An update of the Swedish reference standards for weight, length and head circumference at birth for given gestational age (1977-1981)

An update of the Swedish reference standards for weight, length, and head circumference at birth, for each week of gestational age, is presented. It is based on the total Swedish cohorts of infants born 1977-1981 (n = 475,588). A "healthy population" (79%) was extracted, using prospectively collected data. Weekly (28-42 weeks) grouped data for length and head circumference were well approximated by the normal distribution, but the distributions for birthweight were positively skewed. The original skewed distributions for birthweight were transformed, using the square root, resulting in distributions close to the Gaussian. For smoothing purposes, the weakly values for the mean and the standard deviation were both fitted by a third degree polynomial function. These functions also make possible the calculation of the continuous variable, standard deviation score, for individual newborn infants as well as a comparison of distributions between groups of infants. The reference values and charts presented here have two major advantages over the current Swedish ones: the sample size used is now sufficiently large at the lower gestational ages, so that empirically found variations can be used, and the skewness of the birth weight distribution has been taken into account. The use of the reference standards presented here improves and facilitates evaluation of size deviation at birth.     

Prosthetic arteriovenous fistula for vascular access in hemodialysis.

Vascular access through subcutaneous prosthetic arteriovenous fistulas was studied in eighteen dogs. Dacron velour and woven Dacron grafts (6 mm diameter) were constructed across the lower abdomen between the common femoral artery and the opposite common femoral vein. In heparinized animals 197 percutaneous punctures were made with a "14 guage hemodialysis cannula at weekly intervals. Over a period of one and a half years there was no instance of infection. One of the fourteen Dacron velous and all four woven Dacron fistulas thrombosed. These data suggested the feasibility of achieving repetitive blood access through Dacron velour vascular prostheses. Nineteen Dacron velour fistula bypasses between the brachial artery and median basilic vein were performed in fifteen selected patients for a total dialysis period of ninety-six months. Failed standard subcutaneous fistulas or absence of suitable vessels in the upper extremity were indications for the primary procedure. Of three looped forearm fistulas, two thrombosed at twenty-two and two months. Complications among sixteen straight bypasses in the arm included two graft infections and one cannula tract infection. There were no instances of thrombosis in this group. The advantages of single needle dialysis in these high risk patients have been emphasized. Eleven grafts are presently functioning two to nine months postoperatively. Our preliminary results suggest that a Dacron velour fistula merits consideration as an alternative for vascular access in maintenance hemodialysis.     

Effects of cocaine in rats exposed to heroin.

We investigated whether chronic exposure to heroin alters responses to cocaine in ways that might explain the use of cocaine by opioid addicts. To this end, the effects of cocaine (5 and 20 mg/kg) were assessed on locomotor activity of rats chronically exposed to heroin (0.0, 3.5, 7.0, and 14.0 mg/kg/day, over 14 days, via osmotic mini-pumps), or withdrawn from heroin (1 day, acute withdrawal, and 14 days, protracted withdrawal). Chronic heroin exposure, in itself, dose dependently increased locomotion and acute cocaine administration further elevated locomotor activity in a dose-dependent and additive manner. During acute withdrawal, there was a dose-dependent decrease in locomotion that was reversed by cocaine in a dose-dependent manner. During protracted withdrawal, spontaneous locomotion normalized, but rats previously exposed to heroin displayed cross-sensitization to cocaine as indicated by small, but significant, enhanced locomotor response to 5 mg/kg of cocaine, and enhanced intravenous self-administration of low doses of cocaine (0.13 mg/kg/infusion). In a separate study, we measured extracellular dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) using in vivo microdialysis before and after acute withdrawal from heroin. During chronic exposure to heroin, basal extracellular DA was elevated dose dependently, whereas in acute withdrawal, levels were not different from those in vehicle-treated rats. In response to cocaine, however, DA activity in the Acb was significantly lower in rats withdrawn from the highest dose of heroin.     

Beneficial effect of verapamil added to chronic ACE inhibitor treatment on renal function in hypertensive elderly patients

This study analysed the effect of low doses ofverapamil added to chronic treatment withangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors onblood pressure and serum creatinine levels in eightelderly hypertensive patients who had a steadyincrease of serum creatinine while on ACE inhibitors.The study was performed in eight elderly hypertensivesubjects, five men and three women (mean age 70 ±2 years; systolic blood pressure 173 ± 4 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure 99 ± 1 mm Hg) andserum creatinine of 1.60 ± 0.27 mg/dl beforetreatment. During an average of 25 weeks, ACEinhibitors significantly reduced both systolic anddiastolic blood pressures, but serum creatinine levelswere increased over basal levels (0,68 ± 0,20 mg/dl, p < 0.05). During an average of 10 weeks,the addition of verapamil did not decrease bloodpressure further, but serum creatinine levels werereduced to baseline. Our study suggests that theaddition of verapamil to ACE inhibitors can reverseACE-induced increase in creatinine levels in elderlyhypertensive patients in whom this side effect isobserved. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of antiulcer activity of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis

Aim of the study

In a previous study, our group described the gastric protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis. The main compounds found in Brazilian green propolis include phenolic acids, such as: caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis.

Material and methods

The anti-ulcer assays were performed using the following protocols: nonsteroidal-antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, and stress-induced ulcer. The effects of the phenolic acids on gastric content volume, pH and total acidity, using the pylorus ligated model, were also evaluated.

Results

It was observed that treatment using doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg of caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids and positive controls (omeprazol or cimetidine) significantly diminished the lesion index, the total area of the lesion and the percentage of lesion in comparison with the negative control groups. In addition, the percentage of ulcer inhibition was significantly higher in the groups treated with the different phenolic acids, cimetidine or omeprazol, in all the protocols used, compared with the negative control groups. In the model to determine gastric secretion, using ligated pylorus, treatment with phenolic acids and cimetidine reduced the volume of gastric juice and total acidity and significantly increased the gastric pH (p < 0.05), compared with the control group, with the exception of the group treated with 50 mg/kg of p-coumaric acid, in which no significant difference was observed, compared with the control. In relation to the acute toxicity, none sign of toxicity was observed when phenolic acids, used in this study, were administered for rats in dose of 2000 mg/kg.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the results of this study show that caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids display antiulcer activity.     

The impact of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in patients with suspected advanced ovarian malignancies and pleural effusions

OBJECTIVES: We previously reported our initial experience of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent video-assessed thoracic surgery (VATS) before planned abdominal exploration. The objective of this study was to report the surgical findings and management of patients who underwent VATS in an update of our experience. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS for assessment of extent of intrathoracic disease at our institution between 6/01 and 8/05. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with a median age of 61 years (range, 36-79) were identified. VATS was performed for right-sided effusions in 17 patients (74%), and a median of 1350 ml (400-3700 ml) of pleural fluid was drained. VATS demonstrated macroscopic disease in 15 (65%) patients, with nodules >1 cm in 11/15 (73%), and nodules <1 cm in 4/15 (27%). Macroscopic intrathoracic disease was found in 4/10 (40%) patients with negative cytology. Intrathoracic cytoreduction was performed in 3/11 patients (27%) with intrathoracic disease >1 cm. After VATS, 12/23 patients (52%) underwent primary surgical management, with cytoreduction to < or =1 cm achieved in 11/12 patients (92%). The other eleven patients received primary chemotherapy after undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy alone (4/11) or no further abdominal exploration (7/11). Nine of these patients proceeded to interval cytoreduction, while 2 had pathology demonstrating upper gastrointestinal and lymphoma primaries at the time of VATS. Final diagnosis of primary site of disease included: ovary, 14 (61%); endometrial, 2 (9%); dual ovarian/endometrial primaries, 1 (4%); fallopian tube, 1 (4%); primary peritoneal, 1 (4%); other, 4 (17%). Overall, findings at VATS altered primary surgical management in 11/23 (48%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-five percent of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions had gross intrathoracic disease identified at VATS, with the majority (11/15, 73%) having disease >1 cm in diameter. Use of VATS allows for assessment of intrathoracic disease and may help identify candidates for primary cytoreductive surgery and possible intrathoracic cytoreduction versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Effectiveness of fetal fibronectin testing compared with digital cervical assessment of women with preterm contractions

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of fetal fibronectin (FFN) compared to assessment of cervical dilation (CD) in clinical management of women with symptomatic preterm labor (PTL). Pregnant women presenting to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between May 1, 2001 and November 30, 2002 with symptomatic PTL underwent FFN sampling and had a complete clinical evaluation including a pelvic bimanual examination. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy, gestational age (GA) between 24 (0) and 33 (6) weeks, CD < 3 cm, and intact amniotic membranes. FFN samples were sent out and results were available within 4-12 hours. Clinical management including tocolysis, antenatal steroids, and hospitalization was determined based on digital CD assessment and FFN status. A dilated cervix was defined as CD > 1 cm. Ninety-three patients were included. Spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) at < 37 weeks occurred in 20 of 93 (21.5%) patients. Medical therapy use was significantly higher in patients with dilated cervix than in those with a closed cervix (all P values < 0.05). Tocolysis and steroid use in FFN-negative patients and FFN-positive patients were not significantly different. Furthermore, tocolytic use was higher in FFN-negative patients than in women with positive FFN (50% versus 42.1%; P = 0.53). Use of antenatal steroids was similar in patients with CD >/= 1 cm and a positive FFN (54.5% versus 47.4%; P = 0.92). Compared with FFN-negative patients, women with closed cervix were less likely to undergo interventions. In symptomatic PTL patients, CD determined clinical management more than FFN status. Overall, the use of FFN was not effective in decreasing "unnecessary" clinical interventions.     

Prevention of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves

IntroductionBronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with endobronchial valves (EBVs) has emerged as an important treatment method for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are a frequent complication following BLVR with EBV. However, there is no consensus on the prevention of AECOPD.ObjectivesOur study aims to compare the outcomes of different prophylactic measures on the occurrence of AECOPD after BLVR with EBV.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, retrospective study of patients who underwent BLVR with EBV at six different institutions. Emphasis was directed towards the specific practices aimed at preventing AECOPD: antibiotics, steroids, antibiotics plus steroids, or no prophylaxis. Subgroups were compared, and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.ResultsA total of 170 patients were reviewed. The rate of AECOPD was 21.2% for the full cohort. Patients who received prophylaxis had a significantly lower rate of AECOPD compared with those who did not (16.7% vs. 46.2%; p = 0.001). The rate was lowest in patients who received antibiotics alone (9.2%). There was no significant difference in the rate of AECOPD between patients who received steroids alone or antibiotics plus steroids, compared with the other subgroups. The OR for AECOPD was 4.3 (95% CI: 1.8–10.4; p = 0.001) for patients not receiving prophylaxis and 3.9 (95% CI: 1.5–10.1; p = 0.004) for prophylaxis other than antibiotics alone.ConclusionsAdministration of antibiotics after BLVR with EBV was associated with a lower rate of AECOPD. This was not observed with the use of steroids or in combination with antibiotics.