A comparison of enriched culture and Xpert polymerase chain reaction assay of Group B streptococcus carrier status at 35-37-week gestation to labor onset: a prospective controlled study.

Objectives: (1) To compare the accuracy of vagino-rectal enriched culture (EC) and a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of Group B streptococcus (GBS) carrier status at 35-37-week gestation and at onset of labor. (2) To assess the conversion rate of GBS carrier status between 35-37 weeks to the onset of labor according to the EC/PCR tests. A prospective study was performed at a women's health clinic, referred to give birth at one medical center.

Precision and accuracy of noninvasive hemoglobin measurements during pregnancy.

Introduction: The NBM-200 is a novel device allowing noninvasive hemoglobin measurement. The system is based on occlusion spectroscopy technology in the red/near-infrared range. At the core of this technology is the production of a new bio-physical signal, resulting from temporarily occluding the blood flow in the measurement site.

The effect of menstrual cycle on platelet aggregation in reproductive-age women.

Our aim was to assess the change in platelet activity along the menstrual cycle. We conducted a prospective observational study. The study group included 16 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles, which were compared to a control group of 14 healthy males.

Platelet reactivity in patients with a history of obstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis.

One of the most serious complications of mechanical valves is obstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis (OPVT or "stuck valve"). Some patients develop OPVT despite an international normalized ratio (INR) in the therapeutic recommended range. We hypothesized that patients who develop OPVT have hyper-reactive platelets.