Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in women with multiple pregnancies: the AMPHIA trial

Background

Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary to neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. The aim of study is to evaluate serum vitamin D concentrations in mothers and their newborns and effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

552 pregnant women were recruited from Tehran University educating hospitals in the winter of 2002. Maternal and cord blood samples were taken at delivery. The serum was assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone.

Results

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in maternal and cord blood samples were 66.8% and 93.3%, respectively (<35 nmol/l). There was significant correlation between maternal and cord blood serum concentrations of vitamin D. In mothers with vitamin D deficiency, cord blood vitamin D concentrations was lower than those from normal mothers (P = .001). Also, a significant direct correlation was seen between maternal vitamin D intake and weight gain during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Consideration to adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during pregnancy is essential. Furthermore, we think it is necessary to reconsider the recommendation for vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.     

A systematic review of outcomes assessed in randomized controlled trials of surgical interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a reference tool

Background  

A wide range of outcomes have been assessed in trials of interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), however there appears to be little consensus on what constitutes the most relevant outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the outcomes assessed in randomized clinical trials of surgical interventions for CTS and to compare these to the concepts contained in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).     

Antiparasitic properties of homoallylamines and related compounds

A study of some antiparasitic properties of several homoallylamines and related tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines, previously described, was carried out using in vitro activity assays against the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi and against Trichomonas vaginalis. Unspecific cytotoxicity against murine macrophages was also studied. Although the antichagasic and trichomonacidal activities are not comparable to those of the standard drugs, nifurtimox and metronidazole, some of the compounds exhibit an interesting specific antiparasitic activity.     

Implications of postvaccination hepatitis B surface antigenemia in the management of exposures to body fluids.

A neonate vaccinated against HBV was the source of an occupational exposure to blood. She was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and found to be positive, leading to unnecessary treatment, retesting, and concern. Evaluation of the infectious status of HBV should rely on other means if vaccination has recently occurred.     

Molecular biology in prostate cancer

Summary Genes involved in cancer generation are usually tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Progressive genetic alterations in these genes are involved in the mechanisms of tumorigenesis. In prostate cancer, additionally several chromosomal loci that should harbor mutated genes have been proposed. Some genes have been found altered in prostate cancer, such as PTEN, TP53, AR, RNASEL (HPC1), ELAC2 (HPC2), CDKN2A and MSR1 and those can be natural targets for new strategies of treatment. Besides, gene therapy has been suggested to be suitable for prostate cancer treatment. This approach includesex vivo corrective therapy, suicide, and antisense therapy.     

Bilateral ectopic pregnancy

Bilateral simultaneous ectopic pregnancy is a very rare clinical condition. Two different subsets of patients can be distinguished: women presenting with the disease as a result of spontaneous conception and those with the condition after undergoing assisted reproduction procedures. This article reviews and analyzes 42 cases of bilateral ectopic pregnancies reported in the last 10 years, proposes a new classification of the disease, and presents some data that should be useful for the clinician who confronts this difficult entity.     

Cost-effectiveness of human papillomavirus testing after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVE: To compare current cytological follow up of women treated for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with follow up by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing together with cytology. DESIGN: A cost-effectiveness modelling study. SETTING: Gynaecology clinics in the Netherlands. POPULATION: Women treated for high-grade CIN. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to compare six follow-up strategies with HPV testing with current cytological follow up at 6, 12, and 24 months. Model parameter estimation was based on three Dutch follow-up studies and a Dutch population-based screening cohort. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of CIN2/3 cases missed after 5 years follow up, the number of diagnostic procedures, and costs involved. RESULTS: Strategies with adjunct HPV testing were more effective than current follow up (reduction in missed CIN2/3 cases 32-77%, corresponding to a number needed to treat of 192-455) and less inconvenient (reduction in repeat smears 28-65%). A particularly attractive strategy was HPV testing alone at 6 months and both HPV and cytological testing at 24 months after treatment. This strategy yielded a high detection rate of post-treatment CIN, did not lead to an increase in colposcopy rate, and was 49 Euro per woman cheaper than the current strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Our model supports the use of high-risk HPV testing for monitoring women treated for high-grade CIN.