Long-Term Postpartum Cardiac Function and Its Association With Preeclampsia.

Background Preeclampsia is a prominent risk factor for long-term development of cardiovascular disease. Although existing studies report a strong correlation between preeclampsia and heart failure, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. One possibility is the glycoprotein growth factor activin A.

Risk factors for cervical ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for cervical ectopic pregnancies.

Methods: Retrospective, quasi-experimental case-control study of cervical ectopic pregnancy (CEP) cases from 2000-2013. Two groups were selected as controls, patients with tubal ectopic (TEP) and intrauterine pregnancies (IUP) without a history of TEP, matched by year of pregnancy and randomly sampled in a 1:3 case-control ratio per each study group.

Rosiglitazone augments antioxidant response in the human trophoblast and prevents apoptosis†.

Insufficient perfusion of the trophoblast by maternal blood is associated with an increased generation of reactive oxygen species and complications of the placenta. In this study, we first examined whether rosiglitazone, an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), protects the human trophoblast from oxidative injury by regulating key antioxidant proteins, catalase (CAT) and the superoxide dismutases (SOD1 and SOD2). In first trimester placental explants, localization of CAT was limited to cytotrophoblasts, whereas SOD1 was expressed in both the cyto- and syncytiotrophoblasts.

Outcomes in subsequent pregnancies after wedge resection for interstitial ectopic pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of wedge resection for interstitial ectopic pregnancy (WRIEP).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with a history of WRIEP from 2000 to 2013 at two inner city hospitals in Detroit, MI. Pregnant-matched controls (1:3) were selected and included patients with history of surgically treated tubal ectopic pregnancy and delivered patients without history of ectopic pregnancy.

Sonographic Measurement of Cervical Volume in Pregnant Women at High Risk of Preterm Birth Using a Geometric Formula for a Frustum Versus 3-Dimensional Automated Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis.

Objectives: To compare cervical volume measurements by 3-dimensional (3D) sonography using Virtual Organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) versus a manual method using a geometric formula for a frustum.

Methods: We included 142 asymptomatic pregnant women at 16 to 24 weeks gestation at high risk for preterm birth. With a Voluson 730 Expert system (GE Healthcare), they underwent 2-dimensional (2D) transvaginal sonographic cervical length measurements and 3D cervical volume acquisition.

Morbid obesity and outcome of ectopic pregnancy following capped single-dose regimen methotrexate.

Purpose: Evaluate whether morbid obesity influenced resolution, number of doses or ultimately surgical management of tubal ectopic pregnancy (TEP) when treated with single-dose regimen methotrexate (SDR-MTX) capped at 100 mg.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with a diagnosis of TEP who underwent MTX treatment from 2000 to 2013. Patients were excluded if initial β-hCG <1000 mIU/mL, did not have β-hCG follow-up or were not treated with SDR-MTX.

Reduced homeobox protein MSX1 in human endometrial tissue is linked to infertility.

Study Question: Is protein expression of the muscle segment homeobox gene family member MSX1 altered in the human secretory endometrium by cell type, developmental stage or fertility?

Summary Answer: MSX1 protein levels, normally elevated in the secretory phase endometrium, were significantly reduced in endometrial biopsies obtained from women of infertile couples.

What Is Known Already: Molecular changes in the endometrium are important for fertility in both animals and humans. Msx1 is expressed in the preimplantation mouse uterus and regulates uterine receptivity for implantation.