T helper cell cytokine profiles in preterm labor.

Problem: To compare concentrations of T-helper cell cytokines in women with preterm labor (PTL) to normal pregnancies.

Method Of Study: Fourteen women with PTL and 13 women with normal pregnancies from 24 to 34 weeks were enrolled in this pilot study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cervical secretions were collected.

Physiological and psychological effects of delivering medical news using a simulated physician-patient scenario.

We examined the acute stress response associated with having to deliver either bad or good medical news using a simulated physician-patient scenario. Twenty-five healthy medical students were randomly assigned to a bad medical news (BN), a good medical news (GN), or a control group that read magazines during the session. Self-report measures were obtained before and after the task.