Associate factors for endoscopic submucosal dissection operation time and postoperative delayed hemorrhage of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)is a treatment for early gastric cancer with the advantages of small invasion,fewer complications,and a low local recurrence rate.However,there is a high risk of complications such as bleeding and perforation,and the operation time is also longer.ESD operation time is closely related to bleeding and perforation.AIM To investigate the influencing factors associated with ESD operation time and postoperative delayed hemorrhage to provide a reference for early planning,early identification,and prevention of complications.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study based on the clinical data of 520 patients with early gastric cancer in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021.The baseline data,clinical features,and endoscopic and pathological characteristics of patients were collected.The multivariate linear regression model was used to investigate the influencing factors of ESD operation time.Logistic regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the influencing factors of postoperative delayed hemorrhage.RESULTS The multivariate analysis of ESD operation time showed that the maximum lesion diameter could affect 8.815%of ESD operation time when other influencing factors remained unchanged.The operation time increased by 3.766%or 10.247%if the lesion was mixed or concave.The operation time increased by 4.417%if combined with an ulcer or scar.The operation time increased by 3.692%if combined with perforation.If infiltrated into the submucosa,it increased by 2.536%.Multivariate analysis of delayed hemorrhage after ESD showed that the maximum diameter of the lesion,lesion morphology,and ESD operation time were independent influencing factors for delayed hemorrhage after ESD.Patients with lesion≥3.0 cm(OR=3.785,95%CI:1.165-4.277),lesion morphology-concave(OR=10.985,95%CI:2.133-35.381),and ESD operation time≥60 min(OR=2.958,95%CI:1.117-3.526)were prone to delayed hemorrhage after ESD.CONCLUSION If the maximum diameter of the lesion in patients with early gastric cancer is≥3.0 cm,and the shape of the lesion is concave,or accompanied by an ulcer or scar,combined with perforation,and infiltrates into the submucosa,the ESD operation will take a longer time.When the maximum diameter of the lesion is≥3.0 cm,the shape of the lesion is concave in patients and the operation time of ESD takes longer time,the risk of delayed hemorrhage after ESD is higher.

Whole-brain CT Perfusion at Admission and During Delayed Time-window Detects the Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective To evaluate the utility of computed tomography perfusion(CTP)both at admission and during delayed cerebral ischemia time-window(DCITW)in the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia(DCI)and the change in CTP parameters from admission to DCITW following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Methods Eighty patients underwent CTP at admission and during DCITW.The mean and extreme values of all CTP parameters at admission and during DCITW were compared between the DCI group and non-DCI group,and comparisons were also made between admission and DCITW within each group.The qualitative color-coded perfusion maps were recorded.Finally,the relationship between CTP parameters and DCI was assessed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analyses.Results With the exception of cerebral blood volume(P=0.295,admission;P=0.682,DCITW),there were significant differences in the mean quantitative CTP parameters between DCI and non-DCI patients both at admission and during DCITW.In the DCI group,the extreme parameters were significantly different between admission and DCITW.The DCI group also showed a deteriorative trend in the qualitative color-coded perfusion maps.For the detection of DCI,mean transit time to the center of the impulse response function(Tmax)at admission and mean time to start(TTS)during DCITW had the largest area under curve(AUC),0.698 and 0.789,respectively.Conclusion Whole-brain CTP can predict the occurrence of DCI at admission and diagnose DCI during DCITW.The extreme quantitative parameters and qualitative color-coded perfusion maps can better reflect the perfusion changes of patients with DCI from admission to DCITW.

Therapeutic potential of stem cells in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Aneurysm rupture can result in subarachnoid hemorrhage,a condition with potentially severe consequences,such as disability and death.In the acute stage,early brain injury manifests as intracranial pressure elevation,global cerebral ischemia,acute hydrocephalus,and direct blood–brain contact due to aneurysm rupture.This may subsequently cause delayed cerebral infarction,often with cerebral vasospasm,significantly affecting patient outcomes.Chronic complications such as brain volume loss and chronic hydrocephalus can further impact outcomes.Investigating the mechanisms of subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced brain injury is paramount for identifying effective treatments.Stem cell therapy,with its multipotent differentiation capacity and anti-inflammatory effects,has emerged as a promising approach for treating previously deemed incurable conditions.This review focuses on the potential application of stem cells in subarachnoid hemorrhage pathology and explores their role in neurogenesis and as a therapeutic intervention in preclinical and clinical subarachnoid hemorrhage studies.

Toll-like receptor 4 as a possible therapeutic target for delayed brain injuries after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neuroinflammation is a well-recognized consequence of subarachnoid hemorrhage（SAH）, and Toll-like receptor（TLR） 4 may be an important therapeutic target for post-SAH neuroinflammation. Of the TLR family members, TLR4 is expressed in various cell types in the central nervous system, and is unique in that it can signal through both the myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88-dependent and the toll receptor associated activator of interferon-dependent cascades to coordinate the maximal inflammatory response. TLR4 can be activated by many endogenous ligands having damage-associated molecular patterns including heme and fibrinogen at the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, and the resultant inflammatory reaction and thereby tissue damages may furthermore activate TLR4. It is widely accepted that the excreted products of TLR4 signaling alter neuronal functions. Previous studies have focused on the pathway through nuclear factor（NF）-κΒ signaling among TLR4 signaling pathways as to the development of early brain injury（EBI） such as neuronal apoptosis and blood-brain barrier disruption, and cerebral vasospasm. However, many findings suggest that both pathways via NF-κΒ and mitogen-activated protein kinases may be involved in EBI and cerebral vasospasm development. To overcome EBI and cerebral vasospasm is important to improve outcomes after SAH, because both EBI and vasopasm are responsible for delayed brain injuries or delayed cerebral ischemia, the most important preventable cause of poor outcomes after SAH. Increasing evidence has shown that TLR4 signaling plays an important role in SAH-induced brain injuries. Better understanding of the roles of TLR4 signaling in SAH will facilitate development of new treatments.

Risk factors for delayed intracranial hemorrhage secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Delayed intracranial hemorrhage(DICH),a potential complication of ventriculoperitoneal(VP)shunts,has been associated with high mortality,but its risk factors are still unclear.AIM To investigate the risk factors of DICH after VP shunts.METHODS We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of DICH and non-DICH adult patients with VP shunts between January 2016 and December 2020.RESULTS The 159 adult VP shunt patients were divided into 2 groups according to the development of DICH:the DICH group(n=26)and the non-DICH group(n=133).No statistically significant difference was found in age,sex,laboratory examination characteristics or preoperative modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score between the DICH and non-DICH groups(P>0.05);however,a history of an external ventricular drain(EVD)[P=0.045;odds ratio(OR):2.814;95%CI:1.024-7.730]and postoperative brain edema around the catheter(P<0.01;OR:8.397;95%CI:3.043-23.171)were associated with a high risk of DICH.A comparison of preoperative mRS scores between the DICH group and the non-DICH group showed no significant difference(P=0.553),while a significant difference was found in the postoperative mRS scores at the 3-mo follow-up visit(P=0.024).CONCLUSION A history of EVD and postoperative brain edema around the catheter are independent risk factors for DICH in VP shunt patients.DICH patients with a high mRS score are vulnerable to poor clinical outcomes.

CT examination, clinical situation and experimental characteristics of infants with intracranial hemorrhage induced by delayed vitamin K deficiency

BACKGROUND: Delayed vitamin K deficiency is characterized by acute onset, severe illness and high fatality rate. 33%-50% survivors accompany with other various nervous system sequelas. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of intracranial hemorrhage in time become a key factor for improving healing rate and reducing fatality rate and incidence of sequela. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical situation, experimental characteristics, CT examination and terminative characteristics of infants with intracranial hemorrhage induced by delayed vitamin K deficiency. DESIGN: Case analysis. SETTING: Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 infants with intracranial hemorrhage induced by delayed vitamin K deficiency aged 1-3 months including 11 boys and 6 girls were selected from Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from January 1994 to December 2005. All infants had drowsiness, rejective milk, spiting milk, gaze of both eyes, tic, coma, full anterior fontanelle, high muscular tension and cerebral hernia, etc. Experimental examination demonstrated that infants had anemia at various degrees; prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were prolonged; platelet count was normal. CT examination indicated that screenages of subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, cerebral parenchyma hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrage were changed. Hemorrhage was stopped by the application of vitamin K. All patients provided informed consent. METHODS: ① Clinical situation and physical sign of infants were observed after hospitalization and scanned with rapid spiral CT scanning system. The thickness and average space of layers were 8-10 mm and the scanning time was 5 s with window width of 30-80 Hu and window position of 28-35 Hu. ② After hospitalization, four items of blood coagulation was measured with Futura meter and biochemical indexes of blood, such as serum calcium, serum alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, were detected with Roche Modular PPI automatic biochemistry analyzer. ③ After hospitalization, infants were given 5-10 mg vitamin K1 for 3-5 days, and then, they were transfused with 10-15 mL/kg fresh plasma or whole blood for 1-3 times and received other relative therapies. Therapeutic effects were evaluated based on clinical diagnosis and criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Clinical situation, physical sign and CT examination; ② results of experimental examination; ③ treatment and termination. RESULTS: A total of 17 infants with intracranial hemorrhage were involved in the final analysis. ① Clinical situation, physical sign and CT examination: All infants had pale facial expression and full or bossing anterior fontanelle. Among them, 13 infants had drowsiness or dysphoria, 12 rejective milk or emesis, 11 tic, 13 injection site hemorrhage, 2 gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 3 cerebral hernia, 11 high muscular tension and 6 cervical rigidity. CT examination demonstrated that most infants (88%, 15/17) had subarachnoid hemorrhage; 10 (59%, 10/17) had subdural hematoma; 8 (47%, 8/17) had cerebral parenchyma hemorrhage; few had intraventricular hemorrhage. In addition, results of CT examination also indicated that 17 infants had intracranial hemorrhage. Hemorrhage sites of 12 infants were equal to or more than 2, which was accounted for 70% (12/17); meanwhile, partial cases accompanied with a large area of focus of cerebral infarction or cerebral hypoxia-ischemia lesion. ② Results of experimental examination: There were 6 infants with elongation of prothrombin time, 5 with partial elongation of prothrombin time, 4 with decrease of serum calcium (1.69-2.25 mmol/L), 3 with increase of serum alkaline phosphatase, 3 with increase of total bilirubin, 3 with increase of direct bilirubin, and 3 with increase of indirect bilirubin. ③ Treatment and termination: After treatment, 12 infants were cured well, 3 improved, 1 given up and 1 died. Later, ten infants received CT re-examination at 3 months after treatment. The results indicated that 3 infants had simple subarachnoid hemorrhage and 4 had subarachnoid hemorrhage accompanying with subdural hematoma. Their focuses were absorbed well and not show as obvious sequela. One infant had subdural hematoma accompanying with subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral parenchyma hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrage and cerebral hypoxia ischemia, and then, after hematom absorption, obvious cerebral malacia focus, hydrocephalus, brain atrophy and inferior accumulating fluid of dura mater were observed; 2 had subdural hematoma accompanying with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral hypoxia ischemia, and then, after bleeding absorption, brain atrophy was changed remarkably; changes of hydrocephalus were observed in one infant. CONCLUSION: ① Symptoms of pale facial expression, full or bossing anterior fontanelle, drowsiness and dysphoria are observed in infants with delayed vitamin K deficiency . ② Experimental indexes demonstrate that prothrombin time and partial prothrombin time are prolonged, and numbers of infants having decrease of serum calcium are in the third place. ③ Poly-intracranial hemorrhage is a notable characteristic of CT examination. Partial infants who have poly-intracranial hemorrhage always accompany with cerebral hypoxia-ischemia lesion or cerebral infarction. Clinical situation and prognosis of infants who have a large area of intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral hypoxia-ischemia changes are poor; however, those of infants who have simple subarachnoid hemorrhage or combination of subarachnoid hemorrhage with subdural hematoma are well. ④ Effect of vitamin K on this kind of disease is well.

A prospective cohort study on serum A20 as a prognostic biomarker of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND:A20 may be a neuroprotective factor.Herein,we aimed to investigate whether serum A20 levels were associated with disease severity,delayed cerebral ischemia(DCI),and outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH).METHODS:In this prospective cohort study containing 112 aSAH patients and 112 controls,serum A20 levels were quantified.At 90 d poststroke,Modified Rankin Scale(MRS) scores≥3 were defined as a poor outcome.All correlations and associations were assessed using multivariate analysis.RESULTS:Compared with controls,there was a significant elevation of serum A20 levels in patients(median 123.7 pg/mL vs.25.8 pg/mL;P<0.001).Serum A20 levels were independently correlated with Hunt-Hess scores(β 9.854;95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.481-17.227,P=0.009) and modified Fisher scores(β 10.349,95% CI 1.273-19.424,P=0.026).Independent associations were found between serum A20 levels and poor outcome(odds ratio [OR] 1.015,95%CI 1.000-1.031,P=0.047) and DCI(OR 1.018,95% CI 1.001-1.035,P=0.042).Areas under the curve for predicting poor outcome and DCI were 0.771(95% CI 0.682-0.845) and 0.777(95% CI 0.688-0.850),respectively.Serum A20 levels ≥128.15 pg/mL predicted poor outcome,with a sensitivity of 73.9% and specificity of 74.2%,and A20 levels ≥160.55 pg/mL distinguished the risk of DCI with65.5% sensitivity and 89.2% specificity.Its ability to predict poor outcome and DCI was similar to those of Hunt-Hess scores and modified Fisher scores(both P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Enhanced serum A20 levels are significantly associated with stroke severity and poor clinical outcome after aSAH,implying that serum A20 may be a potential prognostic biomarker for aSAH.

Can CT Perfusion Guide Patient Selection for Treatment of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia?

Purpose: To evaluate qualitative and quantitative CT perfusion (CTP) for different treatment options of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in aneurysmal SAH. Methods: Retrospective study of consecutive SAH patients enrolled in a prospective IRB-approved clinical trial. Qualitative analysis of CTP deficits were determined by two blinded neuroradiologists. Quantitative CTP was performed using standardized protocol with region-of-interest placement sampling the cortex. DCI was assessed by clinical and imaging criteria. Patients were classified into treatment groups: 1) hypertension-hemodilution-hypervolemia (HHH);2) intra-arterial (IA) vasodilators and/or angioplasty;3) no treatment. Mean quantitative CTP values were compared using ANOVA pairwise comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, standard error (SE) and optimal threshold values were calculated. Results: Ninety-six patients were classified into three treatment groups;21% (19/96) HHH, 34% (33/96) IA-therapy and 46% (44/96) no treatment. DCI was diagnosed in 42% (40/96);of which 18% (7/40) received HHH, 80% (32/40) IA-therapy, and 2% (1/40) no treatment. CTP deficits were seen in 50% (48/96);occurring in 63% (12/19) HHH, 94% (31/33) IA-therapy, and 11% (5/44) no treatment. Presence of CTP deficits had 83% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 90% positive predictive and 81% negative predictive values for treatment. Mean quantitative CTP values revealed significant differences in CBF (p mL/100 gm/min (89% specificity, 71% sensitivity) for determining treatment. Conclusion: These initial findings of significant differences in CTP deficits for different treatment groups suggest that CTP may have a potential role in guiding patient selection for treatment of DCI.

Role of interventional endovascular therapy for delayed hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background Delayed massive hemorrhage （DMH） after pancreaticoduodenectomy （PD） is a sedous complication and one of the most common causes of mortality after PD. Its ideal management remains unclear. This paper is to present our experience in the endovascular treatment of patients with DMH after PD using different techniques and materials.Methods During a seven years period, 19 patients （fifteen men, four women） with DMH arter PD were treated with endovascular procedures, including transcatheter arterial embolization （TAE） with coils embolization in eight cases, with coils plus N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate （NBCA）-Lipiodol mixture in six cases, and stent-graft placement in five cases. The mean age of the patients was 58.2 years. Follow-up, including clinical condition, liver function tests, and Doppler ultrasound examinations, was documented.Results The immediate technical success rate was 84.2% （16/19）. There were no significant procedure-related complications. Hemostasis was not achieved with interventional procedures in three patients： one died of uncontrolled bleeding four days after the second TAE, and two patients required emergency laparotomy without re-angiography because of worsening clinical status. Among the 16 patients with successfully stopped bleeding who became hemodynamically stable after the procedure without evidence of further bleeding, two patients died during the peri-interventional procedure period because of multiple organ failure, and fourteen patients survived to hospital discharge. The mean length of follow-up was 14.6 months. Recurrent bleeding after discharge did not occur in any of these cases. Clinical and laboratory follow-up findings were unremarkable. Doppler ultrasound examinatation verified patency of the hepatic artery in the four patients with stent-graft placement during the follow-up period （5 months-29 months; mean, 15.3 months）.Conclusions Interventional endovascular procedure is a safe and technically feasible solution to control DMH. The first-line treatment for the bleeding is TAE. Stent-graft placement with preservation of the organ arterial flow, if technicallypossible, is a valuable alternative to TAE and surgical intervention for management of DMH.

Hypoperfusion assessed by pressure reactivity index is associated with delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage:an observational study

Background:Dysfunction of cerebral autoregulation is one of the pathophysiological mechanisms that causes delayed cerebral ischemia(DCI)after subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH).Pressure reactivity index(PRx)have been confirmed to reflect the level of cerebral autoregulation and used to derive optimal cerebral perfusion pressure(CPPopt).The goal of this study is to explore the associations between autoregulation,CPPopt,PRx,and DCI.Methods:Continuous intracranial pressure(ICP),arterial blood pressure(ABP),and cerebral perfusion pressure(CPP)signals acquired from 61 aSAH patients were retrospectively analyzed.PRx was calculated and collected by Pneumatic computer system.The CPP at the lowest PRx was determined as the CPPopt.The duration of a hypoperfusion event(dHP)was defined as the cumulative time that the PRx was>0.3 and the CPP was<CPPopt.The duration of CPP more than 10 mmHg below CPPopt(ΔCPPopt<−10 mmHg)was also used to assess hypoperfusion.The percent of the time of hypoperfusion by dHP andΔCPPopt<−10 mmHg(%dHP and%ΔCPPopt)were compared between DCI group and control group,utilizing univariate and multivariable logistic regression.It was the clinical prognosis at 3 months after hemorrhage that was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale,and logistic regression and ROC analysis were used for predictive power for unfavorable outcomes(mRs 3–5).Results:Data from 52 patients were included in the final analysis of 61 patients.The mean%dHP in DCI was 29.23%and 10.66%in control.The mean%ΔCPPopt<−10 mmHg was 22.28%,and 5.90%in control.The%dHP(p<0.001)and the%ΔCPPopt<−10mmHg(p<0.001)was significantly longer in the DCI group.In multivariate logistic regression model,%ΔCPPopt<−10 mmHg(p<0.001)and%dHP(p<0.001)were independent risk factor for predicting DCI,and%ΔCPPopt<−10 mmHg(p=0.010)and%dHP(p=0.026)were independent risk factor for predicting unfavorable outcomes.Conclusions:The increase of duration of hypoperfusion events and duration of CPP below CPPopt over 10 mmHg,evaluated as time of lowered CPP,is highly indicative of DCI and unfavorable outcomes.

A Mathematical Model to Analyze Spread of Hemorrhagic Disease in White-Tailed Deer Population

Hemorrhagic disease (HD) is a fatal vector-borne disease that affects white-tailed deer and many other ruminants. A vector-borne disease model is proposed in the present work, which takes into account migrating effects of deer population using distributed delay terms. The model is employed to analyze the effects of deer migration on the HD spread. This is carried out in three steps. First, the conditions for existence and stability of the endemic and the disease free equilibria are established. Second, using the method of the Next Generation Matrix, the basic reproduction expression R0 is derived from the model. Third, using the R0 expression and its numerical simulations, it is illustrated that the severity of an HD outbreak is directly influenced by the migration rates of infected and susceptible deer (i.e., dI and dS, respectively). For small values of dS, the value of R0 is increased with dI, whereas R0 decreases with dI when dS is large. Using the method of chain trick, the proposed model with distributed delay is reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations where the convergence of the system to endemic and diseases free equilibrium is numerically explored.

Effects of medical adhesives in prevention of complications after endoscopic submucosal dissection

AIM:To evaluate the use of medical adhesive spray in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS:Patients who underwent ESD between January 2009 and June 2012 (n = 173) were enrolled in the prospective randomized study. Two patients undergoing surgery due to severe intraoperative hemorrhage and failed hemostasis were excluded, and the remaining 171 patients were randomly divided into two groups:group A (medical adhesive group, n = 89) and group B (control group, n = 82). In group A, a medical adhesive spray was evenly applied after routine electrocoagulation and hemostasis using hemostatic clip after ESD. Patients in group B only treated with routine wound management. Intraoperative and postoperative data were collected and compared. RESULTS:In all 171 patients, ESD was successfully completed. There was no significant difference in the average treatment time between groups A and B (59.4 min vs 55.0 min, respectively). The average length of hospital stay was significantly different between group A and B (8.89 d vs 9.90 d, respectively). The incidence of intraoperative perforation was 10.1% in group A and 9.8% in group B, and was not significantly different between the two groups. In all cases, perforations were successfully managed endoscopically and with conservative treatment. The incidence of postoperative delayed bleeding in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (0.00% vs 4.88%, respectively). CONCLUSION:ESD is an effective minimally invasive treatment for gastrointestinal precancerous lesions or early-stage gastrointestinal cancer. Medical adhesive spray is effective in preventing delayed bleeding after ESD, and can thus reduce the average length of hospital stay.

Hydroxyethylstarch revisited for acute brain injury treatment

Infusion of the colloid hydroxyethylstarch has been used for volume substitution to maintain hemodynamics and microcirculation after e.g., severe blood loss.In the last decade it was revealed that hydroxyethylstarch can aggravate acute kidney injury, especially in septic patients.Because of the serious risk for critically ill patients, the administration of hydroxyethylstarch was restricted for clinical use.Animal studies and recently published in vitro experiments showed that hydroxyethylstarch might exert protective effects on the blood-brain barrier.Since the prevention of blood-brain barrier disruption was shown to go along with the reduction of brain damage after several kinds of insults, we revisit the topic hydroxyethylstarch and discuss a possible niche for the application of hydroxyethylstarch in acute brain injury treatment.

Bridging the Gap between Evidence and Practice: A Systematic Review—When Is the Best Time to Clamp the Infant’s Umbilical Cord in Term Low-Risk Women?

Historically, in midwifery and obstetric care, the umbilical cord was not usually clamped until all pulsation of the cord had ceased. This is now referred to as delayed cord clamping or DCC (not clamping umbilical cord before two minutes of life). During the last one hundred years with changes in the ways women give birth, especially the shift toward hospital based birth in the Western world, it became commonplace for the cord to be clamped within 20 - 30 seconds of birth (immediate cord clamping or ICC). Authors have postulated various reasons for this shift in timing of umbilical cord clamping to include a possible decreased risk of postpartum hemorrhage, the need for resuscitation of the newborn and sampling of cord blood for stem cells and cord blood analysis. Recent evidence suggests that newborns (particularly in low-resourced settings) would benefit greatly from a policy of DCC with decreased risks of childhood anemia, subsequent sequelae and the need for supplementation. This systematic review examined recent literature from the last eight years using commonly used academic search engines with associated keywords. The results were carefully collated into a table of findings and outcomes.

New Developments in Drug Therapy and Research of Cerebral Vasospasm

In this manuscript a comprehensive coverage of recent developments in the drug therapy of vasospasm while providing the background information that neuroscientists need to understand its rationale. The range of new agents available for treatment of cerebral vasospasm is expanding rapidly along with rapid advances in pharmacology and physiology that are uncovering the mechanisms of this disease. Although there are many publications for treatment of cerebral vaso-spasm, most are focusing on different aspects of vasospasm treatment and many have limited value due to insufficient quality. Moreover, the complexity of this, in many cases deleterious condition, is enormous and the information needed to understand drug effects is accordingly often not readily available in a single source. A number of pharmacological and medical therapies are currently in use or being investigated in an attempt to reverse cerebral vasospasm, but only a few have proven to be useful. Current research efforts promise the eventual production of new medical therapies. At last, recommendations for the use of different treatment stages based on currently available clinical data are provided.