Design and Evaluation of a Low-Cost Speculum Examination Training Model.

Introduction: Learning how to perform a speculum examination is a key component of the medical student curriculum, yet there is a paucity of data on the validity of available speculum examination models. This purpose of this study is to design, evaluate, and improve a low-cost speculum examination model.

Methods: A speculum examination training model was created using low-cost or recycled materials from other simulators.

Accuracy of clinically estimated fetal weight in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of clinically estimated fetal weight (CEFW) in patients with gestational diabetes (GDM), pregestational diabetes (DM), and obesity.

Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis of Consortium of Safe Labor data. Subjects were classified into six groups: DM, DM and obese, GDM, GDM and obese, nondiabetic obese, and controls.

Fetal fibronectin for evaluation of preterm labor in the setting of cervical cerclage.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing in cervical cerclage patients presenting with acute signs or symptoms of preterm labor.

Methods: A total of 71 fFN tests were performed in 48 women between 23 and 34 weeks' gestation who presented at two institutions at risk for imminent delivery with cerclage in situ.

Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for delivery within 2 weeks of fFN testing were 100, 77, 28 and 100%, respectively.

Perioperative complications of history-indicated and ultrasound-indicated cervical cerclage.

Objective: To evaluate perioperative complications of history- and ultrasound-indicated cerclage.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of a cohort of patients who underwent history- (n = 198) or ultrasound-indicated (n = 89) cerclage procedures. We evaluated the rates of perioperative complications based on indication for cerclage.

A comparison of virus isolation, immunohistochemistry, fetal serology, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus transplacental infection in the fetus.

Virus isolation (VI), immunohistochemistry (IHC), fetal serology, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) were performed on samples from 107 fetuses comprising 10 litters taken from sows experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). In addition to comparing the relative sensitivity and specificity of each test, RT-PCR was evaluated with respect to the relative suitability of thoracic fluids and tissues as samples, the effects of autolysis, and the effects of pooling of fetal specimens. VI, IHC, and fetal serology identified PRRSV infection in 48.