Term vaginal delivery following fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of type II vasa previa.

Unrecognized vasa previa carries a significant risk of fetal mortality. Advances in ultrasound have improved detection of vasa previa and led to a dramatic reduction in fetal morbidity and mortality. However, current management strategies require prolonged hospitalized surveillance, preterm delivery prior to the onset of labor or rupture of membranes, and a cesarean delivery. Fetoscopic laser ablation of type II vasa previa allows for the possibility of term vaginal delivery. We present a patient who underwent successful laser photocoagulation of a type II vasa previa at 32(5)/7 weeks' gestation. She subsequently delivered vaginally at term without complications. The potential benefits of definitive in utero treatment of non-type I vasa previa, such as vaginal delivery at term, must be weighed against the procedure-related risks of operative fetoscopy.

Cadmium chloride-induced changes in hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline and dopamine levels in the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti (Wroughton).

A single intraperitoneal injection of cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 0.32 mg/kg body weight) was administered to 15 adult female palm squirrels (Funambulus pennanti (Wroughton] and the hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) levels were quantified on the 1st, 7th and 40th day. 5-HT levels significantly decreased on the 1st and 40th day but showed an increase on the 7th day. Similarly, NA levels significantly decreased after 1, 7 and 40 days of treatment, and DA levels decreased on the 1st and 7th day but insignificantly increased on the 40th day. This suggests that CdCl2 interferes in the functioning of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis by impairing the hypothalamic 5-HT, NA and DA levels, which may in turn affect the physiology of the peripheral endocrine glands.

Effect of antiandrogens on the hypothalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate contents of the Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus pennanti, Wroughton).

Intramuscular administration of 20 mg/kg flutamide (Flut) or 50 mg/kg of cyproterone acetate (CPA) daily for a period of three weeks significantly elevated the hypothalamic GABA content. CPA is found to decrease the hypothalamic glutamate level while Flut elevated it. Both, Flut and CPA reduced the hypothalamic weight.

A study of the value of children among acceptor and non-acceptor of family planning devices.

PIP: The perceived value of children was compared in a sample of 50 family planning acceptors and 50 non-contracepting females in India. The survey instrument, The Value and Cost of Children Test, is a self- administered questionnaire designed to assess the following dimensions of parenthood cost; continuity, tradition, and security; satisfaction, incentives, and goals; and happiness, affection, and social status. The data confirmed the hypothesis that women who plan their families will have enhanced perceptions of the value of children. The mean score of family planning acceptors was 96 (standard deviation, 8.71) compared with 91.78 (standard deviation, 10.13) among non-acceptors--a statistically significant difference (p0.01). Scores on the 4 subscales, for family planning acceptors and non-acceptors, respectively, were as follows: cost, 17.78 (SD, 4.01) and 20.2 (SD, 4.58); continuity, tradition, and security, 23.36 (SD, 2.90) and 21.2 (SD, 3.63; happiness, affection, and social status, 30.7 (SD, 3.79) and 28.9 (SD, 3.67); and satisfaction, goals, and incentives, 24.16 (SD, 3.44) and 21.48 (SD, 3.75). Overall, the family planning acceptors viewed children as a source of support in their old age, providers of status in the community, and a source of satisfaction and companionship. A contradictory finding was that non-acceptors were more concerned than acceptors with the emotional strains and financial burdens implicit in childbearing, yet were not taking steps to prevent births.^ieng