PREDICTING SHORT INTERPREGNANCY INTERVALS IN WOMEN FROM UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN LONDON, ONTARIO

Background: Becoming pregnant within 6 months of previous birth is strongly associated with several adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes. Purpose: To develop a model that can predict which women are at greatest risk of experiencing a short interpregnancy interval (IPI). Methods: Retrospective case-control design was employed using potential predictors collected from medical records. Logistic regression was used to develop a multivarible predictive model identifying key risk factors. Results: Patients were at greatest risk of experiencing a short IPI if they held refugee status (OR: 10.56; 95% Cl: 1.36, 81.70), were in a common law relationship (OR: 7.16; 95% Cl 1.43,44.81), had no specified occupation (OR: 1.30; 95% Cl: 1.10, 1.94), or had the Children’s Aid Society involved in the care of index children (OR: 4.93; 95% Cl: 1.28, 18.72). To maximize utility, a predictive nomogram was constructed. Conclusions: Results can be used to prompt preventative care

Poly(Bis-Arylimidazoliums) Possessing High Hydroxide Ion Exchange Capacity and High Alkaline Stability

Solid polymer electrolyte electrochemical energy conversion devices that operate under highly alkaline conditions afford faster reaction kinetics and the deployment of inexpensive electrocatalysts compared with their acidic counterparts. The hydroxide anion exchange polymer is a key component of any solid polymer electrolyte device that operates under alkaline conditions. However, durable hydroxide-conducting polymer electrolytes in highly caustic media have proved elusive, because polymers bearing cations are inherently unstable under highly caustic conditions. Here we report a systematic investigation of novel arylimidazolium and bis-arylimidazolium compounds that lead to the rationale design of robust, sterically protected poly(arylimidazolium) hydroxide anion exchange polymers that possess a combination of high ion-exchange capacity and exceptional stability

The impact of acute stress on hormones and cytokines, and how their recovery is affected by music-evoked positive mood

Stress and recovery from stress significantly affect interactions between the central nervous system, endocrine pathways, and the immune system. However, the influence of acute stress on circulating immune-endocrine mediators in humans is not well known. Using a double-blind, randomized study design, we administered a CO2 stress test to n = 143 participants to identify the effects of acute stress, and recovery from stress, on serum levels of several mediators with immune function (IL-6, TNF-α, leptin, and somatostatin), as well as on noradrenaline, and two hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hormones (ACTH and cortisol). Moreover, during a 1 h-recovery period, we repeatedly measured these serum parameters, and administered an auditory mood-induction protocol with positive music and a neutral control stimulus. The acute stress elicited increases in noradrenaline, ACTH, cortisol, IL-6, and leptin levels. Noradrenaline and ACTH exhibited the fastest and strongest stress responses, followed by cortisol, IL-6 and leptin. The music intervention was associated with more positive mood, and stronger cortisol responses to the acute stressor in the music group. Our data show that acute (CO2) stress affects endocrine, immune and metabolic functions in humans, and they show that mood plays a causal role in the modulation of responses to acute stress