Azithromycin-based Extended-Spectrum Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Cesarean: Role of Placental Colonization with Genital Ureaplasmas and Mycoplasmas.

Objective: To explore whether the effect of azithromycin (AZI) on postcesarean infections varied by the presence/absence of genital mycoplasmataceae placental colonization.

Study Design: This was a single-center substudy of multicenter double-blind C/SOAP (Cesarean Section Optimal Antibiotic Prophylaxis) trial of women randomized to AZI or placebo (+cefazolin) antibiotic prophylaxis at cesarean. Chorioamnion/placenta specimens were tested for genital mycoplasmataceae colonization by polymerase chain reaction.

Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a heterogeneous group of conditions that include chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. These disorders account for a significant proportion of perinatal morbidity and mortality nearly 10% of all maternal deaths in the United States. Given the substantial health burden of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, there is increasing interest in optimizing management of these conditions.

Impact of Gestational Weight Gain on Perinatal Outcomes in Obese Women.

Objective This study aims to evaluate perinatal outcomes, according to gestational weight gain (GWG) in obese women. Study Design A retrospective cohort of perinatal outcomes in obese women who gained below, within, or above the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines and delivered ≥ 36 weeks. Additionally, outcomes, according to the rate of GWG (kg/week; minimal [< 0.

Outcomes of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing gastrografin small bowel follow-through studies.

Objective: To characterize the outcomes of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing small bowel follow-throughs (SBFTs) with Gastrografin at our institution.

Study Design: We identified all gynecologic oncology patients undergoing an SBFT from January 2004 to December 2009. We characterized the SBFT as normal, delayed transit, partial obstruction, or complete obstruction.

An economic analysis of prenatal cytogenetic technologies for sonographically detected fetal anomalies.

When congenital anomalies are diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound, the current standard of care is to perform G-banded karyotyping on cultured amniotic cells. Chromosomal microarray (CMA) can detect smaller genomic deletions and duplications than traditional karyotype analysis. CMA is the first-tier test in the postnatal evaluation of children with multiple congenital anomalies.

Semaphorin 3B is a 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced gene in osteoblasts that promotes osteoclastogenesis and induces osteopenia in mice.

The vitamin D endocrine system is important for skeletal homeostasis. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] impacts bone indirectly by promoting intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate and directly by acting on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Despite the direct actions of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in bone, relatively little is known of the mechanisms or target genes that are regulated by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in skeletal cells.

The pleiotropic effects of excessive luteinizing hormone secretion in transgenic mice.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is member of the glycoprotein hormone family of gonadotropins, which also includes the highly related human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone. The necessity of these factors for sustaining human fertility has been known for decades. In addition, elevated serum levels of LH have been associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome, suggesting that the appropriate balance of LH is critical for maintaining reproductive function.

The 1,25(OH)2D3-regulated transcription factor MN1 stimulates vitamin D receptor-mediated transcription and inhibits osteoblastic cell proliferation.

The vitamin D endocrine system is essential for maintaining mineral ion homeostasis and preserving bone density. The most bioactive form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] elicits its effects by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and regulating the transcription of target genes. In osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells of the skeleton, 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of the extracellular matrix.

Functional cooperation between CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins and the vitamin D receptor in regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] induces the synthesis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 24-hydroxylase [24(OH)ase], an enzyme involved in its catabolism, thereby regulating its own metabolism. Here we demonstrate that CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) is induced by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in kidney and in osteoblastic cells and is a potent enhancer of vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated 24(OH)ase transcription. Transfection studies indicate that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) induction of 24(OH)ase transcription is enhanced a maximum of 10-fold by C/EBPbeta.

Vitamin D: more than a "bone-a-fide" hormone.

The vitamin D endocrine system is critical for the proper development and maintenance of mineral ion homeostasis and skeletal integrity. Beyond these classical roles, recent evidence suggests that the bioactive metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, functions in diverse physiological processes, such as hair follicle cycling, blood pressure regulation, and mammary gland development. This minireview explores the current progress in unraveling the complexities of the vitamin D endocrine system by focusing on four main areas of research: the resolution of the vitamin D receptor crystal structure, the molecular details of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated transcription, murine knockout models of key genes in the endocrine system, and alternative vitamin D receptors and ligands.