The renal system and associated disorders.

Disorders of the renal system, including the kidneys and urinary tract, are increasingly recognised as a public health concern, accounting for 830 000 deaths worldwide. Patients often have comorbidities, with many presenting with other diseases. Health professionals require good knowledge of the renal system and associated disorders to create holistic care plans to meet individual patients' needs.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a spontaneous pregnancy with a complete hydatidiform mole.

Objective: To present a case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurring after evacuation of a spontaneously conceived hydatidiform molar pregnancy.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University-affiliated teaching hospital.

Relationship of obesity to outcome of medical abortion.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of medical abortion for obese women and nonobese women.

Study Design: We conducted a chart review of women having medical abortions in 2005-2007. Outcomes were classified as surgical intervention, need for additional visits, and complete abortion.

Absorption classification of oral drugs based on molecular surface properties.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether easily calculated and comprehended molecular surface properties can predict drug solubility and permeability with sufficient accuracy to allow theoretical absorption classification of drug molecules. For this purpose, structurally diverse, orally administered model drugs were selected from the World Health Organization (WHO)'s list of essential drugs. The solubility and permeability of the drugs were determined using well-established in vitro methods in highly accurate experimental settings.

Drug absorption in vitro model: filter-immobilized artificial membranes. 2. Studies of the permeability properties of lactones in Piper methysticum Forst.

The assessment of transport properties of 23 drug and natural product molecules was made using the in vitro model based on filter-immobilized artificial membranes (filter-IAM), assembled from phosphatidylcholine in dodecane, in buffer solutions at pH 7.4. Five of the compounds were lactones extracted from the roots of the kava-kava plant.

Transoesophageal echocardiography during scoliosis repair: comparison with CVP monitoring.

Purpose: Accurate haemodynamic assessment during surgical repair of scoliosis is crucial to the care of the patient. The purpose of this study was to compare transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with central venous pressure monitoring in patients with spinal deformities requiring surgery in the prone position.

Methods: Twelve paediatric patients undergoing corrective spinal surgery for scoliosis/kyphosis in the prone position were studied.

The risk of infection from epidural analgesia in children: a review of 1620 cases.

We reviewed cases to determine whether suspected or confirmed epidural infection was associated with epidural analgesia for 1620 infants, children, and adolescents treated over a 6-yr period at Children's Hospital, Boston. Postoperative patients (1458/1620) received epidural infusions for a median of 2 days (range, 0-8 days). No postoperative patient had an epidural abscess.

Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for premedication of children undergoing laceration repair.

Study Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two doses of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) for premedication of children undergoing laceration repair.

Design: Prospective, randomized, nonblinded study.

Setting: Urban pediatric emergency department.

Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of nitrous oxide in infants with normal and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.

The hemodynamic response to 50% nitrous oxide was studied in 12 sedated but responsive infants in the intensive care unit following repair of their congenital heart disease. One-half of the infants studied had an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI greater than 3.5 Wood units).

End-tidal CO2 monitoring. Its use in the diagnosis and management of malignant hyperthermia.

Two cases of malignant hyperthermia are described where the earliest sign was a rise in the end-tidal CO2 concentration. This led to nearly immediate detection and adequate treatment with sodium dantrolene. These cases demonstrate the efficacy of monitoring end-expired CO2 concentrations in patients at risk from malignant hyperthermia, as well as a means for following the adequacy of treatment.

Coarctation of the aorta: a study in delayed detection.

The findings and presentations of 65 consecutive patients in whom uncomplicated coarctation of the aorta was diagnosed after 1 year of age were reviewed. Significant delays in diagnosis occurred in the great majority of patients. The median age at diagnosis was 10 years (range 1 to 36 years).