Color Doppler is a useful tool in the differentiation of placental masses. Such masses should be followed up regularly because their growth rate is variable and unpredictable.

A driving scheme using a pair of differential voltages (V x , V y) over a bias voltage is proposed to linearize the dc characteristic (angle versus voltage) of a two-axis MEMS scanner. The micromirror has a gimbal-less structure and is driven by vertical comb-drive actuators in conjunction with a leverage mechanism. At an optimal bias voltage of 53 V, a linear optical scan range of ±3.2 • is achieved experimentally in both the x and y directions with the differential voltages ranging from −10 V to + 10 V.

Our data indicate that apoptosis in human amnion is significantly increased and associated with labor at term.

Elevated AF sFas is associated with intra-amniotic infection. High production of AF sFas in intra-amniotic infection may play a role in the inhibition of apoptosis of AF leukocytes, leading to the persistence of inflammation.

Chinese medicines should be classified into drugs, which have both beneficial and harmful effects. For centuries, Chinese medicines have been widely used to relieve many symptoms and to treat complications during pregnancy. It is not clear how safe the Chinese medicines are being used during pregnancy and if there is any adverse effects to embryofetal development and prenatal and postnatal growth. Some Chinese medicines are indicated that they cannot be used in pregnancy. In this chapter, we will conduct a systematic review to summarize and characterize in details the Chinese medicines classified as contraindicated, not recommended and cautiously used for pregnancy in most updated version of Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China. Clinical reports including clinical trials, case reports, case series and animal studies including short-term and long-term toxicity, specific organ toxicity and different species of the Chinese medicines will be studied. Unlike those pharmaceutical drugs not recommend for use during pregnancy because of known or suspected adverse or teratogenic effects evident by animal studies and/or clinical trials, most of the Chinese medicines were utilized for long history in culture which, however, has very limited scientific data regarding the adverse pregnant outcomes.