Assessing uterine electrophysiology prior to elective term induction of labor.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if uterine electrophysiological signals gathered from 151 non-invasive biomagnetic sensors spread over the abdomen were associated with successful induction of labor (IOL).

Study Design: Uterine magnetomyogram (MMG) signals were collected using the SARA (SQUID Array for Reproductive Assessment) device from 33 subjects between 37 and 42 weeks gestational age. The signals were post-processed, uterine contractile related MMG bursts were detected, and parameters in the time and frequency domain were extracted.

Accuracy and Completion Rate of the Fetal Anatomic Survey in the Super Obese Parturient.

Objective: To determine the completion rate of ultrasound in with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 to women with BMI 18.5 to 29.9.

What is the Impact of Abnormal Amniotic Fluid Volumes on Perinatal Outcomes in Normal Compared with At-Risk Pregnancies?

Objective: Assessing amniotic fluid volume is an integral part of obstetric practice. Data are sparse on at-risk pregnancy and amniotic fluid volumes. The aim of our study was to determine if there is a difference in perinatal outcomes based on complications of pregnancy and amniotic fluid volumes.

Bladder Stone in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Bladder stones are rare in pregnancy, and can be associated with adverse outcomes such as recurrent urinary tract infection and obstruction of labor. Management of bladder stones discovered in pregnancy has traditionally been done via open techniques such as cystolithotomy or with percutaneous removal. Our objective was to present a case of bladder stone in pregnancy and review prior reports on bladder stones and management in pregnancy.

The Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Pregnancy: A Review of the Literature.

Importance: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use in pregnancy has been steadily increasing and has been hyped as being a safe alternative to cigarette smoking during pregnancy. This review discloses what is currently known about e-cigarette use in pregnancy and the effects of its use on pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: To determine what is currently known about the prevalence of e-cigarette use in pregnancy and the effects of e-cigarette use on pregnancy and perinatal/neonatal outcomes.

To look or not to look during vaccination: A pilot randomized trial.

Background: Clinicians commonly advise patients to look away from the needle during vaccinations; however, this recommendation is not evidence based.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether looking at the needle versus looking away affects pain and fear during vaccinations in adults.

Methods: This was a pilot randomized two-group parallel trial with university students receiving influenza vaccinations.

Addition of Color Doppler Sonography for Detection of Amniotic Fluid Disturbances and Its Implications on Perinatal Outcomes.

Objectives: To determine whether color Doppler sonography increases the detection of pregnancies at risk for adverse outcomes.

Methods: Participants admitted to labor and delivery with the anticipation of a vaginal delivery underwent measurements of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) using amniotic fluid index (AFI) and single deepest pocket (SDP) techniques by grayscale followed by color Doppler sonography. Oligohydramnios was defined as an AFI of less than 5 cm or an SDP of less than 2 cm.

Academic dishonesty and unprofessional behavior.

Purpose: To investigate differences in radiologic science student and faculty perceptions of academic dishonesty and unprofessional behavior.

Methods: Radiologic science faculty and students were questioned about their perceptions of academic dishonesty and unprofessional behavior using ethical scenarios in an electronic survey format.

Results: Significant differences occurred between faculty and student values regarding the seriousness of cheating and unprofessional behaviors.

Dipeptidyl peptidase I-dependent neutrophil recruitment modulates the inflammatory response to Sendai virus infection.

The role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of asthma is unclear. Although increased presence of neutrophils is associated with persistent asthma and asthma exacerbations, how neutrophils participate in the pathogenesis of asthma remains controversial. In this study, we show that the absence of dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI), a lysosomal cysteine protease found in neutrophils, dampens the acute inflammatory response and the subsequent mucous cell metaplasia that accompanies the asthma phenotype induced by Sendai virus infection.

Critical role of dipeptidyl peptidase I in neutrophil recruitment during the development of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI) is a lysosomal cysteine protease critical for the activation of granule-associated serine proteases, including neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, and proteinase 3. DPPI and granule-associated serine proteases have been shown to play a key role in regulating neutrophil recruitment at sites of inflammation. It has recently been suggested that neutrophils and neutrophil-associated proteases may also be important in the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), a common vascular disease associated with chronic inflammation and destructive remodeling of aortic wall connective tissue.

Serine protease cathepsin G regulates adhesion-dependent neutrophil effector functions by modulating integrin clustering.

The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-derived serine proteases play a key role in immune complex (IC)-mediated inflammation. However, the mechanisms by which these proteases regulate inflammatory response remain largely undefined. Here, we show that IC-activated cathepsin G- and neutrophil elastase-deficient (CG/NE) PMNs adhered normally to IC-coated surfaces but did not undergo CD11b clustering and failed to initiate cytoskeletal reorganization and cell spreading.