No association between polymorphisms/haplotypes of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene and preeclampsia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Preeclampsia (PE) is the first worldwide cause of death in pregnant women, intra-uterine growth retardation, and fetal prematurity. Some vascular endothelial grown factor gene (<it>VEGF</it>) polymorphisms have been associated to PE and other pregnancy disturbances. We evaluated the associations between <it>VEGF </it>genotypes/haplotypes and PE in Mexican women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>164 pregnant women were enrolled in a case-control study (78 cases and 86 normotensive pregnant controls). The rs699947 (-2578C/A), rs1570360 (-1154G/A), rs2010963 (+405G/C), and rs25648 (-7C/T), <it>VEGF </it>variants were discriminated using Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods or Taqman single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proportions of the minor allele for rs699947, rs1570360, rs2010963, and rs25648 <it>VEGF </it>SNPs were 0.33, 0.2, 0.39, and 0.17 in controls, and 0.39, 0.23, 0.41, and 0.15 in cases, respectively (<it>P </it>values > 0.05). The most frequent haplotypes of rs699947, rs1570360, rs2010963, and rs25648 <it>VEGF </it>SNPs, were C-G-C-C and C-G-G-C with frequencies of 0.39, 0.21 in cases and 0.37, 0.25 in controls, respectively (<it>P </it>values > 0.05)</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was no evidence of an association between <it>VEGF </it>alleles, genotypes, or haplotypes frequencies and PE in our study.</p

“Music is considered my skin-to-skin with her”: Music therapy with parents and their extremely preterm infants in the NICU

Background There is an emerging body of literature focused on parent-infant bonding and parent identity within music therapy during a NICU stay, and limited research on the use of music therapy experiences with families admitted for extreme prematurity.Within the current literature music therapy is cited as an important tool for connection for families separated prematurely or traumatically at birth. Nursing literature also cites the importance of interventions that support caregiver coping and connection with their baby. Purpose/Objective This study aimed to identify the experiences of families admitted to the NICU for extreme prematurity and explore the role music therapy plays in their relationship with their infants. Method This study was a phenomenological study using audio recorded music therapy sessions and exit interviews at the time of discharge which were coded and analyzed for commonalities and themes. Two families participated in music therapy sessions and were followed throughout their NICU stay for extreme prematurity (approximately 3-4 months). Results Two themes emerged from the interviews and session data: making it through the journey , with subthemes emotional rollercoaster, ways of coping, and music as an escape, and redefining role as a parent,with subthemes, the NICU parent, moments of connection, and creating memories. Families in this study experienced music therapy during all stages of their NICU journey and felt that music was an important means of connection with their baby and a reliable tool in coping with their overwhelming medical experience. Implications for Practice For music therapists, the results of this study support the use of music therapy techniques to address parent/infant bonding and caregiver emotional support during a NICU admission for extreme prematurity. For nurses, this study provides insight about the parent/caregiver experience during extreme prematurity and the importance of non-medical interventions, developmentally sensitive treatment options, and family-centered care

Builders’ liability to owners corporations: the recent high court decision

Provides a summary of the High Court decision on builders\u27 liability and the stakeholder reaction to it. It also explores the possible relationship between the decision and the amendments to the Home Building Act 1989 which are about to come into force. Introduction On Wednesday 8 October 2014, in Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 612881 (Brookfield) the High Court held that a builder of a strata-titled serviced apartment building did not owe a duty of care to the Owners Corporation to take reasonable care to avoid purely economic loss arising from latent defects in the building’s construction. The builder was therefore not liable in negligence to the Owners Corporation. This e-brief provides a summary of the High Court decision and the stakeholder reaction to it. It also explores the possible relationship between the decision and the amendments to the Home Building Act 1989 which are about to come into force

The Long Paddock: a legislative history of travelling stock reserves in NSW

Examines the legislative history of travelling stock routes, starting with an overview of the current arrangements and then presenting a chronological account of the many relevant regulatory developments in this field. Introduction The ownership and future management of travelling stock routes (TSRs) are currently the subject of review, further to the 2013 report Crown Lands Management Review. The report said that: There are issues around ownership, governance, future use and the role of government. In particular, it needs to be determined whether the NSW Government should continue to own and control TSRs. The review also commented on the changing uses of TSRs, stating: The use of TSRs has changed: most are no longer being used for their original purpose. They are used for recreation, other social uses, access and heritage. TSRs also provide some insurance during drought and flood. Many are still important because of their location in over-cleared landscapes and because of significant Aboriginal cultural heritage and ecological values. This paper begins with a brief commentary on these various uses and on the place of TSRs in Australia’s cultural history. Its focus, however, is on the legislative history of TSRs, starting with an overview of the current arrangements and then presenting a chronological account of the many relevant regulatory developments in this field, from 1832 to 2014

Native vegetation clearing in NSW: a regulatory history

Outlines the ways in which the clearing of native vegetation has been regulated in NSW from 1788 to the present. Summary This paper outlines the ways in which the clearing of native vegetation has been regulated in NSW, from 1788 to the present. Since the 1980s the extent to which governments can regulate the clearing of native vegetation on private land has been the subject of continued debate. This debate is now playing out before the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel, established by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to review biodiversity legislation in NSW, including the Native Vegetation Act 2003. Note that the focus of this paper is chiefly on the regulation of native vegetation clearing in rural areas, as currently regulated under the Native Vegetation Act 2003. The regulation of tree clearing in non-rural local government areas under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&amp;A Act 1979) and the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 is beyond the ambit of this paper. Also not considered are the regimes established at the Commonwealth and State level for protected species of native vegetation, and harvesting in native State forests. “Native vegetation” typically encompasses all vegetation present in NSW prior to European settlement. Since settlement, a significant proportion of vegetation present has been cleared for urban areas, infrastructure, industry and agriculture. Native vegetation provides many benefits, including controlling erosion and salinity, maintaining water quality, providing habitat, economic benefits to landholders, and acting as carbon sinks absorbing greenhouse gases. Conversely, broadscale clearing of native vegetation contributes to a decrease in native species, land degradation, increased salinity, and the disruption of many ecosystems. Throughout the 1980s, political and public awareness of these issues increased significantly, and action began to be taken at both State and Federal levels to arrest the clearing of native vegetation. The clearing of native vegetation in NSW has been regulated, to varying degrees, since 1881. The timeline below lists the significant regulatory developments with respect to native vegetation. Note that the timeline does not identify when provisions were repealed, where that applies

Association of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-Type 1 (-675 4G/5G) Polymorphism with Pre-Eclampsia: Systematic Review

<div><h3>Background and Aims</h3><p>Excessive generation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 (PAI-1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and related conditions. The PAI-1 (−675 4G/5G) promoter polymorphism (rs1799889) affects transcriptional activity and is a putative genetic risk factor for pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study was identify, appraise and synthesise the available evidence for the association of the PAI-1 (−675 4G/5G) polymorphism with pre-eclampsia.</p> <h3>Methods</h3><p>Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis of genetic association studies.</p> <h3>Results</h3><p>We found 12 eligible genetic association studies in which a total of 1511 women with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP syndrome and 3492 controls participated. The studies were generally small (median number of cases 102, range 24 to 403) and underpowered to detect plausible association sizes. Meta-analysis of all of the studies detected statistically significant gene-disease associations in the recessive [pooled odds ratio 1.28 (95% confidence interval 1.09, 1.50); population attributable risk 7.7%] and dominant [pooled odds ratio 1.21 (95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.44); population attributable risk 13.7%] models. We did not find evidence of statistical heterogeneity, funnel plot asymmetry or small study bias.</p> <h3>Conclusions</h3><p>These data suggest that the fibrinolytic pathway regulated by the PAI-1 gene may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and related conditions. This association, if confirmed in larger genetic association studies, may inform research efforts to develop novel interventions or help to prioritise therapeutic targets that merit evaluation in randomised clinical trials.</p> </div

Study flow through the selection process.

<p>Study flow through the selection process.</p

Meta-analysis of PAI-1 (−675 4G/4G) genotype and pre-eclampsia: recessive model.

<p>Meta-analysis of PAI-1 (−675 4G/4G) genotype and pre-eclampsia: recessive model.</p

Funnel plot of PAI-1 (−675 4G/4G) genotype and pre-eclampsia.

<p>Funnel plot of PAI-1 (−675 4G/4G) genotype and pre-eclampsia.</p

Characteristics of included studies.

<p>Characteristics of included studies.</p