Paraoxonase 2 protein is spatially expressed in the human placenta and selectively reduced in labour.

Humans parturition involves interaction of hormonal, neurological, mechanical stretch and inflammatory pathways and the placenta plays a crucial role. The paraoxonases (PONs 1-3) protect against oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation, modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and regulation of apoptosis. Nothing is known about the role of PON2 in the placenta and labour.

Heat shock protein 70 expression is spatially distributed in human placenta and selectively upregulated during labor and preeclampsia.

Placental oxidative stress is a feature of both human labor and the pregnancy syndrome preeclampsia. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) can be induced in cells as a protective mechanism to cope with cellular stress. We hypothesized that HSP 70 would increase during labor and preeclampsia and that expression would vary in different placental zones.

Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancy (STOPPIT): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and meta-analysis.

Background: Women with twin pregnancy are at high risk for spontaneous preterm delivery. Progesterone seems to be effective in reducing preterm birth in selected high-risk singleton pregnancies, albeit with no significant reduction in perinatal mortality and little evidence of neonatal benefit. We investigated the use of progesterone for prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancy.

A mesothelial-lined cyst: an unusual presentation.

A 12-year-old girl presented with a "threadlike fiber" in her underwear associated with lower abdominal pain. She denied insertion of any foreign body, and at examination under anesthetic, a threadlike substance was seen exiting her external cervical os. Her only medical history was of an open appendicectomy for perforated appendicitis.

Small bowel obstruction in a twin pregnancy due to fibroid degeneration.

Small bowel obstruction in pregnancy is unusual. It is a difficult diagnosis to make, as vomiting and abdominal distension are commonly associated with pregnancy, and x-rays are avoided if possible. We present a case of small bowel obstruction caused by uterine fibroid degeneration in a 37 year old with a twin pregnancy.