Psychometric Evaluation of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B

Examining the fear of delivery after childbirth is important. The authors’ aim is to examine the overall psychometric quality of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version B. Reliability and validity of the instrument were evaluated via reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and multidimensional subscore estimation. A six-factor model was proposed to explain instrument results. Factors included concerns about labor pain, lack of positive behaviors, loneliness, lack of positive feelings, concerns about childbirth, and concerns about the baby. Researchers provide psychometric evidence about the quality of the questionnaire to measure fear of delivery after childbirth.     

Hepatic mitochondrial prooxidant and antioxidant status in ethanol-induced liver injury in rats

In this study, prooxidant and antioxidant status in liver homogenates and their mitochondrial fractions were investigated in both chronic and chronic plus acute ethanol-treated rats. Increases in serum transaminase activities, as well as increases in total lipid, triglyceride, malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels and decreases in glutathione (GSH), vitamin E and vitamin C levels, have been observed in liver homogenates following chronic ethanol treatment (20% ethanol, v/v as drinking water for 3 months), but CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione transferase (GST) activities remained unchanged in postmitochondrial fractions. When an acute dose of ethanol (5 g/kg, i.p.) was given rats which had received ethanol chronically, serum transaminase activities and hepatic lipid and MDA and DC levels increased further, but GSH levels and antioxidant enzymes decreased more compared to the chronic ethanol-treated rats. There were no significant differences in the levels of MDA, DC and protein carbonyl and the activities of GSH-Px and GST in the hepatic mitochondrial fraction of rats following both chronic and chronic plus acute treatments. Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activities increased in both groups, but mitochondrial GSH levels decreased only after chronic plus acute treatment. Therefore, we suggest that the increase in MnSOD activity may play an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial susceptibility against ethanol-induced oxidative stress.     

Effect of intra-abdominal pressure level on gastric intramucosal pH during pneumoperitoneum

The present study was designed to examine the effect of intra-abdominal pressure level on gastric intramucosal pH using gastric tonometry during pneumoperitoneum. One hundred patients were prospectively randomized into 5 equal groups (N = 20 each). Intra-abdominal pressure levels were 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 mm Hg in groups I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively. Intramucosal pH measurement was done 2 times: 30 minutes following insufflation and 1 hour after the ending of the surgery. In the first and second measurements, intramucosal pH values were found as 7.39 +/- 0.02 and 7.36 +/- 0.03 in group I; 7.41 +/- 0.03 and 7.38 +/- 0.03 in group II; 7.37 +/- 0.03 and 7.37 +/- 0.03 in group III; 7.36 +/- 0.03 and 7.37 +/- 0.03 in group IV; and 7.39 +/- 0.03, 7.36 +/- 0.03 in group V, respectively. Statistical significance was not found in the comparison of these values within the groups and between the groups (P > 0.005, for each). In conclusion, intra-abdominal pressure between 8 and 16 mm Hg did not cause significant difference in gastric intramucosal pH.     

Reproductive disturbances,pituitary lactotrope adenomas,and mammary gland tumors in transgenic female mice producing high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin

To assess the consequences of prolonged exposure to elevated levels of LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the female, we developed a transgenic (TG) mouse model (hCGbeta+) that overexpresses the hCGbeta-subunit cDNA. Because of the promoter used, ubiquitin C, the transgene is expressed in multiple tissues, including the pituitary gland, in which coupling with the endogenous common alpha-subunit results in synthesis of high levels of bioactive hCG. The TG females presented with precocious puberty, infertility, enhanced ovarian steroidogenesis, and abnormal uterine structure. Pituitary enlargement was evident from the age of 2 months, which progressed to adenomas by the age of 10-12 months. Immunohistochemical studies and electron microscopy demonstrated lactotrope origin for the adenomas, associated with severe hyperprolactinemia. The mammary glands of TG females showed marked lobuloalveolar development followed by mammary tumors with characteristics of adenocarcinoma at the age of 9-12 months. More than 90% of penetrance and high frequency of metastasis (47%) was observed. Formation of the pituitary and mammary gland tumors was totally abolished by ovariectomy despite persistently elevated hCG levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that the hCG-induced aberrations of ovarian function are clearly responsible for the extragonadal tumors observed in these TG mice.     

The effects of carrying extra weight on ankle stability in adolescent basketball players

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of weight on ankle stability in adolescent basketball players.Methods20 non-injured subjects (age = 11.05 ± 1.5 years) were included in this study. Each subject performed a 15 min warm-up by running or riding a stationary bike. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), single-leg balance test (performed with eyes open and eyes closed) and vertical jump test were performed with dominant lower extremity. 1 week later, same tests were performed with a schoolbag. The schoolbag contained weight bars as 20% of the players own body weight.ResultsOnly posteromedial component of SEBT had significant difference between non-weight measurement and weighted measurement (p = 0.004). Single-leg stance test performed with eyes open (p = 0.006) and closed (p = 0.001) had significant difference between non-weight measurement and weighted measurement. Also the vertical jump test had significant difference between non-weight measurement and weighted measurement (p = 0.001).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that 20% weight of their own body weight does not affect dynamic ankle stability and postural limitations, which are magnified by advancing weight. We are confident in our conclusions because of the three-way interaction noted with posterior/medial with weight in SEBT. Furthermore, Star Excursion Balance test is more effective both weight and non-weight in measuring functional stability of the ankle.