“
“Early in the 2000s, a countrywide health services research initiative was launched under the acronym of Atlas VPM: Atlas of Variations in Medical Practice in the Spanish National Health System. This initiative aimed at describing systematic and unwarranted variations in medical practice at geographic level-building upon the seminal experience of the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care.
The paper aims at explaining the Spanish Atlas experience, built upon the pioneer Dartmouth inspiration. A few selected examples will be used along the following sections to illustrate the outlined conceptual framework, the different factors that may
affect variation, and some methodological challenges. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Aim:
To BAY 57-1293 manufacturer evaluate and compare effectiveness, side effects and patient acceptability between oral and sublingual 600 mu g misoprostol for the AZD6094 treatment of incomplete abortion.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Pregnant women of less than 14 weeks gestation,
diagnosed with incomplete abortion, were randomly assigned to receive 600 mu g misoprostol orally or sublingually. The patients were evaluated at 48 h after drug administration for complete abortion.
Results:
A total of 64 women were recruited to the study (32 in the oral group and 32 in the sublingual group). The complete abortion rate was not statistically different between oral and sublingual groups (87.5% versus 84.4%, GS-9973 solubility dmso P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in side effects and satisfaction rate. Fever/chills were the most common side effects.
Conclusion:
Both sublingual and oral 600 mu g misoprostol are useful for the management of incomplete abortion. Side effects and satisfaction rates are not different. Thus, these methods may be used as alternative treatments
of incomplete abortion.”
“CD1d is a member of CD1 family of transmembrane glycoproteins, which represent antigen-presenting molecules. Immunofluorescent staining methods were utilized to examine expression pattern of CD1d in human testicular specimens. In testis showing normal spermatogenesis, a strong CD1d cytoplasmic expression was seen the Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and Leydig cells. A moderate expression was observed in the spermatocytes. In testes showing maturation arrest, CD1d expression was strong in the Sertoli cells and weak in spermatogonia and spermatocytes compared to testis with normal spermatogenesis. In Sertoli cell only syndrome, CD1d expression was strong in the Sertoli and Leydig cells. This preliminary study displayed testicular infertility-related changes in CD1d expression.