Endothelial dysfunction in myometrial arteries of women with gestational diabetes.

Aims: This study directly examined endothelial function of myometrial arteries in the uterus of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women. It also examined whether endothelial function was affected by the changes in glucose concentration (from 2 to 12mmol/L) that is seen in poorly controlled diabetes.

Methods: Ex vivo myometrial arteries from the uterus of women with GDM (N=16) as well as healthy pregnant (N=16) and non-pregnant women (N=15) were mounted on a wire myograph.

Constraints to caring: service to medically indigent patients by allopathic and osteopathic physicians.

Most U.S. physicians limit their care of medically indigent populations, rendering millions of patients underserved.

Survey of glargine use in 115 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes.

Aim: To examine pregnancy outcome in women with Type 1 diabetes treated with glargine.

Methods: Glargine use in pregnancy was surveyed over 2 years in 20 UK obstetric-diabetes centres. Outcomes, including maternal complications, miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, perinatal morbidity and mortality, were recorded in a standardized format.

Acute hyperglycemia in uterine arteries from pregnant, but not non-pregnant mice, enhances endothelium-dependent relaxation.

Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy, characterized by hypo- and hyperglycemia, is associated with adverse outcomes. We hypothesized that aberrant glucose levels affect vascular function in pregnancy. The effects of glucose concentration on constriction and endothelium-dependent relaxation in uterine arteries of normal C57BL/6 mice were examined.

Who serves the underserved? Predictors of physician care to medically indigent patients.

Using a national sample of 466 doctors, this work is the first to determine how sociodemographic characteristics, family lives, educational experiences and work environments combine over the life course to shape physician attitudes and behaviors toward serving the medically indigent. Survey data reveal that most physicians have positive experiences with indigent patients, and feel responsible for providing care for the needy. On average, one-quarter of doctors' patients are medically indigent, and physicians provide six hours of charity care per week.