Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance by Three Dimension Micro-CT-SPECT in Guinea Pig: Role of Bitter Taste Agonists.

Different image techniques have been used to analyze mucociliary clearance (MCC) in humans, but current small animal MCC analysis using in vivo imaging has not been well defined. Bitter taste receptor (T2R) agonists increase ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and cause bronchodilation but their effects in vivo are not well understood. This work analyzes in vivo nasal and bronchial MCC in guinea pig animals using three dimension (3D) micro-CT-SPECT images and evaluates the effect of T2R agonists.

Low molecular weight heparin in obstetric care: a review of the literature.

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are widely used during pregnancy since several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated their important role in preventing not only thromboembolic disease but also pregnancy complications associated with thrombophilia: recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), fetal growth restriction (FGR), preeclampsia (PE), abruptio placentae and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). LMWHs have revealed their effectiveness in reducing the recurrence of negative obstetrics events even in patients without known trombophilias, despite the mechanisms whereby LMWHs operate remain still unclear. However, in order to confirm the suggested benefits, adequately powered and properly controlled trials are needed in this area.