Lowering bronchoaspiration rate in an acute stroke unit by means of a 2 volume/3 texture dysphagia screening test with pulsioximetry. / Reducción de la tasa de broncoaspiración con el test 2 volúmenes/3 texturas con pulsioximetría en una unidad de ictus.

INTRODUCTION: During acute stroke, 30% of all patients present dysphagia and 50% of that subgroup will experience bronchoaspiration. Our aim was to compare mortality and bronchoaspiration rates associated with the water test compared to those associated with a 2 volume/3 texture test controlled with pulse oximetry (2v/3t-P test) in our stroke unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 5-year period, we performed a prospective analysis of all consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients hospitalised in the Stroke Unit. Dysphagia was evaluated using the water test between 2008 and 2010 (group 0 or G0), and the 2v/3t-P test (group 1 or G1) between 2011 and 2012. We analysed demographic data, vascular risk factors, neurological deficit on the NIHSS, aetiological subtype according to TOAST criteria, clinical subtype according to the Oxfordshire classification, prevalence of dysphagia, percentage of patients with bronchoaspiration, and mortality. RESULTS: We examined 418 patients with acute stroke (G0=275, G1=143). There were significant differences between the 2 groups regarding the percentage of patients with TACI (17% in G0 vs. 29% in G1, P=.005) and median NIHSS score (4 points in G0 vs. 7 points in G1, P=.003). Since adopting the new swallowing test, we detected a non-significant increase in the percentage of dysphagia (22% in G0 vs. 25% in G1, P=.4), lower mortality (1.7% in G0 vs. 0.7% in G1, P=.3) and a significant decrease in the bronchoaspiration rate (6.2% in G0 vs. 2.1% in G1, P=.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the water test used for dysphagia screening, the new 2v/3t-P test lowered bronchoaspiration rates in acute stroke patients.

Antilymphoblast globulin, cyclosporine, and steroids in cadaveric renal transplantation.

In order to avoid cyclosporine (CsA) nephrotoxicity and rejection, especially during the early posttransplant periods, different immunosuppression regimens have been adopted. A prospective trial was conducted to evaluate the benefits of initially low CsA doses associated with antilymphoblast globulin and steroids in the first days after transplant, in comparison with higher doses of CsA and steroids. Between 1/86 and 1/88, two groups of first-cadaver renal transplant recipients were documented based on the immunosuppression regimen used. In group A (n = 50), oral CsA was started at 8 mg/kg/day and subsequent doses adjusted to maintain CsA whole-blood levels between 300 and 600 ng/ml. Horse ALG at 10 mg/kg was given the day after transplant and on alternate days to a maximum of 6 doses. After 3 doses, ALG was stopped if CsA blood levels were equal to or greater than 400 ng/ml. ALG dosage modifications were made in order to maintain peripheral CD3+ cells between 10 and 20%. Prednisone was given at 0.25 mg/kg/day. In group B (n = 50), oral CsA was started at 15 mg/kg/day. The CsA whole-blood levels were maintained between 300 and 800 ng/ml. Prednisone was administered at 0.5 mg/kg/day. The incidence of postransplant renal failure was the same in both groups (16%), but the duration of oliguria was lower in group A than in group B (3.3 +/- 2 vs. 16.2 +/- 10.7 days, P less than 0.05), as well as the incidence of acute rejection during the first 3 months (18% vs. 40%, P = 0.01. The cumulative doses of CsA and steroids were significantly lower in group A than in group B. Mean serum creatinine at 6 and 12 months remained similar in both groups. There was no difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of infection. There was no mortality in either group. The actuarial graft survival was significantly higher in group A than in group B at one (100% vs. 94%), two (97% vs. 87%), and three years (89% vs. 73%), respectively (P = 0.041). In summary, the triple regimen using simultaneously low-dose CsA, ALG, and steroids minimizes early graft dysfunction, provides efficient immunosuppression without severe infections, and gives good long-term patient and graft survival.

Mediation by neurotensin-receptors of effects of neurotensin on self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex.

1 Intracortical microinjections of neurotensin (NT) selectively decreased intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat. 2 To elucidate whether this effect is mediated by NT receptors or by the formation of NT-dopamine complexes, we investigated the effects on ICSS of intracortical microinjections of neurotensin (1-11), an NT fragment that forms extracellular complexes with dopamine but does not bind to NT receptors. 3 We also studied the effects of the peripheral administration of SR 48692, a selective antagonist of NT receptors, on the inhibition of ICSS produced by the intracortical administration of NT. 4 Unilateral microinjections of neurotensin (1-11) at doses of 10, 20 and 40 nmol into the medial prefrontal cortex did not change the basal ICSS rate of this area. 5 The intraperitoneal administration of SR 48692 at doses of 0.08 and 0.16 mg kg-1 30 min before microinjection of 10 nmol of NT into the medial prefrontal cortex, antagonized the inhibition of ICSS produced by the neuropeptide. 6 These results demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of NT on ICSS is mediated by NT receptors.

Neuromedin N decreases self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex.

Intracerebral microinjections of neurotensin (NT) decrease intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) in the rat. This effect could be due to the ability of NT to bind dopamine. To test this hypothesis we studied the effects of intracerebral microinjections of neuromedin N, a natural NT analogue that does not bind dopamine, on ICSS of the rat MPC. Unilateral microinjections of neuromedin N into the MPC at doses of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 nmol produced a dose-related decrease in ICSS of the ipsilateral MPC. ICSS of the contralateral MPC, used as a control, was not affected by the microinjections. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of NT on ICSS is independent of NT-dopamine binding. Because neuromedin N is also present in the MPC, these results also suggest a possible neuromodulatory role of this neuropeptide on ICSS of the prefrontal cortex.

SCH 23390 decreases self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat.

We studied the effects of peripheral and central administration of SCH 23390, a selective antagonist of dopamine D1 receptors, on intracranial self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat. Intraperitoneal injections of SCH 23390 produced a dose-related decrease in self-stimulation. Unilateral microinjections of SCH 23390 into the medial prefrontal cortex also produced a dose-related decrease in self-stimulation in the ipsilateral medial prefrontal cortex. However, self-stimulation of the contralateral, noninjected prefrontal cortex, used as control, was not affected. Together with previous data, the present results suggest that the dopamine neurotransmission involved in self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex of the rat is mediated by dopamine D1 receptors.

Neurotensin participates in self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat.

The effects of intracerebral microinjections of neurotensin and xenopsin on self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat were studied. Unilateral microinjections into the medial prefrontal cortex of neurotensin at doses of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 nmol produced a dose-related decrease of self-stimulation in the ipsilateral medial prefrontal cortex. Self-stimulation of the contralateral medial prefrontal contex, used as control, was not affected by the microinjections. Similar results were found with the neurotension-like octapeptide, xenopsin. Unilateral microinjections of xenoposin into the medial prefrontal cortex, at doses of 1.8, 3.6, 7.2 and 14.4 nmol produced a dose-related decrease of self-stimulation of the ipsilateral medial prefrontal cortex. Self-stimulation of the contralateral medial prefrontal cortex was not affected. These results suggest that neurotensin is part of the neurochemical substrate of self-stimulation in this cortical area.

Response of the human hepatic tissue cultures Hep-G2 and WRL-68 to cocaine.

The hydrolytic metabolism of cocaine into benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and ecgonine was studied in the human hepatoma cell line Hep-G2 and in the nontumorigenic fetal hepatic cell line WRL-68. Also, the toxicological response of these cells to cocaine was compared to previously published results obtained with perfused liver cells and in vivo systems. Our experiments indicated that Hep-G2 appear to have similar metabolic and toxicological patterns to in vivo and perfused cell systems. The WRL-68 tissue culture system was found to be less similar. These results suggest Hep-G2 cells can be utilized to study cocaine metabolism and toxicology, and possibly in studies involving other xenobiotic compounds.

Reducción de la tasa de broncoaspiración con el test 2 volúmenes/3 texturas con pulsioximetría en una unidad de ictus / Lowering bronchoaspiration rate in an acute stroke unit by means of a 2 volume/3 texture dysphagia screening test with pulsioximetry

Introducción: En la fase aguda del ictus el 30% de los pacientes presentan disfagia, y de ellos, el 50% experimentarán broncoaspiración. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar los resultados de mortalidad y broncoaspiración del test del agua comparado con el test 2 volúmenes/3 texturas controlado con pulsioximetría (2v/3t-P) en una unidad de ictus. Pacientes y métodos: Durante 5 años se analizaron de forma prospectiva y consecutiva todos los pacientes con infarto cerebral en la Unidad de Ictus. Del año 2008 al 2010 se utilizó el test del agua (grupo 0 o G0), y del 2011 al 2012, el test 2v/3t-P (grupo 1 o G1). Se recogieron las siguientes variables: demográficas, factores de riesgo vascular, gravedad neurológica con la escala NIHSS, subtipo etiológico según criterios TOAST, subtipo clínico según la clasificación Oxfordshire, prevalencia de disfagia, broncoaspiración y exitus. Resultados: Se analizaron 418 pacientes con infarto cerebral agudo (G0 = 275, G1 = 143). Se detectaron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en el porcentaje de pacientes con TACI (17% en G0 vs. 29% en G1, p = 0,005) y en la mediana de NIHSS (4 puntos en G0 vs. 7 puntos en G1, p = 0,003). Con el test 2v/3t-P se detectó un aumento no significativo en el porcentaje de disfagia (22% en G0 vs. 25% en G1, p = 0,4), una menor tasa de mortalidad (1,7% en G0 vs. 0,7% en G1, p = 0,3) y una reducción significativa de broncoaspiración (6,2% en G0 vs. 2,1% en G1, p = 0,05). Conclusiones: El nuevo test 2v/3t-P, comparado con el test del agua, mejoró significativamente los resultados de broncoaspiración en los pacientes con infarto cerebral agudo

Introduction: During acute stroke, 30% of all patients present dysphagia and 50% of that subgroup will experience bronchoaspiration. Our aim was to compare mortality and bronchoaspiration rates associated with the water test compared to those associated with a 2 volume/3 texture test controlled with pulse oximetry (2v/3t-P test) in our stroke unit. Patients and methods. Over a 5-year period, we performed a prospective analysis of all consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients hospitalised in the Stroke Unit. Dysphagia was evaluated using the water test between 2008 and 2010 (group 0 or G0), and the 2v/3t-P test (group 1 or G1) between 2011 and 2012. We analysed demographic data, vascular risk factors, neurological deficit on the NIHSS, aetiological subtype according to TOAST criteria, clinical subtype according to the Oxfordshire classification, prevalence of dysphagia, percentage of patients with bronchoaspiration, and mortality. Results: We examined 418 patients with acute stroke (G0 = 275, G1 = 143). There were significant differences between the 2 groups regarding the percentage of patients with TACI (17% in G0 vs. 29% in G1, P = .005) and median NIHSS score (4 points in G0 vs. 7 points in G1, P = .003). Since adopting the new swallowing test, we detected a non-significant increase in the percentage of dysphagia (22% in G0 vs. 25% in G1, P = .4), lower mortality (1.7% in G0 vs. 0.7% in G1, P = .3) and a significant decrease in the bronchoaspiration rate (6.2% in G0 vs. 2.1% in G1, P = .05). Conclusions: Compared to the water test used for dysphagia screening, the new 2v/3t-P test lowered bronchoaspiration rates in acute stroke patients