Literature Review of the Association Between Prenatal Education and Rates of Cesarean Birth Among Women at Low Risk

A review of the literature was performed to explore the association between prenatal education and rates of primary cesarean birth for women at low risk for cesarean birth. Most women who are nulliparous with a singleton fetus of term gestational age and in the vertex position are considered to be at low risk and favorable for a vaginal birth, yet the cesarean birth rate for women at low risk was 25.6% in 2019. It has been suggested that the rise in the cesarean birth rate among low-risk women may not be due to medical indications but, rather, to nonmedical factors, such as a provider’s or woman’s preference or lack of prenatal education. Evidence from this literature review supports the premise that prenatal education classes should be routinely incorporated into maternity care in an effort to reduce cesarean birth rates for the low-risk population.     

Tacrolimus Combined with Two Different Dosages of Sirolimus in Kidney Transplantation: Results of a Multicenter Study

Tacrolimus combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an effective regimen in kidney transplantation. This study compared the efficacy of combining tacrolimus and two different dosages of sirolimus with an established tacrolimus-MMF regimen. Each day in addition to tacrolimus, 325 patients received 2 mg sirolimus (TAC-SRL2 mg), 325 patients received 0.5 mg sirolimus (TAC-SRL0.5 mg) and 327 patients 1 g MMF (TAC-MMF). The initial tacrolimus dose was 0.2 mg/kg/day. Sirolimus patients received loading doses of 6 or 1.5 mg, and daily doses of 2 or 0.5 mg thereafter. Steroid administration was identical for all groups. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was lower in the TAC-SRL2 mg group (15.7%) compared with the TAC-SRL0.5 mg (25.2%, p = 0.003) and the TAC-MMF groups (22.3%, p = 0.036). Six-month graft survival was 91.0% (TAC-SRL2 mg), 92.6% (TAC-SRL0.5 mg) and 92.4% (TAC-MMF); the respective values for patient survival were 98.1%, 97.8% and 97.9%. Thirty-four patients (10.5%), 19 patients (5.8%) and 16 patients (4.9%) in the TAC-SRL2 mg, TAC-SRL0.5 mg and TAC-MMF groups, respectively, discontinued the study because of adverse events. Hyperlipemia was reported more often in the TAC-SRL2 mg group (24.0%) compared with 19.4% (TAC-SRL0.5 mg) and 11.0% (TAC-MMF; p < 0.05). Combining 2 mg sirolimus/day with tacrolimus results in lower rates of acute rejection, but a higher incidence of adverse events.     

Blood markers for early detection of colorectal cancer: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Despite different available methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and their proven benefits, morbidity, and mortality of this malignancy are still high, partly due to low compliance with screening. Minimally invasive tests based on the analysis of blood specimens may overcome this problem. The purpose of this review was to give an overview of published studies on blood markers aimed at the early detection of CRC and to summarize their performance characteristics. METHOD: The PUBMED database was searched for relevant studies published until June 2006. Only studies with more than 20 cases and more than 20 controls were included. Information on the markers under study, on the underlying study populations, and on performance characteristics was extracted. Special attention was given to performance characteristics by tumor stage. RESULTS: Overall, 93 studies evaluating 70 different markers were included. Most studies were done on protein markers, but DNA markers and RNA markers were also investigated. Performance characteristics varied widely between different markers, but also between different studies using the same marker. Promising results were reported for some novel assays, e.g., assays based on SELDI-TOF MS or MALDI-TOF MS, for some proteins (e.g., soluble CD26 and bone sialoprotein) and also for some genetic assays (e.g., L6 mRNA), but evidence thus far is restricted to single studies with limited sample size and without further external validation. CONCLUSIONS: Larger prospective studies using study populations representing a screening population are needed to verify promising results. In addition, future studies should pay increased attention to the potential of detecting precursor lesions.     

Residual Paralysis in the PACU after a Single Intubating Dose of Nondepolarizing Muscle Relaxant with an Intermediate Duration of Action

Background: Residual neuromuscular blockade remains a problem even after short surgical procedures. The train-of-four (TOF) ratio at the adductor pollicis required to avoid residual paralysis is now considered to be at least 0.9. The incidence of residual paralysis using this new threshold is not known, especially after a single intubating dose of intermediate-duration nondepolarizing relaxant. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the incidence of residual paralysis in the postanesthesia care unit after a single intubating dose of twice the ED95 of a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant with an intermediate duration of action.

Methods: Five hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled. They received a single dose of vecuronium, rocuronium, or atracurium to facilitate tracheal intubation and received no more relaxant thereafter. Neuromuscular blockade was not reversed at the end of the procedure. On arrival in the postanesthesia care unit, the TOF ratio was measured at the adductor pollicis, using acceleromyography. Head lift, tongue depressor test, and manual assessment of TOF and DBS fade were also performed. The time delay between the injection of muscle relaxant and quantitative measurement of neuromuscular blockade was calculated from computerized anesthetic records.

Results: The TOF ratios less than 0.7 and 0.9 were observed in 16% and 45% of the patients, respectively. Two hundred thirty-nine patients were tested 2 h or more after the administration of the muscle relaxant. Ten percent of these patients had a TOF ratio less than 0.7, and 37% had a TOF ratio less than 0.9. Clinical tests (head lift and tongue depressor) and manual assessment of fade showed a poor sensitivity (11-14%) to detect residual blockade (TOF < 0.9).