Cubital Vein Research Articles

P2-7-6 - Administration of Chemotherapy Via Median Cubital Vein Without Central Venous Access Port for Colorectal Cancer

Background: Repeated venous punctures are usually required in cancer patients for application of chemotherapy. Central venous catheters and implantable port systems have substantially facilitated the problem of vascular access. Safe and easy-to-handle port systems have become an integral part of daily clinical routine in oncology. However, there are several serious complications associated with central venous ports (CV-ports). With the recent development of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) therapy involving oral administration of drug preparations, etc., implantation of a CV-port can be avoided. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of administration of chemotherapy via median cubital vein without CV port for metastatic colorectal cancer.Methods: The study included 144 patients who received XELOX + bevacizumab (BV) therapy and XELOX therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer without implantation of a CV-port.Results: Eighty-five patients experienced vascular pain, but it was transient. The drip infusion route had to be switched to the opposite side because of vascular pain in only 1 of the 144 patients. No patients required CV-port implantation or postponement of treatment due to adverse events caused by administration of the drug via the peripheral vein. Grade 3 or higher hemotoxicity was noted in 12.5%, and grade 3 or higher nonhematological toxicity was noted in 17.4%.Conclusions: We may be able to perform port-free-chemotherapy via median cubital vein for patients with colorectal cancer. We can avoid the serious complications associated with CV-port.

Abstract 3474: Comparison of CTC capture efficiency of the CellCollector™ technology versus CellSearch® in prostate cancer patients at multiple time points

Abstract Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) is the second most common cancer cause of cancer-related death in men. Since most prostate cancer patients have a biopsy performed only at the time of diagnosis, representative tumor tissue sample giving real time information about the disease status is generally missing. The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of patients with CRPC might therefore, in addition to their prognostic value, serve as liquid biopsy, complementing or replacing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) determination in predicting and monitoring the response to different therapies. However, capturing these rare cells from whole blood is still a major challenge that needs significant improvement. Here we present the results of a comparison study, in which we compared the CellCollector™, a unique in vivo approach for the isolation of CTCs, with the CellSearch® system, the current standard. The study included 25 prostate cancer patients (15 with localized and 10 with metastasized prostate cancer (PCa-l and PCa-m)) and 29 subjects in the control group (24 men with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and 5 women). At multiple time points of treatment, CTCs were enumerated (PCa-l: 42 applications; PCa-m: 29 applications). The CellCollector™, a medical wire coated with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies, was inserted in the cubital vein and incubated for 30 minutes. The captured CTCs were identified by immunofluorescence staining using cytokeratin (CK) and Hoechst positive as well as CD45 negative as criteria. For the CellSearch® measurements, a blood draw of 7.5 ml blood was performed. We found in 77.5 % (55/71) applications (PCa-l: 55.2 % (16/29); PCa-m: 88.1 % (37/42)) the cancer patient to be positive for CTCs using the CellCollector™. In contrast the CellSearch® system resulted only in 42.2 % (30/71) in the detection of CTCs (PCa-l: 17.2 % (5/29); PCa-m: 61.9 % (26/42)). The control groups showed in rare cases very low numbers of CK positive cells. In addition we found a correlation of the CTC levels detected by the CellCollector™ and the CellSearch® with the PSA level during treatment. In summary, our comparison study shows an improved sensitivity of the CellCollector™ compared to the current standard regarding the isolation of CTCs from prostate cancer patients and gives new insights in the value of CTCs for the monitoring of prostate cancer treatment. Citation Format: Gerit Theil, Kathrin Haubold, Paolo Fornara, Antje Stresemann, Arndt Schmitz, Thomas Krahn, Klaus Lücke. Comparison of CTC capture efficiency of the CellCollector™ technology versus CellSearch® in prostate cancer patients at multiple time points. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3474. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3474

RAAS and stress markers in acute ischemic stroke: preliminary findings.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade has neuroprotective effects in animal stroke models, but no effects in clinical stroke trials. We evaluated cerebral and peripheral changes in the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) and stress responses in acute ischemic stroke patients. Blood from a jugular and cubital vein was collected within 48 h of stroke onset, after 24 and 48 h, and renin, angiotensin I, angiotensin II, aldosterone, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol were measured. Post-stroke cubital vein samples were collected after 8 (4.7-10) months. The acute systolic blood pressure was significantly increased, 148 (141-168) vs 140 (130-147) mmHg post-stroke. Angiotensin I, renin and aldosterone levels were significantly lower, angiotensin II was unchanged, and ACE activity was higher in the acute phase compared to post-stroke. No differences in RAAS were detected between jugular and cubital plasma levels. Jugular venous plasma levels of epinephrine and cortisol were elevated in the acute phase compared to cubital levels (P < 0.05). Increased epinephrine and cortisol levels in the jugular vein blood may reflect a higher peripheral turnover. The observed changes in RAAS in the acute stroke phase are consistent with responses to increased blood pressure.

Assessment of hematological profiles of adult male athletes from two different air pollutant zones of West Bengal, India.

Health effects from air pollution are severe concern of today's world. The study was undertaken to assess the effects of air pollution on hematological profiles of trained and untrained males of West Bengal. The sample consisted of 60 sprinters, 60 footballers, and 120 untrained males, subdivided into two groups from two zones, namely, Tollygunge and Sonarpur. Suspended particulate matter (SPM), respirable particulate matter (RPM), oxides of sulfur (SOx), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) of ambient air were monitored for both zones. Height and weight of all the subjects were measured. Venous blood sample was drawn from the cubital vein, and the red blood cell count (TC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined by standard methods. Results revealed that SPM, RPM, SOx, and NOx concentrations were significantly higher in the Tollygunge area than Sonarpur. TC, PCV, and Hb concentration of untrained males were significantly higher than footballers in both regions but no significant difference were observed when compared with sprinters, except the Hb concentration in the Tollygunge zone. On the other hand, all hematological parameters of both trained and untrained males were significantly higher in the Sonarpur area than Tollygunge. It was concluded that environmental air pollutants might influence hematological profile adversely both in trained and sedentary males. However, further investigation in this area is needed.

Correlation of rheological parameters in maternal and fetal blood at term

Objective: An association between maternal and fetal blood rheology has not yet been investigated nor is it known whether and to what extent fetal blood rheology may be affected by maternal conditions.Methods: At delivery, blood was drawn from the cubital vein of 4985 consecutive mothers and from the umbilical cord during birth for determination of blood rheological parameters (erythrocyte aggregation stasis [E0], low shear [E1], plasma viscosity [Pv]) in addition to hemoglobin (Hb) values and hematocrit (Hct).Results: Maternal and newborn Pv (r = 0.2; p < 0.0001) correlated statistically significant. There was a remarkable correlation between fetal Pv and gestational age (r = 0.197; p < 0.001). Iron supplementation during pregnancy led to increased fetal Hb, Hct as well as E0 and E1 (p < 0.0001), did not have a significant impact on neonatal Pv (p = 0.068). Smoking mothers gave birth to neonates with significantly higher Pv (p = 0.049), E0 (p = 0.016) and E1 (p = 0.013).Conclusions: The increase of fetal plasma viscosity at advanced delivery time-points refers to a more gaining protein synthesis by the fetal liver and thus maturity of the fetus. Iron supplementation as well as smoking during pregnancy is associated with a relative hyper-viscosity in the fetus at delivery.

Investigation on plasma homocysteine level and cognition in population at high risk for stroke in Xi'an

To investigate the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and cognitive impairment so as to provide basis for dementia prevention. Subjects at high risk for stroke were selected from the Screening and Prevention Program of Stroke (organized by the Ministry of Health, from August to December, 2012) in Yanta area, Xi'an. Fasting blood was taken from cubital vein to measure Hcy. When Hcy>15 µmol/L was defined as hyperhomocysteinemia, Hcy in the range of 16-30 µ mol/L was considered mild, ≥ 31 µ mol/L as moderate-severe hyperhomocysteinemia. The cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). MMSE grades under normal value were defined as cognitive impairment. 393 subjects were randomly recruited, including 173 men (44.0%) and 220 women (56.0%). Number of cases with cognitive impairment was 70 (17.8% of the total subjects), with hyperhomocysteinemia was 220 (56.0% of the total subjects). The prevalence of cognitive impairment did not show significant difference with hyperhomocysteinemia or normal Hcy group (16.8% vs. 19.1%, P>0.05), neither with mild and moderate-severe hyperhomocysteinemia group (17.0% vs. 16.3% , P > 0.05). Results from Spearman correlation analysis indicated that there was no correlation between MMSE grades and Hcy (rs = -0.01, P = 0.85). Prevalence of cognitive impairment in the smoking group was higher than that in the non-smoking group (21.3% vs. 7.8%, P < 0.01), but higher in hypertension group than that in the normal blood pressure group (21.7% vs. 8.0%, P < 0.01). In the stroke group, prevalence of cognitive impairment was seen higher than that in the non-stroke group (25.3% vs. 15.4%, P < 0.05). Based on the results from Binary logistic regression, cognitive impairment appeared to be associated with the levels of education (OR = 0.90, 95% CI:0.81-0.98, P = 0.02), histories of hypertension (OR = 1.02, 95%CI:1.01-1.04, P = 0.01) and stroke(OR = 1.86, 95%CI:1.04-3.33, P = 0.04), but there was no correlation seen between Hcy and cognitive impairment (OR = 0.90, 95% CI:0.51-1.58, P = 0.71). Plasma homocysteine did not seem a risk factor for cognitive impairment.

Ultrasonic imaging of medical puncture using array probe

In this paper, we describe the trial manufacture of ultrasonic linear array probes for medical puncture while observing the needle tip and the front lesion by imaging. Two kinds of linear array probes having 13 elements and 128 elements were fabricated. The signal intensity received from the needle tip was simulated and experimentally confirmed as a function of the insertion depth of the needle. The puncture of a simulated blood vessel phantom and a blood vessel of a pig were observed by B-mode imaging. We experimented on the puncture of a dog with the 128-channel linear array probe, and the femoral artery and vein were imaged. The needle tip position was successfully detected during the puncture of the femoral muscle of the dog, and the human median cubital vein was also imaged.

The secret stridulatory file under the right tegmen in katydids (Orthoptera, Ensifera, Tettigonioidea).

Males of most species of crickets and katydids produce species-specific calling songs to attract conspecific females. The typical stridulatory apparatus of the Ensifera consists of a file-and-scraper system in the basal dorsal region of the forewings (tegmina): the file on the underside of the cubital vein of one tegmen is composed of a series of lamelliform teeth and is run against the sclerotized scraper at the edge of the other tegmen. The region directly distal of the cubital vein is often thin and glassy and serves to amplify and spread the sound. In stridulating crickets the tegmina are quite symmetrical with both the left and the right one containing a file, which is considered the ancestral condition (Béthoux 2012). Most of these crickets adopted a right-over-left wing overlap and use only the right file. The few extant species of the ancient group Hagloidea have bilaterally symmetrical tegmina, both with functional files, and individual males can change the overlap (Morris & Gwynne 1978). Katydids are distinguished by a left-over-right wing overlap, with a stridulatory file on the underside of the left tegmen, and a scraper on the right one, which usually is also equipped with a mirror as resonating structure.

Topical Anesthetic Effect of EMLA and Iranian Products in Preventing Pain During Intravenous Blood Sampling Procedures: a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The patients’ concerns about injection pain can cause some unwanted adverse reactions such as hypotension, vasovagal shock, syncope, and unconsciousness. Therefore, using a skin anesthetic can facilitate performing many medical procedures. Objectives: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was designed to compare the anesthetic effect of topical EMLA 5% cream with Iranian lidocaine 5% and benzocaine 5% creams. Patients and Methods: Sixty-four healthy volunteers were randomly allocated into two groups. In each individual, EMLA cream and one of Iranian topical anesthetic products, namely lidocaine 5% and benzocaine 5%, were tested. One hour before blood sampling, a predetermined amount of A or B cream was used on the right cubital fossa and the same amount of C or D cream on the left cubital fossa. Blood sampling was done via cubital fossa veins with a 2 cc syringe. The pain of blood sampling was recorded using visual analogue scale (VAS). Data were analyzed by student t-test and ANOVA using SPSS version 11. Results: At the end of study, the EMLA products (A and B) caused a significant decrease in pain (P < 0.05) in comparison with the products C (lidocaine) and D (benzocaine) while there was no differences between benzocaine and lidocaine. In this study, no significant side effect was observed. Conclusions: Although the results of this study showed superiority of application of EMLA cream as a topical anesthetic for pain relief of blood sampling, both lidocaine 5% and benzocaine 5% offer considerable efficacy in pain relief of venipuncture.

Administration of chemotherapy via the median cubital vein without implantable central venous access ports: port-free chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Repeated venous punctures are usually required during chemotherapy administration for cancer patients. Central venous catheters and implantable port systems have substantially facilitated vascular access, and safe, easy-to-handle port systems have become an integral part of daily clinical routines in oncology. However, several serious complications are associated with central venous ports (CV-ports), and recent developments of combined oral capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) therapies allow CV-port-free administration. In this study, the safety and efficacy of CV-port-free chemotherapy administration via the median cubital vein was assessed in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. This study included 144 patients who received XELOX + bevacizumab (BV) or XELOX therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer without CV-port implantation. Eighty-five patients experienced transient vascular pain. The drip infusion route was switched to the opposite side following vascular pain in only 1 patient. No patients required CV-port implantation or delayed treatment due to adverse events associated with drug administration via the peripheral vein. Grade 3 or higher hemotoxicity and grade 3 or higher non-hematological toxicity was noted in 12.5 and 17.4 % of patients, respectively. Port-free-chemotherapy administration via the median cubital vein is appropriate for patients with colorectal cancer, thereby avoiding complications associated with CV-ports.

The effect of fibroblast growth factors and advanced glycation end-products on the intima-media complex thickness in patients with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Objective. To determine the levels of fibroblast transforming growth factor (TGF?1), basic fibroblast growth factor (?-FGF), markers of nonspecific inflammatory response (interleukin-6 (IL-6)), C-reactive protein (CRP), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGEs) and to study their effect on the intima-media complex (IMC) thickness in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes, depending on carbohydrate metabolism compensation. Materials and Methods. 37 patients with CHD underwent a general clinical examination, analysis of the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism parameters and the renal function, and also were evaluated with instrumental methods of analysis (echocardiography, coronary angiography and duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic arteries). To determine the level of the analyzed parameters, blood samples were taken from the aorta during coronary angiography and concomitantly from the cubital vein in all patients. Results. The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with CHD was found to be associated with a more severe atherosclerotic disease of the coronary and brachiocephalic vessels. A direct correlation between the degree of stenosis and the level of fibroblast growth factors, inflammatory factors, and advanced glycation end-products was found. A direct correlation between AGE and TGF?1 and the lipid metabolism parameters was established. A statistically significant elevation of the studied parameters in the arterial and venous blood of patients with DM was revealed. Conclusion. These findings confirm the relationship between connective tissue disorders and lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A negative effect of hyperglycaemia on atherosclerotic changes of the vascular wall was demonstrated.

Elbow arteriovenous fistulae.

Multiple superficial veins in different anatomical configurations exist in the elbow. The resulting variety of elbow arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) is described in this paper. A classification of elbow AVF in nontransposed AVF, transposed AVF and multiple outflow AVF is proposed. The nontransposed brachiocephalic AVF has the lowest primary failure rate and a good medium-term survival particularly in the elderly. The simplest technique is an end-to-side anastomosis of the median cubital vein to the brachial artery. In cases of small upper arm veins, a perforating vein AVF, using multiple outflow tracts, may be helpful to lower primary failure risk. In the era of vein mapping with portable ultrasound elbow AVF should be made when forearm veins are exhausted or too small. A side-to-side AVF in order to enhance retrograde flow in the median forearm vein seems rarely indicated, in particular considering the greater risk of steal and venous hypertension. A transposed brachiobasilic AVF is a tertiary access procedure after the simpler alternatives have been exhausted. There is conflicting evidence of the benefits of one-stage versus two-stage procedures. Therefore, the type of operation should be tailored to the individual patient.

MP79-18 RESULTS OF THE CLINICAL TRAIL IN-VIVO ISOLATION OF CTCS IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS BY A CELLCOLLECTOR

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Markers II1 Apr 2014MP79-18 RESULTS OF THE CLINICAL TRAIL IN-VIVO ISOLATION OF CTCS IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS BY A CELLCOLLECTOR Gerit Theil, Kersten Fischer, Andre Schumann, Kathrin Haublod, Catrin Boehm, Thomas Krahn, Klaus Luecke, Nils Morgenthaler, and Paolo Fornara Gerit TheilGerit Theil More articles by this author , Kersten FischerKersten Fischer More articles by this author , Andre SchumannAndre Schumann More articles by this author , Kathrin HaublodKathrin Haublod More articles by this author , Catrin BoehmCatrin Boehm More articles by this author , Thomas KrahnThomas Krahn More articles by this author , Klaus LueckeKlaus Luecke More articles by this author , Nils MorgenthalerNils Morgenthaler More articles by this author , and Paolo FornaraPaolo Fornara More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.02.2521AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood stream play a critical role in establishing metastases. The clinical value of CTCs as a biomarker may help to assess the treatment efficacy. The detection of CTCs in the blood of patients with prostate cancer might therefore, in addition to their prognostic value, serve as liquid biopsy, complementing or replacing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) determination in predicting and monitoring the response to different therapies. However, capturing these rare cells from whole blood is still a major challenge that needs significant improvement. The aim was to demonstrate proof of concept of in vivo CTC isolation in Prostate cancer patients (PCa). METHODS A medical device (CellCollector) was inserted in a cubital vein for 30 minutes. The interaction of target CTCs with the CellCollector was mediated by antibodies to the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). To confirm binding of CTCs to the wire, immunohistochemical staining against Cytokeratin and CD45 was performed. There were 226 applications of the device in 16 metastasized PCa (PCa-m) with up to 8 wire applications per patient, 24 localized PCa (PCa-l) with up to 3 wire applications per patient as well as 19 men with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and 21 women as control group with only one wire application. CTC counts from 22 PCa patients with 71 applications were directly compared to the CellSearch technology. RESULTS We obtained in vivo isolation of CTCs in 73 of 98 applications to PCa patients (74.5 %). The sensitivity for metastasized PCa was (86.2%) and for local PCa (57.5%), respectively. In PCa-l patients we observed prior radical prostatectomy (n=18) and 6 (n=15) and 12 (n=7) months after surgery CTC numbers on average of 18.2, 2.8 and 1.4, respectively. For the CellSearch® measurements, a blood draw of 7.5 ml blood was performed. We found in 77.5% (55/71) applications the patient to be positive for CTCs using the CellCollector™. In contrast the CellSearch® system resulted only in 42.2% (30/71) in the detection of CTCs. In addition we found a correlation of the CTC levels detected by the CellCollector™ and the PSA level during treatment. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the use of CTCs besides PSA during therapy adjustment in PCa patients. In summary, the CTC detection rate of the CellCollector in PCa-m and PCa-l in comparison to the CellSearch® method increased by 26% and 45%. Further molecular genetic CTC characterization as well as multiple antibody coating at the CellCollector will assume crucial information for therapy decisions. © 2014FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 191Issue 4SApril 2014Page: e936-e937 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2014MetricsAuthor Information Gerit Theil More articles by this author Kersten Fischer More articles by this author Andre Schumann More articles by this author Kathrin Haublod More articles by this author Catrin Boehm More articles by this author Thomas Krahn More articles by this author Klaus Luecke More articles by this author Nils Morgenthaler More articles by this author Paolo Fornara More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

The feasibility of PICC insertion through the veins of lower extremity in neonates

Objective To investigate the advantage of detaining peripherally inserted central catheter through the veins of lower extremity in neonatal intensive care unit.Methods 165 cases of infants were randomized into veins of lower extremity group (first saphenous veins,then popliteal vein) and veins of upper extremity group (first basilic vein,then median cubital vein,cephalic veins) from January to December 2012.We observed the success rate of detaining,catheter tip location,and complications such as phlebitis in the two groups.Results The success rate of detaining of lower extremity group was higher than that of upper extremity group,and ectopic rate of lower extremity group was lower than that of upper extremity group.There was no significant difference in complications such as phlebitis between two groups.Conclusions Peripherally inserted central catheter through the veins of lower extremity has more advantage over through the veins of upper extremity group. Key words: Peripherally inserted central catheter; Veins of lower extremity; Neonates; Feasibility

Maternal CD4+CD25+CD127 T regulatory lymphocytes, sonographically short cervix, and the risk of preterm labor

Background: Ultrasound measurement of the uterine cervix is a well-established method in the prediction of preterm labor. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of ultrasound cervicometry still remain rather unsatisfactory. Recent discoveries suggest that T regulatory lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+CD127-Tregs)might play an important role in the pathophysiology of preterm labor. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among maternal circulating Tregs, the sonographically measured uterine cervix, and the risk of preterm labor. Methods:Atotal of 60womenwith regular contractions and/or cervical incompetence were included in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. All patients at recruitment were between 24 and 32 weeks of gravidity. A peripheral blood sample was drawn from the cubital vein to the tube with the sodiumheparin directly after the ultrasound vaginal cervicometry and was analyzed within 4h. Following clinical outcomes were recorded in all subjects: delivery within 48h of the examination; delivery before week 34; and delivery before pregnancy week 37. Results: Using pooled Treg and cervical length data from all the cohorts examined, unadjusted odds ratios for preterm delivery were counted. The risk of preterm labor happening within 48h of testing was demonstrated to be almost 35 times higher (OR=35.21, CI 13.3; 214, p<0.001) in the groupwith simultaneously lowTreg values (0.031×109/L) and a shortened uterine cervix (17.5mm), compared with the situation where both of these values were normal. We found similar results when combining the predictive value of Treg levels with cervical measurement in predicting preterm delivery before 34 aswell as 37 weeks. Conclusions: The odds that preterm delivery will occur given a short cervix and low Treg count is significantly higher than odds in other combinations and/or separate test measurements. Our results may offer potential clinical application of a combined assessment of Treg count and cervical measurement in patients who present with risk factors for preterm labor. However, further studies are required to elucidate the functional significance of these findings.

Soluble MHC antigens isolated from syngeneically pregnant mice promote cellular immunity

Background: Ultrasound measurement of the uterine cervix is a well-established method in the prediction of preterm labor. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of ultrasound cervicometry still remain rather unsatisfactory. Recent discoveries suggest that T regulatory lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+CD127-Tregs)might play an important role in the pathophysiology of preterm labor. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among maternal circulating Tregs, the sonographically measured uterine cervix, and the risk of preterm labor. Methods:Atotal of 60womenwith regular contractions and/or cervical incompetence were included in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. All patients at recruitment were between 24 and 32 weeks of gravidity. A peripheral blood sample was drawn from the cubital vein to the tube with the sodiumheparin directly after the ultrasound vaginal cervicometry and was analyzed within 4h. Following clinical outcomes were recorded in all subjects: delivery within 48h of the examination; delivery before week 34; and delivery before pregnancy week 37. Results: Using pooled Treg and cervical length data from all the cohorts examined, unadjusted odds ratios for preterm delivery were counted. The risk of preterm labor happening within 48h of testing was demonstrated to be almost 35 times higher (OR=35.21, CI 13.3; 214, p<0.001) in the groupwith simultaneously lowTreg values (0.031×109/L) and a shortened uterine cervix (17.5mm), compared with the situation where both of these values were normal. We found similar results when combining the predictive value of Treg levels with cervical measurement in predicting preterm delivery before 34 aswell as 37 weeks. Conclusions: The odds that preterm delivery will occur given a short cervix and low Treg count is significantly higher than odds in other combinations and/or separate test measurements. Our results may offer potential clinical application of a combined assessment of Treg count and cervical measurement in patients who present with risk factors for preterm labor. However, further studies are required to elucidate the functional significance of these findings.

Glutathione-S-transferase-oxidative stress relationship in the internal spermatic vein blood of infertile men with varicocele

This study aimed to assess glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzyme- oxidative stress (OS) relationship in the internal spermatic vein (ISV) of infertile men associated with varicocele (Vx). Ninety five infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospemic (OAT) men associated with Vx were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and semen analysis. During inguinal varicocelectomy, GST, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in the blood samples drawn from ISV and median cubital veins. The mean levels of GST, GPx were significantly decreased and the mean level of GPx was significantly increased in the ISV compared with the peripheral blood. The mean level of GST and GPx in the ISV was significantly decreased, and the mean level of MDA was significantly increased in Vx grade III compared with Vx grade II cases. There was nonsignificant difference in the mean level of GST in the ISV in unilateral Vx cases compared with bilateral Vx cases. There was significant positive correlation of GST with sperm count, sperm motility, GPx and significant negative correlation with sperm abnormal forms, MDA. It is concluded that ISV of infertile men associated with Vx has decreased levels of GST compared with peripheral venous circulation that is correlated with both OS and Vx grade.

Administration of chemotherapy via median cubital vein without implantable central venous access port for metastatic colorectal cancer: Port-free chemotherapy.

651 Background: Repeated venous punctures are usually required in cancer patients for application of chemotherapy. Central venous catheters and implantable port systems have substantially facilitated the problem of vascular access. Safe and easy-to-handle port systems have become an integral part of daily clinical routine in oncology. However, there are several serious complications associated with central venous ports (CV-ports). With the recent development of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) therapy involving oral administration of drug preparations, etc., implantation of a CV-port can be avoided. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of administration of chemotherapy via median cubital vein without CV port for metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: The study included 144 patients who received XELOX + bevacizumab (BV) therapy and XELOX therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer without implantation of a CV-port. Results: Eighty-five patients experienced vascular pain, but it was transient. The drip infusion route had to be switched to the opposite side because of vascular pain in only 1 of the 144 patients. No patients required CV-port implantation or postponement of treatment due to adverse events caused by administration of the drug via the peripheral vein. Grade 3 or higher hemotoxicity was noted in 12.5%, and grade 3 or higher nonhematological toxicity was noted in 17.4%. Conclusions: We may be able to perform port-free-chemotherapy via median cubital vein for patients with colorectal cancer. We can avoid the serious complications associated with CV-port.

Anaemia and iron deficiency in female players in Albania; comparison with a reference group

Bozo, D. (2014). Anaemia and iron deficiency in female players in Albania; comparison with a reference group. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S460-S466. Alterations of the red blood cell system and iron metabolism can influence physical performance. On the other hand, exercise can influence haematological variables (Petibois et al., 2003). Screening for in persons is carried out primarily for health concern and secondly because it contributes to morbidity and diminished exercise performance (Descorges, 2008). While several studies in endurance show that dilutional sports anaemia can occur in the more elite athlete as an adaptation to aerobic conditioning, the prevalence of iron deficiency and its impact on performance have not been adequately investigated in non-endurance athletes (Di Santolo et al., 2008). The main objective of this study is to investigate the red blood cell population markers and the iron status in a group of 52 female volleyball players, and to identify possible differences with subjects of a reference sedentary group and the underlying factors underlying such responses. Eleven blood markers, of the red and white cell populations and the serum iron were studied in 52 female volleyball players from the local and university teams and 47 referent subjects, all aged 18-26 years, in blood samples taken from the cubital vein under standard conditions. The blood variables were analysed with an automatic cell counter, while iron status with a UV/visible spectrophotometer. Both female players and reference groups show similar range values for most of the blood markers and no significant differences (p<0.05) in means values for most of them. Players tend to have lower haemoglobin concentrations (35% of the subjects, under the norm vs 22% of the referents), RBC counts (32% under the normvs 20%), haematocrit level(35% under the normvs 22%) than sedentary counterparts. Iron status (only 12% under the norm for the players against 10.5% in referent subjects), differently from the RBC and Hgb data, demonstrate that iron deficiency does not seem to be the main and the only underlying factor for in the players groups. This is confirmed also by the differences in MCH, MCV and MCHC values between the two groups, which follow and are colinear to iron status data and intergroup differences. These data show that female players are in the borderline of the iron-dependent anaemic state, but with no significant differences with the referent counterparts, thus supporting the idea from other authors that, non-endurance physical activity, does not adversely affect particularly the iron stores (Di Santolo et al., 2008), (Schumacher, et al, 2002). The significant differences between the groups for other blood indices like RBC counts, haematocrit, Hgb and others seems more likely to be due to the response to training volume, method and periodicity (Withold et al., 2011). Key words: FEMALE VOLLEYBALL, BLOOD MARKERS, IRON STATUS, NON-ENDURANCE RESPONSE.

Pattern of Superficial Venous Arrangement in the Cubital Fossa of Adult Jordanians = الوصف التشريحي للأوردة السطحية في الحفرة المرفقية في البالغين الأردنيين

Objective: The cubital fossa is a common site for the withdrawal of venous blood for analysis, fluid and blood transfusion, and intravenous therapy. The superficial venous return from the upper limb follows a number of superficial veins which are extremely variable; these include the cephalic, basilic, median cubital and antebrachial veins and their tributaries. To determine the patterns of superficial venous arrangement in the cubital fossa of adult Jordanians. Methods: 264 males and females were randomly selected from the students of the University of Jordan. All subjects were Jordanian, aged between 18 and 25 years. The students consent was taken, the superficial veins of the cubital fossa were made prominent by applying a tourniquet about 10 cm proximal to the crease of the elbow and by active movements of the hand. The veins were marked on the skin and the pattern of veins in each case was accurately diagrammed on a sheet of paper. Results: Six venous patterns were observed. There were no significant differences between the venous patterns on the right and left sides in males or females. The commonest pattern was that the median cubital vein arose from the cephalic vein a few centimeters below the elbow, joined the basilic vein a few centimeters above the level of the elbow joint and received tributaries from the front of the forearm. This pattern was more common in males (51.5%) than in females (45.4%). The less commonly observed patterns was the absence of communication between basilic and cephalic veins (in 13.6% males and 12.8%females); an arched median cubital vein (in 9.8% males and 12.8 %females); absence of the cephalic vein (in 5.3%males and 13.6% females) and two median cubital veins (in 2 males only, 1.5%).