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SHORT COMMUNICATION (short + communication)
Selected AbstractsSHORT COMMUNICATION: Response to Dr Stephen Cooper's ,On the use of metaphor to understand, explain, or rationalize redundant genes in yeast'FEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 3 2008Xuewen Pan Abstract Earlier use of a metaphor in explaining genetic redundancy in a news article has triggered a commentary and a competing metaphor by Dr Stephen Cooper, who went on to conclude that genetic redundancies are relatively unimportant for microorganisms. We argue here that the new metaphor is flawed and that genetic redundancies are integral to buffering all organisms against environmental and genetic damage. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Do farmers reduce genetic diversity when they domesticate tropical trees?MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2005A case study from Amazonia Abstract Agroforestry ecosystems may be an important resource for conservation and sustainable use of tropical trees, but little is known of the genetic diversity they contain. Inga edulis, a widespread indigenous fruit tree in South America, is used as a model to assess the maintenance of genetic diversity in five planted vs. five natural stands in the Peruvian Amazon. Analysis of five SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci indicated lower allelic variation in planted stands [mean corrected allelic richness 31.3 (planted) and 39.3 (natural), P = 0.009]. Concerns regarding genetic erosion in planted Amazonian tree stands appear valid, although allelic variation on-farm is still relatively high. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Surface passivation by rehydrogenation of silicon-nitride-coated silicon wafersPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 3 2005Michelle McCann Abstract A silicon wafer with a silicon nitride layer deposited by low pressure chemical vapour deposition may be subjected to high-temperature treatments without adversely affecting the electronic properties of the silicon on the condition that a thin oxide is present under the nitride. After high-temperature treatments there is an apparent degradation in effective lifetime, probably due to a loss of hydrogen from the silicon/oxide interface. Effective lifetimes can be completely recovered by thermal treatment in a hydrogen-containing ambient. This work has useful applications for solar cells as many of the properties of these nitrides can be used to advantage. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Thin-film free-standing monocrystalline si solar cells with heterojunction emitterPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 3 2005C. S. Solanki Abstract We propose a novel approach to thin-film silicon solar cells, namely the freestanding monocrystalline silicon layer transfer process with heterojunction emitter (FMS-HJ). High crystallographic quality mono-Si films were deposited on freestanding porous silicon (PS) films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These free-standing mono-Si (FMS) films were processed into solar cells by creating a-a-Si/c-Si heterojunction. In our preliminary experiments a thin-film FMS-HJ solar cell with 9.6% efficiency was realized in a 20-,,m-thin active layer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: ACCELERATED PUBLICATION: Diode characteristics in state-of-the-art ZnO/CdS/Cu(In1,xGax)Se2 solar cells,PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 3 2005Miguel A. Contreras Abstract We report a new state of the art in thin-film polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 -based solar cells with the attainment of energy conversion efficiencies of 19·5%. An analysis of the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells in terms of some absorber properties and other derived diode parameters is presented. The analysis reveals that the highest-performance cells can be associated with absorber bandgap values of ,1·14,eV, resulting in devices with the lowest values of diode saturation current density (,3×10,8,mA/cm2) and diode quality factors in the range 1·30,<,A,<,1·35. The data presented also support arguments of a reduced space charge region recombination as the reason for the improvement in the performance of such devices. In addition, a discussion is presented regarding the dependence of performance on energy bandgap, with an emphasis on wide-bandgap Cu(In,Ga)Se2 materials and views toward improving efficiency to >,1;20% in thin-film polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells. Published in 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms: A Case,Control Study from North IndiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Meenal Agarwal Citation Agarwal M, Parveen F, Faridi RM, Phadke SR, Das V, Agrawal S. Recurrent pregnancy loss and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms: a case,control study from North India. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 172,178 Problem, The role of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms in the etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is not clearly understood. We evaluated this polymorphism in unexplained pregnancy losses among North Indian women. Method of study, In a retrospective case,control study, 200 well-characterized RPL cases were examined for their APO-E genotypes based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR-amplified fragments including amino acid positions 112 and 158. The observed genotypes were compared with those obtained from an equal number of ethnically matched negative controls. Results, We found similar APO-E genotypes and E2, E3, and E4 allele frequency distribution among RPL patients and controls. The allele frequencies obtained in patients and controls respectively were as follows: E2 = 7.5% and 9.0% (P = 0.52; OR = 0.81; 95%CI = 0.49,1.35), E3 = 89.7% and 90% (P = 1.00; OR = 0.97; 95%CI = 0.61,1.54), and E4 = 2.8% and 1% (P = 0.12; OR = 2.79; 95%CI = 0.88,8.86). Conclusions, Our data did not support the association of APO-E gene polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss as reported by some of the previous studies. We endorse adequate characterization of RPL cases, inclusion of appropriate negative controls, and adequate sample size prior to addressing such studies. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: CD3, CD56+ CD16+ Natural Killer Cells and Improvement of Pregnancy Outcome in IVF/ICSI Failure After Additional IVIG-TreatmentAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Lothar Heilmann Citation Heilmann L, Schorsch M, Hahn T. CD3, CD56+ CD16+ Natural killer cells and improvement of pregnancy outcome in IVF/ICSI failure after additional IVIG-treatment. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 263,265 Problem, The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to investigate whether additional treatment with intravenous immunglobulin (IVIG) increased the rate of successful pregnancies after repeated implantation failure (RIF). The retrospective data were compared with data of patients without IVIG-therapy from the meta-analysis of Clark et al. Method of study, A total of 188 women with 226 treatment cycles between 2007 and 2009 were evaluated for IVIG therapy. The percentage of NK cells was measured two times before a new embryo transfer (only women with NK cell percentages >12% were included) and after embryo transfer at a positive pregnancy test. Results, In comparison with the meta-analysis of Clark et al., we observed a pregnancy rate of 50.5%, an implantation rate of 21% and a miscarriage rate of 16.8%. In 42%/IVIG- patient or 34.9%/embryo transfer, we observed a live born baby. The live born rate per embryo was 16.6%. In accordance with the study of Kwak et al., we indicate a decrease in the NK cells in patients with improved pregnancy outcome. Conclusion, In a subgroup of RIF-patients with high level of CD56+ CD16+ NK-cells the additional application of IVIG leads to a favourable pregnancy outcome. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Circulating and Decidual Th17 Cell Levels in Healthy PregnancyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Akitoshi Nakashima Citation Nakashima A, Ito M, Yoneda S, Shiozaki A, Hidaka T, Saito S. Circulating and decidual Th17 cell levels in healthy pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 104,109 Problem, The Th1/Th2 paradigm has recently been reconstituted to include a third population, Th17 cells. It has been reported that Th2 type immunity is predominantly present in normal pregnancy. However, the level of Th17 cells during pregnancy is still unclear. We investigated the level of peripheral Th17 cells in healthy pregnancy subjects. Method of study, To evaluate the levels of Th17 cells, we investigated the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells that produced IL-17 in the first, second, and third trimester pregnancy subjects using flow cytometry. We further studied the proportion of decidual lymphocytes that produced IL-17 in early pregnant subjects. Results, Most of the IL-17-producing cells were CD4+ T cells. The number of circulating Th17 cells did not change during pregnancy. In a paired t -test of early normal pregnant subjects, the proportion of IL-17+ decidual lymphocytes was significantly higher than that of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Conclusion, Th17 levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes do not change during normal pregnancy. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: STAT3 Polymorphisms Linked with Idiopathic Recurrent MiscarriagesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Ramzi R. Finan Problem, We investigated the association of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3 gene variants with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (RM). Method of Study, A case,control study involving 189 RM patients and 244 control women was carried out. STAT3 (rs1053004 and rs1023023) genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination/real-time PCR method. Results,STAT3 rs1053004 C allele [OR (95% CI) = 1.60 (1.22,2.10)] and C/C genotype [OR (95% CI) = 3.42 (1.70,6.92)] were positively associated with RM. Two-locus (rs1053004/rs1053023) haplotype analysis revealed increased frequency of CG and CA haplotypes in RM patients, of which only CA haplotype (Pc = 0.020) remained positively associated with RM after applying the Bonferroni correction. This was confirmed by multivariate regression analysis (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.17,2.46) after adjusting for a number of covariates. Conclusion,STAT3 rs1053004 variant is significantly associated with idiopathic RM. Replication studies on other racial groups and other STAT3 gene variants are warranted. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: History of Incidence of Autoimmune and Oncological Diseases in Identical Female TwinsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Z. Ulcova-Gallova Problem, The aim of study was to investigate identical female twins born in 1977 suffered from autoimmune diseases (twin A , Sjogren's syndrome, and twin B , systemic lupus erythematosus). Method of study, It was refer retrospective analysis of both sisters suffered beside autoimmune alterations (Sjogren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus) also from gynecological diseases (twin A , praecancerosis of cervix uteri, twin B , carcinoma vaginae). Results, Relationships between disease activities and severities in the female twins were similar and the treatments were directed according to clinical symptoms and laboratory results. Dramatic change, unfortunately, occurred with twin B. The reason may be the association between SLE activity (lupus nephritis), hematological complication (leukopenia) and oncological vaginal recidivation. Conclusion, Association between autoimmune disease and gynecological cancer (or praecancerosis) is major risk than without immunology deviation. Twin A is periodically gynecologically observed. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Increased Expression of Glutathione by Estradiol, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, and Interleukin 1-Beta in Endometrial Stromal CellsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Sa Ra Lee Problem, The intracellular antioxidant system, based on glutathione (GSH), plays a key role in endometrial detoxification reactions and has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis endometriosis. This study was designed to evaluate whether estradiol (E2) and proinflammatory cytokines have any effects on expression of glutathione in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Method of study, Glutathione levels were measured utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography following in vitro culture and treatment of ESCs with estradiol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-,) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1,). Results, The GSH level in E2 (10,8 m) treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group at 48 h (P < 0.05). In vitro treatment of ESCs with TNF-, 10 ng/mL as well as E2 (10,8 m) plus TNF-, 10 ng/mL for 48 hr also led to a significant increase in GSH level (P < 0.05; P < 0.05, respectively). Both IL-1, 10 ng/mL and E2 (10,8 m) plus IL-1, 10 ng/mL for 48 hr increased GSH level significantly (P < 0.05; P < 0.05, respectively) as well. Conclusions, These findings might suggest that increased production of estradiol and proinflammatory cytokines in the peritoneal cavity possibly leads to the establishment of endometriosis through increased level of GSH. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Gender Ratio Distortion in Abortuses and Live Births From Patients with Recurrent Spontaneous AbortionAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Takashi Kano Problem, Gender ratio of live birth in humans is approximately 1.05 and males are born a slightly more, while gender ratio of fertilization should be 1.00, suggesting that female fetus might be more sensitive to abortion than male fetus during pregnancy. Method of study, We examined karyotype of abortuses from patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), who had at least one live birth before or after the treatment of RSA. Results, Chromosomal abnormality was not frequent (14.6%) in the abortuses from the RSA patients. Among abortuses without chromosomal abnormality, male karyotype was rare (9.2%), and this gender ratio distortion was more prominent in RSA cases not carrying autoantibodies (3.5%) than that in the RSA cases carrying autoantibodies (26.3%), with statistical significance (P = 0.009). Conclusion, These observations suggested that the aborted fetuses from RSA of unknown etiology, i.e. no chromosomal abnormality and no autoantibody, were preferentially female. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Comparison of Serum Markers for Thrombophilia and Autoimmune Disease in Reproductive Age Women with and without False Positive Rapid Plasma Reagin TestsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Yael Swica Problem, The rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) is performed frequently in clinical practice, particularly among reproductive age women. The phenomenon of the biologic false positive RPR is well-recognized, but its clinical significance is poorly characterized. Our objective was to assess the relationship between the false positive RPR and several established clinical and biological markers for thrombophilia and/or autoimmune disease. Method of study, We conducted a clinic-based, case,control study of 41 healthy, reproductive age women with history of a biologic false positive RPR and 30 control women with a negative RPR to assess the relationship between the false positive RPR and several established clinical and biological markers for thrombophilia and/or autoimmune disease. We used t -tests and constructed frequency tables for case,control comparisons. Results, Cases were significantly more likely than controls to have lupus anticoagulant present in serum, have a positive ANA, and a positive ANA with a titer of 1:320 or greater. Cases were also more likely to be positive for anticardiolipin antibodies and have a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, but the CIs for those point estimates included the null value. Eight participants tested positive for both lupus anticoagulant and ANA. All eight were in the case group. Conclusion, These results suggest that the RPR test might be used to identify a subset of women who warrant further testing for autoimmune and/or thromboembolic disease. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Interleukin-17 Increased Progesterone Secretion by JEG-3 Human Choriocarcinoma CellsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Sutatip Pongcharoen Problem, JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell line has previously been reported to express a receptor for interleukin (IL)-17. The involvement of IL-17 in the production of progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin by placental trophoblast has not been investigated. Method of study, The present study investigated the in vitro effect of IL-17 on progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion by JEG-3 cells. Both hormones were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results, The results showed that IL-17 significantly increased progesterone secretion at 6 (P < 0.001) and 24 (P < 0.01) hr, while this cytokine had no effect on hCG secretion. Conclusion, Interleukin-17 may regulate the function of JEG-3 cells through increased progesterone secretion. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Development of a Human Model to Study Homing Behavior of Immune Cells into Decidua and Placental Villi Under Ex Vivo ConditionsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Joana Heinzelmann Problem, Homing of lymphocytes and NK cells into the decidua and its regulation has been very controversially discussed. Therefore, we aimed to establish an in vivo simulation method for analysis of homing behavior, which might be also useful for other cells such as stem or tumor cells. Method of study, A human term placenta has been perfused with medium to elute blood and then with maternal autologous carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled peripheral blood lymphocytes for 3 hr and rinsed for another 2 hr. Tissue was analysed histologically for detection of labeled cells. Labeled lymphocytes and beads in perfusate have been identified and counted by flow cytometry. Results, At the moment of tissue fixation for histology, the perfusate was free of labeled cells. Labeled perfused lymphocytes have been found adhered and integrated in vessel wall structures, in decidual stroma and as colonies in individual villi. Conclusion, Placenta perfusion with a lymphocyte suspension is feasible without plugging the tube system. Time is sufficient for cells to adhere and to migrate into the stroma. Also some villi have been infiltrated which might be caused by inflammatory stimuli. The perfusion system might be useful to test substances for their capacity to influence homing of lymphocytes or other cells. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Effects of hormonal treatments on induced tank spawning of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010András Rónyai No abstract is available for this article. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: The effects of inulin on growth factors and survival of the Indian white shrimp larvae and postlarvae (Fenneropenaeus indicus)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Isolation and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Asian yellow pond turtle, Mauremys mutica (Cantor, 1842)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Yun Zhang First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Effects of salinity on growth and survival of common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792) larvaeAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Nicole R Rhody First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Discovery and evaluation of exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC)-PCR markers for the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Qi Li First page of article [source] Short Communication: application of a surrogate material in assessing the impact of porosity on re-ignition of wood-based materialsFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 2 2002Behdad Moghtaderi Re-ignition behaviour of charred solid fuels after extinction by water is studied. In this communication the effect of material porosity on re-ignition is investigated. A surrogate ceramic material is used so as to separate the pyrolysis and combustion processes from those associated with heat transfer. Experimental data are reported for different sample thickness and porosity, and varying heat flux and water application time. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Short Communication: Loxoprofen sodium treatment for elderly men with refractory nocturia: Effect on night-time urine productionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 5 2008Shinsuke Okada Abstract: We evaluated the efficacy of loxoprofen sodium for refractory nocturia. Twelve men (mean age, 75.1 ± 5.7) with nocturia were enrolled in this study. All patients received 60 mg loxoprofen sodium prior to sleeping at night for 14 days. Nine of 12 patients (75%) felt more satisfaction than previous treatments. Patients were grouped into a loxoprofen sodium-effective (n = 7) and ineffective groups (n = 5) based on the results of the frequency-volume chart. In the effective group, interestingly, night-time urine volume showed significant reduction (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the average single voided volume at night and 24-h urine volume showed no significant change. There was a statistically significant difference in the night-time urine volume after treatment between groups (P < 0.01). Loxoprofen sodium is an effective treatment for some patients with refractory nocturia. The main effect mechanism of loxoprofen sodium may involve the reduction of night-time urine production. [source] Short communication: Analysis of CD4+ T-cell gene expression in allergic subjects using two different microarray platformsALLERGY, Issue 3 2008N. N. Hansel Background:, Allergic diseases are thought to involve dysregulated activation of T cells including CD4+ lymphocytes. T-cell activation results in changes in gene expression, but the optimal method to study gene expression profiles in T cells, and how this changes over time, are not known. Methods:, Circulating CD4+ T cells were obtained from subjects with atopic asthma, nonatopic asthma or nonallergic controls, and total mRNA was rapidly isolated. Atopy was defined as positive skin prick test to one of nine allergens. Gene expression was analyzed using hybridization and Affymetrix® oligonucleotide arrays (Hu133A and Hu133B chips, n = 84), or by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a pathway-targeted array (Human Th1,Th2,Th3 RT2 ProfilerTM PCR Array, Superarray, n = 16). Results:, Using Affymetrix arrays, it was difficult to discern a dominant allergy-associated profile because of heterogeneity in gene expression profiles. In contrast, a Th2-like signature was evident using RT-PCR arrays with increased expression of expected genes (e.g. IL-4, 5, 9, and 13, all P < 0.05) as well as unexpected gene transcripts (e.g. osteopontin). Gene expression profiles were relatively stable over time in circulating CD4+ T cells from two subjects using both platforms. Conclusions:, Unstimulated CD4+ T cells isolated from allergic subjects express a characteristic profile of genes when analyzed using RT-PCR based microarrays. [source] Short communication: An alternative and effective catalyst for the silastannation of arylacetylenes with Me3SiSnBu3 at room temperatureAPPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2004Taichi Nakano Abstract The palladium-catalyzed silastannation of acetylenes with tributyl(trimethylsilyl)stannane in the presence of triethylphosphite is reported for the first time. The reaction occurs at room temperature to give (Z)-silyl(stannyl)ethenes in high yields. The protodemetallation of the resulting adducts with HCl,tetraethylammonium chloride is described first, which demonstrates that the reaction is governed only by the stability of a carbonium ion arising from the protonation to (Z)-silyl(stannyl)ethenes rather than the hard and soft acid and base principle, i.e. the ,-cation stabilization effect (,,, stabilization one) of a stannyl group in the carbonium ion is rather significant. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Short communication: A thermochromism study in the ferrocenyl-benzopyran seriesAPPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2004Stéphane Anguille Abstract The synthesis and the photochromic behaviour of a series of benzopyrans (otherwise called 2H -chromenes), substituted in the 2-position by a metallocene, have been previously described. Some of these compounds also present thermochromic properties. As the thermochromism has been scarcely studied in the benzopyran series, we describe here a study of the thermochromic properties of ferrocenyl benzopyrans. The correlations between the structure of the compounds investigated and their thermochromic properties are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Short communication: The relationship between pre-pregnancy care and early pregnancy loss, major congenital anomaly or perinatal death in type I diabetes mellitusBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2007DWM Pearson The relationships between markers of pregnancy planning and pre-pregnancy care and adverse outcomes (early pregnancy loss, major congenital anomaly and perinatal death) were examined in 423 singleton pregnancies in women with pre-gestational type I diabetes mellitus. Pregnancy planning and markers of pre-pregnancy care were associated with reduced risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. ,Documentation of achievement of an optimal haemoglobin A1c prior to discontinuation of contraception' was the marker associated with the lowest rate of adverse outcome (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.06,0.67) and might serve as an appropriate definition of pre-pregnancy care for research and audit purposes. [source] Short communication: The use of a perinatal internet consultation forum in Israel,BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2007D Mankuta To analyse the use of a free, public, perinatal internet consultation service, 2000 consultations provided by university hospital staff were evaluated over 30 months. Ninety five percent of the questioners were women, and 62% of them were primiparous. The average response rate was 2.3 audience responses per question. Fifty-two percent of the consultations were related to labour and delivery, 23% were related to pregnancy complications, 16% were related to prenatal diagnosis, and 7% were related to the puerperium period. We conclude that medical consultation forums provide an additional way of delivering inexpensive, accessible, fast, and convenient healthcare services. [source] Short communication: Is intrapartum temporary pacing required for women with complete atrioventricular block?BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2006An analysis of seven cases Women with complete atrioventricular heart block without a permanent pacemaker normally receive temporary pacing for labour and birth. Here, we report seven women who were managed without pacing. All women had a temporary pacing lead inserted prior to induction of labour, but none of the women required pacing during labour or birth. Our experience suggests that women with complete atrioventricular block and without permanent pacing do not routinely require temporary pacing for labour and birth. [source] Short communication: A longitudinal study of serum adiponectin during normal pregnancyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Jens Fuglsang Adiponectin is secreted from adipose tissue. Serum adiponectin levels are inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) and also insulin resistance, independent of the BMI. A role for adiponectin in the development of insulin resistance has been implied in pregnancy. However, no studies have been performed to describe the individual longitudinal course of adiponectin in normal pregnancies. Therefore, we measured serum adiponectin during and after normal pregnancy in 11 healthy women. Serum levels peaked in midpregnancy and the lowest levels were seen in late pregnancy. An inverse association with maternal BMI was observed. [source] Short communication: Suturing after childbirth,a randomised controlled study testing a new monofilament materialBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Anna Dencker The aim of this study was to assess if a monofilament suture material (Biosyn) compared with a commonly used multifilament suture (Dexon II) would cause fewer problems and lower levels of discomfort and pain after suturing lacerations and episiotomies following vaginal delivery. Women (1139) who required suturing by a midwife were allocated for repair with either the multifilament polyglycolic acid suture (Dexon II) or with a new monofilament of glycomer 631 (Biosyn). The outcome assessment involved inspection of the sutured area and measuring levels of discomfort and pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At follow up after 8,12 weeks, more women in the monofilament group reported problems with the sutured area. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||