Improving preparedness of emergency medicine residents in the management of postpartum hemorrhage: A randomized controlled study of two pedagogical approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel curriculum to enhance knowledge and preparedness of emergency medicine (EM) residents in the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial examining two pedagogical approaches. Following baseline testing of knowledge and confidence in respect of PPH management, participants were randomized to receive a didactic lecture on PPH management (group A, n = 14) or a didactic lecture followed by simulation-based training on PPH management and debriefing (group B, n = 16). Post-intervention, proficiency in PPH management was evaluated by clinical skills simulation and post-intervention assessment for participants. The change in the mean test and clinical skills scores were compared using Student's t-test. Linear regression examined the effects of covariates. RESULTS: Both forms of intervention increased participants' knowledge of (group A: mean = 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-3.37, P < 0.001; group B: mean = 1.56, 95% CI 0.89-2.24, P < 0.001) and confidence in PPH management (group A: mean = 1.00, 95% CI 0.46-1.54, P = 0.003; group B: mean = 1.00, 95% CI 0.52-1.48, P = 0.001), relative to baseline. However, addition of simulation and debriefing to the didactic session did not offer any advantage (knowledge: mean = -0.94, 95% CI -1.97 to 0.10, P = 0.074; confidence: mean = 0.00, 95% CI -0.66 to 0.66, P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: Delivery of a structured curriculum led to improvement of knowledge and confidence with regard to the management of PPH by EM residents.

Antiphospholipid Antibodies Increase Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization, Senescence, and Inflammation via Toll-like Receptor 4, Reactive Oxygen Species, and p38 MAPK Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: Miscarriage affects 1 in 7 pregnancies, and antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPLs) are one of the biggest risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss. While aPLs target the endometrial stroma, little is known about their impact. Endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) undergo decidualization each menstrual cycle, priming the uterus to receive implanting embryos. Thus, appropriate decidualization and EnSC function is key for establishment of a successful pregnancy. This study was undertaken to explore the effects of aPL on EnSC decidualization, senescence, and inflammation. METHODS: EnSCs under decidualizing conditions were exposed to aPL or control IgG alone or in the presence of either a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) antagonist, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), or acetyl salicylic acid. Secretion of decidualization markers and inflammatory interleukin-8 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity was evaluated. In a mouse model of decidualization, aPL or control IgG was administered, and uterine expression levels of decidualization and inflammatory markers were quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Antiphospholipid antibodies increased human EnSC decidualization, senescence, and inflammation. This phenotype was recapitulated in the mouse model. The decidualization and inflammatory responses were partially mediated by TLR-4 and p38 MAPK, while the decidualization and senescence responses were ROS-dependent. LMWH, commonly used to treat aPL-positive women at risk of obstetric complications, reduced the ability of aPL to increase EnSC decidualization and inflammation. CONCLUSION: These findings shed new light on the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications in women with aPLs and underscore the benefit of heparin in preventing pregnancy loss in this high-risk population.

A protocol for working with open-source neuroimaging datasets.

Large, publicly available neuroimaging datasets are becoming increasingly common, but their use presents challenges because of insufficient knowledge of the tool options for data processing and proper data organization. Here, we describe a protocol to lessen these barriers. We describe the steps for the search and download of the open-source dataset. We detail the steps for proper data management and practical guidelines for data analysis. Finally, we give instructions for data and result sharing on public repositories and preprint services. For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Horien et al. (2021).