Gender does not affect fetal heart rate variation

There is a widespread but erroneous view among the lay public that there is a difference in the baseline fetal heart rate between male and female fetuses. It has been suggested that this perception might reflect an actual difference in fetal heart rate variability. Therefore, we studied the fetal heart rate variation in 79 white European women using the Sonicaid System 8002 computer. Fourty-four of the fetuses were male and 35 were female. There was no significant gender difference in any measured aspect of fetal heart rate variation.     

Fluctuation of cardiotocographic tracings during labor in fetal growth retardation

The objective of our study was to analyse the fluctuation of cardiotocographic scores during labor in fetal growth retardation (FGR). The study took place at the University hospital "Principe de Asturias", Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. 170 at term FGR fetuses and 170 at term fetuses without FGR as control group were compared using modified Fischer scores, which were blindly performed at 3, 5 and 10 cm of cervical dilatation. As results we found out that the mean value of the Fischer score was significantly lower in FGR at 3 cm of cervical dilatation (8.1 +/- 1 vs 8.7 +/- 0.6), as well as at 5 cm (7.6 +/- 0.9 vs 8.1 +/- 0.7) and at 10 cm (6.7 +/- 0.8 vs 7.4 +/- 0.8). Poor prognosis cardiotocograms were also more common in FGR than in the control group in the three cut-offs points studied (7.5% vs 0.6% at 3 cm, 9.8 vs 1.8 at 5 cm and 37.9 vs 11.6 at complete cervical dilatation). The afore mentioned differences were more remarkable as labor advanced. Conclusions are that poor fetal heart rate recordings were detected in FGR at the beginning of labor when compared with control group fetuses and the differences between both groups increased while the labor prolonging.     

Maternal malnutrition does not affect fetal hepatic glycogen synthase ontogeny

Maternal malnutrition late in pregnancy results in the reduced storage of fetal hepatic glycogen in the final days of gestation and an accentuation of normal birth-related hypoglycemia. It was of interest to determine whether or not low glycogen levels resulted when maternal malnutrition disrupted the normal ontogeny of fetal hepatic glycogen synthase, an important glycogenic enzyme. A defect in this enzyme would be expected to seriously affect prenatal and postnatal glycogen synthesis. For this study, livers were removed from fetuses from malnourished (50% of normal dietary intake) mice, as well as from ad libitum-fed mice, and used for the determination of hepatic glycogen, glycogen synthase activity, and glycogen synthase protein levels. In this paper we report that maternal dietary restriction late in pregnancy produces growth-retarded fetuses with severely reduced hepatic glycogen levels, but the normal ontogenic changes in the quantity and activity of hepatic glycogen synthase were not affected. It is especially significant that the accumulation of glycogen synthase occurred despite the minimal level of natural substrate available for the enzyme. These results suggest that the accumulation and activity of hepatic glycogen synthase during late gestation is related to developmental events rather than levels of substrate or glycogen.     

Cocaine does not compromise cerebral or myocardial oxygen delivery in fetal sheep

Aprikalim, a K+ ATP channel opener, is a potent vasodilator with demonstrated cardioprotective properties against ischemia/reperfusion injury. It is still unknown if K+ ATP channel openers exert their beneficial effects via interaction with oxygen-derived free radicals. Therefore, we investigated the cardioprotective effects of aprikalim against oxygen-derived free radicals. Isolated rabbit hearts were perfused at constant pressure (85 cm H2O) or constant flow (30-35 ml/min). Heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), and either coronary flow or coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) were monitored. Free radicals were produced by electrolysis of the perfusate (0.6 mA, direct current), and 10 microM aprikalim was infused before and after exposure to free radicals. In the constant perfusion pressure experiments, 10 min of exposure to free radicals resulted in a significant reduction of heart rate (137 to 129 beats/min), LVDP (112 to 91 mmHg) and coronary flow (37 to 29 ml/min); coronary flow was more markedly impaired than contractile function. Acetylcholine-induced coronary dilation was also significantly attenuated in the presence of free radicals. After 30 min of recovery, both coronary flow and LVDP were still significantly decreased while acetylcholine-induced coronary dilation had fully recuperated. Aprikalim completely abated the coronary and cardiac depressant actions of free radicals. Constant flow experiments indicated that exposure to free radicals increased CPP (+40%, p < 0.05), an effect totally suppressed by aprikalim. These results demonstrate that aprikalim reverses the cardiodepressant actions of free radicals. The cardioprotection it afforded involves both contractile function and the coronary vasculature. Acetylcholine-induced coronary dilation was blunted by free radicals, an indication of complex interactions at the coronary endothelial level.     

Lung collapse during one lung ventilation does not change low frequency respiratory mechanics

The three-dimensional structure of pterin-4a-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been solved. Based on this we have investigated the roles of putative active center residues through functional replacement by site-directed mutagenesis. Three histidines, His73, His74 and His91, appear to be involved in dehydration catalysis. The three-dimensional positions of these residues match those of corresponding histidines at the active center of human PCD. Based on the coincidence of catalytic parameters, and on the similar effects induced by the mutations, it is concluded that the substrate binding mode and the reaction mechanisms of bacterial and human PCD are basically identical.     

Experimental jaw-muscle pain does not change heteronymous H-reflexes in the human temporalis muscle

The role of growth factors in controlling the development of glial cells in both the peripheral and central nervous systems has been investigated for a number of years. The recent discovery of a new family of growth factors termed the neuregulins (NRGs) has led to an explosion of information concerning the putative role of these growth factors in the development of Schwann cells (SC), oligodendrocytes (OLG), and astrocytes. Many of these previous studies have focused on the effects of exogenous NRGs on glial cell development and differentiation. We now review the evidence that these glial cells themselves produce NRGs and discuss the major implications of these findings with respect to glial cell development and diseases which affect glial cell function. We also discuss the potential role of endogenous NRGs following neural injury.     

Epidural anaesthesia for elective caesarean section does not influence fetal umbilical artery blood flow indices

This prospective study was completed to determine the influence of epidural anaesthesia on the fetoplacental circulation of normal subjects. Thirty-seven normal pregnant patients at term, undergoing elective Caesarean section, had Doppler measurements of the fetal umbilical artery blood flow velocity before and after epidural anaesthesia using lidocaine 2% without epinephrine. There were no differences in systolic/diastolic, resistance or pulsality indices following epidural anaesthesia. These results suggest that this technique has no adverse effect on fetoplacental circulation in normal non-labouring subjects.     

Automatic tocography using the Cardiff infusion system under cardiotocographic control with the fetal monitor BMT 504

Clinical results of the induction of labour by means of the Cardiff-equipment. The fetal monitor BMT-504 (VEB Kombinat Mebger?tewerk Zw?nitz) has been used as cardiotocographic control unit. Labour has been induced with oxytocin (n = 38) or methyloxytocin (n = 30). 50 deliveries, which where induced by means of intravenous oxytocin infusion enables to be comparate the results. Using the automatic infusion the average induction-delivery interval was 4 hours 14 minutes, the average dosage of tocergic drugs was 2 IW oxytocin or 20 mug methyloxytocin. Using oxytocin for labour induction we found an increase in obstetric operative frequency caused by fetal distress. There where an increase in basal tone of uterine activity in this patients. Therefore we recommend methyloxytocin for the labour induction of high risk pregnancies. The safety factors, which are incorporated in the Cardiff-equipment have many advantages in obstetrical routine work, to determine fetal distress at an earlier stage. The results presented show that with this automatic infusion system labour can induced with even greater efficiency and safety. The equipment is very useful in accordance to the continuous increasing number of planned deliveries.     

How does brain MRI lesion volume change on serial scans in patients with multiple sclerosis?

Although lesion load changes on conventional T2-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are used to monitor the effect of treatment, there is no clear definition of how lesion load changes over years according to the lesion load present at a baseline evaluation. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between lesion load changes over time and lesion load at a baseline evaluation in a group of untreated patients with MS. We scanned nineteen patients on two separate occasions with a mean interval 16.4 months between the two examinations. In each scanning session, a scan with forty contiguous 3-mm-thick axial slices was acquired. We assessed MRI lesion loads using a semi-automated local thresholding technique. Both a linear (p < 0.0001) and a quadratic component (p = 0.0008) of the baseline volume were significant in describing the follow-up volume. The equation to model this finding was as follows: Vf = beta0 Vb + beta1 (Vb)2, where Vf is the lesion volume at follow-up, Vb is the lesion volume at baseline, beta0 = 0.834 (SE = 0.098), and beta1 = 0.014 (SE = 0.003) (mL)(-1). Our data indicate that lesion volume changes detectable on serial brain MRI studies from patients with MS are dependent on the extent of lesion burden present on the baseline MRI scans. This finding has to be considered when planning phase III trials.     

Thrombolytic therapy does not change the release ratios of enzymatic and non-enzymatic myocardial marker proteins

Measurements of cardiac marker proteins in plasma from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have become important in the evaluation of recanalization therapy. The validity of this approach has however been questioned, because it was claimed that coronary reperfusion may increase the recovery in plasma of cardiac enzymes, such as creatine kinase (CK). In the present study, possible effects of thrombolytic therapy on the release of enzymatic and nonenzymatic marker proteins were investigated. Activities of CK and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and concentrations of myoglobin (Mb) and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) were determined in serial plasma samples obtained from 50 patients with confirmed AMI, of whom 36 received thrombolytic therapy, and 14 did not. Treatment delay was 2.8+/-1.6 (mean+/-SD) h, and hospital delay in untreated patients was 2.7+/-1.8 h. Average infarct size, expressed in gram-equivalents of heart muscle per litre of plasma (g-eq/l), varied between 5.5 and 7.2 g-eq/l for the four marker proteins in patients treated with thrombolytic therapy, and between 4.6 and 6.4 g-eq/l in untreated patients, with a tendency to larger infarct sizes for Mb and FABP than for CK and LDH. Thrombolytic therapy, although significantly accelerating protein release rates, did not influence the release ratios. These results indicate that thrombolytic therapy has no significant effects on the recovery of cardiac marker proteins in plasma.     

Why does attachment style change?

Adult attachment research has proceeded on the assumption that attachment style is relatively stable and affects future functioning. However, researchers have become interested in attachment instability and predictors of attachment style change. In this article, 2 conceptualizations of attachment style change were examined: Attachment style change is a reaction to current circumstances, and attachment style change is an individual difference in susceptibility to change that is associated with stable vulnerability factors. A total of 155 women were assessed after high school graduation, and 6 months and 2 years later. Results primarily supported the conceptualization of attachment style change as an individual difference. Specifically, some women may be prone to attachment fluctuations because of adverse earlier experiences, and women who show attachment fluctuations are similar to women with stably insecure attachments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Force of voluntary exercise does not affect sensorimotor cortex activation as detected by functional MRI at 1.5 T

Pharmaceuticals have already been studied comprehensively both in their physico-chemical properties and their biological effect. Most of these compounds are chemically synthesized and less susceptible to degradation by micro-organism or suffering from solvent effect compared with the bio-active substances. Affinity chromatographic columns composed of pharmaceutical compounds as the ligand should have advantages such as long life, low cost and low toxicity. This paper describes the preparation of sulphamethoxazolum immobilized on silica as the column packing and the study of its interactions with proteins and enzymes. It was found that this material showed an affinity specific to trypsin with a dissociation constant of around 10(-6) M. The enzymatic activity of commercial trypsin can be increased by a factor of ten after purification with such a column.     

Posturography does not test vestibulospinal function

The clinical usefulness of posturography is unknown, despite its costing more than +500 per test in some areas of the United States, including Boston. We cross-sectionally and prospectively studied blinded vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal tests from 29 stable patients with chronic vestibular hypofunction; 22 patients were affected bilaterally (BVH), and 7 were affected unilaterally (UVH). Vestibulo-ocular function was assessed by electronystagmographic caloric stimulation and sinusoidal vertical axis rotation gains at 0.05 Hz. Vestibulospinal function was assessed by moving-platform and visualsurround posturography sensory organization tests (SOTs), paced and free gait in a gait laboratory, and clinical tests of timed gait and standing. Posturography SOT moving-platform tests 4 through 6, designed to assess vestibular function, correlated significantly (r < or = 0.72, P > or = 0.01) with vestibulo-ocular tests in 5 of 6 comparisons among BVH patients. Posturography SOT results, however, correlated poorly with other vestibulospinal measures: correlations were statistically significant for only 7 of 18 comparisons with clinical balance and gait function (r < or = 0.69, P > or = 0.01) and with 2 of 12 comparisons for gait laboratory dynamic stability measures (r < or = 0.55, P > or = 0.01) among the BVH patients. When both the platform and visual surround moved (SOT 6), however, correlations were statistically significant with static standing clinical measures (r = 0.51 to 0.69, P < 0.01) and with whole-body maximum moment arm during paced gait (r = 0.55, P < 0.01). Posturography scores for the UVH patients did not significantly correlate with any vestibulo-ocular or other vestibulospinal measures. These data indicate that among patients with BVH posturography SOT scores relate at best modestly with accepted measure of vestibulo-ocular function, less well with clinical measures of balance control, and poorly with dynamic gait-performance measures. We conclude that posturography SOT does not assess vestibulospinal function.     

One size does not fit all.

The importance of tailoring consulting interventions to fit the true needs of individual client organizations is illustrated by analogy in this vocational biography of a small business owner who first opened his shop as a harness maker for horses and mules and later diversified into the retailing of shoes for humans (within the leather industry) and tires for cars (within the transportation industry). One size does not fit all in any of these markets. The reciprocal relationship between products and service is also demonstrated. More broadly, the case is used to illustrate how consultants can apply in their own practices a variety of business principles to be observed on clients' premises. It is proposed that learning from one's clients in such a manner is a sometimes neglected but career-long continuing education opportunity for consulting psychologists that deserves their further attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gabapentin does not alter single-dose lithium pharmacokinetics

We considered the role of monounsaturated and other types of fats on breast carcinogenesis, using data from a case-control study of 2,569 incident, histologically confirmed cases of breast cancer and 2,588 controls from six Italian areas. The multivariate odds ratios, adjusted for age, education, parity, menopausal status plus various sources of energy and types of fats, were 1.10 (95% confidence interval 0.99-1.23) for an increase of 10 g/day of saturated fat intake, 0.99 (0.94-1.04) for an increase of 10 g/day of monounsaturated fats, and 0.91 (0.87-0.96) for an increase of 5 g/day of polyunsaturated fats. The present data confirm that saturated, but not mono- or polyunsaturated fats, are directly, though moderately, related to breast cancer risk.     

Insulin does not promote rat mammary carcinogenesis

Indirect evidence from both epidemiological studies and animal experiments suggests that insulin may promote breast cancer development. In this study, we directly tested for a promoting effect of insulin on mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifty day-old female rats received an i.p. injection of 37.5 mg/kg methylnitrosourea (MNU). Five days later, the animals were randomized into two groups. One group received insulin injections five times/week until the time of death, while the other control group received similar injections of normal saline. Over the course of 26 weeks following MNU treatment, the mammary tumour incidence in the insulin-treated group did not differ significantly from the saline-treated controls. Furthermore, the number of tumours per tumour-bearing rat did not differ between groups. Our results demonstrate that insulin is not a promoter of mammary carcinogenesis in this model.