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Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder of new-onset hypertension. Unfortunately, the most effective treatment is early delivery of the fetus and placenta. Placental ischemia appears central to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia because placental ischemia/hypoxia induced in animals by reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) or in humans stimulates release of hypertensive placental factors into the maternal circulation. The anti-angiogenic factor soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), which antagonizes and reduces bioavailable vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor (PlGF), is elevated in RUPP rats and preeclampsia. Although PlGF and vascular endothelial growth factor are both natural ligands for sFlt-1, vascular endothelial growth factor also has high affinity to VEGFR2 (Flk-1) causing side effects like edema. PlGF is specific for sFlt-1. We tested the hypothesis that PlGF treatment reduces placental ischemia-induced hypertension by antagonizing sFlt-1 without adverse consequences to the mother or fetus. On gestational day 14, rats were randomized to 4 groups: normal pregnant or RUPP±infusion of recombinant human PlGF (180 μg/kg per day; AG31, a purified, recombinant human form of PlGF) for 5 days via intraperitoneal osmotic minipumps. On day 19, mean arterial blood pressure and plasma sFlt-1 were higher and glomerular filtration rate lower in RUPP than normal pregnant rats. Infusion of recombinant human PlGF abolished these changes seen with RUPP along with reducing oxidative stress. These data indicate that the increased sFlt-1 and reduced PlGF resulting from placental ischemia contribute to maternal hypertension. Our novel finding that recombinant human PlGF abolishes placental ischemia-induced hypertension, without major adverse consequences, suggests a strong therapeutic potential for this growth factor in preeclampsia.

Optimal dialysate sodium (dNa) is unknown, with both higher and lower values suggested in adult studies to improve outcomes. Similar studies in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) population are missing. This is the first report of the effect of two constant dNa concentrations in pediatric patients on chronic HD. 480 standard HD sessions and interdialytic periods were studied in 5 patients (age 4-17 years, weight 20.8-66 kg) during a period of 6-11 months per patient. dNa was 140 mEq/L during the first half, and 138 mEq/L during the second half of the study period for each patient. Lowering dNa was associated with improved preHD hypertension, decreased interdialytic weight gain, decreased need for ultrafiltration, lower sodium gradient and was well tolerated despite lack of concordance with predialysis sNa, that was variable. Further studies are needed to verify our findings and to investigate if an even lower dNa may be more beneficial in the pediatric HD population.

Using the military as a model for an equal-access, no-cost healthcare system, we sought to (1) describe screening breast MRI compliance rates and (2) identify patient-perceived barriers to screening.In this retrospective cohort study of a prospectively maintained database at a tertiary level center, we compared compliance among women at ≥20% risk of developing breast cancer (Tyrer-Cuzick) and conducted structured phone interviews with women at ≥30% risk.From 2015 to 2016, 1,052 women met criteria for screening MRI. Of these, only 251 (24%) underwent MRI screening. Compliance among women with a 20-24%, 25-29%, 30-39%, and ≥40% risk was 16%, 24%, 37%, and 51%, respectively (p 0.02). 37 of 128 unique patients (29%) with ≥30% risk agreed to interview. 43% cited time/inconvenience as the key barrier to screening; 22% cited questions regarding screening recommendations; and only 3% cited fear/concerns as the key barrier.Even in an equal-access system, there is poor compliance in patients who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. Patients cited time/inconvenience and questions regarding screening as key barriers to screening.

Objectives The increasing accuracy of large-bore (11- or 8-gauge) vacuum-assisted core needle biopsies (VACNB) has challenged the commonly-accepted practice that surgery is needed for definitive diagnosis when atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is found on VACNB. This study seeks to demonstrate the impact of increased VACNB caliber on the pathologic upgrade rate of ADH. Methods Patients diagnosed with isolated ADH by VACNB who subsequently underwent surgical excision at our tertiary medical center were retrospectively studied. Demographics, needle gauge, number of needle passes, and pathology results were analyzed. Results From June 1996 to June 2016, approximately 3740 VACNBs were performed. 139 patients were diagnosed with isolated ADH on VACNB and underwent surgical excision. 30 patients (22%) were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in-situ or invasive cancer; 17 upgrades (21%) from 11-gauge CNB vs. 13 upgrades (23%) from 8-gauge CNB (p = 0.67). Conclusion Increasing core needle biopsy size from 11 g to 8 g does not decrease the rate of pathologic upstaging at the time of surgical excision. Surgical excision of ADH is still required for complete diagnosis.

Aim For in vitro fertilization, the optimal number of blastocysts to transfer according to blastocyst grade has not been well established, especially with respect to vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (VBT) in women aged over 35 years. This study aimed to compare the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes for three different VBT methods with variable numbers and qualities of blastocysts in women aged over 35 years. Methods All VBT cycles were categorized into three groups according to blastocyst grade: GG (two good-quality blastocysts transferred), GP (one good-quality blastocyst transferred with one of poor quality) and GS (one good-quality blastocyst transferred). Blastocysts graded greater than or equal to 3BB were considered good quality. We conducted three 1:1 propensity score-matched analyses (GG vs GS, GP vs GS and GG vs GP) to compare the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), live birth rate (LBR), multiple pregnancy rate (MPR), preterm birth rate and low birthweight rate. Results Compared to GS, GG had higher CPR and LBR; however, MPR was also higher with GG. There were no significant differences, except implantation rate and MPR between GP and GS. Although implantation rate and CPR with GG were higher than those with GP, there were no significant differences in LBR and MPR. Conclusion To reduce high MPR after double blastocyst transfer methods, single good-quality blastocyst transfers are recommended in the VBT of women aged over 35 years. Transferring a good blastocyst with a poor one should be avoided because it confers no advantage.

BACKGROUNDEmergency general surgery (EGS) carries a disproportionate burden of risk from medical errors, complications, and death compared with non-EGS (NEGS). Previous studies have been limited by patient and procedure heterogeneity but suggest worse outcome in EGS patients because of preoperative