Premature rupture of membranes in nulliparas at term with unfavorable cervices: a double-blind randomized trial of prostaglandin and placebo

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the use of a prostaglandin (PG) E2 3-mg pessary followed by a delay of 12 hours before stimulation of labor with oxytocin improves obstetric outcome compared with the use of a placebo pessary.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-five nulliparas at term with poor cervical scores (modified Bishop score below 6 of 10) and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) were recruited for this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. On admission to the study, either a PGE2 pessary or an identical-appearing placebo pessary was inserted into the posterior fornix. If labor did not start in the next 12 hours or if symptoms and signs of infection were evident, labor was induced with oxytocin infusion. Assignment was unblinded at the end of the study, and details of the labor and maternal and neonatal outcome in women who received a PG pessary were compared with those who received a placebo pessary.

RESULTS

Women receiving a PG pessary were significantly less likely to require stimulation of labor at the end of 12 hours than were those given a placebo pessary (37 versus 58%, P = .002). The mean time between admission to study and delivery was significantly shorter in the PG group compared with the placebo group (15 versus 19 hours, P = .01). The rate of cesarean delivery was not statistically different in the two groups (13.9% with PG versus 15.8% with placebo).

CONCLUSION

In nulliparas with poor cervical scores who present with PROM at term and no evidence of infection or obstetric complications, use of a PGE2 pessary resulted in more women establishing labor earlier, with a resultant reduction in the admission-to-delivery interval, compared with the use of a placebo pessary. The cesarean delivery rates in the two groups were similar, and there were no significant differences in neonatal outcome.

Administrative role and educational administration program effectiveness: perception by principals

A survey of 85 graduates from 14 midwestern universities offering doctoral degrees in educational administration was carried out to assess perceptions of graduates regarding their training program. The emphasis of the survey was on how closely their training corresponded to current perceptions of their roles as educational administrators. Most indicated emphasis in graduate training should more closely match the roles of administrators.

Vinylindenes and some heteroanalogues in the Diels-Alder reaction. V. 3-Vinylindoles and quinones

3-Vinylindoles give adducts containing a benzo- or naphtho-carbazole ring system by 1,4-cycloadditionsto 1,4-benzoquinone and 1,4- naphthoquinone respectively. The adducts are readily dehydrogenated to the corresponding heterocyclic quinones. No skeletal rearrangement accompanies oxidation with oxygen in base.

Vinylindenes and some heteroanalogues in the Diels-Alder reaction. IV. Reactions of ethenetetracarbonitrile with some 3-vinylindoles

3-Vinylindoles are conveniently prepared from methylenetriphenylphosphorane and indole-3-carbaldehydes. Those studied give normal Diels-Alder adducts with ethenetetracarbonitrile, except in the case of the 2-methyl derivative, where steric hindrance results in formation of a cyclobuty-indole. The adducts are relatively unstable, and decompose rapidly to indolylbutadienetricarbonitriles.