Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to study the genetic origin of complete hydatidiform mole.

To determine the genetic origin of the complete hydatidiform mole, 20 abnormal pregnancies were studied with restriction fragment length polymorphism with five genomic probes: EJ 6.6, beta-globin gene, 3'alpha-hypervariable region, J-Bir, and St14. In the 12 cases of molar pregnancy, pure paternal origin was proved in 11 cases, but both maternal and paternal inheritance were shown in only one case. In the cases with pure paternal origin, all of the restriction fragment length polymorphisms were homozygous, although those of the fathers were heterozygous at 15 loci. In the four cases that mimicked hydatidiform mole but were diagnosed as hydropic change of villi, both paternal and maternal inheritance were noted. In the four pregnancies with blighted ovum, both paternal and maternal inheritance were shown in three cases; and in one case with a balanced translocation between chromosomes 13 and 14, only paternal inheritance was noted. This study showed that most of the complete hydatidiform moles were caused by fertilization of an empty egg by a duplicated haploid sperm, but rare exceptions may exist.     

Modeling two dimensions of patient satisfaction: a panel study.

Measurement of patient satisfaction is an essential part of health outcome assessment. The purpose of this study is (a) to compare the stability of an aggregate summary measure and two separate summary measures of patient satisfaction; and, (b) to examine causal effects between two separate summary measures at two points in time. Data were collected from 1,451 Medicare HMO beneficiaries. In conclusion, (a) separate summary measures are recommended for constructing the measure of patient satisfaction and (b) moderate causal relationships and cross-lagged effects between the patient satisfaction measures of qualify of care and access to care were found.     

The role of ostiomeatal complex obstruction in maxillary fungus ball.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of ostiomeatal complex obstruction in maxillary fungus ball. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Comparative study in a hospital setting of the mean Lund-Mackay scores for the anterior ethmoid and frontal sinuses of 54 versus 48 patients with maxillary fungus ball versus chronic unilateral rhinosinusitis, respectively. RESULTS: In cases with partial opacification in the maxillary sinus, the anterior ethmoid and frontal sinuses were diseased in the chronic unilateral rhinosinusitis group but not in the maxillary fungus ball group. In cases with total opacification in the maxillary sinuses, all anterior ethmoid and frontal sinuses in both groups were diseased, but the disease condition of the frontal sinuses was significantly less severe in the maxillary fungus ball group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: In this era of evidence-based medicine, we provide statistical data supporting the principle that maxillary fungus ball is not associated with osteomeatal complex obstruction and that another as-yet-unexplained mechanism must be responsible. EBM rating: B-3b.     

The hepatitis B immunization programme in Singapore

A voluntary immunization programme to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Singapore was implemented on 1 October 1985 as an integral component of the national childhood immunization programme. Up to April 1988, a total of 68,845 mothers who attended government maternal and child health clinics were screened for the disease. Of these, 2432 (3.5%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 904 (1.3%) for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Virtually all the babies born to carrier mothers completed the full immunization schedule; and in addition, those of HBeAg-positive mothers were given a dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth. The hepatitis B immunization programme was extended on 1 September 1987 to cover all newborns. About 90% of the 15,943 babies delivered in government institutions from September 1987 to April 1988 were immunized at birth, with the subsequent doses being administered at maternal and child health clinics at 4-6 weeks and 5 months later. More than 85% of the children given the full course of plasma-derived and yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine from birth continued to have protective antibody to HBV two years after immunization. The programme is being closely monitored to assess the duration of immunity and the need for booster doses, while seronegative adults are also being encouraged to be vaccinated.     

Oxygen Reverses Deficits of Cognitive Function and Memory and Increased Heart Rate Induced by Acute Severe Isovolemic Anemia

Background: Erythrocytes are transfused to improve oxygen delivery and prevent or treat inadequate oxygenation of tissues. Acute isovolemic anemia subtly slows human data processing and degrades memory, increases heart rate, and decreases self-assessed energy level. Erythrocyte transfusion is efficacious in reversing these effects of acute anemia. We tested the hypothesis that increasing arterial oxygen pressure (Pao2) to 350 mmHg or greater would supply sufficient oxygen to be equivalent to augmenting hemoglobin concentration by 2-3 g/dl and thus reverse the effects of acute anemia.

Methods: Thirty-one healthy volunteers, aged 28 +/- 4 yr (mean +/- SD), were tested with verbal memory and standard, computerized neuropsychologic tests before and twice after acute isovolemic reduction of their hemoglobin concentration to 5.7 +/- 0.3 g/dl. Two sets of tests were performed in randomized order at the lower hemoglobin concentration: with the volunteer breathing room air or oxygen. The subject and those administering the tests and recording the results were unaware which gas was administered. As an additional control for duration of the experiment, 10 of these volunteers also completed the same tests on a separate day, without alteration of hemoglobin concentration, at times of the day similar to those on the experimental day. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and self-assessed sense of energy were recorded at the time of each test.

Results: Reaction time for digit-symbol substitution test increased, delayed memory was degraded, mean arterial pressure and energy level decreased, and heart rate increased at a hemoglobin concentration of 5.7 g/dl (all P < 0.05). Increasing Pao2 to 406 +/- 47 mmHg reversed the digit-symbol substitution test result and the delayed memory changes to values not different from those at the baseline hemoglobin concentration of 12.7 +/- 1.0 g/dl, and decreased heart rate (P < 0.05). However, mean arterial pressure and energy level changes were not altered with increased Pao2 during acute anemia.     

Hypophosphatemic rickets with hypocalciuria following long-term treatment with aluminum-containing antacid

We present what we believe is the first case of rickets following prolonged treatment with aluminum containing antacids that bind phosphate, in an 18-year-old mentally retarded boy with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia. As expected, serum calcitriol was increased and urinary phosphate excretion was very low. However, in contrast to all published cases of antacid induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia in adults, despite a substantial increase in bone resorption reflected by urinary total hydroxyproline excretion, urinary calcium excretion was low rather than high, and significant hypocalcemia occurred after antacids were ceased and a phosphate salt administered. We suggest that the skeleton was so under-mineralized because of growth during prolonged phosphate deficiency, possibly augmented by anticonvulsant administration and immobilization, that increased bone resorption did not release enough calcium to cause hypercalciuria, or to prevent hypocalcemia during resumption of normal mineralization.     

The physical dependence liability of butorphanol: a comparative study with morphine.

In these studies, the physical dependence liability of butorphanol, a mixed 'agonist/antagonist' opioid analgesic, was compared to that of morphine. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats received i.c.v. infusions of saline (1 microliter/h), or an equimolar dose of butorphanol or morphine (52.3 nmol/h) for 3 days. The physical dependence liabilities of these two compounds were then compared by assessing both behavioral withdrawal signs and weight loss following naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Body weight loss was also evaluated following abrupt (cessation of infusion) withdrawal from butorphanol or morphine. In animals receiving i.c.v. infusions of butorphanol or morphine, naloxone administration (5 mg/kg s.c.) induced an equivalent degree of body weight loss compared to saline-treated animals. In addition, the ED50 of naloxone to produce wet shakes, escape behavior, teeth chattering, urination and defecation was equivalent in rats receiving butorphanol or morphine. Infusions of butorphanol or morphine also produced an equivalent degree of weight loss in animals undergoing abrupt withdrawal. These results demonstrate then that a substantial degree of physical dependence had developed in rats which received a large dose of butorphanol.