A comparison of 30-, 50-, and 60-mL foley catheter balloon volume and time to achieve cervical ripening for labor induction: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cervical ripening is one of the most important determinants of the outcome of induction of labor. The findings of studies on the most efficacious inflatable catheter balloon volume for pre-induction cervical ripening have been inconclusive.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of the use of different intracervical Foley catheter balloon volumes (30-, 50-, and 60-mL) on cervical ripening.

Hydroformylation of Alkenes in a Planetary Ball Mill: From Additive-Controlled Reactivity to Supramolecular Control of Regioselectivity.

The Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of aromatic-substituted alkenes is performed in a planetary ball mill under CO/H pressure. The dispersion of the substrate molecules and the Rh-catalyst into the grinding jar is ensured by saccharides: methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside, acyclic dextrins, or cyclodextrins (CDs, cyclic oligosaccharides). The reaction affords the exclusive formation of aldehydes whatever the saccharide.

A full genome search in multiple sclerosis.

The aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is uncertain. There is strong circumstantial evidence to indicate it is an autoimmune complex trait. Risks for first degree relatives are increased some 20 fold over the general population.

Cytokine production and lymphocyte transformation during stress.

The production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) and blast transformation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed in medical students writing an academic examination. Blood samples were obtained on three occasions: (1) 1 month prior to the examination during a period of relatively low academic demand; (2) immediately after the examination; and (3) 10 days later. Results indicated that immune responses were significantly different immediately after the examination compared with the baseline and postexam measures.

The modulation of interleukin 1 production by interferon gamma, and the inhibitory effects of gold compounds.

We have studied the in vitro effects of gold sodium thiomalate (GST) and auranofin (Auf) on the production of interleukin 1 (IL1) expressed as thymocyte co-stimulatory activity (TCSA), and interleukin 1 beta (IL1 beta) as modulated by interferon gamma (IFN gamma). Adherent cells (ADC), of which 80% were monocytes, were obtained from human peripheral blood, and stimulated with lipoprotein polysaccharide (LPS) for 24-48 h. TCSA and IL1 beta production by fresh ADC (0-24 h) was significantly higher than that of aged ADC (24-48 h).