Elafin (SKALP/Trappin-2/proteinase inhibitor-3) is produced by the cervix in pregnancy and cervicovaginal levels are diminished in bacterial vaginosis.

Objectives: To examine cervicovaginal elafin production in pregnancy and determine its relationship in bacterial vaginosis.

Study Design: Samples of cervicovaginal secretions were collected from women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies (n = 112) below 20 weeks gestation. Bacterial flora was assessed using Nugent's criteria, and levels of elafin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA).

Decreased serum levels of kisspeptin in early pregnancy are associated with intra-uterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To investigate whether pregnancies with development of subsequent pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction are associated with altered levels of kisspeptin in maternal serum in the second trimester.

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study of 16-20 week serum samples matched for duration of storage at -70 degrees C. Levels of kisspeptin were measured in serum from women with pregnancies with subsequent development of pre-eclampsia (n = 57), intra-uterine growth restriction (n = 118), and matched controls (n = 317).

Natural antimicrobial production by the amnion.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of natural antimicrobials in primary cultured amnion epithelial cells and to examine their regulation by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta).

Study Design: Primary amnion epithelial cells were cultured from samples that were obtained at prelabor cesarean section (n = 12) and stimulated with IL-1beta. Natural antimicrobial messenger RNA expression was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Management of cervical weakness based on the measurement of cervical resistance index.

Objective: To assess the value of measuring cervical resistance index (CRI) as an aid to selecting patients with a history of spontaneous mid-trimester miscarriage for cervical cerclage in subsequent pregnancies.

Study Design: An observational study of 175 patients with a history of one or more spontaneous mid-trimester losses and 123 non-pregnant women who had CRI measurements performed while undergoing routine gynaecological surgery. Those women whose CRI indicated an incompetent cervix were recommended for cervical cerclage in future pregnancies while women with a normal CRI were recommended for conservative management without cerclage.

Sleep complaints: snoring and daytime sleepiness in pregnant and pre-eclamptic women.

Background And Purpose: To examine whether snoring and sleepiness are linked in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Patients And Methods: We recruited 167 healthy and 82 pre-eclamptic women in the third trimester of pregnancy and 160 non-pregnant women. Subjects and their partners completed a sleep questionnaire.

Decidualisation of cervical stromal cells.

Objective: Control of cervical function is poorly understood. The major structural component of the cervix is collagen and peri-partum cervical changes are largely due to the action of collagenase, either released by resident cells or derived from an influx of neutrophils. More importantly, the cell type that initiates the changes in the cervix is unknown although the resident fibroblast is a possible contender.

Adiponectin is present in cord blood but is unrelated to birth weight.

Objective: In adults, adiponectin is reduced in association with excess adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and hyperinsulinemia. We assessed whether adiponectin was 1) present in the fetal circulation, 2) altered in the fetal circulation in the presence of maternal diabetes, and 3) had relations to fetal cord blood insulin or adiposity.

Research Design And Methods: We assessed adiponectin in cord blood in a large cohort of singleton offspring of diabetic mothers (ODM; n = 134) and control mothers (n = 45).

The upper airway in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Snoring is common in pregnancy, and snoring pregnant women have increased rates of pre-eclampsia. Patients with pre-eclampsia show upper airway narrowing during sleep. The present study aimed to compare upper airway dimensions in pregnant and nonpregnant women and in patients with pre-eclampsia.