Measurement of aortic augmentation index in pregnant women with raised blood pressure and subsequent outcomes: a preliminary prospective cohort study.

Objective: Preeclampsia is associated with arterial dysfunction and augmentation index (AIX%) is an established indicator of arterial dysfunction. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of AIX% with time-to-delivery and other outcomes in women admitted to an antenatal triage unit.

Methods: We recruited 28 women with singleton pregnancies attending antenatal triage ward for assessment of hypertension.

Culture of airway epithelial cells from neonates sampled within 48-hours of birth.

Introduction: Little is known about how neonatal airway epithelial cell phenotype impacts on respiratory disease in later life. This study aimed to establish a methodology to culture and characterise neonatal nasal epithelial cells sampled from healthy, non-sedated infants within 48 hours of delivery.

Methods: Nasal epithelial cells were sampled by brushing both nostrils with an interdental brush, grown to confluence and sub-cultured.