Prospective detection of cervical dysplasia with scanning angle-resolved low coherence interferometry.

We present a prospective clinical study using angle-resolved low-coherence interferometry (a/LCI) to detect cervical dysplasia via depth resolved nuclear morphology measurements. The study, performed at the Jacobi Medical Center, compares 80 a/LCI optical biopsies taken from 20 women with histopathological tissue diagnosis of co-registered physical biopsies. A novel instrument was used for this study that enables 2D scanning across the cervix without repositioning the probe.

Increased Likelihood of Pregnancy Using an App-Connected Ovulation Test System: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Women trying to conceive are increasingly using fertility-tracking software applications to time intercourse. This study evaluated the difference in conception rates between women trying to conceive using an application-connected ovulation test system, which measures urinary luteinizing hormone and an estrogen metabolite, versus those trying without using ovulation testing. This home-based study involved 844 volunteers aged 18-40 years seeking to conceive.

Can apps and calendar methods predict ovulation with accuracy?

Objective: The accuracy of prediction of ovulation by cycle apps and published calendar methods was determined by comparing to true probability of ovulation.

Methods: A total of 949 volunteers collected urine samples for one entire menstrual cycle. Luteinizing hormone was measured to assign surge day, enabling probability of ovulation to be determined across different cycle lengths.

Significance of pregnancy test false negative results due to elevated levels of β-core fragment hCG.

Very high levels of β-core fragment human chorionic gonadotrophin (βcf-hCG) are reported to potentially cause false negative results in point-of-care (POC)/over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy tests. To investigate this further, women's daily early morning urine samples, collected prior to conception and during pregnancy, were analysed for intact, free β-, and βcf-hCG. The proportion of βcf-hCG was found to be related to that of hCG produced and in circulation.

Analysis of urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in normal and failing pregnancies using longitudinal, Cox proportional hazards and two-stage modelling.

Background Human chorionic gonadotrophin is a marker of early pregnancy. This study sought to determine the possibility of being able to distinguish between healthy and failing pregnancies by utilizing patient-associated risk factors and daily urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations. Methods Data were from a study that collected daily early morning urine samples from women trying to conceive (n = 1505); 250 of whom became pregnant.

Human chorionic gonadotropin as a measure of pregnancy duration.

Objective: To compare gestational age (GA) estimates in early pregnancy, determined by last menstrual period (LMP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentration, ultrasound crown-rump length (Hadlock formula), and ovulation day (luteinizing hormone surge plus 1day).

Methods: Female volunteers seeking to conceive (at 5 US sites) collected daily early-morning urine for up to 3 menstrual cycles. Pregnant women underwent ultrasound dating scans.

Accuracy of a home-based device for giving an early estimate of pregnancy duration compared with reference methods.

Objective: To assess a home pregnancy test's accuracy to concurrently detect pregnancy and determine pregnancy duration.

Design: Multicenter, prospective study.

Setting: Study sites in the United States.

Accuracy of perception of ovulation day in women trying to conceive.

Background: The likelihood of conception is increased if intercourse is timed to coincide with the fertile period (5 days up to ovulation). However, to be effective, this requires good awareness of the day of ovulation. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of women's perceived ovulation day, compared with actual fertile days, in a cohort of women trying to conceive.

Comparison of a digital ovulation test with three popular line ovulation tests to investigate user accuracy and certainty.

Objectives: To determine the accuracy and certainty with which volunteers interpreted results of a digital ovulation test, Clearblue digital ovulation test (CB-DOT), compared with three home use non-digital visual ovulation tests: Clearblue ovulation test (CB-OT), First Response (FR) and Answer (AN).

Methods: A total of 72 female volunteers aged 18 - 45 years interpreted test results from each of the four ovulation tests to determine the day of the luteinising hormone surge in 40 individual menstrual cycles. We used urine previously collected from 25 volunteers.

Home pregnancy test compared to standard-of-care ultrasound dating in the assessment of pregnancy duration.

Objective: To determine the level of agreement between the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Conception Indicator home pregnancy test and standard-of-care ultrasound in assessing pregnancy duration in a real-life, observational setting encompassing routine, clinical care.

Research Design And Methods: This was a prospective observational study of non-pregnant women seeking conception. Women collected daily urine samples from day 1 of their next menstrual cycle.

Association of serum prolactin and oxytocin with milk production in mothers of preterm and term infants.

The present study was designed to compare milk production and hormone responses (prolactin [PRL], oxytocin [OT]) and to determine associations of hormone levels with milk production in mothers of preterm (PT) and term (TM) infants during the first 6 weeks postpartum. Mothers of PT infants (n = 95) were all pump dependent; mothers of TM infants (n = 98) were all feeding their infant at breast. Mothers of nonnursing PT infants produced less milk over time compared to mothers of TM infants.

A randomized study of low-dose conjugated estrogens on sexual function and quality of life in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of combined vaginal and oral low-dose estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT) on the frequency and severity of dyspareunia, sexual function, and quality of life in recently postmenopausal women.

Methods: This outpatient, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 285 healthy, sexually active postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 years. Women received either one daily oral low-dose conjugated estrogens (0.

Prolactin levels in Western Lowland gorillas.

Hyperprolactinemia is known to cause menstrual irregularity and infertility in humans. However, little is known about the role of prolactin in menstruation and fertility in Western Lowland gorillas. To create a database of prolactin values in gorillas, we have performed immunoassays on serum specimens dating back to 1983 from nine female gorillas at the Brookfield Zoo.

Comparison of milk output between breasts in pump-dependent mothers.

This article reports the naturally occurring pattern of milk output beginning day 6 through day 42 postpartum from each individual breast in 95 pump-dependent mothers of a non-nursing preterm infant. Of the 3488 study days, milk output was greater from the left breast on 51.6% (n = 1800) of the study days, from the right breast 45.

Predictors of preterm infant feeding methods and perceived insufficient milk supply at week 12 postpartum.

As part of a large, nonexperimental, prospective, longitudinal study, 94 pump-dependent mothers of a nonnursing preterm infant were queried via telephone at weeks 8 to 12 post-partum about their infant feeding method. At week 12, 44.6% provided own mother's milk, 26.

Using cervical mucus and other easily observed biomarkers to identify ovulation in prospective pregnancy trials.

To help fulfil the objectives of prospective studies of pregnancy and human development, such as the National Children's Study, there is a need to pinpoint ovulation and conception in a cohort of women. This paper discusses the suitability of using natural and easily observed markers of ovulation for detection of the most likely day of ovulation and conception. Of the biomarkers supported by clinical data, the use of cervical mucus is emphasised as it appears most promising.

Mood states and milk output in lactating mothers of preterm and term infants.

The purpose of this study is to compare psychological distress via both negative and positive mood states between 2 different groups of lactating mothers during the first 6 weeks postpartum with a large sample. Mood states were measured using the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised by a convenience sample of newly delivered mothers from 4 tertiary care units in Illinois. Preterm mothers' negative mood states of anxiety, depression, hostility, and dysphoria were significantly greater than those reported for term mothers.

Psychological distress and milk volume in lactating mothers.

The purpose of this article is twofold: (a) to compare psychological distress as measured via self-reported perceived stress, sleep, and fatigue levels in lactating mothers of a term infant and mothers of a preterm infant and(b) to determine whether the addition of psychological distress to a previous model predicts milk volume at Postpartum Week 6 by gestation group. The convenience sample of 95 mothers of a preterm infant (31 weeks) and 98 mothers of a term infant completed the Perceived Stress Visual Analogue Scale, Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and the Fatigue Visual Analog Scale. Stress, sleep difficulty, and fatigue levels decreased during the 6-week study period for mothers of a term but not for mothers of a preterm infant.

Primary and secondary mediators' influence on milk output in lactating mothers of preterm and term infants.

This study examined potential primary mediators, such as intended length to breastfeed, maternal education, income, and infant gestation, and secondary mediators, such as early frequency of breast stimulation, early milk output, and supplementation with artificial milks that may influence milk output in mothers of preterm and term infants the first 6 weeks postpartum. Analysis suggested that for mothers of a preterm infant (n = 95), the primary mediators, income and infant gestation, and the secondary mediators, early milk output/d and early frequency/d, accounted for 53.5% of the variance in milk output/d at week 6.

Comparison of milk output between mothers of preterm and term infants: the first 6 weeks after birth.

This study reports the temporal pattern of milk output in 2 groups of lactating mothers during the first 6 weeks postpartum. A study aim was to examine if the average milk output for postpartum days 6 and 7 (baseline) predicts milk adequacy at week 6 postpartum. Mothers of preterm (< or = 31 weeks) infants (n = 95) used mechanical expression to initiate and maintain their milk supply; mothers of a singleton healthy term infant (n = 98) fed their infant at the breast.

Relationship between soft tissue body composition and bone mass in perimenopausal women.

Objectives: Perimenopause, the transition into menopause, marks the beginning of accelerated bone loss, contributing to the development of osteoporosis, a major public health problem. This perimenopausal transition has also been associated with a decrease in body lean mass, an increase in fat mass, and an increase in body weight. How these changes in fat mass and lean mass may influence bone mineral density (BMD) is currently unknown.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in an outpatient setting.

Study Objective: To determine the ability to perform laparoscopic appendectomy on an outpatient basis.

Design: Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: University ambulatory surgery center.