Some Bounds for Almost Absorbing Birth and Death Processes with Catastrophes

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 60J27.

Iraqi Birth Defects and the WHO Report

Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, epidemics of birth defects and cancers are rising in many Iraqi cities. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) undertook a large-scale epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of birth defects in the Iraqi population. A report which appeared on the WHO website in September 2013, claims that "The rates for spontaneous abortion, stillbirths and congenital birth defects found in the [Iraq] study are consistent with or even lower than international estimates." This article discusses the severe shortcomings of this report and questions its reliability .

Genetic markers, birth characteristics, and childhood leukemia risk

The cause for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unknown, but male gender is a risk factor, and among ethnicities, Hispanics have the highest risk. In this dissertation, we explored correlations among genetic polymorphisms, birth characteristics, and the risk of childhood ALL in a multi-ethnic sample in 161 cases and 231 controls recruited contemporaneously (2007-2012) in Houston, TX. We first examined three lymphoma risk markers, since lymphoma and ALL both stem from lymphoid cells. Of these, rs2395185 showed a risk association in non-Hispanic White males (OR=2.8, P=0.02; P interaction=0.03 for gender), but not in Hispanics. We verified previously known risk associations to validate the case-control sample. Mutations of HFE (C282Y, H63D) were genotyped to test whether iron-regulatory gene (IRG) variants known to elevate iron levels increase childhood ALL risk. Being positive for either polymorphism yielded only a modestly elevated OR in males, which increased to 2.96 (P=0.01) in the presence of a particular transferrin receptor (TFRC) genotype for rs3817672 (Pinteraction=0.04). SNP rs3817672 itself showed an ethnicity-specific association (P interaction=0.02 for ethnicity). We then examined additional IRG SNPs (rs422982, rs855791, rs733655), which showed risk associations in males (ORs=1.52 to 2.60). A polygenic model based on the number of polymorphic alleles in five IRG SNPs revealed a linear increase in risk (OR=2.00 per incremental change; P=0.002). Having three or more alleles compared with none was associated with increased risk in males (OR=4.12; P=0.004). Significant risk associations with childhood ALL was found with birth length (OR=1.18 per inch, P=0.04), high birth weight (>4,000g) (OR=1.93, P=0.01), and with gestational age (OR=1.10 per week, P=0.04). We observed a negative correlation between HFE SNP rs9366637 and gestational age (P=0.005), again, stronger in males ( P=0.001) and interacting with TFRC (P interaction=0.05). Our results showed that (i) ALL risk markers do not show universal associations across ethnicities or between genders, (ii) IRG SNPs modify ALL risk presumably by their effects on iron levels, (iii) a negative correlation between an HFE SNP and gestational age exists, which implicates an iron-related mechanism. The results suggest that currently unregulated supplemental iron intake may have implications on childhood ALL development.

A Conference on The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Gertrud is Gómez de Avellaneda: A Celebration of Nineteenth-Century Cuban Literature

This flyer promotes the event "A Conference on The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Gertrud is Gómez de Avellaneda: A Celebration of Nineteenth-Century Cuban Literature" cosponsored by the Cuban Research Institute and the Department of Modern Languages at Florida International University.

Length of stay in a neonatal intensive care unit and its association with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding in very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE: To identify the inpatient maternal and neonatal factors associated to the weaning of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: One hundred nineteen VLBW (<1500 g) infants were monitored from July 2005 through August 2006, from birth to the first ambulatory visit after maternity discharge. This maternity unit uses the Kangaroo Method and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Out of 119 VLBW infants monitored until discharge, 88 (75%) returned to the facility, 22 (25%) were on exclusive breastfeeding (EB), and 66 (75%) were weaned (partial breastfeeding or formula feeding). RESULTS: Univariate analysis found an association between weaning and lower birth weight, longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and longer hospitalization times, in addition to more prolonged enteral feeding and birth weight recovery period. Logistic regression showed length of NICU stay as being the main determinant of weaning. CONCLUSION: The negative repercussion on EB of an extended stay in the NICU is a significant challenge for health professionals to provide more adequate nutrition to VLBW infants.

Length of stay in a neonatal intensive care unit and its association with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding in very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE: To identify the inpatient maternal and neonatal factors associated to the weaning of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: One hundred nineteen VLBW (<1500 g) infants were monitored from July 2005 through August 2006, from birth to the first ambulatory visit after maternity discharge. This maternity unit uses the Kangaroo Method and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Out of 119 VLBW infants monitored until discharge, 88 (75%) returned to the facility, 22 (25%) were on exclusive breastfeeding (EB), and 66 (75%) were weaned (partial breastfeeding or formula feeding). RESULTS: Univariate analysis found an association between weaning and lower birth weight, longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and longer hospitalization times, in addition to more prolonged enteral feeding and birth weight recovery period. Logistic regression showed length of NICU stay as being the main determinant of weaning. CONCLUSION: The negative repercussion on EB of an extended stay in the NICU is a significant challenge for health professionals to provide more adequate nutrition to VLBW infants.

A produção do cuidado no período gravídico-puerperal: experiência de mulheres usuárias de serviços públicos de saúde

Despite numerous government projects aimed at reorganizing and qualifying obstetric and neonatal care in Brazil, it remains problematic, with repercussions for maternal and newborn mortality and humanized care of both the mother and child. The objective of this study was to analyze the care provided to women during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle, based on reports of public health service users regarding their pregnancy and delivery experiences, using comprehensiveness and humanization as reference. The study applied a qualitative approach and the methodological strategy consisted of listening to the women, in order to identify, based on the meanings of their discourse concerning their experiences with health services, continuities and discontinuities of care during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. Study participants were women who gave birth at a municipal public maternity, residents of Natal, Brazil, who at the time of the interviews, were between 10 and 42 days postpartum. Seven women reported their pregnancy and delivery experiences at public services. As interviews and observation took place, the material produced was also analyzed, in order to achieve simultaneous production and data analysis. Using systematization, a dialogue was established between the women’s discourses and production in the field of Collective Health, with respect to concepts and discussion about obstetric and neonatal care as well as the Comprehensiveness and Humanization of such care. Participant discourses underscored aspects related to prenatal care starting at pregnancy and its repercussions as well as prenatal monitoring by health services; aspects associated with care during labor and delivery, as well as those involved in postpartum in the maternity, both with respect to newborn and maternal careç and lastly, puerperium care after discharge from the maternity. Analysis of results sought to identify lines of continuity and discontinuity in the comprehensiveness and humanization of care. Based on these lines and as final contributions of the study, the following paths were proposed to achieve comprehensive and humanized production of health care for women during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle: Path 1- Reassess care in the maternal and newborn health network, aimed at comprehensiveness in terms of guaranteeing access to the various services and technological resources available to enhance health and life. Path 2- Reorganize work processes in order to attain comprehensive and humanized care for women in the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. Path 3 – Qualify the professional-user relationship in care management during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. Path 4 – Invest in the qualification of communication processes in the different dimensions of care during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle.

A produção do cuidado no período gravídico-puerperal: experiência de mulheres usuárias de serviços públicos de saúde

Despite numerous government projects aimed at reorganizing and qualifying obstetric and neonatal care in Brazil, it remains problematic, with repercussions for maternal and newborn mortality and humanized care of both the mother and child. The objective of this study was to analyze the care provided to women during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle, based on reports of public health service users regarding their pregnancy and delivery experiences, using comprehensiveness and humanization as reference. The study applied a qualitative approach and the methodological strategy consisted of listening to the women, in order to identify, based on the meanings of their discourse concerning their experiences with health services, continuities and discontinuities of care during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. Study participants were women who gave birth at a municipal public maternity, residents of Natal, Brazil, who at the time of the interviews, were between 10 and 42 days postpartum. Seven women reported their pregnancy and delivery experiences at public services. As interviews and observation took place, the material produced was also analyzed, in order to achieve simultaneous production and data analysis. Using systematization, a dialogue was established between the women’s discourses and production in the field of Collective Health, with respect to concepts and discussion about obstetric and neonatal care as well as the Comprehensiveness and Humanization of such care. Participant discourses underscored aspects related to prenatal care starting at pregnancy and its repercussions as well as prenatal monitoring by health services; aspects associated with care during labor and delivery, as well as those involved in postpartum in the maternity, both with respect to newborn and maternal careç and lastly, puerperium care after discharge from the maternity. Analysis of results sought to identify lines of continuity and discontinuity in the comprehensiveness and humanization of care. Based on these lines and as final contributions of the study, the following paths were proposed to achieve comprehensive and humanized production of health care for women during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle: Path 1- Reassess care in the maternal and newborn health network, aimed at comprehensiveness in terms of guaranteeing access to the various services and technological resources available to enhance health and life. Path 2- Reorganize work processes in order to attain comprehensive and humanized care for women in the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. Path 3 – Qualify the professional-user relationship in care management during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. Path 4 – Invest in the qualification of communication processes in the different dimensions of care during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle.

Thalidomide and birth defects

Apologies to the many papers we were unable to cite, due to space constraints. We thank Lynda Erskine, Shaunna Beedie and Chris Mahony for helpful discussions. Lucas Rosa Fraga is funded by a PhD scholarship from the Science without Borders program - CNPq Brazil - INAGEMP/ Grant CNPq 573993/2008-4. Alex J. Diamond is funded by a BBSRC DTP PhD Scholarship.

Thalidomide and birth defects

Apologies to the many papers we were unable to cite, due to space constraints. We thank Lynda Erskine, Shaunna Beedie and Chris Mahony for helpful discussions. Lucas Rosa Fraga is funded by a PhD scholarship from the Science without Borders program - CNPq Brazil - INAGEMP/ Grant CNPq 573993/2008-4. Alex J. Diamond is funded by a BBSRC DTP PhD Scholarship.

Cumulative live birth rates after one or more complete cycles of IVF : a population-based study of linked cycle data from 178 898 women

© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Home birth in Ireland 1993-1997: a review of community midwifery practice

To date little is known about the practices of domiciliary midwives and the outcomes of home birth in Ireland. The purpose of this review is to provide some background information on the situation for women seeking a home birth and to document the outcomes of home births in Ireland between 1993 -1997. Design: Descriptive analysis of prospective data collected from domiciliary midwives regarding women who requested a home birth between 1993 and 1997. Participants: The questionnaire was distributed to 15 domiciliary midwives; this included all the domiciliary midwives known to the authors to be practising in Ireland at that time. Findings: During this period, 585 women planned to give birth in their home with the assistance of midwives, 500 women achieved this. The spontaneous vaginal delivery rate for women who commenced their labour at home was 96.9% (n = 554). These women gave birth without medications or other interventions. 544 (93%) of the women breastfed their babies and 538 (92%) were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks. This is the first review of domiciliary midwifery practice in Ireland in recent years. They obtained data from 11 independent midwives on 585 women who planned home births. Findings showed high rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery and breastfeeding. There were 500 babies born at home with three perinatal deaths, including one undiagnosed breech delivery, one infant with abnormal lungs on post-mortem and one infant with Potter's Syndrome who was stillborn.