Effects of TiO ultraviolet filter and sunscreens on coastal dune plant performance and competitive interactions.

Ultraviolet filters (UVFs) added to sunscreens (SS) are emerging contaminants in marine environments due to their adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. UVFs have also been detected in beach-dune systems, but their influence on resident organisms has not been explored yet. Native plants are fundamental components of coastal dunes, and these ecologically/economically important systems are currently among the most threatened globally.

Evaluation of vaginal microbiota in women admitted to the hospital for premature labour.

Background And Aim Of The Work: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaginal microbiota of women admitted to the hospital for premature labour and to compare the flora of those who responded to the tocolytic treatment with the flora of those who did not respond to the treatment and delivered prematurely Materials: the hospital records of 245 women admitted to the division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of 'Guglielmo da Saliceto' Hospital in Piacenza for premature labour, between 24 completed weeks and 36 weeks plus 6 days of pregnancy, were reviewed and the results of vaginal swabs collected on admission were evaluated.

Results: a vaginal dysbiosis, with reduction or absence of lactobacilli and presence of pathogenic microbial species, was found in all women admitted to the hospital for premature labour. Among them, 200 women (81,63%) responded to the tocolytic treatment while 45 women (18,36%) did not respond  and delivered before 37 completed weeks.

Being Born Too Small and Too Early May Alter Sleep in Childhood.

Study Objectives: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs in up to 10% of pregnancies and is associated with increased risk of prematurity and neurodevelopmental impairment. FGR also alters sleep-state distribution in utero and maturation in infancy. Currently, limited data on the long-term associations of FGR and childhood sleep exist.

Urethral catheter knotting: Be aware and minimize the risk.

Urethral catheterization is a technique frequently used in the pediatric emergency department. Intravesicular knotting of the catheter is a rare but potentially preventable complication that can involve significant morbidity. However, because of the relative rarity of this complication there remains a persistent lack of awareness in the pediatric clinical community.

Degradation of methanethiol in a continuously operated upflow anaerobic sludge-blanket reactor.

The feasibility of anaerobic treatment of wastewater containing volatile organic sulfur compounds was investigated using biomass originating from an anaerobic wastewater treatment facility treating brewery wastewater. Interest focused mainly on the degradation of methanethiol (MT), an extremely volatile and malodorous sulfur compound. Formation of hydrogen sulfide from methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) was observed.

Cyclosporine: update on pharmacology, analytical techniques and therapeutic monitoring.

The Authors relate about the current state of knowledge on Cyclosporin A metabolism, mechanism of action, toxic potential, necessity of therapeutic monitoring. The methods for measurement of Cyclosporin A and its metabolites and the study of their immunosuppressive activity are described. Their use for measurement of Cyclosporin G is discussed.

Pelvic endometriosis mimicking advanced ovarian cancer: presentation with pleural effusion, ascites, and elevated serum CA 125 level.

Two patients with clinical complications of endometriosis mimicking stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer are described. One had bilateral pleural effusions, ascites, and a serum CA 125 level of 440 U/ml. The other had a right-sided pleural effusion and a large abdominal mass.

Reproductive hormones and menstrual changes with exercise in female athletes.

The endocrine equilibrium which regulates reproductive function in women can be affected by physical and psychological factors. Blood levels of hormones depend on a balance between production, metabolism and clearance rates. Intensive physical exercise may affect this balance via different mechanisms, such as stress associated with competition, dieting, reduction of body fat and body weight, production of heat or hypoxia.

Laser ablation of recurrent Paget's disease of vulva and perineum.

We describe the management by CO 2 laser of a case of recurrent extramammary Paget's disease of vulva and perineum, previously managed on three occasions with conventional surgical excision. Ablation of the whole lesion took less than 30 minutes, and the patient was able to go home on the third postoperative day. There were no significant complications.

Evaluation of laparoscopy and endocervical swab in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the female genital tract.

A group of 60 consecutive women admitted to the gynaecology department of Eastbourne District General Hospital for pelvic pain were entered into this study. Evidence of C. trachomatis infection of the genital tract was investigated by detection of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide antigen in the peritoneal fluid collected from the pouch of Douglas during laparoscopy and in the endocervical swab.

Estradiol and progesterone during exercise in healthy untrained women.

Ten eumenorrheic nonathletic women, aged 21-25, were studied on the 8th day following the LH peak in three consecutive cycles. Plasma level and metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were measured before and during a 2-h continuous treadmill test at a speed corresponding to 70% of their running speed at anaerobic threshold on three separate occasions. A significant decrease of plasma level of the hormones (-30% and -40%, respectively, P less than 0.

Incidence of glove perforation during caesarean section.

A survey of glove perforation in 200 consecutive Caesarean sections (100 elective and 100 emergency) was undertaken. A total of 1276 gloves were tested for punctures after the end of the operation. Evidence of perforation of one or more gloves was found following 39 elective (234 gloves, 37.