Improving Prenatal Diagnosis of Coarctation of the Aorta

Background

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between fetal echocardiographic measurements and the need for intervention (primary coarctation repair, staged coarctation repair, or catheter intervention) in prenatally diagnosed coarctation of the aorta.

Cytomorphometric analysis of vaginal cells during normal cycle, under oral contraceptive therapy or in-vitro fertilization stimulation protocol

A cytomorphometric analysis of superficial vaginal cells inwomen in three groups of different types of hormonal concentrationwas made. There were 15 women in each group. Group I was studiedduring a natural cycle, group II under oral contraceptive therapyand group III during an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) stimulationprotocol. Morphometric parameters were measured on an imageanalyser. The area, perimeter and several form factors weremeasured separately for nuclei and cytoplasm. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio was also determined. The cytoplasmic area was significantlyreduced in group II and was associated with a statisticallysignificant reduction of the nuclear area. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio appeared significantly increased in group II and reducedin group III. Low oestradiol impregnation obtained with an oralminidosed contraceptive interfered with vaginal cell maturation.High oestradiol concentrations obtained during IVF protocolsinduced marked nuclear pycnosis but did not induce supra-physiologicalcell enlargement. Maximal cell size is genetically regulatedaccording to Driesch's law of volume invariance and hormonalover-stimulation has no effect on cell size. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio appears to be a powerful parameter reflecting the oppositeeffects of hormones on cell compartments.     

Microcrack frequency and bone remodeling in postmenopausal osteoporotic women on long-term bisphosphonates: a bone biopsy study.

We sought whether microdamage could rise in postmenopausal osteoporotic women on long-term bisphosphonates, as suggested by recent animal studies. We found few microcracks in iliac bone biopsies, despite a marked reduction in bone turnover. INTRODUCTION: Animal studies suggest that bisphosphonates (BPs) could increase microdamage frequency in a dose-dependent manner, caused by excessively suppressed bone turnover. However, there is limited data in humans receiving BP therapeutic doses for >3 yr. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured microcrack frequency and histomorphometry parameters on transiliac bone biopsies in 50 postmenopausal osteoporotic women (mean age = 68 yr) who had received BP therapy (3 on intravenous pamidronate, 37 on oral alendronate, and 10 on oral risedronate) for at least 3 yr (mean treatment duration = 6.5 yr). We compared these results with transiliac bone biopsies obtained from 12 cadavers. We used bulk staining with green calcein as a fluorochrome. The microcracks were quantified in three 100-microm-thick sections using optic microscopy and were confirmed by laser confocal microscopy. Microcrack frequency (number of microcracks/mm2 of bone tissue) was compared between treated women and controls using nonparametric tests. We also explored predictors of microcrack frequency, including age, duration of BP therapy, and activation frequency. RESULTS: Among treated women, cancellous bone microcrack frequency was low (mean, 0.13 microcracks/mm2) and did not differ significantly from that observed in controls (0.05 microcracks/mm2; p = 0.59). Of note, 54% of the treated women and 58% of the controls had no observable microcracks. There was no association between microcrack frequency and the duration of BP therapy (for microcracks/mm2 and duration, Spearman r = 0.04, p = 0.80) and between patients' ages and the number of microcracks (Spearman r = -0.09, p = 0.61). Although bone remodeling parameters were suppressed in treated women, we found no relationship between microcrack density and activation frequency (Spearman r = -0.003, p = 0.99). Also, microcrack frequency was not increased in women with prevalent vertebral fracture compared with those without fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Among postmenopausal osteoporotic women on long-term BPs, microcrack frequency in the iliac bone is low, despite a marked reduction of bone turnover.     

Comparison of Two Absorbable Monofilament Polydioxanone Threads in Intradermal Buried Sutures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Two absorbable polydioxanone threads are compared regarding intraoperative handling qualities, scar dehiscence, and possible side effects. METHODS: In 30 excisions, half of each suture was performed with PDS II (Ethicon GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany), whereas the other half was closed with Serasynth (Serag-Wiessner, Naila, Germany). Clinical evaluation for scar spreading, spitting of the sutures, hypertrophic scarring, or suture granuloma was performed 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference in scar spreading, hypertrophic scarring, or the incidence of suture granuloma was noted. A significantly lower frequency of spitting was seen with Serasynth than with PDS. The handling and suturing properties of SerasynthM were estimated to be slightly superior compared with those of PDS. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that PDS and Serasynth provide equal cosmetic results when applied in an appropriate suturing technique. Possibly owing to its better pliability, the frequency of spitting was lower with Serasynth.     

Transforming growth factor alpha treatment alters intracellular calcium levels in hair cells and protects them from ototoxic damage in vitro

To determine if transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) pretreatment protects hair cells from aminoglycoside induced injury by modifying their intracellular calcium concentration, we assayed hair cell calcium levels in organ of Corti explants both before and after aminoglycoside (i.e. neomycin, 10⁻³M) exposure either with or without growth factor pretreatment. After TGFα (500ng/ml) treatment, the intracellular calcium level of hair cells showed a five-fold increase as compared to the levels observed in the hair cells of control cultures. After ototoxin exposure, calcium levels in hair cells of control explants showed an increase relative to their baseline levels, while in the presence of growth factors pretreatment, hair cells showed a relative reduction in calcium levels. Pretreatment of organ of Corti explants afforded significant protection of hair cell stereocilia bundle morphology from ototoxic damage when compared to explants exposed to ototoxin alone. This study correlates a rise in hair cell calcium levels with the otoprotection of hair cells by TGFα in organ of Corti explants.