Investigating group-based classes ('weaning workshops') to support complementary infant feeding in Irish primary care settings: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: This study aims to (1) investigate current practice regarding 'weaning workshops' to support complementary infant feeding delivered within Irish primary care, (2) explore the experiences and opinions of community dietitians regarding optimal content and modes of delivery of weaning workshops and (3) identify the key factors to be considered in the development and implementation of weaning workshops delivered within primary care.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Irish primary care.

Multidisciplinary Surgical Approach to Increase Complete Cytoreduction Rates for Advanced Ovarian Cancer in a Tertiary Gynecologic Oncology Center.

Background: Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of ovarian cancer management. In 2017, the authors implemented a multi-disciplinary surgical team comprising gynecologic oncologists as well as colorectal, hepatobiliary, and upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons to increase gross macroscopic resection rates. This report aims to describe changes in complete cytoreduction rates and morbidity after the implementation of a multi-disciplinary surgical team comprising gynecologic oncologists as well as colorectal, hepatobiliary, and upper GI surgeons in a tertiary gynecologic oncology unit.

Anti-Müllerian hormone and progesterone levels in human follicular fluid are predictors of embryonic development.

Background: Human follicular fluid is an intricate biological fluid contributing to the developing oocyte microenvironment. Accumulating evidence suggests that sex hormones present in follicular fluid (FF) may play an important role in regulating oocyte developmental potential. The aim of this study was to determine if anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone (P4) levels in FF are correlated with oocyte quality as defined by subsequent embryonic development.

"So what happens next?" exploring the psychological and emotional impact of anti-Mullerian hormone testing.

: Significant medical benefits could be derived from universal AMH screening for women in their mid to late twenties. We aimed to investigate the psychological and emotional responses of women to being informed of their anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) result with a view to informing the possible introduction of universal AMH screening.: This was a prospective qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews of women attending a reproductive medicine clinic who had ovarian reserve testing performed via measurement of serum AMH levels, as part of their gynecological investigations.

Influence of body mass index on the relationship between endometrial thickness and pregnancy outcome in single blastocyst frozen embryo transfer cycles.

To date there is limited published data assessing whether body mass index (BMI) influences endometrial thickness (ET) and whether this impacts on pregnancy outcomes in single blastocyst FET cycles. The objective of this study, therefore, was to examine the relationship between BMI and ET on the outcome of single blastocyst FET cycles over a five-year period from 2012 until 2016. Patient age, BMI, endometrial pattern and ET prior to FET were recorded.

Expression of granulosa cell microRNAs, AVEN and ATRX are associated with human blastocyst development.

A greater understanding of the key molecules associated with embryo development during human-assisted reproduction is imperative for the development of advanced diagnostics. Previous studies have shown that follicular microRNAs (miRNAs) are reliable markers of the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Leveraging the utility of miRNAs in PCOS, the aim of this study was to identify miRNAs in human granulosa cells that may be indicative of blastocyst development.

Reproductive ageing-turning back the clock?

Background: Unintended childlessness is a distressing, and often unintended, consequence of delayed childbearing and reproductive ageing. The average maternal age at first birth has risen steadily in many industrialised countries since the 1980s. There are many societal factors involved in the decision to postpone motherhood.

What women want? A scoping survey on women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards ovarian reserve testing and egg freezing.

Objective: We aimed to investigate women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards ovarian reserve testing and egg freezing for non-medical reasons in the general population.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional survey study of 663 women aged 18-44 years which assessed female perception of ovarian reserve testing and oocyte cryopreservation. An online forum was used to deliver the survey through the use of two social media sites.

Fetal scalp stimulation (FSS) versus fetal blood sampling (FBS) for women with abnormal fetal heart rate monitoring in labor: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of fetal scalp stimulation (FSS) compared to fetal blood sampling (FBS) as a second line test of fetal wellbeing in labor.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study was conducted including 298 fetal blood sampling procedures performed due to abnormal fetal cardiotocography (CTG). Two independent observers interpreted the CTG following stimulation.

Review of clinical indicators, including serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels, for identification of women who should consider egg freezing.

Objective: To identify women, on the basis of clinical history and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, who are at risk of premature ovarian insufficiency and thereby guide appropriate early referral for egg freezing.

Methods: In a retrospective study, data were reviewed from women attending two fertility clinics in Dublin, Ireland, between August 2011 and December 2012. Case histories of women aged 35 years or younger were assessed to identify risk factors for reduced ovarian reserve, including endometriosis, ovarian surgery, and family history of premature ovarian failure (POF).

A retrospective study of the effect of increasing age on success rates of assisted reproductive technology.

Objective: To demonstrate the effect of increasing age on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology, particularly among women aged 40 years or older.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using prospectively collected data for all in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles among women aged 30-35 years or 40-44 years conducted at Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. The relationship between age and treatment outcome was assessed.

Maternal Age and Contractility of Human Myometrium in Pregnancy.

There is controversy as to whether maternal age exerts an influence on the contractility of human myometrium in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine a series of functional contractile parameters of human myometrium in vitro, over a broad range of maternal ages. Myometrial tissue specimens were obtained at cesarean delivery from 32 women with maternal ages ranging from 28 to 52 years.

Human uterine lower segment myometrial cell and nuclear volume at term: influence of maternal age.

Little is known about the cytoarchitecture of human myometrial cells in pregnancy, and whether or not this may be influenced by maternal characteristics such as age, parity and body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was primarily to evaluate human myometrial smooth muscle cell (SMC) and nuclear volume in the third trimester of human pregnancy, and secondarily to investigate if these parameters are altered in relation to the maternal characteristics outlined above. Myometrial biopsies were obtained from 30 women undergoing elective caesarean delivery at term.

The influence of smooth muscle content and orientation in dissected human pregnant myometrial strips on contractility measurements.

This study examined the hypothesis that the force generated by myometrial strips from pregnant women is influenced by the smooth muscle content and fibre orientation of the strips and that correcting for these structural variables will provide a more accurate measure of contractility. Myometrial strips (n=72) were contracted by exposure to KCl, oxytocin, U44619 and phenylephrine and maximum responses were recorded. Morphological techniques were used to determine the cross-sectional area of the strips, the area occupied by smooth muscle and the area occupied by smooth muscle longitudinal in the strip.

Stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy: influence of maternal body mass index and age.

Objective: Knowledge of the stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy is limited. Uterine contractile performance may be altered in association with maternal obesity and advanced maternal age. The aim of this study was to investigate the stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy, and to evaluate a potential influence of maternal body mass index (BMI) and age.

The effects of extracellular calcium-sensing receptor ligands on the contractility of pregnant human myometrium in vitro.

Ligands for extracellular calcium-sensing (CaS) receptors inhibit oxytocin-induced contractions of the rat's uterus. In this study, we investigated whether the CaS receptor ligands calindol, cinacalcet, and calhex 231 have similar effects on pregnant human myometrium. We compared their effects to those of the calcium-channel blocker nifedipine.

The reliability of foetal blood sampling as a test of foetal acidosis in labour.

Objectives: To establish whether foetal blood sampling for pH is a reliable test of foetal acidosis in labour by comparing paired foetal blood samples taken at a single procedure.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective study assessing 293 consecutive attempts at foetal blood sampling in labour over a four month period from February to May 2012. A total of 100 paired samples were suitable for analysis.

Strategies to enhance assessment of the fetal head position before instrumental delivery: a survey of obstetric practice in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Objective: To establish the current practice of obstetricians with regard to assessment of women in labour before instrumental delivery.

Study Design: A national postal survey of obstetricians in consultant-led obstetric units in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Clinical assessment before instrumental delivery, factors associated with difficulty in determining the fetal head position, approaches used to enhance determination of the fetal head position, perceived accuracy rates in assessment of the fetal head position and willingness to participate in a clinical trial of ultrasound assessment of the fetal head position before instrumental delivery were explored.

Dyspnoea at term in an obese mother.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a serious, potentially life-threatening heart disease of uncertain aetiology in previously healthy women. We report a morbidly obese woman who presented with peripartum shortness of breath. We discuss the differential diagnosis of dyspnoea in pregnancy and highlight the complexity of care of the morbidly obese woman.

17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate vehicle, castor oil, enhances the contractile effect of oxytocin in human myometrium in pregnancy.

Objective: The possibility exists that the vehicle for 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, castor oil, exerts an effect on human uterine contractility. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on contractility of myometrial preparations that were obtained during pregnancy.

Study Design: Myometrial strips were suspended under isometric conditions.

Challenging behaviour and learning disabilities: the relationship between expressed emotion and staff attributions.

Objectives: Expressed emotion (EE) and attributions towards challenging behaviour (CB) were explored amongst a group of staff working within a residential and day service placement for people with learning disabilities.

Design: Using a cross-sectional related-samples design, EE and attributions were measured amongst all staff working with one client with CB, and one client without CB.

Methods: Fifteen staff members completed the attributional questionnaire and the 5-minute speech sample (FMSS) to allow for EE ratings concerning staff relationships with two clients.