Normalized second and fourth finger lengths in male and female partners and IVF cycle outcomes

Research question

Hox genes are involved in limb formation during normal embryological development. Their modulation by circulating maternal oestrogens and androgens determines the length of the second and fourth fingers of the adult hand. Do these same intrauterine hormone levels also determine fertility outcomes in the adult?

What makes a chronic pelvic pain patient satisfied?

Purpose: Caring for women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is challenging. There have been few studies on what factors patients consider to be important when being treated for their pelvic pain. This study sought to identify the key factors of the health care visit that contribute to patient’s overall satisfaction with their care in a CPP clinic.

Materials and methods: Between January 2015 and December 2016, new patients visiting a tertiary care CPP clinic were recruited to complete a patient satisfaction survey. Inductive thematic analysis was performed on response data regarding important factors that impact patient satisfaction with their visit/care.

Results: Five themes of patient satisfaction identified included: providers with a compassionate and caring attitude, being listened to, clear communication with collaboration when needed, quality time spent with patient, and having a plan of care with recommendations. The theme regarding provider’s compassion and listening skills was the most frequently identified. Pain relief was seldom mentioned as a source of patient satisfaction.

Conclusions: The data suggest that a focus on empathic communication may make a meaningful difference in meeting the needs of women with CPP as well as strengthening the provider/patient relationship.     

Exposure to different intrauterine environments: implications for telomere attrition in early life

Objective: Studies focusing on telomere attrition in newborns and what factors could be involved in this issue are sparse; most reports have been in adult populations. Thereby, the aim of this study was to present an overview of what is currently known about the relationship between environmental exposure of the fetus during pregnancy and telomere length outcomes in early life.

Methods: The MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Bireme databases were searched for studies published until 1 June 2016. Studies that reported telomere length measurement from birth to age 1 year were included.

Results: Fifteen articles were selected that evaluated possible relationships between maternal smoking, hyperglycemia, hypertension, sleep apnea, psychological stress, folate concentration in early pregnancy, and radiation, in addition to small-for-gestational-age status and preterm birth. We found that sleep apnea, psychological stress, and folate concentration in early pregnancy were associated with telomere shortening in the newborn. No association was found with radiation, small-for-gestational-age status, or preterm birth. Results for maternal smoking, hyperglycemia, and hypertension were conflicting, and further studies should be considered.

Conclusion: The actual clinical implications of these findings have yet to be investigated.     

Neoplasias malignas secundarias después de un trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos en edad pediátrica

Introduction

Survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has improved dramatically in recent years. Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMN) in this population and this represents a significant cause of late mortality.

La obesidad parental se asocia con la gravedad de la obesidad infantil y de sus comorbilidades

Introduction

The influence of parental obesity on their obese offsprings is acknowledged but insufficiently characterised.

Tratamiento conservador de un caso de placenta increta con metotrexato

Abnormal placentation is one of most common causes of emergency postpartum hysterectomy. Conservative management with methotrexate allows fertility to be conserved and avoids surgical morbidity.     

Somatomedin-C and growth hormone levels in anorexia nervosa in relation to the puberal or post puberal stages

1. 1. Plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C and GH were determined in 21 patients diagnosed as anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 44 controls.

2. 2. Somatomedin-C concentrations were significantly lower in pubertal AN patients than in controls, but not in post pubertal patients.

3. 3. GH was increased in both pubertal and post pubertal AN patients, although more in pubertal AN patients.

4. 4. Our results suggest that the hormonal alterations that appear in AN constitute a mechanism of defense against starvation. The activation of these defense mechanisms and the degree of modification produced in normal hormonal patterns depend not only on caloric intake but also on metabolic requirements.

Comparison of the effects of calmidazolium, morphine and bupivacaine on N-methyl-d-aspartate- and septide-induced nociceptive behaviour

We have recently shown that spinal calmodulin inhibitors (W-7 and calmidazolium) dose-dependently inhibit the nociceptive reaction (biting, scratching, licking, BSL) evoked by intrathecal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and septide, an agonist of the neurokinin (NK) NK₁ receptor. To compare this effect with that induced by standard analgesics, we now report a study of the effects of calmidazolium (14–420 nmol), bupivacaine (29–582 nmol) and morphine (26–260 nmol) when coadministered intrathecally with either NMDA (4 μg) or septide (0.5 μg). Calmidazolium had the highest potency for inhibiting septide-induced nociceptive behaviour, acting over a dose range of 34–130 nmol (dose eliciting a half-maximal response, ED₅₀, 67 nmol) lower than that of bupivacaine [ED₅₀ 234 (115–475) nmol]. Only the highest dose of morphine (260 nmol) inhibited septide-evoked BSL [ED₅₀=133 (69–255) nmol]. Higher doses of morphine could not be tested due to the appearance of an excitatory aversive reaction. Both calmidazolium [ED₅₀=232 (138–388) nmol] and bupivacaine [ED₅₀=123 (59–256) nmol] dose-dependently reduced NMDA-induced BSL reaching an almost maximal inhibition at the highest doses assayed (420 and 291 nmol, respectively). In contrast, morphine had less effect on NMDA-induced behaviour, inducing only a partial reduction of BSL even with the highest dose assayed (260 nmol). Overall, it can be concluded that the calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium inhibits septide- and NMDA-evoked nociceptive behaviour with a potency and efficacy at least as high as those of morphine and bupivacaine. Received: 1 April 1998 / Accepted: 4 September 1998     

Combined postoperative treatment of malignant supratentorial gliomas with vincristine sulphate and radiotherapy

Summary The results of combined irradiation and intravenous Vincristine therapy applied to 18 malignant glioma patients after operation and reoperation are reported. Histological examination of the first 15 tumours showed that 12 were glioblastomas and 3 malignant astrocytomas. Tumours removed by reoperation were glioblastomas.Combination therapy consisted of the immediate postoperative administration of 6–12 mg VCR (0.08–0.1 mg/kg) over an 8–14 days period followed by 2 courses of telecobalt irradiation giving a total dose of 5,000 rads. Most patients received a second course of 8–12 mg VCR 6 months after surgery. The total dose of VCR was 15–22 mg. Irreversible toxic effects were not observed.The results obtained with combination therapy were somewhat better than those achieved with radiotherapy alone. The mean survival time was 9 months. Patients lived after re-operation for at least as long as they had after a first operation. Death did not occur within a period of 6 months following surgery.