New diatom taxa from the world’s first marine Bioblitz held in New Zealand: Skeletomastus a new genus, Skeletomastus coelatus nov. comb. and Pleurosigma inscriptura a new species

Diatoms were investigated as part of the world’s first marine Bioblitz held on the south coast of Wellington, New Zealand, in October 2007. Two unusual diatoms were associated with the red alga Herposiphonia ceratoclada. They were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The first, previously described as »Cocconeis coelata« Arnott ex Greville, is a thick-ribbed biraphid diatom that appears to have an undular raphe and marginal septum like some Mastogloia species, but it does not have partecta in the valvocopula. Instead it has short marginal ribs that support a pseudoseptum. Its solid lyre and multiseriate striae with cibrate pores could be modifications of similar structures in Aneumastus aksaraiensis Spaulding et al. It typifies the new genus Skeletomastus which appears to be close to both Mastogloia and Aneumastus, hence the name. The second is a proposed new Pleurosigma species, P. inscriptura with naviculoid symmetry and a markedly sigmoid raphe system with deflected ends. It appears bright blue in darkfield illumination which helped us locate it in other samples from theWellington region.We compare it with some other Pleurosigma species and consider their diffraction properties

Characteristics and Impact of Drug Detailing for Gabapentin

BACKGROUND: Sales visits by pharmaceutical representatives (“drug detailing”) are common, but little is known about the content of these visits or about the impact of visit characteristics on prescribing behavior. In this study, we evaluated the content and impact of detail visits for gabapentin by analyzing market research forms completed by physicians after receiving a detail visit for this drug. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Market research forms that describe detail visits for gabapentin became available through litigation that alleged that gabapentin was promoted for “off-label” uses. Forms were available for 97 physicians reporting on 116 detail visits between 1995 and 1999. Three-quarters of recorded visits (91/116) occurred in 1996. Two-thirds of visits (72/107) were 5 minutes or less in duration, 65% (73/113) were rated of high informational value, and 39% (42/107) were accompanied by the delivery or promise of samples. During the period of this study, gabapentin was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration only for the adjunctive treatment of partial seizures, but in 38% of visits (44/115) the “main message” of the visit involved at least one off-label use. After receiving the detail visit, 46% (50/108) of physicians reported the intention to increase their prescribing or recommending of gabapentin in the future. In multivariable analysis, intent to increase future use or recommendation of gabapentin was associated with receiving the detail in a small group (versus one-on-one) setting and with low or absent baseline use of the drug, but not with other factors such as visit duration, discussion of “on-label” versus “off-label” content, and the perceived informational value of the presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Detail visits for gabapentin were of high perceived informational value and often involved messages about unapproved uses. Despite their short duration, detail visits were frequently followed by physician intentions to increase their future recommending or prescribing of the drug

Delivery timing and cesarean delivery risk in women with mild gestational diabetes mellitus

To evaluate the relationship between gestational age (GA) and induction of labor (IOL) and the rate of cesarean delivery (CD) in women with mild gestational diabetes (GDM)

Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms and Length of Gestation

To estimate whether there is an association between length of gestation and gene polymorphisms that effect transcription of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), or interleukin-1β (IL-1β)

Relationship between 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentration and spontaneous preterm birth

17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) 250 mg weekly reduces recurrent spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in women with a prior SPTB by 33%. The dose is not based on pharmacological considerations. A therapeutic concentration has not been determined hampering any attempt to optimize treatment. This study evaluated the relationship between 17-OHPC plasma concentrations and the rate of SPTB in women with singleton gestation

Relationship between Fetal Station and Successful Vaginal Delivery in Nulliparous Women

To study the relationship between fetal station and successful vaginal delivery in nulliparous women

Fish Consumption, Erythrocyte Fatty Acids, and Preterm Birth

To estimate the association between fish consumption and erythrocyte omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and preterm birth in a high-risk cohort

Timing of delivery and pregnancy outcomes among laboring nulliparous women

To compare pregnancy outcomes by completed week of gestation after 39 weeks with outcomes at 39 weeks