Women's knowledge of Pap smear test and human papillomavirus: acceptance of HPV vaccination to themselves and their daughters in an Islamic society.

Objective: Cancer of cervix uteri is the second most common cancer among women, and it has been shown to be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in more than 99% of cases. We surveyed Muslim Turkish women, who mostly accept talking about sex as a taboo, to examine their knowledge about Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test, HPV, HPV vaccine, and their attitude toward vaccination to themselves and their daughters.

Methods: We surveyed 525 women aged between 19 and 53 years to examine their knowledge about cervical cancer screening Pap smear test, HPV, HPV vaccine, and their attitude toward vaccination to themselves and their daughters with a questionnaire that is consisted of 5 parts with a total of 31 items.

Expression and regulation of prostaglandin receptors in the human placenta and fetal membranes at term and preterm.

Prostaglandins (PGs) play an important role in parturition in many species, including humans. The present study examined the distribution of PG receptor subtypes (EP1-4 and FP) in intrauterine tissues at term and preterm birth. Placentas and fetal membranes were collected from patients at term in labour (n = 12) or not in labour (n = 12).

The role of prostaglandins in the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide-induced proMMP9 secretion from human placenta and fetal membrane cells.

The abnormal degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the fetal membranes has been proposed as a central event in preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM). Prostaglandins (PGs) are thought to increase the risk of preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes by causing matrix degradation. The aim of this study was to assess the mediating role of PGs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MMP9 secretion in vitro.

The effects of chorioamnionitis and betamethasone on 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2 and the glucocorticoid receptor in preterm human placenta.

Objective: Preterm birth is one of the major problems faced in perinatal medicine and is often associated with underlying clinical infection. Treatment with maternal betamethasone has helped to improve neonatal morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that betamethasone treatment and chorioamnionitis would alter the bioavailability of placental glucocorticoids through the regulation of the 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta HSD) isozymes and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR).