RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Brain donation and neuropathological examination of brain tissues is the only way to obtain definitive diagnostic information on research subjects enrolled in aging studies. We investigated predictors of brain donation in a population-based study of centenarians in Phase III of the Georgia Centenarian Study (GCS). METHODS: Sixty-six individuals (mean age = 100.6 years, 91% female, 20% African American) were successfully recruited from the core sample of 244 individuals residing in 44 counties of Northeast Georgia to provide brain donation. RESULTS: Bivariate (t-tests, chi-square tests) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) showed no significant differences between donors and non-donors across a wide range of demographic, religious, personality, cognitive and physical functioning characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: We succeeded in recruiting a diverse, population-based sample of centenarians for brain donation. Our findings also suggest that barriers to brain donation reported in other studies may have less impact in these exceptional survivors.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether postnatal vitamin A therapy increased ductal closure rate in premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects (n=40) were recruited on day of life 1. Inclusion criteria were premature neonates weighing 500 to 1500 g with an indwelling umbilical line. Vitamin A was administered intramuscularly on days 1, 3, and 7. Blood vitamin A and retinol binding protein levels were obtained on days 1 and 3. Echocardiography was performed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Failure of ductal closure was defined as the presence of a moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus on day 14, indomethacin therapy, or surgical ligation. RESULTS: Comparison between the treatment and placebo groups revealed no differences in gestational age, weight, or oxygenation index. Vitamin A and retinol binding protein levels did not differ between the groups at entry but increased significantly after vitamin A treatment. Failure of ductal closure occurred in 22 of 40 babies without any difference between the groups (12/22 vs 10/18, P=NS). Four infants required surgical ligation, all in the treatment group (P=.04). Clinical outcome did not vary between groups. CONCLUSION: Postnatal vitamin A therapy did not improve ductal closure rates in premature infants.
Asunto(s)
Conducto Arterioso Permeable/tratamiento farmacológico , Vitamina A/uso terapéutico , Peso al Nacer , Método Doble Ciego , Conducto Arterioso Permeable/diagnóstico , Electrocardiografía , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Recien Nacido Prematuro , Estudios Prospectivos , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
A post menopausal female with severe vomiting and weight loss in association with elevated hormone levels is presented. Signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis were not evident at presentation. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment are discussed. Antithyroid therapy with carbimazole and propranlol induced rapid resolution of her symptoms and marked improvement in well-being. Radioactive iodine ablation of her thyroid gland was performed later and she has remained asymptomatic.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Informes de Casos , Tirotoxicosis/complicaciones , Vómitos/etiología , Tirotoxicosis/terapia , Radioisótopos de Yodo/uso terapéutico , Pérdida de PesoRESUMEN
A post menopausal female with severe vomiting and weight loss in association with elevated hormone levels is presented. Signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis were not evident at presentation. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment are discussed. Antithyroid therapy with carbimazole and propranlol induced rapid resolution of her symptoms and marked improvement in well-being. Radioactive iodine ablation of her thyroid gland was performed later and she has remained asymptomatic.