Doppler, cardiotocography, and biophysical profile changes in growth-restricted fetuses.

Objective: To assess from diagnosis to delivery the Doppler studies of the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, umbilical vein, ductus venosus, and amniotic fluid index of fetuses with idiopathic growth restriction.

Methods: A total of 145 singleton growth-restricted fetuses with abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility indexes were studied. Cesarean delivery was performed because of abnormal biophysical profile or nonreassuring fetal heart rate pattern.

Correlation between middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity and fetal hemoglobin after 2 previous intrauterine transfusions.

Objective: The middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) has been successfully used for timing the first 2 transfusions in fetuses at risk for anemia because of maternal red cell alloimmunization. The objective of this study was to assess whether the correlation between the MCA-PSV and fetal hemoglobin is maintained in fetuses that had undergone 2 previous intrauterine transfusions.

Study Design: Doppler measurement of MCA-PSV was performed before cordocentesis in 39 fetuses.

Fertility in the mare after repeated transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspirations.

Ovum pick-up (OPU) by transvaginal ultrasound guided aspiration (TUGA) is a procedure applied in equine-assisted reproduction programs such as oocyte transfer and in vitro embryo production. Despite a large number of studies reporting that it is a repeatable and safe technique, little information is available about the effect of repeated punctures on fertility of mares. Moreover, even if flushing follicles improves the oocyte recovery rate, to our knowledge the efficiency of flushing estrous and diestrous follicles has not been evaluated.

Dental death rate prevalence in smokers and non smokers adults with periodontal disease.

The current study target was to evaluate the dental loss pattern in an adult population with periodontal disease who was treated at the Periodontal Chair, Dentistry Faculty, National University of Rosario, Argentina. The sample was of 203 patients, 130 women and 73 men; 75 of them were blond cigarette smokers and 128 of them were not in that habit. Inclusion criteria as follows: good systemic condition given by the absence of illnesses that may be risky for the development of a periodontal disease, and the presence of at least one teeth with insertion loss of 2 mm.

Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity: is it the standard of care for the diagnosis of fetal anemia?

Objective: The aim of this work was to review the use of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA PSV) for the diagnosis of fetal anemia.

Methods: With the use of a computerized database (MEDLINE), articles on the diagnosis of fetal anemia with ultrasonography were reviewed. Other pertinent references were obtained from the references cited in these articles.

Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity: technique and variability.

Objective: Assessment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) can accurately diagnose fetal anemia and has decreased the number of invasive procedures, such as amniocentesis and cordocentesis. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver variability as a measure of reproducibility of MCA PSV. The technique of correctly sampling this vessel is described.

Expression and subcellular localization of the mu-opioid receptor in equine spermatozoa: evidence for its functional role.

The development of fertilizing ability in sperm cells is associated with changes in the plasma membrane. However, to date the exact nature of sequentially activated primary receptors and channels and the signal transduction pathways derived from these remains elusive. We analyzed the expression and localization of the mu-opioid receptor in equine spermatozoa.

Reduction of twin pregnancy in the mare by transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration.

Diagnosis and management of twin pregnancies in the mare are an ongoing challenge in equine reproduction. Early detection of twin and manual crush of one vesicle are the main steps in the management of twins. Few studies were carried out about the use of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUGA) for reduction of twins in the mare.

Diagnosis and management of intrauterine growth restriction.

The growth-restricted fetus is a fetus who fails to reach his growth potential and is at risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality. When a fetus has an estimated weight below the 10th percentile, in the absence of congenital anomalies and in the presence of a normal amount of amniotic fluid, Doppler velocimetry gives the most important information to differentiate the truly growth-restricted fetus from the fetus that is constitutionally small but otherwise normal. One area of debate and research is whether Doppler velocimetry can help in timing the delivery of the growth-restricted fetus.

Removal of viruscide agents by using styrenic resins.

Strong and weak anionic polystyrene/divinylbenzene ion exchange resins were investigated both as iodophores and as iodine/iodide ion removal agents in blood disinfection applications. Resin-iodine complexes were prepared, but there was no significant iodine release observed in either distilled water or isotonic saline solution. However, all ion-exchange resin were able to remove almost quantitatively both iodine and iodide ions from water solutions.

Fetal Doppler velocimetry.

The introduction of new techniques for evaluating fetal status, particularly fetuses at theoretical risk for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, requires the most rigorous evaluation before widespread clinical deployment. The considerations extend beyond clinical value to the significant medicolegal implications of a failure to predict or ascertain compromise. The attitudes to clinical Doppler velocimetry have been shaped to a large extent by these practical concerns and the initial skepticism, which is a necessary component of scientific rigor.

Fetal anemia: new technologies.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to summarize recently published studies on noninvasive diagnosis of fetal anemia in order to give recommendations for the use of these new tools.

Recent Findings: Red cell alloimmunization remains one of the most common causes of fetal anemia. Amniocentesis and cordocentesis have been used for many years to diagnose fetal anemia due to red cell aloimmunization.

Outcome of patients with cancer of the esophagogastric junction in relation to histology and surgical strategy.

Background/aims: The impact of histologic type and surgical strategy on survival of patients with cancer of the esophagogastric junction is debated. Thus, we evaluated the relationship between cancer histologic type (adenocarcinoma vs. squamous cell carcinoma) on long-term survival and the results of two different surgical techniques on outcome.

Doppler blood flow in obstetrics.

Purpose Of Review: Our review on Doppler ultrasound in obstetrics aims to identify which vessels have a definite clinical role in obstetrics.

Recent Findings: The use of Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of the intrauterine growth-restricted fetus improves the perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, the timing of delivery of the intrauterine growth-restricted fetus, based on Doppler ultrasonography, remains the subject of investigation.

Noninvasive diagnosis by Doppler ultrasonography of fetal anemia resulting from parvovirus infection.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity for the detection of fetal anemia in pregnancies that are complicated by parvovirus B19 infection.

Study Design: Doppler measurements of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity were performed weekly in 32 fetuses at risk for anemia because of maternal parvovirus infection documented by the presence of serum immunoglobulin M antibody. The values of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity and hemoglobin were expressed as multiples of the median.

Longitudinal assessment of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in healthy fetuses and in fetuses at risk for anemia.

Objective: Our purpose was to assess the feasibility of longitudinal assessment of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) to predict fetuses who will have severe anemia.

Study Design: Doppler measurement of MCA-PSV was serially performed in 15 healthy fetuses (99 measurements; range: 4-9 per fetus), 8 fetuses who were mildly anemic (41 measurements; range: 3-10 per fetus), and 11 who were severely anemic (50 measurements; range: 2-7 per fetus) at their first cordocenteses. Linear models were fitted to the data from individual fetuses and the slopes were determined.

Renal artery Doppler investigation of the etiology of oligohydramnios in postterm pregnancy.

Objective: To investigate the etiology of oligohydramnios in postterm pregnancy using Doppler velocimetry.

Methods: Renal and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry were performed in women with singleton postterm (287 days' or more gestation) pregnancies. The renal and umbilical artery Doppler resistance index (RI) and end-diastolic velocity were measured.

A case of partial mole and atypical type I triploidy associated with severe HELLP syndrome at 18 weeks' gestation.

Partial mole is a rare complication of pregnancy and 90% of cases are associated with triploidy. HELLP syndrome is also a rare and life-threatening condition that occurs after 20 weeks' gestation. We report a case presenting with a combination of severe HELLP syndrome, partial mole, triploidy type I and fetal growth restriction at 18 weeks' gestation.

Splenic artery Doppler in the prediction of the small-for-gestational age infant.

Objectives: We hypothesized that, as with other areas of the peripheral circulation, fetal splenic artery blood flow undergoes changes in small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses due to a redistribution of cardiac output, and that the Doppler peak systolic velocity (PSV) reflects such changes and thus may be used to predict fetuses being SGA.

Methods: Splenic artery Doppler PSV, end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and umbilical artery RI were measured prospectively in fetuses at risk for being SGA at birth. Normal reference data were generated from appropriately grown fetuses delivering at > or = 37 weeks without complications, and SGA was defined as birth weight < 10th percentile.

Misoprostol versus low-dose oxytocin for cervical ripening: a prospective, randomized, double-masked trial.

Objective: A variety of cervical ripening agents exist, yet none is ideal. We performed a prospective, randomized, double-masked comparison of low-dose minimal-escalation oxytocin to misoprostol in a predominantly high-risk population.

Study Design: Patients were allocated prospectively in a double-masked, randomized, stratified basis by an investigational pharmacist between December 1996 and December 2000 to receive either active intravenous oxytocin and placebo intravaginal misoprostol or intravenous placebo oxytocin and 50 microg of active intravaginal misoprostol.

Longitudinal measurement of peak systolic velocity in the fetal middle cerebral artery for monitoring pregnancies complicated by red cell alloimmunisation: a prospective multicentre trial with intention-to-treat.

Objective: To evaluate the utilisation measurements of peak systolic velocities in the middle cerebral artery combined with B-mode ultrasound imaging to predict anaemia in an unselected population of pregnancies complicated by alloimmune antibodies known to cause immunological hydrops.

Design: Prospective study on an intention-to-treat basis.

Setting: Multicentre study in five large tertiary referral centres.