Changes in the cervical competence in preterm labour.

Cervical competence is a key function in normal and abnormal labour. Remodelling of the cervical structure, by reorientation and changes in the integrity of collagen fibres by an alteration in the content of water, proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid, takes place before parturition. Such morphological changes have been associated with the activation of several biochemical pathways, sharing those of an apyretic, proinflammatory reaction, including the inducible isoform of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS).

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (Isocolan) for constipation during pregnancy: an observational open-label study.

To evaluate the efficacy of a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-4000) in pregnant women affected by constipation, 40 consecutive pregnant women from 6 to 38 weeks' gestation were enrolled in this preliminary study. Constipation was defined as spontaneous evacuation less than four times a week or the presence of symptoms such as defecation pain, rectal urgency, tenesmus, anal injury, or abdominal pain. A PEG-4000 solution (Isocolan, also marketed in the United States as Golitely/Nulitely) was administered for 15 days at a dose of 250 mL by mouth once or twice a day.

A small randomised trial of low-dose aspirin in women at high risk of pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To determine if aspirin (ASA) therapy reduces the incidence of pre-eclampsia in women at high risk of this condition.

Study Design: Randomised clinical trial. We recruited pregnant women with gestational age at randomisation <14 weeks, who satisfied the following criteria: chronic hypertension, history of severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) or intrauterine foetal death.

Thrombophilic mutations are a main risk factor for placental abruption.

Background And Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate inherited thrombophilic factor V Leiden and factor II A20210 mutations in women presenting with abruption of a normally implanted placenta.

Design And Methods: In a multi-center, case-control study, 50 consecutive women requiring immediate delivery because of abruption of the placenta were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were: abruptio placentae requiring immediate delivery, normally implanted placenta, Caucasian ethnic background, parity <3, delivery performed at Institutions.

Endothelin-1 and nitric oxide levels are related to cardiovascular risk factors but are not modified by estradiol replacement in healthy postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional and a randomized cross-over study.

Objective: To evaluate whether in healthy postmenopausal women endothelial substances such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide are related to cardiovascular risk factors and can be influenced by estradiol replacement.

Design: A cross-sectional evaluation and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with cross-over.

Methods: In 20 healthy postmenopausal women it was investigated the relation of ET-1 and NOx with age, BMI, 24-h blood pressure, lipid and glucose metabolism, and coagulation parameters.

Non-stress test changes during acupuncture plus moxibustion on BL67 point in breech presentation.

Objectives: We assessed fetal heart variability and activity using a computerized non-stress test (NST) during acupuncture plus moxibustion on the BL67 point. For comparison, the same changes were assessed during placebo acupuncture (minimal acupuncture) in the same subjects.

Methods: Twelve pregnant women in the 33rd week of gestation, carrying singletons in the breech presentation were enrolled in the study.

Adjuvant L-arginine treatment in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: a double-blind, randomized study.

Background: Enhanced vascularization appears to be important for follicular selection and maturation in both spontaneous and stimulated IVF cycles. Nitric oxide, formed in vivo from L-arginine, may play a key role in follicular maturation and ovulation.

Methods: To evaluate the role of L-arginine supplementation in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, 37 IVF patients were divided into two groups according to ovarian stimulation protocols: group I, GnRH agonist plus pure (p)FSH plus oral L-arginine (n = 18); and group II, GnRH agonist plus pFSH plus placebo (n = 19).

Circadian variations of human flexion reflex.

We investigated 8 healthy male volunteers, evaluating RII and RIII thresholds every 6 h starting from noon, for a 24-h period. Both reflex responses exhibited a circadian rhythmicity: the lowest values were found in the early morning (9.1 +/- 3.

Concomitant increase in nociceptive flexion reflex threshold and plasma opioids following transcutaneous nerve stimulation.

In order to evaluate the role of endogenous opioids in sustaining analgesia induced by transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TNS), we measured plasma beta-lipotropin (BLPH), beta-endorphin (BEP), ACTH and cortisol changes concomitantly with nociceptive flexion reflex (RIII) threshold after TNS (80 microseconds rectangular waves at 85 Hz) in a group of healthy volunteers (A). The same protocol was carried out in another group of volunteers using placebo stimulation (0.5 Hz) (B).

Progressive impairment of CSF beta-EP levels in migraine sufferers.

Common migraine (CM) is an evolutive disease characterized by a progressive increase in the number of attacks and a consequent reduction in the free periods, eventually reaching a state of continuous migraine with interparoxysmal headache (MIH). To evaluate the role of central pro-opiocortin-related peptides in the pathogenesis of the disease, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and ACTH were measured in two groups of migraine sufferers with increasing severity of the disease (CM and MIH), and in healthy controls. ACTH values were similar in the 3 groups, while beta-LPH levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.