Different Methods Of Induction Research Articles

A Comparison of Different Methods of Induction of Labor in Patients of Previous Cesarean Section

A Comparison of Different Methods of Induction of Labor in Patients of Previous Cesarean Section

Animal Models and Methods of Myocardial Infarction Induction and the Role of Tissue Engineering in the Regeneration of Damaged Myocardium.

The introduction of an experimental animal model for myocardial infarction (MI) has particular importance. Research done on large animals provides valuable information for the researchers because of the similar characteristics of their hearts compared to humans, but the cost of purchasing and maintaining them is high. In comparison, using small animals has advantages, such as they are easy to work with and have low purchase and maintenance costs. However, in some of these animals, due to less similarity of the heart to humans, they cannot simulate the natural pathogenesis of human MI. Moreover, there are different methods for the induction of MI in animals; each has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, a method must be chosen to simulate the natural pathogenesis of MI with minimal complication. Currently, attempts are being made for myocardial regeneration after MI using the direct transplantation of stem cells or an engineered scaffold. The scaffold creates a 3D ambiance for the cultured cells. The task of tissue engineering is to optimize the scaffold with appropriate systems for the separation, proliferation, and differentiation of the desired cells until they are capable of promoting the threedimensional and appropriate growth of the tissue. The purpose of tissue engineering in cardiac is the use of scaffolds and cells in the damaged area, followed by the improvement of the heart function through automatic pulsation, communication with the host vessels, and electrical coupling with the myocardium, eventually creating a force to increase the heart function.

Induction of Labor in Twins—Double Trouble?

To determine and compare the safety and efficacy of different methods of induction of labor in twin gestations and their effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes. A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at a single university-affiliated medical center. Patients with a twin gestation undergoing induction of labor at >32 + 0 weeks comprised the study group. Outcomes were compared to patients with a twin gestation at >32 + 0 weeks who went into labor spontaneously. The primary outcome was cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included operative vaginal delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, uterine rupture, 5 min APGAR < 7, and umbilical artery pH < 7.1. A subgroup analysis comparing outcomes for the induction of labor with oral prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), IV Oxytocin ± artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), and extra-amniotic balloon (EAB)+ IV Oxytocin was performed. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and chi-square tests. 268 patients who underwent induction of labor with a twin gestation comprised the study group. 450 patients with a twin gestation who went into labor spontaneously comprised the control group. There were no clinically significant differences between the groups for maternal age, gestational age, neonatal birthweight, birthweight discordancy, and non-vertex second twin. There were significantly more nulliparas in the study group compared to the control group (23.9% vs. 13.8% p < 0.001). The study group was significantly more likely to undergo a cesarean delivery of at least one twin (12.3% vs. 7.5% OR, 1.7 95% CI 1.04-2.85 p = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of operative vaginal delivery (15.3% vs. 19.6% OR, 0.74, 95% CI 0.5-1.1 p = 0.16), PPH (5.2% vs. 6.9% OR, 0.75 95% CI 0.39-1.42 p = 0.37), 5-min APGAR scores < 7 (0% vs. 0.2% OR, 0.99 95%CI 0.99-1.00 p = 0.27), umbilical artery pH < 7.1 (1.5% vs. 1.3% OR, 1.12 95% CI 0.3-4.0), or combined adverse outcome (7.8% vs. 8.7% OR, 0.93 95% CI 0.6-1.4 p = 0.85). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the rates of cesarean delivery or combined adverse outcomes in patients undergoing induction with oral PGE1 compared to IV Oxytocin ± AROM (13.3% vs. 12.5% OR, 1.1 95% CI 0.4-2.0 p = 1.0) (7% vs. 9.3% OR, 0.77 95% CI 0.5-3.5 p = 0.63 ) or EAB+ IV Oxytocin (13.3% vs. 6.9% OR, 2.1 95% CI 0.1-2.1 p = 0.53) (7% vs. 6.9% OR, 1.4 95% CI 0.15-3.5 p = 0.5) or between patients undergoing induction of labor with IV Oxytocin ± AROM and EAB+ IV Oxytocin (12.5% vs. 6.9% OR, 2.1 95% CI 0.1-2.4 p = 0.52) (9.3% vs. 6.9% OR, 0.98 95% CI 0.2-4.7 p = 0.54). There were no cases of uterine rupture in our study. Induction of labor in twin gestations is associated with a two-fold increased risk of cesarean delivery, although this is not associated with adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, the method of induction of labor used does not affect the chances of success nor the rate of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes.

Comparison of Different Methods of Induction of Labour Methods; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Perspective

Objectives: to compare the mechanical, pharmacological or combination of both in induction of labour. Methods: This comparative observational study was conducted in Department of Obs and Gynae, Lady Reading Hospital, from January 2019 to December 2019. In this study all women presenting to labor room with singleton pregnancy and gestational age &gt; 37 weeks and admitted for induction of labor were included. All those women with multiple pregnancies, premature rupture of membrane, malpresentation, and prior Cesareans section were excluded. Total 300 patients were included in the study period, Patients were divided into 4 groups, Group A (mechanical methods), Group B (prostaglandin E2), Group C (mechanical + PGE2), Group D (misoprostol). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results: In this study 300 patients were included, in mean age of 24.54±12 years, with age range of 16- 40 years. Majority were Primi gravida (167 (55.7%), and 99.7 had poor bishop score. Indication for induction of 109(36.3%) was due to eclampsia / pre-eclampsia, followed by postdate pregnancy 98(32.7%). In majority of cases 123(41%) time from induction to labour was 6-12 hours. prostaglandin group showed good success rate in term of normal vaginal delivery and low adverse effects and good maternal and neonatal outcomes, followed by misoprostol, lowest success rate was recorded in mechanical only group . (p&lt;0.001) Conclusion: Our study concludes that among different methods available for induction of labour, PGE2 is safe, effective and have goof maternal and fetal outcomes Keywords: induction, labour, PGE2, misoprostol

Pain and satisfaction in women induced by vaginal dinoprostone, double balloon catheter and oral misoprostol

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the pain experience of women induced by intravaginal dinoprostone (Propess®), oral misoprostol (Angusta®) or double balloon catheter (Cook®). MethodsThis single-center prospective study was carried out in the obstetric gynecology department of the university hospital of Saint-Etienne from March 2018 to April 2021 in women requiring cervical ripening for the purpose of artificial labor induction. ResultsWe included 82 women in the oral misoprostol group, 35 in the vaginal dinoprostone group and 58 in the balloon group. The overall pain, assessed by a numerical scale from 0 to 10, was similar for the different methods of induction (p = 0.253). Pain at insertion was greater with the double balloon catheter compared to the vaginal dinoprostone (3.67 versus 5.75 p = 0.001). Pain in the 2 h prior to the delivery room was greater with vaginal dinoprostone and oral misoprostol compared with the double balloon catheter (7.91 and 7.4 versus 5.47 respectively, p = <0.0001). Women induced by balloon catheter would more often have preferred to be induced by another method compared to those induced by oral misoprostol or vaginal dinoprostone (p = 0.004). Adjusting for previous cesarian section, gestational age at delivery, need for oxytocin augmentation and indication for induction, women induced by balloon were five times more risk to prefer another induction method (OR 5.01 95% CI [1.09–23.03], p = 0.038). There was no significant difference in stress and overall experience of induction depending on the method. ConclusionIn order to improve the women experience, information, consent and participation in the decisions and choices of their induction method are essential.

Agarwood-The Fragrant Molecules of a Wounded Tree.

Agarwood, popularly known as oudh or gaharu, is a fragrant resinous wood of high commercial value, traded worldwide and primarily used for its distinctive fragrance in incense, perfumes, and medicine. This fragrant wood is created when Aquilaria trees are wounded and infected by fungi, producing resin as a defense mechanism. The depletion of natural agarwood caused by overharvesting amidst increasing demand has caused this fragrant defensive resin of endangered Aquilaria to become a rare and valuable commodity. Given that instances of natural infection are quite low, artificial induction, including biological inoculation, is being conducted to induce agarwood formation. A long-term investigation could unravel insights contributing toward Aquilaria being sustainably cultivated. This review will look at the different methods of induction, including physical, chemical, and biological, and compare the production, yield, and quality of such treatments with naturally formed agarwood. Pharmaceutical properties and medicinal benefits of fragrance-associated compounds such as chromones and terpenoids are also discussed.

Heterogenous use of misoprostol for induction of labour: results of an online survey among midwives in German-speaking countries

PurposeThis online survey looked at the experiences and general perceptions of midwives concerning induction of labour and the specific use of misoprostol.MethodsWe published an online questionnaire with 24 questions in German on midwives’ experiences and perceptions of different methods of induction of labour.ResultsThe online survey was answered by 412 midwives between February 2016 and February 2017. At least 20% of the 24 questions were answered in 333 questionnaires, which were included in this analysis. Oral misoprostol was the most common induction method for primipara and for women with a previous vaginal birth and an unfavourable cervix. Apart from alternative methods for induction of labour like castor oil and complementary/alternative methods, oral misoprostol was the preferred method of induction of labour by midwives. Midwives described a wide range of dosage schedules concerning application intervals, starting doses, and the maximum daily dose of misoprostol. Approximately 50% of the participants of this study described prescriptions of more than 200 µg misoprostol daily for induction of labour.ConclusionMisoprostol is widely used in Germany and was one of the three preferred methods of induction of labour among midwives in our study next to castor oil and complementary/alternative methods. The preparation and dosage of misoprostol vary significantly among hospitals and do not adhere to international guidelines. Midwives voiced their concerns about inconsistent indications and heterogenous use of different methods and dosages of induction. They wished for more patience with late-term pregnancies and individualized shared decision-making between pregnant women and obstetricians.

Women’s experiences of outpatient induction of labour with double balloon catheter or prostaglandin pessary: A qualitative study

BackgroundOne quarter to one third of women experience induction of labour. Outpatient induction of labour may be safe and effective but women’s views of this setting and of different methods of induction are sparse. AimTo explore women’s experiences of outpatient induction of labour with either prostaglandin pessary or double balloon catheter. MethodsQualitative study using semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with twenty-one women recruited to a feasibility trial of outpatient induction of labour. Transcripts were coded and analysed using a thematic framework approach. FindingsTwo key themes were identified. ‘Ownership of induction of labour’ concerned how women understood and experienced the induction of labour process and tried to maintain control of a procedure managed by medical professionals. Women felt unprepared for the steps in the process and for the time it would take. The balloon method was preferred as it was considered a gentler start to the process, although some women reported it was painful on insertion. ‘Importance of place’ reflected women’s associations of the home with comfort, ease of support and distraction, and the hospital with safety yet also with discomfort and delays. DiscussionThis sample of women were keen to start induction without hormones. The randomised controlled trial design may have biased the sample towards women who wanted to experience the balloon method and outpatient setting where these were not usually offered, thus further cohort studies would be beneficial. ConclusionsWomen were positive about experiencing the early stages of induction of labour at home with the balloon catheter.

Wake Up, Work on Dreams, Back to Bed and Lucid Dream: A Sleep Laboratory Study.

Lucid dreaming offers many opportunities to study consciousness processes. However, laboratory research in this area is limited because frequent lucid dreamers are rare. Several studies demonstrated that different methods of induction could increase the number of lucid dreams. In four field studies, a combination of a wake-up-back-to-bed (WBTB) sleep protocol and a mnemonic technique (MILD) showed promising results. To further investigate the effectiveness of this combined approach, we conducted a sleep laboratory experiment with four different conditions. The general experimental procedure was the following: Participants were awakened after 6 h of sleep from a subsequent REM period and kept awake for 30 or 60 min, during which they were asked to practice MILD or a control task (e.g., reading). Then they returned to bed for a morning sleep period. In the first condition eleven sport students, who attended a seminar on sleep and dreams, spent one night in a sleep laboratory. To avoid biases due to the seminar attendance (e.g., higher motivation), in the second condition 15 participants who did not attend the seminar were recruited. In the third condition, 14 sport students were tested with a shorter awakening period (30 min). Finally, the fourth condition served as a control condition, whereas eleven sport students slept two non-consecutive nights in a laboratory. Instead of MILD, in one night the participants read a book (fiction, unrelated to dreams), while in the other night they played a Nintendo Wii video game. In the first three conditions, six (54%), eight (53%), and five participants (36%) reported lucid dreams during the morning sleep period, whereas three, (27%), four (27%), and two participants (14%) produced PSG-verified eye signals. In contrast, in the reading condition, only one (9%) participant reported lucid dreams and no eye movements. No lucid dreams were observed in the Wii condition. The findings of the present study show that by using a combination of WBTB and MILD, lucid dreams can be effectively induced in people who are not selected for their lucid dream abilities.

A review of accelerated wound healing approaches: biomaterial- assisted tissue remodeling.

Nowadays, due to a growing number of tissue injuries, in particular, skin wounds, induction and promotion of tissue healing responses can be considered as a crucial step towards a complete regeneration. Recently, biomaterial design has been oriented towards promoting a powerful, effective, and successful healing. Biomaterials with wound management abilities have been developed for different applications such as providing a native microenvironment and supportive matrices that induce the growth of tissue, creating physical obstacles against microbial contamination, and to be used as delivery systems for therapeutic reagents. Until now, numerous strategies aiming to accelerate the wound healing process have been utilized and studied with their own pros and cons. In this review, tissue remodeling phenomena, wound healing mechanisms, and their related factors will be discussed. In addition, different methods for induction and acceleration of healing via cell therapy, bioactive therapeutic delivery, and/or biomaterial-based approaches will be reviewed.

Maternal outcomes and factors associated with different methods of induction of labour at the University Teaching Hospital - Lusaka, Zambia

bjectives: To determine maternal outcomes and factors associated with different methods of induction of labour, prevalence of and induction to delivery time at the Women and Newborn Hospital of the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia.&#x0D; Methods: A cross sectional study design was used with 147 women who met inclusion criteria recruited in the study. Convenience sampling was used to recruite study participants using an investigator admnistered data collection tool. Data analysis was stratified by method of induction of labour. Logistic regression was used to determine association between method of induction and maternal outcome. Association between sociodemographic variables and maternal outcomes were analysed using crude odds ratios to determine statistical significance. Simple logistic regression was then used to further analyse associations with p – values of less than&lt; 0.05&#x0D; Results: Results showed that in the majority of patients, labour was induced using misoprostol 122 (77.7%) in which most of whom 90 (83%) the vaginal route was used (73.8%) followed by the intracervical balloon catheter. Three (2%) patients suffered uterine hyper stimulation, eight (5.4%) had precipitate labour, one (0.7%) had uterine rupture while three (2%) of the patients had APH and PPH after induction of labour with misoprostol. Regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between uterine hyperstimulation ( p-value 0.503, CI 0.038 – 4.991), Precipitate labour (p value 0.702, CI 0.178 – 12.951), antepartum haemorrhage ( p value 0.999) and post partum haemorrhage ( p value 0.999). There was no association between induction of labour using misoprostol and uterine rupture. There was no statistically significant association between Induction of labour using intracervical ballon catheter and uteine hyperstimulation ( p - value 0.635 CI 0.158 – 20.624), precipitate labour ( pvalue 0.827 CI 0.230 – 6.287), antepartum or post partum haemorrhage. There was no association between induction of labour using intracervical ballon catheter and uterine rupture ( p – value 1.00). Mean induction to delivery time using prostaglandins (misoprostol) was 15.2 hours with a range of 2.9 to 52.4 hours, 21.3 hours with intracervical balloon catheter with a range of 4.0 to 52.4 hours and 20.3 hours for membrane stripping with a range of 19.5 to 20.6 hours.&#x0D; Conclusion: Induction of labour using either misoprostol or intracervical balloon catheter were not significantly associated with adverse maternal outcomes. There was no association between uterine rupture and induction of labour using either misoprostol or intracervical ballon catheter. The most common method of induction of labour used at the Women and Newborn Hospital involved use of misoprostol followed by the intracervical balloon catheter.

Maternal Outcomes and Factors Associated with Different Methods of Induction of Labour at the University Teaching Hospital - Lusaka, Zambia

Objectives: To determine maternal outcomes and factors associated with different methods of induction of labour, prevalence of and induction to delivery time at the Women and Newborn Hospital of the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia.&#x0D; Methods: A cross sectional study design was used with 147 women who met inclusion criteria recruited in the study. Convenience sampling was used to recruite study participants using an investigator admnistered data collection tool. Data analysis was stratified by method of induction of labour. Logistic regression was used to determine association between method of induction and maternal outcome. Association betweensociodemographic variables and maternal outcomes were analysed using crude odds ratios to determinestatistical significance. Simple logistic regression was then used to further analyse associations with p– values of less than&lt; 0.05&#x0D; Results: Results showed that in the majority of patients, labour was induced using misoprostol 122 (77.7%) in which most of whom 90 (83%) the vaginal route was used (73.8%) followed by the intracervical balloon catheter. Three (2%) patients suffered uterine hyper stimulation, eight (5.4%) had precipitate labour, one (0.7%) had uterine rupture while three (2%) of the patients had APH and PPH after induction of labour with misoprostol.Regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between uterine hyperstimulation ( p-value 0.503, CI 0.038 – 4.991), Precipitate labour (p value 0.702, CI 0.178 –12.951), antepartum haemorrhage ( p value 0.999) and post partum haemorrhage ( p value 0.999).There was no association between induction of labour using misoprostol and uterine rupture. There was no statistically significant association between Induction of labour using intracervical ballon catheter and uteine hyperstimulation ( p - value 0.635 CI 0.158 – 20.624), precipitate labour ( pvalue 0.827 CI 0.230 – 6.287), antepartum or post partum haemorrhage. There was no association between induction of labour using intracervical ballon catheter and uterine rupture ( p – value 1.00). Mean induction to delivery time using prostaglandins (misoprostol) was 15.2 hours with a range of 2.9 to 52.4 hours, 21.3 hours with intracervical balloon catheter with a range of 4.0 to 52.4 hours and 20.3 hours for membrane stripping with a range of 19.5 to 20.6 hours.&#x0D; Conclusion: Induction of labour using either misoprostol or intracervical balloon catheter were not significantly associated with adverse maternal outcomes. There was no association between uterine rupture and induction of labour using either misoprostol or intracervical ballon catheter. The most common method of induction of labour used at the Women and Newborn Hospital involved use of misoprostol followed by the intracervical balloon catheter.

Impact of different methods of induction of cellular hypoxia: focus on protein homeostasis signaling pathways and morphology of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells differentiated into myotubes.

Hypoxia, occurring in several pathologies, has deleterious effects on skeletal muscle, in particular on protein homeostasis. Different induction methods of hypoxia are commonly used in cellular models to investigate the alterations of muscular function consecutive to hypoxic stress. However, a consensus is not clearly established concerning hypoxia induction methodology. Our aim was to compare oxygen deprivation with chemically induced hypoxia using cobalt chloride (CoCl2) or desferrioxamine (DFO) on C2C12 myotubes which were either cultured in hypoxia chamber at an oxygen level of 4% or treated with CoCl2 or DFO. For each method of hypoxia induction, we determined their impact on muscle cell morphology and on expression or activation status of key signaling proteins of synthesis and degradation pathways. The expression of HIF-1α increased whatever the method of hypoxia induction. Myotube diameter and protein content decreased exclusively for C2C12 myotubes submitted to physiological hypoxia (4% O2) or treated with CoCl2. Results were correlated with a hypophosphorylation of key proteins regulated synthesis pathway (Akt, GSK3-β and P70S6K). Similarly, the phosphorylation of FoxO1 decreased and the autophagy-related LC3-II was overexpressed with 4% O2 and CoCl2 conditions. Our results demonstrated that in vitro oxygen deprivation and the use of mimetic agent such as CoCl2, unlike DFO, induced similar responses on myotube morphology and atrophy/hypertrophy markers. Thus, physiological hypoxia or its artificial induction using CoCl2 can be used to understand finely the molecular changes in skeletal muscle cells and to evaluate new therapeutics for hypoxia-related muscle disorders.

(Invited) Investigation of Thermal Propagation Test Methods of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Vehicles

Introduction The thermal propagation test is conducted to evaluate the influence of ignition or rupture of the battery pack on its surroundings in case of the thermal runaway due to an internal short circuit etc. of a single cell in the battery pack. One of the issues to be considered regarding the thermal propagation test is the unclearness of the method of appropriately inducing thermal runaway of a single cell in the battery pack. Even if the same packs are tested, the final evaluation result may be affected by different situations in the initiation cell (heat generation only, smoke, fire, etc.) depending on different methods of induction. In addition, applicable initiation methods may differ according to the type of cell. Accordingly, it is necessary to investigate appropriate initiation methods in order to establish the thermal propagation test method that provides fair evaluations. Therefore, the applicability of thermal runaway generation methods such as overcharge, heater heating, and nail penetration was investigated by using several kinds of cells. Experimental At first, overcharge, nail penetration, and heater heating tests were conducted using a single cell to investigate the reproducibility of such methods and the applicability to each type of cell. Three types of single cell were tested: pouch type, prismatic type, and cylindrical type. For the overcharge test, it was charged at a rate of 1C or 2C from the 100% state of charge. For the nail penetration test, all electrode layers in the cell were penetrated at a penetration speed of 0.1 mm/s by a steel nail with a diameter of 3 mm and a tip angle of 60°. For the heater heating test, it was heated at a heating rate of approximately 100°C/min using a ceramic heater for the pouch and prismatic cells, and a wire heater for the cylindrical cells. Furthermore, a battery pack composed of pouch cells was evaluated by the method that showed good applicability in the single cell test, in order to confirm whether a single initiation cell thermal runaway can occur in the battery pack. Results and discussion In the single cell tests, applicability of the each initiation method was evaluated with regard to the following three points: 1) good reproducibility of the occurrence event, 2) cell temperature exceeding the upper limit of operating temperature (about 60 to 80°C) in the battery pack which indicates thermal runaway occurring, and 3) upper limit of the calorific value during thermal runaway almost equivalent to the original value of a single cell. Evaluation item of 3) was adopted because of the possibility that the sound battery pack may fail if thermal runaway of the initiation cell causes excessive heat generation. As a result of evaluating the applicability of the initiation methods based on the data obtained from the test, only the heater heating method proved to be applicable to any of the cell types in this study. A battery pack composed of pouch cells was tested using a heater heating method which showed good applicability in the single cell test. Fig. 1 presents the test results. The initiation cell reached thermal runaway appropriately 35 seconds after the start of heating. The cell voltage was measured for two cells connected in parallel. Since the cell temperature rapidly increased immediately after the voltage decreased by approximately 0.6 V, it was confirmed that the thermal runaway of the first one cell occurred at this point. From the above, it was confirmed that thermal runaway of a single initiation cell can occur even in a battery pack composed of pouch cells. AcknowledgmentsThis paper is based on results obtained from a project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Figure 1

Implementation of adaptive neuron based on memristor and memcapacitor emulators

Abstract Adaptive response to timely constant stimuli is a common feature of biological neurons. Implementation of neurons with such features is important for achieving biologically plausible networks using electronic systems. Emerging memristor devices open new horizons in electronically implementation of neural networks with high integration density and low power consumption. Promising potential applications can be considered for mem-elements (memristor, memcapacitor, and meminductor) with their built-in memory-properties. Since the dynamics of mem-elements makes them suitable for direct emulation of biological features of real neurons, it is expected that implementation of real neurons with complicated behavior to be straightforward using mem-element without complicating the implementation of the whole neuron circuit. Mem-elements are still unavailable commercially, so we utilize the mem-elements emulators to evaluate the feasibility of using these elements in the implementation of adaptive neurons. To ensure that there is the possibility of practical implementation of our neuron circuit, we used mem-elements emulators in SPICE simulations instead of mem-elements behavioral models. This work is among the first papers in the implementation of adaptive neurons using mem-elements. Here, using memristor and memcapacitor emulators the neuristor with adaptive behavior is implemented in SPICE environment. We use two different methods for induction of adaptive behavior to the neuristor response. In the first method, the capacitor in the primary circuit of neuristor is replaced with memcapacitor. Alternatively, the coupling resistor in the primary circuit of neuristor is replaced with the memristor in the second method. Results show that, the feature of memristor/memcapacitor in changing its resistance/capacitance during time upon excitation with current or voltage, makes the neuristor behavior to be adaptive in both methods, i.e. the neuristor shows the spike-frequency adaptation behavior in response to the continuous external stimulus, where the frequency of generated spikes depends on the duration of the external input stimulus.

Toward a neurophysiological foundation for altered states of consciousness.

Singh's cultural evolutionary theory posits that methods of inducing shamanic altered states of consciousness differ, resulting in profoundly different cognitive states. We argue that, despite different methods of induction, altered states of consciousness share neurophysiological features and cause shared cognitive and behavioral effects. This common foundation enables further cross-cultural comparison of shamanic activities that is currently left out of Singh's theory.

Establishing and monitoring of urethral sphincter deficiency in a large animal model.

Different methods for induction and monitoring of urethral sphincter deficiency were explored in a large animal model. Sphincter deficiency was established in female pigs by dilatation and cauterization, and amount and frequencies of voiding were monitored andexplored by pad test. Sphincteric closure pressures were recorded prior to and immediately after treatment of each animal, and on day 21 by two techniques: standard urethral pressure profilometry (s-UPP) and high-definition urethral pressure profilometry (HD-UPP). Tissue samples of the urethrae were analyzed by histochemistry (AZAN- and Sirius Red staining) and by immunohistochemistry detecting desmin and fast-myosin to depict muscular tissues. After 3weeks of observation animals treated by dilatation plus electrocautery presented with sphincter deficiency: measurements by both, s-UPP and HD-UPP demonstrated the maximal closure pressure reduced to baseline levels and a diminished area under the curve. Histological analyses documented, that dilatation yielded a pitted connective tissue and cauterization lead to muscle damage. Animals treated by either dilatation only or proximal injury only recovered within 3weeks. By pad test no significant differences between untreated and treated animals or between the differently treated groups were recorded. Significant urethral sphincter deficiency can be induced in female pigs by a combination of urethral dilatation and distal electrocautery. Sphincter deficiency can be measured by standard and high-definition urethral pressure profilometry. It was maintained over 21days after induction and correlated with visible changes in the tissue structure of the distal urethra.

Labor Induction with Orally Administrated Misoprostol: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction One great challenge in obstetric care is labor inductions. Misoprostol has advantages in being cheap and stable at room temperature and available in resource-poor settings. Material and Methods Retrospective cohort study of 4002 singleton pregnancies with a gestational age ≥34 w at Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, during 2009-2010 and 2012-2013. Previously used methods of labor induction were compared with misoprostol given as a solution to drink, every second hour. Main outcome is as follows: Cesarean Section (CS) rate, acid-base status in cord blood, Apgar score < 7,5′, active time of labor, and blood loss > 1500 ml (PPH). Results The proportion of CS decreased from 26% to 17% when orally given solution of misoprostol was introduced at the clinic (p < 0.001). No significant difference in the frequency of low Apgar score (p = 0.3), low aPh in cord blood (p = 0.1), or PPH (p = 0.4) between the different methods of induction was studied. After adjustment for different risk factor for CS the only method of induction which was associated with CS was dinoproston⁎⁎ (Propess®) (aor = 2.9 (1.6–5.2)). Conclusion Induction of labor with misoprostol, given as an oral solution to drink every second hour, gives a low rate of CS, without affecting maternal or fetal outcome.

Effectiveness of gaseous and intravenous inductions on children's anxiety and distress during extraction of teeth under general anesthesia.

Context:Anxiety and distress regarding dental treatment is a major issue for dental patients and can be exaggerated in pediatric dental patients.Aims:The aim was to investigate how different methods of induction for general anesthesia affect children's distress for dental procedures such as extraction of teeth.Subjects and Methods:This was an observational clinical study conducted at Manchester University Dental Hospital. The induction of anesthesia in children was achieved with either intravenous (I.V.) or a gaseous induction. The Modified Child Smiley Faces Scales were completed for children at various times intervals.Statistical Analysis Used:There were statistically significant differences between the mean distress scores for the I.V. and inhalation groups (P values from independent t-test: P < 0.001) was applied.Results:In gaseous induction group, the number of children who scored severe and very severe distress was greater than those who were in I.V. group. Gaseous induction was used for 23 children. Preoperatively, 56.5% children were in very severe distress, 17.4% in severe distress, 13% in moderate distress, 8.7% in mild distress and only one (4.3%) showed no distress. For I.V. induction, 11.2% children were in very severe distress, 9% in severe distress, and 9.6% in moderate distress, 24.2% in mild distress and 46.1% showed no distress.Conclusions:Gaseous induction anesthesia for extractions of teeth does produce high levels of distress than I.V. induction in children for dental extractions. There was no significant difference between both induction methods in terms of distress levels at the time of recovery and 15 min postoperatively.

Geburtseinleitung

Induction of labor is a commonly used obstetric procedure with a frequency of approximately 20–20 % of pregnancies. Because induction influences the natural course of pregnancy correct advice about the possible advantages and disadvantages and different methods of induction have to be given as informed consent and also documented. In addition to medical indications an elective induction on request can be a justified option. The different methods of induction, such as oxytocin, prostaglandins and mechanical methods have to be thoroughly weighed against each other and assessed depending on the individual situation. Before an induction is carried out fetal and maternal well-being, indications and gestational age have to be verified and the cervix evaluated.