Midwives' experiences of the factors that facilitate normal birth among low risk women in public hospitals in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Normal birth has major benefits for women and infants. Nevertheless, during the last few decades, the advancement in technology and an increasing domination of obstetrician-led childbirths have resulted in the medicalization of childbirth. Midwives are interested in amending this trend and aim to support women to achieve the best possible birth experience for them.

[FERTILITY PRESERVATION OF WOMEN: OOCYTE VITRIFICATION].

Cryopreservation ofhuman oocytes to delay fertility also be an option for women who are going to be subjected to a cancer/autoimmune treatment. It allows for creating a bank of oocytes for donation in assisted reproduction centers. The legislation allows the use of cryopreserved oocytes throughout the reproductive life of women with what conservation could last up to 48-50 years.

Genomic structure and alternative splicing of chicken angiopoietin-2.

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) prevents endothelial cell apoptosis and promotes blood vessel stability, while angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), a natural antagonist of Ang-1, disrupts blood vessel structure and induces apoptosis. We have sequenced the chicken angiopoietin-2 gene that spans about 46 kb of DNA and is split in 9 exons by 8 introns. Alternative splicing of the gene gives rise to three different species of Ang-2 mRNAs: Ang-2A, Ang-2B, and Ang-2C.

Usefulness of isometric exercise during dobutamine administration for stress echocardiography.

An isometric exercise was performed by 170 consecutive patients at peak dose dobutamine, before atropine administration. The test was well tolerated, heart rate increased significantly during exercise, and atropine administration was avoided in 29% of patients.