Pelvic floor dysfunction and electrophysiology in postpartum women at 6-8 weeks.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and electrophysiological indicators in postpartum women at 6-8 weeks and explore the influence of demographic characteristics and obstetric factors. Methods: A survey questionnaire collected information about the conditions of women during their pregnancy and puerperal period and their demographic characteristics; pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q) and pelvic floor muscle electrophysiology (EP) examination were conducted in postpartum women at 6-8 weeks. Results: Vaginal delivery was a risk factor for anterior pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (OR 7.850, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.804-10.617), posterior POP (OR 5.990, 95% CI 3.953-9.077), anterior and posterior stage II POP (OR 6.636, 95% CI 3.662-15.919), and postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) (OR 6.046, 95% CI 3.894-9.387); parity was a risk factor for anterior POP (OR 1.397,95% CI 0.889-2.198) and anterior and posterior stage II POP (OR 4.162, 95% CI 2.125-8.152); age was a risk factor for anterior POP (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.007-1.108) and postpartum UI (OR 1.066, 95% CI 1.014-1.120); body mass index (BMI) was a risk factor for postpartum UI (OR 1.117, 95% CI 1.060-1.177); fetal birth weight was a risk factor for posterior POP (OR 1.465, 95% CI 1.041-2.062); and the frequency of pregnancy loss was a risk factor for apical POP (OR 1.853, 95% CI 1.060-3.237). Conclusion: Pelvic floor muscle EP is a sensitive index of early pelvic floor injury. The changes in muscle strength and fatigue degree coexist in different types of postpartum PFD, and each has its own characteristics.

Reduced mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B after implementation of completely charge-free active-passive immunoprophylaxis: an observational cohort study.

Objectives: China has implemented universal hepatitis B vaccination since 2002 and provided charge-free hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) to infants of HBV-infected mothers since July 2011. We aimed to compare mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in children born before and since July 2011.Methods: In total, 5,149 children of HBV-infected mothers were tested for HBV markers. Group one contained 1,160 children born during August 2002-June 2011 and group two contained 3,989 children born during July 2011-June 2016.Results: In total, 92 (1.8%, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.4-2.2) children were infected with HBV. None (0%, 95%CI 0.0-0.1) of 3,716 children of mothers with negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was infected, whereas 92 (6.4%, 95%CI 5.2-7.8) of 1,433 children of HBeAg-positive mothers were infected (p < 0.0001). Among children of HBeAg-positive mothers, MTCT occurred in 10.3% (19/185) (95%CI 6.3-15.6) in group one and 5.8% (73/1,248) (95%CI 4.6-7.3) in group two (p = 0.02).Conclusions: Implementing charge-free active-passive immunoprophylaxis greatly reduces MTCT of HBV in children of HBeAg-positive mothers, highlighting the importance of timely administration of both hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG to prevent MTCT. The still remaining MTCT suggests that reducing maternal virus load before delivery is an additional important measure.

Thermal/tribological effects of superimposed ultrasonic vibration on viscoelastic responses and mold-filling capacity of optical glass: A comparative study.

Ultrasonic-assisted glass molding (UGM) has recently gained a promising start in fast replication of tailored functional structures onto glasses; however, the underlying mechanisms of the unique thermomechanical and micro-filling behaviors of glasses in UGM remain largely unrevealed. This study presents a full demonstration and elucidation of the ultrasonic-induced thermal/tribological effects on viscoelastic responses and filling capacity of the typical optical glass L-BAL42. First, conventional precision glass molding (PGM) and UGM experiments with partial-filling settings are implemented, whereby glass arrays with surface protrusions of varied depths (460-780 µm) are directly formed. Subsequently, the molding force, forming time and filling depth of the glass under varying pressing speeds/loads are comparatively evaluated. Furthermore, experimental quantifications of ultrasonic-induced heat increment and friction reduction are performed to account for the differentiated molding effects in UGM and PGM. The results indicate that compared with PGM, the molding force and forming time in UGM are greatly reduced, while the average filling depth of the UGM-formed glass array is effectively improved. This overall enhancement can be attributed to the ultrasonic-induced thermal softening, friction reduction and stress superposition effects, among which the thermal contribution is dominant. The findings in this study will provide new references for ultrasonic-assisted precision molding of glass-based micro/meso components.

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Data Analysis Based on Pregnant Women Population from 2012 to 2018, in Nantong City, China.

BACKGROUND: China has implemented a nation-wide policy to control mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since 2011, yet the efficacy of the control policy is less studied. The aim of the present study was to report the data in the prevention of MTCT of HIV in Nantong city, China. METHODS: The screening and prevalence of HIV in pregnant women and the efficacy of prophylaxis in Nantong city, China, January 2012 through December 2018, were analyzed. RESULTS: Among a total population of 410,044 pregnant women, anti-HIV was tested prenatally in 393,658 (96.0%) women and in 16,287 (3.97%) women at delivery. In total, 51 women were confirmed with HIV infection. After the exclusion of repeat pregnancies, the overall prevalence of HIV infection was 1.20/10 000 (48/400,377). The prevalence (6.75/10,000) in women tested at delivery was >5-fold higher than that (1.02/10,000) in prenatally screened women. Of 48 HIV-infected women, 12 terminated their pregnancies and 36 others delivered 36 neonates, of whom 35 were followed up. No HIV infection occurred in 24 children born to mothers with antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy along with other preventive measures. Among 11 children born to mothers who did not receive ART during pregnancy because of the absence of a prenatal anti-HIV test, none of the 6 children who were delivered by cesarean section and timely administered neonatal antiretroviral prophylaxis was infected, but 2 (40%) of 5 children who were spontaneously delivered and administered delayed antiretroviral prophylaxis were infected. CONCLUSION: Prenatal identification of HIV infection and timely administration of all preventive measures can completely block MTCT of HIV. The data indicate that more efforts must be taken to ensure that all pregnant women are tested for anti-HIV during pregnancy. For pregnant women who missed the prenatal screening, a positive result in rapid anti-HIV test at delivery should be sufficient to take preventive measures to prevent MTCT of HIV.