This month, we focus on current research in maternal-fetal medicine. Dr. Spong discusses six recent publications, and each is concluded with a "bottom line" that is the take-home message. The complete reference for each can be found in Box 1 on this page, along with direct links to the abstracts.

ABSTRACT: A report on the 9th Annual Cold Spring Harbor/Wellcome Trust meeting 'Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine', Hinxton, Cambridge, UK, 29 September to 2 October 2011.

Molecular medicine is rapidly changing the diagnosis and management of cancer of unknown primary. The science, business, and economics of the genomic revolution have moved at such a pace that coordinating practical application of all available tools, such as gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry, often seems to clash. In fact, ...

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and Citri Unshius Pericarpium are important Oriental medicinal materials used in many prescriptions. Among the Citrus species, the dried peels of C. japonica, C. maxima, and C. trifoliata are found to be adulterants and substitutes of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and Citri Unshius Pericarpium. In order to develop ...

The herbalome is a project with the objective of globalizing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) by clarification of its composition, structure, and function; by establishing a standard resource library; and by interpreting the synergistic and complementary mechanisms of multi-components on multi-targets. In phase I, it focuses on the development of systematic ...

This article discusses the regulations and requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission pertaining to the practice of nuclear medicine. Among the regulations and requirements to be discussed include the record keeping requirements and the information to be made available to the U.S. NRC regularly and during inspections. Also examined ...

The pharmaceutical industry is facing numerous, well-documented challenges - from the effects of patent expirations to high attrition rates in the drug-development pipeline. Future Medicinal Chemistry has invited a group of leaders from academia and industry to express their views on where the industry is heading and speculate as to ...

As part of his or her role in preparing a departmental budget, a manager must often become involved in budgeting for capital expenditures, those purchases that are of a type and sufficient dollar value to be capitalized and depreciated. Depending on the value of a proposed purchase, the department manager ...

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has emerged as an alternative to traditional social work practice and has ignited a new round in the decades-old debate about the relationship between knowledge and practice in the field. This article identifies several limitations inherent in the EBP perspective and argues that it would be unfortunate ...

Chromenopyridines constitute a structurally diverse class of compounds with a wide range of bioactivities and increasing presence in drugs. Here we analyze the scope of the synthetic methodology to access this nucleus with emphasis on multicomponent reactions and robust methodologies. Reactivity issues, medicinal applications and other properties are also reviewed.

The field of genetics, which includes the use of 'omic' technologies, is an evolving area of science that has emerging application in phytotherapy. Omic studies include pharmacogenomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Herbal medicines, as monotherapies, or complex formulations such as traditional Chinese herbal prescriptions, may benefit from omic studies, and this ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Ontologies are increasingly used to structure and semantically describe entities of domains, such as genes and proteins in life sciences. Their increasing size and the high frequency of updates resulting in a large set of ontology versions necessitates efficient management and analysis of this data. RESULTS: We present ...

The study of the dispersal capability of a species can provide essential information for the management and conservation of its genetic variability. Comparison of gene flow rates among populations characterized by different management and evolutionary histories allows one to decipher the role of factors such as isolation and tree density ...

In the EU, a regulatory framework has been established which defines general conditions for marketing authorisation approval of similar biological medicinal products (SBMPs). In addition, the framework provides product-class specific recommendations for non-clinical evaluation of specific SBMPs containing as active substance recombinant somatropin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), erythropoietin, interferon alpha, ...

As the cost of whole genome analysis decreases, we have the opportunity to explore the interactions of various gene changes in an individual that lead to their particular phenotype. This will provide the ability to move from the epidemiologic study of groups, in which, the individuals are treated collectively and ...

The percentage of newly qualified doctors in the UK who want a career in general practice declined substantially in the 1990s. The English Department of Health expects that half of all doctors will become GPs. To report on choices for general practice made by doctors who qualified in 2000, 2002, ...

OBJETIVES: To suggest a scheme of decision making on pricing for medicines that are part of Free Regulated Regime, a regulation way of the pharmaceutical pricing policy in Colombia. It includes two regulation tools: international reference prices and a cost minimization analysis methodology. Following the current pricing policy, international reference ...

Whilst India has been debating how to regulate 'surrogacy' the UK has undergone a major consultation on increasing the amount of 'expenses'paid to egg 'donors', while France has recently finished debating its entire package of bioethics regulation and the role of its Biomedicine Agency. Although it is often claimed that ...

A recent report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) calls for states to amend regulations on the practice of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This article reviews the roles of APRNs, the IOM recommendations, and efforts by national and state stakeholders to remove legal barriers to ...

Plant based medicines have gained popularity worldwide due to their almost negligible side effects. In India, the three traditional medicinal systems, namely homeopathy, Ayurveda and Siddha rely heavily on plants for medicinal formulations. To prevent the indiscriminate collection of these valuable medicinal plants and for their proper authentication and conservation, ...

In recent years, genomics has developed rapidly with the application of next-generation sequencing technology. However, very few studies have been carried out on genomics for medicinal plants. This paper introduces the genome research of medicinal plants, including genome sequencing, assembly, annotation, and functional genomics, to set up the foundation for ...

Over 10 million SNPs have been discovered to date as the result of both a private and public effort in the past two decades. Extensive investigations on SNPs have been performed to assess clinical applications for pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine. Recently, around the 10(th) anniversary of the first publication by ...

Widespread availability of low-cost, full genome sequencing will introduce new challenges for bioinformatics. This review outlines recent developments in sequencing technologies and genome analysis methods for application in personalized medicine. New methods are needed in four areas to realize the potential of personalized medicine: (i) processing large-scale robust genomic data; ...

Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receive care from primary care physicians. Identification and management of CKD complications in primary care is suboptimal. It is not known if current residency curriculum adequately prepares a future internist in this aspect of CKD care. We performed an online questionnaire survey of ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Massive postpartum hemorrhage is a life threatening obstetric emergency. In order to prevent the complications associated with this condition, an organized and step-wise management protocol should be immediately initiated. METHODS: An evidence based management protocol for massive postpartum hemorrhage was implemented at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan ...

Multichannel intraluminal impedance with pH (pH-MII) has become the criterion standard test for the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but it is not clear whether the results of this test change clinical decision making. The goal of the present study was to determine the differences in clinical decision making by ...

Recent advances in standardized fetal monitoring nomenclature and interpretation make it possible to construct a standardized approach to intrapartum fetal heart rate management that is evidence-based and reflects consensus in the literature.

Patient safety is currently a critical focus within obstetrics. Standardization of intrapartum management, in particular with regard to fetal heart rate monitoring assessment and management, is an important effort to improve obstetrical adverse outcomes. This study explores various strategies to implement standardization of assessment and management. Such measures can impact ...

Placenta percreta is a complication of pregnancy with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Conservative management may be considered when fertility preservation is desired or to possibly reduce morbidity when there is invasion of pelvic structures. We present 3 cases of antenatally diagnosed placenta percreta that were managed conservatively. A finding ...

INTRODUCTION: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is the most widespread method for emergency airway management. Several studies reported that ETI requires considerable skill and experience and if performed incorrectly, may result in serious adverse events. Unrecognized tube misplacement or oesophageal intubation is associated with high prehospital morbidity. This study investigates the usability ...

For hundreds of years, intuitively or deliberately, farmers and breeders have taken advantage of the slow and constant renewal of genetic diversity in their domesticated plants or animals. Their management efficiently combines selection to maintain existing varieties or breeds and selection to extract new biological items meeting incoming necessities and ...

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin abscesses. Objective: To evaluate primary care pediatricians' management of skin abscesses. Methods: A national mail survey of a random sample of 385 general pediatricians conducted from April to June 2010. Results: The response rate was 49%. Most respondents (72%) were aware ...

There is conflicting evidence concerning the role and safety of prehospital intubation, and which providers should deliver it. Success rates for physician-performed rapid sequence induction are reported to be 97-100%, with limited evidence of improved survival in some patient groups. However, there is also evidence that prehospital intubation and ventilation ...

This paper explores the introduction of professional systems engineers and information management practices into the first centralized DNA sequence database, developed at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) during the 1980s. In so doing, it complements the literature on the emergence of an information discourse after World War II and ...

Epigenetics is a phenomenon of heritable changes in the chromatin structure of a genomic region, resulting in a transcriptional silent or active state of the region over cell mitosis. Mounting evidence has demonstrated phenotypic consequence of alternations in the patterns of DNA methylation and histone modifications, two of the well-studied ...

The motivational aspects of humor are considered from the perspective of terror management theory, testing the hypothesis that exposure to the mortality salience manipulation will result in an alteration in participants' appreciation of humorous material. Participants rated several comic strips, indicating how funny they found the jokes. The differential relevance ...

Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI (Lamiaceae) is the botanical origin of the well-known traditional Chinese medicine "Huang Qin" (Radix Scutellariae). Due to overexploitation that had induced a decline in natural sources, the dried roots of its congeners, S. amoena, S. rehderiana, and S. viscidula, have been used to adulterate it in recent ...

Poor quality control of medicinal herbs has led to instances of toxicity, poisoning and even deaths. The fundamental step in quality control of herbal medicine is accurate identification of herbs. Array-based techniques have recently been adapted to authenticate or identify herbal plants. This article reviews the current array-based techniques, eg ...

The present paper highlights a new safety management program, MICE (Management, Information, Control and Emergency), which has been specifically adapted for the academic environment. The process starts with an exhaustive hazard inventory supported by a platform assembling specific hazards encountered in laboratories and their subsequent classification. A proof of concept ...

Currently the medicolegal dissection rate for England and Wales is 22% (110,000 coronial autopsies for 500,000 deaths per annum), yet there is a general lack of evidence about the utility of and justification for such a high level of activity, which is between double and triple the rate in other ...

Our ability to manage gene flow within traditional agroecosystems and their repercussions requires understanding the biology of crops, including farming practices' role in crop ecology. That these practices' effects on crop population genetics have not been quantified bespeaks lack of an appropriate analytical framework. We use a model that construes ...

Although the incidence of bleeding from gastric varices is relatively low (10%-36%), the bleeding is massive once it has occurred and it increases the patient's mortality. The management of esophageal variceal bleeding is highly differentiated with several effective treatments available. In contrast, bleeding from gastric varices continues to be a ...

BACKGROUND: Internal hernia after gastric bypass is common, occurring with an incidence approaching 10% in some series. Operative management of internal hernia after gastric bypass presents significant conceptual and technical challenges. METHODS: This manuscript reviews management of internal hernia after gastric bypass with a focus on operative strategy.

To document physical activity (PA) during organized youth soccer and baseball/softball practices. Cross-sectional study. Community sports leagues in San Diego County, California. Two hundred youth aged 7 to 14 years were recruited from 29 teams in 2 youth sports in middle-income cities with an approximately equal distribution across sports, sex, ...

From April 2005 to March 2010 in BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health), chronic heart failure (CHF) was managed at a rate of 0.7 per 100 encounters, suggesting it was managed by general practitioners about 717 000 times per year nationally. Chronic heart failure was significantly more likely ...

Delay discounting rates are predictive of drug use status, the likelihood of becoming abstinent, and a variety of health behaviors. Rates of delay discounting may also be related to other relevant behaviors associated with addiction, such as the frequency at which individuals redeem contingency management voucher earnings. This study examined ...

Asthma exacerbation is a major cause of morbidity and it is usually an indication of poor control. Appropriate management and documentation of the clinical assessment of an exacerbation, its severity, contributing factors and treatment are all essential components of asthma control. The aim of this study was to assess the ...

Veterinary surgeons in Italy were surveyed about their current practice with regard to the use of propofol and intravenous opioids during anaesthesia and for treatment of acute pain in small animals. Questionnaires were e-mailed to all 171 members of the Italian Society of Veterinary Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine. Information ...

From April 2005 to March 2010 in the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) program, transient ischaemic attack (TIA) was managed in general practice at a rate of 2 per 1000 encounters, about 170 000 times per year nationally.

Guidelines for the management of spontaneous pneumothorax were published by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) in 2003. The aim of our study was to assess compliance with the BTS guidelines. A retrospective review was performed on all spontaneous pneumothoraces admitted to our hospital between June 2006 and December 2007. There ...