Identification of the alternative oxidase gene and its expression in the copepod Tigriopus californicus.

In addition to the typical electron transport system (ETS) in animal mitochondria responsible for oxidative phosphorylation, in some species there exists an alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway capable of catalyzing the oxidation of ubiquinol and the reduction of oxygen to water. The discovery of AOX in animals is recent and further investigations into its expression, regulation, and physiological role have been hampered by the lack of a tractable experimental model organism. Our recent DNA database searches using bioinformatics revealed an AOX sequence in several marine copepods including Tigriopus californicus.

The natural history of preterm premature rupture of membranes in twin pregnancies.

Objective: To compare the characteristics of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between twin and singleton pregnancies.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of all women with twin and singleton pregnancies admitted with PPROM between 24-34 weeks of gestation.

Results: Overall 698 women with PPROM were eligible for the study: 101 (14.

Outcomes of Pregnancies Complicated by Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes Between 20 and 24 Weeks of Gestation.

Objective: To assess the natural history and contemporary outcomes in pregnancies complicated by previable preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

Methods: Retrospective study of all women with a singleton or twin pregnancy admitted to a single tertiary referral center who experienced preterm PROM between 20 and 23 6/7 weeks of gestation during 2004-2014 and underwent expectant management. Women electing termination of pregnancy and pregnancies complicated by major fetal anomalies were excluded.

Does gestational diabetes affect fetal growth and pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancies?

Background: Women with twin pregnancies are at increased risk for fetal growth restriction, which might be attributed to the limited maternal resources that are being shared by >1 fetus. Based on that, it may be hypothesized that the fetal effects of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with respect to accelerated fetal growth may be less pronounced in twin gestations or alternatively may even have a beneficial role in decreasing the risk of fetal growth restriction in these pregnancies. However, available data are conflicting and are limited by the fact that many of the complications associated with GDM are less relevant for twin gestations, and that all women with GDM included in previous studies were monitored and treated to control maternal blood glucose levels.