Reducing the transcriptional read-through rate of a lentiviral vector for ß-thalassemia gene therapy.

BACKGROUND: LentiGlobin BB305 is a self-inactivating lentiviral vector carrying a human ß-globin expressing cassette for treating ß-thalassemia. Initially, a 2 × 250 bp chicken Locus Control Region fragment of cHS4, functioning as an insulator, was placed at its ΔU3, which was removed after the first clinical trial led by a French team to avoid abnormal splicing, etc. This action could potentially lead to an increasing risk of the transcriptional read-through rate driven by the ß-globin promoter to a significant level, posing a biosafety risk in clinical trials. METHODS: In the present study, a read-through reducing agent (C-U+ or WPRE) was designed to be placed at the 3' UTR of the ß-globin gene. The Enhancer Activities and/or Transcriptional Read-Through (EATRT) rate at the mRNA level and the protein expression level regarding lentiviral preparation titer were examined. RESULTS: We found that the insertion of the element (C-U+ or WPRE) reduced the EATRT effectively by 53% or 41%, respectively. C-U+ has less impact on virus package efficiency. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the protein expression level after the C-U+ or WPRE insertion. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that inserting C-U+ or WPRE before the polyA sequence of the BB305 would reduce the EATRT rate at no cost of its expressing efficacy and viral preparation titers. Thus, we present an alternative improvement for a safer lentiviral vector for ß-thalassemia clinical trials.

Surgical outcome of epicanthus and telecanthus correction by C-U medial canthoplasty with lateral canthoplasty in treatment of Blepharophimosis syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcome of epicanthus and telecanthus correction by C-U medial canthoplasty with lateral canthoplasty in Blepharophimosis Syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective single arm interventional study including 18 eyes of 9 patients with Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome who presented to oculoplastic clinic, ophthalmology department, Qena university hospital in the period of between July 2020 to April 2021. All the patients had BPES with epicanthus and telecanthus. All cases were subjected to by C plasty with medial and lateral canthoplasty for correction of epicanthus and telecanthus correction followed by frontalis suspension surgery to correct the co-existing blepharoptosis. RESULTS: The study included 9 cases of BPES, 6 boys and 3 girls, the mean age was 5.4 ± 1.5 in the study group, all patients had a positive family history for BPES. After surgery, the mean IICD decreased from 38.44 mm preoperatively to 32.8 mm postoperatively, with a mean difference of 6.2 mm (P <  0.001). Likewise, the mean PFL increased from 20.78 mm preoperatively to 26.63 mm postoperatively, with a mean difference of 5.8 mm (P <  0.001). Epicanthus skin fold disappeared in all cases and medical canthus could be seen with well healed difficulty seen scars. CONCLUSION: C-U medial canthoplasty with lateral canthoplasty in Blepharophimosis Syndrome was found to be an effective procedure in the correction of epicanthus and telecanthus.

[Detection and functions of viral RNA modifications: perspectives in biology and medicine]. / Détection et fonctions des modifications de l'ARN viral : perspectives en biologie et en médecine.

Viral RNAs (either derived from DNA viruses and genomic/mRNAs of RNA viruses) produced and replicated in eukaryotic cells are exposed to the activity of host cell RNA modification machinery. Moreover, some complex viruses encode their own RNA modification enzymes, generally cap-related m7G-and 2'-O-methyltransferases whose expression allows specific modification of viral transcripts and modulation of viral RNA recognition by host restriction systems. Here we review current achievements in the detection of viral RNA modifications by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and deep sequencing-based approaches. The presence, origin and characterized functions of RNA modifications in viral RNAs are discussed.

Distribution and biomarkers of carbon-14-labeled fullerene C60 ([(14) C(U)]C60 ) in female rats and mice for up to 30 days after intravenous exposure.

A comprehensive distribution study was conducted in female rats and mice exposed to a suspension of uniformly carbon-14-labeled C60 ([(14) C(U)]C60 ). Rodents were administered [(14) C(U)]C60 (~0.9 mg kg(-1) body weight) or 5% polyvinylpyrrolidone-saline vehicle alone via a single tail vein injection. Tissues were collected at 1 h and 1, 7, 14 and 30 days after administration. A separate group of rodents received five daily injections of suspensions of either [(14) C(U)]C60 or vehicle with tissue collection 14 days post exposure. Radioactivity was detected in over 20 tissues at all time points. The highest concentration of radioactivity in rodents at each time point was in liver, lungs and spleen. Elimination of [(14) C(U)]C60 was < 2% in urine and feces at any 24 h time points. [(14) C(U)]C60 and [(14) C(U)]C60 -retinol were detected in liver of rats and together accounted for ~99% and ~56% of the total recovered at 1 and 30 days postexposure, respectively. The blood radioactivity at 1 h after [(14) C(U)]C60 exposure was fourfold higher in rats than in mice; blood radioactivity was still in circulation at 30 days post [(14) C(U)]C60 exposure in both species (<1%). Levels of oxidative stress markers increased by 5 days after exposure and remained elevated, while levels of inflammation markers initially increased and then returned to control values. The level of cardiovascular marker von Willebrand factor, increased in rats, but remained at control levels in mice. This study demonstrates that [(14) C(U)]C60 is retained in female rodents with little elimination by 30 days after i.v. exposure, and leads to systemic oxidative stress.

Distribution and biomarker of carbon-14 labeled fullerene C60 ([(14) C(U)]C60 ) in pregnant and lactating rats and their offspring after maternal intravenous exposure.

A comprehensive distribution study was conducted in pregnant and lactating rats exposed to a suspension of uniformly carbon-14 labeled C60 ([(14) C(U)]C60 ). Rats were administered [(14) C(U)]C60 (~0.2 mg [(14) C(U)]C60 kg(-1) body weight) or 5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-saline vehicle via a single tail vein injection. Pregnant rats were injected on gestation day (GD) 11 (terminated with fetuses after either 24 h or 8 days), GD15 (terminated after 24 h or 4 days), or GD18 (terminated after 24 h). Lactating rats were injected on postnatal day 8 and terminated after 24 h, 3 or 11 days. The distribution of radioactivity in pregnant dams was influenced by both the state of pregnancy and time of termination after exposure. The percentage of recovered radioactivity in pregnant and lactating rats was highest in the liver and lungs. Radioactivity was quantitated in over 20 tissues. Radioactivity was found in the placenta and in fetuses of pregnant dams, and in the milk of lactating rats and in pups. Elimination of radioactivity was < 2% in urine and feces at each time point. Radioactivity remained in blood circulation up to 11 days after [(14) C(U)]C60 exposure. Biomarkers of inflammation, cardiovascular injury and oxidative stress were measured to study the biological impacts of [(14) C(U)]C60 exposure. Oxidative stress was elevated in female pups of exposed dams. Metabolomics analysis of urine showed that [(14) C(U)]C60 exposure to pregnant rats impacted the pathways of vitamin B, regulation of lipid and sugar metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. This study demonstrated that [(14) C(U)]C60 crosses the placenta at all stages of pregnancy examined, and is transferred to pups via milk.

Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound (P.O.C.U.S.) Utilization for Hospitalists in the Assessment of Patients with Cardiac Complaints: An Educational Overview.

The use of cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (P.O.C.U.S.) is underutilized in the field of internal medicine for the assessment of patients with cardiac complaints. Numerous studies in emergency medicine, anesthesia, and critical care have demonstrated the successful application of cardiac P.O.C.U.S. in resident and attending physicians with limited prior exposure. This article review overviews the practical implementation of cardiac P.O.C.U.S. for hospitalists by discussing proper technique and assessment for common pathology seen in the medical ward setting. We describe how to assess for left ventricular (LV) systolic function, right ventricular (RV) systolic function, suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), post-myocardial infarction (MI) complications, suspected pulmonary embolus, and assessment of intravascular volume status. In each section, we overview the pertinent literature to show how cardiac P.O.C.U.S. has been used to directly impact patient care.

tRNA methylation resolves codon usage bias at the limit of cell viability.

Codon usage of each genome is closely correlated with the abundance of tRNA isoacceptors. How codon usage bias is resolved by tRNA post-transcriptional modifications is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that the N1-methylation of guanosine at position 37 (m1G37) on the 3'-side of the anticodon, while not directly responsible for reading of codons, is a neutralizer that resolves differential decoding of proline codons. A genome-wide suppressor screen of a non-viable Escherichia coli strain, lacking m1G37, identifies proS suppressor mutations, indicating a coupling of methylation with tRNA prolyl-aminoacylation that sets the limit of cell viability. Using these suppressors, where prolyl-aminoacylation is decoupled from tRNA methylation, we show that m1G37 neutralizes differential translation of proline codons by the major isoacceptor. Lack of m1G37 inactivates this neutralization and exposes the need for a minor isoacceptor for cell viability. This work has medical implications for bacterial species that exclusively use the major isoacceptor for survival.

Live-Cell Quantification of APOBEC1-Mediated RNA Editing: A Comparison of RNA Editing Assays.

APOBEC1 is a member of the AID/APOBECs, a group of deaminases responsible for the editing of C>U in both DNA and RNA. APOBEC1 is physiologically involved in C>U RNA editing: while hundreds of targets have been discovered in mice, in humans the only well-characterized target of APOBEC1 is the apolipoprotein B (ApoB) transcript. APOBEC1 edits a CAA codon into a stop codon, which causes the translation of a truncated form of ApoB. A number of assays have been developed to investigate this process. Early assays, poisoned primer extension and Sanger sequencing, have focused on accuracy and sensitivity but rely on extraction of the RNA from tissues and cells. More recently, the need to visualize the RNA editing process directly in live cells have led to the development of fluorescence-based tools. These assays detect RNA editing through reporters whose editing causes a change in cellular localization or a change in fluorescent properties. Here we review the available assays to quantify RNA editing, and we present the protocol for cytofluorimetric analysis using a double-fluorescent reporter.

Antimicrobial consumption and bacterial resistance pattern in patients admitted in I.C.U at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Throughout the world multi drug resistant nosocomial infections are one of the leading causes of death and morbidity among hospitalized patients. Antimicrobial resistance [AMR] has become a major problem in treatment of such infections. High consumption of antimicrobials particularly in ICUs is often described as the most important factor leading to AMR. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to study the magnitude of antimicrobial resistance amongst nosocomial pathogens and the antimicrobial prescription patterns of patients admitted in intensive care unit. METHODS: The study was conducted in I.C.U of a tertiary care government hospital in Delhi over a period of 4 months, on 100 patients admitted in I.C.U. Depending on clinical suspicion laboratory samples were collected and subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Antimicrobial prescription of these patients were collected from I.C.U records and analyzed. OBSERVATIONS: Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella species were the most common organism [23%]. Among patients where causative organism was isolated, two or more organisms were isolated from 50% of the samples. Most of the Klebsiella species and Acinetobacter species were resistant to beta lactam group of antibiotics such as cephalosporins and piperacillin-tazobactam. 60% of isolates of S. aureus were found to be MRSA while none of the S. aureus were resistant to linezolid and vancomycin. All patients were prescribed two or more antimicrobials while 66% patients were prescribed 3-5 antimicrobials. Commonest combination was beta lactam with metronidazole followed by levofloxacin with metronidazole with addition of aminoglycosides or linezolid as third drug. Total 20 antimicrobial agents were used in the treatment of the patients. Among these consumption [in DDD/100bed days] of metronidazole was highest [100.9] followed by fluconazole [76.6] and levofloxacin [62.7]. CONCLUSION: High usage of antimicrobial consumption has been noted in this study, prompting institution of measures to formulate and adherence to antimicrobial policy strictly.

TrmL and TusA Are Necessary for rpoS and MiaA Is Required for hfq Expression in Escherichia coli.

Previous work demonstrated that efficient RNA Polymerase sigma S-subunit (RpoS) translation requires the N6-isopentenyladenosine i6A37 transfer RNA (tRNA) modification for UUX-Leu decoding. Here we investigate the effect of two additional tRNA modification systems on RpoS translation; the analysis was also extended to another High UUX-leucine codon (HULC) protein, Host Factor for phage Qß (Hfq). One tRNA modification, the addition of the 2'-O-methylcytidine/uridine 34 (C/U34m) tRNA modification by tRNA (cytidine/uridine-2'O)-ribose methyltransferase L (TrmL), requires the presence of the N6-isopentenyladenosine 37 (i6A37) and therefore it seemed possible that the defect in RpoS translation in the absence of i6A37 prenyl transferase (MiaA) was in fact due to the inability to add the C/U34m modification to UUX-Leu tRNAs. The second modification, addition of 2-thiouridine (s²U), part of (mnm5s²U34), is dependent on tRNA 2-thiouridine synthesizing protein A (TusA), previously shown to affect RpoS levels. We compared expression of PBAD-rpoS990-lacZ translational fusions carrying wild-type UUX leucine codons with derivatives in which UUX codons were changed to CUX codons, in the presence and absence of TrmL or TusA. The absence of these proteins, and therefore presumably the modifications they catalyze, both abolished PBAD-rpoS990-lacZ translation activity. UUX-Leu to CUX-Leu codon mutations in rpoS suppressed the trmL requirement for PBAD-rpoS990-lacZ expression. Thus, it is likely that the C/U34m and s²U34 tRNA modifications are necessary for full rpoS translation. We also measured PBAD-hfq306-lacZ translational fusion activity in the absence of C/U34m (trmL) or i6A37 (miaA). The absence of i6A37 resulted in decreased PBAD-hfq306-lacZ expression, consistent with a role for i6A37 tRNA modification for hfq translation.

Predictive Value of Cerebroplacental Ratio in Detection of Perinatal Outcome in High-Risk Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of cerebroplacental ratio (i.e., S/D ratio of middle cerebral artery to S/D ratio of Umbilical artery) in detection of perinatal outcome in high-risk pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective study was conducted on 150 patients between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation (25 low risk and 125 high risk) who attended OPD and indoor wards of Teerthanker Mahaveer medical college and research center, Moradabad. All patients had serial color Doppler ultrasounds done after taking informed consent which was repeated at 2 weeks interval, and data were collected with regard to perinatal outcome. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Cerebroplacental ratio is having higher sensitivity and negative predictive value in detection of IUGR, Meconium aspiration syndrome, operative interference for fetal distress, and NICU admissions in comparison to its components. So, better prediction of neonatal outcome can be done by C/U ratio.

Predicting intrapartum fetal compromise using the fetal cerebro-umbilical ratio.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore the association between the cerebro-umbilical ratio measured at 35-37 weeks and intrapartum fetal compromise. METHODS: This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted at the Mater Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Maternal demographics and fetal Doppler indices at 35-37 weeks gestation for 1381 women were correlated with intrapartum and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Babies born by caesarean section or instrumental delivery for fetal compromise had the lowest median cerebro-umbilical ratio 1.60 (IQR 1.22-2.08) compared to all other delivery groups (vaginal delivery, emergency delivery for failure to progress, emergency caesarean section for other reasons or elective caesarean section). The percentage of infants with a cerebro-umbilical ratio <10th centile that required emergency delivery (caesarean section or instrumental delivery) for fetal compromise was 22%, whereas only 7.3% of infants with a cerebro-umbilical ratio between the 10th-90th centile and 9.6% of infants with a cerebro-umbilical ratio > 90th centile required delivery for the same indication (p < 0.001). A lower cerebro-umbilical ratio was associated with an increased risk of emergency delivery for fetal compromise, OR 2.03 (95% CI 1.41-2.92), p < 0.0001. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that a low fetal cerebro-umbilical ratio measured at 35-37 weeks is associated with a greater risk of intrapartum compromise. This is a relatively simple technique which could be used to risk stratify women in diverse healthcare settings.

Bienestar espiritual de adultos jóvenes del municipio Libertador San Martin, Entre Ríos, Argentina / Spiritual welfare of young adults of the municipality Libertador San Martin, Entre Ríos, Argentina / Bem - estar espiritual dos adultos jovens no município Libertador San Martin, Entre Ríos, Argentina

O b j e t i v o: d e s c r i b i r e l b i e ne s t a r e s p i r i t u a l d e l o s a d u l t o s j ó v e ne s d e l m u n i c i p i o d e L i b e r t a d o r S a n M a r t í n , P r o vi n c i a d e E nt re Rí o s ( A r g e nt i n a ) . M ét o d o : s e u t i l i z ó l a e s c a l a d e b i e ne s t a r e s p i r i t u a l J A R E L , co m p u e s t a p o r 2 1 p reg u nta s e i nt eg r a d a p o r t res f a c t o res : F e y c re e n c i a s re l igi o s a s , V id a y a u t o r res p o n s a b i l id a d , y S a t i s f a cc i ón co n l a v i d a . S e e n c u e s t a r o n a 250 personas entre 20 y 40 años. Resultados: la mayoría de la población encuestada pertenecía al sexo femenino (62 %), era menor de 30 años (65 %) y soltera (57 %) con estudios universitarios en curso (50 %). Se encontró que la creencia en un ser superior hacía p a r t e d e l a e s p i r i t u a l i d a d e n un 8 7 , 6 % d e l o s e n c u e s t a d o s ; a s u v ez , e l 9 6 , 4 % refirió tener algún grado d e s a t i s f a cc i ón co n s u v i d a y e l 9 5 , 2 % , e l a c e p t a r f á c i lm e n t e l a s s i t u a c i o ne s pr o bl e má t i c a s . C o n c l u s ió n : las características principales del bienestar espiritual de los adultos jóvenes son la creencia en un p o d e r s u p e r i o r y l a c a p a c i d a d d e r e c i b i r y d a r a m o r , s i e n d o l a s e s f e r a s d e l o s f a c t o r e s co n m e j o r e v a l u a c i ón . E l f a c t o r m e j o r p e r c i b i d o f u e S a t i s f a cc i ó n co n l a v i d a , y s e i d e n t i f i c a r o n m a y o r e s n i v e l e s d e b i e ne s t a r e s p i r i t u a l e n l o s p a r t i c i p a n t e s d e má s d e 3 0 a ñ o s , e x t r a n j e r o s , co n h i j o s , q u i e ne s co n v i v í a n co n a m ig o s y f a m i l i a r e s , y o s t e n t a b a n e s t u d i o s un i v e r s i t a r i o s . E s e v i d e n t e q u e l a e s p i r i t u a l i d a d e s una característica esencial del cuidado de enfermería y se sugiere realizar estudios que indaguen y establezcan la existencia o no del nivel de bienestar espiritual con las conductas de autocuidado y los p a t r o ne s d e a f r o n t a m i e n t o d e l o s pr o bl e m a s e n l a p o bl a c i ón a d u l t a .

to desc ri be the spiritual well - being of young adults in the muni ci pality of Li bertador San M a r t í n , P r o v i n c e o f E nt r e R í o s ( A r g e n t i n a ) . M e t h o d : t h e J A R E L S p i r i t u a l W e l l b e i n g S c a l e w a s u s e d , w h i c h i s c o m p o s e d o f t w e n t y - o n e i t e m s a n d t h r e e f a c t o r s : F a i t h a n d r e l i g i o u s b e l i e f s , L i f e a n d s e l f - r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d S a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h l i f e . 2 5 0 p e o p l e b e t w e e n t w e n t y a n d f o r t y - y e a r s o l d w e r e s u r v e y e d . R e s u l t s : t h e p o p u l a t i o n s u r v e y e d w e r e m o s t l y w o m e n ( 6 2 % ) , u n d e r 3 0 ( 6 5 % ) , s i n g l e ( 5 7 % ) a n d w i t h u n i v e r s i t y s t u d i e s i n p r o g r e s s ( 5 0 % ) . I t w a s f o u n d t h a t t h e b e l i e f i n a s u p e r i o r b e i n g w a s p a r t o f t h e s p i r i t u a l i t y o f 8 7 . 6 % o f p e o p l e s u r v e y e d ; i n t u r n , 9 6 . 4 % r e p o r t e d h a v i n g s o m e d e g r e e o f s a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h t h e i r l i v e s a n d 9 5 . 2 % r e p o r t e d e a s i l y a c c e p t i n g p r o b l e m a t i c s i t u a t i o n s i n t h e i r l i v e s . C o n c l u s i o n : T h e m a i n c ha r a c t e r i s t i c s o f the spiritual well - being of young adults are belief in a higher power and the capacity to receive and g i v e l o v e , b e i n g t h e s p h e r e s o f t h e f a c t o r s w i t h t h e b e s t e v a l u a t i o n . T h e b e s t p e r c e i v e d f a c t o r w a s S a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h l i f e , a n d h ig h e r l e v e l s o f s p i r i t u a l w e l l - b e i n g w e r e i d e n t i f i e d i n t h o s e o v e r 3 0 y e a r s o l d , f o r e i g n e r s , w i t h c h i l d r e n , w h o l i v e w i t h f r i e n d s a n d f a m i l y , a n d i n t h o s e w h o h o l d u n i v e r s i t y s t u d i e s . I t is evident that spirituality is an essential c harac teris tic of nurs ing care and it is suggested to conduc t studies in the adult popul ati on that investigate and establish the level of spiritual well - being with self - c a r e b e h a v i o r s , a n d p a t t e r n s o f c o p i n g w i t h p r o b l e m s

O b j e t i v o: d e s c r e v e r o b e m - e s t a r e s p i r i t u a l d e j o v e n s a d u l t o s n o m un i c í p i o d e L i b e r t a d o r S a n M a r t í n , n a P r o ví n c i a d e E nt re Rí o s , n a A r g e nt i n a . M ét o d o : t r a ta - s e d e u m es t u d o d e a n ál i s e q u a nt i ta t i v a t r a n s v e r s a l . F o i u t i l i z a d a a E s c a l a d e " b e m - e s t a r e s p i r i t u a l J A R E L " , co m p o s t a d e 2 1 p e r g un t a s a b r a n g e n d o t r ê s f a t o r e s : a f é e c r e n ç a s r e l igi o s a s , v i d a e a u t o r e s p o n s a b i l i d a d e , e s a t i s f a ç ã o co m a v i d a . A e s c a l a foi aplicada em 250 pessoas com idades entre 20 e 40 anos. Resultados: a maioria dos participantes e r a m d o g ê ne r o f e m i n i n o ( 6 2 % ) , m e n o r e s d e 3 0 a n o s ( 6 5 % ) , s o l t e i r o s ( 5 7 % ) e co m e s t u d o s un i v e r s i t á r i o s e m a n d a m e n t o ( 5 0 % ) . V e r i f i co u - s e q u e a c r e n ç a e m u m s e r s u p e r i o r f a z i a p a r t e d a e s p i r i t u a l i d a d e e m 8 7 , 6 % d o s p a r t i c i p a n t e s ; p o r s u a v ez , 9 6 , 4 % d e l e s r e l a t a r a m t e r a l g u m g r a u d e s a t i s f a ç ã o co m a v i d a e 9 5 , 2 % , a c e i t a m f a c i lm e n t e a s s i t u a ç õ e s d i f í c e i s . C o n c l u s ã o: a s pr i n c i p a i s c a r a c t e r í s t i c a s d o b e m - e s t a r espiritual dos participantes são a crença em um poder superior e na capacidade de receber e dar a m o r , s e n d o e s t e s o s a s p e c t o s co m m e l h o r a v a l i a ç ã o . O m e l h o r f a t o r p e r c e b i d o f o i a s a t i s f a ç ã o co m v i d a . O s n í v e i s m a i s a l t o s d e b e m - e s t a r e s p i r i t u a l f o r a m i d e n t i f i c a d o s n o s p a r t i c i p a n t e s co m m a i s d e 3 0 a n o s d e i d a d e , e s t r a n g e i r o s , co m f i l h o s , p a r t i c i p a n t e s q u e m o r a v a m co m a m ig o s e f a m i l i a r e s e co m e s t u d o s un i v e r s i t á r i o s . D e s v e l a - s e n o e s t u d o q u e a e s p i r i t u a l i d a d e é u m a c a r a c t e r í s t i c a e ss e n c i a l d o c u i d a d o d e e n f e r m a g e m . S u g e r e - s e a r e a l i z a ç ã o d e o u t r o s e s t u d o s q u e a b r a n j a m a e x i s t ê n c i a o u n ã o d o n í v e l d e b e m - e s t a r e s p i r i t u a l , s u a r e l a ç ã o co m o s co m p o r t a m e n t o s d e a u t oc u i d a d o e o s p a d r õ e s d e e n f r e n t a m e n t o d e pr o bl e m a s n a p o p u l a ç ã o a d u l t a

Walking a fine scientific line: the extraordinary deeds of Dutch neuroscientist C. U. Ariëns Kappers before and during World War II.

Dutch neuroscientist Cornelius Ubbo Ariëns Kappers is famous for pioneering neuroembryological work and for establishing the Amsterdam Central Institute for Brain Research. Less well known is his anthropological work, which ultimately played a role in saving Dutch Jews from deportation to their deaths during the Holocaust. Ariëns Kappers extensively campaigned against anti-Semitism and Nazi persecution during the 1930s. During World War II, he utilized his credentials to help create anthropological reports "proving" full-Jews were "actually" partial- or non-Jews to evade Nazi criteria, and at least 300 Jews were thus saved by Ariëns Kappers and colleagues. His earlier work demonstrating differences between Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish skull indices became the focus of an attempt to save hundreds of Dutch Portuguese Jews collectively from deportation. Ariëns Kappers and colleagues brilliantly understood how anthropology and neuroscience could be utilized to make a difference and to save lives during a tragic era.

Role of colour Doppler indices in the diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation in high-risk pregnancies.

PURPOSE: Intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR) due to fetoplacental vascular insufficiency is rampant in developing countries like India. Owing to the lack of awareness, antenatal patients often present in their third trimester for their first ultrasound examination. Alterations in the waveforms and Doppler indices of fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery and bilateral uterine arteries have been extensively described in various studies in the literature. However, the role of each doppler parameter in actually predicting reduced birth weight (for gestational age) in the third trimester is often debatable and frustrating. METHOD: A prospective study was done on 100 patients of clinically suspected IUGR/high-risk pregnancies of 31-41 weeks. The cases were followed till delivery; the doppler and grey scale findings were correlated with the birth weight of the baby. RESULT: The highest sensitivity was found to be of HC/AC ratio, (84.4 %), the highest specificity of oligohydramnios and Cerebral/Umbilical Pulsatility ratio[C/U ratio] (100 %). The sensitivity of C/U ratio was found to be 68.8 %. Fetal MCA had the lowest sensitivity (7.7 %). CONCLUSION: HC/AC ratio is quite sensitive, and oligohydramnios is a highly specific parameter to diagnose IUGR. However, the former has lower specificity, and the latter has very poor sensitivity. The MCA PI alone is not sensitive at all, and should not be used for screening purposes in IUGR patients. Also, C/U ratio is more sensitive than oligohydramnios and more specific than HC/AC ratio and stands out as the best parameter of all to diagnose IUGR in the third trimester.