Time to epinephrine treatment is associated with the risk of mortality in children who achieve sustained ROSC after traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of early epinephrine administration in pediatric with nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been reported; however, the effects in pediatric cases of traumatic OHCA are unclear. Since the volume-related pharmacokinetics of early epinephrine may differ obviously with and without hemorrhagic shock (HS), beneficial or harmful effects of nonselective epinephrine stimulation (alpha and beta agonists) may also be enhanced with early administration. In this study, we aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of early epinephrine administration in pediatric cases of HS and non-HS traumatic OHCA. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study (2003-2014). Children (aged ≤ 19 years) who experienced traumatic OHCA and were administered epinephrine for resuscitation were included. Children were classified into the HS (blood loss > 30% of total body fluid) and non-HS groups. The demographics, outcomes, postresuscitation hemodynamics (the first hour) after the sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and survival durations were analyzed and correlated with the time to epinephrine administration (early < 15, middle 15-30, late > 30 min) in the HS and non-HS groups. Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for risk factors of mortality. RESULTS: A total of 509 children were included. Most of them (n = 348, 68.4%) had HS OHCA. Early epinephrine administration was implemented in 131 (25.7%) children. In both the HS and non-HS groups, early epinephrine administration was associated with achieving sustained ROSC (both p < 0.05) but was not related to survival or good neurological outcomes (without adjusting for confounding factors). However, early epinephrine administration in the HS group increased cardiac output but induced metabolic acidosis and decreased urine output during the initial postresuscitation period (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, early epinephrine administration was a risk factor of mortality in the HS group (HR 4.52, 95% CI 2.73-15.91). CONCLUSION: Early epinephrine was significantly associated with achieving sustained ROSC in pediatric cases of HS and non-HS traumatic OHCA. For children with HS, early epinephrine administration was associated with both beneficial (increased cardiac output) and harmful effects (decreased urine output and metabolic acidosis) during the postresuscitation period. More importantly, early epinephrine was a risk factor associated with mortality in the HS group.

Significant predictive factors of the severity and outcomes of the first attack of acute angioedema in children.

BACKGROUND: The initial episode of angioedema in children can be potential life-threatening due to the lack of prompt identification and treatment. We aimed to analyze the factors predicting the severity and outcomes of the first attack of acute angioedema in children. METHODS: This was a retrospective study with 406 children (< 18 years) who presented in the emergency department (ED) with an initial episode of acute angioedema and who had subsequent follow-up visits in the out-patient department from January 2008 to December 2014. The severity of the acute angioedema was categorized as severe (requiring hospital admission), moderate (requiring a stay in the short-term pediatric observation unit [POU]), or mild (discharged directly from the ED). The associations among the disease severity, patient demographics and clinical presentation were analyzed. RESULT: In total, 109 (26.8%) children had severe angioedema, and the majority of those children were male (65.1%). Most of the children were of preschool age (56.4%), and only 6.4% were adolescents. The co-occurrence of pyrexia or urticaria, etiologies of the angioedema related to medications or infections, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and a history of allergies (asthma, allergic rhinitis) were predictors of severe angioedema (all p < 0.05). Finally, the duration of angioedema was significantly shorter in children who had received short-term POU treatment (2.1 ± 1.1 days) than in those who discharged from ED directly (2.3 ± 1.4 days) and admitted to the hospital (3.5 ± 2.0 days) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The co-occurrence of pyrexia or urticaria, etiologies related to medications or infections, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and a history of allergies were predictors of severe angioedema. More importantly, short-term POU observation and prompt treatment might be benefit for patients who did not require hospital admission.

Transposition of Duplicated Thumb for Reconstruction of Asymmetric Radial Polydactyly.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we present the long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes in patients with complicated asymmetric radial polydactyly treated with this surgical technique involving the transposition of a duplicated thumb. METHODS: We evaluated 6 thumbs in 6 patients who underwent radial polydactyly reconstruction using the transposition of duplicated thumb procedure between 2001 and 2017. The procedure was used when one of the thumbs was not obviously dominant over the other, with one having a better proximal portion and the other having a better distal portion. The average age at the time of surgery was 35 months, and at the final follow-up, average age was 86.5 months. Objective outcome values were obtained, and the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand evaluation form was adopted to assess functional and cosmetic outcomes. RESULTS: Neither soft tissue loss nor nonunion of the osteotomy was noted. No patients reported pain or difficulties in their activities. Mean flexion-extension arc for the metacarpophalangeal joint was 72.9° (range, 8.8° extension to 64.1° flexion), and that for the interphalangeal joint was 44.0° (range, 5.7° extension to 38.3° flexion). Mean key pinch, tip pinch, and grip strength of unaffected thumb were 75.1%, 68.7%, and 81.9%, respectively. Total scores using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand scoring system averaged 18.2 points, and the results were excellent in 1 case and good in 5. CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of duplicated thumb can provide durable functional and cosmetic results for Rotterdam types IV and VI with asymmetric radial polydactyly in which neither thumb has adequate distal and proximal components.

Hematuria as the only symptom at initial presentation of hypovolemic shock caused by ruptured renal arteriovenous malformations.

Gross hematuria is a very common complaint in emergency departments and outpatient clinics. Globally, the incidence of hematuria is 4 per 1000 patients per year. Infection, urolithiasis, and neoplasm are the most common etiologies. However, hematuria rarely causes hypovolemic shock or an emergent, life-threatening condition at the initial presentation. In this report, we describe the case of a 64-year-old man who suffered a life-threatening gross hematuria in a very short time due to ruptured renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

An exploration of the correlates of nurse practitioners' clinical decision-making abilities.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated nurse practitioners' clinical decision-making abilities and the factors that affect these abilities. BACKGROUND: Nurse practitioners play an important role in clinical care decision-making; however, studies exploring the factors that affect their decision-making abilities are lacking. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was employed. METHODS: A purposive sample of 197 nurse practitioners was recruited from a medical centre in central Taiwan. Structured questionnaires consisting of the Knowledge Readiness Scale, the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and the Clinical Decision-Making Model Inventory were used to collect data. RESULTS: The intuitive-analytical type was the most commonly used decision-making model, and the intuitive type was the least frequently used model. The decision-making model used was significantly related to the nurse practitioners' work unit. Significant differences were noted between the nurse practitioners' clinical decision-making models and their critical thinking dispositions (openness and empathy). The nurse practitioners' years of work experience, work unit, professional knowledge and critical thinking disposition (openness and empathy as well as holistic and reflective dispositions) predicted the nurse practitioners' analytical decision-making scores. Age, years of nurse practitioner work experience, work unit and critical thinking disposition (holistic and reflective) predicted the nurse practitioners' intuitive decision-making scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the topic of clinical decision-making by describing various types of nurse practitioner decision-making. The factors associated with analytic and intuitive decision-making scores were identified. These findings might be beneficial when planning continuing education programmes to enhance the clinical decision-making abilities of nurse practitioners. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study results showed that nurse practitioners demonstrated various clinical decision-making types across different work units. Consideration of nurse practitioners' knowledge readiness and their specific needs while planning on-duty education programmes is necessary.

Critical Test Result Recall Supporting System (CTR RSS) Improves Follow-Up among Patients in the Community.

Follow-up care of patients in the community is an important topic for improving patient outcomes, especially when medical personnel receives a notification of the critical test result (CTR) when the CTR becomes available after patients have been out of hospital; how to recall the patient back to the hospital and follow-up treatment is essential for preventing the healthcare risk of neglecting or delayed intervention with respect to the patient's CTR. We are concerned that the follow-up of CTR and timely recall of our patients in the community improves and facilitates patient safety. We built the CTR Recall Supporting System (RSS) to follow up and recall our patients in the community. Measures were introduced to evaluate the effectiveness of CTR RSS; the rate of return of patients within 7 days increased from 58.5% to 88.8%, an increase of 30.3%, the patients in the community's return follow-up interval days decreased from 10.9 days to 6.2 days, reduced by 4.7 days (p < 0.001), and the mortality rate of the patients in the community within 48 h decreased from 8.0% to 1.9%, a decrease of 6.1%, p < 0.001. The implementation of the CTR RSS significantly increases the discharged patient in he community's CTR return follow-up within 7 days rate, decreases CTR return follow-up interval days, and reduces the CTR mortality rate within 48 h. This effectively improves the effects of CTR on return follow-up visits and provides a prototype system for hospitals that intend to improve this issue.

Effect of freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil on house dust mites in soft toys.

Soft toys are a major source of house dust mites (HDM) and HDM allergens, and sleeping with soft toys is a significant risk factor for HDM sensitization. We studied three techniques to eliminate HDM from soft toys, namely freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil. Thirty-six toys (12 in each treatment group) were enumerated for live HDM by the heat escape method before and after freezing overnight, hot tumble drying for 1 h and washing in 0.2% to 0.4% eucalyptus oil. Freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil resulted in significant reductions in live HDM, an average reduction of 95.1%, 89.1% and 95.1%, respectively. Additionally, washing with eucalyptus oil resulted in a significant reduction in HDM allergens as well from a geometric mean of 9.12 µg/g to 0.37 µg/g (p = 0.033). These three HDM elimination techniques give parents of infants effective and acceptable methods of limiting HDM exposure.

An innovative emergency transportation scenario for mass casualty incident management: Lessons learnt from the Formosa Fun Color Dust explosion.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research is to analyze and introduce a new emergency medical service (EMS) transportation scenario, Emergency Medical Regulation Center (EMRC), which is a temporary premise for treating moderate and minor casualties, in the 2015 Formosa Fun Color Dust Party explosion in Taiwan. In this mass casualty incident (MCI), although all emergency medical responses and care can be considered as a golden model in such an MCI, some EMS plans and strategies should be estimated impartially to understand the truth of the successful outcome.Factors like on-scene triage, apparent prehospital time (appPHT), inhospital time (IHT), and diversion rate were evaluated for the appropriateness of the EMS transportation plan in such cases. The patient diversion risk of inadequate EMS transportation to the first-arrival hospital is detected by the odds ratios (ORs). In this case, the effectiveness of the EMRC scenario is estimated by a decrease in appPHT.The average appPHTs (in minutes) of mild, moderate, and severe patients are 223.65, 198.37, and 274.55, while the IHT (in minutes) is 18384.25, 63021.14, and 83345.68, respectively. The ORs are: 0.4016 (95% Cl = 0.1032-1.5631), 0.1608 (95% Cl = 0.0743-0.3483), and 4.1343 (95% Cl = 2.3265-7.3468; P < .001), respectively. The appPHT has a 47.61% reduction by employing an EMRC model.Due to the relatively high appPHT, diversion rate, and OR value in severe patients, the EMS transportation plan is distinct from a prevalent response and develops adaptive weaknesses of MCIs in current disaster management. Application of the EMRC scenario reduces the appPHT and alleviates the surge pressure upon emergency departments in an MCI.

Factors associated with sustained return of spontaneous circulation in children after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of noncardiac origin.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine the factors predictive of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of noncardiac origin. METHODS: Eighty children were included in this retrospective study. The variables that lead to sustained ROSC and those that do not lead to sustained ROSC were analyzed. Survival analyses, including chance of achieving sustained ROSC and sum duration of ROSC, were conducted according to the duration of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). RESULTS: Etiologies of noncardiac OHCA differed significantly across different age groups (P < .001). Only 8.8% of children had initial arrest rhythms that were shockable. Predictors of sustained ROSC included the initial cardiac rhythm (P = .002), a shorter period between collapse and the first chest compression (P = .002), a shorter in-hospital CPR duration (P = .004), and prehospital CPR (P = .007). In children where ROSC was initially sustained, those with in-hospital CPR of more than 20 minutes, ROSC was sustained for less time (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Few children with noncardiac OHCA present with shockable cardiac rhythms. Furthermore, long-term ROSC is difficult to maintain in children who receive in-hospital CPR for more than 20 minutes.

A Rare Case of Ruptured Ectopic Pregnant Woman Present With Double Negative Pregnant Test.

The urine pregnancy test is one of the most useful methods for initially excluding pregnancy emergencies in the emergency department (ED). Although most urine pregnancy tests are regarded to be up to 99% accurate, false-negative results may lead ED physicians toward considering incorrect diagnoses, mask critical conditions, and even influence patient safety. Therefore, blood pregnancy tests (quantitative measurements) are clinically used for second-line screening. A double false-negative result from two pregnancy tests is very rare and has scarcely been reported for life-threatening ruptured ectopic pregnancy patients. In this report, for the first time, we describe a rare case of a 32-year-old female who suffered a life-threatening ruptured ectopic pregnancy and who had a double pregnancy test (both urine and blood) that was a false negative.

Clinical treatment and medication in decreasing the development of major depression caused by spinal fracture.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain and limited activities of daily living after spinal fracture may induce the occurrence of major depression (MD); however, risk factors regarding medications, surgical intervention, and severity of fracture are unclear. We aimed to analyze risk factors of MD development after spinal fracture. METHODS: This was a retrospective database study, using the health care database of the Taiwan government. We included 11,225 patients with new spinal fracture (study group), and 33,675 matched patients without fracture (comparison group). We respectively reviewed data of each participant for 3 years to assess the development of MD. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the prevalence of MD, after adjusting for patient demographics, medications, surgical interventions, spinal cord involvement, and postfracture comorbidities. RESULTS: In total, 187 fracture patients (1.7%) and 281 nonfracture patients (0.8%) developed new-onset MD (hazard ratio [HR]:1.96, (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-2.36)). Spinal cord involvement (HR: 2.96, 95% CI: 2.54-3.42) and postfracture comorbidities (HR: 3.51, 95% CI: 2.86-3.97) obviously increased the risk of MD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with spinal fracture (spinal cord involvement and postfracture comorbidities) were more likely to develop MD. Early surgical interventions (vertebroplasty) and medications (narcotics) may decrease the risk of MD.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture on acute abdomen emergency care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute abdomen is a common disease in the emergency department (ED) and usually results in huge medical expenditure. To relieve abdominal pain effectively and reduce bed occupancy rate in emergency rooms, electroacupuncture is a practical method in the treatment of abdominal pain. METHODS/DESIGN: Five hundred patients will be randomly and evenly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups should have their basic information taken and their bilateral acupuncture points ( Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Xiajuxu (ST39), Taichong (LR3), and Taibai (SP3)) will be intervened by electroacupuncture or vaccaria Seeds, in this clinical study. Electroacupuncture has been introduced to this experiment as an auxiliary technique. The experimental group will receive real electroacupuncture, but the control group will receive a placebo electroacupuncture in which transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation will not be turned on. After the intervention, we will evaluate the difference in abdominal pain, the length of stay at the emergent observation ward, and the proportion of revisits with abdominal pain. DISCUSSION: In Taiwan, medical expenditure is increasing annually because of the higher bed occupancy caused by acute abdominal pain in the hospital. We expect that the combined treatment of electroacupuncture and modern medical treatment will not only reduce bed occupancy and the length of ED stay but also effectively decrease the rate of readmission and revisits by 72 h. By means of electroacupuncture, the spiraling cost of health care can eventually be reduced. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03199495. Registered on 27 June 2017.

Indoor allergens and microbial bio-contaminants in homes of asthmatic children in central Taiwan.

Indoor allergens and microbial bio-contaminants play a significant role in asthma symptoms. The aim of the study was to determine levels of house dust mite allergens, bacterial endotoxin, and fungal beta-glucan in homes of 120 asthmatic children in central Taiwan. Dust samples from 120 mattresses (67 double-sided) were analyzed for house dust mite allergens (Der p 1, Der f 1, and Blo t 5), endotoxin, and beta-glucan. Pillows (n = 118) were analyzed for house dust mite allergens only. Kitchen dust samples were analyzed for the cockroach allergen, Bla g 1. Blo t 5 was detected in 9.3% pillows and 82.2% mattresses, Der p 1 in 95.8% pillows and 93.2% mattresses, and Der f 1 in 82.2% pillows and 83.1% mattresses. Geometric mean levels (95% confidence interval) of endotoxin and beta-glucan in mattresses were 108.4 Eu/mg (81.4-144.2) and 25.2 microg/g (22.7-28.0), respectively. House dust mite allergens and endotoxin levels were significantly lower on the bamboo side of 67 mattresses, compared to the inner sprung mattress side. Geometric mean of kitchen Bla g 1 was 0.61 U/g (95% CI: 0.43-0.85). Given the presence of Der p 1, Der f 1 and Blo t 5 in central Taiwan, it is advised to measure allergens of all three house dust mite species to obtain a true index of allergen exposure. Bamboo sides of mattresses had significantly lower house dust mite allergens and endotoxin levels.

Demographics of Pediatric OHCA Survivors With Postdischarge Diseases: A National Population-Based Follow-Up Study.

Background: Postdischarge diseases (PDDs) have been reported for adult survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the detailed demographics of pediatric OHCA survivors with PDDs are not well-documented, and information regarding functional survivors is particularly limited. We aimed to report detailed information on the PDDs of survivors of traumatic and non-traumatic pediatric OHCA using a national healthcare database. Methods: We retrospectively obtained data from the Taiwan government healthcare database (2011-2015). Information on the demographics of traumatic and non-traumatic pediatric OHCA survivors (<20 years) was obtained and reported. The patients who survived to discharge (survivors) and those classified as functional survivors were followed up for 1 year for the analysis of newly diagnosed PDDs. The time from discharge to PDD diagnosis was also reported. Results: A total of 2,178 non-traumatic and 288 traumatic OHCA pediatric cases were included. Among the non-traumatic OHCA survivors (n = 374, survival rate = 17.2%), respiratory tract (n = 270, 72.2%), gastrointestinal (n = 187, 50.0%), and neurological diseases (n = 167, 49.1%) were the three most common PDD categories, and in these three categories, the majority of PDDs were atypical/influenza pneumonia, non-infective acute gastroenteritis, and generalized/status epilepsy, respectively. Among the traumatic OHCA survivors (n = 21, survival rate = 7.3%), respiratory tract diseases (n = 17, 81.0%) were the most common, followed by skin or soft tissue (n = 14, 66.7%) diseases. Most functional survivors still suffered from neurological and respiratory tract diseases. Most PDDs, except for skin or soft tissue diseases, were newly diagnosed within the first 3 months after discharge. Conclusions: Respiratory tract (pneumonia), neurological (epilepsy), and skin or soft tissue (dermatitis) diseases were very common among both non-traumatic and traumatic OHCA survivors. More importantly, most PDDs, except for skin or soft tissue diseases, were newly diagnosed within the first 3 months after discharge.

Early Epinephrine Improves the Stabilization of Initial Post-resuscitation Hemodynamics in Children With Non-shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Background: In children with non-shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, early epinephrine (EE) might help to establish the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and be associated with survival. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the effects of EE on outcomes and post-resuscitation hemodynamics in children with non-shockable OHCA. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of data from 216 children (<19 years) who had suffered non-traumatic and non-shockable OHCA and received epinephrine for resuscitation (Jan 1, 2006-Dec 31, 2014). Demographics, pre-/in-hospital information, and the time to the first dose of epinephrine were recorded. Early post-resuscitation hemodynamics (the first hour after sustained ROSC), survival and good neurological outcomes (Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scales 1 or 2) were analyzed by the time to epinephrine-classified as early (EE): <15 min, intermediate (IE): 15-30 min, or late (LE): >30 min. Results: Twenty-eight (13.0%) children survived to discharge, but only 17 (7.9%) had good neurological outcomes. In all, 41 (18.9%) children received EE; in comparison to IE and LE, this was significantly associated with tachycardia (73.9%) in the post-resuscitation period (p < 0.05). Tachycardia (OR: 7.41, 95% CI: 1.96-29.31) and hypertension (OR: 6.03, 95% CI: 1.85-13.77) were significantly associated with EE after adjusting for confounding factors. EE was also significantly associated with better overall outcomes than ME and LE (any ROSC, sustained ROSC, survival to the intensive care unit, admission, survival to discharge and good neurological outcomes, all p < 0.05). Conclusions: EE helped to establish ROSC but was also associated with more tachycardia and hypertension in the early post-resuscitation period. In children with non-traumatic and non-shockable OHCA, EE was associated with a higher survival rate and better neurological outcomes than were ME and LE.

Impact of Different Serum Potassium Levels on Postresuscitation Heart Function and Hemodynamics in Patients with Nontraumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can be initially established in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); however, the early postresuscitation hemodynamics can still be impaired by high levels of serum potassium (hyperkalemia). The impact of different potassium levels on early postresuscitation heart function has remained unclear. We aim to analyze the relationship between different levels of serum potassium and postresuscitation heart function during the early postresuscitation period (the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC). METHODS: Information on 479 nontraumatic OHCA patients with sustained ROSC was retrospectively obtained. Measures of early postresuscitation heart function (rate, blood pressure, and rhythm), hemodynamics (urine output and blood pH), and the duration of survival were analyzed in the case of different serum potassium levels (low: <3.5; normal: 3.5-5; high: >5 mmol/L). RESULTS: Most patients (59.9%, n = 287) had previously presented with high levels of potassium. Bradycardia, nonsinus rhythm, urine output <1 ml/kg/hr, and acidosis (pH < 7.35) were more common in patients with high levels of potassium (all p < 0.05). Compared with hyperkalemia, a normal potassium level was more likely to be associated with a normal heart rate (OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.74-5.08) and sinus rhythm (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.45-3.58). A low level of potassium was more likely to be associated with tachycardia (OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.32-9.51), urine output >1 ml/kg/hr (OR: 5.35, 95% CI: 2.58-11.10), and nonacidosis (blood pH >7.35, OR: 7.74, 95% CI: 3.78-15.58). The duration of survival was shorter in patients with hyperkalemia than that in patients whose potassium levels were low or normal (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early postresuscitation heart function and hemodynamics were associated with the serum potassium level. A high potassium level was more likely to be associated with bradycardia, nonsinus rhythm, urine output <1 ml/kg/hr, and acidosis. More importantly, a high potassium level decreased the duration of survival.

Lipid-Modified Graphene-Transistor Biosensor for Monitoring Amyloid-ß Aggregation.

A graphene field-effect transistor (G-FET) with the spacious planar graphene surface can provide a large-area interface with cell membranes to serve as a platform for the study of cell membrane-related protein interactions. In this study, a G-FET device paved with a supported lipid bilayer (referred to as SLB/G-FET) was first used to monitor the catalytic hydrolysis of the SLB by phospholipase D. With excellent detection sensitivity, this G-FET was also modified with a ganglioside GM1-enriched SLB (GM1-SLB/G-FET) to detect cholera toxin B. Finally, the GM1-SLB/G-FET was employed to monitor amyloid-beta 40 (Aß40) aggregation. In the early nucleation stage of Aß40 aggregation, while no fluorescence was detectable with traditional thioflavin T (ThT) assay, the prominent electrical signals probed by GM1-SLB/G-FET demonstrate that the G-FET detection is more sensitive than the ThT assay. The comprehensive kinetic information during the Aß40 aggregation could be collected with a GM1-SLB/G-FET, especially covering the kinetics involved in the early stage of Aß40 aggregation. These experimental results suggest that SLB/G-FETs hold great potential as a powerful biomimetic sensor for versatile investigations of membrane-related protein functions and interaction kinetics.

Discriminant analysis of serum inflammatory biomarkers which differentiate pediatric appendicitis from other acute abdominal diseases.

BACKGROUND: Other acute abdominal diseases in children can confound the signs and symptoms of appendicitis, resulting in misdiagnosis and unnecessary appendectomy. In this study, we used discriminant analysis of serum inflammatory biomarkers to determine which acute abdominal diseases could mimic appendicitis, and further analyzed these diseases based on different age groups. METHODS: We prospectively collected 417 patients aged from 4 to 18 years with clinically suspected acute appendicitis in the pediatric emergency department. We selected the significantly higher serum biomarkers for appendicitis as the discriminating variables. Furthermore, we analyzed the definitive diagnoses of patients with normal appendices who could not be predicted by discriminant analysis. RESULTS: Patients with acute appendicitis had significantly higher leukocyte counts (p < 0.01), neutrophil counts, (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein concentrations (p < 0.01 ) than those with normal appendices. The discriminant power of these three serum biomarkers in acute appendicitis was 76 percent. Acute abdominal diseases which mimicked appendicitis included acute gastroenteritis, nonspecific abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, and upper respiratory infection with gastrointestinal upset. CONCLUSIONS: Serum biomarkers may serve as helpful discriminators to predict the presence of pediatric appendicitis. But, some acute abdominal diseases mimicking appendicitis should be considered during differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis to avoid making misdiagnosis and performing unnecessary appendectomy.

Small bowel abscess mimicking the clinical presentation of intussusception: report of one case.

Intraabdominal infections are common in children, but small bowel abscess in the pediatric age group is rare. This case report shows preoperative diagnosis of small bowel abscess in pediatric emergency department (ED) is difficult, and misdiagnosis can be easily made based on clinical presentations. We report a case of small bowel abscess mimicking the clinical presentation of intussusception in the pediatric ED. Definitive diagnosis of small bowel abscess was finally made with surgical confirmation of an inflammatory collection within the peritoneal space. Patients present with acute abdominal pain should be evaluated for intussusception as well as small bowel abscess.