Polyethylene glycol compared to lactulose for constipation in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare polyethylene glycol 4000 versus lactulose in chronic constipation during pregnancy.

Methods: Women at 28-32 weeks' gestation attending antenatal clinic for routine care were screened using the Rome IV chronic constipation criterion. Eligible women were approached and consented.

Predictors of maternal satisfaction with labor induction: A prospective observational cohort study.

Objective: To identify independent predictors of maternal satisfaction with labor induction.

Method: In this prospective observational cohort study, 769 women prior to their labor induction had sleep and psychological well-being assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales. Women were asked about the adequacy of labor induction information provided and their involvement and time pressure felt in the decision-making for their labor induction.

Lin's Self-Retaining Abdominal Ultrasound Probe Method for Hands-Free Ultrasound-Guided Hysteroscopic Procedures: A Single-Operator Study.

Objectives: Conventionally, an assistant would be required to hold the ultrasound probe during therapeutic hysteroscopy. To manage without a skilled assistant, Lin developed a self-retaining hands-free probe method that can be used to hold an abdominal ultrasound probe. One can now perform ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic procedures single-handedly.

The prevalence of menstrual disorders and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls living in North Borneo, Malaysia: a questionnaire-based study.

Background: This study aimed to determine menstrual characteristics and related morbidities among adolescent girls living in Sabah, North Borneo, a less-developed state in Malaysia.

Methods: Data were obtained from a quantitative survey conducted in three government high schools located in Ranau, Sabah. The participants were adolescent girls who had attained menarche between the ages of 14 and 19.

Early versus delayed amniotomy with immediate oxytocin after Foley catheter cervical ripening in multiparous women with labor induction: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate immediate oxytocin and early amniotomy compared with delayed amniotomy after Foley catheter cervical ripening in multiparous women on intervention-to-delivery interval.

Methods: This randomized trial was conducted in Malaysia in 232 term multiparous women with balloon catheter-ripened cervixes (dilatation ≥3 cm), singleton fetus, cephalic presentation with intact membranes, and reassuring fetal heart rate tracing. They were randomized to immediate titrated intravenous oxytocin infusion and early amniotomy (116) or delayed amniotomy after 4 h of oxytocin (116).

Post Laparoscopy Pain Reduction Project I (POLYPREP I): intraperitoneal normal saline instillation-a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal normal saline instillation (INSI) of 15 mL/kg body weight on postoperative pain after a gynaecological laparoscopic procedure.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Temporal relationship between alterations in the gut microbiome and the development of polycystic ovary syndrome-like phenotypes in prenatally androgenized female mice.

It has been recently recognized that prenatal androgen exposure is involved in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adulthood. In addition, the gut microbiome in adult patients and rodents with PCOS differs from that of healthy individuals. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that the gut microbiome may play a causative role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products in follicles is associated with poor oocyte developmental competence.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) affect the follicular microenvironment. The close relationship between AGEs, proinflammatory cytokine production and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which involves activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), is crucial for regulation of various cellular functions. We examined whether accumulation of AGEs in follicles was associated with proinflammatory cytokine production and activation of the UPR in granulosa cells and decreased oocyte developmental competence.

Role of oxidative stress in follicular fluid on embryos of patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment.

Aim: Oxidative stress (OS) is defined as an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants, and the disruption of redox signaling leads to molecular damages. This study was conducted to clarify the effect of OS in individual follicular fluid (FF) on oocyte fertilization and embryonic division.

Methods: A total of 124 patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment in our hospital underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection and 211 FF were collected.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Activated by Androgen Enhances Apoptosis of Granulosa Cells via Induction of Death Receptor 5 in PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperandrogenism and growth arrest of antral follicles. Previously, we found that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is activated in granulosa cells of antral follicles in PCOS, evidenced by activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) genes. Based on this observation, we hypothesized that ER stress is activated by androgens in granulosa cells of antral follicles, and that activated ER stress promotes apoptosis via induction of the UPR transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and subsequent activation of death receptor (DR) 5.

A Potential Role for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Progesterone Deficiency in Obese Women.

Obesity in reproductive-aged women is associated with a shorter luteal phase and lower progesterone levels. Lipid accumulation in follicles of obese women compromises endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, activating ER stress in granulosa cells. We hypothesized that ER stress activation in granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs) would modulate progesterone production and contribute to obesity-associated progesterone deficiency.