Increased fetal DNA in the maternal circulation in early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine if fetal DNA is present in the maternal circulation in early pregnancy before the clinical manifestation of preeclampsia, and if this could be predictive of the development of preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Blood were obtained from patients attending for a first antenatal visit. Cases were asymptomatic women who subsequently developed preeclampsia matched to control women for parity and gestational age. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan primers and probes directed against SRY gene sequences quantified fetal DNA in the maternal circulation. RESULTS: There were 88 cases of women with preeclampsia and 176 control women, both sampled at a mean gestation (+/-SD) of 15.7 +/- 3.6 weeks. The presence of fetal DNA in the maternal circulation in early pregnancy is associated with an 8-fold increased risk of developing preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Increased fetal DNA is present in the maternal circulation in early pregnancy in women who subsequently develop pre-eclampsia and there appears to be a graded response between the quantity of fetal DNA and the risk of developing pre-eclampsia.     

Quantitative electromyography of the anal sphincter after uncomplicated vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVE: Fecal incontinence in women is thought to be associated with sphincter laceration or pudendal nerve damage. A prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency is evidence of profound nerve damage, but pudendal nerve terminal motor latency can be normal even when nerve injury has been sustained. We performed quantitative electromyography (EMG) to compare multiple motor unit action potential parameters between recently postpartum women and nulliparous women. METHODS: Standardized examinations were prospectively performed on 2 groups: 1) healthy nulliparous women without pelvic floor disorders (n = 28) and 2) asymptomatic women who were postpartum following vaginal delivery of their first child (n = 23). The examinations included pelvic organ prolapse quantification measurements, endoanal ultrasonography, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, sacral reflexes, and concentric needle EMG using multiple motor unit action potential analysis. RESULTS: A mean of 11.5 (standard deviation [sd] 1.1) weeks had elapsed since first vaginal deliveries in the postpartum group. The mean fetal weight at delivery was 3,495 (sd 458) grams. There were no sphincter defects seen by ultrasonography. Compared with the nulliparous women, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency and sacral reflexes (clitoral-anal reflex, urethral-anal reflex) were not increased in the postpartum group. Each of the quantitative parameters (duration, amplitude, area, turns, and phases), measured from motor unit action potentials in the postpartum group, were larger than in the nulliparous group (P < or =.004, nested analysis of variance [ANOVA]). CONCLUSION: Quantitative EMG using multiple motor unit action potential analysis can detect the presence after vaginal childbirth of subtle nerve injury not demonstrable by pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. Even asymptomatic women show evidence of pelvic floor nerve injury after uncomplicated deliveries.     

Neurocryptococcosis: diagnosis by PCR method

Cryptococcus neoformans detection was optimized using PCR technique with the objective of application in the clinical laboratory diagnosis. The amplification area was ITS and 5,6S which encodes the ribosomal RNA (rRNA). A total of 72 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were used, obtained from cases with and without AIDS. The patients had cryptococcal meningitis (n = 56) and meningitis caused by other agents (n = 16). The results demonstrated that PCR test had the highest sensitivity rates, superior to culture (85.7%) and to India ink test (76.8%). PCR was found to be sensitive in detecting 1 cell/mL and highly specific since it did not amplify other fungal DNA. The comparative analysis of the methods showed that PCR is more sensitive and specific and is applicable as an important laboratorial resource for neurocryptococcosis diagnosis.     

Opportunities to promote health to vulnerable male teenagers

Forty years ago an increase in 'juvenile delinquency' led to a large prison-building programme for young offenders. Today, the emphasis is on community sentencing and a reduction in prison places. The secondment of nurses into youth offending teams makes it possible to offer primary health services to a group of mainly male, vulnerable people.     

Digital replantation following amputation due to trauma

Digits amputated through trauma can often be replanted and regain function. Success depends on preoperative care of the digit and minimising the time the digit is without blood supply. Long-term patient compliance with postoperative care and therapy is necessary to maximise postoperative functioning.     

Supporting parents in managing drugs for children with cystic fibrosis

A semi-structured interview guide was used to interview 17 parents of children with cystic fibrosis identified through a shared care patient database at a London hospital to examine parents' medication-related roles and problems. Parents described their responsibilities in the home and the problems experienced, including adherence to regiments, involvement in decision-making, and relationships with the hospital teams and other healthcare professionals. The findings confirmed medication management as an integral part of the informal caring role. Many practical problems of ensuring the availability and administration of medication on a regular basis were described. Information gaps and problems with medication adherence increased the stress of providing effective care. The involvement of healthcare professionals across primary, secondary and tertiary care sectors in supporting parents in all aspects of medication management, including the development of strategies for transferring the responsibility for medication to their children, must be improved.     

Palliative care challenges: implications for nurses' practice in renal settings

The very act of withdrawing dialysis places renal nurses in a unique practice setting requiring a sudden shift in care delivery from one of providing Ife-sustaining, active treatment to that of palliation. The impact of this act on the renal nurse remains largely invisible. Minimal research has been conducted that explores the significant issues and challenges that exist for renal nurses in the delivery of palliation following withdrawal of dialysis treatment. This paper attempts to highlight the issues and challenges that do exist for renal nurses in providing palliation and the subsequent lack of available research knowledge to inform practice in the renal setting. It recommends further research be conducted into the renal setting so as to inform the development of appropriate education to support renal nurses practice in the future.