European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Dec 2008
Clinical estimation of fetal weight and the Hawthorne effect.
The Hawthorne effect refers to improvement in performance solely due to the subject's knowledge that he or she is being studied. We sought to determine if an obstetrician's clinical estimation of fetal weight (EFW) is influenced by the Hawthorne effect seen in some clinical trials. ⋯ An obstetrician's knowledge that he or she is being studied is unlikely to improve clinical EFW accuracy. Published clinical EFW accuracies are likely to be similar to those obtained in clinical practice.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Dec 2008
Characterization of breast cancer subtypes by quantitative assessment of biological parameters: relationship with clinicopathological characteristics, biological features and prognosis.
Gene expression analysis has identified several breast cancer subtypes, including luminal, epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+), and basal-like. To determine if our proposed molecular taxonomy correlates with biological and clinical behavior. This is based on four biological markers: estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively), HER2 and the epidermal growth factor receptor-1 (HER1), all of them being determined by quantitative assays. ⋯ Through the classification of breast tumors in four groups, according to their ER, PgR, HER2 and HER1 status, it is possible to obtain a major division of breast tumors associated with significant differences in biological features and clinical behavior.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Aug 2008
Factors associated with umbilical artery acidemia in term infants with low Apgar scores at 5 min.
To evaluate predictors of umbilical artery acidemia in term neonates with low Apgar score. ⋯ Umbilical artery evidence of acidemia is present in 38% of term babies with low Apgar score and it is predominantly associated with chronic antepartum vascular disease. Neither intrauterine infection nor acute intrapartum events are significantly associated with umbilical artery acidemia.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Jul 2008
Psychological distress associated with colposcopy: patients' perception.
Cervical screening and colposcopy are associated with varying degrees of anxiety in women. Interventions are in place to reduce anxiety but the effectiveness of these needs examination. Our objective was to develop an understanding of factors associated with anxiety in relation to colposcopy and to seek women's opinion on interventions designed to reduce anxiety. ⋯ Our results indicate that the higher the index level of anxiety regarding colposcopy, the less likely women were to find either the leaflet or the video-screen display helpful. Research should focus on the 'very anxious' women, as they are least satisfied with existing measures in place to reduce anxiety. However, evidence is presented to imply this may not be possible.