Free radical-decellularized tissue promotes enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory macrophage response.

Oxidative stress leads to the progression of many diseases including chronic wounds, atherosclerosis, stroke and cancer. The modification of biomolecules with reactive nitrogen or oxygen species has been shown to trigger oxidative stress pathways that are beneficial for healing. Extracellular matrix scaffolds have been used successfully in reconstructive applications due to the beneficial host response they induce. To tailor extracellular matrix scaffolds to enhance antioxidant response, ECM were prepared using reactive nitrogen or oxygen species. These scaffolds were shown to be effectively decellularized and possess oxidative or nitroxidative protein modifications. Macrophage responses in vitro and in an in vivo muscle injury model were shown to have enhanced antioxidant phenotypes without impairment of long-term remodeling. These observations suggest that ECM decellularized with reactive oxygen or nitrogen species could provide better outcomes for the treatment of ischemic diseases.

Effects of a generalised ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, Italy.

CONTEXT: Italy implemented a law in January 2005 banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces. OBJECTIVES: To document perceived obstacles and effects of the law and observed client smoking behaviours in bars and restaurants. DESIGN: Four surveys were conducted between December 2004 and February 2006. Protocols and questionnaires were posted on a public health website to solicit participation among local health units (LHUs). Participating LHUs randomly selected 50 bars and restaurants using the electronic Yellow Pages. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to owners or managers of selected locales; all of them were revisited during peak hours to collect questionnaires and observe client smoking. RESULTS: Before the ban, smokers were observed in 31% of locales; 24% of owners predicted major financial losses. One year later, no smokers were observed and only 7% reported major financial losses. Only 30% had received law enforcement visits. Most owners/managers (88%) reported positive attitudes about the law and 79% reported such attitudes among clients. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian smoking law has drastically reduced smoking in bars and restaurants despite minimal enforcement visits. Perceived negative effects on profits appear limited, and the owners and managers and their clients are satisfied.

Spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric 0.75% versus hyperbaric 1% bupivacaine for cesarean section.

UNLABELLED: Although 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine is commonly administered to provide spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in the United States, in some countries, only the 1% hyperbaric solution of spinal bupivacaine is available. The aim of this study was to compare 0.75% with 1% hyperbaric spinal bupivacaine for cesarean section. In this prospective study, 50 patients undergoing elective cesarean section were randomized to receive a spinal anesthetic with either 1.5 mL of 0.75% bupivacaine (n = 25) or 1.125 mL of 1% bupivacaine (n = 25). There were no statistically significant differences in patient demographics, time to onset of block, or intraoperative pain. All patients had a successful block for surgery. The time from injection of the spinal anesthetic to first request for pain medication in the postanesthesia care unit was longer in the women who received 0.75% bupivacaine (4.3 vs 3 h; P < 0.05). Six women (24%) who received 1% bupivacaine versus one woman (4%) who received 0.75% bupivacaine complained of postoperative backache (P < 0.05). In addition, postdural puncture headache occurred in four women, all of whom received 1% bupivacaine (P = 0.04). In conclusion, our data suggest that 0.75% bupivacaine results in fewer postoperative problems and offers several significant benefits compared with the 1% concentration. IMPLICATIONS: Although 0.75% bupivacaine is usually used to provide spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in the United States, a more concentrated solution is popular in Europe. In this study, we compared 0.75% bupivacaine with 1% bupivacaine when administered for cesarean section and found that the 0.75% solution offers several significant benefits.

Surveillance of growth-retarded fetuses with computerized fetal heart rate monitoring combined with Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical and uterine arteries.

OBJECTIVE: To define guidelines for surveillance of growth-retarded fetuses with a computerized fetal heart rate (FHR) monitor and Doppler device. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-one growth-retarded fetuses with birth weights < 10th percentile and lacking major anomalies were studied. One hundred ninety-two tests (one to six per patient), including computerized FHR monitoring and Doppler studies of the umbilical and uterine arteries, were performed. The relationship between Doppler velocimetry or FHR variation and fetal outcome was examined. RESULTS: Fetuses with an abnormal FHR variation or abnormal Doppler velocimetry had a significantly higher rate of cesarean deliveries for fetal distress and a higher number of admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as compared with fetuses with normal results on both tests. The best distinction was noted when the growth-retarded fetuses were partitioned into four analytic groups based on the presence of normal or abnormal FHR variation or Doppler velocimetry. The group with the poorest results was composed of fetuses with abnormal umbilical flow velocity and reduced FHR variation. These fetuses had significantly lower birth weights (1,250 g) and significantly higher rates of cesarean deliveries for fetal distress (92%) and admission to the NICU (100%). Thirty percent of these fetuses died. CONCLUSION: Fetal surveillance with Doppler and computerized FHR monitoring allows better understanding of the management of fetuses that are small for gestational age.