<i>Background.</i> Chlamydia infections often follow an asymptomatic course but may damage the reproductive tract. Chlamydia antibodies in serum are used as markers for past infections and can relate to tubal pathology and infertility. This <i>&#x201c;proof of principle&#x201d;</i> study aimed to assess whether Chlamydia antibodies are detectable in easier to obtain, noninvasive, vaginal mucosa samples and relate to current or past infection. <i>Methods.</i> We compared outcomes of Chlamydia IgG and IgA antibody tests in serum and vaginal mucosal swabs in (a) 77 women attending a fertility clinic, of whom 25 tested positive for serum-IgG and (b) 107 women visiting an STI centre, including 30 Chlamydia PCR-positive subjects. <i>Results.</i> In the STI clinic, active Chlamydia infections were linked to serum-IgG and serum-IgA (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.7022505pt" id="M1" height="9.29899pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.59674 52.051 9.29899" width="52.051pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g50-81" d="M622 479C622 589 545 650 400 650H146L140 618C229 609 230 602 215 527L135 132C117 43 112 41 27 32L18 0H305L313 32C213 40 205 44 222 132L251 284L324 262H365C484 269 622 333 622 479ZM528 477C528 356 420 305 344 305C300 305 276 314 259 321L303 554C311 597 313 600 331 606C345 611 361 614 379 614C463 614 528 580 528 477Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.766,0)"><path id="g54-91" d="M530 -6V57L144 261V263L530 468V530L81 290V234L530 -6Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,23.385,0)"><path id="g50-49" d="M245 635C92 635 37 457 37 312C37 149 91 -12 244 -12C395 -12 449 166 449 312C449 469 395 635 245 635ZM243 598C332 598 358 454 358 312C358 173 334 26 245 26C158 26 128 174 128 313S152 598 243 598Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.716,0)"><path id="g50-47" d="M117 -12C153 -12 178 12 178 50C178 84 153 110 118 110C84 110 59 84 59 50C59 12 84 -12 117 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.797,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,39.128,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,45.459,0)"><path id="g50-50" d="M389 0V32C297 38 291 46 291 118V635C234 613 175 595 109 583V556L161 554C203 552 207 547 207 497V118C207 46 201 38 110 32V0H389Z"/></g></svg>) and mucosa-IgA (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.7022505pt" id="M2" height="9.29899pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.59674 52.051 9.29899" width="52.051pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.766,0)"><use xlink:href="#g54-91"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,23.385,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.716,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.797,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,39.128,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,45.459,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-50"/></g></svg>), but not mucosa-IgG. In the fertility clinic, mucosa-IgG had stronger correlations with serum-IgG (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2063999pt" id="M3" height="8.80314pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.59674 45.6962 8.80314" width="45.6962pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.766,0)"><path id="g54-34" d="M556 331V384H55V331H556ZM556 140V193H55V140H556Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,23.385,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.716,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.797,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,39.128,0)"><path id="g50-51" d="M414 144C384 79 371 75 317 75H135L276 221C367 316 408 376 408 465C408 570 327 635 237 635C179 635 131 609 100 575L42 494L67 471C94 510 138 565 205 565C277 565 321 517 321 435C321 348 258 270 195 195C146 137 88 81 33 26V0H411C423 44 433 88 446 135L414 144Z"/></g></svg>) than mucosa-IgA (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2063999pt" id="M4" height="8.80314pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.59674 45.6962 8.80314" width="45.6962pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.766,0)"><use xlink:href="#g54-34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,23.385,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.716,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.797,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,39.128,0)"><path id="g50-55" d="M141 347C171 480 264 541 327 570C364 587 403 599 436 605L429 641C389 634 339 622 300 609C191 570 37 458 37 239C37 86 126 -12 245 -12C367 -12 454 89 454 210C454 314 380 397 272 397C252 397 230 390 208 380L141 347ZM231 338C323 338 366 257 366 174C366 108 340 27 263 27C180 27 129 123 129 244C129 268 130 292 135 310C158 323 193 338 231 338Z"/></g></svg>). Women with tubal pathology or Chlamydia history more commonly had serum-IgG and mucosa-IgA (both <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.7022505pt" id="M5" height="9.29899pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.59674 52.051 9.29899" width="52.051pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.766,0)"><use xlink:href="#g54-91"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,23.385,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.716,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.797,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,39.128,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,45.459,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-50"/></g></svg>), whereas this link was weaker for mucosa-IgG (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2063999pt" id="M6" height="8.80314pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.59674 45.6962 8.80314" width="45.6962pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.766,0)"><use xlink:href="#g54-34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,23.385,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.716,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.797,0)"><use xlink:href="#g50-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,39.128,0)"><path id="g50-52" d="M290 377C321 398 342 415 358 430C378 450 389 473 389 502C389 578 329 635 238 635H237C184 635 137 610 109 578L64 515L88 493C112 529 154 573 208 573S303 542 303 482C303 409 233 370 141 341L149 308C165 313 190 319 215 319C272 319 341 283 341 193C342 98 292 43 222 43C163 43 122 72 96 94C88 101 79 100 70 94C61 87 47 73 46 60C44 47 48 37 62 23C76 10 118 -12 165 -12C238 -12 430 62 430 223C430 297 379 359 290 375V377Z"/></g></svg>). <i>Conclusion.</i> Chlamydia IgG and IgA are detectable in vaginal mucosal material. Serum-IgG had stronger associations with current or past infections. Mucosa-IgA also showed associations with (past) infection and complications. IgA presence in vaginal mucosa warrants further epidemiological studies.

Ingrid V. F. van den Broek

Jolande A. Land

Jan E. A. M. van Bergen

Servaas A. Morr&#xe9;

Marianne A. B. van der Sande

<i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> Antibody Testing in Vaginal Mucosal Material versus Blood Samples of Women Attending a Fertility Clinic and an STI Clinic

About 17 million people worldwide live with cerebral palsy, the most common disability in childhood, with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, preterm birth, and low birth weight being the most important risk factors. This review will focus on recent developments in cell therapy for infantile cerebral palsy by transplantation of autologous umbilical cord blood. There are only 4 publications available at present; however, the observations made along with experimental data <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> may be of utmost importance clinically, so that a review at an early developmental stage of this new therapeutic concept seems justified. Particularly, since the first published double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in a paradigm using allogeneic cord blood and erythropoietin to treat cerebral palsy under immunosuppression showed beneficial therapeutic effects in infantile cerebral palsy, long-held doubts about the efficacy of this new cell therapy are dispelled and a revision of therapeutic views upon an ailment, for which there is no cure at present, is warranted. Hence, this review will summarize the available information on autologous cord blood therapy for cerebral palsy and that on the relevant experimental work as far as potential mechanisms and modes of action are concerned.

A. Jensen

Autologous Cord Blood Therapy for Infantile Cerebral Palsy: From Bench to Bedside

T/QRS ratio monitoring is used to help identify fetal asphyxia. However, immature animals have greater capacity to maintain blood pressure during severe asphyxia, raising the possibility that they may show an attenuated T/QRS increase during asphyxia. Chronically instrumented fetal sheep at 0.6 of gestation (0.6&#x2009;GA; <i  >n</i> = 12), 0.7&#x2009;GA (<i  >n</i> = 12), and 0.8&#x2009;GA (<i  >n</i> = 8) underwent complete umbilical cord occlusion for 30&#x2009;min, 25&#x2009;min, or 15&#x2009;min, respectively. Cord occlusion was associated with progressive metabolic acidosis and initial hypertension followed by severe hypotension, with a more rapid fall in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and carotid blood flow (CaBF) with advancing gestation. T/QRS ratio rose after occlusion more rapidly at 0.8&#x2009;GA than in immature fetuses, to a similar final peak at all ages, followed by a progressive fall that was slower at 0.8&#x2009;GA than in the immature fetuses. The increase in T/QRS ratio correlated with initial hypertension at 0.8&#x2009;GA (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:58.712502px;" id="M1" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 58.712502 11.375" width="58.712502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><path id="x1D443" d="M619 482q0 -69 -40.5 -119t-96 -72.5t-118.5 -26.5h-44l-70 20l-31 -151q-14 -67 0.5 -83t89.5 -22l-5 -28h-287l8 28q65 7 81.5 22t29.5 83l79 398q12 56 0.5 70.5t-78.5 20.5l7 28h255q108 0 164 -43t56 -125zM524 478q0 141 -146 141q-25 0 -47 -8q-16 -6 -20.5 -13.5&#xA;t-10.5 -39.5l-43 -241q37 -13 83 -13q67 0 125.5 45t58.5 129z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><path id="x3C" d="M512 -3l-437 233v51l437 233v-58l-378 -200v-2l378 -199v-58z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><path id="x30" d="M241 635q53 0 94 -28.5t63.5 -76t33.5 -102.5t11 -116q0 -58 -11 -112.5t-34 -103.5t-63.5 -78.5t-94.5 -29.5t-95 28t-64.5 75t-34.5 102.5t-11 118.5q0 58 11.5 112.5t34.5 103t64.5 78t95.5 29.5zM238 602q-32 0 -55.5 -25t-35.5 -68t-17.5 -91t-5.5 -105&#xA;q0 -76 10 -138.5t37 -107.5t69 -45q32 0 55.5 25t35.5 68.5t17.5 91.5t5.5 105t-5.5 105.5t-18 92t-36 68t-56.5 24.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.446,11.112)"><path id="x2E" d="M113 -12q-24 0 -39.5 16t-15.5 42q0 24 16 40.5t40 16.5t40 -16.5t16 -40.5q0 -26 -16 -42t-41 -16z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.481,11.112)"><path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8&#xA;l-26 -65h-233z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>, <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1092pt;width:17.4px;" id="M2" height="15.975" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 17.4 15.975" width="17.4"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,15.775)"><path id="x1D445" d="M627 18l-10 -26q-79 6 -116 27t-69 76q-41 71 -71 138q-13 29 -27.5 39t-42.5 10h-46l-27 -145q-13 -74 -2.5 -88.5t78.5 -20.5l-6 -28h-271l5 28q66 6 82.5 21.5t30.5 87.5l71 387q12 66 2 78.5t-77 19.5l8 28h233q102 0 147 -29q65 -43 65 -129q0 -69 -45.5 -117&#xA;t-115.5 -72q40 -86 66 -133q39 -68 65 -101q28 -37 73 -51zM491 483q0 67 -33.5 101t-91.5 34q-35 0 -51 -10q-13 -8 -20 -48l-45 -245h49q71 0 113 28q79 52 79 140z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,11.013,7.613)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g>

		
	
</svg> = 0.38), and conversely, its fall correlated closely with falling MAP in all gestational groups (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:58.712502px;" id="M3" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 58.712502 11.375" width="58.712502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x1D443"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x3C"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.446,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.481,11.112)"><path id="x31" d="M384 0h-275v27q67 5 81.5 18.5t14.5 68.5v385q0 38 -7.5 47.5t-40.5 10.5l-48 2v24q85 15 178 52v-521q0 -55 14.5 -68.5t82.5 -18.5v-27z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>, <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1092pt;width:17.4px;" id="M4" height="15.975" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 17.4 15.975" width="17.4"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,15.775)"><use xlink:href="#x1D445"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,11.013,7.613)"><use xlink:href="#x32"/></g>

		
	
</svg> = 0.67). In conclusion, elevation of the T/QRS ratio is an index of onset of severe asphyxia in the last third of gestation, but not of fetal compromise.

Guido Wassink

Robert Galinsky

Paul P. Drury

Eleanor R. Gunn

Laura Bennet

Alistair J. Gunn

Does Maturity Affect Cephalic Perfusion and T/QRS Ratio during Prolonged Umbilical Cord Occlusion in Fetal Sheep?

Creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and amylase levels of preterm infants following long-term tocolysis in pregnant women are limited. The objective of this study was to determine if the tocolytic therapy affects CK, LDH, and amylase levels in the umbilical blood. This study included 215 preterm infants born to women treated with and without ritodrine hydrochloride. CK, LDH, and amylase levels in the umbilical blood at delivery were determined. Infants were divided according to the ritodrine tocolysis, as follows: Group A (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.27588pt;width:44.400002px;" id="M1" height="11.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.400002 11.175" width="44.400002"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><path id="x1D45B" d="M495 86q-46 -47 -87 -72.5t-63 -25.5q-43 0 -16 107l49 210q7 34 8 50.5t-3 21t-13 4.5q-35 0 -109.5 -72.5t-115.5 -140.5q-21 -75 -38 -159q-50 -10 -76 -21l-6 8l84 340q8 35 -4 35q-17 0 -67 -46l-15 26q44 44 85.5 70.5t64.5 26.5q35 0 10 -103l-24 -98h2&#xA;q42 56 97 103.5t96 71.5q46 26 74 26q9 0 16 -2.5t14 -11.5t9.5 -24.5t-1 -44t-13.5 -68.5q-30 -117 -47 -200q-4 -19 -3.5 -25t6.5 -6q21 0 70 48z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.305,10.862)"><path id="x3D" d="M535 323h-483v50h483v-50zM535 138h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.008,10.862)"><path id="x39" d="M244 635q90 0 143 -72t53 -177q0 -133 -65 -229.5t-171 -139.5q-79 -32 -140 -32l-5 30q109 18 185 91t101 186l-68 -36q-29 -16 -60 -16q-79 0 -129 51.5t-50 130.5q0 80 57 146.5t149 66.5zM228 602q-52 0 -78 -45.5t-26 -98.5q0 -69 36.5 -115.5t97.5 -46.5&#xA;q53 0 90 28q4 31 4 66q0 51 -9.5 95.5t-39 80.5t-75.5 36z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.168,10.862)"><path id="x31" d="M384 0h-275v27q67 5 81.5 18.5t14.5 68.5v385q0 38 -7.5 47.5t-40.5 10.5l-48 2v24q85 15 178 52v-521q0 -55 14.5 -68.5t82.5 -18.5v-27z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>), not exposed to ritodrine; Group B (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.10033pt;width:44.400002px;" id="M2" height="11.075" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.400002 11.075" width="44.400002"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.8)"><use xlink:href="#x1D45B"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.305,10.8)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.008,10.8)"><path id="x34" d="M456 178h-96v-72q0 -51 12.5 -62.5t72.5 -16.5v-27h-256v27q65 5 78 17t13 62v72h-260v28q182 271 300 426h40v-407h96v-47zM280 225v295h-2q-107 -148 -196 -295h198z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.168,10.8)"><use xlink:href="#x34"/></g>

		
	
</svg>), IV ritodrine for &#x3C;1 week; Group C (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.17555pt;width:44.400002px;" id="M3" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.400002 11.125" width="44.400002"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x1D45B"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.305,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.008,10.862)"><path id="x38" d="M249 635q70 0 116 -43t46 -105q0 -46 -28 -80q-22 -25 -80 -64q62 -35 97 -75t35 -99q0 -81 -63 -131t-135 -50q-83 0 -137.5 45.5t-54.5 123.5q0 52 45 95q29 28 89 64q-109 62 -109 155q0 66 50.5 115t128.5 49zM238 603q-42 0 -67.5 -31t-25.5 -72q0 -50 32.5 -79.5&#xA;t98.5 -62.5q61 48 61 124q0 59 -29.5 90t-69.5 31zM248 20q46 0 76.5 33.5t30.5 89.5q0 50 -39 85.5t-110 71.5q-81 -54 -81 -137q0 -67 35.5 -105t87.5 -38z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.168,10.862)"><path id="x30" d="M241 635q53 0 94 -28.5t63.5 -76t33.5 -102.5t11 -116q0 -58 -11 -112.5t-34 -103.5t-63.5 -78.5t-94.5 -29.5t-95 28t-64.5 75t-34.5 102.5t-11 118.5q0 58 11.5 112.5t34.5 103t64.5 78t95.5 29.5zM238 602q-32 0 -55.5 -25t-35.5 -68t-17.5 -91t-5.5 -105&#xA;q0 -76 10 -138.5t37 -107.5t69 -45q32 0 55.5 25t35.5 68.5t17.5 91.5t5.5 105t-5.5 105.5t-18 92t-36 68t-56.5 24.5z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>), IV ritodrine for &#x2265;1 week. The CK concentration in cord blood of Group C (<svg     style="vertical-align:-1.09097pt;width:82.525002px;" id="M4" height="11.2875" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 82.525002 11.2875" width="82.525002"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x31"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,8.222,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x39"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,16.381,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x38"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,24.541,10.862)"><path id="x2E" d="M113 -12q-24 0 -39.5 16t-15.5 42q0 24 16 40.5t40 16.5t40 -16.5t16 -40.5q0 -26 -16 -42t-41 -16z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.416,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x38"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,40.35,10.862)"><path id="xB1" d="M535 290h-212v-206h-58v206h-213v50h213v193h58v-193h212v-50zM535 -22h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,54.102,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x31"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,62.261,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,70.42,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,74.296,10.862)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>&#x2009;IU/L) was significantly higher in comparison with Group A (<svg     style="vertical-align:-1.09097pt;width:74.362503px;" id="M5" height="11.2875" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 74.362503 11.2875" width="74.362503"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x31"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,8.222,10.862)"><path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8&#xA;l-26 -65h-233z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,16.381,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x35"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,24.541,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.416,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,40.35,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#xB1"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,54.102,10.862)"><path id="x37" d="M447 623l8 -12l-283 -613l-74 -10l-7 11q174 283 297 551h-216q-48 0 -62.5 -12t-33.5 -63h-29q10 60 18 148h382z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,62.261,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,66.137,10.862)"><path id="x33" d="M285 378v-2q65 -13 102 -54.5t37 -97.5q0 -57 -30.5 -104.5t-74 -75t-85.5 -42t-72 -14.5q-31 0 -59.5 11t-40.5 23q-19 18 -16 36q1 16 23 33q13 10 24 0q58 -51 124 -51q55 0 88 40t33 112q0 64 -39 96.5t-88 32.5q-29 0 -64 -11l-6 29q77 25 118 57.5t41 84.5&#xA;q0 45 -26.5 69.5t-68.5 24.5q-67 0 -120 -79l-20 20l43 63q51 56 127 56h1q66 0 107 -37t41 -95q0 -42 -31 -71q-22 -23 -68 -54z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>&#x2009;IU/L, <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.30096pt;width:58.712502px;" id="M6" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 58.712502 11.375" width="58.712502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><path id="x1D443" d="M619 482q0 -69 -40.5 -119t-96 -72.5t-118.5 -26.5h-44l-70 20l-31 -151q-14 -67 0.5 -83t89.5 -22l-5 -28h-287l8 28q65 7 81.5 22t29.5 83l79 398q12 56 0.5 70.5t-78.5 20.5l7 28h255q108 0 164 -43t56 -125zM524 478q0 141 -146 141q-25 0 -47 -8q-16 -6 -20.5 -13.5&#xA;t-10.5 -39.5l-43 -241q37 -13 83 -13q67 0 125.5 45t58.5 129z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><path id="x3C" d="M512 -3l-437 233v51l437 233v-58l-378 -200v-2l378 -199v-58z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.446,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.481,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x35"/></g>

		
	
</svg>). There was no significant difference in LDH and amylase levels in the three groups. The CK significantly correlated with gestational age (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.17555pt;width:55.075001px;" id="M7" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 55.075001 11.125" width="55.075001"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><path id="x1D45F" d="M393 379q-9 -16 -28 -29q-15 -10 -23 -2q-19 19 -36 19q-21 0 -52 -38q-57 -72 -82 -126l-40 -197q-23 -3 -75 -18l-7 7q49 196 74 335q7 43 -2 43q-7 0 -30 -14.5t-47 -37.5l-16 23q37 42 82 73t67 31q41 0 15 -113l-11 -50h4q41 71 85 117t77 46q29 0 45 -26&#xA;q13 -21 0 -43z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,11.945,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,26.649,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,34.808,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.684,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,46.843,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x32"/></g>

		
	
</svg>, <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.30096pt;width:58.712502px;" id="M8" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 58.712502 11.375" width="58.712502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x1D443"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x3C"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.446,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.481,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x31"/></g>

		
	
</svg>) and birth weight (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.17555pt;width:55.075001px;" id="M9" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 55.075001 11.125" width="55.075001"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x1D45F"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,11.945,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,26.649,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,34.808,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.684,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x33"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,46.843,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x38"/></g>

		
	
</svg>, <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.30096pt;width:58.712502px;" id="M10" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 58.712502 11.375" width="58.712502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x1D443"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x3C"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.446,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.481,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x31"/></g>

		
	
</svg>). LDH and amylase levels did not change with gestational age nor birth weight. In conclusion, long-term ritodrine tocolysis leads to increased umbilical blood CK level.

Yoshiyuki Nakajima

Naoki Masaoka

Evaluation of Creatine Kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase, and Amylase Concentrations in Umbilical Blood of Preterm Infants after Long-Term Tocolysis

<i>Background</i>. Providing equitable access to the full range of reproductive health services over wide geographic areas presents significant challenges to any health system. We present a review of a service provision model which has provided improved access to abortion care; support for complex issues experienced by women seeking nonjudgmental family planning health services; and a mechanism to collect information on access barriers. The toll-free pregnancy options service (POS) of British Columbia Women&#x2019;s Hospital and Health Centre sought to improve access to services and overcome barriers experienced by women seeking abortion. <i>Methods</i>. We describe the development and implementation of a province-wide toll-free telephone counseling and access facilitation service, including establishment of a provincial network of local abortion service providers in the Canadian province of British Columbia from 1998 to 2010. <i>Results</i>. Over 2000 women annually access service via the POS line, networks of care providers are established and linked to central support, and central program planners receive timely information on new service gaps and access barriers. <i>Conclusion</i>. This novel service has been successful in addressing inequities and access barriers identified as priorities before service establishment. The service provided unanticipated benefits to health care planning and monitoring of provincial health care related service delivery and gaps. This model for low cost health service delivery may realize similar benefits when applied to other health care systems where access and referral barriers exist.

Wendy V. Norman

Barbara Hestrin

Royce Dueck

Access to Complex Abortion Care Service and Planning Improved through a Toll-Free Telephone Resource Line

<i>Objectives</i>. The aim of this study was to evaluate the methods, indications, outcome of induced labor and its significance in obstetric practice in the study area. <i>Methods</i>. This was a retrospective study of cases of induced labor at the Catholic Maternity Hospital in Ogoja, Cross-River State, Nigeria, between  January 1, 2002, and  December 31, 2011. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics of the parturient, induction methods, indications for induction, outcomes and reasons for failed induction were abstracted from personal case files and the hospital&#x2019;s maternity/delivery register. The data were analyzed with SPSS15.0 window version. <i>Result</i>. The induction rate in this study was 11.5&#x25;. Induction was successful in 75.9&#x25; of cases but failed in 24.1&#x25;. Misoprostol was the commonest induction method (78.2&#x25;). The commonest indication for induction was postdate pregnancy (45.8&#x25;).  Failed induction was due to fetal distress, prolonged labor, cephalopelvic disproportion and cord prolapse. The induction-delivery interval was <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2980595pt" id="M1" height="8.98245pt" version="1.1" viewBox="0 -8.68439 42.6635 8.98245" width="42.6635pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,6.503,0)"><path id="g113-51" d="M412 140C382 77 369 73 315 73H129L270 222C362 320 402 379 402 466C402 571 322 635 234 635C177 635 130 609 99 576L42 495L64 475C90 514 133 568 201 568C274 568 318 519 318 435C318 349 255 267 193 193C144 135 87 78 32 23V0H405C417 45 427 89 440 131L412 140Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,16.034,0)"><path id="g117-37" d="M535 290V340H323V533H265V340H52V290H265V84H323V290H535ZM535 -22V28H52V-22H535Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,27.015,0)"><path id="g113-52" d="M285 378C315 398 338 416 353 432C373 451 384 474 384 503C384 579 325 635 236 635H235C182 635 136 610 108 579L65 516L85 496C110 533 150 575 205 575C258 575 300 543 300 481C300 407 232 369 141 339L147 310C163 315 188 321 211 321C268 321 338 284 338 192C338 94 288 40 217 40C160 40 119 68 93 91C85 98 77 97 69 91C60 84 47 71 46 58C44 46 48 35 62 22C75 10 116 -12 162 -12C234 -12 424 62 424 224C424 297 373 359 285 376V378Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.518,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,36.607,0)"><path id="g113-55" d="M137 343C167 482 260 545 321 574C357 591 397 603 429 609L423 641C382 634 335 622 295 608C189 570 37 457 37 238C37 84 125 -12 242 -12C362 -12 447 89 447 209C447 311 374 393 267 393C247 393 226 386 204 376L137 343ZM227 337C318 337 361 256 361 173C361 105 336 22 258 22C176 22 126 120 126 240C126 266 127 291 132 310C155 323 189 337 227 337Z"/></g></svg>&#x2009;hours. <i>Conclusion</i>. Induction of labor is a common obstetric procedure which is safe and beneficial in well-selected and properly monitored high risk pregnancies where the benefits of early delivery outweigh the risk of continuing the pregnancy.

Osaheni Lucky Lawani

Azubuike Kanario Onyebuchi

Chukwuemeka Anthony Iyoke

Chikezie Nwachukwu Okafo

Leonard Ogbonna Ajah

Obstetric Outcome and Significance of Labour Induction in a Health Resource Poor Setting

Donghai Dai

Andrew P. Bradford

Eric R. Prossnitz

Endometrial Cancer: Molecular and Cellular Basis of Tumor Development, Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Agents, and Innovative Research Approaches

About this journal

<p><em>Obstetrics and Gynecology International</em> publishes articles related to obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, uro-gynecology, reproductive medicine, infertility, reproductive endocrinology, and sexual medicine.</p>


Journal profile

Meet the editorial board

<p><em>Obstetrics and Gynecology International</em> maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.</p>


Editor spotlight

Submit your proposal

Do you think there is an emerging area of research that really needs to be highlighted? Or an existing research area that has been overlooked or would benefit from deeper investigation? Raise the profile of a research area by leading a Special Issue.

Special Issues

Author guidelines

Editorial board

Databases and indexing

Obstetrics and Gynecology International - Table of contents 2014

Obstetrics and Gynecology International | Hindawi

title

Obstetrics and Gynecology International publishes articles related to obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, uro-gynecology, reproductive medicine, infertility, reproductive endocrinology, and sexual medicine.

description

https://images.hindawi.com/journals/ogi/ogi.banner.jpg

Obstetrics and Gynecology International