Inflammatory and infectious risk factors are associated with the response to tocolysis in patients with preterm labor.

Objective: Inflammation/infection is the most frequent conditions leading to preterm delivery (PTD). A few studies have assessed the clinical efficacy of long-term tocolysis with ritodrine hydrochloride. In this study, the relationship among inflammatory/infective risk factors of PTD, the response to long-term tocolysis, and timing of delivery were evaluated in women with preterm labor.

Prediction of preterm delivery based on maternal plasma urocortin.

Context: Preterm birth still remains a significant management problem, and a large number of markers of the disease have been investigated.

Objective: We measured plasma levels of urocortin, a neuropeptide expressed by gestational tissues, in women with threatened preterm labor (TPTL) to evaluate whether the measurement may predict preterm delivery (PTD).

Design: We studied patients as part of an open observational study.

Low-molecular-weight heparin improves the performance of uterine artery Doppler velocimetry to predict preeclampsia and small-for-gestational age infant in women with gestational hypertension.

This study investigated whether a short course of subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) might modify the performance of uterine artery Doppler to predict preeclampsia and small-for-gestational age (SGA) newborns in a high-risk population. A controlled, open-labeled study included 94 women with gestational hypertension and 30 healthy women enrolled at 24 to 26 weeks gestation. Doppler evaluation of uterine arteries resistance index (RI) was performed before and after a two-week course of LMWH (enoxaparin, 4000 IU/d, n = 56 hypertensive patients) or no treatment (n = 38 hypertensive women and 30 healthy controls).

Urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 are expressed by the human placenta, deciduas, and fetal membranes.

Objective: Urocortin 2 (UCN2) and urocortin 3 (UCN 3) are recently identified neuropeptides showing homology to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). In the present study, we evaluated their expression and localization in gestational tissues (placenta, decidua, fetal membranes), and their effect on placental adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.

Study Design: The study was performed in a tertiary clinical care center.

Maternal plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor and urocortin levels in post-term pregnancies.

Objective: Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin are two placental neuropeptides that are involved in the mechanisms of labour by modulating myometrial activity. Maternal plasma levels of both CRF and urocortin are increased at term and preterm labour, whilst those of CRF are reduced in women who are destined to experience post-term delivery. The present study evaluated maternal plasma levels in term and post-term pregnancies out of labour.

Comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound in the assessment of the cervix to predict preterm delivery.

This study sought to determine whether 3-D transvaginal ultrasound (3D-TVS), compared with the 2-D transvaginal approach (2D-TVS), offers a better identification of some specific features of the uterine cervix that could be useful in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD). A total of 103 women with singleton pregnancies were prospectively evaluated with 2D-TVS and 3D-TVS in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, chi2 and Pearson test (p<0.