Gingival fluid cytokine expression and subgingival bacterial counts during pregnancy and postpartum: a case series.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess gingival fluid (GCF) cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, subgingival bacteria, and clinical periodontal conditions during a normal pregnancy to postpartum.

Materials And Methods: Subgingival bacterial samples were analyzed with the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method. GCF samples were assessed with real-time PCR including five proinflammatory cytokines and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor.

Does pregnancy have an impact on the subgingival microbiota?

Background: We investigated clinical and subgingival microbiologic changes during pregnancy in 20 consecutive pregnant women > or =18 years not receiving dental care.

Methods: Bacterial samples from weeks 12, 28, and 36 of pregnancy and at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum were processed for 37 species by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Clinical periodontal data were collected at week 12 and at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum, and bleeding on probing (BOP) was recorded at sites sampled at the four time points.

Age-related performance of human papillomavirus testing used as an adjunct to cytology for cervical carcinoma screening in a population with a low incidence of cervical carcinoma.

Background: High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing has been proposed as a replacement for cytology or as an adjunct to cytology for primary cervical carcinoma screening. The objective of this study was to assess the age-specific prevalence of HR-HPV infection and the correlation between HR-HPV status and cytologic diagnosis.

Methods: The authors enrolled 7254 women receiving routine cytologic screening in a cross-sectional study that was conducted during 12 months.

MR imaging pelvimetry: a useful adjunct in the treatment of women at risk for dystocia?

Objective: The objective of this study was to test the clinical value of MR imaging for diagnosing cephalopelvic disproportion and for predicting labor outcome in women at risk for dystocia.

Subjects And Methods: Antepartum fetal sonography and maternal MR imaging pelvimetry measurements were performed at term in 38 pregnant women at risk for dystocia with a single fetus in cephalic presentation. Various methods used to diagnose cephalopelvic disproportion were evaluated in a blinded manner for their accuracy to predict both the presence of cephalopelvic disproportion and the mode of delivery (vaginal vs cesarean).