Densidad óptica en embarazadas normales y madurez pulmonar fetal. Estudio en el líquido amniótico. Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso. Cuenca -Ecuador 1999

Se realiza un estudio de tipo clínico-descriptivo con el objeto de determinar la presencia de pigmentos bilirrubinoides y la madurez pulmonar, comprado el Test de Clements con la edad gestacional y el estado clínico del recién nacido. Se tomó a cincuenta pacientes embarazadas entre 37 y 41 semanas de gestación, sin factores de riesgo y sus recién nacidos, atendidos mediante cesárea o parto vaginal, en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso de la ciudad de Cuenca en 1999. Se realizaron las determinaciones basados en los parámetros recomendados a nivel internacional concluyendo que: 1 En las embarazadas a término de la gestación, la determinación de la presencia de pigmentos bilirrubinoides en líquido ammniótico corresponde a la zona 1 de la gráfica de Liley, interpretada como exenta de riesgo para los recién nacidos, de acuerdo con los parámetros que se registran en la literatura médica actual. 2. La prueba de Clements positiva guarda estrecha relación con la madurez del recién nacido expresada por Capurro y con una adecuada función respiratoria expresada por un puntaje normal de Silverman en todos los casos. 3. En caso de usarse la prueba de Clements, es la prueba de un tubo, suficiente para valorar la madurez pulmonar por su alta confiabilidad y bajo costo. 4. Por lo tanto los autores recomendamos que se incluya la aplicación de estas dos pruebas, que son de fácil realización, como parte del protocolo de atención materno-infantil en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso

Indicadores ecográficos de patología fetal del tercer trimestre de gestación: Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, febrero-julio del 2005

Las experiencias prenatales y postnatales de este grupo de gestantes investigadas, tanto por ultrasonido como por valoración clínica pediátrica; ha sido de mucho interés. El objetivo consiste en detectar mediante signos ecográficos la presencia de patología fetal; utilizando un ecógrafo marca Sonoace 8000 EX con transductor convexo 3,5 MHZ, puesto que se han comparado punto por punto la investigación con la experiencia de grupos similares de otras investigaciones, efectuándose por lo tanto una correlación ecográfica y clínica en toda mujer embarazada que cursa el tercer trimestre de gestación, obteniéndose de las 355 pacientes estudiadas, 28 casos positivos para patología fetal por ultrasonido, de los cuales se comprobó clínicamente al momento del nacimiento 20 casos, lo que permite indica que se puede diagnosticar un 71.4cuadros patológicos sonoembrionarios; que en comparación con grupos similares de investigación, es significativo. En el grupo de personas investigadas hubo también falsos positivos para ultrasonido tal es el caso de 6 (20) en patología craneal, 1 (10) en polimalformados y 1 5en patología toráxica; los demás coincidieron en su diagnóstico prenatal con el postnatal. De esta manera señalamos que en la presente investigación las pruebas diagnosticas son tambien significativas y acordes a las investigaciones que trae la literatura mundial, en donde se reportan sensibilizadas bajas, que van desde 24.5(González 1999), hasta 73.7(estudio mundial Eurofetus), con especialidades altas sobre los 90; el grupo investigado posee una sensibilidad del 70y una especificidad del 95.82que indica que se puede captar en el 70a los verdaderos positivos y en el 95a los verdaderos negativos con una probabilidad de padecer la enfermedad se si obtiene un resultado positivo en la prueba que es de un 50, con lo que se concluye e insiste en la importancia que posee el manejo interdisciplinario y la aplicación de esta modalidad en toda gestante

Correlación clínica y ecográfica de la maduración y reactividad fetal

Estudio descriptivo de cohorte único para por medio de la clínica (altura de fondo uterino) y del uso de la ecografía (longitud femoral y diámetro biparietal) elaborar curvas de crecimiento fetal y detectar posibles diferencias determinadas por el sexo en el mismo, estudiar la madurez placentaria ecográfica y la respuesta ftal al test de estimulación vibroacústica; en sesenta pacientes embarazadas que acudieron a la consulta externa del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso durante el período comprendido entre Marzo de 1992 y julio de 1993, que cumplieron las siguientes características: embarazo de curso clínico normal menor de veinte semanas al momento de la inclusión, ciclos menstruales espontáneos y regulares y no haber usado métodos anticonceptivos tres meses previos al embarazo, luego del parto los criterios fueron: recién nacido normal, de peso adecuado para la edad gestacional y a término. Encontramos que la longitud femoral se inicia con valores de 1.63 centímetros a las doce semanas de gestación, teniendo un comportamiento lineal progresivamente ascendente, con aumento promedio de 0.21 centímetros por semana, para terminar en 7.4 centímetros a la semana 40. Se encuentra que la longitud femoral se inicia con valores de 1.83 centímetros a las doce semanas de gestación, teniendo un comportamiento lineal progresivamente ascendiente, con aumento promedio de 0.21 centímetros por semana, para terminar en 7.4 centímetros a la semana 40. El diámetro biparietal se inicia con valores de 2 centímetros a las doce semanas, tiene un trayecto progresivamente ascendente, iniciando un aplanamiento hacia las 30 semanas, que se acentúa en las últimas semanas del embarazo, terminando en 9.17 a las 40 semanas de gestación. La altura del fondo uterino describe una curva regular con ascenso inicial rápido y luego tendencia al aplanamiento. En los tres parámetros no se evidenciaron diferencias determinadas por el sexo. El grado de maduración placentaria es progresivo. Aparece el grado I a las 27 semanas, el grado II a las 35 semanas y el grado III a las 38 semanas. Se demuestra que la prueba de estimulación vibroacústica es eficiente para la valoración del bienestar fetal, observándose además que a una mayor edad gestacional el incremento de la frecuencia cardíaca fetal es también mayor

Methotrexate nanoparticle delivery system for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in pediatric patients

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX) nanoparticles in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: In this randomized, open-label clinical study, 28 pediatric patients with moderate to severe IBD were randomly assigned to treatment (MTX nanoparticles,15 mg/week) or control (azathioprine, AZA, 2 mg/kg/day) group. Nanoparticles were synthesized by adding calcium chloride to sodium alginate solution containing MTX, and was further treated with poly-L-lysine aqueous solution. The nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential and drug encapsulation efficacy. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and disease activity scores were used to assess IBD remission. Results: Nanoparticle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficacy were 164.4 ± 6.9 nm, -32.6 ± 3.7 mV, and 97.8 ± 4.2 %, respectively. After 12 weeks of therapy, the mean Pediatric Crohn\'s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) scores for control and treatment groups were 22.3 ± 2.14 and 16.8 ± 1.87, respectively, while mean Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity (PUCAI) Index scores were 24.3 ± 1.47 and 18.7 ± 1.92, respectively. Eight patients in the treatment and five patients in the control group achieved remission. Biochemical parameters varied significantly between the groups. Conclusion: MTX nanoparticles are safe and more effective than standard first-line IBD therapy. However, further studies are required to determine the suitability of the formulation for therapeutic use.

A cross sectional study of leptospirosis and fetal death in Yucatan, Mexico

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease affecting mainly to low income human population. Acute leptospiral infection during pregnancy has been associated with spontaneous abortion and fetal death during the first trimester and the abortion may occur as consequence of systemic failure. Objective: To estimate the frequency of Leptospira interrogans infection in women with spontaneous abortion in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Methods: A cross sectional study on women with spontaneous abortion was conducted. Serum samples were tested for Leptospirosis by the microaglutination test, to estimate the frequency of the infecting serovar. The indirect ELISA IgM was used to detect recent infection by L. interrogans. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of placenta for PCR detection of L. interrogans. Results: Overall frequency of infection with L. interrogans in the 81 women with abortion was 13.6%. Five of the 12 serovars evaluated were found and included. Two of the 11 women with abortion and positive to microaglutination test were also positive to the ELISA IgM test. None samples were positive for PCR Leptospira diagnosis. Conclusion: two women could be associated with spontaneous abortion due to leptospirosis, because they showed antibodies against L. interrogans in the microaglutination test and ELISA IgM assays. Differences between regions were found with respect to the prevalences of lesptospirosis.

Community perceptions of bowel cancer: A survey of Queenslanders

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Australia. The Australian Cancer Society has set a national goal 'to exploit prevention opportunities and to increase early detection'. To address this goal, information about community perceptions is required. Through the use of a Delphi process, a questionnaire was developed to investigate community knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding primary prevention and early detection activities. This paper describes the results of a postal survey of a random sample of 855 Queensland adults selected from electoral rolls. Results indicate that there is a high level of uncertainty about bowel cancer and a belief that many behaviours are related to bowel cancer. While 74 per cent believed that tests could detect bowel cancer, only 52 per cent were confident that a doctor could accurately diagnose it. Only 35 per cent agreed that the public should be screened for bowel cancer and only 10 per cent would get a check-up. Perhaps reflecting the degree of uncertainty among health professionals about bowel cancer, there appears to be a high level of misinformation and confusion in the community. The need for an educational programme to address these issues is discussed. Article in Health Education Journal 54(3):331-339 September 1995

Oral chondroitin sulfate and prebiotics for the treatment of canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND Canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic enteropathy of unknown etiology, although microbiome dysbiosis, genetic susceptibility, and dietary and/or environmental factors are hypothesized to be involved in its pathogenesis. Since some of the current therapies are associated with severe side effects, novel therapeutic modalities are needed. A new oral supplement for long-term management of canine IBD containing chondroitin sulfate (CS) and prebiotics (resistant starch, β-glucans and mannaoligosaccharides) was developed to target intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress, and restore normobiosis, without exhibiting any side effects. This double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in dogs with IBD aims to evaluate the effects of 180 days administration of this supplement together with a hydrolyzed diet on clinical signs, intestinal histology, gut microbiota, and serum biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. RESULTS Twenty-seven client-owned biopsy-confirmed IBD dogs were included in the study, switched to the same hydrolyzed diet and classified into one of two groups: supplement and placebo. Initially, there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05) for any of the studied parameters. Final data analysis (supplement: n = 9; placebo: n = 10) showed a significant decrease in canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI) score in both groups after treatment (p < 0.001). After treatment, a significant decrease (1.53-fold; p < 0.01) in histologic score was seen only in the supplement group. When groups were compared, the supplement group showed significantly higher serum cholesterol (p < 0.05) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) levels after 60 days of treatment (p < 0.01), and the placebo group showed significantly reduced serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels after 120 days (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups at any time point for CIBDAI, WSAVA histologic score and fecal microbiota evaluated by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). No side effects were reported in any group. CONCLUSIONS The combined administration of the supplement with hydrolyzed diet over 180 days was safe and induced improvements in selected serum biomarkers, possibly suggesting a reduction in disease activity. This study was likely underpowered, therefore larger studies are warranted in order to demonstrate a supplemental effect to dietary treatment of this supplement on intestinal histology and CIBDAI.

Síndrome Fetal Alcoólico, psicomotricidade, leitura e escrita : uma intervenção simultânea

Trabalho de Projeto apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Educação Especial – Domínio Cognitivo e Motor.

Quando a morte antecede o nascimento: atuação do enfermeiro especialista em saúde materna e obstetrícia na assistência à mulher que vivência uma morte fetal

A perda gestacional é uma experiência dolorosa e complexa para a mãe/casal. O enfermeiro surge como promotor da adaptação á perda. Com esta intervenção, pretendo assegurar boas práticas de enfermagem na assistência às mulheres/casais em situação de perda gestacional. Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo em que se realizaram entrevistas a mulheres que vivenciaram perda gestacional e aos Enfermeiros Especialistas de Saúde Materna e Obstétrica como prestadores de cuidados. Os resultados mostram que os enfermeiros consideram a perda gestacional uma experiência difícil de vivenciar, identificando necessidades de formação. As mulheres referem diferenças na abordagem por parte dos enfermeiros aquando dos cuidados recebidos, falta de apoio e necessidade de encaminhamento após a alta hospitalar. Efetuou-se formação aos enfermeiros com peritos da área e desenvolveram-se procedimentos para uniformizar os cuidados. Foi criado um procedimento para uniformizar a prática e materiais de suporte para o apoio na prestação de cuidados de enfermagem; WHEN THE DEATH ANTECIPATES THE BIRTH: MIDWIVES' ROLE IN ASSISTANCE TO WOMENWHO EXPERIENCE FETAL DEATH. ABSTRACT: Pregnancy loss is a painful and complex experience to the mother/couple. The nurse is the promoting agent to the loss adaptation. With this project, I intend to ensure good nursing practices in assisting women/couples who experience a pregnancy loss. A qualitative study was performed, in which interviews were conducted to women who experienced a pregnancy loss and to nurse-midwives who provided care. Results demonstrated that nurse-midwives find pregnancy loss as a difficult experience, identifying educational needs. Women relate differences in the nurse-midwives’ approach during care, lack of support and the need of follow-up after hospital discharge. Nurse-midwives were subjected to training with experts and procedures were developed in order to standardize care. A practice standardizing procedure and educational materials were created to support nursing practice.

Establishment of a mouse model of colitis and its use to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of two ghrelin peptides

Ghrelin is a gut-brain peptide hormone that induces appetite, stimulates the release of growth hormone, and has recently been shown to ameliorate inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that ghrelin may play a potential role in inflammation-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). A previous study with ghrelin in the TNBS mouse model of colitis demonstrated that ghrelin treatment decreased the clinical severity of colitis and inflammation and prevented the recurrence of disease. Ghrelin may be acting at the immunological and epithelial level as the ghrelin receptor (GHSR) is expressed by immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells. The current project investigated the effect of ghrelin in a different mouse model of colitis using dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) – a luminal toxin. Two molecular weight forms of DSS were used as they give differing effects (5kDa and 40kDa). Ghrelin treatment significantly improved clinical colitis scores (p=0.012) in the C57BL/6 mouse strain with colitis induced by 2% DSS (5kDa). Treatment with ghrelin suppressed colitis in the proximal colon as indicated by reduced accumulative histopathology scores (p=0.03). Whilst there was a trend toward reduced scores in the mid and distal colon in these mice this did not reach significance. Ghrelin did not affect histopathology scores in the 40kDa model. There was no significant effect on the number of regulatory T cells or TNF-α secretion from cultured lymph node cells from these mice. The discovery of C-terminal ghrelin peptides, for example, obestatin and the peptide derived from exon 4 deleted proghrelin (Δ4 preproghrelin peptide) have raised questions regarding their potential role in biological functions. The current project investigated the effect of Δ4 peptide in the DSS model of colitis however no significant suppression of colitis was observed. In vitro epithelial wound healing assays were also undertaken to determine the effect of ghrelin on intestinal epithelial cell migration. Ghrelin did not significantly improve wound healing in these assays. In conclusion, ghrelin treatment displays a mild anti-inflammatory effect in the 5kDa DSS model. The potential mechanisms behind this effect and the disparity between these results and those published previously will be discussed.

Obesity in pregnancy : outcomes and economics

Maternal obesity is an important aspect of reproductive care. It is the commonest risk factor for maternal mortality in developed countries and is also associated with a wide spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal obesity may have longer-term implications for the health of the mother and infant, which in turn will have economic implications. Efforts to prevent, manage and treat obesity in pregnancy will be costly, but may pay dividends from reduced future economic costs, and subsequent improvements to maternal and infant health. Decision-makers working in this area of health services should understand whether the problem can be reduced, at what cost; and then, what cost savings and health benefits will accrue in the future from a reduction of the problem.

Vitamin D in health and disease : an insight into traditional functions and new roles for the 'sunshine vitamin'

Vitamin D is unique among the vitamins in that humans can synthesize it via the action of UV radiation upon the skin. This combined with its ability to act on specific target tissues via Vitamin D Receptor’s (VDR) make its classification as a steroid hormone more appropriate. While Vitamin D deficiency is a recognized problem in some northern latitude countries, recent studies have shown even in sunny countries such as Australia, vitamin D deficiency may be more prevalent than first thought. Vitamin D is most well known for its role in bone health, however, the discovery of VDR’s on a wide variety of tissue types has also opened up roles for vitamin D far beyond traditional bone health. These include possible associations with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and muscle strength. Firstly, this paper presents an overview of the two sources of vitamin D: exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation and food sources of vitamin D, with particular focus on both Australian and international studies on dietary vitamin D intake and national fortification strategies. Secondly, the paper reviews recent epidemiological and experimental evidence linking vitamin D and its role in health and disease for the major conditions linked to suboptimal vitamin D, while identifying significant gaps in the research and possible future directions for research.

Combining electrospun scaffolds with electrosprayed hydrogels leads to three-dimensional cellularization of hybrid constructs

A common problem in the design of tissue engineered scaffolds using electrospun scaffolds is the poor cellular infiltration into the structure. To tackle this issue, three approaches to scaffold design using electrospinning were investigated: selective leaching of a water-soluble fiber phase (poly ethylene oxide (PEO) or gelatin), the use of micron-sized fibers as the scaffold, and a combination of micron-sized fibers with codeposition of a hyaluronic acid-derivative hydrogel, Heprasil. These designs were achieved by modifying a conventional electrospinning system with two charged capillaries and a rotating mandrel collector. Three types of scaffolds were fabricated: medical grade poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/collagen (mPCL/Col) cospun with PEO or gelatin, mPCL/Col meshes with micron-sized fibers, and mPCL/Col microfibers cosprayed with Heprasil. All three scaffold types supported attachment and proliferation of human fetal osteoblasts. However, selective leaching only marginally improved cellular infiltration when compared to meshes obtained by conventional electrospinning. Better cell penetration was seen in mPCL/Col microfibers, and this effect was more pronounced when Heprasil regions were present in the structure. Thus, such techniques could be further exploited for the design of cell permeable fibrous meshes for tissue engineering applications.

Australian pelvic floor questionnaire : a validated interviewer-administered pelvic floor questionnaire for routine clinic and research

The aim of this study was to design and validate an interviewer-administered pelvic floor questionnaire that integrates bladder, bowel and sexual function, pelvic organ prolapse, severity, bothersomeness and condition-specific quality of life. Validation testing of the questionnaire was performed using data from 106 urogynaecological patients and a separately sampled community cohort of 49 women. Missing data did not exceed 2% for any question. It distinguished community and urogynaecological populations regarding pelvic floor dysfunction. The bladder domain correlated with the short version of the Urogenital Distress Inventory, bowel function with an established bowel questionnaire and prolapse symptoms with the International Continence Society prolapse quantification. Sexual function assessment reflected scores on the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire. Cronbach’s α coefficients were acceptable in all domains. Kappa coefficients of agreement for the test–retest analyses varied from 0.5 to 1.0. The interviewer-administered pelvic floor questionnaire assessed pelvic floor function in a reproducible and valid fashion in a typical urogynaecological clinic.