Obese mice have decreased uterine contractility and altered energy metabolism in the uterus at term gestation†.

Over 35% of reproductive-age women in the USA have obesity, putting them at increased risk for numerous obstetric complications due to abnormal labor. While the association between maternal obesity and abnormal labor has been well documented, the mechanisms responsible for this remain understudied. The uterine smooth muscle, myometrium, has high energy needs in order to fuel regular uterine contractions during parturition.

Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Activates S1PR3 to Induce a Proinflammatory Phenotype in Human Myometrial Cells.

One of the common mechanisms responsible for obstetric complications, affecting millions of women every year, is abnormal uterine contractility. Despite the critical importance of this process for women's health, the mechanisms of uterine contraction regulation remain poorly understood. The initiation of uterine smooth muscle (myometrial) contraction is an inflammatory process, accompanied by upregulation of proinflammatory genes and cytokine release.

Association between Maternal Serum Lipids and Intrapartum Oxytocin Requirements during Labor Induction and Augmentation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal serum lipid parameters and oxytocin requirements among women with term vaginal deliveries.

Study Design: In this secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study, women who presented for delivery at ≥37 weeks' gestation and received oxytocin during their labor were included. Maternal serum was collected intrapartum.

Pharmacological chaperones for the oxytocin receptor increase oxytocin responsiveness in myometrial cells.

Oxytocin is a potent uterotonic agent administered to nearly all patients during childbirth in the United States. Inadequate oxytocin response can necessitate Cesarean delivery or lead to uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Thus, it may be clinically useful to identify patients at risk for poor oxytocin response and develop strategies to sensitize the uterus to oxytocin.

Prolonged time to extubation after general anaesthesia is associated with early escalation of care: A retrospective observational study.

Background: Prolonged time to extubation after general anaesthesia has been defined as a time from the end of surgery to airway extubation of at least 15 min. This occurrence can result in ineffective utilisation of operating rooms and delays in patient care. It is unknown if unanticipated delayed extubation is associated with escalation of care.

Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Factors Associated With Perioperative Failure of Extraglottic Airway Devices.

Background: Extraglottic airway device (EGA) failure can be associated with severe complications and adverse patient outcomes. Prior research has identified patient- and procedure-related predictors of EGA failure. In this retrospective study, we assessed the incidence of perioperative EGA failure at our institution and identified modifiable factors associated with this complication that may be the target of preventative or mitigating interventions.