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Maternal infection is associated with oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory responses. We have previously shown that maternal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at E18 alters the subsequent offspring immune response. As immune responses are mediated, in part, by OS, we sought to determine if maternal inflammation during pregnancy programs offspring OS and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of saline or LPS at 18 days’ gestation (n= 4), and pups delivered spontaneously at term. At postnatal day 24, male and female offspring received i.p. injection of LPS. Serum lipid peroxides formation (PD) and CRP levels were determined before and at 4 h following the LPS injection. Pups of LPS-exposed dams had significantly higher basal OS (PD 29.4 ± 5.4 v.10.1 ± 4.8 nmol/ml) compared with controls. In response to LPS, CRP levels (20.4 ± 2.8 v.5.7 ± 1.0 ng/ml) were significantly higher among pups of LPS-exposed dams than controls. Prenatal maternal exposure to LPS increases baseline OS levels in neonates and CRP levels in response to LPS. These results suggest that maternal inflammation during the antenatal period may induce long-term sequelae in the offspring that may predispose to adult disease.

Objective.The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of blood flow measurements by power Doppler in endometrial vessels in women with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB).

Trihexyphenidyl (THP) and other anticholinergics are liable to abuse by schizophrenic patients. Data concerning the incidence and characteristics of the abusers are scarce. In the present study an evaluation of 214 consecutive admissions of schizophrenic patients revealed 14 THP abusers, an incidence of 6.5. The demographic and clinical variables of the THP abusers were compared with a randomized control group of 28 schizophrenic patients using the four-dimensional factors of the BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale). No significant differences were found in demographic variables and comorbidity for antisocial personality disorder and other substances abuse. On admission, a trend towards more negative symptoms was detected among abusers. At discharge abusers had significantly higher mean BPRS scores and higher scores on the dimensional factor of hostile-suspiciousness. The results suggest that THP abuse is not rare among schizophrenic patients who may abuse anticholinergic agents to relieve negative symptoms and/or drug-induced Parkinsonism, or alternatively for its non-specific stimulant effects, on account of worsening of positive symptoms.

This review evaluates the role of ultrasound in twin gestation. Ultrasound is essential in the diagnosis and management of perinatal complications common in twins, including fetal anomalies, conjoined twins, acardiac twinning, fetal demise, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and twin-to-twin transfusion. Indications for first-trimester scanning are reviewed, as well as its use in determining type of placentation, chorionicity, and amnionicity. The focus of this article will be the use of ultrasound and Doppler velocimetry in the evaluation of fetal growth and subsequent management of intrauterine growth retardation in twins, as well as the value of real-time ultrasound and Doppler evaluation in the diagnosis of discordant growth and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Two patients who became pregnant after liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease were carefully monitored using pulsed Doppler waveform measurements. One patient with Wilson's disease, on triple immunosuppressive therapy including prednisone, azathioprine and low-dose cyclosporin A, delivered a healthy girl weighing 2650 g after 38 weeks' gestation. The other patient, with HBV-related postnecrotic cirrhosis, became pregnant less than 3 months postoperatively, under triple therapy, after being amenorrheic for 6 years. Episodes of elevation in liver enzymes were noted, and severe osteoporosis with low back pain developed. A healthy boy weighing 2975 g was born at 35 weeks' gestation. Our cases add to previous reports of successful pregnancies under cyclosporin A immunosuppression.

The interest in autoimmune pregnancy loss has increased recently with the discovery of the association between the presence of antibodies to phospholipids and cardiolipin and habitual abortion. To evaluate the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with recurrent fetal loss and the effect of low-dose aspirin and corticosteroid treatment, we examined 67 women for anticardiolipin antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Increased levels of anticardiolipin antibodies were found in 34 of these women (50.7) and in none of 12 normal pregnant controls. Seventeen of these 34 patients conceived and were treated with aspirin, 100 mgday, and fluocortolone, 10 mgday. Twelve gravidas reached term, all delivering live infants with good Apgar scores and normal birth weights. Three others delivered prematurely, two of them because of premature rupture of membranes and the other because of severe fetal growth retardation. This latter woman delivered at 31 weeks, and the 1000-g infant died neonatally. The neonatal survival rate was 82 in the treated patients, versus 18 in the same group of subjects in their previous, untreated gestations. The umbilical artery resistance index of the treated subjects was not different from that of anticardiolipin-negative hypertensive women who did not receive aspirin and corticosteroid therapy. However, the uterine artery resistance index was significantly lower in the hypertensive treated group than in the untreated group. Whether this difference reflected a beneficial effect of low-dose aspirin and corticosteroid therapy on pregnancy outcome and survival rate remains to be evaluated.

Gives directions for knitting three sweaters offering traditional looks with today's influences. Man's machine-knit rugby; Updated Aran Aztec cabled top; Directions for shell necklace is also included.

Gives directions for knitting three sporty pullovers. They use a variety of twist stitches that team nicely with overall background patterns. Patterns included.

Gives directions to knit a jacket and skirt duo, a jungle animal print pullover and a thick, full cabled pullover.

To evaluate the association between fetal cardiac function and amniotic fluid index (AFI) in postterm fetuses, and to determine if changes in fetal cardiac function precede the occurrence of nonreassuring intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns.

To evaluate the association between fetal cardiac function and amniotic fluid index (AFI) in postterm fetuses, and to determine if changes in fetal cardiac function precede the occurrence of nonreassuring intraparturn fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns.

Background: Most congenital pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. During pregnancy, pulmonary hemorrhage can occur, compromising maternal and fetal health.