The Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Score Is Not a Reliable Method of Newborn Evaluation

Background: The Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Score (NACS) is a multi-item scale that was published in 1982 to measure the effects of intrapartum drugs on the neonate. Although this scoring system has been widely used in obstetric anesthesia research, studies confirming its reliability have not been published. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of the NACS.

Methods: Two teams of observers were trained to perform the NACS on healthy, term neonates born in the vertex presentation. Two examinations were performed on each neonate within the first 2.5 h of life. Simultaneous (or "split-half") reliability was assessed using the [alpha] coefficient. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The test was considered to be reliable if [alpha] was greater than 0.7 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was greater than 0.6.

Results: Two hundred babies were studied. The [alpha] was 0.47 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.52).     

Laminin receptor in lymph node negative breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Expression of 67 kD laminin binding protein, 67LR, is reported to be associated with invasive and metastatic phenotypes in several types of human malignancies. In mammary carcinomas, however, the biologic role of 67LR has been less clear. The authors explored the potential biologic significance of expression of 67LR in 148 patients with axillary lymph node negative breast carcinoma. METHODS: Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded histologic sections were immunohistochemically evaluated for 67LR using monoclonal antibody MLuC5. The staining results were correlated with morphologic data as well as with estrogen receptor content and p53 product accumulation. RESULTS: There were statistically significant correlations between positivity for 67LR and lower histologic grade (P = 0.003), lower nuclear grade (P = 0.002), positivity for estrogen receptor (P = 0.003), and lack of p53 abnormality (P < 0.001). Expression of 67LR had no independent effect on the disease free or overall survival of lymph node negative patients with breast carcinoma. Nevertheless, in the subgroup of 67LR positive patients, positivity for estrogen receptor was associated with significantly longer overall survival (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study suggest that tissue expression of 67LR, as detected by antibody MLuC5, is associated with better differentiated, less aggressive forms of axillary lymph node negative breast carcinoma.     

Inhibition of Cell Growth and DNA,RNA, and Protein Synthesis in Vitro by Fentanyl,Sufentanil, and Opiate Analgesics

Abstract: We have studied the cytotoxic nature of two groups of narcotic analgesics. Group I consists of the opioids, morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, thebaine, and etorphine. Group II contains but two phenylpiperidine-type narcotics, fentanyl and sufentanil. To measure cytotoxicity, three different bioassays were employed using an established line of human cells. Specifically, the effects of narcotic analgesics on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis were measured by following the uptake and incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine, uridine, and amino acids, respectively. Inhibition of cell growth also was studied by measuring population doubling times of logarithmically growing cells in the presence (or absence) of the test compounds. Lastly, cloning efficiencies of cells were determined in the presence of both groups of compounds. Group I compounds were significantly less inhibitory than Group II compounds by all three bioassays. Moreover, flow cytometric DNA analysis of cells treated with 100 and 320 μM etorphine HC1 showed essentially no effects on cell cycle distribution. These in vitro results thus suggest that (1) fentanyl and sufentanil are inherently more cytotoxic than the opioid narcotics in Group I, and (2) the highly potent morphinoid drug etorphine HCl appears to have special promise as a transdermal narcotic to control pain.     

Inhibition of cell growth and DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in vitro by fentanyl, sufentanil, and opiate analgesics.

We have studied the cytotoxic nature of two groups of narcotic analgesics. Group 1 consists of the opioids, morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, thebaine, and etorphine. Group II contains but two phenylpiperidine-type narcotics, fentanyl and sufentanil. To measure cytotoxicity, three different bioassays were employed using an established line of human cells. Specifically, the effects of narcotic analgesics on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis were measured by following the uptake and incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine, uridine, and amino acids, respectively. Inhibition of cell growth also was studied by measuring population doubling times of logarithmically growing cells in the presence (or absence) of the test compounds. Lastly, cloning efficiencies of cells were determined in the presence of both groups of compounds. Group I compounds were significantly less inhibitory than Group II compounds by all three bioassays. Moreover, flow cytometric DNA analysis of cells treated with 100 and 320 microM etorphine HCl showed essentially no effects on cell cycle distribution. These in vitro results thus suggest that (1) fentanyl and sufentanil are inherently more cytotoxic than the opioid narcotics in Group I, and (2) the highly potent morphinoid drug etorphine HC1 appears to have special promise as a transdermal narcotic to control pain.     

Preservation of biomolecules in breast cancer tissue by a formalin-free histology system

Background  

The potential problems associated with the use of formalin in histology, such as health hazards, degradation of RNA and cross-linking of proteins are well recognized. We describe the utilization of a formalin-free fixation and processing system for tissue detection of two important biopredictors in breast cancer – estrogen receptor and HER2 – at the RNA and protein levels.     

Comparative evaluation of two combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccines based on AIK and Edmonston- Zagreb strains of measles virus.

In a previous paper, we have noticed the effectiveness of two further attenuated measles vaccines, i.e. AIK-HDC and Edmonston- Zagreb- HDC. In the present study the same strains are comparatively used for immunization of a limited number of children under 9 months of age. A seroconversion of 100% was observed. Following reimmunization, a significant increase of circulating antibodies for both strains was recorded. Two combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines were also produced by using the same measles strains. The seroconversion following utilisation of MMR prophylactics in susceptible children was 98.8 and 97.3 for AIK and Edmonston- Zagreb strains respectively.     

Assessment of workers' exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons in a paint industry.

A factory survey was conducted in a paint industry in Tehran-Iran. The time-weighted average of toluene and xylene concentration in breathing zone and environmental air were monitored by charcoal tube samplers and GC-FID. The results showed that the tank cleaners had the highest exposure to toluene and xylene (1.5-5.4 times of TLV), while the workers in packaging workshops had the lowest. However, environmental concentration did not show significant differences in workshops and their levels were all lower than the TLV.     

Patient phenotypes associated with outcome following surgery for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy: a principal component regression analysis

Background Context

Predictors of outcome after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) have been determined previously through hypothesis-driven multivariate statistical models that rely on a priori knowledge of potential confounders, exclude potentially important variables because of restrictions in model building, cannot include highly collinear variables in the same model, and ignore intrinsic correlations among variables.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on fracture callus mineral density and flexural strength in rabbit tibial fresh fracture

Background  

Low-intensity ultrasound is a biophysical intervention on a fracture repair process. However, the effect of low-intensity ultrasound therapy on fracture healing is controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy on the fracture healing process, including mineral density and strength of callus using a rabbit model.     

Protective potential of MMR vaccine against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced inflammation in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of MMR vaccine on inflammation which was induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into the control, CFA, MMR and CFA + MMR groups. Inflammatory symptoms such as paw oedema was measured in CFA-injected rats’ paw. Body weight changes and alterations in some haematological parameters and oxidative stress markers following CFA injection were checked. In CFA-inflammed rats, there was a significant increase in rat paw thickness and decrease in body weight increment. MMR exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory effect as manifested by reduction in paw thickness and normal gain in body weight when administered 1 week prior to induction of inflammation. The altered haematological parameters (TLC) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD) in the inflammed rats were significantly brought back to near normal by MMR treatment. In conclusion, MMR vaccine showed a reduction in rat paw thickness and it could significantly normalize the haematological and biochemical abnormalities in CFA-induced inflammatory pain model in rats. Our data suggested that MMR could be a potential protective agent against certain types of inflammatory pain. Further histopathological and radiological studies are required to confirm the possibility of developing novel therapeutic vaccines against some forms of arthritis.