Preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial (2002-2005; data analyzed 2005-2006) of a brief motivational intervention to reduce the risk of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) in preconceptional women by focusing on both risk drinking and ineffective contraception use. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 830 nonpregnant women, aged 18-44 years, and currently at risk for an AEP were recruited in six diverse settings in Florida, Texas, and Virginia. Combined settings had higher proportions of women at risk for AEP (12.5% overall) than in the general population (2%). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive information plus a brief motivational intervention (n=416) or to receive information only (n=414). The brief motivational intervention consisted of four counseling sessions and one contraception consultation and services visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women consuming more than five drinks on any day or more than eight drinks per week on average, were considered risk drinkers; women who had intercourse without effective contraception were considered at risk of pregnancy. Reversing either or both risk conditions resulted in reduced risk of an AEP. RESULTS: Across the follow-up period, the odds ratios (ORs) of being at reduced risk for AEP were twofold greater in the intervention group: 3 months, 2.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.69-3.20); 6 months, 2.15 (CI=1.52-3.06); 9 months, 2.11 (CI=1.47-3.03). Between-groups differences by time phase were 18.0%, 17.0%, and 14. 8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A brief motivational intervention can reduce the risk of an AEP.     

Regulation of lymphangiogenesis in the diaphragm by macrophages and VEGFR-3 signaling

Lymphatic vessels play important roles in fluid drainage and in immune responses, as well as in pathological processes including cancer progression and inflammation. While the molecular regulation of the earliest lymphatic vessel differentiation and development has been investigated in much detail, less is known about the control and timing of lymphatic vessel maturation in different organs, which often occurs postnatally. We investigated the time course of lymphatic vessel development on the pleural side of the diaphragmatic muscle in mice, the so-called submesothelial initial diaphragmatic lymphatic plexus. We found that this lymphatic network develops largely after birth and that it can serve as a reliable and easily quantifiable model to study physiological lymphangiogenesis in vivo. Lymphangiogenic growth in this tissue was highly dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 signaling, whereas VEGFR-1 and -2 signaling was dispensable. During diaphragm development, macrophages appeared first in a linearly arranged pattern, followed by ingrowth of lymphatic vessels along these patterned lines. Surprisingly, ablation of macrophages in colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (Csf1r)-deficient mice and by treatment with a CSF-1R-blocking antibody did not inhibit the general lymphatic vessel development in the diaphragm but specifically promoted branch formation of lymphatic sprouts. In agreement with these findings, incubation of cultured lymphatic endothelial cells with conditioned medium from P7 diaphragmatic macrophages significantly reduced LEC sprouting. These results indicate that the postnatal diaphragm provides a suitable model for studies of physiological lymphangiogenic growth and maturation, and for the identification of modulators of lymphatic vessel growth.     

Predictive value of craniofacial and anthropometric measures in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Background: Most individuals with OSA remain undiagnosed, mainly due to limited access to effective screening tools and diagnostic facilities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify craniofacial and anthropometric measurements that predict OSA in an Indian population.

Methods and Findings: Male subjects (n = 76) between 25 and 50 years of age were recruited for the study from the general population. The study measures consisted of home-based type IV polysomnography and a total of 40 anthropometric and craniofacial measurements. Key measures were identified, and a model was developed with these variables, which predicted the presence of OSA with a sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of 93.1, 20.0 and 74.4%, respectively.

Conclusion: This preliminary study shows the utility of craniofacial and anthropometric variables in the identification of individuals at risk of OSA. These findings need to be further validated against the results of overnight polysomnography in a large independent population.     

Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant Cyclea peltata (Lam) Hooks & Thoms

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial activity of Padathaali (Cyclea peltata) against three gram positive and eight gram negative bacterial strains.MethodsThe fresh whole plants were collected from Kerala, India. The dry crude nonpolar and polar extract of whole plant of C. peltata i. e. Petroleum ether, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of five concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 mg/ml) were used to investigate the antibacterial activity. NCCL standards were strictly followed to perform antibacterial disc susceptibility test using disc diffusion method.ResultsAll the extracts showed varying degree of inhibitory potential against all the tested bacteria. Methanol extract of plant had higher inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus vulgaris. Acetone extract of plant showed maximum inhibitory action against Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus haemolyticus.ConclusionsThe present investigation showed the effectiveness of crude extract of this plant against tested bacterial strains. This study further suggests the use of whole plant extract in treating disease caused by tested microbial organisms.     

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma: spectrum of imaging findings

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to present the spectrum of imaging findings of primary and metastatic extraskeletal osteosarcoma and highlight the differences from primary osteogenic osteosarcoma in bone. CONCLUSION: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is a rare mesenchymal malignancy of soft tissue, histologically indistinguishable from primary osteosarcoma of bone. However, there are distinct differences in demographics, imaging features, prognosis, and management compared with osteogenic osteosarcoma. Imaging characteristics reflect tumor morphology, with only 50% of primary tumors showing mineralization. Metastases may or may not show mineralization, even if present in the primary tumor. The overall prognosis is poor.     

Uterine sarcomas: then and now

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to provide an updated review of uterine sarcomas. The traditionally described neoplasms are reviewed as well as several recently characterized entities in terms of their imaging and clinical aspects. We attempt to provide a longitudinal imaging overview, from initial presentation to follow-up. Imaging features are also described of response to traditional therapeutic agents and newer targeted agents. CONCLUSION: A greater understanding of the pathogenesis has improved our ability to image and treat uterine sarcomas, both at initial staging and on follow-up. Targeted therapy is assuming an increasingly important role in the management of these lesions. It is imperative for radiologists to be aware of response characteristics and potential complications of these agents as well as conventional chemotherapeutic agents.     

Sclerotic osseous metastases from renal cell carcinoma

This case series describes and illustrates three cases of sclerotic osseous metastases from untreated renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RCC is commonly metastatic to the skeleton but almost always produces lytic metastases, with only three prior reports of sclerotic metastases identified in the literature. Sclerotic metastasis causing low back pain was the initial disease presentation in two of the three patients in this case series and the first manifestation of metastatic disease in one. The most common metastatic sites of RCC, i.e., retroperitoneal lymph nodes, lung, and liver, were not identified in any of the cases, and skeletal involvement with epidural extension was the only site of metastasis in two. Pathologic specimens from all three cases revealed RCC of high nuclear grade.     

Selected risk factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis among Saharia tribe of Madhya Pradesh, central India

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem among the Saharia, a marginalized tribal group in Madhya Pradesh state, central India. However, there is no information on the risk factors associated with the development of TB disease in this community. A cross-sectional TB prevalence survey was conducted among the Saharia residing in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. Information on tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption was collected from all the individuals. Persons aged ≥45 years, males, smokers and alcohol consumers had higher risks of developing TB disease. There is an urgent need to develop and implement culturally appropriate awareness raising activities to target smoking and alcohol consumption to support the efforts to control TB in this community.