Parents of babies who participated in an invasive clinical study report a positive experience: the Glucose in Well Babies (GLOW) study

Author(s):  
Alana R Cumberpatch ◽  
Philip J Weston ◽  
Jane E Harding ◽  
Deborah L Harris

ObjectiveThere is a paucity of data about normal blood metabolite concentrations in healthy babies, in part because of a reluctance to undertake non-therapeutic invasive testing in newborns. The Glucose in Well Babies study (GLOW) sought to describe blood glucose, lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in healthy term babies over the first 5 postnatal days. We also sought to understand both parents’ experience of participation in this invasive non-therapeutic study.Design, setting, patients and interventionsEligible babies were healthy, term, appropriately grown singletons born in a birthing centre, hospital or home within the greater Hamilton area and then discharged home. Babies had subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring placed soon after birth, up to 14 heel-prick blood samples, twice-daily home visits and parents were asked to record all feeds. At study completion, both parents were asked to independently complete a questionnaire about their experience.ResultsAll eligible babies completed the study and every parent completed the questionnaire (65 fathers, 66 mothers). Parents reported they liked contributing to improving healthcare (126/131, 96%) and support from the GLOW team (119/131, 91%). Nearly all (127/131, 97%) would participate in GLOW again if they had another eligible baby, and all would recommend GLOW to family and friends. Two-thirds of parents (87/131, 66%) reported that participation had made them more likely to contribute to clinical research in the future.ConclusionsNon-therapeutic studies involving invasive procedures in healthy term babies are feasible, and parents were positive about their experience.

Author(s):  
Li-Nong Ji ◽  
Li-Xin Guo ◽  
Li-Bin Liu

AbstractBlood glucose self-monitoring by individuals with diabetes is essential in controlling blood glucose levels. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced new standards for blood glucose monitoring systems (BGMS) in 2013 (ISO 15197: 2013). The CONTOUR PLUSThis study evaluated the accuracy and precision of CONTOUR PLUS BGMS in quantitative glucose testing of capillary and venous whole blood samples obtained from 363 patients at three different hospitals.Results of fingertip and venous blood glucose measurements by the CONTOUR PLUS system were compared with laboratory reference values to determine accuracy. Accuracy was 98.1% (96.06%–99.22%) for fingertip blood tests and 98.1% (96.02%–99.21%) for venous blood tests. Precision was evaluated across a wide range of blood glucose values (5.1–17.2 mmol/L), testing three blood samples repeatedly 15 times with the CONTOUR PLUS blood glucose meter using test strips from three lots. All within-lot results met ISO criteria (i.e., SD<0.42 mmol/L for blood glucose concentration <5.55 mmol/L; CV<7.5% for blood glucose concentration ≥5.55 mmol/L). Between-lot variations were 1.5% for low blood glucose concentration, 2.4% for normal and 3.4% for high.Accuracy of both fingertip and venous blood glucose measurements by the CONTOUR PLUS system was >95%, confirming that the system meets ISO 15197: 2013 requirements.


Author(s):  
Natwaine Sherune Gardner ◽  
Kedon JS Luke ◽  
Andrew O. Wheatley ◽  
Winston G. De La Haye ◽  
Perceval Bahado-Singh ◽  
...  

The effects that chronic cocaine administration (CCA) have on craving, cocaine metabolite concentrations and cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme (CYP450 3A4) activities in Sprague-Dawley rats following the administration of Salako Nutritional Supplements (SNS) were examined. Five groups of fifty rats were used to assess the effect of the SNS following CCA. Craving was analyzed for each rat using a Conditioned Place Preference protocol. Blood samples were obtained at regular intervals and used to measure cocaine plasma metabolite levels. CYP450 3A4 activity was determined in the liver. Administration of the SNS reduced craving of cocaine significantly, upon discontinuing cocaine in the rats. Blood plasma analysis showing higher benzoylecgonine equilibrium and the CYP450 3A4 levels demonstrated that the SNS possibly aided in the removal of the stored metabolites indicative of increased metabolism of cocaine, enhanced by the Supplements. Results indicate that the SNS formulation reduces craving caused by CCA by increasing the liver CYP450 3A4 activity, resulting in better plasma clearance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-81
Author(s):  
Jan Melek ◽  
Markéta Štanclová ◽  
Radek Štichhauer ◽  
Pavel Rozsíval ◽  
Jan Kopřiva ◽  
...  

A two-year-old girl with two weeks of abdominal pain, vomiting, and food refusal, ten months after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion because of inadequate peroral intake, was admitted to a tertiary centre hospital. On admission, the extracorporeal part of the gastrostomy was much shortened. X-ray examination revealed migration of the end of the gastrostomy tube with a left-shifted course of the tube through the duodenum. Gastroscopy and subsequently laparotomy were performed. A longitudinal pressure necrosis was identified under the tube, with two perforations in the duodenojejunal region. Ten centimeters of that duodenojejunal region were resected, and end-to-end anastomosis was made. The migration of the gastrostomy was probably caused by insufficient care by the parents. Pathophysiologically, the tube caused the pressure necrosis in the duodenojejunal area; this was supported by histology. This is a hitherto undescribed complication of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, showing that migration of the gastrostomy to the deeper part of the small bowel can lead to pressure necrosis, a potentially life-threatening condition in children which cannot be treated without invasive procedures.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
Vanessa Erben ◽  
Gernot Poschet ◽  
Petra Schrotz-King ◽  
Hermann Brenner

Analysis of metabolomics has been suggested as a promising approach for early detection of colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas. We investigated and compared the metabolomics profile in blood, stool, and urine samples of screening colonoscopy participants and aimed to evaluate differences in metabolite concentrations between people with advanced colorectal neoplasms and those without neoplasms. Various types of bio-samples (plasma, feces, and urine) from 400 participants of screening colonoscopy were investigated using the MxP® Quant 500 kit (Biocrates, Innsbruck, Austria). We detected a broad range of metabolites in blood, stool, and urine samples (504, 331, and 131, respectively). Significant correlations were found between concentrations in blood and stool, blood and urine, and stool and urine for 93, 154, and 102 metabolites, of which 68 (73%), 126 (82%), and 39 (38%) were positive correlations. We found significant differences between participants with and without advanced colorectal neoplasms for concentrations of 123, 49, and 28 metabolites in blood, stool and urine samples, respectively. We detected mostly positive correlations between metabolite concentrations in blood samples and urine or stool samples, and mostly negative correlations between urine and stool samples. Differences between subjects with and without advanced colorectal neoplasms were found for metabolite concentrations in each of the three bio-fluids.


Author(s):  
Zohour Ibrahim Rashwan ◽  
Gehan Maher Khamis

Introduction: Breakthrough technologies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) revolutionized neonates’ quality of care. Mother scented simulated hand (MSSH) is an ergonomically designed supportive hand that uses the power of touch to simulate the feeling of being held and cuddled. This study aimed to determine the effect of MSSH on promoting comfort among mechanically ventilated preterm neonates during invasive procedures.Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-posttest two groups study was carried out in NICU in Smouha, Alexandria. A sample of 62 mechanically ventilated neonates was randomly assigned to two equal groups; the study group wrapped with a warm MSSH during the invasive procedures while the control group received standard care of NICU. Two observers independently rated the neonates’ level of comfort, distress, and pain during endotracheal suctioning (ETS) and heel prick using COMFORTneo scale.Results: It is revealed that the mechanically ventilated neonates had a significantly higher comfort level with MSSH than the standard care during and after both ETS and heal break (p < 0.001 for each). The neonates had significantly lower distress and pain scores when encircled by MSSH during invasive procedures than standard care (p < 0.001 for NRS distress and p < 0.001 for NRS distress).Conclusion: Wrapping the preterm neonates with a warm MSSH promotes comfort and reduces their pain and distress during invasive procedures, especially when their mothers are not physically available.


1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 2173-2177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Katakura ◽  
Shin-Ichiro Kawazu ◽  
Toshimitsu Naya ◽  
Koichi Nagakura ◽  
Mamoru Ito ◽  
...  

To diagnose visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), we have developed a nested PCR method based on amplification of the mini-exon gene, which is unique and tandomly repeated in the Leishmania genome. Nested PCR was sufficiently sensitive for the detection of DNA in an amount equivalent to a single Leishmania parasite or less. We examined the usefulness of this PCR method using bone marrow aspirates and buffy coat cells collected from kala-azar patients who had or had not received chemotherapy in northwest China. We obtained PCR positivity for all of the parasitologically positive bone marrow samples from the patients. Some ambiguities with the primary PCR results were eliminated by the subsequent nested PCR. The buffy coat samples from 7 of 12 patients with splenomegaly were positive by the nested PCR, although only 2 of them were positive for parasites by culture. However, buffy coat samples from nine children, whose splenomegaly has been reduced and clinically cured by antimony treatment, were all negative. Thus, this nested PCR method represents a new tool for the diagnosis of kala-azar with patient blood samples instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates obtained by more invasive procedures.


2005 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. IBRAHIM ◽  
A. ABDALLAH ◽  
E. A. SALEH ◽  
A. D. M. E. OSTERHAUS ◽  
R. L. DE SWART

SUMMARYWe conducted a prospective birth cohort study in rural Sudan to assess measles virus (MV)-specific antibody levels at different time points in infancy. Dried blood spots were collected on filter paper at birth (cord blood) and at ages 6, 12 and 24 months (heel-prick). Maternally derived MV-specific antibody levels were high in cord blood samples, but at the age of 6 months had dropped below cut-off values in half of the infants. By extrapolation it was concluded that the current Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) target age for measles vaccination of 9 months was an appropriate choice for this area. At the age of 24 months acquired MV-specific antibodies were detected in 65–85% of the cohort, which corresponded well with the 79% of infants reported to be vaccinated by this age. This study demonstrates the usefulness of filter paper blood samples for seroepidemiological studies in developing countries.


1984 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Flux ◽  
D. D. S. Mackenzie ◽  
G. F. Wilson

ABSTRACTPhysiological differences between cows in hormone and metabolite concentrations were sought that may account for genetic differences in milk production.Two groups of New Zealand Friesian cows, differing in genetic merit for fat production (high breeding index (HBI) and low breeding index (LBI)) by approximately 23 breeding index units (20 kg fat on the United Kingdom improved contemporary comparison scale), were each divided into two further groups, one of which was given freshly cut pasture to appetite and in the other intake was restricted to 70% of appetite. Eighteen blood samples were collected over a 24-h period from each of 16 cows fitted with indwelling jugular catheters. Samples were analysed for growth hormone, insulin, free fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate. Mean concentration of insulin was significantly higher in the HBI underfed group than in any other group (P < 0·01). Glucose concentration was significantly lower in the LBI group (P < 0·05), whose intake was restricted. The concentration of (3-hydroxybutyrate was significantly higher in the cows whose intake was restricted (P < 0·01) and the concentration fell markedly after feeding. Growth hormone concentrations were higher in the cows on restricted intake (P < 0·05) and in HBI cows but the differences were not statistically significant.It was concluded that different patterns of blood metabolites and hormones are associated with cows that differ in genetic merit. Aspects of insulin and glucose metabolism, particularly at low planes of feeding, appear to offer most promise as indicators of high milk-solids production.


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