Umbilical blood gas analysis in preeclamptic versus healthy pregnancies with preterm birth

Objective: Comparing the value of umbilical cord arterial blood gas (UC-ABG) analysis in the prediction of neonatal mortality and morbidity in the preeclamptic versus healthy pregnancies with preterm birth.

Methods: Eight hundred sixteen preterm (born at?<37 gestational weeks) neonates with no other morbidities who were born by cesarean section were evaluated. Immediately after delivery, UC-ABG analysis was performed and the neonates were followed.

Results: Preeclamptic women had lower umbilical cord blood (UCB) pH (7.2 4?±?0.1 versus 7.2 7?±?0.08, p?=?0.008) and higher UCB base deficit (BD) (3.5?±?3.7 versus 2.2?±?3.4, p?=?0.005) compared with controls. In the preeclamptic group, UCB metabolic acidosis (pH?<?7.15 and B.D?>?8) was not independently associated with neonatal morbidity or mortality, while in the control group UCB metabolic acidosis was independently associated with low 10-min Apgar (OR, 4.9; 95%CI 1.37–18.03), respiratory distress syndrome (OR, 2.37; 95%CI 1.05–6.17), intraventricular hemorrhage (OR, 3.01; 95%CI 1.13–7.99), and neonatal mortality (OR, 17.33; 95%CI 4.51–66.53).

Conclusions: The preterm neonates born to preeclamptic mothers have lower UCB pH and higher BD. In these neonates, UCB acidosis is not independently associated with any adverse neonatal outcomes. In contrast, in the preterm neonates born to healthy mothers, UCB metabolic acidosis is independently associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity.     

Successful use of the anti-CD25 antibody daclizumab in an adult patient with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and severe inflammatory disorder marked by abnormal cytotoxic T and natural killer cell activity, resulting in impaired clearance of pathogen, excessive cytokine production, and continued immune system activation. Soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R or sCD25) is typically elevated in HLH and can serve as a marker of disease activity, although its role in the pathophysiology of the disease is unclear. Here we present a case of an adult patient with steroid-dependent HLH who was treated successfully with daclizumab, a monoclonal anti-CD25 antibody, allowing successful withdrawal of steroid therapy without an increase in symptoms.     

Modification of carboxylated multiwall nanotubes with benzotriazole derivatives and study of their anticancer activities

In vitro and in vivo results indicate that functionalized carbon nanotubes are promising for the development of unique anticancer drugs. Since therapeutic and pharmacologic agents could functionalize the structure of carbon nanotubes, we report for the first time three-component condensation reactions consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotube–COCl (MWNTCOCl), diazonium sulfonated salt and phenol derivatives to produce novel anticancer agents. The functionalized carboxylated multiwall nanotubes were then characterized by FT-IR, Raman, SEM, TEM, and solubility test. The functionalized MWNTs exhibited good aqueous solubility. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of the MWNT–COOH (A) as well as its functionalized carboxylated multiwall nanotubes (MWNT-CO-2-(1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-sulfonic acid (B), MWNT-CO-2-(2-hydroxy-1-nitrosonaphthalen-3-yl)-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-sulfonic acid (C) and MWNT-CO-2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-sulfonic acid (D)) was tested against human gastric cancer MKN45 and human Colon cancer SW742. In vitro cytotoxicity studies represented a significant enhancement in the cytotoxic capability of f-MWNTs, suggesting these drugs improve drug antitumor activity. Therefore, the highly versatile functionalized carboxylated multiwall nanotubes could potentially be considered as anticancer candidates.     

Girls Just Want to Know Where to Have Fun: Preventing Substance Use Initiation in an Under-Resourced Community in South Africa Through HealthWise

This study examined how the perception of the availability of leisure opportunities may prevent substance use initiation through HealthWise, a school-based program focused on reducing risky behavior. In this study, we specifically focused on whether HealthWise increased student perceptions of leisure opportunities between 8th grade and 10th grade (N?=?5610) in an under-resourced community in South Africa. Path analyses were used to test hypotheses. Given gender differences in substance use patterns, societal norms, and leisure opportunities in under-resourced communities, such as the townships of Cape Town, South Africa, it was especially important to examine associations within each gender. Results suggested that HealthWise directly reduced the likelihood of initiating alcohol and cigarette use and increased the amount of perceived leisure opportunities among girls but not boys. Perceived leisure opportunities mediated the effect of HealthWise on reducing the initiation of alcohol and cigarette use directly, and marijuana use indirectly, among girls but not boys. This is the first study to demonstrate how experimentally targeting leisure through an intervention can increase perceived leisure opportunities and thereby prevent early substance use initiation for a specific population. The importance of considering the context of gender, age, and location is discussed.     

HPV L1 capsid protein expression in squamous intraepithelial lesions of cervix uteri and its relevance to disease outcome

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of immunocytochemical detection of HPV L1 capsid protein expression in predicting the course of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.     

Nonnecrobiotic necrobiotic xanthogranuloma as an initial manifestation of paraproteinemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma in a patient with Sjögren syndrome

We report a unique case of periocular nonnecrobiotic necrobiotic xanthogranuloma in a 52-year-old white woman with Sj?gren syndrome who was subsequently found to have an immunoglobulin G paraproteinemia and coexisting small lymphocytic lymphoma. Therapy with fludarabine, cytoxan, and rituximab (FCR) resulted in a dramatic resolution of her sicca symptoms and periocular xanthogranulomas. This case further illustrates the association of hematolymphoid disorders with cutaneous xanthogranulomatous disease and the importance of additional appropriate laboratory and radiologic investigation for the accurate diagnosis of an underlying malignancy.     

Maturation of Prestimulation-Induced Startle Modulation in Girls

This study of the maturation of prestimulation-induced modulation of startle in 4- to 8-year-old girls and young women demonstrated significant effects of age on both startle amplitude and onset latency modulation. Prestimulation with nonstartling tones resulted in strong inhibition of both amplitude and latency of the startle blink reflex in adults when 25-ms tones preceded the startling stimuli by 120 ms or 250 ms. Following sustained prestimulation for 2000 ms, the adults showed weak nonsignificant response facilitation. Eight-year-old girls showed mature inhibitory startle amplitude modulation, but significantly less inhibition of onset latency compared to adults. Preschool girls showed significantly less amplitude and latency inhibition and more facilitation than 8-year-olds and adult women. These findings in female subjects were very similar to those obtained by Ornitz, Guthrie, Kaplan, Lane, and Norman (1986) in male subjects. Gender differences were limited to the 8-year-old age group. The 8-year-old girls showed significantly less startle amplitude inhibition than 8-year-old boys following the 120-ms and 250-ms prestimulation intervals and less latency facilitation following 2000 ms of sustained prestimulation. In general, these findings suggest that brainstem mechanisms that mediate startle response modulation undergo development during early childhood and do not mature until about 8 years of age in both male and female subjects. The results are discussed in relation to studies of gender effects on development of other neurophysiological variables and to maturation of the nervous system.