Predictive capacity of fetal pancreatic circumference for gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the capacity of fetal pancreatic size, before standard blood glucose testing for screening and diagnosis, to predict maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of low-risk pregnant women recruited during routine second-trimester fetal anatomical screening at 20-25 weeks' gestation at two ultrasound units in Israel between 2017 and 2020. The predictive performance of fetal pancreatic circumference ≥ 80th and ≥ 90th centiles and glucose challenge test (GCT) was examined for the outcome of GDM. The independent-samples t-test was used to compare mean pancreatic circumference centile between pregnancies with GDM and those without GDM. Diagnostic performance was evaluated with 2 × 2 contingency tables and receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Overall, 195 women were selected for statistical analysis. Twenty-four (12.3%) women were diagnosed subsequently with GDM. The mean ± SD fetal pancreatic circumference centile was significantly higher in the GDM group compared with the non-GDM group (82.4 ± 14.6 vs 62.8 ± 27.6; P < 0.001). The pancreatic circumference centile was correlated positively with the estimated fetal weight centile (Pearson's coefficient, 0.243; P = 0.001). The 80th centile cut-off for pancreatic circumference had the highest sensitivity (70.8%) and positive predictive value (23.3%) for future maternal GDM, with the best trade-off between sensitivity and specificity achieved at the 75th centile cut-off (sensitivity, 79%; specificity, 60%). The GCT had better specificity (90.2%) and negative predictive value (97.9%) compared with both cut-offs in pancreatic circumference. The area under the ROC curve was higher for pancreatic circumference compared with GCT (0.71 vs 0.64) and only the former was statistically significant (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal pancreatic circumference has a higher positive predictive capacity compared with GCT. Measuring pancreatic circumference can identify pregnancies at high risk for maternal GDM, thereby promoting earlier diagnosis and treatment, decreasing the time period during which the fetus is exposed to high maternal glucose levels and improving infant outcome. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Learning curve for ultrasonographic diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis using structured offline training program.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the learning curves of trainees during a structured offline/hands-on training program for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). METHODS: Four trainees (all Ob/Gyn postgraduates with at least 5 years' experience in ultrasonography in obstetrics and gynecology, but with no experience of sonographic examination of DIE) participated in the study. They underwent a 2-week training program with a single trainer. Day 1 was devoted to theoretical issues and guided offline analysis of 10 three-dimensional ultrasound volumes. During the following days, four sessions of real-time sonographic examinations were performed in a DIE referral center ultrasound unit. In between these sessions, the trainees analyzed four datasets offline, each containing 25 volumes. At the end of each set, misinterpreted volumes were reassessed with the trainer. Presence or absence of DIE at surgery was considered the gold standard. The trainees' learning process was evaluated by learning-curve cumulative summation (LC-CUSUM) and the deviations of the trainees' level of performance at the control stage was assessed by CUSUM (standard CUSUM), for different locations of DIE. RESULTS: The trainees reached competence after an average of 17 (range, 14-21) evaluations for bladder, 40 (range, 30-60) for rectosigmoid, 25 (range, 14-34) for forniceal, 44 (range, 25-66) for uterosacral ligament (USL) and 21 (range, 14-43) for rectovaginal septum (RVS) locations of DIE, and then kept the process under control, with error levels of less than 4.5% until the end of the test. The overall accuracy for each trainee in diagnosis of DIE at the different locations ranged from 0.91 to 0.98 for bladder DIE, from 0.80 to 0.94 for rectosigmoid DIE, from 0.90 to 0.94 for forniceal DIE, from 0.79 to 0.82 for USL DIE and from 0.89 to 0.98 for RVS DIE. CONCLUSIONS: The suggested 2-week training program, based on a mixture of offline and live scanning sessions, is feasible and apparently provides effective training for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of DIE. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Association of fetal biparietal diameter with mode of delivery and perinatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between sonographic assessment of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) and pregnancy outcome. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnancies at 37-42 weeks of gestation which had antepartum sonographic measurement of BPD within 7 days before delivery. Eligibility was limited to singleton pregnancies with neither known structural or chromosomal abnormalities nor prelabor Cesarean delivery (CD). The association of BPD with outcome was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, receiver-operating characteristics curves and stratification according to BPD quartiles. RESULTS: In total, 3229 women were eligible for analysis, of whom 2483 (76.9%) had a spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), 418 (12.9%) underwent operative vaginal delivery (OVD) and 328 (10.2%) underwent CD. The mean BPD in the obstetric intervention groups (OVD and CD) was significantly higher than that in the SVD group (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, increased BPD was an independent risk factor such that higher values of BPD were associated with progressively higher risk of obstetric intervention (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05 for each 1-mm increase in BPD (95% CI, 1.02-1.09)), but no clear cut-off value for obstetric intervention was found. The fourth quartile group (BPD ≥ 97 mm) was associated with a significantly lower SVD rate (P < 0.001) and higher OVD rate (P = 0.04), relative to the first (BPD 88-90 mm) and second (BPD 91-93 mm) quartile groups, with no apparent adverse impact on immediate neonatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BPD within the week prior to delivery is an independent risk factor such that higher values of BPD are associated with progressively higher risk of obstetric intervention; however, in our experience, no adverse neonatal outcome resulted from such intervention. Thus, increased BPD should not discourage a trial of vaginal delivery.

Predictive value of cervical length in women with twin pregnancy presenting with threatened preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy and determine the optimal threshold of sonographic cervical length (CL) for the prediction of preterm delivery (PTD) in women with twin pregnancies presenting with threatened preterm labor (PTL). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of women with twin pregnancies who presented with threatened PTL and underwent sonographic measurement of CL in a tertiary center. The accuracy of CL in predicting PTD in women with twin pregnancies was compared with that in a control group of women with singleton pregnancies. RESULTS: Overall, 218 women with a twin pregnancy and 1077 women with a singleton pregnancy, who presented with PTL, were included in the study. The performance of CL as a predictive test for PTD was similar in twins and singletons, as reflected by the similar correlation between CL and the examination-to-delivery interval (r, 0.30 vs 0.29; P = 0.9), the similar association of CL with risk of PTD, and the similar areas under the receiver-operating characteristics curves for differing delivery outcomes (range, 0.653-0.724 vs 0.620-0.682, respectively; P = 0.3). The optimal threshold of CL for any given target sensitivity or specificity was lower in twin than in singleton pregnancies. However, in order to achieve a negative predictive value of 95%, a higher threshold (28-30 mm) should be used in twin pregnancies. Using this twin-specific CL threshold, women with twins who present with PTL are more likely to have a positive CL test, and therefore to require subsequent interventions, than are women with singleton pregnancies with PTL (55% vs 4.2%, respectively). CONCLUSION: In women with PTL, the performance of CL as a test for the prediction of PTD is similar in twin and singleton pregnancies. However, the optimal threshold of CL for the prediction of PTD appears to be higher in twin pregnancies, mainly owing to the higher baseline risk for PTD in these pregnancies.

Is measurement of cervical length an accurate predictive tool in women with a history of preterm delivery who present with threatened preterm labor?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sonographically measured cervical length is an effective predictive tool in women with threatened preterm labor and a history of past spontaneous preterm delivery. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all women with singleton pregnancies who presented with preterm labor at less than 34 + 0 weeks' gestation and underwent sonographic measurement of cervical length in a tertiary medical center between 2007 and 2012. The accuracy of cervical length in predicting preterm delivery was compared between women with and those without a history of spontaneous preterm delivery. Women with risk factors for preterm delivery other than a history of preterm delivery were excluded from both groups. RESULTS: Overall, 1023 women who presented with preterm labor met the study criteria, of whom 136 (13.3%) had a history of preterm delivery (past-PTD group) and 887 (86.7%) had no risk factors for preterm delivery (low-risk group). The rate of preterm delivery was significantly higher for women with a history of preterm delivery (36.8% vs 22.5%; P < 0.001). Cervical length was significantly correlated with the examination-to-delivery interval in low-risk women (r = 0.32, P < 0.001) but not in women who had had a previous preterm delivery (r = 0.07, P = 0.4). On multivariable analysis, cervical length was independently associated with the risk of preterm delivery for women in the low-risk group but not for women with a history of previous preterm delivery. For women with previous preterm delivery who presented with threatened preterm labor, cervical length failed to distinguish between those who did and those who did not deliver prematurely (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve range, 0.475-0.506). When using standardized thresholds, the sensitivity and specificity of cervical length for the prediction of preterm delivery were significantly lower in women with previous preterm delivery than in women with no risk factors for preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: Cervical length appears to be of limited value in the prediction of preterm delivery among women with threatened preterm labor who are at high risk for preterm delivery owing to a history of spontaneous preterm delivery in a previous pregnancy.

Single or double needle insertion in twin's amniocentesis: Does the technique influence the risk of complications?

OBJECTIVE: To compare complication rates following amniocentesis in twin gestations, according to sampling technique and number of needle insertions. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of all women with twin gestations who underwent amniocentesis and delivered in a single university affiliated medical center during 2002-2016. Amniocentesis was performed either through one uterine entry with passage through the inter-twin membrane or through two different entries to the two amniotic sacs. Pregnancy outcome of women that underwent single needle insertion amniocentesis, was compared to this of double needle insertion. Primary outcome was neonatal complications within 4 weeks after amniocentesis (late abortion, chorioamnionitis, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or hospitalization due to related symptoms). Secondary outcomes were gestational week at delivery and labor characteristics. RESULTS: The study group comprised 212 women. Of them, 73 (34.4%) underwent a single uterine insertion and 139 (65.6%) two separate needle insertions. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. The amniocentesis complication rate was 13.7% in the single insertion group and 16.5% in the double insertion group (p = 0.587). Multivariate analysis found that a single insertion method had no statistically significant influence on complication rate, after making adjustments for potential confounders (OR = 1.085, 95% CI 0.4-2.9; p = 0.871). Other labor characteristics were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Needle insertion technique in twin gestation amniocentesis was not associated with procedure related complications.

Kaposi's sarcoma: Good outcome with doxorubicin, bleomycin and vincristine sulphate (ABV) chemotherapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy.

There is little published information on effective treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in children in low-income countries. We prospectively treated 12 patients with an institutional review board-approved protocol consisting of four monthly courses of doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin and vincristine sulphate (ABV), with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) plus co-trimoxazole prophylaxis for those who were HIV-positive, with additional vincristine if remission was not achieved after 4 months. Maintenance HAART plus co-trimoxazole was given to all HIV-positive patients. A fine-needle aspirate and CD4+ count were done if possible, and staging was performed according to Mitsuyasu. Eight of ten HIV-positive patients with stage III - IVB disease, and both HIV-negative patients with stage I disease, were in remission after 473 - 1 490 (mean 939) days. One patient died after absconding during treatment, and one died from neutropenia-related pulmonary infection. ABV with or without HAART is an effective treatment option for children with KS.

Burkitt's lymphoma patients in Northwest Cameroon have a lower incidence of sickle cell trait (Hb AS) than healthy controls.

Contradictory findings have been reported from Africa with regard to the risk of developing Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in sickle cell trait (AS)carriers. Haemoglobin electrophoresis was performed in 78 BL patients in the Northwest region of Cameroon, and in 78 nearest-neighbourcontrols of the same age, sex and tribe from the same village. AS was confirmed in 4 of 78 (5.13%) BL patients and in 11 of 78 (14.10%)controls (χ2, p=0.052; Fisher's exact, one-tailed, p=0.050). Sickle cell trait carriers had a marginal statistically reduced risk of developing BL.

Enzyme polymorphism of Azorhizobium strains and other stem- and root-nodulating bacteria isolated from Sesbania rostrata.

Relationships between bacterial groups nodulating Sesbania rostrata were evaluated through examination of electrophoretic polymorphism of esterases and metabolic enzymes. The following conclusions were drawn: (i) the differentiation of two genomic species within Azorhizobium strains and a group of non-identified strains (probably Rhizobium) was strongly supported by enzyme electrophoresis; (ii) esterases were more electrophoretically polymorphic than metabolic enzymes, since 35 and 11 electrophoretic types, respectively, were detected within the 57 strains studied; (iii) strains isolated from stem or root nodules were genetically very similar and could not be differentiated; (iv) six Azorhizobium strains isolated from plants growing in saline soils could not be grouped separately from the other strains, which might be attributed to the adaptation of azorhizobia to epiphytic conditions; and (v) a comparative study of esterase patterns of azorhizobia showed that strains isolated in the Philippines probably originated in northern Senegal, but did not reveal a clear separation between strains originating from northern and central Senegal.

Beta2-microglobulin and hypertensive complications in pregnant women at risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) is a polypeptide, which is freely filtered through the glomerular basement membrane and absorbed almost entirely by the proximal tubular cells. Preeclampsia, a common complication of pregnancy, is characterized by pathological renal changes, mainly glomerular lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether serum beta2-m measured in the early stages of pregnancy could be used as a marker to predict hypertensive complications in women at increased risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum beta2-m concentrations were prospectively measured in 75 pregnant women with history of chronic hypertension, chronic renal disease, chronic vascular disease or preeclampsia and compared with those in 16 healthy pregnant women. RESULTS: Of the 75 women in the study group, 10 (13%) developed preeclampsia and 20 (26%) had other complications, such as intrauterine growth restriction (n = 8), fetal or neonatal loss (n = 9) and delivery before 30 weeks of gestation (n = 8). Gestational age at delivery, birth weight and cesarean section rate were significantly worse in the patients with complications than in those without and in the healthy controls. No significant difference was detected in early serum beta2-m concentrations between the women who later developed preeclampsia or other complications and those who did not. There was a significant positive correlation of beta2-m concentrations with serum creatinine level (R2 = 0.394, p < 0.001), but not with gestational week at blood collection. CONCLUSION: Serum beta2-m concentrations are not predictive of the development of preeclampsia or other complications in woman at risk.

Microbial response to repeated applications of low concentrations of pentachlorophenol in an alfisol under pasture.

Columns of an Alfisol under permanent pasture were polluted by repeated additions of pentachlorophenol (PCP) (7 mg l-1) to levels of 102 and 510 mg Kg-1, to simulate a dynamic diffuse pollution. PCP was rapidly sorbed to the soil organic matter, and was only slightly degraded. Measurements of soil microbial biomass-C revealed a 25% decrease in total biomass-C caused by both leaching and PCP toxicity. Microbial biomass-C measurements performed on soil fractions showed that only microorganisms located in the outer compartment of the aggregates were affected. Microorganisms protected by soil micro-aggregates were not affected, suggesting that they were not in contact with PCP, which was thus unavailable for biodegradation. Three gram negative bacterial strains (Si, C3 and C2), able to use PCP as a sole carbon and energy source, were isolated after 0, 1 and 3 months of PCP enrichment respectively, and were identified as Pseudomonas (Si) and Acinetobacter (C3 and C2). In liquid degradation tests, the strains C2 and C3 degraded 60% of PCP within 26 days whereas the Pseudomonas degraded only 25%. A specific immuno-labeling of the three strains permitted to show that repeated PCP additions to soil had a positive, negative or absence of effect on the populations C2, C3 and Si respectively.

Isoproterenol infusion and microcirculation in septic shock.

INTRODUCTION: Our study primarily aimed at investigating the effect of isoproterenol infusion on tissue oxygen saturation in patients with septic shock. The secondary aim was to assess the relation between cardiac index, central venous oxygen saturation and tissue oxygen saturation. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from December 2010 to March 2012. We included 14 consecutive patients with septic shock treated with isoproterenol. All patients were monitored by cardiac index and tissue oxygen saturation. From medical charts, routine hemodynamic data were extracted one hour before and six hours after the onset of isoproterenol infusion. RESULTS: From baseline to H6, tissue oxygen saturation levels rise from 78 [72-82]% to 85 [78-88]% (p = 0.03). Isoproterenol infusion was associated with an increase of central venous oxygen saturation (from 67 [65-74]% to 84 [77-86]%, p = 0.02) and cardiac index (from 2.9 [2.7-3.1] L/min/m² to 3.9 [3.0-4.4] L/min/m², p = 0.006). Tissue oxygen saturation was correlated neither to cardiac index (p = 0.14, R(2) = 0.08) nor to central venous oxygen saturation (p = 0.19, R(2) = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Use of isoproterenol was associated with an increase of tissue oxygen saturation. This increase was not correlated to cardiac index, suggesting a decoupling between macrocirculation and microcirculation.

A survey of attitudes of expectant first-time fathers and mothers toward epidural analgesia for labor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attitude of expectant fathers to the use of epidural analgesia during labor and to compare it to the attitude of their partner. METHODS: The study group consisted of consecutive expectant, first-time parents who presented at the delivery room of a major medical center over a 3-month period. Only those with a single, term fetus in cephalic presentation were included. Both partners were asked to complete a questionnaire on desire to receive epidural analgesia firstly on admission and again later during labor at first discussion of the use of epidural analgesia with medical staff. Findings were compared between partners, between the two time points and with the actual use of epidural analgesia in labor. The effect of various socio-demographic variables on this decision was analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred fifty couples completed the study. On admission, 64.1% of the expectant fathers and 78.6% of the expectant mothers expressed a preference for epidural analgesia (P=0.01). Later in labor, the corresponding rates were 77.9% and 87.4%. In total 95.3% of the women received epidural analgesia. There was no effect of age, level of education, salary, or attendance in a birth preparatory course on the decision to use epidural analgesia by either partner. CONCLUSION: The decision to use epidural analgesia differs between partners, changes during the course of labor and is unrelated to socio-demographic factors.

Detection and counting of Nitrobacter populations in soil by PCR.

Although the biological conversion of nitrite to nitrate is a well-known process, studies of Nitrobacter populations are hindered by their physiological characteristics. This report describes a new method for detecting and counting Nitrobacter populations in situ with the PCR. Two primers from the 16S rRNA gene were used to generate a 397-bp fragment by amplification of Nitrobacter species DNA. No signal was detected from their phylogenetic neighbors or the common soil bacteria tested. Extraction and purification steps were optimized for minimal loss and maximal purity of soil DNA. The detection threshold and accuracy of the molecular method were determined from soil inoculated with 10, 10(2), or 10(3) Nitrobacter hamburgensis cells per g of soil. Counts were also done by the most-probable-number (MPN)-Griess and fluorescent antibody methods. PCR had a lower detection threshold (10(2) Nitrobacter cells per g of soil) than did the MPN-Griess or fluorescent antibody method. When PCR amplification was coupled with the MPN method, the counting rate reached 65 to 72% of inoculated Nitrobacter cells. Tested on nonsterile soil, this rapid procedure was proved efficient.

Conservation of nif sequences in Frankia.

Southern blots of Frankia total DNAs were hybridized with nifHDK probes from Rhizobium meliloti, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Frankia strain Arl3. Differences between strains were noted in the size of the hybridizing restriction fragments. These differences were more pronounced among Elaeagnus-compatible strains than among Alnus- or Casuarina-compatible strains. Gene banks constructed for Frankia strains EUN1f, HRN18a, CeD and ACoN24d were used to isolate nif-hybridizing restriction fragments for subsequent mapping and comparisons. The nifH zone had the highest sequence conservation and the nifH and nifD genes were found to be contiguous. The complete nucleotide sequence of the nifH open reading frame (ORF) from Frankia strain Arl3 is 861 bp in length and encodes a polypeptide of 287 amino acids. Comparisons of these nucleic acid and amino acid sequences with other published nifH sequences suggest that Frankia is most similar to Anabaena and Azotobacter spp. and K. pneumoniae and least similar to the Gram-positive Clostridium pasteurianum and to the archaebacterium Methanococcus voltae.

Free-living dinitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from petroleum refinery oily sludge.

Dinitrogen-fixing activity (acetylene reduction and N(2) fixation) was found in an oily sludge originating from a petroleum refinery. Two representative dinitrogen-fixing bacterial strains were isolated from this oily waste. Their nitrogenase activity was effective when they were cultivated on sterilized sludge or simple carbon substrates (organic acid salts, sugars). Using the classical methods, these strains could not be unambiguously related to other diazotrophic taxa. The landfarming process is widely used for oily sludge disposal; this study shows that oily sludges are more than a simple carbon input into the soil but that they must also be considered as real sources of dinitrogen-fixing and probably degradative microorganisms.

Identification of Frankia strains in nodules by hybridization of polymerase chain reaction products with strain-specific oligonucleotide probes.

A set of oligonucleotides has been developed to study the competitivity of two Frankia strains in the nodulation of the roots of two host plant species: Alnus glutinosa and Alnus incana. Two 20 mer-oligonucleotides, complementary to highly conserved sequences inside the nifH gene, were used as primers for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system in order to amplify microsymbiont DNA extracted from actinorhizae. PCR products were analyzed using two strain-specific 15-mer oligonucleotides identified in the amplified region. Hybridization data indicate that strain ACoN24d is more competitive than strain ArI3 in the nodulation of both hosts.