Selective cell proliferation can be controlled with CPC particle coatings

To develop implantable, engineered, cartilage constructs supported by a scaffold, techniques to encourage rapid tissue growth into, and on the scaffold are essential. Preliminary studies indicated that human endothelial cells proliferated at different rates on different calcium phosphate ceramic (CPC) particles. Judicious selection of particles may encourage specific cell proliferation, leading to an ordered growth of tissues for angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and chondrogenesis. The goal of this study was to identify CPC surfaces that encourage bone and vascular cell growth, and other surfaces that support chondrocyte growth while inhibiting proliferation of vascular cells. Differences in bone and vascular cell proliferation were observed when using epoxy without embedded CPCs to encourage bone cells, and when three CPCs were tested, which encouraged vascular cell proliferation. One of these (CPC 7) also substantially depressed cartilage cell proliferation. Only one small-diameter crystalline CPC (CPC 2) supported rapid chondrocyte proliferation, and maintained the cartilage cell phenotype.     

Study of Clinicobiochemical Spectrum of Hypothyroidism

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the clinico biochemical spectrum of hypothyroidism and the relative importance of thyroid function tests, clinical symptoms and signs in thyroid dysfunction.

Methods

A retrospective study was done and 1702 requisitions for screening of hypothyroidism were analysed. The clinical presentation of cases was correlated with the results of thyroid profile tests.

Results

31.5% of the 1702 cases referred had thyroid dysfunction in the form of subclinical or overt hypothyroidism. In the hypothyroid group generalized weakness, weight gain and myxoedema was common. In cases of primary infertility and depression, subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was high (40% and 45.8% respectively). The average age of females with subclinical hypothyroidism was 30.8 years, 5.4 years less than females with overt hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

We conclude that hypothyroidism is common and often under-diagnosed. Therefore routine evaluation of female patients with weight gain, generalized weakness, infertility, depression and mood changes should include thyroid profile.Key Words: Hypothyroidism, Thyroid profile, Screening, Infertility, Depression     

Vitamin D status of patients admitted to a hospital rehabilitation unit: relationship to function and progress

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to determine the association between vitamin D status, baseline function, and short-term inpatient rehabilitation progress. DESIGN: This was a prospective convenience sampling of 100 patients in a tertiary general hospital rehabilitation unit (RU). The cohort comprised men and women of mixed race with a variety of diagnoses (mean age 70 yrs). Patient histories and demographic information were obtained by patient interview and chart review. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) (nmol/L) was measured on or after the day of admission. The Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) instrument, a validated survey tool, was used to measure function at admission and discharge. RESULTS: Eleven percent of the patients were overtly vitamin D deficient, with serum 25OHD concentrations <20 nmol/L. Ninety-four percent of the patients had serum 25OHD concentrations below the recommended minimum optimal concentration of 80 nmol/L. Using the Spearman rank correlation test, low serum 25OHD was weakly but significantly associated with low total FIM scores: r = 0.25 (P < 0.012) and r = 0.23 (P < 0.021) for admission and discharge total FIM score, respectively. Patients with serum 25OHD concentrations greater than the median value of 41.3 nmol/L had significantly higher FIM efficiency scores (discharge total FIM score - admission total FIM score/length of stay [LOS]) than the subgroup of patients below the median (2.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.9, respectively; P < or = 0.026). Serum 25OHD was not significantly correlated with FIM efficiency or the unadjusted change in total FIM score (discharge total FIM score - admission total FIM score), but it was significantly correlated with LOS (the lower the serum 25OHD concentration, the longer the LOS, and vice versa; r = -0.235, P < 0.018). Thus, the difference in FIM efficiency between patients with serum 25OHD above and below the median was the result of the significant inverse correlation between serum 25OHD and LOS; as a group, patients with serum 25OHD above the median had a 19% shorter LOS than the group with serum 25OHD below the median value (11.4 +/- 4.9 vs. 14.1 +/- 5.6 days, respectively; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients in a hospital RU had a suboptimal serum 25OHD concentration, reflecting what has previously been observed in hospitalized patients in general and also the population at large. Although no specific physical deficits or attributes could be directly attributed to low serum 25OHD, the baseline functional status of RU patients, LOS, and progress attributable to inpatient rehabilitation (FIM efficiency) were favorably affected by higher serum 25OHD concentrations.     

Collection and transfusion of blood and blood components in the United States, 1989

To probe recent trends in transfusion practice and their effect on the adequacy of the national blood resource, transfusions and collections in the United States in 1989 were studied, by using data shared by the American Association of Blood Banks, the American Red Cross, and the Council of Community Blood Centers, together with results from a sample survey of the 3600 hospitals that were not members of the national organizations. Statistical methods were used to estimate national activities. The total US supply of blood in 1989 was 14,229,000 units, an increase of 1.2 percent over the supply in 1987. Red cell transfusions were 12,059,000 units. A total of 3,159,000 patients underwent transfusion with whole blood and/or red cells (mean, 3.8 units/patient). Preoperative autologous deposits of 655,000 units by 310,000 patients represented an increase of 65 percent over the level in 1987. However, only 356,000 units (54%) were transfused to the patients who preoperatively deposited them; of the remainder, 13,000 units were crossed over for transfusion to other patients, while 286,000 units were never used. Directed donations, 350,000 units, were provided for 130,000 intended recipients, but only 97,000 units (28%) were transfused to their intended recipients; of the balance, 59,000 units (17%) were crossed over and 194,000 units (55%) were never transfused. Total platelet transfusions were equivalent to 7,258,000 units in 1989, for an increase of 13.7 percent over totals in 1987.     

Journey from conference presentation to peer-reviewed publication: Do ends really meet?

Introduction

The National Conference (NATCON) of Anatomical Society of India (ASI) is the preeminent meeting of anatomists in South-east Asia region. In the present study we undertook a quantitative assessment of the abstracts presented orally in three NATCON of ASI held between 2013 and 2015, with regards to rate of subsequent publication in peer reviewed journals.

The Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex Virus Eye Disease in Northern California

Purpose: To calculate the incidence and prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) eye disease in a large, well-defined population in Northern California, USA, and to determine the recurrence rate following an initial episode of disease in this cohort.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, cohort study using population-based data and medical record review. The patient database of a large, regional health maintenance organization (Northern California Kaiser Permanente) was searched, and the study population consisted of 1,042,351 people over a 1-year study period from 1 July 1998 through 30 June 1999. Only ocular HSV cases with definitive clinical or laboratory confirmed diagnoses were included. Active and inactive cases were included, however only active cases were used in incidence and prevalence calculations. Bilateral disease was counted as one case. Newly diagnosed cases were followed for recurrence from initial presentation through 31 December 2002.

Results: After chart review of 322 possible cases, 71 new cases and 59 previously diagnosed active cases of ocular HSV were confirmed. This resulted in an incidence rate of 6.8 new cases/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, CI, 5.3–8.6). Incidence increased with age, and rates were highest in people over 75 years of age (p?<?0.001). The recurrence rate in new cases was 18% for the 3-year follow-up time, and was equal to 5% per year (95% CI 3–9%).

Conclusion: The incidence and prevalence of ocular herpes simplex in this study was lower than previously reported. Incidence increased with age, and there were significantly higher rates in the older population.