Ferromagnetic materials in patients: detection before MR imaging

A number of surgical clips and other metallic materials embedded within patients have ferromagnetic properties that present a potential hazard when in the strong fields associated with magnetic resonance imaging. Several types of magnetometers and metal detectors were investigated as possible pre-imaging screening devices. The sensitivities and costs of these devices are given.     

Staging the menopausal transition: Data from the TREMIN Research Program on Women’s Health

The present study was conducted to test the assumptions of a staging system of reproductive aging that was proposed at the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) in 2001. Using longitudinal data provided by 100 women over a period of 3-12 years, we asked whether midlife women move in a uniform progression from pre- to peri- to postmenopause, as refuted by earlier studies but proposed by the STRAW model, or whether they differ from this assumed pattern. Participants were recruited from the TREMIN Research Program on Women's Health, the oldest ongoing study of menstruation and women's health in the world. Eligibility criteria included reaching menopause during the course of the study and not using exogenous hormones. Participants provided annual self-reports of menopausal stage based on observations of their menstrual cycles ("regular," "changing," and "menopausal"). Findings revealed a lack of uniformity as women progressed toward menopause. From 8 to over 20 different perimenopausal stage patterns were observed, depending on the analysis. While the most common pattern was to progress from regular to changing to menopause, some women experienced menstrual bleeding after a year or more of amenorrhea, others flip-flopped between stages, and still others skipped directly from regular bleeding to menopause. We conclude that there is considerable variation in women's movement across menopausal status categories and urge researchers to accommodate such findings in their model building.     

Phototoxic maculopathy after secondary intraocular lens implantation

We report phototoxic maculopathy in 2 aphakic patients after secondary, scleral-sutured intraocular lens implantation. This rare complication may have been triggered by drugs that increased the photosensitivity of the tissue. Careful preoperative assessment is necessary to question the receipts of photosensitizing drugs and identify diseases that predispose patients to phototoxic injuries.     

Severe Serratia liquefaciens sepsis following vitamin C infusion treatment by a naturopathic practitioner

A 66-year-old female patient developed severe Serratia liquefaciens sepsis following vitamin C infusion treatment by a naturopathic practitioner. The clinical course of the infection was characterized by several complications, and the direct costs of the hospital stay amounted to about 40000 Euro. Genotypically identical S. liquefaciens was isolated from the residue of the infusate given to the patient, as well as from the washbasin overflow and from two other infusion bottles. A careful inspection of the dispensing facilities and review of procedures used to prepare the infusate revealed several indications of poor hygiene. However, the source of contamination could not be fully clarified. This case report raises questions about the local facilities and personal qualifications required for naturopathic practitioners to conduct invasive procedures and demonstrates that lapses in hygiene can lead to severe morbidity and high cost.     

Mouse models for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the Western world. Much has been learned about colorectal cancer from human inherited syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Mouse models for CRC were generated by introducing mutations into the mouse genes, whose human counterparts were implicated in the onset and progression of CRC. Central among these are mice carrying mutations in the Adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene. Although most of these Apc mutations share some common phenotypes as homozygous embryonic lethality and tumor predisposition, the severity of the tumor predisposition is variable. Mice with mutations in the mismatch repair genes, Msh2 and Mlh1, exhibit a mismatch repair defect and are predisposed to developing gastrointestinal cancer, lymphomas and tumors of other organ systems. Mice carrying a mutation in the Pms2 gene are predisposed to lymphomas and other tumors. Mice with a mutation in the Msh6 gene have a defect in base mismatch repair and show a tumor predisposition phenotype. Mice with mutations in Mlh1, Pms2 and Msh5 have defects in meiosis suggesting unique roles for these genes in gametogenesis.     

Total parenteral feeding in infants using peripheral veins

Fifteen infants with life-threatening gastrointestinal anomalies received total parenteral feeding for periods ranging from 10 to 54 days; their ages ranged from one day to 5 months. The solutions were administered through peripheral veins. All patients gained weight during the period of observation and no cases of septicaemia were encountered.