Quantitative and longitudinal assessment of human placental inflammation using diffusion basis spectrum imaging.

Besides exchanging nutrients, gases, and wastes, placenta is an intermediary between maternal and fetal immune systems. However, no method exists to safely image and monitor placental inflammation during pregnancy. We customized a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) method, diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), to measure immune cells in placenta.

Using an interaction timeline to investigate factors related to shedder status.

A major factor that influences DNA transfer is the propensity of individuals to 'shed' DNA, commonly referred to as their 'shedder status'. In this work we provide a novel method to analyse and interrogate DNA transfer data from a largely uncontrolled study that tracks the movements and actions of a group of individuals over the course of an hour. By setting up a model that provides a simplistic description of the world, parameters within the model that represent properties of interest can be iteratively refined until the model can sufficiently describe a set of final DNA observations.

"Don't touch your face"---Effectiveness of a health communication intervention on reducing face-touching behaviors.

Background: Given the risk of infection through face-touching behaviors, investigators have called for more research into the development of interventions to reduce the frequency of face-touching. The current study aims to test the effectiveness of messages on reducing face-touching behaviors.

Methods: Nine different messages that highlighted the risk of face-touching were developed.

Impact of Inpatient Patient-Provider Language Concordance on Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Postpartum.

Objective:  Studies outside of obstetrics suggest that patient-provider language concordance may impact the efficacy of educational interventions and overall patient satisfaction. Many pregnant patients who present to the hospital for delivery with initial plans to exclusively breastfeed ultimately leave the hospital supplementing with formula. We aim to examine the impact of language concordance between patients and their primary bedside nurse during the delivery hospitalization period on the relationship between intended and actual feeding practices for term newborns of primiparous patients at a single institution.