Saint Louis University

About: Saint Louis University is a education organization based out in St Louis, Missouri, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 18927 authors who have published 34895 publications receiving 1267475 citations. The organization is also known as: SLU & St. Louis University.

Clinical practice guideline: tonsillectomy in children.

Abstract: Objective. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, with more than 530 000 pr o- cedures performed annually in children younger than 15 years. Tonsillectomy is defined as a surgical procedure performed with or without adenoidectomy that completely removes the tonsil including its capsule by dissecting the peritonsil- lar space between the tonsil capsule and the muscular wall. Depending on the context in which it is used, it may indicate tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy, especially in relation to sleep-disordered breathing. This guideline provides evidence- based recommendations on the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and management of children 1 to 18 years old under consideration for tonsillectomy. In addition, this guideline is intended for all clinicians in any setting who interact with children 1 to 18 years of age who may be candi- dates for tonsillectomy. Purpose. The primary purpose of this guideline is to provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance in identifying children who are the best candidates for tonsillectomy. Secondary objectives are to optimize the perioperative management of children undergoing tonsillectomy, emphasize the need for evaluation and intervention in special populations, improve counseling and education of families of children who are con- sidering tonsillectomy for their child, highlight the manage- ment options for patients with modifying factors, and reduce inappropriate or unnecessary variations in care. Results. The panel made a strong recommendation that clinicians should administer a single, intraoperative dose of intravenous dexamethasone to children undergoing tonsillectomy. The panel made a strong recommendation against clinicians routinely admin- istering or prescribing perioperative antibiotics to children undergoing tonsillectomy. The panel made recommendations for

Human Carbonic Anhydrases and Carbonic Anhydrase Deficiencies

Abstract: Carbonic anhydrases (CAs I-VII) are products of a gene family that encodes seven isozymes and several homologous, CA- related proteins. All seven isozymes have been cloned, sequenced, and mapped, and the intron-exon organization of five genes established. They differ in subcellular localizations, being cytoplasmic (CA I, II, III, and VII), GPI-anchored to plasma membranes of specialized epithelial and endothelial cells (CA IV), in mitochondria (CA V), or in salivary secretions (CA VI). They also differ in kinetic properties, susceptibility to inhibitors, and tissue-specific distribution. Structural and kinetic studies of recombinant natural and mutant CAs have greatly increased our understanding of the structural requirements for catalysis. Studies of the effects of CA inhibitors over many years have implicated CAs in a variety of physiological processes. Analyses of human and animal CA deficiencies provide unique opportunities to understand the individual contributions of different isozymes to these processes.

Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease Responsive to Interleukin-1β Inhibition

Abstract: All 18 patients had a rapid response to anakinra, with disappearance of rash. Diary scores improved (P<0.001) and serum amyloid A (from a median of 174 mg to 8 mg per liter), C-reactive protein (from a median of 5.29 mg to 0.34 mg per deciliter), and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased at month 3 (all P<0.001), and remained low at month 6. Magnetic resonance imaging showed improvement in cochlear and leptomeningeal lesions as compared with baseline. Withdrawal of anakinra uniformly resulted in relapse within days; retreatment led to rapid improvement. There were no drug-related serious adverse events. Conclusions Daily injections of anakinra markedly improved clinical and laboratory manifestations in patients with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease, with or without CIAS1 mutations. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00069329.)

System for indicating the position of a surgical probe within a head on an image of the head

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a probe relative to an object such as a head of a body of a patient. The head includes a surface such as a forehead having a contour. Cross sectional images of the head are scanned and stored as a function of the forehead contour. If the forehead contour does not appear in the scan images, then the position of the forehead contour relative to the scan images is determined with an optical scanner and a ring. During surgery, the optical scanner also determines the position of the forehead relative to the ring. An array for receiving radiation emitted from the probe and from the ring generates signals indicating the position of the tip of the probe relative to the ring. A stereotactic imaging system generates and displays an image of the head corresponding to the measured position of the tip of the probe. The system may also display scan images from different scanning technologies which scan images correspond to the same position in the head.