Application of two-dimensional echocardiography in location of balloon of the Swan-Ganz catheter

Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to guide and locate the balloon of Swan-Ganz catheter during catheterization in 43 patients. The echoes of balloon appeared as a series of strong light spots, with a rate of detection of 100%. Under monitoring of two-dimensional echocardiography, the site of balloon and its moving route could be determined. The coincidence of echographic findings and X-ray findings showed that it can be used instead of X-ray monitoring to lessen irradiation during catheterization. The depth of catheter inserted was measured. The differential points between the echoes of balloon and tubing, the terminology of the balloon site in echocardiography and fluoroscopy, its clinical value and limitation are discussed.

X-ray Diffraction to 302 Gigapascals: High-Pressure Crystal Structure of Cesium Iodide

X-ray diffraction measurements have been carried out on cesium iodide (CsI) to 302 gigapascals with a platinum pressure standard. The results indicate that above 200 gigapascals CsI at 300 K has a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure with the ideal c/a ratio of 1.63 +/- 0.01. The crystal structure and pressure-volume relations converge at high pressure with those of solid xenon, which is isoelectronic with CsI. The results indicate a significant loss of ionic bonding in the hexagonal close-packed metallic phase of CsI at ultrahigh pressure.

Color Doppler echocardiography, two-dimensional echocardiography and signs in diagnosis of aortic regurgitation

To assess the diagnostic significance of color Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography and signs in aortic regurgitation (AR), we studied 48 patients with AR confirmed by color Doppler. On color Doppler, an abnormal diastolic flow originating from the aortic valve was visualized in the left ventricular outflow tract in the 48 cases. The maximal regurgitant jet area was 0.8-23.3 cm2. On two-dimensional echocardiography, the appearance of cardiac chamber and valves did not offer a clue to the existence of AR in 12 patients (25%). On physical examination, diastolic murmur was inaudible in 18 of 45 patients. Peripheral signs of AR were not found in 20 of 45 patients. In slight AR, signs were usually not detected. From the above we are led to conclude that of the patients with AR confirmed by color Doppler echocardiography, only 75% could be detected by two-dimensional echocardiography and about 55% diagnosed by physical examination.

Noise and frequency chirping in external-cavity semiconductor lasers

The noise spectra and frequency chirping of semiconductor lasers in the presence of arbitrary amounts of optical feedback are analyzed. Short external cavities with strong optical feedback are found to reduce the noise dramatically in semiconductor lasers, especially in the high-frequency regime. Frequency chirping is shown to be closely related to the nonlinear gain effect.

Intrathecal baclofen infusion. Effect on bladder management programs in patients with myelopathy

Intrathecal administration of Baclofen, a GABA agonist, through an implantable drug delivery pump has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of limb spasticity in patients with myelopathy. Three patients, followed before and after pump placement, experienced satisfactory spasticity relief and improvement in areas of self-care and mobility. Improvement in the bladder management programs of each patient was noted. These changes coincided with improvement on urodynamic studies, defined as either an increase in bladder capacity or a decrease in sphincter dyssynergia. Changes in bladder function were associated with the initiation of intrathecal therapy and with changes in pump-delivered dosages. In selected patients, intrathecal baclofen infusion can have a beneficial effect on bladder management programs.

[Status of iron nutrition in term pregnant women and their newborns]

Haemoglobin (Hb), free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP), ratio of FEP and Hb (FEP/Hb), serum ferritin (SF) packed red cell volume (PCV), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS) were evaluated in 170 healthy pregnant women and their full-term babies. The pregnant women were devided into normal and iron deficient groups. The status of iron nutrition of babies of normal mothers and mothers with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was compared. It showed that the decreased value of PCV in late pregnancy was mainly related to IDA. While the values of SF, FEP/Hb and Hb were more sensitive for detecting pregnancy associated IDA, the values of FEP, FEP/Hb and Hb in babies of IDA mothers were significantly higher than those in babies of normal mothers. Maternal iron status bore no significant correlation with the iron store of their babies. However, Hb less than 11 g/L, FEP/Hb greater than 4.5 micrograms/g, FEP greater than 0.92 mumol/L or SF less than 50 micrograms/L in early pregnancy were indications for iron supplementation.

Preparation and biodistribution of 1-[2-(3-[125I]iodo-4-aminophenyl)ethyl]-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]piperazine and 1-[2-(3-[125I]iodo-4-azidophenyl)ethyl]-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] piperazine

The iodinated analogue of 1-[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl]-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazine (PAPP), IPAPP (4), and the corresponding azido compound azido-IPAPP (5) were synthesized. The corresponding no-carrier-added 125I (T1/2 = 60 days, 35-60 keV) labeled compounds were also prepared. High specific binding was observed from in vitro binding studies using rat brain tissue preparation; Ki = 20 and 17.5 nM against [3H]-5-HT. In vivo biodistribution studies in rats showed that azido-[125I]IPAPP passed through intact blood-brain barrier and localized in the brain. Ex vivo autoradiography of rat brain sections exhibited a diffuse uptake pattern, which may be due to specific and nonspecific binding. The results indicate that IPAPP and azido-IPAPP may not be suitable to image the serotonin receptor in the brain.

Pulmonary venous flow evaluated by Doppler echocardiography

In this paper, we report the results of experimental and clinical studies of the pulmonary vein with Doppler echocardiography in 188 cardiac patients and normal controls. 1. The diameter of the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV): The diameter of the RSPV was 9.8 +/- 0.2 mm in normals and significantly dilated in the groups with passive or active pulmonary hypervolemia and decreased in the group with pulmonary hypovolemia (p less than 0.001). 2. Blood flow velocity of RSPV: The blood flow velocity of the RSPV measured in normal controls by Doppler echocardiography was 35.7 +/- 3.2 cm/s and significantly decreased in the groups with passive pulmonary hypervolemia and pulmonary hypovolemia (19.6 +/- 7.8 cm/s and 25.2 +/- 9.4 cm/s, respectively) and increased in the group with active pulmonary hypervolemia (49.6 +/- 19 cm/s, p less than 0.001). 3. Blood flow of RSPV: Blood flow of the RSPV was 2.3 +/- 1.5 L/m in normals, 3.4 +/- 2.4 L/m in the group with passive pulmonary hypervolemia, 6.2 +/- 2.9 L/m in the group with active pulmonary hypervolemia and 0.7 +/- 0.5 L/m in the group with pulmonary hypovolemia. Blood flow in the active pulmonary hypervolemic group was higher than that in the passive pulmonary hypervolemic group and the hypovolemic group. There was a high correlation between the pulmonary blood flow measured by Fick's method (Qp) and RSPV flow (RSPVF) measured by echocardiography (Qp = 1.96, RSPVF 0.92, r = 0.81, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Stability of ferricinium cations and their cytostatic effect]

The relative stabilities of different ferricinium cations were studied in buffer or serum-containing solution and in vivo and compared with their cytostatic effects in cultures of Yoshida ascites tumor cells. Although the ferricinium cation itself was the most unstable cation compared with the dimethyl-ferricinium cation and the deuterated ferricinium derivatives it showed the highest cytostatic effect.

Theoretical analysis of metal-clad single-mode fiber-type polarizers

We present a method, based on the equivalent-current theory of optical waveguide coupling, by which metal-clad optical fiber polarizers can be analyzed. Good agreement between theoretical predictions and previously published experimental results is attained.

Effects of pyrethroid insecticides on subjects engaged in packaging pyrethroids

A health survey was conducted on 199 workers engaged in dividing and packaging pyrethroids. The subjects were exposed to fenvalerate at 0.012-0.055 mg/m3 and deltamethrin at 0.005-0.012 mg/m3 in the air with simultaneous skin contact for 0.5-4.5 months. Burning sensations and tightness or numbness on the face appeared in two thirds of the subjects and one third had sniffs and sneezes. Abnormal facial sensations, dizziness, fatigue, and miliary red papules on the skin were more evident in summer than in winter. Neither abnormalities in other organs or systems nor symptoms or signs of acute pyrethroid poisoning were found by interviews, examinations, and laboratory tests. There was no significant difference in plasma levels of NA, cAMP, and cGMP between the examined subjects and the control group. The urine concentration of fenvalerate in the study group ranged from 1.02 to 18.6 micrograms/l; deltamethrin in the urine was present in trace amounts.