The association of different progesterone preparations with preterm birth prevention.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of commonly available progesterone preparations for preterm birth prevention. A retrospective cohort study of all women treated with progesterone to prevent preterm birth and delivered in a single university-affiliated tertiary medical-center. Four progesterone preparations were compared: vaginal Endometrin 100 mg twice daily, vaginal Crinone 8% gel 90 mg daily, vaginal Utrogestan 200 mg daily, and intramuscular 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) 250 mg weekly.

The impact of obstetric gel on the second stage of labor and perineal integrity: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Dianatal® is a bioadhesive gliding film which reduces the opposing force to vaginal childbirth. We aimed to investigate the safety, applicability, and impact of Dianatal® obstetric gel on second stage of labor and perineal integrity.

Methods: Low-risk singleton pregnancies at term were prospectively enrolled.

Preliminary assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of continuous theta-burst magnetic stimulation (cTBS) in major depression: a double-blind sham-controlled study.

Background: Theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) has been shown to induce potent and long lasting effects on cortical excitability. In a previous open study, we demonstrated safety, tolerability and antidepressant properties of continuous TBS (cTBS) in major depression (MD). The present study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of cTBS in depressed patients using a double-blind, sham-controlled design.

Motor cortex disinhibition in normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

Object: Previous studies have shown a close association between frontal lobe dysfunction and gait disturbance in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). A possible mechanism linking these impairments could be a modulation of corticospinal excitability. The aim of this study was 2-fold: 1) to determine whether iNPH affects corticospinal excitability; and 2) to evaluate changes in corticospinal excitability following ventricular shunt placement in relation to clinical outcome.

[The feminization of obstetrics and gynecology].

Contemporary data indicate female dominance of obstetrics and gynecology. The authors sought to look for the effects of this domination on the discipline and further understand the reasons for these effects as reflected from the relevant current literature. Data clearly show a worldwide "creeping" process of female domination in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

Women gynecologists' attitude toward their own health.

Background: Following the publication of the results of Women's Health Initiative in 2002 there have been gross changes in the attitude of women and physicians towards the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We evaluated the attitude of women gynecologist towards their own health, including adherence to recommended screening tests and self usage and prescription of hormone replacement therapy.

Material/methods: Questionnaires regarding performance of screening tests, self usage and recommendation of HRT were posted by mail to all Israel's women gynecologists.

Activation of GRP78 on endothelial cell membranes by an ADAM15-derived peptide induces angiogenesis.

Impaired angiogenesis is one of the features of ischemic diseases. We have previously identified, by screening a phage display peptide library, a peptide that induces angiogenesis in endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions by binding the cell's membrane heat shock protein GRP78. Protein data base search identified 4 amino acids (HWRR) of that synthetic peptide present on the ADAM15 metalloprotease domain, a protein considered to be involved in neovascularization.

Safety, tolerability and preliminary evidence for antidepressant efficacy of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with major depression.

The aim of this open study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) and to assess preliminarily its therapeutic efficacy in patients with major depression. A total of 33 patients were assigned to receive one of four TBS protocols for 10 consecutive work days. TBS consisted of triple-pulse 50-Hz bursts given at a rate of 5 Hz to the left or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at different stimulation parameters.

Factors affecting the duration of the latency period in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To investigate the natural course of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) at <34 + 0 weeks and to identify factors that affect the duration of the latency period.

Design: A retrospective cohort study of all women diagnosed with PPROM prior to 34 + 0 weeks during 1998-2006. Latency period was defined as the time between onset of PPROM to either spontaneous delivery, labor induction at 34 + 0 weeks, or indicated delivery prior to 34 + 0 weeks because of suspected chorioamnionitis or nonreassuring fetal heart rate.

Intrapartum cervical lacerations: characteristics, risk factors, and effects on subsequent pregnancies.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and effects on subsequent pregnancies of intrapartum cervical lacerations.

Study Design: A retrospective study of all women who were diagnosed with clinically significant cervical lacerations from 1994-2006. Data were compared with a control group.

Predictors of failed operative vaginal delivery: a single-center experience.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict operative vaginal delivery.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included all women who underwent a trial of operative vaginal delivery between 1993 and 2006 at a major tertiary center.

Results: Operative vaginal delivery was attempted in 5120 of 83,351 deliveries (6.

Iron supplementation in pregnancy--does the preparation matter?

Objective: To assess the use, side effects and discontinuation rates of iron preparations during pregnancy.

Design: Six hundred and twelve randomly selected postpartum women completed a questionnaire on iron supplement use in the second and third trimesters.

Results: Of the 517 women (84.

Attitudes and knowledge on breastfeeding among paediatricians, family physicians, and gynaecologists in Israel.

Objectives: Many women in Western countries fail to breastfeed long enough. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes and knowledge of Israeli family physicians (FPs), gynaecologists and paediatricians towards breastfeeding.

Design And Participants: A questionnaire examined Physicians' attitudes towards breastfeeding and their role in encouraging it, their sources of information and adequacy of knowledge.

Phyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of the herbal formula Phyto-Female Complex (SupHerb, Netanya, Israel; ingredients: standardized extracts of black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, American ginseng, chaste-tree berry) for the relief of menopausal symptoms.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 50 healthy pre and postmenopausal women, aged 44-65 years, to whom oral Phyto-Female Complex or matched placebo was prescribed twice daily for 3 months. A structured questionnaire on the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms was administered weekly from one week before throughout the 3-month treatment period, followed by biochemical tests, breast check, and transvaginal ultrasonography.

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system as an adjunct to estrogen for the treatment of menopausal symptoms--a review.

Exogenous estrogen is an effective means of prevention for postmenopausal symptoms. Estrogen treatment should be combined with progesterone in non-hysterectomized women to prevent estrogen-induced malignant transformation of the endometrium. Progesterone supplementation using continuous combined estrogen + progesterone treatment may result in an increased incidence of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Angiogenesis induced by novel peptides selected from a phage display library by screening human vascular endothelial cells under different physiological conditions.

Angiogenesis is a process modulated by several endogenous vascular growth factors as well as by oxygen conditions. For example VEGF failed to induce useful therapeutic angiogenesis in clinical trials. We used a combinatory phage display peptide library screening on human umbilical endothelial cells under normoxia and hypoxia conditions in order to identify novel peptides that bind endothelial cells.

Granular cell tumor of the vulva: six new cases.

Granular cell tumors are rare neoplastic skin and soft tissue lesions: only 1-2% are malignant. Five to sixteen percent occur in the vulva. We present our experience with granular cell tumors of the vulva in six patients, all of whom had wide local excisions and were followed-up in our outpatient clinic for 3-171 months.

Use of various contraceptive methods and time of conception in a community-based population.

Aims: To investigate the association between method of contraception and time to conception in a normal community-based population.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, survey.

Setting: Large comprehensive ambulatory women's health center.

Mode of delivery in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders and unfavorable cervix following induction of labor with vaginal application of prostaglandin E.

Background: Our aim was to evaluate the mode of delivery in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders and unfavorable cervix following induction of labor with vaginal application of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) near or at term, and to define the predictors of successful vaginal delivery in such women.

Methods: In a retrospective case-controlled study, pregnant women with hypertension, who underwent labor induction with PGE(2) tablets (study group, n = 284), were compared with women, who underwent elective induction of labor (group 2, n = 115), and women with normal spontaneous onset of labor (group 3, n = 510).

Results: The rate of cesarean section (CS) was significantly higher in the study group (25.

Effect of electroconvulsive therapy on cortical excitability in patients with major depression: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Objective: The antidepressant action of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may be related to their ability to modulate cortical excitability. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in cortical excitability following ECT in patients with major depression (MD) and to compare therapeutic efficacy of ECT combined with rTMS to that of ECT alone.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with MD were assigned to receive ECT and right prefrontal 1 Hz rTMS (n=12) or ECT with sham rTMS (n=10).

Evidence for cortical hyperexcitability of the affected limb representation area in CRPS: a psychophysical and transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Functional alterations in noxious, sensory and motor circuits within the central nervous system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The aim of the present study was to search for further evidence of hyperexcitability in the hemisphere contralateral to the affected limb in patients with CRPS by employing both psychophysical and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) methods. Twelve patients with CRPS type I, confined to the distal part of a limb (six in an upper-limb and six in a lower-limb), were enrolled in the study.

Effect of urinary versus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone on platelet function and other hemostatic variables in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Objective: To determine the effect of urinary versus recombinant FSH on platelet function and hemostatic variables in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles.

Design: Randomized clinical study.

Setting: Major university-based infertility and in vitro fertilization unit and hemostasis laboratory.

Antidepressant effects of different schedules of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation vs. clomipramine in patients with major depression: relationship to changes in cortical excitability.

The antidepressant effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) that have been demonstrated in recent studies could be related to its ability to modulate cortical excitability. Yet, the relationship between stimulus location and frequency and treatment outcome has not been established. The aim of the present study was to compare efficacy of rTMS in various configurations and clomipramine treatment in patients with major depression (MD) and to evaluate the relationship between clinical outcome and changes in cortical excitability.

Significance of increased endometrial thickness in assisted reproduction technology treatments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between thick endometrium and both implantation and pregnancy rates in ART treatments.

Methods: The study group was composed of consecutive women undergoing ultrasonographic evaluation on the day of hCG administration in our ART unit. Endometrial thickness was measured at the thickest part of the midsagittal plane.

Women's attitude toward analgesia during labor--a comparison between 1995 and 2001.

Objective: To compare the attitude of gravid women towards analgesia during labor in 1995 and 2001, in Israel.

Method: Women in the third trimester of pregnancy were asked to complete an antepartum questionnaire regarding the mode of analgesia they preferred during their labor. The questionnaire was distributed twice, once in 1995 and again in 2001, in order to study changing attitudes.