Isolation and characterization of circulating pro-vascular progenitor cell subsets from human whole blood samples.

The examination of circulating pro-vascular progenitor cell frequency and function is integral in understanding aberrant blood vessel homeostasis in individuals with cardiometabolic disease. Here, we outline the characterization of progenitor cell subsets from peripheral blood using high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, an intracellular detoxification enzyme previously associated with pro-vascular progenitor cell status. Using this protocol, cells can be examined by flow cytometry for ALDH activity and lineage restricted cell surface markers simultaneously. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Terenzi et al. (2019) and Hess et al. (2019, 2020).

The need for national medical licensing examination in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Medical education in Saudi Arabia is facing multiple challenges, including the rapid increase in the number of medical schools over a short period of time, the influx of foreign medical graduates to work in Saudi Arabia, the award of scholarships to hundreds of students to study medicine in various countries, and the absence of published national guidelines for minimal acceptable competencies of a medical graduate. DISCUSSION: We are arguing for the need for a Saudi national medical licensing examination that consists of two parts: Part I (Written) which tests the basic science and clinical knowledge and Part II (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) which tests the clinical skills and attitudes. We propose this examination to be mandated as a licensure requirement for practicing medicine in Saudi Arabia. CONCLUSION: The driving and hindering forces as well as the strengths and weaknesses of implementing the licensing examination are discussed in details in this debate.

Effect of body habitus and parity on insufflated CO2 volume at various intraabdominal pressures during laparoscopic access in women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine height, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, and age effect on the volume of CO2 pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic access in women. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: From January through June 2004, 100 healthy women underwent operative laparoscopic surgery consecutively by the senior author (GAV). Indications were: chronic pelvic pain (CPP, n = 66), pelvic mass (n = 7), CPP and pelvic mass (n = 4), infertility (n = 23). Median (range) height, weight, BMI, parity and age were 1.65 m (1.45-1.85 m), 70 kg (43-118 kg), 25.5 kg/m2 (17-39 kg/m2), 1.1 (0-5), and 34 years (19-58 years), respectively. INTERVENTIONS: While in supine position, patients received general endotracheal anesthesia and muscle relaxants. Pneumoperitoneum was established by reusable Veres needle. The insufflated CO2 volume was serially recorded at intraperitoneal insufflation pressures (IPIPs) of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm Hg. The primary 10-mm trocar was introduced at IPIP of 30 mm Hg. Upon entering the peritoneal cavity, the abdominal contents were visualized with the laparoscope to ensure there was no injury, and the IPIP was immediately reduced back to the operating pressure of 15 mm Hg before switching the patient to the Trendelenburg position. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean (SD) insufflated CO2 volumes at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm Hg were 1.7 (0.74) L, 3.1 (0.9) L, 3.96 (1.05) L, 4.42 (1.1) L and 4.72 (1.14) L, respectively. Using multivariate analysis, we demonstrated that at 20 to 30 mm Hg the insufflated CO2 volume correlated positively with the height, weight and BMI of women. Parity correlated positively at all pressures. There was no correlation with age at any pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Higher CO2 volume is required to establish appropriate pneumoperitoneum in tall, overweight, and parous women at 20 to 30 mm Hg. Setting the IPIP at 20 to 30 mm Hg before primary trocar insertion eliminates the need to monitor CO2 insufflated volume regardless of women's age, parity, and body habitus.

Effect of body habitus and parity on the initial Veres intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation pressure during laparoscopic access in women.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Since most gynecologists use the Veres/trocar entry, and because the Veres intraperitoneal (VIP) pressure appears to be the most reliable indicator of correct Veres needle placement, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, and age on the initial Veres intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation pressure during laparoscopic access in women. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: University affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: We prospectively collected data on 356 women undergoing laparoscopy for a variety of indications by the senior author (G.A.V.). The median and (range) for height, weight, BMI, parity, and age were 1.64 m (1.45-1.85 m), 65 kg (40-120 kg), 24.3 kg/m2 (16-47 kg/m2), 1 (0-5) and 34 years (18-87 yrs), respectively. INTERVENTION: Under general endotracheal anesthesia including muscle relaxants and with the patient in appropriate stirrups in the horizontal position, a nondisposable Veres needle was inserted at the umbilicus or left upper quadrant (Palmer's point) with CO2 flowing at 1 L/min. The initial Veres intraperitoneal insufflation pressure was recorded once the Veres needle was believed to be in the peritoneal cavity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mode and the median VIP pressure was 4 mm Hg with a range of 2 to 10 mm Hg. With multivariate analysis, the VIP pressure correlated positively with the weight (r = 0.518, p <.001) and BMI (r = 0.545, p <.001) and negatively with the parity (r = -0.179, p <.001) of women. The correlation of the VIP pressure with height and age was r = 0.029 (p = .591) and r = -0.044 (p = .411), respectively. CONCLUSION: A VIP pressure < or =10 mm Hg indicates intraperitoneal placement of the Veres needle. The VIP pressure correlates positively with the weight and BMI and negatively with the parity of women. There is no correlation of the VIP pressure with women's height and age.