A systematic review of drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

The initial appearance of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) skin lesions in conjunction with Ro/SS-A autoantibodies occurring as an adverse reaction to hydrochlorothiazide [i.e. drug-induced SCLE (DI-SCLE)] was first reported in 1985. Over the past decade an increasing number of drugs in different classes has been implicated as triggers for DI-SCLE. The management of DI-SCLE can be especially challenging in patients taking multiple medications capable of triggering DI-SCLE. Our objectives were to review the published English language literature on DI-SCLE and use the resulting summary data pool to address questions surrounding drug-induced SCLE and to develop guidelines that might be of value to clinicians in the diagnosis and management of DI-SCLE. A systematic review of the Medline/PubMed-cited literature on DI-SCLE up to August 2009 was performed. Our data collection and analysis strategies were prospectively designed to answer a series of questions related to the clinical, prognostic and pathogenetic significance of DI-SCLE. One hundred and seventeen cases of DI-SCLE were identified and reviewed. White women made up the large majority of cases, and the mean overall age was 58·0 years. Triggering drugs fell into a number of different classes, highlighted by antihypertensives and antifungals. Time intervals ('incubation period') between drug exposure and appearance of DI-SCLE varied greatly and were drug class dependent. Most cases of DI-SCLE spontaneously resolved within weeks of drug withdrawal. Ro/SS-A autoantibodies were present in 80% of the cases in which such data were reported and most remained positive after resolution of SCLE skin disease activity. No significant differences in the clinical, histopathological or immunopathological features between DI-SCLE and idiopathic SCLE were detected. There is now adequate published experience to suggest that DI-SCLE does not differ clinically, histopathologically or immunologically from idiopathic SCLE. It should be recognized as a distinct clinical constellation differing clinically and immunologically from the classical form of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.

The use of a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution (HBOC-201) for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a porcine model with acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution (HBOC)-201 (Biopure) is an effective alternative to donor blood for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a porcine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

DESIGN

Randomized animal clinical trial.

SETTING

Animal surgical research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Immature Yorkshire swine were assigned to one of three groups: 1, noninjured animals, donor porcine blood primed circuit; 2, ARDS-injured, HBOC-201 primed circuit; or 3, ARDS-injured, donor blood primed.

INTERVENTIONS

ARDS injury was induced in groups 2 and 3 with oleic acid infusion before bypass. All animals were placed on full venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for 8 hrs.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Physiologic variables and laboratory samples were measured at baseline and hourly for 8 hrs. Data analysis consisted of repeated-measures analysis of variance with post hoc analysis. We found that 100% of animals survived on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the duration of the study period. HBOC-supported animals had comparable oxygen delivery to both donor blood groups. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, heart rate, and lactate concentrations were higher in the injury groups. Blood pressure was mildly increased in HBOC animals (p <.05 vs. control animals). Methemoglobin concentrations in the HBOC group were elevated and increased over time on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HBOC-201 appears to be an effective alternative circuit-priming agent for use during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. HBOC offers the advantages of rapid availability and diminished donor blood cell exposure. The efficacy of HBOC in longer duration bypass, and its associated methemoglobinemia, need to be further investigated.

Selective spinal anesthesia for outpatient laparoscopy. II: epinephrine and spinal cord function

PURPOSE

To compare two small-dose solutions (with and without epinephrine) for spinal anesthesia during outpatient laparoscopy and to determine spinal cord function with these low-dose solutions.

METHOD

Twenty outpatients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy were randomly assigned to receive spinal anesthesia with one of two low dose solutions. Group LS-10 mg lidocaine plus 10 microg sufentanil; Group LSE-10 mg lidocaine plus 10 microg sufentanil plus epinephrine 50 microg. Solutions were diluted to three millilitres with sterile water for injection. A 27-gauge Whitacre needle was inserted at L2-3 or L3-4 in the sitting position. Operating conditions and spinal cord function (spinothalamic, dorsal column and motor) were assessed.

RESULTS

Operating conditions were good-excellent in both groups. The incidence of shoulder tip discomfort, pruritus and nausea, and the amount of supplementation with alfentanil and midazolam was not different between groups. Most patients in both groups had preserved dorsal column function and normal motor power on arrival in PACU and were able to satisfy 'walk out' criteria. Recovery of pinprick sensation and discharge times were not different. Mild pruritus (VAS score < or = 5) was present in both groups.

CONCLUSION

For short duration laparoscopy, addition of 50 microg epinephrine to a small dose of spinal 10 mg lidocaine with 10 microg sufentanil did not provide additional benefit in terms of intraoperative analgesia or operating conditions. Spinal cord function was preserved with small-dose techniques.

Selective spinal anesthesia for outpatient laparoscopy. III: sufentanil vs lidocaine-sufentanil

PURPOSE

The efficacy of low dose intrathecal lidocaine-sufentanil was compared with intrathecal sufentanil for short duration outpatient gynecological laparoscopy.

METHODS

Thirteen ASA I and II patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy were studied in a randomized double-blind trial. Patients received either intrathecal 10 mg lidocaine plus 10 microg sufentanil (Group LS) or intrathecal 20 microg sufentanil (Group S), each diluted to 3 mL with sterile water through a 27g Whitacre needle in the sitting position. Sensory and motor recovery were assessed with pinprick and a modified Bromage scale.

RESULTS

One of seven Group LS patients and two of five Group S patients required conversion to general anesthesia for failed skin test with forceps. Two of the remaining three Group S patients felt sharpness with skin incision. The study was terminated early because of inadequate anesthesia in Group S. The small sample size (n = 9) made statistical analysis uninformative.

CONCLUSION

Intrathecal 20 microg sufentanil is unsuitable as a sole agent for gynecological laparoscopy.

Non-alkalinized and alkalinized 2-chloroprocaine vs lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia during outpatient hand surgery

PURPOSE

Chloroprocaine should be an ideal agent for intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) because of its rapid onset and ester hydrolysis. Raising the pH of local anesthetics may increase the speed of onset and the intensity of nerve blocks. We compared plain and alkalinized 2-chloroprocaine 0.5% with lidocaine for IVRA.

METHODS

In two separate double-blind studies, 78 patients scheduled for daycare hand surgery were randomized to receive 40 mL plain 2-chloroprocaine 0.5%, alkalinized 2-chloroprocaine 0.5% or lidocaine 0.5% for IVRA. Time to sensory and motor block, need for supplemental analgesia, and side effects were compared.

RESULTS

There was no difference in time to sensory or motor block in either group. Patients who received plain chloroprocaine required more supplemental opioid and had a higher incidence of metallic taste and of hives than patients who received lidocaine (P < 0.05). Comparing alkalinized chloroprocaine with lidocaine, there was no difference found with respect to opioid supplementation, CNS side effects, or incidence of hives.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, alkalinized chloroprocaine was found to be an effective agent for IVRA but no benefit over lidocaine was detected. Plain chloroprocaine for IVRA produced more minor side effects than lidocaine.

Library residencies and internships as indicators of success: evidence from three programs

This paper discusses post-master's degree internships in three very different organizations; the University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Library of Medicine, and the Library of Congress. It discusses the internships using several questions. Do the programs serve as a recruitment strategy? Do the programs develop key competencies needed by the participant or organization? Do the programs develop leaders and managers? Is acceptance into a program an indicator of future career success? A survey was mailed to 520 persons who had completed internships in one of the three programs. There was a 49.8% response rate. Responses to fifty-four questions were tabulated and analyzed for each program and for the total group. The results confirm the value of internships to the career of participants.

A North American survey of intravenous regional anesthesia

One thousand questionnaires concerning the techniques and complications of intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) were sent to 900 American and 100 Canadian anesthesiologists. Of the 321 respondents, 86% perform IVRA regularly. A wide variation in device-related and clinical aspects was found, ranging from acceptable to falling outside published guidelines. Anesthesiologists perform a median of four upper-limb IVR procedures per month, most often using 50 mL of lidocaine 0.5% at tourniquet pressures of 250 mm Hg or 100 mm Hg greater than the systolic blood pressure. Forearm, thigh, and calf IVRA are occasionally used. Complications, reported infrequently in the literature, were reported by respondents, including mistaken deflation of the cuff; dysphoria, dizziness, or facial tingling; seizures; cardiac arrests; and deaths. Although there was no correlation between complications and deviation from traditional practice, we recommend that IVRA be performed following recognized protocols by anesthesiologists who are familiar with the technique and trained to treat its potential complications. We recommend a protocol for IVRA.

IMPLICATIONS

Intravenous regional anesthesia is a widely used anesthetic technique. A survey of 321 American and Canadian anesthesiologists indicates a wide variation in technique. Despite no correlation between complications and technique, the authors recommend that recognized protocols be used for this technique.

The impact of consumer health information provided by libraries: the Delaware experience

In the past two decades, consumer health libraries have proliferated in response to the changing health care environment and consumer demand. While this growth of consumer health resources and services has been extensively described in the literature, there is little documentation about the impact and value of providing consumer health information. This paper explores the issues of impact and value as examined in a retrospective study of consumers who received health information from the Delaware Academy of Medicine's Consumer Health Library during 1995. In this study, 270 adults were mailed a questionnaire that focused on whether the information influenced decisions, actions, anxiety levels, and patient-provider communication. The questionnaire also addressed the value of such library service in terms of likelihood of repeat use, recommendation to others, and willingness to pay. The results, based on a return rate of 86.7%, identified effects of library-supplied consumer health information that extend beyond the anticipated acquisition of knowledge to specific actions and effects on anxiety. The value of consumer health library information service was shown by the extremely high percentage of probable repeat use and recommendation to others, the willingness of 83.8% of the respondents to pay for such service, and the copious comments volunteered by the respondents.

Effect of norgestomet or norgestomet and gonadotropin-releasing hormone on attainment of puberty in beef heifers

An experiment was conducted using 133 crossbred beef heifers randomly assigned to three treatments. All heifers were bled weekly to monitor concentration of progesterone. Norgestomet-treated heifers were 26.2 d younger (P < 0.01) and 21.6 kg lighter (P < 0.05) than controls at puberty. Norgestomet plus GnRH-treated heifers were 30.9 d younger (P < 0.01) and 18.8 kg lighter (P < 0.05) than controls at puberty. The effects of hormonal treatment on subsequent pregnancy and calving rates were variable. Key words: Beef heifers, puberty, norgestomet, GnRH, reproductive performance

Oxygen flow through nasal cannulae

PURPOSE

Since many operating theatres do not have distinct oxygen flowmeters, flow rates of oxygen were measured via nasal prongs at several settings and attachments to three anaesthetic machines.

METHODS

Oxygen-flow rates were measured using a Timeter RT-200 Calibration Analyzer at three, five and eight L.min-1 via nasal prongs attached to a distinct flowmeter, the common gas outlet (CGO) and the Y-piece of a circle system with the adjustable pressure release (APL) valve closed, open and partially open at circuit pressures of 10 and 20 cm H2O.

RESULTS

The most accurate delivery of oxygen from a distinct flowmeter and the CGO (mean difference 0.2 +/- 0.2 and 0.4 +/- 0.4 respectively). Differences between the flowmeter and CGO were not significant (P = 0.1). Accuracy of flows via the Y-piece were worse than via the flowmeter and CGO (P < 0.0001). Flows via the Y-piece were less than those dialed, especially at high rates. With a partially open APL valve, flow depended upon pressure in the anaesthetic circuit, not upon the flow set. With the APL valve completely open, no flow occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

To deliver supplemental oxygen in the operating theatre when there are no distinct flowmeters, nasal prongs should be attached to the CGO of the anaesthetic machine or a flowmeter on a portable E-tank oxygen cylinder. Connecting nasal prongs to the Y-piece of a circle system should be avoided since oxygen delivery is less than dialed, especially when the APL valve is open.

Tracheal rupture following blunt chest trauma presenting as endotracheal tube obstruction

In this report, we describe a patient in whom a tracheal tear followed blunt thoracic trauma. The diagnosis was made late resulting in problems with ventilation, endotracheal tube obstruction and cardiac arrest. Difficulties with early recognition of tracheobronchial injuries may be caused by non-specific findings as well as the lack of exposure of physicians to patients with these injuries. The signs and symptoms of tracheobronchial injuries are described, as well as their differential diagnoses. A review of airway management has been made as it requires combined anaesthetic and surgical expertise. Injuries of the trachea may have severe, life-threatening consequences and early diagnosis and management reduce morbidity and mortality.

Histopathology of multiple sclerosis lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging in unfixed postmortem central nervous system tissue

Postmortem unfixed whole brains from 17 multiple sclerosis and 6 control cases were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a T2-weighted spin echo sequence and histology to determine the relationship between areas of abnormal MRI signal and underlying pathological change. In group 1, small MRI lesions and correspondingly small plaques, most of which were chronic, were detected histologically in 5 brains. In 4 brains there were more extensive areas of both abnormal signal and histological plaques which were more often active (group 2). However, in a further 5 brains extensive MRI abnormalities were observed when only small periventricular plaques were present histologically (group 3). Lesions in the hindbrain and cerebral grey matter were infrequently observed by MRI. The extensive MRI abnormalities seen in areas in which only small histological plaques were found may be the result of vascular permeability changes in the normal-appearing white matter surrounding plaques.

A mutant of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides lacking the H2O2- producing enzyme L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase

Cells of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides grown without stirring or aeration in batch culture, and resuspended in a salts solution, oxidised a range of carbohydrates including glycerol. The rate of glycerol oxidation was not reduced when cells were passaged more than 20 times in batch culture. However, in cells grown in stirred and aerated chemostat culture for 100 generations the ability to oxidise glycerol, but not other carbohydrates, was lost or greatly reduced. A mutant strain isolated from chemostat even after several passages in batch culture. The growth rate and growth-yield of the mutant strain in batch culture were similar to those of the parent strain. The mutant possessed activity for glycerol kinase but had lost that for the hydrogen peroxide-producing enzyme, L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase. The selection pressure in favour of the mutant strain in chemostat culture may be a decreased production of hydrogen peroxide.

Correlation of Pityosporum ovale density with clinical severity of seborrheic dermatitis as assessed by a simplified technique

One hundred patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis and 42 control subjects were studied. The number of periodic acid-Schiff-positive Pityosporum ovale yeast cells in skin scrapings per high-power field were counted and designated 1 + to 4 +. Our data indicate a correlation between the density of P. ovale and the clinical severity of seborrheic dermatitis, both before and after therapy with a precipitated sulfur/salicyclic acid shampoo. The data support the concept that yeast contributes to the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis.

Identification of the parasite transferrin receptor of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes and its acylation via 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol

The transferrin receptor of schizont-infected erythrocytes of Plasmodium falciparum (Gambian clone FCR-3/A2) is a parasite-encoded protein of Mr 102,000, which is present in purified erythrocyte membranes. Polyclonal antiserum to the purified Mr 102,000 protein was raised in rabbits. At physiological pH, immunoaffinity-purified protein bound human ferrotransferrin but not apotransferrin. Conversely, antibody to human transferrin was used to purify the ferrotransferrin-receptor complex from infected cells. The isolated receptor was specifically recognized by the polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against the Mr 102,000 protein. Preliminary analysis indicated that, unlike the human receptor, the plasmodial transferrin receptor is not a disulfide linked dimer but a single polypeptide acylated via 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol.