Nitric oxide donors for cervical ripening in first-trimester surgical abortion.

Background: Cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion is recommended in certain groups of women. Nitric oxide (NO) donors induce cervical ripening without uterine contractions, but the efficacy and side effects are of concern.

Objectives: To evaluate NO donors for cervical ripening before first-trimester surgical abortion, in terms of efficacy, side effects, and reduction of complications.

A new role for monocytes in modulating myometrial inflammation during human labor.

Here we fully characterize the cytokine profile of laboring human myometrium using Luminex analysis of 48 cytokine proteins, and stereologically quantified infiltration of monocytes and neutrophils into the myometrium. We hypothesized that monocytes can regulate their accumulation in the myometrium by disruption of proinflammatory cytokines to prevent an uncontrolled inflammatory response after labor onset. We isolated primary human myometrial cells (HMCs) from term, nonlaboring myometrial biopsies.

Prenatal diagnosis and pathology of laryngeal atresia in congenital high airway obstruction syndrome.

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis is important. The obstruction can be due to laryngeal/tracheal atresia or external compression.

Nitric oxide donors for cervical ripening in first-trimester surgical abortion.

Background: Cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion is recommended in certain groups of women. Nitric oxide (NO) donors induce cervical ripening without uterine contractions, but the efficacy and side effects are of concern.

Objectives: To evaluate efficacy, side effects and complications of NO donors for cervical ripening before first-trimester surgical abortion.

Inhibin-A levels between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation in Thai women.

Aim: To construct a normal value for inhibin-A concentrations at 14-20 weeks of gestation for a Thai population.

Material And Methods: Inhibin-A concentrations from pregnant women without Down's syndrome at 14-20(+6) weeks of gestation were measured. Maternal serum inhibin-A levels were analyzed according to the gestational age.

Effect of isosorbide mononitrate for cervical ripening before surgical termination of pregnancy in the first trimester.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) for cervical ripening prior to first trimester surgical termination of pregnancy.

Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Women scheduled for surgical termination of a nonviable fetus before 12 weeks of gestation from October 2008 to June 2009 were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either 20 mg vaginally of IMN (n=24) or a placebo (n=24) 4 hours before suction evacuation.

Nitric oxide donors for cervical ripening in first-trimester surgical abortion.

Background: Cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion is recommended in certain groups of women. Nitric oxide (NO) donors induce cervical ripening without uterine contractions, but the efficacy and side effects are of concern.

Objectives: To evaluate efficacy, side effects and complications of NO donors for cervical ripening before first-trimester surgical abortion.

Ion channels: new targets for the next generation of tocolytics agents.

Ion channels are interesting molecules since they mediate not only uterine contraction but also uterine relaxation. We have examined the expression, function, and correlation between the large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channel, beta2 adrenoceptor (AR), and long-lasting (L) type calcium (Ca2+) channel. These are the main channels and receptor that are involved in the uterine contraction/ relaxation process.

A comparison of the efficacy of sublingual and oral misoprostol 400 microgram in the management of early pregnancy failure: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare repeated doses of sublingual with oral misoprostol in the medical management of early pregnancy failure.

Material And Method: One hundred and thirty eight women with a period of gestation less than 20 week calculated by her last menstrual period and less than 12 weeks by size were sequentially allocated to two groups to receive either 400 microg of misoprostol orally or sublingually every 4 hours until termination of pregnancy was completed.

Results: There is no difference in the mean induction to abortion interval.

A randomised controlled trial of 6 and 12 hourly administration of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol administered 6 or 12 hourly for second trimester pregnancy termination.

Design: A randomised controlled trial.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Progesterone enhances the tocolytic effect of ritodrine in isolated pregnant human myometrium.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of natural progesterone on the relaxant effect of ritodrine on pregnant human oxytocin-induced myometrial contractility.

Study Design: Isometric tension recordings were performed under physiologic conditions on isolated myometrial strips taken from low-risk term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section. Cumulative effects of natural progesterone (10 (-11) to 10 (-5) mol/L) on oxytocin-induced myometrial contractility were evaluated.

Contribution of coupling between human myometrial beta2-adrenoreceptor and the BK(Ca) channel to uterine quiescence.

The beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) and the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channel have been shown, separately, to be involved in mediating uterine relaxation. Our recent studies reveal that the levels of both beta(2)-AR and BK(Ca) channel proteins in pregnant human myometrium decrease by approximately 50% after the onset of labor. We present direct evidence in support of a structural and functional association between the beta(2)-AR and the BK(Ca) channel in pregnant human myometrium.

Reduced expression of immunoreactive beta2-adrenergic receptor protein in human myometrium with labor.

A considerable body of evidence exists suggesting that the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) mediates uterine relaxation. However, little information exists on the localization, distribution, or expression of beta(2)-ARs in the human myometrium during the nonpregnant to labor transition. We have used immunochemical methods to investigate beta(2)-AR localization and expression in the nonpregnant, term pregnant, and term parturient uterus.

Postterm with favorable cervix: is induction necessary?

Objective: To study the cesarean rate between expectant management and immediate induction in the otherwise uncomplicated postterm pregnancy with favorable cervix.

Study Design: A total of 249 women with uncomplicated pregnancies at 41 weeks plus 3 days (290 days) with favorable cervix (Bishop score > or =6) were randomized to either expectant management (n=125) or immediate induction of labor (n=124). The women in the induction group were sent to labor ward for induction by artificial rupture of membranes (ARM) and/or oxytocin infusion.