Assessing the effectiveness of the Pregnancy And Newborn Diagnostic Assessment system on the quality of antenatal care in Burkina Faso: A cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: The Pregnancy and Newborn Diagnostic Assessment (PANDA) system is a mobile application designed to facilitate diagnosis and decision-making by healthcare staff in antenatal care (ANC). This study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness in improving the quality of ANC.

Methods: This randomised controlled trial implemented the PANDA system in two groups of health facilities (intervention and comparison groups) using a matched-pair method in the Koupéla health district, Burkina Faso.

Lessons Learned From Building a Global Health Partnership on Obstetric Care in Madagascar.

The authors share experiences of a global health partnership that worked to promote equity through a commitment to shared values and goals, engagement and communication, and mutual trust and respect.

Microstructural Changes in the Corpus Callosum in Systemic Lupus Erythematous.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) occurs in more than 50% of patients. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has identified global cerebral atrophy, as well as the involvement of the corpus callosum and hippocampus, which is associated with cognitive impairment. In this cross-sectional study we included 71 cSLE (mean age 24.

HS donating corticosteroids: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation in a murine model of asthma.

Introduction: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a fundamental biological endogenous gas-mediator in the respiratory system. It regulates pivotal patho-physiological processes such as oxidative stress, pulmonary circulation, airway tone and inflammation.

Objectives: We herein describe the design and synthesis of molecular hybrids obtained by the condensation of several corticosteroids with different hydrogen sulfide releasing moieties.

Adsorption-desorption of anthocyanins from jambolan (Syzygium cumini) fruit in laponite® platelets: Kinetic models, physicochemical characterization, and functional properties of biohybrids.

This study aims to develop and characterize biohybrids (BH) based on anthocyanins (ACNs) from jambolan (Syzygium cumini) and laponite® (Lap). ACNs from jambolan fruit were extracted using an acidified water solution at pH 1. ACNs were recovered from extract using Lap as adsorbent between 5 °C and 40 °C.

A novel colorimetric indicator film based on chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol and anthocyanins from jambolan (Syzygium cumini) fruit for monitoring shrimp freshness.

This study aims to develop and characterize colorimetric indicator films based on chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol and anthocyanins from jambolan fruit (Syzygium cumini) prepared by casting method. The effect of anthocyanin extract on thickness, microstructure, moisture content, solubility in water, hydrophobicity, chemical structure, color and opacity of films was analyzed. In addition, anthocyanins photodegradation in films as well its application to monitoring shrimp freshness was studied.

Capacities of women and men to improve maternal and newborn health: Effect of a community-based intervention package in rural Bangladesh.

Background: Despite improvement in recent decades, maternal and newborn mortality in Bangladesh remain high. A community-based intervention package was initiated in 2009 in Netrokona, a rural district in Bangladesh, to engage individuals, families and communities to improve maternal and newborn health. In this article, we present the effect of the intervention package on improvement of women's capacities with regard to maternal and newborn health, their husbands' capacities to effectively support them and use of skilled services during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth.

Art as Sanctuary: A Four-Year Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Visual Art Course Addressing Uncertainty Through Reflection.

Purpose: Engagement with visual art is a promising modality for addressing issues of uncertainty via reflective practice, one that is being increasingly used in health science education. An elective museum-based course for first-year medical students was created by two medical schools and led by an art educator experienced in medical education. The course, Observation and Uncertainty in Art and Medicine, sought to help students explore experiences of uncertainty and to develop reflective capacity through engagement with visual art.

Knowledge and involvement of husbands in maternal and newborn health in rural Bangladesh.

Background: Access to skilled health services during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period for obstetric care is one of the strongest determinants of maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes. In many countries, husbands are key decision-makers in households, effectively determining women's access to health services. We examined husbands' knowledge and involvement regarding MNH issues in rural Bangladesh, and how their involvement is related to women receiving MNH services from trained providers.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women and couples and its association with skilled birth attendance in rural Bangladesh.

Introduction: Despite remarkable progress in maternal and neonatal health over past two decades, maternal and neonatal mortality in Bangladesh remain high, which is partially attributable to low use of skilled maternal and newborn health (MNH) services. Birth preparedness and complications readiness (BCPR) is recommended by the World Health Organization and by the Government of Bangladesh as a key intervention to increasing appropriate MNH services. This study aims to explore the status of BPCR in a hard-to-reach area of rural Bangladesh and to demonstrate how BPCR practices is associated with birth in the presence of a skilled birth attendant.

Transforming maternal and newborn health social norms and practices to increase utilization of health services in rural Bangladesh: a qualitative review.

Background: Since 2008, Participatory Action for Rural Development Innovation (PARI) Development Trust, with the support of Enfants du Monde, has been implementing a maternal and newborn health (MNH) program based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) framework for Working with Individuals, Families and Communities (IFC) to improve MNH in Netrokona district, Bangladesh. This program aims to empower women and families and increase utilization of quality health services, thereby helping women realize their rights related to maternal health. Birth preparedness and complication readiness and working with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to exercise a new role in MNH and have formed key interventions of this program.

Epithelial ovarian cancers and endometriosis.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of endometriosis in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) and the association among their histological subtypes and with endometrial carcinoma.

Methods: An observational cohort study performed in 192 patients operated on for EOC, 30 women with atypical endometriosis and 17 with p53 positive endometriosis. Data on associated endometriosis and endometrial carcinomas, histological subtypes, tumor stage, clinical and pathological characteristics and survival were analyzed.

A survey study of evidence-based medicine training in US and Canadian medical schools.

Purpose: The authors conducted a survey examining (1) the current state of evidence-based medicine (EBM) curricula in US and Canadian medical schools and corresponding learning objectives, (2) medical educators' and librarians' participation in EBM training, and (3) barriers to EBM training.

Methods: A survey instrument with thirty-four closed and open-ended questions was sent to curricular deans at US and Canadian medical schools. The survey sought information on enrollment and class size; EBM learning objectives, curricular activities, and assessment approaches by year of training; EBM faculty; EBM tools; barriers to implementing EBM curricula and possible ways to overcome them; and innovative approaches to EBM education.

Prenatal exposure to escitalopram and/or stress in rats: a prenatal stress model of maternal depression and its treatment.

Rationale: A rigorously investigated model of stress and antidepressant administration during pregnancy is needed to evaluate possible effects on the mother.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a model of clinically relevant prenatal exposure to an antidepressant and stress during pregnancy to evaluate the effects on maternal care behavior.

Results: Female rats implanted with 28-day osmotic minipumps delivering the SSRI escitalopram throughout pregnancy had serum escitalopram concentrations in a clinically observed range (17-65 ng/ml).

Serotonin transporter occupancy in rats exposed to serotonin reuptake inhibitors in utero or via breast milk.

Rigorous data regarding fetal central nervous system (CNS) exposure after antidepressant exposure are sparse. The magnitude of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) CNS exposure was measured in three groups of rats using ex vivo autoradiography of the serotonin transporter (SERT): 1) in utero, 2) postnatal clearance after birth, and 3) exposure through lactation. Rats were exposed to one of five SRI-type antidepressants (escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine) administered continuously via osmotic minipumps to pregnant or nursing dams.

Combining the creative arts and the house call to teach medical students about chronic illness care.

As the number of people living with chronic illness in the United States rises, it is imperative that medical school prepare physicians who are capable of caring for these patients. This article outlines a creative educational intervention to teach third- and fourth-year medical students about caring for chronically ill people. All students at Weill Medical College, Cornell University, make home visits to homebound older adults with an interdisciplinary team as part of a mandatory Primary Care Clerkship.

Fast forward rounds: an effective method for teaching medical students to transition patients safely across care settings.

Adverse events commonly occur during hospital-to-home transitions and cause substantial morbidity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Fast Forward Rounds (FFR), a novel educational intervention that aims to foster awareness of the essential elements of transitional care in 3rd-year medical students. FFR consists of two 90-minute sessions using lectures, an interactive video, small-group discussion, and a team-based learning exercise.

Introduction to the older patient: a "first exposure" to geriatrics for medical students.

In 2003, Weill Cornell Medical College developed a 4-hour module to introduce the geriatric patient within the required first-year doctoring course. The educational intervention highlights the importance of communication between older patients and physicians, the utility of an enhanced social history and functional assessment, and the pitfalls of ageism in the medical setting. The module incorporates film, the performing arts, and small-group exposure to a community-residing older person.

Preparation of antidepressants for use in preclinical research.

Obtaining drugs for use in basic and preclinical research has become increasingly difficult and in many instances is dependent upon the company's interest in the proposed research. In this paper, we describe a simple procedure for extracting the antidepressants sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, citalopram, escitalopram, duloxetine and atomoxetine from their readily available pharmaceutical preparations. With the exception of citalopram, escitalopram and duloxetine in which the free base was the final product, the hydrochloride salt forms of these drugs were prepared.

Reflections of medical students on visiting chronically ill older patients in the home.

The expanding number of Americans living with chronic illness necessitates educating future physicians about chronic illness care. Weill Cornell Medical College's Chronic Illness Care in the Home Setting Program (CIC-HSP), a mandatory part of the primary care clerkship, exposes medical students to persons with chronic illness via a half day of house calls with a geriatrics team. The investigators sought to qualitatively assess the effect of the CIC-HSP on medical students and recent medical graduates.

Life-cycle inventory of waste solvent distillation: statistical analysis of empirical data.

Distillation is one of the most important processes in the chemical industry. An environmental assessment of distillation processes is difficult because of the highly specific features of each distillation process. Life-cycle inventory (LCI) information is therefore scarce.

Creating a teaching geriatric service: ten important lessons.

The restructuring of The Medical Service at the Weill/Cornell campus of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, coupled with funding from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to strengthen physicians' training in geriatrics, enabled the creation of a geriatrics inpatient team and a 17-bed Acute Care for Elders unit. It has also allowed a program to be designed that exposes residents to the fundamental principles of geriatric care, offers them opportunities to follow older patients in multiple venues, and provides a chance to enhance their skills and gain experience in interdisciplinary care.

[Computer-based preoperative planning for breast reconstruction in the woman with unilateral breast hypoplasia].

Background: Aim of this paper is to describe a computer program which can provide objective and quantitative data useful for the selection of the proper implant in order to obtain the symmetry with the contralateral breast in case of unilateral breast reconstruction by tissue expansion, especially for the surgeon without experience or for the occasional operator.

Methods: Our C++ program provides the final implant volume using the measurements of the semi-circumference and projection of the contralateral breast performed on the supine patient. The aim is the symmetry of the two breasts.