ABSTRACT
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is the clinical picture of infants withdrawing from in-utero substance exposure. The incidence of NAS rose in Dublin maternity hospitals in the 1970's and '80's in parallel with increasing in opiate abuse in that city. The purpose of this study was to determine if a similar pattern was emerging in Cork University Maternity Hospital. Data from the Erinville Hospital (2000-2007) and CUMH (2008-2011) were compared. Sixteen cases of NAS were identified, two at Erinville Hospital (22,987 deliveries; incidence = 0.09/1000 deliveries) and 14 at CUMH (37,414 deliveries; incidence = 0.38/1000 deliveries; p < 0.01). Five of the 16 mothers were using heroin, while ten were on methadone maintenance. All were multi-drug abusers. Newborns requiring pharmacotherapy for NAS (5/16) had prolonged hospitalisations compared to those requiring supportive care. NAS in Cork is increasing. Primary, secondary and tertiary preventative measures are warranted to prevent further escalation.
Subject(s)
Narcotics/adverse effects , Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome/epidemiology , Opioid-Related Disorders/complications , Pregnancy Complications , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Infant, Newborn , Ireland/epidemiology , Male , Mothers , Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome/etiology , Pregnancy , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Under conditions of increased oxidative stress, such as pre-eclampsia and diabetes, overstimulation of PARP leads to endothelial dysfunction. Inhibition of PARP has been demonstrated to reverse the vascular dysfunction associated with diabetes in vivo. The present study was carried out to investigate the role of PARP in mediating the endothelial dysfunction associated with pre-eclampsia. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Uteroplacental perfusion was surgically reduced in pregnant rats to produce the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of pre-eclampsia and the PARP inhibitor, PJ34, was administered either before or after surgery. Mean arterial BP and vascular function were measured in normal pregnant (NP) and both control and PJ34-treated RUPP rats. Mesenteric vessels from NP rats were incubated with either 3% RUPP or NP plasma alone or in combination with PJ34. Finally, immunohistochemical staining was carried out to measure nitrotyrosine (byproduct of peroxynitrite) immunoreactivity. KEY RESULTS: RUPP rats were characterized by hypertension, fetal growth restriction and endothelial dysfunction when compared with NP rats. PJ34 administered in vivo before, but not after, surgery prevented the development of both endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. RUPP plasma-induced impaired vasorelaxation was prevented following co-incubation with PJ34 in vitro. Furthermore, the protective effect of PARP inhibition in vivo was accompanied by a reduction in nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: PJ34 prevented the development of both endothelial dysfunction and hypertension and reduced vascular nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity, thus suggesting a role for oxidative-nitrosative stress/PARP activation in the aberration in both vascular and haemodynamic function in this rat model of pre-eclampsia.
Subject(s)
Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology , Hypertension/physiopathology , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/physiology , Pre-Eclampsia/physiopathology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Female , Hypertension/drug therapy , Mesenteric Arteries/drug effects , Mesenteric Arteries/physiopathology , Phenanthrenes/pharmacology , Phenanthrenes/therapeutic use , Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors , Pre-Eclampsia/drug therapy , Pregnancy , Rats , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
It is well established that Demodectic mites can infest the meibomian glands, eyelash and hair follicles of the eyelid. In this study, scanning electron microscopy revealed Demodex folliculorum occurring freely on the skin surface of the eyelid. This indicates some mobility and implies further vector potential. Exoskeletons from these parasites also occur on the eyelid.
