Local capillary supply in muscle is not determined by local oxidative capacity

It is thought that the prime determinant of global muscle capillary density is the mean oxidative capacity. However, feedback control during maturational growth or adaptive remodelling of local muscle capillarisation is likely to be more complex than simply matching O2 supply and demand in response to integrated tissue function. We tested the hypothesis that the maximal oxygen consumption (MO2,max) supported by a capillary is relatively constant, and independent of the volume of tissue supplied (capillary domain). We demonstrate that local MO2,max assessed by succinate dehydrogenase histochemistry: (1) varied more than 100-fold between individual capillaries and (2) was positively correlated to capillary domain area in both human vastus lateralis (R=0.750, P<0.001) and soleus (R=0.697, P<0.001) muscles. This suggests that, in contrast to common assumptions, capillarisation is not primarily dictated by local oxidative capacity, but rather by factors such as fibre size, or consequences of differences in fibre size such as substrate delivery and metabolite removal

Cervical pessaries for the prevention of preterm birth: a systematic review

Introduction. Reduction of preterm birth is a major goal in obstetric care. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies on the effectiveness of the cervical pessary to prevent preterm birth. Methods. We searched the electronic databases of MEDLINE and Embase from inception until April 2012 to identify studies investigating treatment with a cervical pessary to prevent preterm birth. We constructed two-by-two tables for delivery before 28, 34, and 37 weeks of gestation and calculated relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Results. The search revealed 103 potentially eligible abstracts of which six cohort studies and four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the effectiveness of the pessary. One RCT (n = 380) demonstrated a lower delivery rate prior to 34 weeks (RR 0.24; 95% CI 0.13-0.43) in the pessary group, while another RCT (n = 108) showed no positive effect of pessary for delivery before 34 weeks (RR 1.73; 95% CI 0.43-6.88). Two older quasi randomized studies and cohort studies indicated potential effect of the pessary. Conclusions. Available randomized and nonrandomized studies indicate potential effectiveness of a cervical pessary in the prevention of preterm birth. More randomized clinical trials are needed before this device can be used in clinical practice.Sophie M. S. Liem, Mariëlle G. van Pampus, Ben Willem J. Mol, and Dick J. Bekeda

Development of a green material for horticulture

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), used as a matrix, was mixed with wood fibers, coffee grounds, fertilizer and a foaming agent to develop an ecofriendly material to be used in horticulture. For this application materials should have mechanical properties similar to PLA, increased biodegradability and a lower price than currently used materials. The new materials were prepared by melt processing in an internal mixer at 190 ° C and were characterized by several techniques. The mechanical properties of the biocomposites, measured by flexural tests, were similar to neat PLA, even with a reduction of 40 wt% of polymer. Biodegradation assessment by composting tests in an aerobic environment demonstrated that the green materials exhibited higher biodegradability than PLA. Biocomposites containing wood fibers and fertilizer were revealed to be the most suitable for horticulture application, as these can combine mechanical properties, biodegradability and fertilizer release. Moreover, this green material has two main advantages: it can be prepared using materials from natural resources, and it does not generate any residue after use.n-STeP Project, NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000039, supported by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2) and PEst- C/CTM/LA0025/2013 (Strategic Project-LA 25-2013-2014

Cervical length measurement for the prediction of preterm birth in symptomatic women with a twin pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess whether cervical length measurement (CL) could predict preterm birth (PTB) in symptomatic women with a twin pregnancy. Methods. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify studies investigating the accuracy of CL measurement in predicting PTB in symptomatic women with a twin pregnancy. We extracted data to construct two-by-two tables and used bivariate meta-analysis to generate point estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Results. Five studies ( ) were included. Variation in definition of PTB and cut-off points for CL was strong. One study investigated delivery within seven days, demonstrating a sensitivity of 1.0 (95% CI: 0.83–1.0) and a specificity of 0.31 (95% CI 0.2–0.43) for a CL cutoff at 25 mm. Three studies reported on predicting PTB < 37 weeks at a CL cutoff of 30 mm, with sROC point estimates of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66 to 0.84) and 0.37 (95% CI: 0.21 to 0.56) for sensitivity and specificity, respectively. For preterm birth <34 weeks, no pooled estimates could be estimated since only 2 studies with large heterogeneity were identified. Conclusions. There is limited evidence on the accuracy of cervical length measurement testing the prediction of preterm birth in symptomatic women with a twin pregnancy, especially on the most important outcome, that is, delivery within 7 days.S. M. S. Liem, L. van de Mheen, D. J. Bekedam, M. G. van Pampus, B. C. Opmeer, A. C. Lim, and B. W. J. Mo

Child outcomes after placement of a cervical pessary in women with a multiple pregnancy : A 4-year follow-up of the ProTWIN trial

Acknowledgements We like to thank the research nurses of the Dutch Consortium for Healthcare Evaluation and Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology for their help in finding contact details of the parents.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Role of China in the Quest to Define and Control Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

China holds the key to solving many questions crucial to global control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The disease appears to have originated in Guangdong Province, and the causative agent, SARS coronavirus, is likely to have originated from an animal host, perhaps sold in public markets. Epidemiologic findings, integral to defining an animal-human linkage, may then be confirmed by laboratory studies; once animal host(s) are confirmed, interventions may be needed to prevent further animal-to-human transmission. Community seroprevalence studies may help determine the basis for the decline in disease incidence in Guangdong Province after February 2002. China will also be able to contribute key data about how the causative agent is transmitted and how it is evolving, as well as identifying pivotal factors influencing disease outcome. There must be support for systematically addressing these fundamental questions in China and rapidly disseminating results