A comparison of costs for abdominal, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted sacral colpopexy.

The aim of this study was to compare the short-term estimated hospital costs and charges for open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted sacral colpopexy. The null hypothesis was that there would be no difference in costs and charges. Fifteen comparable cases were reviewed for demographics, surgical information, and estimated hospital charges and costs and then compared with analysis of variance.

Beyond the Census Tract: Patterns and Determinants of Racial Segregation at Multiple Geographic Scales.

The census tract-based residential segregation literature rests on problematic assumptions about geographic scale and proximity. We pursue a new tract-free approach that combines explicitly spatial concepts and methods to examine racial segregation across egocentric local environments of varying size. Using 2000 census data for the 100 largest U.

Is there a relationship between glomerular filtration rate and detrusor overactivity in women?

Aims: The relationship of detrusor overactivity (DO) to neuromuscular causes is well established, but a connection to kidney function has not yet been studied. We sought to evaluate whether patients with DO have differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, we collected data from all patients who underwent urodynamic testing in our office from September 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007 and calculated eGFR using the equation derived from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study.

The North American Menopause Society: from abstract to publication.

Objective: The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) provides a forum through which researchers can present scientific abstracts. After presenting an abstract, the goal is to publish the research as a full-length article. The objective for this study was to determine the publication rate of abstracts presented at NAMS meetings.

TAT-PAX6 protein transduction in neural progenitor cells: a novel approach for generation of dopaminergic neurones in vitro.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the potential to be used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), as they can be expanded, manipulated and differentiated in vitro to generate dopaminergic neurones which are suitable for transplantation. Since NSCs have a tendency to follow an astrocytic lineage after differentiation in vitro, researchers are investigating ways to induce a neuronal phenotype in these cells. In this study, the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain (PTD) system was used in an attempt to promote neuronal differentiation in rodent NSCs.

The prevalence of cervical HPV and cytological abnormalities in association with reproductive factors of rural Nigerian women.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytological abnormalities while addressing demographic and reproductive variables in a sample of rural Nigerian patients.

Methods: In March 2004, a medical project was conducted in Okene, Nigeria. The obstetrics/gynecology team collected demographics of 231 patients and 199 ThinPrep Pap smears (Cytyc, Marlborough, MA), which were analyzed cytologically and for the presence of HPV DNA.

Dysplasia and malignancy in endocervical polyps.

Objective: The objective was to estimate the prevalence of malignancy or dysplasia in cervical polyps.

Methods: A convenience sample was identified by retrospectively searching the Hartford Hospital pathology database for cases of endocervical polyps removed from January 1, 1999, through January 31, 2006. The presence of malignancy, dysplasia, atypia, and other modifiers was recorded along with demographic information, including age, race/ethnicity, residence, and the ordering practitioner.

Patient choice: comparing criteria for selecting an obstetrician-gynecologist based on image, gender, and professional attributes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare gender, humanistic qualities or technical competence (HQTC), and age when an obstetrician-gynecologist is selected.

Study Design: Participants saw photographs (2 women, 2 men) without descriptors then the same photographs with descriptors. To test whether HQTC were more important than gender, the men in the photographs were given HQTC descriptors.

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) found on screening mammography and their association with cardiovascular disease.

Objective: Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) are common but unreported findings on screening mammograms. This study correlated mammographically detected BACs with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors and a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), estimating the relative risk of ASCVD in patients with BACs.

Design: Women arriving for breast cancer screening mammography gave their consent to complete a questionnaire and to allow their mammograms to be analyzed independently for the presence of BACs by certified radiologists, who were blinded to the results of the questionnaire.

Can community-dwelling women reliably identify infected urine?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether community-dwelling women can reliably identify infected urine samples. A convenience sample of 25 women judged six urine samples. Of these, two were normal, two contained culture-proven infections, and two were intentionally abnormal because of ingestion of asparagus or vitamins.

Hormonal therapy is associated with a lower prevalence of breast arterial calcification on mammography.

Objective: To bring further understanding to the relationship between hormonal therapy (HT) and breast arterial calcification (BAC).

Methods: Of women arriving for breast cancer screening mammography, 1995 consented to complete a survey and have their mammograms analyzed for the presence of BAC. The survey assessed HT use and major risk factors for CAD.

Outcome of tension-free vaginal tape procedure when complicated by intraoperative cystotomy.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for intra-operative cystotomy during TVT and whether this affects surgical outcome and morbidity.

Study Design: Charts of 340 women who underwent TVT were reviewed. Those who had a cystotomy during the procedure (cases) were compared with those without (controls) for the variables: age, race, parity, body mass index (BMI), TVT with or without other procedures, previous pelvic surgery, blood loss, length of catheter drainage, UTI, and voiding dysfunction.

Anterior vaginal wall prolapse and voiding dysfunction in urogynecology patients.

We investigated whether women with and without anterior vaginal wall prolapse have voiding differences. Women (n=109) who presented to a urogynecology practice were categorized into two groups based on anterior vaginal wall prolapse: stages 0 and 1 and stages 2, 3, and 4. Women with prolapse were older than the women without prolapse but the groups were otherwise similar demographically.

Resident education and training in urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery: a survey.

The aim of the study is to assess satisfaction with urogynecology education among obstetrics and gynecology residents. An Internet-based survey was designed to obtain a cross-sectional sample of third- and fourth-year residents. Didactic and surgical training as well as perceived surgical competency were assessed.

Qualities and attributes desired in menopause clinicians.

Objective: To assess the qualities and attributes desired in menopause clinicians.

Design: Women > or =45 years of age (n=72) were surveyed about the qualities and attributes desired in their physician. Surveys were performed in physician waiting rooms in Connecticut.

A meta-analysis comparing trials of antimuscarinic medications funded by industry or not.

Objective: To determine if there is a significant difference in outcomes of clinical trials funded by industry or not of antimuscarinic medications used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and detrusor overactivity (DOA).

Methods: A Medline search was conducted from January 1966 to June 2003 to identify human clinical trials of oxybutynin and tolterodine published in English. Randomized controlled trials on subjects aged > or = 16 years who were being treated with oxybutynin or tolterodine for OAB symptoms or DOA; 24 studies were identified.

Clinical significance of atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and histologic outcomes of patients with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS), diagnosed by Pap test, and concurrent risk factors.

Data Sources: A PubMed/MEDLINE/Ovid HealthStar search of the English literature was conducted from January 1988 through March 2004.

Methods Of Study Selection: The search criteria included the terms "atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance," "AGUS," or "AGC.

Menopausal symptoms in Hispanic women and the role of socioeconomic factors.

The objective of this study was to assess differences in menopausal symptoms between postmenopausal (PM) Hispanic (H) and PM Caucasian (C) women. This was a prospective survey. Data from a convenience sample of 404 PM women (50% H, 50% C) were evaluated.

Pilot study of menopause symptoms in a clinic population.

Objective: Studies analyzing menopause symptoms have primarily focused on white women of higher socioeconomic status. With an aging population and a longer life expectancy, we can anticipate a significant rise in women presenting with menopause symptoms and issues related to quality of life. It is important to know whether current data regarding menopause symptoms are applicable to all women seeking care.

Usefulness of electrocardiographic-gated stress technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography to differentiate ischemic from nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

The noninvasive differentiation between ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy is frequently difficult. We examined the clinical value of stress electrocardiographic gated (ECG-gated) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to identify ischemic cardiomyopathy and detect coronary artery disease (CAD) in 164 patients without known CAD, ejection fraction < or =40% by ECG-gated SPECT, and subsequent coronary angiography. Summed stress, rest, and difference scores were measured from the SPECT studies, and regional wall motion variance was calculated from the ECG-gated images.