Nonoperative management of liver and/or splenic injuries: effect on resident surgical experience.

Changes in the management of trauma over the past few years are significantly affecting postgraduate surgical education, with the lack of operative trauma experience being a major concern in some programs. This problem is accentuated in residency programs that obtain their trauma caseload primarily from blunt injury. Our experience over the past 6 years confirms that the growing trend toward nonoperative management of blunt liver and spleen injuries in adults is likely to exacerbate this problem. Blunt trauma admissions to our Level I trauma center increased from 2888 from 1991 through 1993 (group A) to 3587 from 1994 through 1996 (group B). Liver and/or splenic injuries occurred with equal frequency in both groups. Whereas diagnostic peritoneal lavage was used in 26 per cent of group A, its use dropped to 2 per cent in group B as abdominal computerized tomography was used more frequently to evaluate these patients. Nonoperative management increased from 10 per cent of group A to 54 per cent of group B. As a result, therapeutic laparotomies dropped from 85 in group A (58% of patients with liver/splenic injuries) to 74 (35%) in group B and nontherapeutic laparotomies from 48 (33%) to 23 (11%). While the evolution in the management of blunt liver and splenic injuries has resulted in the avoidance of nontherapeutic laparotomies, the operative caseload available to surgical housestaff has been adversely affected. Although the Residency Review Committee has stressed the importance of the critical care management of these patients, the criteria used to evaluate the number of trauma cases in postgraduate surgical education may need to be revised.

Scedosporium apiospermum sinusitis after bone marrow transplantation: report of a case.

A forty-year-old man underwent an allogeneic BMT from his HLA identical sister. GvHD prophylaxis was done with cyclosporine (CyA), methotrexate and prednisone (PDN). On day +90 extensive GvHD was noted and higher doses of immunosuppressive drugs alternating CyA with PDN were initiated. Patient's follow-up was complicated by intermittent episodes of leukopenia and monthly episodes of sinusitis or pneumonia. One year after BMT, the patient developed hoarseness and nasal voice. No etiologic agent could be identified on a biopsy sample of the vocal chord. Upon tapering the doses of immunosuppressive drugs, the patient had worsening of chronic GvHD and was reintroduced on high doses of cyclosporine alternating with prednisone on day +550. Three months later, GvHD remained out of control and the patient was started on azathioprine. On day +700, hoarseness and nasal voice recurred. Another biopsy of the left vocal chord failed to demonstrate infection. Episodes of sinusitis became more frequent and azathioprine was withheld 3 months after it was started. One month later, the patient had bloody nasal discharge and surgical drainage of maxillary sinuses was performed. Histopathology showed hyphae and cultures grew Scedosporium apiospermum. Itraconazole 800 mg/day was initiated. The patient developed progressive respiratory failure and died 15 days later.

Serious traumatic brain injury: an evaluation of functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate independent living, productivity, and social outcomes of patients with serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) after inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: Fifty-five adults with serious TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale score > or = 3) were admitted to a Level I trauma center and subsequently transferred to a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation hospital (Walton Rehabilitation Hospital). Functional Independence Measures were obtained at admission (Adm), discharge (D/C), and at 3- (n = 52) and 1-year (n = 51) follow-up. RESULTS: At 1 year, 90% of the patients were living at home. Eight (16%) required full-time supervision, while 41 (82%) were independent of supervision throughout most of the day. Thirteen (25%) patients had returned to work, eight full time and five with reduced responsibility and fewer hours than before injury. Nineteen shared household duties, while eight (16%) had primary responsibility. Fourteen (27%) patients demonstrated socially inappropriate or disruptive behavior at least weekly. [table: see text] CONCLUSION: Although cognitive skills were diminished for the majority of patients, many achieved a substantial reduction in disability within 18 months after TBI.