The viability of a tool for fetal health monitoring

Health monitoring has become widespread these past few years. Such applications include from exercise, food intake and weight watching, to specific scenarios like monitoring people who suffer from chronic diseases. More and more we see the need to also monitor the health of new-born babies and even fetuses. Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the main cause of deaths among babies and doctors do not know most of these defects. Hence, there is a need to study what causes these anomalies, and by monitoring the fetus daily there will be a better chance of identifying the defects in earlier stages. By analyzing the data collected, doctors can find patterns and come up with solutions, thus saving peoples’ lives. In many countries, the most common fetal monitor is the ultrasound and the use of it is regulated. In Sweden for normal pregnancies, there is only one ultrasound scan during the pregnancy period. There is no great evidence that ultrasound can harm the fetus, but many doctors suggest to use it as little as possible. Therefore, there is a demand for a new non-ultrasound device that can be as accurate, or even better, on detecting the FHR and not harming the baby. The problems that are discussed in this thesis include how can accurate fetus health be monitored non-invasively at home and how could a fetus health monitoring system for home use be designed. The first part of the research investigates different technologies that are currently being used on fetal monitoring, and techniques and parameters to monitor the fetus. The second part is a qualitative study held in Sweden between April and May 2016. The data for the qualitative study was collected through interviews with 21 people, 10 mothers/mothers-to-be and 11 obstetricians/gynecologists/midwives. The questions were related to the Swedish pregnancy protocol, the use of technology in medicine and in particular during the pregnancy process, and the use of an ECG based monitoring device. The results show that there is still room for improvements on the algorithms to extract the fetal ECG and the survey was very helpful in understanding the need for a fetal home monitor. Parents are open to new technologies especially if it doesn't affect the baby's growth. Doctors are open to use ECG as a great alternative to ultrasound; on the other hand, midwives are happy with the current system. The remote monitoring feature is very desirable to everyone, if such system will be used in the future.

Spatiotemporal neuromodulation therapies engaging muscle synergies improve motor control after spinal cord injury.

Electrical neuromodulation of lumbar segments improves motor control after spinal cord injury in animal models and humans. However, the physiological principles underlying the effect of this intervention remain poorly understood, which has limited the therapeutic approach to continuous stimulation applied to restricted spinal cord locations. Here we developed stimulation protocols that reproduce the natural dynamics of motoneuron activation during locomotion. For this, we computed the spatiotemporal activation pattern of muscle synergies during locomotion in healthy rats. Computer simulations identified optimal electrode locations to target each synergy through the recruitment of proprioceptive feedback circuits. This framework steered the design of spatially selective spinal implants and real-time control software that modulate extensor and flexor synergies with precise temporal resolution. Spatiotemporal neuromodulation therapies improved gait quality, weight-bearing capacity, endurance and skilled locomotion in several rodent models of spinal cord injury. These new concepts are directly translatable to strategies to improve motor control in humans.

Desarrollo y dinámica de los folículos ováricos desde la etapa fetal hasta la prepuberal en bovinos

Resumen Esta revisión compila el desarrollo y la dinámica folicular con una perspectiva histológica y de biología del desarrollo, desde la etapa fetal hasta prepuberal en bovinos (Bos taurus). Se trata de un proceso complejo y coordinado, con cambios fisiológicos y morfológicos que intervienen en la diferenciación y el desarrollo ovocitario. Los folículos son la unidad fundamental del ovario y comandan los procesos reproductivos y las fases del ciclo estral, con dos funciones fundamentales, la producción de hormonas y de ovocitos. La formación de folículos primordiales se conoce como el proceso de ensamblaje folicular, en el cual “nidos” de ovocitos completan su proliferación mitótica y comienzan la meiosis, mientras que muchos de estos folículos se vuelven apoptóticos, favoreciendo la desorganización de los nidos. El proceso de formación de folículos primordiales comienza durante el desarrollo fetal en bovinos, aproximadamente a los 80 días de gestación. Existe gran variación individual en el número de folículos, existiendo un pool de reserva ya al nacimiento. De unos 2.700.000 folículos primordiales constituidos al final del ensamblaje folicular, 90% degeneran, quedando al nacimiento aproximadamente 135.000 células germinales, las cuales declinan rápidamente hasta la pubertad y luego de ella. Los folículos primordiales se desarrollan a folículos primario, secundario, antral y preovularorio (en hembras adultas). Estas transiciones implican cambios citológicos, histológicos y morfológicos que son descritos. En terneras, igual que en animales adultos, ocurren ondas de crecimiento folicular, que aparecen a la segunda semana de vida. En la pubertad se observan importantes cambios endócrinos y ováricos y es influida por múltiples factores. El desarrollo folicular está íntimamente vinculado al futuro desempeño reproductivo de las hembras, por lo cual su conocimiento es fundamental para un adecuado manejo reproductivo de la hembra bovina y para ampliar las investigaciones vinculadas a esta disciplina

Zika virus damages the human placental barrier and presents marked fetal neurotropism

An unusually high incidence of microcephaly in newborns has recently been observed in Brazil. There is a temporal association between the increase in cases of microcephaly and the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic. Viral RNA has been detected in amniotic fluid samples, placental tissues and newborn and fetal brain tissues. However, much remains to be determined concerning the association between ZIKV infection and fetal malformations. In this study, we provide evidence of the transplacental transmission of ZIKV through the detection of viral proteins and viral RNA in placental tissue samples from expectant mothers infected at different stages of gestation. We observed chronic placentitis (TORCH type) with viral protein detection by immunohistochemistry in Hofbauer cells and some histiocytes in the intervillous spaces. We also demonstrated the neurotropism of the virus via the detection of viral proteins in glial cells and in some endothelial cells and the observation of scattered foci of microcalcifications in the brain tissues. Lesions were mainly located in the white matter. ZIKV RNA was also detected in these tissues by real-time-polymerase chain reaction. We believe that these findings will contribute to the body of knowledge of the mechanisms of ZIKV transmission, interactions between the virus and host cells and viral tropism.

Valor predictivo del perfil biofísico fetal en gestantes a término en relación con las condiciones neonatales detectadas por el APGAR. Hospital Regional Vicente Corral Moscoso, enero-septiembre 2005

Se justifica el estudio como un aporte importante que permite en base al trabajo en equipo de a profesionales en imágenes, pediatras y obstetras, responsables del binomio madre-hijo, tener un método útil o de exploración peri.natal que ha permitido evaluar una serie de actividades biofísicas que ayudan en la toma de decisiones certeras en la conducción del parto y/o culminación del embarazo, que ayudan a predecir varias complicaciones entre las más importantes el sufrimiento fetal agudo, consecuencia de la hipoxia que muchas de las veces ha terminado en la muerte fetal. Por lo que se hace necesario determinar el valor predictivo de la prueba del Perfil Biofísico Fetal en gestantes a término en relación con las condiciones neonatales valoradas por el Test de Pagar al momento del nacimiento. Conclusiones: en relación a la prueba de perfil biofísico fetal se encontró que la sensibilidad de la prueba es de 62.96, la especificidad de 93.45, el valor predictivo positivo fue del 48.5, el valor predictivo negativo 96.45, los índices de verdaderos positivos de 48.47, de falsos positivos de 51.43, de falsos negativos 3.75y de verdaderos negativos 96.25

The Role of Mucosal Defense in Intestinal Injury of Infants With Fetal Growth Retardation

Background: Infants with fetal growth retardation (FGR) are prone to intestinal disorders. Objectives: Aim of the study was to determine the role of mucosal defense ability in formation of gut injury in infants with FGR. Materials and Methods: 44 premature infants who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were divided into two groups: 20 infants with FGR (FGR group) and 24 appropriate-for-gestational age newborns (AGA group). Control group consisted of 22 premature infants who were delivered after uncomplicated pregnancy. Gut barrier function was evaluated by detecting serum intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP). The level of serum IFABP and ITF was measured by using ELISA method. Results: FGR group showed significantly higher ITF concentration than AGA group on the first days of life (P ˂ 0.01). High level of ITF in the FGR group significantly declines up to 7th - 10th day of life (P ˂ 0.01). This reduction was accompanied by increase of IFABP which is a marker of ischemic intestinal mucosal injury. Correlation analyses showed that ITF had a negative correlation with IFABP. Conclusions: Infants with fetal growth retardation are characterized by a high level of ITF on the first days of life. This protects intestinal mucosa under hypoxic conditions. Its subsequent decline accompanied by an increase of IFABP reflects the depletion of Goblet cells to secret ITF causing damage to the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier.

Mal nutrición materna, parto y bienestar fetal. Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso. Abril-Julio 2007

Determinar la prevalencia de malnutrición materna al parto, relacionar con el tipo de parto y la condición del recién nacido. Embarazadas al parto, departamento de obstetricia, Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, Abril - Julio 2007, Muestra: 650 parturientas. Al ingreso se peso y tomo la talla, clasificó según el nomograma de Rosso y Mardones. Se valoró el tipo de parto. Se clasificó según peso, edad gestacional y según riesgo de mortalidad neonal (Bataglia y Lunchenko), APGAR a los cinco minutos y el destino del recien nacido. La prevalencia de malnutrición es 68 por ciento. 27.4 por ciento son adolescentes. Parto vaginal 67.8 por ciento, cesárea el 32.2 por ciento. El recién nacido (RN) 70.9 por ciento es adecuado, 20.9 por ciento es pequeño y el 8.2 por ciento es grande para la edad gestacional. El 98.5 por ciento son vivos. El APGAR mayor 7 a los cinco minutos 93.3 por ciento. El 87 por ciento de RN el destino es su madre, 10.6 por ciento a neonatología. El peso bajo de la madre se asocia con el recién nacido pequeño (OR=1,695). El peso bajo de la madre es protector para el RN sea grande (OR=0,313; el sobrepeso (OR=2,098), la obesidad (OR=2,941) es asociación con el RN sea grande. La obesidad materna es asociación con el al APGAR menor 7 (OR=2,007). El parto por cesárea es asociación con el RN pequeño (OR=2,011), el destino a neonatología (OR=2,368) y APGAR menor 7 (OR=2,314)

Densidad óptica en embarazadas normales y madurez pulmonar fetal. Estudio en el líquido amniótico. Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso. Cuenca -Ecuador 1999

Se realiza un estudio de tipo clínico-descriptivo con el objeto de determinar la presencia de pigmentos bilirrubinoides y la madurez pulmonar, comprado el Test de Clements con la edad gestacional y el estado clínico del recién nacido. Se tomó a cincuenta pacientes embarazadas entre 37 y 41 semanas de gestación, sin factores de riesgo y sus recién nacidos, atendidos mediante cesárea o parto vaginal, en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso de la ciudad de Cuenca en 1999. Se realizaron las determinaciones basados en los parámetros recomendados a nivel internacional concluyendo que: 1 En las embarazadas a término de la gestación, la determinación de la presencia de pigmentos bilirrubinoides en líquido ammniótico corresponde a la zona 1 de la gráfica de Liley, interpretada como exenta de riesgo para los recién nacidos, de acuerdo con los parámetros que se registran en la literatura médica actual. 2. La prueba de Clements positiva guarda estrecha relación con la madurez del recién nacido expresada por Capurro y con una adecuada función respiratoria expresada por un puntaje normal de Silverman en todos los casos. 3. En caso de usarse la prueba de Clements, es la prueba de un tubo, suficiente para valorar la madurez pulmonar por su alta confiabilidad y bajo costo. 4. Por lo tanto los autores recomendamos que se incluya la aplicación de estas dos pruebas, que son de fácil realización, como parte del protocolo de atención materno-infantil en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso

Indicadores ecográficos de patología fetal del tercer trimestre de gestación: Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, febrero-julio del 2005

Las experiencias prenatales y postnatales de este grupo de gestantes investigadas, tanto por ultrasonido como por valoración clínica pediátrica; ha sido de mucho interés. El objetivo consiste en detectar mediante signos ecográficos la presencia de patología fetal; utilizando un ecógrafo marca Sonoace 8000 EX con transductor convexo 3,5 MHZ, puesto que se han comparado punto por punto la investigación con la experiencia de grupos similares de otras investigaciones, efectuándose por lo tanto una correlación ecográfica y clínica en toda mujer embarazada que cursa el tercer trimestre de gestación, obteniéndose de las 355 pacientes estudiadas, 28 casos positivos para patología fetal por ultrasonido, de los cuales se comprobó clínicamente al momento del nacimiento 20 casos, lo que permite indica que se puede diagnosticar un 71.4cuadros patológicos sonoembrionarios; que en comparación con grupos similares de investigación, es significativo. En el grupo de personas investigadas hubo también falsos positivos para ultrasonido tal es el caso de 6 (20) en patología craneal, 1 (10) en polimalformados y 1 5en patología toráxica; los demás coincidieron en su diagnóstico prenatal con el postnatal. De esta manera señalamos que en la presente investigación las pruebas diagnosticas son tambien significativas y acordes a las investigaciones que trae la literatura mundial, en donde se reportan sensibilizadas bajas, que van desde 24.5(González 1999), hasta 73.7(estudio mundial Eurofetus), con especialidades altas sobre los 90; el grupo investigado posee una sensibilidad del 70y una especificidad del 95.82que indica que se puede captar en el 70a los verdaderos positivos y en el 95a los verdaderos negativos con una probabilidad de padecer la enfermedad se si obtiene un resultado positivo en la prueba que es de un 50, con lo que se concluye e insiste en la importancia que posee el manejo interdisciplinario y la aplicación de esta modalidad en toda gestante

Correlación clínica y ecográfica de la maduración y reactividad fetal

Estudio descriptivo de cohorte único para por medio de la clínica (altura de fondo uterino) y del uso de la ecografía (longitud femoral y diámetro biparietal) elaborar curvas de crecimiento fetal y detectar posibles diferencias determinadas por el sexo en el mismo, estudiar la madurez placentaria ecográfica y la respuesta ftal al test de estimulación vibroacústica; en sesenta pacientes embarazadas que acudieron a la consulta externa del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso durante el período comprendido entre Marzo de 1992 y julio de 1993, que cumplieron las siguientes características: embarazo de curso clínico normal menor de veinte semanas al momento de la inclusión, ciclos menstruales espontáneos y regulares y no haber usado métodos anticonceptivos tres meses previos al embarazo, luego del parto los criterios fueron: recién nacido normal, de peso adecuado para la edad gestacional y a término. Encontramos que la longitud femoral se inicia con valores de 1.63 centímetros a las doce semanas de gestación, teniendo un comportamiento lineal progresivamente ascendente, con aumento promedio de 0.21 centímetros por semana, para terminar en 7.4 centímetros a la semana 40. Se encuentra que la longitud femoral se inicia con valores de 1.83 centímetros a las doce semanas de gestación, teniendo un comportamiento lineal progresivamente ascendiente, con aumento promedio de 0.21 centímetros por semana, para terminar en 7.4 centímetros a la semana 40. El diámetro biparietal se inicia con valores de 2 centímetros a las doce semanas, tiene un trayecto progresivamente ascendente, iniciando un aplanamiento hacia las 30 semanas, que se acentúa en las últimas semanas del embarazo, terminando en 9.17 a las 40 semanas de gestación. La altura del fondo uterino describe una curva regular con ascenso inicial rápido y luego tendencia al aplanamiento. En los tres parámetros no se evidenciaron diferencias determinadas por el sexo. El grado de maduración placentaria es progresivo. Aparece el grado I a las 27 semanas, el grado II a las 35 semanas y el grado III a las 38 semanas. Se demuestra que la prueba de estimulación vibroacústica es eficiente para la valoración del bienestar fetal, observándose además que a una mayor edad gestacional el incremento de la frecuencia cardíaca fetal es también mayor

A cross sectional study of leptospirosis and fetal death in Yucatan, Mexico

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease affecting mainly to low income human population. Acute leptospiral infection during pregnancy has been associated with spontaneous abortion and fetal death during the first trimester and the abortion may occur as consequence of systemic failure. Objective: To estimate the frequency of Leptospira interrogans infection in women with spontaneous abortion in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Methods: A cross sectional study on women with spontaneous abortion was conducted. Serum samples were tested for Leptospirosis by the microaglutination test, to estimate the frequency of the infecting serovar. The indirect ELISA IgM was used to detect recent infection by L. interrogans. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of placenta for PCR detection of L. interrogans. Results: Overall frequency of infection with L. interrogans in the 81 women with abortion was 13.6%. Five of the 12 serovars evaluated were found and included. Two of the 11 women with abortion and positive to microaglutination test were also positive to the ELISA IgM test. None samples were positive for PCR Leptospira diagnosis. Conclusion: two women could be associated with spontaneous abortion due to leptospirosis, because they showed antibodies against L. interrogans in the microaglutination test and ELISA IgM assays. Differences between regions were found with respect to the prevalences of lesptospirosis.

Experiences and perceptions of problem gamblers on cognitive and exposure therapies when taking part in a randomised controlled trial: a qualitative study

In South Australia (SA) problem gambling is mainly a result of the widespread availability of electronic gaming machines. A key treatment provider in SA offers free cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT) to help-seeking problem gamblers. The CBT program focuses on the treatment of clients' urge to gamble using exposure therapy (ET) and cognitive therapy (CT) to restructure erroneous gambling beliefs. The aim of this study was to explore treatment specific and non-specific effects for CT alone and ET alone using qualitative interviews. Interviewees were a sub-sample of participants from a randomised trial that investigated the relative efficacy of CT versus ET. Findings revealed that all interviewees gained benefit from their respective therapies and their comments did not appear to favour one therapy over another. Both treatment specific and treatment non-specific effects were well supported as playing a therapeutic role to recovery. Participants' comments in both therapy groups suggested that symptom reduction was experienced on a gambling related urge-cognition continuum. In addition to symptom improvement from therapy-specific mechanisms, ET participants described a general acquisition of "rational thought" from their program of therapy and CT participants had "taken-over" their gambling urges. The findings also highlighted areas for further improvement including therapy drop-out.

Assessing randomised clinical trials of cognitive and exposure therapies for gambling disorders : a systematic review

Aims: Problem or pathological gambling is associated with significant disruption to the individual, family and community with a range of adverse outcomes, including legal, financial and mental health impairment. It occurs more frequently in younger populations, and comorbid conditions are common. Cognitive–behaviour therapy (CBT) is the most empirically established class of treatments for problematic gambling. This article reports on a systematic review and evaluation of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) concerning two core techniques of CBT: cognitive and behavioural (exposure-based) therapies. Methods: PsycINFO, MEDLINE and the Cochrane library were searched from database inception to December 2012. The CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for non-pharmacological treatments was used to evaluate each study. Results: The initial search identified 104 references. After two screening phases, seven RCTs evaluating either cognitive (n = 3), exposure (n = 3) or both (n = 1) interventions remained. The studies were published between 1983 and 2003 and conducted across Australia, Canada, and Spain. On average, approximately 31% of CONSORT items were rated as ‘absent’ for each study and more than 52% rated as ‘present with some limitations’. For all studies, 70.83% of items rated as ‘absent’ were in the methods section. Conclusions: The findings from this review of randomised clinical trials involving cognitive and exposure-based treatments for gambling disorders show that the current evidence base is limited. Trials with low risk of bias are needed to be reported before recommendations are given on their effectiveness and clinicians can appraise their potential utility with confidence.

Two-group randomised, parallel trial of cognitive and exposure therapies for problem gambling: a research protocol

BACKGROUND: Problem gambling is a serious public health concern at an international level where population prevalence rates average 2% or more and occurs more frequently in younger populations. The most empirically established treatments until now are combinations of cognitive and behavioural techniques labelled cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). However, there is a paucity of high quality evidence for the comparative efficacy of core CBT interventions in treating problem gamblers. This study aims to isolate and compare cognitive and behavioural (exposure-based) techniques to determine their relative efficacy.

METHODS: A sample of 130 treatment-seeking problem gamblers will be allocated to either cognitive or exposure therapy in a two-group randomised, parallel design. Repeated measures will be conducted at baseline, mid and end of treatment (12 sessions intervention period), and at 3, 6 and 12 months (maintenance effects). The primary outcome measure is improvement in problem gambling severity symptoms using the Victorian Gambling Screen (VGS) harm to self-subscale. VGS measures gambling severity on an extensive continuum, thereby enhancing sensitivity to change within and between individuals over time.

DISCUSSION: This article describes the research methods, treatments and outcome measures used to evaluate gambling behaviours, problems caused by gambling and mechanisms of change. This study will be the first randomised, parallel trial to compare cognitive and exposure therapies in this population.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Southern Adelaide Health Service/Flinders University Human Research Ethics Committee. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of the application of cognitive and behaviour therapies for problematic gambling : implications for the Statewide Gambling Therapy Service treatment model

Through an ongoing research programme, the Statewide Gambling Therapy Service (SGTS) in South Australia has been systematically developing approaches to treatment and relapse prevention in order to include a wider range of clients in the treatment programme, help them recover from their gambling problems and support them to avoid relapse to problematic gambling post treatment.In a recent randomised controlled trial exploring the efficacy of cognitive versus behavioural therapy in the treatment of problematic gambling disorders in SGTS, no significant differences were found between clinical outcomes of the two treatment modalities. Both purely cognitive and purely bahavioural approaches to therapy had similar outcomes in terms of improvements in measures of health and wellbeing (Work and Social Adjustment Scale: WSAS), general depressioni (Kessler 10: K10) and problematic gambling (Victorian Gambling Screen: VGS). Further studies are planned to test more precisely whether both approaches are indeed equivalent in terms of outcomes achieved for clients. In the mean time, the fact that behavioural therapy (BT) tends to required less treatment sessions to achieve the same outcomes as cognitive therapy (CT) suggests that working to retaining clients in treatment using BT may be a more effective and parsimonious treatment option for people with gambling disorders . This current paper provides an overview of SGTS client engagement and management strategies following the completion of our recent RCT.