Mechanical behavior and failure mode of body-centered cubic, gyroid, diamond, and Voronoi functionally graded additively manufactured biomedical lattice structures.

Given the capability to produce parts with complex geometries, powder bed fusion using a laser beam (PBF-LB), one of several additive manufacturing techniques, is becoming increasingly prevalent in both research and industry. Advances in the development of biomedical lattice structures show a trend in the use of functional gradients for greater customization and adjustment of mechanical properties according to the demands. This study analyzed four biomedical potential lattice structures (regular and graded) manufactured using PBF-LB in Ti6Al4V alloy.

Equity in coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine development and deployment.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exposed weaknesses in multiple domains and widened gender-based inequalities across the world. It also stimulated extraordinary scientific achievement by bringing vaccines to the public in less than a year. In this article, we discuss the implications of current vaccination guidance for pregnant and lactating women, if their exclusion from the first wave of vaccine trials was justified, and if a change in the current vaccine development pathway is necessary.

Preterm birth prevention.

Preterm birth (PTB), which occurs in about 12% of pregnancies worldwide, is the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Symptomatic treatment of pregnancies presenting in preterm labor with corticosteroids and antibiotics has improved neonatal outcomes but has not reduced the incidence of PTB. Evidence suggests that the rate of PTB may be reduced by the prophylactic use of progesterone in women with a previous history of preterm delivery and in those with a short cervical length identified by routine transvaginal ultrasound.

Maternal mortality and COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of this study was to collect and analyze data from different sources to have a general overview of COVID-19-related maternal deaths in Brazil, as well as to compare data with worldwide reports.

Study Design: We systematically searched data about COVID-19 maternal deaths from the Brazilian Ministry of Health surveillance system, State Departments of Health epidemiological reports, and media coverage. Data about timing of symptom onset and death (pregnancy or postpartum), gestational age, mode of birth, maternal age, comorbidities and/or risk factors, date of death, and place of death were retrieved when available.

Appraising the potential of Zr-based biomedical alloys to reduce magnetic resonance imaging artifacts.

This study compared Zr-Mo alloys with commercial metallic biomaterials. It was observed that the Zr-Mo alloys exhibited favourable mechanical properties, particularly the Zr-10Mo alloy, which showed the highest strength to Young's modulus ratio among all evaluated metals. These alloys also exhibited the lowest magnetic susceptibilities, which are important for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The first-trimester of pregnancy - A window of opportunity for prediction and prevention of pregnancy complications and future life.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) has identified non communicable maternal diseases (NCDs) as a new focus area. NCDs and exposures as related to pregnancy complications and later impairment of maternal and offspring health will form the basis for action in the forthcoming years. This paper summarizes recent advances, centered on the use of first-trimester testing, as a window of opportunity to predict and prevent many pregnancy complications; and for potential future prevention of NCDs in mother and offspring.

Characterizing the Pattern of Anomalies in Congenital Zika Syndrome for Pediatric Clinicians.

Importance: Zika virus infection can be prenatally passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that intrauterine Zika virus infection is a cause of microcephaly and serious brain anomalies, but the full spectrum of anomalies has not been delineated. To inform pediatric clinicians who may be called on to evaluate and treat affected infants and children, we review the most recent evidence to better characterize congenital Zika syndrome.

Stress and anxiety in pregnant women exposed to ultrasound.

Aim: To investigate the levels of anxiety and stress during pregnancy among women who are routinely offered ultrasound at first and second trimesters.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 296 women, in which 146 pregnant women without any medical problem were compared with 150 nonpregnant women. Both groups were submitted to the Lipp Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults and to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Evaluation of the risk of spreading endometrial cell by hysteroscopy: a prospective longitudinal study.

Objective. The aim was to assess the intraperitoneal spread of endometrial cells during hysteroscopy. Study Design.

Reference ranges for cervical length by transvaginal scan in singleton pregnancies.

Objective: The aim was to construct a chart for cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasound.

Research Design And Methods: Singleton pregnant women underwent a transvaginal scan to measure the cervical length (CxL) from 20 to 34 weeks. Exclusion criteria were preterm delivery, preterm rupture of membranes, multiple pregnancies, cerclage, and those who have taken vaginal progesterone.

Prevention of preterm birth based on short cervix: progesterone.

Preterm delivery, which occurs in about 5%-13% of pregnancies in most countries, is the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Symptomatic treatment of pregnancies presenting in preterm labor with corticosteroids has improved perinatal outcome but has not reduced the incidence of preterm delivery. Recent evidence suggests that the rate of preterm delivery may be reduced by the prophylactic use of progesterone in women with a history of preterm delivery and in those with a short cervical length identified by routine transvaginal sonography.

Prematurity prevention: the role of progesterone.

Purpose Of Review: This review summarizes the evidence of the effectiveness of progesterone on the rate of preterm birth and evaluates the most recent studies.

Recent Findings: The incidence of preterm delivery is about 7-11% of all pregnant women and preterm birth is one of the most important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Interventions to reduce such complications have been attempted for several years.

Progesterone and the risk of preterm birth among women with a short cervix.

Background: Previous randomized trials have shown that progesterone administration in women who previously delivered prematurely reduces the risk of recurrent premature delivery. Asymptomatic women found at midgestation to have a short cervix are at greatly increased risk for spontaneous early preterm delivery, and it is unknown whether progesterone reduces this risk in such women.

Methods: Cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography at a median of 22 weeks of gestation (range, 20 to 25) in 24,620 pregnant women seen for routine prenatal care.

Prediction of severe fetal anemia in red blood cell alloimmunization after previous intrauterine transfusions.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the detection of fetal anemia and false-positive rates by fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) and the estimated daily decrease of hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cell alloimmunized pregnancies that had previous fetal transfusions.

Study Design: We examined the relation between MCA-PSV measured before cordocentesis, and fetal Hb at the time of the second (n = 42) and third (n = 31) intrauterine blood transfusions. In addition, the daily Hb drop between the transfusions was calculated.

Maternal characteristics and cervical length in the prediction of spontaneous early preterm delivery in twins.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the value of combining maternal characteristics and measurement of cervical length at 22 to 24 weeks in the prediction of spontaneous early preterm delivery.

Study Design: Cervical length was measured by transvaginal sonography at 22 to 24 weeks in 1163 twin pregnancies attending for routine antenatal care. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of maternal demographic characteristics and cervical length on the risk of spontaneous early preterm delivery.

Prophylactic administration of progesterone by vaginal suppository to reduce the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth in women at increased risk: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic vaginal progesterone in decreasing preterm birth rate in a high-risk population.

Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 142 high-risk singleton pregnancies. Progesterone (100 mg) or placebo was administered daily by vaginal suppository and all patients underwent uterine contraction monitoring with an external tocodynamometer once a week for 60 minutes, between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.