[Gastroileostomy: an avoidable surgical error (report of 3 cases and review of the problem)].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
J Leon
Publications and source records attributed to J Leon.
Distribution of neural tube defects as a function of maternal weight: no apparent correlation.
OBJECTIVES: Maternal nutritional deficiency is an important predisposing factor to congenital neural tube defects (NTDs). It was hypothesized that obese women may have an increased risk for NTDs. The aim of the present study was to address this question in a large cohort. METHODS: A total of 72,915 consecutive cases of biochemical screening that had documented maternal weights and pregnancy outcomes were identified from the Quest Diagnostic Laboratories database. Patients were divided into five ranges of maternal weights, and the incidence of NTDs was calculated for each group. Based on the different definitions of maternal overweight, the data were also analyzed based on 2 groups only, obese and nonobese, using three cutoff points. RESULTS: Seventy-nine pregnancies were complicated by NTDs (incidence of 1.08 per 1,000 pregnancies). Differences between maternal weights ranges were not found to be statistically significant (chi2 = 5.997, p = 0.19, power = 0.99). Differences between obese and nonobese mothers were not found to be statistically significant for all three analyses as well. CONCLUSIONS: Our present results do not support an association between maternal obesity and NTDs.
Body Weight↗
Urinary beta-core fragment as a predictor of abnormal pregnancy at 4-6 weeks' gestation.
Currently, transvaginal ultrasound and serial serum beta-hCG measurements are used to differentiate normal versus abnormal gestations in the first trimester of pregnancy. These techniques have been found to be ineffective when the gestations are earlier than 6 weeks. This study was conducted to determine if urinary beta-core fragment, the urine degradation product of beta-hCG, could be used to distinguish normal from abnormal gestations between 4 and 6 weeks. Urine samples were obtained from 27 patients on initial presentation to the emergency room or outpatient settings with gestations at 4-6 weeks by sure last menstrual period. The urine was then frozen at -40 degrees C and sent for beta-core assay analysis. Eighteen women with normal intrauterine pregnancies and nine abnormal pregnancies, including ectopics and spontaneous abortions, were studied. Pearson correlations were performed with a p < 0.05 considered significant. In the normal gestations, there was a positive correlation between beta-core fragment and gestational age at 4-6 weeks (r = 0.461, p < 0.05). This correlation was not evident in abnormal gestations (r = 0.360, p = 0.34). In early pregnancy, beta-core fragment correlates positively with gestational age which is not apparent in abnormal counterparts. This finding suggests that urinary beta-core fragment may be a promising marker to differentiate normal early pregnancies from abnormal gestations.
Biomarkers↗
Alzheimer's disease care: costs and potential savings.
A cross-sectional study of 679 Alzheimer's disease patients from thirteen sites in nine states provides a unique opportunity to estimate costs of Alzheimer's disease care by disease stage and care setting and to explore potential areas of cost savings. In 1996 annual costs of caring for patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease were $18,408, $30,096, and $36,132, respectively. Monthly savings of $2,029 in formal services are possible if disease progression can be slowed. Annual institutional cost savings of $9,132 also are achievable if alternative residential settings are used.
Aged↗
Severe calcinosis cutis associated with treatment of hypoparathyroidism in a dog.
A 6-month-old, female border collie was referred for evaluation of hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, fever, and painful ventral abdominal skin. She had recently been treated intravenously and subcutaneously (SC) with a diluted 10% calcium gluconate solution. The medical evaluation supported the diagnosis of primary hypoparathyroidism, but the subsequent hospital course was complicated by severe calcinosis cutis, which caused extensive skin necrosis and marked debilitation. This patient illustrates that administration of a calcium gluconate solution SC can be associated with extensive morbidity when administered to hyperphosphatemic patients.
Abdomen↗
Make the most of your time by trusting yourself.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Efficiency↗
Epstein-Barr virus (herpesvirus 4) types A, B and herpesvirus-6 variants A and B in patients presenting with recurrent upper respiratory inflammation, persistent paravertebral thoraco-lumbar muscle spasm and fatigue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
DNA from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Types A, B and Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) Variants A and B was detected by the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the saliva of 51 non-immunocompromised donor patients and in the blood of seventy non-immunocompromised donor patients with specific signs and symptoms. The minimum selection criteria for each patient included acute or recurrent upper respiratory infection, unilateral thoracolumbar muscle spasm and fatigue. PCR DNA detection in the saliva of selected donors revealed 80% of the donors had either Type A or B EBV (41 of 51), 34.1% Type B EBV only (14 of 41), 9% Type A only (4 of 41), and 56.1% Type A and B EBV (23 of 41). HHV-6 DNA was detected in 45.0% (23 of 51). PCR for EBV in blood of selected donors revealed 68.5% Type A or B EBV (48 of 70), 0% type B EBV alone, 64.8% Type A EBV only (31 of 48) and 35.4% both Type A and B EBV (17 of 48). HHV-6 was detected in 96.4% (64 of 70). The association of Type B EBV in the pathogenesis of these patients is explored based on the PCR quantitation of B type EBV DNA present in the samples.
Antibodies, Viral↗