Emergency cerclage using double-level versus single-level suture in the management of cervical insufficiency (Cervical Occlusion double-level Stitch Application, ): study protocol for a multicentre, non-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Cervical insufficiency accounts for 15% of recurrent pregnancy losses between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation. The aim of the study is to verify the effectiveness of emergency double-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone in cervical insufficiency treatment in terms of the prevention of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation.

Methods And Analysis: This trial is a multicentre, non-blinded, randomised study with 1:1 allocation ratio.

Effects of PEDF and VEGF on PACAP-/VIP-induced cAMP formation in rat brain derived astrocyte cultures.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are two structurally related peptides acting on their specific receptors. Both were shown to concentration-dependently (0.001 nM - 1 muM) stimulate cyclic 3',5' adenosinomonophosphate (cAMP) formation in rat primary glial cell (astrocyte) cultures, with PACAP being distinctly more potent than VIP.

[The neuroprotective effect of PACAP, VIP, and derivatives in brain ischemia].

Nowadays, stroke is the most frequent cause of adult disability and death of the elderly. In most cases, the etiology of stroke involves cerebral ischemia. Ischemia-induced changes in the brain tissue lead not only to its degeneration, but also to significant activation of cellular mechanisms which protect the affected cells from damage.

Effects of PACAP and VIP on cyclic AMP formation in rat neuronal and astrocyte cultures under normoxic and hypoxic condition.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentration (0.001-1000 nM)-dependently stimulated cyclic AMP production in rat primary neuronal and glial cell (astrocyte) cultures. The actions of both peptides were much more pronounced in astrocytes than in neuronal cultures.