Air Transfer of Obstetric Emergencies to a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal

Aims: This study was performed to review the places, indications, maternal-perinatal outcomes requiring emergency air transfer to a tertiary level referral center.Methods: A hospital based descriptive study of one year duration, conducted in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), over a period of twelve months. All the women who were air transferred for pregnancy complications were enrolled.Results: There were total 19 airlifted obstetric emergencies to TUTH over one year period:  majority (68%) from hilly areas and others (32%) from mountain region. Out of them, referred cases were 11 [district hospital (5), healthpost (4); Primary Health Center (PHC) (2)]; and rest were from home (8). Two cases were abortion related; septic abortion (1) and incomplete abortion (1). There were three antepartum cases: pregnancy with meningoencephalitis (1), eclampsia (1) and bleeding placenta previa (1); maximum, eleven intrapartum cases, obstructed labor (6),labor dystocia (3), breech in labor (1) and undelivered second twin (1). Rest three were postpartum cases, one each of eclampsia, puerperal sepsis and retained placenta. Maternal morbidities were one each case of uterine rupture, acute kidney injury, retained placenta with PPH and vesicovaginal fistula that developed in the case of shoulder dystocia. Maternal mortality occurred in 2 cases, first women with antepartum eclampsia who had intracerebral bleed and second was a case of pregnancy with meningoencephalitis who later developed brain death. Regarding perinatal outcome 12/14 (86%) had live birth and 2/14 (14%) had IUFD upon arrival.Conclusion: Air lift on personal expenditure, despite economic constraints has proven beneficial in our country’s context with difficult geographical terrain and inadequate health services, whereas anticipation of any critical condition right in the beginning and timely transfer however could have been more advantageous.

Inferior Outcomes on the Waiting List in Low-Volume Pediatric Heart Transplant Centers

Low case volume has been associated with poor outcomes in a wide spectrum of procedures. Our objective was to study the association of low case volume and worse outcomes in pediatric heart transplant centers, taking the novel approach of including waitlist outcomes in the analysis. We studied a cohort of 6482 candidates listed in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network for pediatric heart transplantation between 2002 and 2014; 4665 (72%) of the candidates underwent transplantation. Candidates were divided into groups according to the average annual transplantation volume of the listing center during the study period: more than 10, six to 10, three to five, or fewer than three transplantations. We used multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for waitlist and posttransplantation mortality. Of the 6482 candidates, 24% were listed in low-volume centers (fewer than three annual transplantations). Of these listed candidates in low-volume centers, only 36% received a transplant versus 89% in high-volume centers (more than 10 annual transplantations) (p < 0.001). Listing at a low-volume center was the most significant risk factor for waitlist death (hazard ratio [HR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5-5.7 in multivariate Cox regression and HR 5.6, CI 4.4-7.3 in multivariate competing risk regression) and was significant for posttransplantation death (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.0-1.6 in multivariate Cox regression). During the study period, one-fourth of pediatric transplant candidates were listed in low-volume transplant centers. These children had a limited transplantation rate and a much greater risk of dying while on the waitlist.

Changing trends in caesarean deliveries at a tertiary care Centra: a ten year appraisal

Introduction: Over the last few decades, the rise in the rates of Caesarean Sections (CS) has become a global phenomenon. The objective of this study was to follow the CS rates over the last 10 years and to compute the various indications of CS in an attempt to analyze the possible reasons for this changing trend in the institute.Methods: All deliveries that took place between April 13, 2004 to April 14, 2014 (Baisakh 2061 BS and Chaitra 2070 BS) in TUTH were retrospectively collected. Annual total number of deliveries, rates of CS, instrumental deliveries and Vaginal Birth after Caesarian Section (VBAC) along with indications for CS were computed and analyzed.Result: A total of 38,770 deliveries were conducted over ten years with 26,791 (69.10%) vaginal deliveries and 11,979 (24.80%) CS. There was a steep rise in the rates of CS from 21.04% in 2004 to 39.23% in 2014. Rates of instrumental deliveries and VBAC remained low at 0.86% to 3.35% and 0.15% to 0.7 % respectively. Fetal distress was the commonest indication of emergency CS while previous CS was the commonest indication for elective CS.Conclusion: Over the last decade, the global trend of rising CS rates was also found to be mirrored at TUTH. The causes for rise in CS  rates were- increased diagnosis of fetal distress and oligohydramnios, delivery of most breech by Caesarean sections, low rates of VBAC and instrumental deliveries, complicated referrals from all over the country and last but not the least,  threat of malpractice litigations.Journal of Society of Surgeons of NepalVol. 17, No. 2, 2014, Page: 7-11

u-PAR expression in cancer associated fibroblast: new acquisitions in multiple myeloma progression

Background

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy in which clonal plasma cells progressively expand within the bone marrow (BM) as effect of complex interactions with extracellular matrix and a number of microenvironmental cells. Among these, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) mediate crucial reciprocal signals with MM cells and are associated to aggressive disease and poor prognosis. A large body of evidence emphasizes the role of the urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) and its receptor u-PAR in potentiating the invasion capacity of tumor plasma cells, but little is known about their role in the biology of MM CAF. In this study, we investigated the u-PA/u-PAR axis in MM-associated fibroblasts and explore additional mechanisms of tumor/stroma interplay in MM progression.

Methods

CAF were purified from total BM stromal fraction of 64 patients including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, asymptomatic and symptomatic MM, as well as MM in post-treatment remission. Flow cytometry, Real Time PCR and immunofluorescence were performed to investigate the u-PA/u-PAR system in relation to the level of activation of CAF at different stages of the disease. Moreover, proliferation and invasion assays coupled with silencing experiments were used to prove, at functional level, the function of u-PAR in CAF.

Results

We found higher activation level, along with increased expression of pro-invasive molecules, including u-PA, u-PAR and metalloproteinases, in CAF from patients with symptomatic MM compared to the others stages of the disease. Consistently, CAF from active MM as well as U266 cell line under the influence of medium conditioned by active MM CAF, display higher proliferative rate and invasion potential, which were significantly restrained by u-PAR gene expression inhibition.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the stimulation of u-PA/u-PAR system contributes to the activated phenotype and function of CAF during MM progression, providing a biological rationale for future targeted therapies against MM.

Pilot randomised trial of a brief intervention for comorbid substance misuse in psychiatric in-patient settings

OBJECTIVE

This proof of principle study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of a brief motivational intervention, delivered in mental health in-patient settings, to improve engagement in treatment for drug and alcohol misuse.

METHOD

A randomised controlled trial using concealed randomisation, blind, independent assessment of outcome at 3 months. Participants were 59 new adult admissions, to six acute mental health hospital units in one UK mental health service, with schizophrenia related or bipolar disorder diagnoses, users of community mental health services and also misusing alcohol and/or drugs. Participants were randomised to Brief Integrated Motivational Intervention (BIMI) with Treatment As Usual (TAU), or TAU alone. The BIMI took place over a 2-week period and encouraged participants to explore substance use and its impact on mental health.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine in-patients (BIMI n = 30; TAU n = 29) were randomised, the BIMI was associated with a 63% relative odds increase in the primary outcome engagement in treatment [OR 1.63 (95% CI 1.01-2.65; P = 0.047)], at 3 months. Qualitative interviews with staff and participants indicated that the BIMI was both feasible and acceptable.

CONCLUSION

Mental health hospital admissions present an opportunity for brief motivational interventions focussed on substance misuse and can lead to improvements in engagement.

Pyoderma gangrenosum in a renal transplant recipient: A case report and review of literature

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by multiple cutaneous ulcers with mucopurulent or hemorrhagic exudate. This sterile neutrophilic dermatosis is known to occur in association with malignancy, infection, autoimmune disorders and drugs. Occurrence of PG in a renal transplant recipient, who is already on immunosuppressants, is rare. We hereby report a renal transplant recipient who developed PG 1-month after transplant and responded well to treatment with escalated dose of oral steroid.

Results of open and robot-assisted pancreatectomies with autologous islet transplantations: treating chronic pancreatitis and preventing surgically induced diabetes

For patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), standard surgical procedures (eg, partial or total resections, drainage procedures) are inadequate treatment options, because they do not confer pain relief and they leave patients prone to brittle diabetes and hypoglycemia. The combination of total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT), however, can create insulin-independent and pain-free states. At our center, from August 2009 through August 2013, 61 patients with CP underwent either open or robot-assisted TP-IAT. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. The transplanted islet equivalents per body weight ranged from 10,000 to 17,770. In all, 19% of the patients became insulin independent (after a range of 1-24 months); 27% of patients required <10 units of insulin. Moreover, at 12 months after surgery, 71% of the patients were pain free and no longer required analgesics. Our metabolic outcomes could have been even better if most patients had been referred at an earlier disease stage; instead, ∼80% had already undergone surgical procedures, and 91% had abnormal results on preoperative continuous glucose monitoring tests. Only if patients with CP are referred early for a TP-IAT-rather than being subjected to additional inadequate endoscopic and surgical procedures-can insulin-independent and pain-free states be accomplished in most.

An Insight to Burn Related Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Pregnancy

Aims: The aim of this study is to study morbidity and mortality of burn cases during pregnancy and postpartum period. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from April 1998 to July 2014. The data were retrieved from the records in burn ward, intensive care unit and emergency unit. Pregnant women with burn were studied for the nature, degree and the percentage of burn in relation to pregnancy outcome and mortality. Results: There were 32 cases of burn patients with pregnancy. The most common source of burn was kerosene-induced flame (23) followed by domestic firewood (7), boiling water (1) and lightening (1).There were 25 cases of accidental burn and seven were suicidal burn. The age of the patients was ?19 years in 7, 20-24 in 13, 25-29 in 6 and 30-34 in 6 patients. Except for two cases of postpartum burn , all the others occurred during pregnancy between 6-40 gestational week{<12weeks =5, 13-27 weeks =10, 28-36 weeks=4, 37-42 weeks =6 and unknown =7}. There was only one cesarean and three vaginal births and most resulting in stillbirth owing to higher percentage of burn above second degrees. The percentage of burn was <30% in 13, 30- 39% in 3, 40-59 % in 6, 60-69% in 5 and 70-90% in 2 patients. There were nine mortality (28.1%) in women above 30% burn. Conclusions: The most common cause of burn in pregnancy was flame burn. Pregnant women need to be cautioned against flame burn and avoid using kerosene cooking stove to prevent themselves from burn, genuinely necessary steps to be propagated by all healthcare providers and also at the same time counseling against suicide to be done.  

Comparison of Oral Misoprostol with Intramuscular Oxytocin in the Active Management of Third Stage of Labour

Aims: This study aimed at comparing the efficacy of oral misoprostol 600 mcg with intramuscular oxytocin 10 IU in the active management of third stage of labour. Methods: This prospective comparative study was performed in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital to compare the efficacy of oral misoprostol with intramuscular oxytocin in the third stage of labour for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. One hundred and twenty women without risk of PPH were randomly allocated to receive either 600 mcg misoprostol orally (Group A) or 10 unit of oxytocin intramuscularly (Group B) within 1 minute of delivery. The efficacy and the safety of these two drugs were analyzed on the basis of percentages fall in hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) level from before delivery to 8 completed hours after delivery, need for additional uterotonic agents, need for exploration and uterine evacuation, need for blood transfusion, duration of third stage of labour and the numbers of retained placenta and need for MRP. Results: Oral misoprostol was observed to be equally effective as intramuscular oxytocin in prevention of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). There was no statistical difference in the duration of third stage of labour, need for additional uterotonics, need for uterine exploration/evacuation and need for blood transfusion in the two groups. Conclusions: Routine use of oral misoprostol 600 mcg appears to be as effective as 10 IU intramuscular oxytocin in minimizing blood loss during the third stage of labour.

Survival Outcomes Following Pediatric Liver Transplantation (Pedi-SOFT) Score: A Novel Predictive Index

A prognostic index to predict survival after liver transplantation could address several clinical needs. Here, we devised a scoring system that predicts recipient survival after pediatric liver transplantation. We used univariate and multivariate analysis on 4565 pediatric liver transplant recipients data and identified independent recipient and donor risk factors for posttransplant mortality at 3 months. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing variables. We identified five factors as significant predictors of recipient mortality after pediatric liver transplantation: two previous transplants (OR 5.88, CI 2.88-12.01), one previous transplant (OR 2.54, CI 1.75-3.68), life support (OR 3.68, CI 2.39-5.67), renal insufficiency (OR 2.66, CI 1.84-3.84), recipient weight under 6 kilograms (OR 1.67, CI 1.12-2.36) and cadaveric technical variant allograft (OR 1.38, CI 1.03-1.83). The Survival Outcomes Following Pediatric Liver Transplant score assigns weighted risk points to each of these factors in a scoring system to predict 3-month recipient survival after liver transplantation with a C-statistic of 0.74. Although quite accurate when compared with other posttransplant survival models, we would not advocate individual clinical application of the index.

Synthesis and Characterization of Acrylated Epoxidized Flaxseed Oil for Biopolymeric Applications

In this study acrylated epoxidized flaxseed oil was synthesized and then characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Triglycerides are the main constituents of flaxseed oil and the carbon-carbon double bond is the reaction site for epoxidation. Flaxseed oil was epoxidized by adding formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Acrylic acid was then added to produce acrylated epoxidized flaxseed oil (AEFO). The change in the structure of the fatty acids chain after the epoxidation and acrylation reactions was measured and characterized by Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR spectra of epoxidized flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil shows the disappearance of the =C–H (3012 cm−1) and C=C (1654 cm−1) peaks. The FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of AEFO since the presence of hydroxyl group (–OH) was shown by the peak at 3455 cm−1 and the acrylate group (–CH=CH2), which was indicated by the peaks at 1406, 984 and 812 cm−1. The changes in peaks of the 1H NMR spectra also confirmed the formation of AEFO. The number of acrylate groups/molecule of triglyceride was found to be 2.6 from 1H NMR spectra.

Obstetric Hysterectomy and Maternal Survival

Aims: This study was done to analyze the cases of obstetric hysterectomy and maternal complications and survival after that. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from the review of records   of the near miss, maternal mortality, cesarean audit and operation theater record of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Kathmandu from 2057-2071 BS. Results: Fourteen maternal survival resulted following total of 19 obstetric hysterectomy, subtotal hysterectomy being the procedure of choice in 11 cases, emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) being performed in abundance (18/19) in comparison to an elective peripartum hysterectomy, which was undertaken in a single case of placenta percreta, and inclusive of latter were four cases of morbid placental adhesion, a placenta increta and two placenta accreta. Eight out of 19 cases had vaginal delivery and rest had cesarean section. Among seven cases of cesarean hysterectomy 3 were done for placenta previa with accreta one case each done for abruptio placentae  and placenta accreta and two cases were done for extra placental causes. Among four cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH), which were relaparotomy followed by hysterectomy, three cases were done for complication of cesarean section and one done for uterine atonicity. Four cases of spontaneous vaginal deliveries needed peripartum hysterectomy two of them were complicated by morbid placental adhesion placenta increta (1), placental percreta (1), two cases were vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Seven cases of uterine rupture had undergone peripartum hysterectomy.   Conclusions: Obstetric hysterectomy is a lifesaving surgical procedure for maternal survival whenever necessary and mandates a quick decision making process, however in consideration of younger age and low parity or nulliparity, the best obstetric governance and services must foresee not to let mothers meet such situation necessitating organ removal and to enjoy potential reproductive life cycle.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v9i2.11759    

A clinicopathological study of dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Background: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is a form of abnormal uterine bleeding when there is absence of organic disease of the genital tract. The objective of this study was to find out the clinical and pathological aspect of women presenting with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted over a period of one year from April 14th 2010 to April 13th 2011 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Pathology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. A complete history, clinical examination, pelvic scan, hormonal status if required and endometrial biopsy were done to diagnose dysfunctional uterine bleeding.Results: A total of 120 cases were included. The age of the patients diagnosed dysfunctional uterine bleeding were ranging from 24 -63 years. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding was most common in the age group 40-44 yrs (30%) followed by 45-49 yrs (27.5%). Menorrhagia (41.7%) was the most common presenting sign. Majority histopathology of endometrium revealed anovulatory pattern (61.7%) followed by ovulatory (38.3%). Of the cases with an anovulatory pattern 48.6% was proliferative endometrium, 33.8% disordered proliferative endometrium, 6.8%atrophic, 5.4% weakly proliferative and 2.7% each of simple hyperplasia without atypia and complex hyperplasia with atypia. All cases with ovulatory pattern showed secretory endometrium.Conclusion: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding was the most common in the perimenopausal age group and chiefly in the form of an anovulatory endometrium. . Histopathological evaluation of endometrium helps exclude the local causes and establishes the diagnosis of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, its types, and clinical correlation to histopathological findings and finally helps to determine the mode of management.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11500 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No. 8 (2014) 635-638

Use of Misoprostol in the Management of Early Pregnancy Loss

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of Misoprostol administered vaginally to assist complete evacuation in early pregnancy losses (incomplete abortion, missed abortion and blighted ovum). Methods: It is a descriptive study conducted in the Department of Ob/Gyn and Emergency Department Tribhuvan University Teaching hospital. All women with clinical/USG diagnosis of incomplete abortion, missed abortion and blighted ovum ≤12 weeks POG either from last menstrual period (LMP) or USG were inserted tab. misoprostol 800 mcg in the posterior fornix. Same dose was repeated when the evacuation was incomplete on day 3 of follow-up. Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) was offered on day 14 if evacuation was incomplete or any complications like excessive bleeding/severe pain occurred during this period. Results: A hundred and thirty three women with incomplete/missed/blighted ovum were reported, of which 112 (84.3%) were analyzed as 21(15.7%) lost to follow up. Among the 112, 51 (45.5%) were incomplete abortion, 34(30.3%) blighted and 27 (24.1%) missed abortion. Complete evacuation was achieved in 98/112 (87.5%) cases [73 (65%) cases with single dose & 25(22.3%) with double doses]. Evacuation was failed in 14(12.5%) cases [incomplete abortion 6 (42%), blighted 7 (50%) & missed abortion 1 (7.1%)]. Failure for complete evacuation (n=14) related to gestational age: 10-12 weeks 9/14(64%), 7-9 weeks 5 (35%) and none in the ≤6 weeks. Although the plan was to evacuate on day 14 of follow-up for incomplete evacuation which was applicable only in 11(78.5%) cases, 3(21.5%) cases were surgically (MVA) treated beforehand (2 for excessive bleeding, 1 for severe pain). No severe complications and side effects requiring treatment were observed. Conclusions: Vaginal Misoprostol is proved to be effective and safe in cases of incomplete abortion, missed abortion and blighted ovum. In the cases that failed to achieve complete evacuation by medical means using misoprostol were subjected to surgical manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) on day 14 of follow-up. DOI: http://www.dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v7i2.11133   Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Vol 7 / No. 2 / Issue 14 / July-Dec, 2012 / 9-13

Health status and hypoglycaemia with insulin degludec versus insulin glargine: a 2-year trial in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes

Insulin degludec (IDeg) is a new basal insulin with an ultra-long and stable glucose-lowering effect. We compared once-daily IDeg and insulin glargine (IGlar), both in combination with metformin ± dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, in a 52-week, open-label, treat-to-target trial in patients with type 2 diabetes followed by a 52-week extension trial in which subjects [n = 725/1030 (70.4%)] maintained their initial randomised treatment. Health status was assessed at baseline and 105 weeks using the Short Form-36 (SF-36 v2) questionnaire. SF-36 scores were analysed (ITT population) using anova, with adjustments for covariates. At 105 weeks, the overall physical component score was significantly better with IDeg versus IGlar [treatment contrast (TC): 1.1 (0.1; 2.1)95% CI , p < 0.05]. This was largely because of significantly better physical functioning [TC: 1.1 (0.0; 2.3)95% CI , p < 0.05] and bodily pain sub-domain scores [TC: 1.5 (0.2; 2.9)95% CI , p < 0.05]. Improvements in health status with IDeg compared to IGlar were maintained after 2 years.

A comparison of adding liraglutide versus a single daily dose of insulin aspart to insulin degludec in subjects with type 2 diabetes (BEGIN: VICTOZA ADD-ON)

AIM

Two treatment strategies were compared in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on basal insulin requiring intensification: addition of once-daily (OD) liraglutide (Lira) or OD insulin aspart (IAsp) with largest meal.

METHODS

Subjects completing 104 weeks (52-week main trial BEGIN ONCE-LONG + 52-week extension) on insulin degludec (IDeg) OD + metformin with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% (≥53 mmol/mol) were randomized to IDeg+Lira [n = 88, mean HbA1c: 7.7% (61 mmol/mol)] or IDeg+IAsp (n = 89, mean HbA1c: 7.7%) for 26 weeks, continuing metformin. Subjects completing 104 weeks with HbA1c <7.0% continued IDeg + metformin in a third, non-randomized arm (n = 236).

RESULTS

IDeg+Lira reduced HbA1c (-0.74%-points) significantly more than IDeg+IAsp (-0.39%-points); estimated treatment difference (ETD) (IDeg+Lira-IDeg+IAsp) -0.32%-points (95% CI -0.53; -0.12); p = 0.0024. More IDeg+Lira (49.4%) than IDeg+IAsp (7.2%) subjects achieved HbA1c <7.0% without confirmed hypoglycaemia [plasma glucose <3.1 mmol/l (<56 mg/dl) or severe hypoglycaemia) and without weight gain; estimated odds ratio (IDeg+Lira/IDeg+IAsp) 13.79 (95% CI 5.24; 36.28); p < 0.0001. IDeg+Lira subjects had significantly less confirmed and nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia, and significantly greater weight loss (-2.8 kg) versus IDeg+IAsp (+0.9 kg); ETD (IDeg+Lira-IDeg+IAsp) -3.75 kg (95% CI -4.70; -2.79); p < 0.0001. Other than more gastrointestinal side effects with IDeg+Lira, no safety differences occurred. Durability of IDeg was established in the non-randomized arm, as mean HbA1c remained <7.0% [mean 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) at end-of-trial].

CONCLUSIONS

IDeg+Lira improved long-term glycaemic control, with weight loss and less hypoglycaemia versus adding a single daily dose of IAsp in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with IDeg + metformin.

Mechanisms involved in attenuated cardio-protective role of ischemic preconditioning in metabolic disorders

Myocardial infarction is a pathological state which occurs due to severe abrogation of the blood supply (ischemia) to a part of heart, which can cause myocardial damage. The short intermittent cycles of sub-lethal ischemia and reperfusion has shown to improve the tolerance of the myocardium against subsequent prolonged ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury, which is known as ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Although, IPC-induced cardioprotection is well demonstrated in various species, including human beings, accumulated evidence clearly suggests critical abrogation of the beneficial effects of IPC in diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia. Various factors are involved in the attenuation of the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning, such as the reduced release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), the over-expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), impairment of mito-KATP channels, the consequent opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), etc. In this review, we have critically discussed the various signaling pathways involved in abrogated preconditioning in chronic diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia. We have also focused on the involvement of PTEN in abrogated preconditioning and the significance of PTEN inhibitors.

Comparison of insulin degludec with insulin glargine in insulin-naive subjects with Type 2 diabetes: a 2-year randomized, treat-to-target trial

AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare long-term safety and efficacy of the basal insulin analogue degludec with glargine in insulin-naive subjects with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This open-label trial included a 52-week core period followed by a 52-week extension. Participants were randomized 3:1 to once-daily degludec or glargine, administered with metformin ± dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Basal insulin was titrated to target pre-breakfast plasma glucose 3.9-4.9 mmol/l.

RESULTS

At end of treatment (104 weeks), mean HbA1c reductions were similar for degludec and glargine; estimated treatment difference between degludec and glargine was 1 mmol/mol (95% CI -1 to 3) [0.07% (95% CI -0.07 to 0.22)], P = 0.339 in the extension trial set (degludec 551, glargine 174), comprising subjects who completed core trial and continued into the extension trial. Overall confirmed hypoglycaemia rates (1.72 vs. 2.05 episodes/patient-year), rates of adverse events possibly or probably related to trial product (0.19 events/patient-year), weight gain (2.7 vs. 2.4 kg) and mean daily insulin doses (0.63 U/kg) were similar between treatments in the safety analysis set (degludec 766, glargine 257) comprising all treated subjects. Rates of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia (0.27 vs. 0.46 episodes/patient-year; P = 0.002) and severe hypoglycaemia (0.006 vs. 0.021 episodes/patient-year, P = 0.023) were significantly lower with degludec for the safety analysis set (analysis based on intention-to-treat full analysis set comprising all randomized subjects).

CONCLUSIONS

In Type 2 diabetes, insulin degludec in combination with oral anti-diabetic drugs, safely and effectively improves long-term glycaemic control, with a significantly lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia as compared with glargine.

Insulin degludec improves glycaemic control with lower nocturnal hypoglycaemia risk than insulin glargine in basal-bolus treatment with mealtime insulin aspart in Type 1 diabetes (BEGIN(®) Basal-Bolus Type 1): 2-year results of a randomized clinical trial

AIMS

The goal of this study was to compare the long-term safety and efficacy of the basal insulin analogue, insulin degludec with insulin glargine (both with insulin aspart) in Type 1 diabetes, over a 2-year time period.

METHODS

This open-label trial comprised a 1-year main trial and a 1-year extension. Patients were randomized to once-daily insulin degludec or insulin glargine and titrated to pre-breakfast plasma glucose values of 3.9-4.9 mmol/l.

RESULTS

The rate of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia was 25% lower with insulin degludec than with insulin glargine (P = 0.02). Rates of confirmed hypoglycaemia, severe hypoglycaemia and adverse events, and reductions in glycated haemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose were similar between groups. Despite achieving similar glycaemic control, insulin degludec-treated patients used 12% less basal and 9% less total daily insulin than did insulin glargine-treated patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term basal therapy using insulin degludec in Type 1 diabetes required lower doses and was associated with a 25% lower risk for nocturnal hypoglycaemia than insulin glargine.

Is Local Anesthetic Infiltration Prior to Intravenous Cannulation Beneficial to Patients?

Aims: Intravenous cannulation causes pain, anxiety and frustration in patients along with changes in hemodynamic parameters. Infiltration of local anesthetic lessens the pain of intravenous cannulation. This study was performed to compare cardiovascular responses and verbal rating pain scores in two groups with and without local anesthetic infiltration prior to venous cannulation. Methods: This was a randomized study conducted in 100 elective surgical patients, divided into two study groups with 50 patients in each: group A (Control) and group B (local anesthetic infiltration). Prior to venous cannulation in group B, 0.5 ml of 1% lidocaine was infiltrated at the procedure site at dorsum of the wrist. Patients in group A were cannulated directly without local anesthetic infiltration. The hemodynamic changes pre and post cannulation and verbal pain rating scores were recorded by blind observers in all patients. Results: Demographic values in two groups were similar. Increase in heart rate from baseline value was significant in control group (p < 0.05). Post cannulation heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in group A compared to group B for the first three minutes (p < 0.05). Amongst higher number of patients in group A, verbal rating pain score was significantly higher. Ninety-four percent of the patients in group B were pain free, comfortable and satisfied with the procedure. Conclusions: Intravenous cannulation can be made pain free with patient satisfaction and hemodynamic stability if carried out with prior local anesthetic infiltration. Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Vol 8 / No. 1 / Issue 15 / Jan- June, 2013 / 10-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v8i1.8853