The effects of polycystic ovary syndrome on gestational diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to explore the inter-relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes mellitus, and demonstrate maternal and fetal outcomes. This was a case-control study in 1360 pregnant women who received a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus between 24 and 28 weeks of gestational age. Among all diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus, 150 pregnant women had received a polycystic ovary syndrome, and 160 women who did not have polycystic ovary syndrome were designated as controls. The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension was 26.3% and 12% in the case and control groups, respectively. Preeclampsia was seen at an incidence of 12% and 6% in case and in control groups, respectively. The difference in neonatal hypoglycemia between the two groups was statistically significant, with an incidence of 17% and 5% in the case and in control groups, respectively. This study demonstrated that the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome along with gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of pregnancy induced hypertension by 2.4 fold, preeclampsia by 2 fold and neonatal hypoglycemia by 3.2 fold, compared to gestational diabetes mellitus alone.     

Hepatic Hemodynamic Changes Following Stepwise Liver Resection

Aim

Extended liver resection has increased during the last decades. However, hepatic hemodynamic changes after resection and the consequent complications like post hepatectomy liver failure are still a challenging issue. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the role of stepwise liver resection on hepatic hemodynamic changes.

Methods

To evaluate this effect we performed 25, 50, and 75 % sequential liver resections in 10 pigs. Before and after each resection, the hepatic artery flow and portal vein flow in relation to the remnant liver volume (RLV) as well as hepatic vascular pressures were measured and compared between the groups.

Results

Following sequential liver resection, the hepatic artery flow /100 g decreases and the portal vein flow increases up to 17 and 167 % following extended liver resection (75 %), respectively. Also, during stepwise liver resection, the portal vein pressure increases gradually up to 33 % following extended hepatectomy (75 %).

Conclusion

Sequential decrease in the RLV decreases the hepatic artery flow /100 g and increases the portal vein flow /100 g and portal vein pressure. As the consequence, the liver goes under more poor-oxygenated blood supply and higher pressure. This may be one of the most important mechanisms of the post hepatectomy liver failure in case of extended liver resection.

     

Clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder in very young children

BACKGROUND: Clinical information about bipolar disorder (BPD) in preschool-age (3-7 years old) children is extremely limited. This study examined clinical presentations, applicability of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, comorbidity, recovery and relapse rates, as well as some treatment strategies used in the management of BPD in preschoolers. METHODS: The charts of 26 outpatient children, ages 3-7, refereed to a child psychiatry outpatient clinic with mood and behavioral symptoms, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were referred with the tentative diagnosis of ADHD but the most common diagnoses made by child and adolescent psychiatrists at the time of initial evaluation were BPD NOS (61.5%), followed by BPD I (26.9%), and mood disorder NOS (23.1%). Thirty-eight percent of the patients had one or more comorbid diagnoses. The most common presenting symptoms were irritability (84.6%) and aggression (88.5%). The most widely prescribed class of medications after diagnosis in the clinic was atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Twenty-six percent of the patients were treated with a combination of atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design; small sample size; lack of a comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: The course of BPD with onset in preschool years is complicated with high recovery and relapse rates. The questions of development of age-appropriate diagnostic criteria, long-term prognosis and treatment strategies used in this population require further intensive investigation.     

Current trends in the management of acute type A aortic intramural hematoma

Within the spectrum of acute aortic syndromes, intramural hematoma (IMH) is a distinct lesion that is characterized by crescentic or circumferential thickening of the aortic wall in the absence of an intimal defect. The reported incidence of IMH among all type A acute aortic syndromes ranges from 3.5% to 28.3%. As compared with acute aortic dissection, IMH is a disease of the elderly, and it tends to have reduced rates of malperfusion syndromes, aortic insufficiency, and root dilation, yet also tends to have increased rates of pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and periaortic hematoma. With respect to natural history, IMH may progress to classic dissection, frank rupture, or aneurysmal dilation; yet, IMH may also regress and be completely resorbed. However, studies disagree over the rates of progression or regression; as such, few studies agree on the short-term and long-term prognosis associated with IMH. American and European guidelines advocate emergent surgery for all acutely presenting type A IMH. At a minimum, supracoronary replacement of the aorta with hemiarch reconstruction is the preferred extent of operative repair to reduce rates of long-term reintervention for disease progression. However, valve and/or root procedures may be necessary proximally, while total arch reconstruction or hybrid procedures for the descending aorta may be necessary distally. Much remains unknown for IMH, including the ideal extent of aortic repair, risk-stratification for elderly patients, and the optimal treatment paradigm for stable, uncomplicated IMH. As such, IMH remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the cardiovascular surgeon.