IntroductionTissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and the vascular occlusion test (VOT) can identify tissue hypoperfusion in trauma and sepsis. However, the technique is neither standardized nor uses the same monitoring site. We hypothesized that baseline and VOT StO2 would be different in the forearm (F) and thenar eminence (TH) and that different minimal StO2 values during the VOT would result in different reoxygenation rates (ReO2).MethodsStO2 and its change during the VOT were simultaneously measured in the F and TH, with 15 mm and 25 mm probes, using the 325 InSpectra monitor in 18 healthy, adult volunteers. Two VOTs were done to a threshold thenar StO2 of 40% interchanging the 15 mm and 25 mm probes between sites. Two additional VOTs were done to thresholds of 50% and 30%. Baseline StO2 (BaseO2), the deoxygenation rate (DeO2) and ReO2 were compared between sites, probes and (%O2/minute) thresholds. Results are presented as the median (interquartile range), P-value.ResultsBaseO2, DeO2, ReO2, area under the curve and hyperemia duration values were different when comparing TH vs. F and 15 mm vs. 25 mm probes. ReO2 was different between different thresholds for the TH and 15 mm probes. TH15 mm vs. F15 mm: BaseO2, 90.4 (85.2, 93.5) vs. 85.2 (80.7, 90.2), P = 0.031; DO2, -12.1 (-16.2, -11.3) vs. -8.5 (-10.3, -7.8), P = 0.011; ReO2, 297.2 (213.7, 328.6), P < 0.0001; 15 mm vs. 25 mm probe: BaseO2, 97.2 (89.4, 94.7) vs. 87.3 (81.7, 90.9), P = 0.016; DeO2, -18.0 (-24.1, -14.8) vs. -9.9 (-15.3, -6.5), P < 0.0001; and ReO2, 401.6 (331.7, 543.2) vs. 160.5 (132.3, 366.9), P = 0.012, respectively. TH15 mm vs. TH25 mm: BaseO2, P = 0.020; DeO2, P < 0.0001; and ReO2, P < 0.0001. Threshold StO2 values (15 mm probe only): ReO2, P = 0.003; DeO2, P = 0.60. ReO2 at 40% and 50% StO2 thresholds, P = 0.01.ConclusionsBaseO2, DeO2 and ReO2 were different when measured in different anatomical sites (F and TH) and with different probe sizes, and ReO2 was different with differing VOT release StO2 threshold values. Thus, standardization of the site, probe and VOT challenge need to be stipulated when reporting data.

Sepsis is one of the main causes of death in critically ill patients. The pathophysiology of sepsis is complex and not completely understood. The proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory response leads to cell and organ dysfunction and, in many cases, death. Thus, the goal of the intervention is to restore the homeostasis of circulating mediators rather than to inhibit selectively the proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory mediators. Blood purification has been reported to remove a wide array of inflammatory mediators. The effects are broad-spectrum and auto-regulating. Blood purification has also been demonstrated to restore immune function through improving antigen-presenting capability, adjusting leukocyte recruitment, oxidative burst and phagocytosis, and improving leukocyte responsiveness. A great deal of work has to be done in order to find and optimize the best extracorporeal blood purification therapy for sepsis. New devices specifically target the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in these conditions. High-volume hemofiltration, hemoadsorption, coupled plasma filtration adsorption, and high cutoff membrane are now being tested in septic patients. Preliminary data indicate the feasibility of these modified techniques in sepsis. Their impact on patient prognosis, however, still needs proof by large randomized clinical trials. Finally, the emerging paradigm of sepsis-induced immune suppression provides additional rationale for the development of extracorporeal blood purification therapy for sepsis.

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Until a reservoir of lead-safe housing is created, programs that educate families to reduce environmental exposure are needed. Although providing families with quantitative information regarding lead contamination may have a role in short-term efforts to prevent lead exposure, these null findings suggest that it has little benefit once BLLs are elevated.

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By contrasting pediatricians' medical home beliefs with actual reported care-coordination practices, we show that there is a disconnect between beliefs and practice. The survey demonstrated that physician belief ratings were consistently higher than the practice ratings, which suggests that the motivation exists but that additional educational efforts and strategies for enhanced care coordination are needed to develop an effective, seamless medical home for children with permanent hearing loss.

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Blood lead levels well below 10 mg/dL are now recognized as causing adverse cognitive effects, including lower scores on standardized reading and math tests. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This is the first study to show that reading readiness early in kindergarten is independently associated with blood lead levels well below 10 mg/dL. Results suggest that lead exposure may have a larger impact on urban education than national estimates suggest. abstract OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between blood lead levels (BLLs) and reading readiness at kindergarten entry, an early marker of school performance, in a diverse urban school population. METHODS:Kindergarten reading readiness test scores for children attending public kindergarten in Providence, Rhode Island, were linked to state health department records of blood lead testing by using individual identifiers. The study population (N = 3406) was 59% Hispanic. For each child, the geometric mean BLL was estimated by using all previously reported BLLs. Analyses were adjusted for gender, age, year enrolled, race, child language, and free/reduced lunch status as a measure of socioeconomic status. RESULTS:The median geometric mean BLL was 4.2 mg/dL; 20% of children had at least 1 venous BLL $10 mg/dL. Compared with children with BLLs ,5 mg/dL, the adjusted prevalence ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) for failing to achieve the national benchmark for reading readiness were 1.21 (1.19 to 1.23) and 1.56 (1.51 to 1.60) for children with BLLs of 5 to 9 and $10 mg/dL, respectively. On average, reading readiness scores decreased by 4.5 (95% CI: 22.9 to 26.2) and 10.0 (95% CI: 27.0 to 213.3) points for children with BLLs of 5 to 9 and $10 mg/dL, respectively, compared with BLLs ,5 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: BLLs well below 10 mg/dL were associated with lower reading readiness at kindergarten entry.

We construct a unique individual-level dataset linking preschool blood lead levels with third grade test scores for Rhode Island children born 1997–2005. Using two identification strategies, we show for the first time that reductions of lead from even historically low levels have significant positive effects. A one-unit decrease in average blood lead levels reduces the probability of being substantially below proficient in reading (math) by 0.96 (0.79) percentage points on a baseline of 12 (16) percent. Since disadvantaged children have greater exposure to lead, lead poisoning may be one of the causes of continuing disparities in test scores.