Ultra-thin lithium aluminate spinel ferrite films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and low damping.

Ultra-thin films of low damping ferromagnetic insulators with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy have been identified as critical to advancing spin-based electronics by significantly reducing the threshold for current-induced magnetization switching while enabling new types of hybrid structures or devices. Here, we have developed a new class of ultra-thin spinel structure LiAlFeO (LAFO) films on MgGaO (MGO) substrates with: 1) perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; 2) low magnetic damping and 3) the absence of degraded or magnetic dead layers. These films have been integrated with epitaxial Pt spin source layers to demonstrate record low magnetization switching currents and high spin-orbit torque efficiencies.

Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of anal sphincter defect: clinical evaluation versus 3D-transperineal ultrasound.

Background: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are common and an important factor in the etiology of anal incontinence. The objective of this study was to evaluate, classify and compare the agreement of clinically diagnosed third-degree sphincter tears with 3D-transperineal ultrasound (3D-TPUS) realized within 3-7 days post-delivery.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study were 119 patients with third-degree obstetric anal sphincter tears were diagnosed and treated, 85 of those underwent a 3D-TPUS examination 3-7 days postpartum.

Blood group O: A novel risk factor for increased postpartum blood loss?

Introduction: Blood group O is known to be associated with lower levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and with increased bleeding complications. The influence of blood group O on postpartum blood loss was assessed by a few studies, however, without adjustment for important obstetric risk factors for postpartum blood loss.

Aim: Aim of this study was to investigate whether women with blood group O exhibit increased blood loss after delivery in consideration of established risk factors for postpartum bleeding.

Comparison of Current Swiss Fetal Biometry Reference Charts with Reference Charts from 1999. Are Fetuses Getting Bigger?

Purpose:  To create current fetal biometry reference ranges and to compare them with references published in 1999, from the same local area in order to generate data for secular trend in fetal size.

Materials And Methods:  Applying the same methodology as previously published, we calculated reference ranges for biparietal diameter (BPD), occipitofrontal diameter (OFD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) in 7863 patients examined at the obstetric clinics in a cross-sectional, prospective study in a university setting from January 2008 to December 2014. In order to compare the new reference ranges with our previously published data, we used Z-Scores and displayed the pick-up of fetal biometry data below the 5 and above the 95 percentile using the previously published reference charts.

Ultralow Damping in Nanometer-Thick Epitaxial Spinel Ferrite Thin Films.

Pure spin currents, unaccompanied by dissipative charge flow, are essential for realizing energy-efficient nanomagnetic information and communications devices. Thin-film magnetic insulators have been identified as promising materials for spin-current technology because they are thought to exhibit lower damping compared with their metallic counterparts. However, insulating behavior is not a sufficient requirement for low damping, as evidenced by the very limited options for low-damping insulators.

Prenatal Megacystis - Is Prediction of Outcome and Renal Function Possible?

Objective:  To assess prenatal prognostic criteria for fetuses with megacystis in order to counsel parents.

Methods:  In a retrospective observational study at a single tertiary referral center, we assessed the clinical course of 53 fetuses with megacystis cared for at the Department of Obstetrics of the University Hospital Zurich between 1995 and 2008 and followed them up for 2 to 12 years. We determined fetal karyotype, amniotic fluid volume and fetal urinary biochemistry as prenatal prognostic factors.

Prognostic Features and Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Isolated Fetal Ventriculomegaly.

Objective: In order to provide aid for prenatal counseling in fetal isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM) on ultrasound, we recorded the latest long-term clinical and imaging outcomes of children with a mean age of 7.2 years (range 2.1-14.

Pregnancy outcomes regarding maternal serum AFP value in second trimester screening.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of α-fetoprotein in maternal serum (MS-AFP) as a marker for diverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The study was based on pregnancy and delivery data from 5520 women between 1999 and 2014 at University Hospital of Zurich (UHZ).

Inclusion Criteria: both MS-AFP and pregnancy outcome were known for the same pregnancy.

Quality Requirements for the early Fetal Ultrasound Assessment at 11-13+6 Weeks of Gestation (DEGUM Levels II and III).

The early fetal ultrasound assessment at 11 - 13(+6) weeks of gestation remains the cornerstone of care despite the progress in diagnosing fetal chromosomal defects using cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) from the maternal circulation. The measurement of nuchal translucency (NT) allows the risk calculation for the fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 but also gives information on those fetal chromosomal defects which are at present unable to be detected using cffDNA. Nuchal translucency is the only auditable parameter at 11 - 13(+6) weeks and gives thus information on the quality of the first trimester anomaly scan.

Noninvasive prenatal testing: more caution in counseling is needed in high risk pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities.

Objective: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is increasingly being used in prenatal aneuploidy screening. The objective of this study was to assess the positive predictive value in our cohort of 68 cases with positive NIPT result. In addition, we wondered if the use of NIPT in cases with ultrasound abnormalities is appropriate, given the limited number of chromosomes investigated.

Outcome after prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract.

Unlabelled: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract are common findings on fetal ultrasound. The aim of this prospective observational study was to describe outcome and risk factors in 115 patients born 1995-2001. All prenatally diagnosed children were stratified into low- and high-risk group and followed postnatally clinically and by imaging at defined endpoints.

In utero and postnatal imaging findings of parasitic conjoined twins (ischiopagus parasiticus tetrapus).

Conjoined twins are a rare developmental anomaly with a reported prevalence of 1.47 per 100,000 births. We present an uncommon case of a parasitic ischiopagus tetrapus with a parasitic ischiopagus partial twin joined to the complete fetus at the level of the ischium diagnosed in utero by fetal MRI.

High-resolution chromosomal microarrays in prenatal diagnosis significantly increase diagnostic power.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine for the first time the reliability and the diagnostic power of high-resolution microarray testing in routine prenatal diagnostics.

Methods: We applied high-resolution chromosomal microarray testing in 464 cytogenetically normal prenatal samples with any indication for invasive testing.

Results: High-resolution testing revealed a diagnostic yield of 6.

Restoration of pinch in intrinsic muscles of the hand.

The primary intrinsic muscles responsible for key and tip pinch are the adductor pollicis, first dorsal interosseous and flexor pollicis brevis muscles. Numerous conditions can lead to their dysfunction. Non-operative treatment consists of exercises of the compensating extensor pollicis longus and flexor pollicis longus muscles and use of adaptive devices, such as larger grips.

Perinatal care at the limit of viability between 22 and 26 completed weeks of gestation in Switzerland. 2011 revision of the Swiss recommendations.

Perinatal care of pregnant women at high risk for preterm delivery and of preterm infants born at the limit of viability (22-26 completed weeks of gestation) requires a multidisciplinary approach by an experienced perinatal team. Limited precision in the determination of both gestational age and foetal weight, as well as biological variability may significantly affect the course of action chosen in individual cases. The decisions that must be taken with the pregnant women and on behalf of the preterm infant in this context are complex and have far-reaching consequences.

Continuous independent quality control for fetal nuchal translucency measurements provided by the cumulative summation technique.

Purpose: The cumulative summation technique (CUSUM) is an innovative method for the quality control of nuchal translucency (NT) measurements. CUSUM allows immediate corrective intervention as soon as an unacceptable tendency is noted. The aim of this study was to implement an objective and dynamic quality control method based on the CUSUM technique for prompt analysis of fetal NT measurement which would be compatible with different standards in routine clinical practice.

[Does a combination of foetal biometry and maternal MRI pelvimetry decrease the frequency of secondary caesarean section?].

Objective: Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is a frequent indication for secondary Caesarean section. The delivery simulation software Anapelvis was developed to predict a CPD on the basis of foetal ultrasound biometry and maternal pelvimetry data. The objective of this retrospective study was to analyse the predictive value of Anapelvis software in consideration of antenatal foetal biometry quality.

Risks of pregnancy and birth in obese primiparous women: an analysis of German perinatal statistics.

Purpose: To compare risks of pregnancy and birth in obese (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30) and normal weight women (BMI 18.5-24.99) giving birth to their first child.

Continuous independent quality control for fetal ultrasound biometry provided by the cumulative summation technique.

Objective: To apply the cumulative summation (CUSUM) technique for an evaluation of the learning process of sonographic fetal weight estimation at term in combination with the z-scores of biometry determinants and to assess the time of appearance and sources of errors.

Methods: Learning curve (LC-CUSUM) and double CUSUM charts for systematic error detection based on absolute and signed mean percentage error were generated to retrospectively estimate the longitudinal accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation conducted by three trainees and one experienced examiner. For LC-CUSUM analysis an examination was considered to be a failure when there was an absolute error in birth weight estimation >/= 15%.

Vitamin D receptor genotype BB is associated with higher serum osteocalcin in first pregnancy.

Aim: Serum osteocalcin was shown in a previous study on first trimester pregnant women to correlate with bone density and to distinguish between fast and slow bone losers. The objective of the present study is to examine whether serum osteocalcin is related to vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI polymorphism in pregnant women.

Study Design: We determined osteocalcin serum levels and VDR BsmI genotype in 97 healthy first trimester pregnant women consecutively recruited during six months.