(Obstet Gynecol 2013;121:727-33) DOI: http://10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182860c52″
“Purpose: Radioelectric asymmetric brain stimulation technology with its treatment protocols has shown efficacy in various psychiatric disorders. The aim of this work was to highlight the mechanisms by which these positive effects are

achieved. The current study was conducted to determine whether a single 500-millisecond radioelectric asymmetric conveyor (REAC) brain stimulation pulse (BSP), applied to the ear, can effect a modification of brain activity that is detectable using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods: Ten healthy volunteers, six females and four males, underwent fMRI during a simple finger-tapping motor task

before and after receiving a single 500-millisecond find more REAC-BSP.

Results: The fMRI results indicate that the average variation in task-induced encephalic activation patterns is lower in subjects following the single REAC pulse.

Conclusion: The current report demonstrates that a single REAC-BSP is sufficient to modulate brain activity in awake subjects, able to be measured using fMRI. These initial results open new perspectives into the understanding of the effects of weak and brief radio pulses upon brain activity, and provide the basis for further indepth studies using REAC-BSP and fMRI.”
“OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether text messages sent to ambulatory pregnant women ZD1839 cost could DMH1 improve influenza vaccine uptake.

METHODS: Obstetric patients at less than 28 weeks of gestation were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial from an academic center’s outpatient clinic during two consecutive influenza seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012). Potential participants were excluded if they had already received that season’s influenza vaccine. Participants were randomized to receive 12 weekly text messages encouraging general pregnancy health (General) or general pregnancy health plus influenza vaccination (Flu). Study participants completed preintervention

and postintervention surveys about preventive health beliefs. Influenza vaccine receipt was assessed using prenatal record review. The study was powered to detect a 55% increase in the vaccination rate in the intervention group.

RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen women were enrolled, 204 of whom were available for intention-to-treat analysis (n=100 General, n=104 Flu). Participants were primarily African American (66%) with low educational attainment (90% equivalent to or less than high school education) and predominantly with either public or no insurance (88%). The overall influenza vaccination rate among participants was 32% with no difference between participants in the General (31% [n=31]) compared with Flu (33% [n=34]) groups (difference 1.7%, 95% confidence interval -11.1 to 14.5%).