Tissue engineered pre-vascularized buccal mucosa equivalents utilizing a primary triculture of epithelial cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts.

Artificial generated buccal mucosa equivalents are a promising approach for the reconstruction of urethral defects. Limiting in this approach is a poor blood vessel supply after transplantation, resulting in increased morbidity and necrosis. We generated a pre-vascularized buccal mucosa equivalent in a tri-culture of primary buccal epithelial cells, fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells, using a native collagen membrane as a scaffold. A successful pre-vascularization and dense formation of capillary-like structures at superficial areas was demonstrated. The lumen size of pre-formed blood vessels corresponded to the capillary size in vivo (10-30 µm). Comparing native with a highly cross-linked collagen membrane we found a distinct higher formation of capillary-like structures on the native membrane, apparently caused by higher secretion of angiogenic factors such as PDGF, IL-8 and angiopoietin by the cells. These capillary-like structures became functional blood vessels through anastomosis with the host vasculature after implantation in nude mice. This in vitro method should result in an accelerated blood supply to the biomaterial with cells after transplantation and increase the succes rates of the implant material.

[Prevascularization of an in vitro buccal mucosa equivalent for regeneration of the urethra]. / Prävaskularisierung eines In-vitro-Mundschleimhautäquivalents zur Regeneration der Urethra.

For reconstructive interventions on the urethra the use of autologous buccal mucosa has a proven value. The aim of this study was to generate an in vitro preparation which is already infiltrated by capillary-like structures and is more rapidly incorporated after implantation. Commercially available collagen matrices which have been approved for use in humans were used as the substrate. Application possibilities of such artificial tissue in addition to reconstruction of the urethra include coverage of large defects in the oral, neck, nasal and aural areas, in gynecology and in ophthalmology.

The marital and family functioning of adults with ADHD and their spouses.

Little is known about the family relationships of adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Thus, the marital adjustment and family functioning of 33 married adults with ADHD and their spouses was compared to 26 non-ADHD control participants and their spouses. Results revealed that married adults with ADHD reported poorer overall marital adjustment on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1989) and more family dysfunction on the Family Assessment Device (FAD; Eptein, Baldwin, & Bishop, 1983) than control adults. The spouses of adults with ADHD did not differ from control spouses in reports of overall marital adjustment and family dysfunction. A greater proportion of their marital adjustment scores, however, fell within the maladjusted range. The ADHD adults' perceptions of the health of their marriages and families were more negative than their spouses' perceptions. The way in which spouses of ADHD adults compensated for their partners' difficulties were explored through clinical interviews. The findings in this study underscore the need for assessments and treatments to address marital and family functioning of adults with ADHD.

Experiencia de 30 meses en screening de diabetes gestacional en 3293 pacientes / Thirty-month experience in the screening of gestational diabetes in 3293 patients

El presente estudio, describe la experiencia realizada en screening de diabetes gestacional con las nuevas pautas de la A.L.A.D a 3293 pacientes que fueron asistidas en las Policlínicas del Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia del Hospital Militar en el período comprendido entre el 1/1/'98 y el 30/6/'00. Se diagnosticaron 167 pacientes con diabetes gestacional, 164 fueron controladas en la Policlínica de Alto Riesgo Obstétrico; 160 habían finalizado su embarazo, naciendo 164 niños. El factor de riesgo más frecuentemente encontrado fue la obesidad; destacándose una relación directa entre el incremento del riesgo relativo en función del peso, así como también de la edad materna. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a vías de finalización del embarazo, la edad gestacional de finalización y el puntaje del Apgar del recién nacido con relación al resto de la población. Se observó una frecuencia doble en pequeños y grandes para la edad gestacional. El 76 por ciento de los recién nacidos fueron sanos. El 48 por ciento de las pacientes se reclasificaron

Learning about sex outside the gutter: attitudes toward a computer sex-expert system.

In an ongoing research program investigating the utility of Sexpert, an expert computer system designed to counsel couples about their sexual relationships, we tested whether sexually active couples' attitudes concerning computerized sexual counseling could be affected by interacting with Sexpert. Eighty-one young heterosexual couples drawn from the university and general community were assigned to one of three sources of feedback about couple sexual functioning (Sexpert, a video, a self-help book) or a control condition. Attitudes toward all counseling sources used in the study were assessed through semantic differential and similarity-dissimilarity questionnaires. Subjects in the Sexpert condition showed significant improvements in their attitudes toward computerized sexual counseling and evaluated Sexpert significantly better and more similar to a human therapist as a result of exposure. Subjects in the other three conditions showed no significant changes in attitudes. This study provides strong evidence for the acceptability of a computerized sex-expert system.