Self-organization of scattering in photorefractive KNbO(3) into a reconfigurable hexagonal spot array

The scattering cone (~2 degrees ) from an Ar laser beam (514 nm) in photorefractive KNbO(3):Fe has been observed to transform into a reconfigurable hexagonal spot array. This phenomenon can be explained through the creation of laser-induced transmission and reflection grating arrays.

[Treatment of purpuric nephritis in children with Tripterygium wilfordii and radix Salviae miltiorrhizae]

This paper dealt with the data of Tripterygium wilfordii polyoglucoside (1 mg/kg.d) combined with Radix Salvaie multiorrhizae (6-15 g/d) for treating purpuric nephritis (group-A), compared with the control group of using Tripterygium wilfordii polyoglucoside treatment only (group-B). The average time of edema-disappearing and blood pressure-resuming to normal range were 8.72 +/- 3.07 and 7.44 +/- 5.17 days in group-A, which were much better than those in group-B (P < 0.05). The average time of blood urine-disappearing in group-A and group-B were 36.37 +/- 11.50 and 47.73 +/- 14.03 days respectively. The average time on C3 in the urine resumed to normal in groups A and B were 40.33 +/- 4.51 and 50.00 +/- 5.30 days respectively (P < 0.01). The time of microcirculation of nail fold returned to normal after treatment in group-A and group-B were 39.00 +/- 11.03 and 66.00 +/- 9.01 days respectively (P < 0.001). These results indicated that the effect of group-A was much better than that of group-B.

Suppression of hemodynamic change before extubation--lidocaine through modified endotracheal tube

Twenty females, aged 31 to 49 years, scheduled for abdominal total hysterectomy were randomly divided into two groups in this study. An epidural catheter was placed at T11-12 before general anesthesia. All patients receive the combination of epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia for the operation and relief of pain postoperatively. The modified endotracheal tube we used is shown in Fig. 1. For patients in group I (Lidocaine group), 2 mL 4% lidocaine solution was injected through the catheter to desensitize the tracheal mucosa around the cuff after the surgeon had removed the uterus. In group II (Control group), no special management was made. All patients were not extubated until they were considered to be awake. Systolic blood pressure at three and one minute before extubation and pulse rate recorded at one minute before extubation showed in patients of group I were statistically smoother than those recorded in group II (p less than 0.01). All patients had gag reflex just after awake extubation.

pH-balanced solutions with superoxide dismutase (SOD): an attempt to increase island groin flap survival in rats

Balanced salt solution (BSS) and balanced salt solution plus (BSS+), alone and in combination with heparin or superoxide dismutase (SOD), were used as irrigation solutions for rat groin flaps after prolonged ischemia. SOD always improved flap survival when it was present in solution, although when combined with BSS and BSS+, it was less effective than when combined with Ringer's lactate. The physiological pH solutions BSS and BSS+ had no advantages over Ringer's lactate in any of the tested combinations.

A new approach to suppress bucking before extubation--lidocaine through modified endotracheal tube

The conventional endotracheal tube was modified with an epidural catheter adhered on the concave aspect of it. The opening of the catheter is at the proximal margin of the cuff. Local anesthetic can be injected into the trachea, then desensitize the tracheal mucosa nearby the cuff. Thirty-four female gynecological patients underwent abdominal total hysterectomy were studied and divided into three groups. In group 1, anesthesia was maintained without special management. In groups 2 and 3, 2 mL gentian violet stained 4% lidocaine solution was administered intratracheally by two different methods 60-120 minutes before the conclusion of the surgery. The peak cuff pressures generated by the awakening patients were 53.8 +/- 2.2 cm H2O (mean +/- SE) in group 1, 47.3 +/- 2.5 cmH2O (Group 2) and 36.4 +/- 1.6 cmH2O Group 3) respectively. Bucking before awakening was also evaluated clinically and showed 100%, 73% and 0% in each group. Intratracheal administration of lidocaine in dose of 2 mL 4% showed significant effect for the suppression of bucking during the recovery of general anesthesia in group 2 and 3 compared with the group 1. Lidocaine administered through the catheter of modified endotracheal tube also resulted in less increase in the peak cuff pressure and even no clinically observed bucking than direct administered through the endotracheal tube. Gag reflex was preserved in all patients and none had suffered from aspiration postoperatively.

"No suture" microanastomosis using Vicryl rings and fibrin adhesive system: an unsuccessful attempt

Vascular repairs using a combination of Vicryl rings to evert vessel edges and the Tisseel two-component fibrin adhesive system failed to achieve patent microanastomosis without using stay sutures. The bonding force of Tisseel alone was not sufficient to hold the cut ends of rat femoral arteries and veins together. All 10 arterial and 8 venous end-to-end anastomoses separated under normal intraluminal pressure immediately after the removal of microclamps. This method was found to be an unacceptable alternative to the conventional suturing method.

Current procedures in China on replantation of severed limbs and digits

Since the first successful replantation of a severed right hand was reported in 1963, surgeons in China have performed more than 3735 replantations of limbs and digits with increasing improvement in the survival rate. Of special interest is that local hospitals have reported numerous successful cases revealing a popularization of this kind of operation in China. The replantation survival rate is related to the type of injury and duration of anoxia. The types of injury include avulsion or crush amputation, severed distal segments of fingers, immersion conditions, amputated limbs or digits in children, and segmental resection of diseased tissues. The results are analyzed by a special system of functional evaluation.