Predicting outcome in neonatal hypoxic respiratory failure with the score for neonatal acute physiology (SNAP) and highest oxygen index (OI) in the first 24 hours of admission.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical utility of SNAP score versus the highest oxygen index (OI) in first 24 hours of admission in predicting outcome of HRF. STUDY DESIGN: All admissions (1991 to 1999) > or =36 weeks gestation, ventilated for > or =12 hours with FiO(2)> or =0.50, without congenital anomalies were reviewed. Primary outcome measure was survival (without ECMO) versus ECMO and/or death. RESULTS: From 184 infants with HRF, 148 survived (without ECMO) versus 36 died and/or received ECMO. SNAP score and highest OI were similar in predicting outcome of HRF (area under ROC curve: 0.813+/-0.037 versus 0.814+/-0.041; P=0.72). Death and/or ECMO requirement were best predicted by a SNAP score of 19 (Sensitivity 75.0%, Specificity 71%) or an OI of 28 (Sensitivity 75.0%, Specificity 76.4%). CONCLUSION: Although both, the SNAP score and highest OI, are useful and similar in predicting outcome of HRF, OI is preferable because of its ease of use. We believe the predictive value of these parameters should be evaluated in a multicenter setting.     

Detection of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1), of proteins of the "pregnancy zone" (PZ), of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) with 24-hour radial immunodiffusion. Detection of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) with turbidimetry. Current significance of the proteins

The estimations of pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1), pregnancy associated alpha 2-glycoprotein (PZ) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in serum samples are useful for supervision of pregnancy and diagnosis of gestational diseases. In clinical practice simple inexpensive and short time methods are preferred. Two simple short time methods were described. The 24 hour radial immuno-diffusion (RID) was compared with the usual 48 hour RID in 30 serum samples of normal pregnant women. The SP1-values ascertained with the 24 hour RID and the 48 hour RID correlated with a high coefficient (r = 0.99). In ranges of high SP1-concentrations the correlation was decreased. The correlation coefficients for PZ and PAPP-A amounted to 0.89 and 0.925. The estimation of proteins with turbidimetry is a real short time method. This method was performed in 19 serum samples of pregnant women and the results were compared with the 24 hour RID. The correlation coefficient amounted to 0.81. Between the results of 24 hour RID for SP1 and PAPP-A there was no correlation.     

Sperm velocity and percentage of motility in 100 normospermic specimens analyzed by the multiple exposure photography (MEP) method.

Specimens from 100 fertile or potentially fertile men with sperm counts above 20 million/ml were analyzed objectively by the new multiple exposure photography method (MEP). The following results (means and standard deviations) were obtained: sperm concentration, 66 million/ml +/- 47; percentage of motile spermatozoa, 45% +/- 18; speed of motile spermatozoa, 30.3 micrometer/second +/- 5.5; abnormal forms, 29% +/- 10.2; average motility index (product of sperm speed and fraction of motile spermatozoa), 14 +/- 7.5. Low correlations were found between sperm concentration, percentage of motility, and spermatozoal velocity. Moderate correlations were found between percentage of motility and spermatozoal velocity. Negative moderate correlations were found between abnormal forms and spermatozoal velocity as well as between abnormal forms and percentage of motility. The differences between some of our results and those obtained by others are discussed.     

Roy Hertz,M.D. (1909-2002): the cure of choriocarcinoma and its impact on the development of chemotherapy for cancer

Dr. Roy Hertz is one of two scientists credited with discovering the first medical cure of a solid cancer. This paper presents a biographical history of Dr. Hertz and discusses his roles in the discovery of a cure for choriocarcinoma and as a pioneer for future research in cancer chemotherapy. This biography not only serves as a testament to the pioneering individuals in the field of chemotherapeutics but also represents the unique blend of medical, pharmacological, and physiological histories that led to the profound discovery. The timing and significance of the work of Drs. Hertz and Li cannot be overestimated. Their discovery was a spectacular success, demonstrating proof of the principle that chemotherapy can cure metastatic cancer and that an almost uniformly fatal cancer in young patients could be cured with a single chemotherapeutic agent, which stands as one of the greatest achievements in cancer research.     

Immunochemical investigations on the protein of the "pregnancy zone". X. Demonstration of immunosuppressive activities of the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (pregnancy zone protein) by means of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (author's transl)]

By means of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test the supposed immunosuppressive activity of the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (pregnancy zone protein) could be demonstrated significantly. Pregnancy sera and sera of nonpregnant women with hormonal contraception containing this pregnancy protein showed an immunosuppresive activity, too. On the contrary, serum of male donors with the blood group AB and human serum albumin had no inhibitory effects. The results suggest that the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein rather influences the afferent limb of the immune response and does not interfere with the activity of the mediator (migration inhibiting factor).