CD98: a type II transmembrane glycoprotein expressed from the beginning of primitive and definitive hematopoiesis may play a critical role in the development of hematopoietic cells

In our search for cell surface markers expressed on hematopoietic stem cells and/or very early progenitor cells we found that the Joro 177 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) bound to most hematopoietic cells in day 8/8.5 yolk sac, day 12 fetal liver, and day 13 fetal thymocytes; it stained hematopoietic stem cells and less immature lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid-lineage cells, but not most thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes in adult mice. Joro 177 MoAb stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of an integral of 124-kD protein and induced homotypic aggregation of lymphoid progenitor cells. Importantly, Joro 177 MoAb inhibited cell survival/growth and consequently the generation of lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid lineage cells in vitro from early Lin- hematopoietic precursors. Joro 177 MoAb induced apoptosis of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Molecular cloning and expression indicated that Joro 177 MoAb recognizes a type II transmembrane protein, which is the mouse homologue of the human CD98 heavy chain gene. We suggest that CD98 is a cell membrane receptor involved in the control of cell survival/death of hematopoietic cells.     

Qualitative analysis by interviews and video recordings to establish the components of a skilled low-cavity non-rotational vacuum delivery

Objectives  The objectives of this study were to define the components of a skilled low-cavity non-rotational vacuum delivery (occiput anterior, vertex at station +2 or below and less than 45-degree rotation from midline) and to facilitate the transfer of skills from expert to trainee obstetricians.
Design  Qualitative study using interviews and video recordings.
Setting  Two university teaching hospitals (St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, and Ninewell's Hospital, Dundee).
Participants  Ten obstetricians and eight midwives identified as experts in conducting or supporting operative vaginal deliveries.
Methods  Semi-structured interviews were carried out using routine clinical scenarios. The experts were also video recorded conducting low-cavity vacuum deliveries in a simulation setting. The interviews and video recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic coding. The anonymised data were independently coded by three researchers and compared for consistency of interpretation. The experts reviewed the coded interviews and video data for respondent validation and clarification. The themes that emerged following the final coding were used to formulate a list of skills.
Main outcome measures  Key technical skills of a low-cavity non-rotational delivery.
Results  The final list included detailed technical skills required for conducting a low-cavity vacuum delivery. The combination of semi-structured interviews and simulation videos allowed the formulation of a comprehensive skills tool for future evaluation.
Conclusion  This explicitly defined skills list could aid trainees understanding of the technique of low-cavity vacuum delivery. This is an important first step in evaluating clinical competence in intrapartum procedures.     

妊娠糖尿病妇女使用门冬胰岛素或常规人胰岛素在疗效、安全性方面的比较

在一项随机、平行分组的开放试验中，27例妊娠糖尿病妇女（年龄30．7±6．3岁，HbA1c〈7％）随机分为门冬胰岛素治疗组（餐前5分钟注射）和常规人胰岛素治疗组（餐前30分钟注射）。试验时间为从诊断妊娠糖尿病（18～28周）至产后6周。研究期间两组的总体血糖水平均控制良好（试验开始和结束时HbA1c≤6％）。进餐试验时，试验6周时的平均血糖水平（门冬胰岛素组4．2±0．57mmol／L，常规人胰岛素组4．8±0．86mmol／L）略低于试验0周时（门冬胰岛素组4．9±0．59mmol／L，常规人胰岛素组5．1±0．36mmol／L）。     

Visual acuity and visual field development after cryocoagulation in infants with retinopathy of prematurity

Visual development was studied in 10 very-low-birth-weight infants (less than 1500 g) with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 3+ who had been treated with cryocoagulation in both eyes. Binocular visual acuity (acuity cards method) and binocular visual fields (kinetic perimetry) were assessed repeatedly in the first year of life. At 12 months corrected age, visual acuity was normal in seven and impaired in three infants, who appeared to be severely myopic. Normal visual fields were found in eight infants at this age. The results indicate that cryotherapy in cases of ROP stage 3+ does not interfere with visual acuity development. The effect on visual field development needs further investigation.     

Diet and risk of adult glioma in eastern Nebraska,United States

Objective: To investigate potential associations between diet and adult glioma. Methods: We conducted a population-based case–control study of adult glioma in eastern Nebraska. Nutrient and food group intakes were estimated for 236 glioma cases and 449 controls using information obtained from a food-frequency questionnaire. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, inverse associations with risk of adult glioma were observed for intakes of dark yellow vegetables (highest quartile versus lowest: OR = 0.6, p _trend = 0.03) and beans (OR = 0.4, p _trend = 0.0003), but no associations were seen for dietary sources of preformed nitrosamines or high-nitrate vegetables. Our nutrient analysis revealed significant inverse associations between risk of adult glioma and dietary intake of pro-vitamin A carotenoids (highest quartile versus lowest: OR = 0.5, p _trend = 0.005), -carotene (OR = 0.5, p _trend = 0.01), -carotene (OR = 0.5, p _trend = 0.01), dietary fiber (OR = 0.6, p _trend = 0.048) and fiber from beans (OR = 0.5, p _trend = 0.0002). We observed no significant associations with risk of adult glioma for intakes of other nutrients or compounds including nitrate, nitrite, vitamin C, vitamin E, saturated fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber from grain products, or fiber from fruit and vegetables. Conclusion: Our study does not support the N-nitroso compound hypothesis, but suggests potential roles for carotenoids and possibly other phytochemicals in reducing risk of adult glioma.     

Intestinal adaptation in short bowel syndrome

Regaining enteral autonomy after extensive small bowel resection is dependent on intestinal adaptation. This adaptational process is characterized by hyperplastic growth of the remaining gut, which is accompanied by both an increase of cell division at the level of the crypt cells and by an increased rate of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Apart from the absorptive function, the small bowel also has a barrier function and plays an important role in interorgan metabolism. Also, these functions are greatly affected by a massive intestinal resection and subsequent recovery by intestinal adaptation. This review aims to give an overview of the debilitating effects of massive intestinal resection on gut function and subsequently discusses intestinal adaptation and possible factors stimulating adaptation.