Analysis of Flexible Ureteroscopic Motion and Kinematic Efficiency: A Simulation-Based Pilot Study.

Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is the most common surgical procedure for treatment of urolithiasis. Various surgical disciplines and subspecialties have examined surgeon kinematics to improve assessment and generate measures of skill. Despite frequency of utilization, there is no undisputed method for evaluating fURS skills.

Response of neonatal platelets to nitric oxide in vitro.

Objectives: Several studies have demonstrated altered platelet function during nitric oxide inhalation (iNO) in adults and neonates. In vitro NO inhibits activation of fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa in a dose-dependent manner. In neonates GPIIb/IIIa response to stimulation is physiologically attenuated during the first days after birth in comparison to adults; the effects of NO on GPIIb/IIIa in neonates, however, are less established.

[Detection of premature rupture of fetal membranes by determining insulin-like-growth-factor-binding protein-1].

In a clinical trial we examined the suitability of commercially available membrane immune assay for providing evidence of amniotic fluid. 150 amniotic fluid samples won either by amniotomy or amniocentesis were examined in 10 runs; 50 women without any signs of ruptured membranes served as a control group. Evidence of insulin-like growth-factor binding protein with a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100% demonstrated that this test appears to give reliable proof of amniotic fluid.