Model of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury for Evaluating Pharmacologic Treatments in Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca fasicularis).

Here we present the results of experiments involving cynomolgus macaques, in which a model of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) was created by using a balloon catheter inserted into the epidural space. Prior to the creation of the lesion, we inserted an EMG recording device to facilitate measurement of tail movement and muscle activity before and after TSCI. This model is unique in that the impairment is limited to the tail: the subjects do not experience limb weakness, bladder impairment, or bowel dysfunction. In addition, 4 of the 6 subjects received a combination treatment comprising thyrotropin releasing hormone, selenium, and vitamin E after induction of experimental TSCI. The subjects tolerated the implantation of the recording device and did not experience adverse effects due the medications administered. The EMG data were transformed into a metric of volitional tail moment, which appeared to be valid measure of initial impairment and subsequent natural or treatment-related recovery. The histopathologic assessment demonstrated widespread axon loss at the site of injury and areas cephalad and caudad. Histopathology revealed evidence of continuing inflammation, with macrophage activation. The EMG data did not demonstrate evidence of a statistically significant treatment effect.

'High-risk' pregnancy after perinatal loss: understanding the label.

OBJECTIVE: to explore women's experience of living with a 'high-risk' pregnancy following a perinatal loss. DESIGN: a feminist phenomenological methodology provided the framework for the research study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: the experience of 'high-risk' pregnancy following perinatal loss of seven women receiving care at a tertiary health centre in Atlantic Canada was explored by way of conversational interviews and reflective journaling. FINDINGS: four themes emerged through thematic analysis and researcher interpretation: (1) understanding the meaning in the label of 'high-risk' pregnancy, (2) relational engagement with the unborn infant, (3) insight and acceptance of the influence of previous loss, and (4) essentiality of information. Taken together, these four themes represent the storied text embedded in the research study. The focus of attention in this article is based solely on the first theme, understanding the meaning in the label of 'high-risk' pregnancy, in so far as this fosters an ability to attend to the interpretive text in the methodological manner appropriate to phenomenological inquiry. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: although previous research indicates that the label of 'high-risk' in pregnancy is often associated with increased anxiety and fear, findings from this study suggest that a 'high-risk' pregnancy following perinatal loss results in women embracing the 'high-risk' label. By recognising the possibility that women experiencing 'high-risk' pregnancy following perinatal loss may perceive the label of 'high-risk' pregnancy in a positive way, nurses, midwives and other health-care providers may begin to alter their practices when caring for these women in current health-care environments.