Longitudinal Reference Values for Ductus Venosus Doppler in Low-Risk Pregnancies

The aim of this study was to establish normal ranges of blood flow velocities and indices in the fetal ductus venosus (DV) during the second half of normal pregnancy. A Doppler study of 60 healthy pregnant women without fetal pathologies was performed during the second half of pregnancy. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), peak diastolic velocity (PDV), maximum velocity during atrial contraction (VAC), peak systolic velocity / maximum velocity during atrial contraction (S/A ratio), pulsatility index for the vein (PIV), preload index (PLI) and velocity index for the vein (VIV) were calculated from the DV at 4-week intervals. A significant increase in PSV, PDV and VAC was observed from the 20–23^6/7 to the 28–31^6/7 weeks, with stabilization of values until the end of the pregnancy. On the other hand, the study showed a significant decrease for the S/A ratio, PIV, PLI and VIV from the 20–23^6/7 to the 28–31^6/7 weeks and remaining stable from then until term. (E-mail: dralemar@uol.com.br)     

Heterosexually acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection and the United States blood supply: considerations for screening of potential blood donors. HIV Blood Donor Study Group

The impact of heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on the United States blood supply was assessed, and deferral criteria that may exclude potential donors who are at high risk for heterosexually acquired HIV infection were evaluated. Interviews were conducted with 508 HIV-seropositive blood donors from May 1, 1988, to August 31, 1989 (Phase 1), and with 472 donors from January 1, 1990, to May 31, 1991 (Phase 2), at 20 blood centers. From Phase 1 to Phase 2, the overall HIV prevalence decreased from 0.021 to 0.018 percent (p < 0.001). HIV risk factors among HIV-1-seropositive donors were similar during both study phases. Eleven percent of the men and 56 percent of the women reported as their only risk that they had a heterosexual partner who was at increased risk for HIV or was known to have HIV. These percentages were similar during both study periods. During Phase 2, 13 percent of the men and 17 percent of the women with heterosexual transmission risk had a positive serologic test for syphilis, hepatitis B core antibody, or hepatitis C antibody. Among HIV- 1-seropositive donors reporting heterosexual risk, the median numbers of previous-year and lifetime sex partners for men were 2 and 30, respectively; for women, those numbers were 1 and 7, respectively. Thirty-one percent of the men and 6 percent of the women reporting heterosexual transmission risk also reported having had syphilis or gonorrhea within 3 years of donation. It is concluded that the impact of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection on transfusion safety is not worsening at this time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Strength and endurance training of an individual with left upper and lower limb amputations

Purpose:?The purpose of this article is to describe the development of a strength and endurance training programme designed to prepare an individual with a left glenohumeral disarticulation and transtibial amputation for a bike trip across the USA.

Method:?The subject was scheduled for training three times per week over a two-month period followed by two times per week for an additional two months. Training consisted of a resistance training circuit using variable resistance machines, cycling using a recumbent stationary bike, and core stability training using stability ball exercises. Changes in strength were assessed using 10 RM tests on the resistance machines and changes in peak VO₂ were monitored utilizing the Cosmed K4b²® pulmonary function tester.

Results:?The subject demonstrated a 30.3% gain in peak VO₂. The subject's 10 RM for left single limb leg press increased 36.8% and gains of at least 7.7% were seen for all other muscle groups tested.

Conclusion:?The strength and endurance training programme adapted to compensate for this subject's limb losses was effective in increasing both strength and peak VO₂. Adapting exercise programmes to compensate for limb loss may allow individuals with amputations to participate in physically challenging activities that otherwise may not be available to them.     

Assessing the quality of pharmacological treatments from administrative databases: the case of low-molecular-weight heparin after major orthopaedic surgery

Rationale, aims and objectives  'Real world data' are needed to assess the quality of pharmacological treatments in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether administrative databases can be used to assess the quality of prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin after major orthopaedic surgery.
Methods  The study was performed in a Belgian university hospital. Patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR), total knee replacement (TKR) or hip fracture surgery (HFS) were selected retrospectively from the hospital's 2002 and 2003 administrative databases. Readmissions during the same year as the procedure were also analysed. Three quality indicators were assessed: incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding and death; adherence to guidelines; and the costs of care.
Results  Although 70% of data were collected from administrative databases, patients' records also had to be examined. During the period studied, VTE and major bleeding events were rare. Patients undergoing HFS were at greater risk of having a pulmonary embolism [Exact odds ratio (OR) = 3.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–16.22; P  = 0.03] or of death from any cause (Exact OR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.52–infinity; P  < 0.01) than patients undergoing THR or TKR. The hospital's prophylaxis protocol was not always followed. Half the patients received higher prophylaxis doses than recommended and 11% received lower doses but no impact on adverse events was demonstrated.
Conclusion  Results show that administrative databases contain enough information to measure the frequency of adverse events but complementary data on patient weight and on non-reimbursed drugs must be extracted from the patients' records to evaluate adherence to guidelines. Our findings stress the need for better integration of information systems.     

A national study of the availability and use of electrophysical agents by Australian physiotherapists

Electrophysical agents (EPAs) are a core part of physiotherapy practice and entry level education. With the increase in the number of EPAs over time, their availability and use in contemporary physiotherapy practice is an important consideration when determining entry level curricula. Thus, the aim of the study was to ascertain the current availability and usage of EPAs in Australian physiotherapy practice. A purpose-designed questionnaire was mailed to all registered physiotherapists in Australia. A response rate of 27% was obtained (n=3,538). Nonresponder analyses indicated that the results were representative of the total population of Australian physiotherapists. Over 70% of respondents had access to ultrasound, cold packs/ice, heat packs, electrical stimulation for sensory stimulation, and interferential therapy. Two main groups of EPAs were used relatively frequently. The first group was used daily or monthly by 60% of respondents (ultrasound, hot packs, and cold packs/ice), and a second group (electromyographic and pressure biofeedback, interferential therapy, and electrical stimulation for sensory stimulation) was used on a daily or monthly basis by between 30% and 45% of the sample. A group of EPAs, including ultraviolet light, microwave, and shortwave diathermy, was not used by over 90% of the sample. The study has provided contemporary national data on EPA availability and use in Australia.     

First Experience with an Automatic Sensing Algorithm in Single-Lead VDD Stimulation

An "Autosensing" algorithm available in SSI(B) and DDD(R) pacemakers automatically adapts the device's sensitivity to changing intracardiac signals. The atrial sensing function of this algorithm was tested for the first time with a VDD pacing system in which large variations of the atrial signal may occur because the atrial electrodes float in the atrial blood pool. Methods: 15 patients with a VDD pacing system were studied (Unity 292–07, lead 425; Sulzer Intermedics). The atrial sensing threshold was measured, and the atrial sensitivity was programmed with a 2:1 safety margin. The autosensing algorithm and sensitivity profile were temporarily activated, and an ambulatory ECG with continuous marker annotation was recorded. All patients underwent a 30-minute daily life activities protocol. A beat-to-beat analysis of the ambulatory ECG was correlated with the changes in atrial sensitivity. Results: The algorithm changed the baseline sensitivity from 0.57 ± 0.23 mV during the test to 0.39 ± 0.20 mV after the final rest period (P < 0.05). During the test 12.6 ± 10.2 adaptations of the sensitivity occurred (range 0–33). In eight patients atrial undersensing occurred in 4.4%± 7.5% of the cycles (4–458 unsensed P waves]. In these patients, the algorithm continuously adjusted the sensitivity towards more sensitive values, operating 19.1 ± 18.3 changes compared with 5.4 ± 7.3 changes in patients without undersensing (P = 0.009). Oversensing did not occur. Conclusion: The autosensing algorithm effectively optimized atrial sensitivity in VDD pacing. In patients with atrial undersensing the algorithm continuously remained near the most sensitive settings, thus reacting as intended. A faster sensitivity adjustment of the system would be desirable.     

Interleukin-3, GM-CSF, and G-CSF receptor expression on cell lines and primary leukemia cells: receptor heterogeneity and relationship to growth factor responsiveness

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), G-CSF, and interleukin-3 (IL-3) labeled with 125I were used to study the characteristics and distribution of receptors for these factors on in vitro cell lines and on cells from patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANL) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Receptors for GM-CSF and G-CSF were restricted to a subset of myelomonocytic cell lines whereas IL-3 receptors were also found on pre- B- or early B-cell lines. Receptors for all three CSFs were broadly distributed on ANL cells, with considerable variability in levels of expression. Measurement of the colony-forming ability of ANL cells in response to the CSFs showed that there was no direct correlation between the ability of the cells to respond to a growth factor and the absolute number of receptors expressed for that growth factor. Binding of radiolabeled IL-3 and GM-CSF to ANL cells produced complex biphasic curves. Further analysis showed that both IL-3 and GM-CSF were able to partially compete for specific binding of the heterologous radiolabeled ligand to cells from several ANL patients, suggesting that heterogeneity may exist in human CSF receptors. These results provide new insights into the complex role that CSFs may play in ANL.     

体外纯化后和诱导后骨髓间充质干细胞与骨髓单个核细胞移植治疗心肌梗死的效果比较

目的:将骨髓单个核细胞、体外培养纯化后及诱导后的骨髓间充质干细胞注射至大鼠心肌梗死区域,观察移植细胞的增殖及分化情况,分析其对缺血心肌细胞修复重建能力与心功能改善的影响。方法:实验于2005-07/2006-04在安徽省干细胞研究和治疗中心完成。取清洁级健康雄性新西兰白兔40只,按随机数字表法分为4组:骨髓间充质干细胞组、5-杂氮胞苷诱导组、骨髓单个核细胞组、对照组,10只/组。均于左心耳下缘结扎冠状动脉左前降支建立心肌梗死模型,心电图出现S-T段弓背样抬高认为结扎成功。2周后骨髓间充质干细胞组注射第3代自体骨髓间充质干细胞1×106个,5-杂氮胞苷诱导组注射经5-杂氮胞苷诱导24h的第3代自体骨髓间充质干细胞1×106个,骨髓单个核细胞组注射骨髓单个核细胞2.5×107个/400μL,对照组仅注射400μL L-DMEM培养基。分别在术前、移植前、移植后2,4周应用超声心动图评价心脏功能,同时利用心肌声学造影观察缺血区的血流灌注情况。细胞移植后8周采用免疫荧光检测移植细胞在梗死区的生长状况,苏木精-伊红染色于普通显微镜下记数梗死区毛细血管密度。结果:骨髓间充质干细胞组9只、5-杂氮胞苷诱导组9只、骨髓单个核细胞组10只、对照组6只进入结果分析,其余动物因造模死亡未能完成整个实验。①超声心动检查发现术前、细胞移植前4组左室射血分数、左室短轴短缩率组间比较差异不显著;与对照组相比,细胞移植后2,4周骨髓间充质干细胞组和5-杂氮胞苷诱导组左室射血分数、左室短轴短缩率明显升高[对照组:(60.4±5.1)%,(62.4±7.8)%;(28.8±1.4)%,(27.2±5.3)%;骨髓间充质干细胞组:(70.8±4.6)%,(70.4±6.1)%;(33.8±3.4)%,(33.9±3.5)%;5-杂氮胞苷诱导组:(71.7±6.8)%,(70.3±5.8)%;(34.7±5.7)%,(35.5±6.3)%,P<0.05];左室收缩末内径、左室舒张末内径细胞移植组与对照组相比,差异不显著;心肌声学造影见细胞移植后心肌梗死区血流灌注改善明显。②细胞移植术后8周,所有细胞移植组均见Dil阳性移植细胞存活,并表达α横纹肌肌动蛋白和结蛋白。5-杂氮胞苷诱导组Dil阳性细胞出现具有典型横纹和肌小节样结构的心肌样细胞,各细胞移植组毛细血管密度均较对照组明显增多[(38.6±7.6)/mm2,(32.9±5.7)/mm2,(38.5±2.0)/mm2,(21.4±3.9)/mm2,P<0.05],各移植组间差异不显著。结论:①体外纯化培养与经5-杂氮胞苷诱导24h的骨髓间充质干细胞,以及新鲜分离的骨髓单个核细胞自体移植8周后均存活于梗死心肌中,并表达心肌细胞特异性标志α横纹肌肌动蛋白和结蛋白,移植后可明显改善左室收缩功能,增加毛细血管密度,改善局部血流灌注。②5-杂氮胞苷有助于促进骨髓间充质干细胞在体内向心肌细胞的分化成熟。     

应用干细胞分离仪分离脐血与传统手工分离法的效果比较

目的:脐血处理的关键问题是提高干细胞的回收率及实现处理过程的标准化和可重复化,实验对此进行探讨,比较干细胞分离仪与传统羟乙基淀粉手工法分离脐血的效果。方法:实验于2006-12/2007-05在广州医学院附属市一人民医院完成。①脐血来源:39份脐血采自广州医学院附属市一人命医院妇产科健康顺产新生儿脐带,产妇均知情同意。随机数字表法分为仪器分离组17份、手工分离组22份。②实验方法:仪器分离组收集脐血称质量,计算体积,在开始处理前20min缓慢加入相当于20%脐血体积的60g/L羟乙基淀粉。仪器分离组按仪器要求自动分离,分离终体积20mL。手工分离组50g离心5min,压浆板压出全部血浆以及18mL红细胞移至无菌空袋,500g离心13min,自动压浆板压出血浆,保留20mL终体积样本。③实验评估:采用全自动计数仪进行检测有核细胞(白细胞)、红细胞数量。流式细胞仪分析CD34 含量。结果:采用干细胞分离仪处理浓缩脐血,有核细胞回收率为(89.7±3.4)%,CD34 细胞回收率为(98.8±5.1)%,红细胞去除率为(55.2±16.7)%,均比手工分离组分离效果好,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05或0.01)。同时,仪器分离组有核细胞回收率、CD34 细胞回收率的标准差均明显低于手工分离组(3.4vs.15.3;5.1vs.10.3)。结论:相比传统的羟乙基淀粉手工分离法,干细胞分离仪脐血分离浓缩效果理想,且结果标准误小,数据稳定。