A novel mathematical model including the wetness parameter as a variable for prevention of pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers are injuries caused by external conditions such as pressure, friction, shear, and humidity resulting from staying in the same position for a long time in bedridden patients. It is a serious problem worldwide when assessed in terms of hospital capacity, nursing staff employment and treatment costs. In this study, we developed a novel mathematical model based on one of our previous models to prevent pressure ulcers or delay injuries. The proposed model uses a human thermal model that includes skin temperature, hypothalamus temperature, regional perspiration coefficient, and unconsciously loss of water amount. Moreover, in our model, we defined a variable wetness parameter in addition to the parameters, pressure, temperature, and humidity. The proposed model is mathematically defined in detail and tested for a wide range of parameters to show the model's effectiveness in determining the pressure ulcer formation risk. The model is also compared with a model from the literature that based on only the general parameters, pressure, temperature, and humidity. The obtained results showed that the model determines the risk of the occurrence of the pressure ulcer more precisely than the compared one.

Foetal cardiac function in third trimester pregnancies with reduced fetal movements.

The objective of our study was to investigate the possible relationship between poor perinatal outcome and foetal cardiac functions in pregnant women with reduced foetal movements (RFM). This cross-sectional study included 126 pregnant women with normal foetal movements (Group 1, Controls) and 42 pregnant women over 32 weeks gestation with RFM (Group 2). Group 2 was further divided into two subgroups according to their perinatal outcome: normal perinatal outcome (Group 2a) and poor perinatal outcome (Group 2b). Cardiotocography, the E/A ratio in both atrioventricular valves, myocardial performance index (MPI) and foetal tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (f-TAPSE) were evaluated. Foetuses with poor perinatal outcome had a higher MPI (p = .003), higher tricuspid and mitral E/A (p < .001), and lower f-TAPSE values (p < .001). In regression analysis, f-TAPSE was the only parameter (p = .04) independently associated with poor perinatal outcome. In conclusion, examining f-TAPSE may predict adverse perinatal outcome in pregnancies with RFM.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Reduced foetal movement (RFM) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Cardiotocography, amniotic fluid assessment, estimated birthweight, foetal Doppler and formal foetal movement count (kick chart) are generally used in the clinical assessment of pregnancies with reduced foetal movements. These tests, we currently use to assess foetal wellbeing in women with reduced foetal movements, have limited sensitivity in predicting foetal compromise.What do the results of this study add? Foetal cardiac Doppler may potentially be used as an important adjunct to the conventional management of women with a perception of reduced foetal movements.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Foetal echocardiographic evaluation, such as f-TAPSE, may influence clinical practice by enabling improved risk stratification for poor perinatal outcome, thus allowing more timely definitive intervention. This could help to decrease the rate of stillbirth related to reduced foetal movements. The few established echocardiographically derived parameters, which can asses global right ventricle function, are not always easy to obtain, however, f-TAPSE is easily obtainable using ultrasound and it appears to be a clinically useful echocardiographic measurement of right ventricular function.

Cabergoline for preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women at risk undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the most serious and potentially life-threatening iatrogenic complication associated with ovarian stimulation during assisted reproductive technology protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of dopamine agonist as a preventive strategy of OHSS in women at high risk in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment cycles. METHODS: Seventy women at risk to develop OHSS undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment cycle were included. The study group received 0.5 mg of cabergoline for 8 days from the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in comparison to those who undergo no treatment for the prevention of OHSS. The reduction of the incidence of OHSS was the primary outcome. RESULTS: The actual incidence of OHSS was 8.33% in the cabergoline group and 20.58% in the control group. Thus, the incidence of OHSS was significantly reduced, by almost 60%, in the cabergoline group in comparison with the control group (relative ratios: 0.4, 95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.79). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic treatment with the dopamine agonist, cabergoline, reduces the incidence of OHSS in women at high risk undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. However, the effects of cabergoline on important outcomes, namely, live birth, miscarriage, and congenital abnormalities are still uncertain.