An experimental collagen-impregnated dacron graft: Potential for endothelial seeding

This study evaluates the potential for endothelial seeding of a collagen-impregnated Dacron graft with or without surface modifiers (fibronectin, heparin) to attach and retain these cells during flow. Human umbilical endothelial cells were harvested, cultured, labeled with Indium111-oxine and seeded onto 30 mm X 4 mm diameter grafts. Six graft surfaces were studied: 1) a collagen-impregnated Dacron graft, HemashieldR (C); 2) C + fibronectin (C + F); 3) C + heparin (C + H); 4) C + F + H; 5) HytrelR + F (Hyt + F); and 6) Hyt + F + H. Radioactive loss determined the percentage attachment and then percentage retention of labeled inoculum after a one-hour in vitro perfusion. Scanning electron and light microscopy demonstrated the endothelium on the graft surface following perfusion. Fibronectin-coated grafts had a significantly higher percentage attachment than those without fibronectin (ANOVA, P less than 0.05). However, the percentage retention following perfusion was similar for all Dacron grafts and statistically inferior to the HytrelR grafts studied (ANOVA, P less than 0.05). SEM evaluation of the C + F + H graft surface was qualitatively the most impressive Dacron surface for seeding, yet was inferior to the HytrelR graft. We conclude that fibronectin benefits the initial attachment of endothelium to collagen-coated Dacron rivaling the HytrelR surface. Fibronectin does not improve percentage retention of the HemashieldR surface during perfusion, therefore, some of its initial benefit is lost.     

A self-reported survey of Alzheimer's centers in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Directors of nursing at 23 nursing homes with Alzheimer's units in Southwestern Pennsylvania completed a self‐reported survey of 12 questions. Responses from the self‐administered questionnaires (100% response rate) revealed a wide variation in the staff categories assessing the oral health status of newly admitted residents with AD. The respondents described oral examinations that were incomplete when compared to the oral indicators listed in the Minimum Data Set. All nursing homes reported that oral hygiene was provided each day. The number of residents in a facility had a significant effect on the frequency of oral hygiene provided. Only 52% of the facilities reported yearly oral examinations for this population. According to the respondents, dental treatment was typically performed on‐site. The oral health care costs were paid by Medicare, Medicaid, the residents/family members, or by other undescribed resources. Insufficient time, staff, and training, as well as uncooperative behavior, were identified as barriers to optimum oral health care for residents with AD. Additional staff, specialized training, and increased government reimbursement were suggested to improve the oral health care for this group of older adults. For future studies, review of medical records and on‐site evaluation of the oral health care at these facilities should be required to verify the reported practices.     

Menstrual Perceptions and Preparation Among Female Adolescents

Seventy-four 8th- and 10th-grade students attending a private girls' school in Hawaii were queried about their perceptions of and preparation for menstruation using a questionnaire administered in a health education class. Eighty percent had already started menstruating. The most frequently cited perceptions by the respondents referred to both the inconveniences and the normalcy of menstruation. Many were first informed about menstruation by their mothers and stated that they also first informed their mothers when they started menstruating. Surprise, fear, and embarrassment were common initial reactions, while strong negative or positive emotions were more rare. Only 35% wanted boys and girls together during class discussion, but 89% stated that boys needed to be informed about menstruation. The most frequent reasons cited for noncoed settings were the girls' concern about their comfort in openly discussing menstruation. Thirty-eight percent thought parents should inform other siblings when they started menstruation, although almost half gave specific conditions the parents should consider. The majority thought the fifth to sixth grades were the best times to introduce menstruation content.     

Reproducibility of food atopy patch tests over time in the general child population

Background  The atopy patch test (APT) is no longer an experimental method; it is increasingly being used as a standard diagnostic tool for the characterization of patients with aeroallergen- and food-triggered disorders. Some technical aspects of this test still remain to be answered. We aimed to study the reproducibility of this test over time in the general child population.
Methods  In a general population of 118 children, we investigated the reproducibility of duplicate APTs with four food allergens in their native form, which were repeated at set intervals from the first test: 7 days (group 1), 14 days (group 2), and 21 days (group 3).
Results  We observed very poor reproducibility on both sides of the back in all three studied subgroups. The reproducibility rates and Cohen's κ values did not improve when we did not consider the side of the back. There were no differences in the prevalence of atopy between the subjects with reproducible and nonreproducible APT results. All three groups studied showed no difference in the prevalence rates of atopy. There was no relationship between APT and skin prick test positivity for the same allergen. Questionnaire-derived data about previous food-related reactions did not help in the evaluation of the doubtful nonreproducible APT results with food allergens.
Conclusions  Our results show that the reproducibility of food APTs is poor and unsatisfactory over time, and there is an urgent need for the development of optimal, stable, and good-quality APT testing substances.