Effect of rosiglitazone on embryonic growth and morphology: a study using a whole rat embryo culture model.

The effects of various concentrations of rosiglitazone on in vitro rat embryo growth and morphology during the critical period of organogenesis was evaluated. We found that rosiglitazone has no significant effects on growth and morphology of in vitro early embryo development, even at very high concentrations.

Reference charts of gestation-specific tissue Doppler imaging indices of systolic and diastolic functions in the normal fetal heart.

Background: Assessment of fetal cardiac function is difficult because of limited accessibility. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a promising technique in assessing diastolic function in adults. There has been sparseness concerning the use of TDI in assessing fetal cardiac function.

Sexual behavior and activity in Chinese pregnant women.

Objective: To evaluate sexual activities, attitudes, and complications related to intercourse among Chinese pregnant women and to study their source of the information.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Two hundred and ninety-eight Chinese pregnant women were recruited.

When to induce labor for post-term? A study of induction at 41 weeks versus 42 weeks.

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of two policies of timing of induction of labor for post-term pregnancies.

Study Design: It is a retrospective study in a University obstetric unit from 1997 to 2002. Five thousand eight hundred and ninety-two singleton, cephalic pregnancies with gestational age at delivery at or more than 41 completed weeks were studied.

Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level and risk of acidosis at birth.

Objective: Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level is elevated in neonates who had undergone more perinatal stresses. The present study aimed to evaluate the cord blood acid-base status in neonates with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone level.

Study Design: The study population consisted of 2366 singleton, term pregnancies.

Placental transfer of rosiglitazone in the first trimester of human pregnancy.

Objective: To determine the degree of placental transfer of rosiglitazone in early human pregnancy.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Embryotoxicity study of ginsenoside Rc and Re in in vitro rat whole embryo culture.

Background: Pregnant women commonly consume ginseng. However, there is little data concerning the effects of ginseng on early pregnancy.

Methods: Rat embryos were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of Rc and Re from day 9.

Prediction of successful vaginal delivery in women undergoing external cephalic version at term for breech presentation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and sonographic predictors of ultimate successful vaginal delivery in women undergoing external cephalic version.

Study Design: The study population consisted of women with external cephalic version performed at or after 36 weeks of gestation. They were randomized into group A or B, each consisted of half of the total study population.

Influence of the Women's Health Initiative trial on the practice of prophylactic oophorectomy and the prescription of estrogen therapy.

Physicians have become more conservative regarding prophylactic oophorectomy after publication of the Women's Health Initiative trial. They are less likely to prescribe estrogen therapy for women who have a high risk of coronary heart disease and more likely to use nonoral routes for estrogen therapy.

Cord blood acid-base status at delivery after successful external cephalic version.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate whether cord blood acidosis is more likely in infants born after successful external cephalic version.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 89 singleton deliveries with successful version performed over a 2-year period. Their cord blood acid-base parameters were compared to 89 pregnancies with spontaneous cephalic presentation (control group).

SARS transmission among hospital workers in Hong Kong.

Despite infection control measures, breakthrough transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred for many hospital workers in Hong Kong. We conducted a case-control study of 72 hospital workers with SARS and 144 matched controls. Inconsistent use of goggles, gowns, gloves, and caps was associated with a higher risk for SARS infection (unadjusted odds ratio 2.

Guillain-Barré syndrome in pregnancy.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) complicating pregnancy is a rare event. Reports before the mid-1980s suggested that GBS in pregnancy carries a high maternal morbidity and mortality. However, it is uncertain whether availability of active treatment such as plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin together with advancement in intensive care has improved maternal outcome.

Obstetric outcomes after cervical ripening by multiple doses of vaginal prostaglandin E2.

Aim: The study was designed to investigate the delivery outcome in women who required vaginal prostaglandin E2 for cervical priming prior to labor induction.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all singleton term deliveries that required labor induction over a 3-year period. Incidence and indications of obstetric interventions were compared among women who required different doses of vaginal prostaglandin E2 for cervical priming and who had induction by amniotomy and oxytocin infusion.

HBsAg carrier status and the association between gestational diabetes with increased serum ferritin concentration in Chinese women.

Objective: To determine whether the high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage in our population can explain the previous observation of an association between increased maternal serum ferritin concentration and gestational diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese women.

Research Design And Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 767 nonanemic women with singleton pregnancy who had iron status assessed at 28-30 weeks. The result of the routine antenatal HBsAg screening was retrieved from patient records.