The Expression of Neuropilin-1 in Human Placentas From Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies.

Preeclampsia (PET) is a hypertensive disorder that affects 2% to 8% of pregnant women. Recent observations support the hypothesis that upregulation of placental anti-angiogenic factors are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Neuropilin-1 (NP-1) is a transmembrane protein that acts as a coreceptor for vascular endothelial growth factor and as a regulatory protein in the immune system.

The role of fibrin matrices and tissue factor in early-term trophoblast proliferation and spreading.

Introduction: Fibrin deposition in placenta is a common phenomenon which can be triggered by villous injury and coagulation activation. Fibrin abnormalities (hypo/dysfibrinogenemia) and factor XIII deficiency are associated with infertility and pregnancy loss. While trophoblasts are known to grow on fibrin matrices, the role of this protein in trophoblast repair processes remains unclear.

Effect of B-mode optimization techniques on fetal bowel echogenicity using computerized image analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide and compare measurable parameters for normal fetal bowel echogenicity under predefined B-mode scanning presets.

Methods: Forty healthy fetuses underwent 14- to 17-week ultrasound scans, and 40 underwent 21- to 25-week scans. Sagittal, coronal, and axial fetal abdominal images were tested using predefined B-mode presets.

Sonography of the fetal cochlea in the early second trimester of pregnancy.

Objectives: To examine the feasibility of imaging the fetal cochlea in the early second trimester.

Methods: This study included 42 healthy fetuses of low-risk pregnancies between 14 and 16 weeks. The coronal head sections via sagittal and lateral acoustic windows were used for cochlear visualization.

Pregnancy course and outcome in women traveling to developing countries.

Background: The issue of travel to developing countries during pregnancy has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the rate, course, and outcome of pregnancies in women who traveled to developing countries while pregnant, or became pregnant during such travel.

Methods: Women visiting two major travel clinics in Israel for consultation within the years 2004 to 2009, who were pregnant or declared an intention of becoming pregnant during travel were contacted.

Adrenalectomy for adrenocortical adenoma causing Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy: a case report and review of literature.

We present a case of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent Cushing's syndrome diagnosed in a patient in the third trimester of her pregnancy, with an adrenal mass observed on imaging studies. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed successfully at 32 weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the latest gestational age at which laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been reported.

Oral naproxen versus oral tramadol for analgesia after cesarean delivery.

Objective: To compare the efficacies of oral naproxen and oral tramadol for pain relief after cesarean delivery, and to evaluate administration at fixed intervals versus on request.

Methods: In a prospective study, 120 women were randomized into 4 groups receiving either oral naproxen or oral tramadol at fixed intervals or on request. Pain was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 48hours after delivery, and adverse effects, mobility, breastfeeding, and the need for additional drugs for breakthrough pain were recorded.

Haptoglobin phenotype in women with preeclampsia.

In pre-eclampsia, poor placentation causes both oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress of the placenta. The anti-oxidative protein Haptoglobin has three phenotypes: 1-1, 1-2, and 2-2. Haptoglobin 1-1 is a more potent antioxidant.

The association between supra-physiological levels of estradiol and response patterns to experimental pain.

The precise mechanism by which gonadal hormones influence pain perception is still obscure. However, no studies have examined experimental pain responses at supra-physiological hormone levels. This study explored the influence of pharmacological estradiol (E2) levels on the stability of pain perception obtained via quantitative sensory testing.

Variations of the origin of renal arteries in the fetus identified on power Doppler and 3D sonography.

Purpose: To investigate anatomic variations of renal arteries (RAs) using 2-dimensional (2D)/3D power Doppler sonography (PDUS) in normal fetuses and in fetuses with renal anomalies.

Methods: The origin, direction, and distribution of RAs were studied in 120 fetuses without renal malformations using 2D/3D PDUS. Studies were performed between 14 and 17 weeks of gestation age on 64 male and 56 female fetuses.

Expectant management of pregnancy-related high-velocity uterine arteriovenous shunt diagnosed after abortion.

Objective: To assess sonographic and clinical outcome in women with pregnancy-related uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) diagnosed after abortion.

Method: Twelve patients diagnosed as having AVMs after abortion were followed-up until resolution of the lesions.

Results: The 9 asymptomatic patients were managed expectantly for 4 to 10 weeks without further complications.

How reliable is the determination of cervical dilation? Comparison of vaginal examination with spatial position-tracking ruler.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of clinical measurement of cervical dilation with a position-tracking system during vaginal examination.

Study Design: This prospective study that was conducted in Poissy, France, Brooklyn, NY, and Haifa, Israel, included 333 measurements that were performed in 188 women with term singleton vertex uncomplicated pregnancies during the active stage of labor. Ninety measurements with clinical diagnosis of full dilation were excluded from analysis.

Determination of fetal head station and position during labor: a new technique that combines ultrasound and a position-tracking system.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the ultrasound-based LaborPro (Trig Medical Ltd, Yokneam, Israel) system determination of fetal head station and position with routine vaginal examination.

Study Design: This prospective study, which was conducted in 3 centers included 311 measurements that were performed in 166 singleton term pregnancies during the active phase of vertex, uncomplicated labor. Ultrasound-based position-tracking system calculations of fetal head station and position were compared with routine vaginal examination measurements.

Modulation of heart rate variability by estrogen in young women undergoing induction of ovulation.

Estrogens are involved in the modulation of the cardiovascular system, yet their effects in young women remains largely unknown. Women who undergo ovulation induction treatments attain extremely high estrogen concentrations during a very short time period. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an acute increase in estrogens on the autonomic nervous system modulation of heart rate variability (HRV).

Effectiveness of a novel home-based testing device for the detection of rupture of membranes.

We evaluated the ability of a testing panty liner (TPL) embedded with a pH/ammonia indicator polymer to differentiate amniotic fluid leakage from urine. A multicenter, open-label study in which 339 pregnant women (age 18 to 45 years, minimum 16 weeks' gestation, presenting with unexplained vaginal wetness) were enrolled. The TPL was worn and the results read by the subject and a health care provider (HCP) who was blinded to the subject's reading.

Fetal weight estimation for prediction of fetal macrosomia: does additional clinical and demographic data using pattern recognition algorithm improve detection?

Objective: The aim of this study was to test whether pattern recognition classifiers with multiple clinical and sonographic variables could improve ultrasound prediction of fetal macrosomia over prediction which relies on the commonly used formulas for the sonographic estimation of fetal weight.

Methods: THE SVM ALGORITHM WAS USED FOR BINARY CLASSIFICATION BETWEEN TWO CATEGORIES OF WEIGHT ESTIMATION: >4000gr and <4000gr. Clinical and sononographic input variables of 100 pregnancies suspected of having LGA fetuses were tested.

The outcome and cumulative morbidity associated with the second and third postcesarean delivery.

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome and cumulative morbidity among women who delivered twice after a cesarean delivery (CD), and who underwent in the second delivery either a trial of labor (TOL) or planned cesarean delivery (PCD). Eligible women (N = 399) were divided into two groups based on first post-CD: a TOL (n = 304) or PCD (n = 95). Women attempting a TOL were successful in 70 and 75% in the first and second post-CD, respectively.

Immediate versus delayed umbilical cord clamping in premature neonates born < 35 weeks: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

The purpose of this study was to test whether delayed versus immediate cord clamping would result in higher blood pressure (BP) and hematocrit (Hct), and to assess its clinical effects on the neonatal course in premature neonates (< 35 weeks). This was a prospective, masked, randomized, controlled study. Prior to delivery, 35 neonates were randomly assigned to immediate cord clamping (ICC) at 5 to 10 seconds, and a comparable group of 30 neonates were randomly assigned to delayed cord clamping (DCC) at 30 to 45 seconds.

Evidence of periopathogenic microorganisms in placentas of women with preeclampsia.

Background: Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory infectious disease that may act as a focus of infection. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that often leads to maternal morbidity and mortality. Acute atherosis, the placental lesion of preeclampsia, shares many histopathological features with atherosclerosis.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: insights on obstetric aspects.

Unlabelled: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperelasticity, tissue fragility, easy bruising, and poor healing of wounds. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the type of disease. The syndrome may be associated with a number of pregnancy and peripartum complications.

Fetal heart rate patterns and neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants.

Background: To evaluate the validity of fetal heart rate monitoring during the last hour prior to birth, as a predictor of long term neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birth weight infants.

Methods: A total of 111 very low birth weight infants were included in the study. Fetal heart rate tracings were obtained during the last hour prior to delivery.

Maternal complications associated with multiple cesarean deliveries.

Objective: The claim that a planned repeat cesarean delivery is safer than a trial of labor after cesarean may not be applicable to women who desire larger families. The aim of this study was to assess maternal complications after multiple cesarean deliveries.

Methods: The records of women who underwent two or more planned cesarean deliveries between 2000 and 2005 were reviewed.

Instability of Doppler cerebral blood flow in monochorionic twins.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Doppler flow velocity changes in cerebral vessels of monochorionic twins with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Methods: Repeated Doppler umbilical and cerebral blood flow studies were performed in 7 twin pairs with TTTS. Eight monochorionic twin pairs and 11 dichorionic twin pairs served as control groups.