MRI-guided definition of cerebrospinal fluid distribution around cranial and sacral nerves: implications for brain tumors and craniospinal irradiation.

The SIOPE-Brain Tumor Group recently published a guideline on craniospinal target volume delineation for highly conformal radiotherapy. In order to spare critical structures like e.g.

Vaginal Mycoplasmataceae colonization and association with immune mediators in pregnancy.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Mycoplasmataceae species in pregnant women and evaluate their association with immune system mediators.

Methods: Women were prospectively enrolled between 16-22 weeks' gestation. Vaginal swabs were self-collected and analyzed with PCR for (MH) and (MG) as well as (UU) and (UP) (collectively, Myc).

Identification and Management of Abdominal Wall Varices in Pregnancy.

Background: Portal hypertension in pregnancy is associated with elevated risk of variceal hemorrhage. Ectopic varices, those located outside the esophagus or stomach, are rare but have a high risk of associated maternal morbidity or mortality.

Case: A 31-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 0010, with cirrhosis and portal hypertension was found to have abdominal wall ectopic varices on third-trimester obstetric ultrasonography.

Cervical Cerclage versus Vaginal Progesterone for Management of Short Cervix in Low-Risk Women.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of preterm birth in low-risk women with cervical length (CL) ≤25 mm on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) managed with vaginal progesterone (VagP) therapy versus cerclage.

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort of women with no prior history of preterm birth or cervical insufficiency and CL ≤ 25 mm on TVUS, managed with either VagP therapy alone or cerclage (with or without VagP). The primary outcome was rate of preterm delivery < 37 weeks gestational age (GA).

Detection and Prevention of Perinatal Infection: Cytomegalovirus and Zika Virus.

Congenital cytomegalovirus is the most common viral congenital infection, and affects up to 2% of neonates. Significant sequelae may develop after congenital cytomegalovirus, including hearing loss, cognitive defects, seizures, and death. Zika virus is an emerging virus with perinatal implications; a congenital Zika virus syndrome has been identified, and includes findings such as microcephaly, fetal nervous system abnormalities, and neurologic sequelae after birth.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management.

Importance: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) complicates approximately 0.2% to 2% of pregnancies and can lead to increased fetal risks in pregnancy.

Objective: This review aims to increase the knowledge of women's health care providers regarding the diagnosis, management, and fetal risks associated with ICP.

Neonatal Outcomes Associated with Noncephalic Presentation at Delivery in Preterm Birth.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of noncephalic presentation on neonatal outcomes in preterm delivery.

Study Design: In this study a secondary analysis of the BEAM trial was performed. It included women with singleton, liveborn, and nonanomalous fetuses.

Optimal Admission Cervical Dilation in Spontaneously Laboring Women.

Objective: To estimate the impact of admission cervical dilation on the risk of cesarean in spontaneously laboring women at term.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of women admitted in term labor with a singleton gestation. Women with rupture of membranes before admission, induction of labor, or prelabor cesarean were excluded.

Intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels modulate human placental trophoblast syncytialization.

Regulation of human placental syncytiotrophoblast renewal by cytotrophoblast migration, aggregation/fusion and differentiation is essential for successful pregnancy. In several tissues, these events are regulated by intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (IKCa), in part through their ability to regulate cell volume. We used cytotrophoblasts in primary culture to test the hypotheses that IKCa participate in the formation of multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast and in syncytiotrophoblast volume homeostasis.