The effects of infrared laser therapy and weightbath traction hydrotherapy in disorders of the lumbar spine: a controlled pilot study with follow-up

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Increased nuchal translucency and congenital heart defects in euploid fetuses: the Szeged experience

Objective: To determine the utility of the first-trimester fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in the prediction of fetal cardiac malformations. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medical Genetics, University of Szeged. Methods: The pre- and postnatal course and outcome. and the relationship between the first-trimester fetal NT thickness and fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs) in 4309 pregnancies ended up with birth or therapeutic abortion between January 1998 and June 2000 were registered. Prenatal care included first- and second-trimester fetal sonography at weeks 10-13 and 18-20, respectively. Results: 4251 births and 58 first- and second-trimester therapeutic abortions due to lethal congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities were recorded. Altogether 209 (4.9%) congenital malformations were detected, 39 (18.7%) of which were heart defects with normal karyotype. At birth, 151 congenital malformations were diagnosed. 34 of them were known prenatally. The prevalence of CHDs was 9 per 1000 pregnancies. The measurement of fetal NT thickness was available in 35 of the 39 fetuses with heart defects: it was greater than or equal to3 nim in 18 (51.4%) and <3 mm in 17 (48.6%). A sensitivity of 51.4% was found at a cutoff of 3 mm. Conclusions: An increased NT thickness in chromosomally normal fetuses was found to be highly associated with CHDs and identified in more than half of the affected cases. Furthermore. an increased NT of greater than or equal to3 mm can be regarded a selection criterion for early second-trimester targeted fetal echocardiography and for increased fetal and neonatal surveillance. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Állati eredetű élelmiszerekben előforduló szermaradványok mennyiségi változásai

In 1976, contents of chlorinated hydrocarbons (total DDT and total HCH) were determined by the authors in 793 samples of foods of animal origin. From the aspect of the DDT content the most objections occurred in case of investigations of cattle and pig fat tissues, further in case of investigations of fat tissues of non-domesticated animals. The amount of HCH and its isomers was insignificant, ranging throughout below the lim it value. The DDT contents were compared with those observed in earlier years since 1971. It was found that the DDT level decreased steadily, the greatest decrease occurred in 1976. The investigation of organic phosphoric acid esters was carried out in .1976 in 209 samples. All results were negative. Trace elements (zinc, copper, lead, arsenic and mercury) were investigated in 401 samples. Contents exceeding the Hungarian lim it values were found only in case of zinc contents but even in that case they corresponded to international data. The investigation of antibiotics (Zn-bacitracin, OTC, penicillin, flavomvcin) gave throughout negative results. Hormone effects were investigated in 74 samples, all of which proved to be unobjectionable. Der Gehalt an chlorierten Kohlenwasserstoffen (Gesamt-DDT und GesamtHCH) wurde von den Verfassern im Jahre 1976 in 793 Mustern von tierischen Lebensmitteln untersucht. Vom Standpunkt des DDT kamen die meisten Beanstandungen bei den Geweben vom Rindvieh und vom Schweinfett, ferner bei der Untersuchung der Fettgeweben von Wildtieren vor. Der Gehalt an HCH und an seinen Isomeren war unbedeutend, er war jedich immer niedriger als der Grenzwert. Die Gestaltung des DDT-Gehaltes wurde auch in den Jahren seit 1971 m iteinander vergleichen. Es wurde dabeit festgestellt, dass sich der Gehalt an DDT verminderte, die Abnahme war im Jahr 1976 die höchste. Die Untersuchung der organischen Phosphorsäureestern wurde im Jahr 1976 in 209 Mustern durchgeführt. Alle Untersuchungsergebnisse waren negativ. Spurelemente (Zink, Kupfer, Blei, Arsen,"Quecksilber) wurden in 401 Mustern untersucht. Höhere Werte als die ungarischen Grenzwerte wurden nur im Fall des Zinkgehaltes festgesttllt, ihr Niveau war jedoch niedriger als die internationalen Angaben. Die Untersuchung der Antibiotika (Zink-Bacitracin, OTC, Penicillin, Flavomycin) gab in jedem Fall negative Ergebnisse. Hormonwirkung wurde in 74 Mustern untersucht. Alle Muster waren den Vorschriften entsprechend

Perinatal outcome of induced and spontaneous pregnancies of primiparous women aged 35 or over

To compare the neonatal and maternal morbidity data associated with induced or naturally conceived pregnancies of primiparous women aged 35 years and older. Methods: We recruited primiparous women aged 35 years and older, who delivered between January 1995 and December 2000. The outcomes of the induced (n = 62) and naturally conceived (n = 132) pregnancies were compared. The Fisher exact test was used for univariate analysis in order to compare the delivery and pregnancy characteristics in the two groups. Results: Cesarean section featured with a 0.76 times lower prevalence among the induced pregnant women, than among the spontaneous ones, but the difference was not significant statistically. The induced pregnancies were not associated with a significantly higher rate of perinatal complications. Conclusions: Induced pregnancy does not involve a higher risk of maternal complications. The incidence of premature newborns and intrauterine growth retardation was high in both subgroups, but without a statistically significant difference. (C) 2002 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. All rights reserved

Birth weight discordance in spontaneous versus induced twins: impact on perinatal outcome

Purpose: To compare the rate of birth weight discordance and perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies after assisted reproduction with that of spontaneous twins. Method: A total of 12,920 deliveries were analyzed retrospectively. Seventy-five twin pregnancies after ART were compared to the 94 spontaneous counterparts. Birth weight discordance was defined as a difference of 20% or more. Results: Discordance rate was elevated (25.3% vs. 17.0%) among ART twins. SGA was increased and NICU admission was more frequent in discordant group. Unlike-sexed twins were more prevalent (73.7% vs. 37.5%) among discordants after ART. Conclusions: ART can increase discordance rate which can elevate perinatal risk

Risk factors for cesarean section of primiparous women aged over 35 years

Background. To determine the perinatal outcome of pregnancy in primiparous women over 35 years of age and to evaluate determinants predicting cesarean delivery in these women. Methods. Two hundred and seven mothers aged at least 35 years (1.8% of the total deliveries) delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 1995 and 2000. These women were matched with women aged 20-29 years according to gravidity. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk of cesarean delivery, with controls for possible confounding factors. Results. Cesarean section was 2.09-fold more prevalent among the older than among the younger women; the difference being significant (odds ratio, OR=3.36, 95%CI 2.22-5.09; p<0.001). The advanced maternal age was associated with a significantly higher rate of assisted reproductive techniques involvement (OR 6.54; 95%CI 3.54-12.38; p<0.001). The difference between the rates of preeclampsia in the two groups did not reach the level of significance (OR 1.85; 95%CI 1.02-3.34; p=0.056). There were no significant differences in perinatal outcome between the two groups. The logistic regression model demonstrated an increased risk of cesarean section among the primiparous women aged over 35 years. Conclusions. The risk of cesarean section at this advanced age is 6.54-fold. The determinants are included in the pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcome

Synthesis and Fluorescence Mechanism of the Aminoimidazolone Analogues of the Green Fluorescent Protein: Towards Advanced Dyes with Enhanced Stokes Shift, Quantum Yield and Two-Photon Absorption

Novel small-molecular analogues the green fluorescence protein (GFP) chromophore are synthesised to expand and improve this fluorophore family and to deepen the understanding of their fluorescence mechanism. The introduction of an aminophenyl substituent and the repositioning of the hydroxyl group to enable strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding, not only enhances fluorescence emission, but also results in an increased Stokes shift and a considerable red shift. Experimental and computational results describe a dual fluorescence involving both excited-state intramolecular proton transfer and internal charge transfer (ESIPT?ICT) mechanism. The further improvement of the photophysical properties via the systematic variation of dialkylamino substituents at a single position of the chromophore led to a two-orders of magnitude enhancement in the quantum yields. In addition, the novel compounds also have significant two-photon absorption, which widens the possibilities for applications in the field of bioimaging

Primary care behind the former "Iron Curtain": changes and development of primary healthcare provision in the Eastern part of the European Union

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The effects of infrared laser therapy and weightbath traction hydrotherapy in disorders of the lumbar spine: a controlled pilot study with follow-up

Introduction: The therapeutic modalities available for the conservative management of chronic lumbar pain included infrared laser therapy and underwater traction, which usefulness is not universally acknowledged. This study was intended to ascertain any benefi cial impact of infrared laser therapy and weightbath treatment on the clinical aprameters and quality of life of patients with lumbar discopathy.Material and methods: The study population comprised 54 randomised subjects. I. group of 18 patents received only infrared laser therapy to lumbar region and painful Valley points. II. Group of 18 subjects each received underwater traction therapy of lumbar spine with add-on McKenzie exercise and iontophoresis. The remaining III. Group treated with exercise and iontophoresis, served as control. VAS, Oswestry index, SF36 scores, range of motion, neurological fi ndings and thermography were monitored to appraise therapeutic affi cacy in lumbar discopathy. A CT or MRI scan was done at baseline and after 3 months follow-up.Result: infrared laser therapy and underwater traction for discopathy achieved signifi cant improvement of all study parameters, which was evident 3 months later. Among the controls, signifi - cant improvement of only a single parameter was seen in patients with lumbar disco pathy.Conclusions: infrared laser therapy and underwater traction treatment effectively mitigate pain, muscle spasms, enhance joint fl exibility, and improve the quality of life of patients with lumbar discopathy. DOI: 10.17489/biohun/2010/1/2