Hippocampal volumes and cognitive performance in children born extremely preterm with and without low-grade intraventricular haemorrhage.

Children born extremely preterm, especially those with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), are at increased risk of adverse cognitive outcomes during childhood. The present study aimed to explore the effects of IVH (grades I-II) on hippocampal volumes, and their correlates with cognitive performance. The sample consisted of 94 participants, including 54 children born extremely preterm (19 with IVH, grades I-II), and 40 children born at term. All participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging study at the age of 10 (Mage = 10.20 years; SDage = 0.78), and 74 of them (45 extremely preterm and 29 full-term) carried out a cognitive assessment at 12 years old. Children born extremely preterm had lower scores in cognitive performance compared to their full-term peers. Significant positive partial correlations were observed between global bilateral hippocampus, left CA-field, and left subiculum volumes with processing speed in the full-term group, while no significant correlations were found in the extremely preterm group. Moderation analyses in the extremely preterm sample revealed that low-grade IVH moderated the relationship between right hippocampal volume and full-IQ (F(4,40) = 5.42, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.35). Having greater right hippocampal volume had a protective effect on full-IQ in those children born extremely preterm with low-grade IVH.

Procedures and criteria for accepting the renal patient for inclusion on the waiting list for kidney transplantation in the Nordic countries.

BACKGROUND: The overall aim of this study was to survey and analyze the selection process for patients awaiting a kidney in the Nordic countries collaborating within Scandiatransplant. METHODS: A two-parts questionnaire was sent to one senior physician at each of the 10 Scandiatransplant kidney transplantation centers that use deceased donors. The first part consisted of questions related to the evaluation of a patient for the waiting list. The second part of the questionnaire dealt with 12 borderline cases, based on experiences at seven of all centers. Answers should be given with the policy of the center in mind. The response rate was 100%. RESULTS: Some centers are stricter than others regarding limits for body mass index and cardiac ejection fraction. At three centers, human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients are not included on the list. Four centers have a policy of not including predialysis patients. All centers agreed that they would not refrain from acceptance of a patient due to the scarcity of organs, if the patient was considered to benefit medically from transplantation. Reevaluation of the patient once on the list is done at all centers, focusing on cardiovascular problems. Only a few respondents were positive to the idea of common Nordic guidelines for investigations or for limiting values. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there are some, mainly small, differences among Nordic countries regarding procedures and criteria for acceptance of patients on the waiting list for kidney transplantation. The interest in common guidelines is limited.

The circulating hormonal milieu of the endocrine pancreas in healthy individuals, organ donors, and the isolated perfused human pancreas.

Although basal circulating levels of individual islet cell hormones have been measured, few studies compared the molar ratios of the major hormones secreted by the endocrine pancreas. This study examined the basal levels of four major islet hormones: insulin, C-peptide (C-P), glucagon (G), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in normal subjects, in organ donors with brain death, and in the isolated perfused human pancreas. Basal blood samples were taken from normal, fasted control subjects (NCs). Pancreata were obtained from 17 organ donors (ODs) with donor portal vein (DPV) and radial arterial (DRA) blood samples taken before organ procurement. Single-pass perfusion was performed on the procured pancreata, and after rewarming and equilibration, basal samples were collected from the splenic vein (SV) for 30 min. Radioimmunoassays of insulin, C-P, G, and PP were performed on all samples, and basal levels of all hormones were expressed as a common unit, femtomoles per milliliter. The data suggest that in the basal state, these four major islet hormones circulate in a relatively constant molar ratio. The ratio of the hormones is altered in brain death and with in vitro perfusion of the pancreas. The isolated perfused human pancreas secretes a relatively constant molar ratio of these hormones; however, this ratio is markedly different from the circulating ratio seen in either the NC group or the OD group. We conclude that a relatively constant hormonal milieu is secreted from the normal endocrine pancreas, and this hormonal milieu is altered after brain death and with isolation and perfusion of the human pancreas.

Autotransfusion after total knee arthroplasty. Effects on blood cells, plasma chemistry, and whole blood rheology.

Postoperative drain blood was collected and reinfused using the ConstaVac system (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) in 30 patients after total knee arthroplasty. Of the total 1.1-L volume of postoperative bleeding, 60% was reinfused. No clinical complications were observed. Differences between venous blood and drain blood and between venous blood and drain blood after separate incubation were studied with respect to acidic and inflammatory effects on blood cells, plasma chemistry, and whole blood rheology. In drain blood, leukocyte and platelet counts were reduced (P < .001), probably as a result of consumption in the wound. Acidic incubation occurs in the drain container because of production of lactate from glucose, with a minimum pH at 5 hours of 7.2. The low pH caused slight but significant erythrocyte swelling (P < .01). The complement C3d indicated leukocyte activation, although of modest magnitude. Despite incubation and complement activation, maximum erythrocyte hemolysis after 24 hours of incubation was less than 1%. Drain blood showed a lower resistance against micropore filtration than venous blood (P < .001), mainly because of the reduced number of leukocytes, and remained unchanged with incubation. Although the autotransfusion system can be improved with respect to blood quality, filtered drain blood should be considered acceptable for reinfusion.

A novel spontaneous metastasis model of human osteosarcoma developed using orthotopic transplantation of intact tumor tissue into tibia of nude mice.

Evaluation of potential new treatment strategies requires adequate experimental tumor models which resemble the clinical situation as closely as possible. The purpose of the present study was to establish a new human osteosarcoma spontaneous metastasis model using orthotopic transplantation of histologically intact tumor tissue into the tibia of nude mice. Intact tumor pieces, obtained from the 32nd serial passage of subcutaneously growing human osteosarcoma xenografts, were implanted into the proximal tibia in 31 nude mice. Animals were sacrificed and autopsied 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after transplantation and examined macroscopically and microscopically for local tumor growth and metastases. All mice developed local intratibial bone tumors that were radiographically and histologically similar to primary human osteosarcoma. Lung metastases were observed in all mice, local and distant lymph node metastases in 15 (48%), and liver metastases in 6 (19%) mice. The microscopic appearance of the metastases was similar to that observed in the donor patient's tumor, corresponding subcutaneous xenografts and orthotopically transplanted intratibial tumors. This spontaneous metastasis model of human osteosarcoma in nude mice may resemble a clinical situation and could thus be useful for studies on local tumor growth, metastasis formation and therapy.

Shoulder function after surgical repair of rotator cuff tears.

Shoulder function was assessed in 37 patients with a mean age of 57 years after acromioplasty and repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears were performed. The cuff tears were closed without transfer of other muscles or use of synthetic materials. At review 2 years after surgery 32 patients had significant pain relief and improved shoulder function. Range of motion, muscle strength, and endurance were increased. The mean Constant score was 77, and 80% of the patients were graded as having mild or disability. Radiographic measurements disclosed an increased supraspinatus outlet area after surgery. It is concluded that in patients with impingement syndrome and a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, shoulder function will be improved after acromioplasty and cuff repair, but a slight decrease in range of motion and muscle strength will remain when compared with the contralateral side.

Characterisation of human deltoid muscle in patients with impingement syndrome.

Muscle biopsies from the anterior and medial parts of the deltoid of 11 male patients and six male controls were analysed with morphological and immunohistochemical methods. The distribution, area, and capillarization of the muscle fibres were determined, and the amount of connective tissue was measured with staining for type-III collagen. Compared with the controls, the patients with impingement syndrome had more type-I than type-II fibres, but the areas of the different types were almost the same. There was no difference in capillarization per fibre type between patients and controls, but the patients had more connective tissue. The results indicate that patients with impingement syndrome have morphological changes in the deltoid muscle, probably due to immobilisation and pain. They support the hypothesis that the deltoid muscle, the medial part in particular, is affected in patients with impingement syndrome.

Structure, growth and cell proliferation of human osteosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma xenografts in serial transplantation in nude mice.

Tumour specimens from one patient with osteosarcoma and one with malignant fibrous histiocytoma were transplanted in serial passages in nude mice. Structure, growth and cell kinetics of the xenografts were studied in order to assess the validity of the two tumour models. Cell proliferation was analysed using in vivo labelling with the thymidine analogue iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) and the IdUrd labelling index (LI) was determined by immunohistochemistry. The DNA index (DI) was examined by flow cytometry. The c-myc oncoprotein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. More intense proliferation was observed in the peripheral parts of the tumours. There was no correlation between tumour growth and cell proliferation in the two tumour groups. Stability of the tumour models was indicated by low intrapassage and interpassage variations of DI, LI, and volume doubling time, and also by retained histopathological characteristics and c-myc staining patterns of donor patients' tumours during serial transplantation.

Antagonistic effect of amphotericin B on carboplatin antitumor activity in human osteosarcoma xenografts.

Amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene antifungal antibiotic, has been shown to potentiate the cytotoxic effect of different chemotherapeutic drugs in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this study was to determine whether AmB could enhance the carboplatin antitumor activity in a human osteosarcoma xenograft model. Nude mice, bearing s.c. transplanted osteosarcoma xenografts, received i.p. an injection of AmB (5 mg/kg) 6 h prior to carboplatin (20 mg/kg) or each of the drugs separately. The effect of treatment was assessed by analyzing tumor growth delay and T/C ratio. Carboplatin clearly reduced tumor growth when administered alone. However, an unexpected interaction was seen where AmB significantly decreased the antitumor effect of carboplatin. The present results contradict some earlier in vitro studies and indicate the complexity of this interaction in vivo. Hence, it seems that interactive phenomena in one experimental model, and especially with regard to AmB, cannot be universally applied to all experimental situations.

Growth patterns and cell kinetics of human osteosarcoma xenografts in serial passages in nude mice analyzed by in vivo labelling with iododeoxyuridine.

A human osteoblastic osteosarcoma was transplanted in nude mice and followed in seven serial passages. Tumor cell kinetics was analyzed by in vivo labelling with the thymidine analogue iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd). Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the IdUrd labelling index. Duration of S phase (ts) was estimated by flow cytometry. From these two parameters potential doubling time (tpot) was calculated. Cell kinetic parameters showed low variations between passages and also between xenografts in same passage. Smaller variations of ts compared to labelling index and tpot were found. tpot was generally short with an interpassageal mean of 1.3 days and CV=14.8%. All xenografts showed DNA aneuploidy (mean DNA index --1.6). Homogeneous tumor growth was indicated by low variations of volume doubling time and lag time. There was no correlation between tumor growth and cell proliferation. Histopathological characteristics of the donor patients tumor were retained during serial transplantation.

Interaction between amphotericin B, carboplatin, and radiation in human osteosarcoma xenografts in nude mice.

In order to evaluate and modify the radiosensitizing effect of carboplatin, amphotericin B (AmB) was given as pre-treatment to nude mice with bilateral subcutaneous human osteosarcoma xenografts. One of the two tumours in each animal was irradiated with a single dose of 12 Gy following treatment with AmB (5 mg kg(-1)), or carboplatin (20 mg kg(-1)), or AmB (5 mg kg(-1)) plus carboplatin (20 mg kg(-1)), respectively. Tumour growth was compared with non-treated tumours. A significant reduction of tumour growth was observed after irradiation. Carboplatin in itself reduced tumour growth and also added to the effect of radiation. An unexpected interaction was seen where AmB obviously decreased the effect of either carboplatin or radiation alone or the two given concomitantly. The presented results are contradictory to some earlier in vitro studies and imply that the interactive effect in general and especially with regard to AmB can not be universally applied to all experimental situations.

Rotation osteotomy of the proximal humerus to stabilise the shoulder. Five years' experience.

A reduced retroversion angle of the humeral head may predispose to recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation and may also be a factor in persistent instability after soft-tissue repair. We performed rotational osteotomy of the proximal humerus in 20 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations (10 traumatic, 10 non-traumatic) and a decreased retroversion angle of the humeral head. The mean preoperative retroversion angle was 12 degrees, which was increased after surgery to a mean value of 32 degrees. All patients regained a normal range of shoulder motion and normal function within three months after surgery. At the five-year review all shoulders were stable, pain-free and had no radiological signs of osteoarthritis.

Shoulder function after displaced fractures of the proximal humerus.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus and give guidelines for optimal treatment. Different treatment modalities are available, and there are various scoring systems for postoperative evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome after three- and four-part fractures of the humeral head in 38 patients, with a 3-year follow-up. Twenty-eight patients were treated conservatively, seven were operated on with open reduction and internal fixation, and three received a hemiarthroplasty. All patients were examined clinically and radiographically. Neer and Constant scoring systems were used. The functional outcome after three-part fractures was generally good. Twenty-five of 26 patients with a three-part fracture could accept their shoulder situation. Range of motion was significantly lower in the four-part fracture group. Mean flexion was 89 degrees compared with 120 degrees in the three-part fracture group. Necrosis of the humeral head was found in 2 cases, both four-part fractures. Osteoarthrosis developed in 13 cases (6 with a three-part fracture, 7 with a four-part fracture). No disability was found in 16 of 24 patients with three-part fractures, and in 4 of 11 patients with four-part fractures. There was strong agreement between the Constant score and the patients' opinions.

Cell quality of salvaged blood after total knee arthroplasty. Drain blood compared to venous blood in 32 patients.

We used the ConstaVac drainage retransfusion system in 32 patients operated on with cemented tricompartmental knee arthroplasty. The mean total postoperative bleeding was 1.1 L of which 0.7 L was retransfused within 8 hours postoperatively. Samples were taken from the venous blood and drain blood at 2 hours and 6-8 hours postoperatively. The drain blood had low counts for leukocytes and thrombocytes as compared to venous blood, and fibrinogen was almost absent. Incubation at room temperature slightly lowered glucose and pH which made the erythrocytes swell. There was a slight hemolysis in the drain blood at 2 hours. At 6-8 hours the shed blood was closer to normal, especially with regard to hemolysis, but there was a further decrease in glucose. Within this time, there was no change in acidity and no further swelling of the erythrocytes. No clinical adverse reactions were observed and we consider the observed cellular and chemical changes to be of little importance. The quality of filtered drain blood within the analyzed time limit is considered acceptable for clinical use.

Electromyographic recordings in shoulder muscles during eccentric movements.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate shoulder muscle activity during eccentric muscle movements, and to determine whether electromyograms in patients with joint laxity differed from those in normal subjects. Five normal subjects and 6 patients with generalized joint laxity and shoulder instability were studied. Both shoulders were investigated. Normalized electromyograms were recorded during eccentric loaded movements from 8 shoulder muscles in parallel. Intra-muscular fine wire electrodes were used for 3 muscles of the rotator cuff: subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus. Surface electrodes were used for superficially located muscles: the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the deltoid, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi. A general trend was an activation of several muscles rather than a single muscle during all movements investigated. Patients with generalized joint laxity activated their supraspinatus and subscapularis muscles to a higher level during flexion and adduction movements than normal subjects did. This might indicate a greater necessity for muscular activity to provide anterior shoulder stability in lax joints. Compared with concentric movements previously studied, results from this study showed that the magnitude of activation was significantly lower during eccentric movements in normal subjects and in patients with joint laxity.