A hierarchy of proliferative cells exists in mouse lens epithelium: implications for lens maintenance.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of slow-cycling cells, which are detected as label-retaining cells (LRCs), in mouse lens epithelium during postnatal development.

Methods: Pregnant BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally (twice daily) with tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR), beginning at 17 days of gestation until birth. At birth, the in utero-labeled neonatal mice were injected subcutaneously with 3H-TdR (twice daily) for 3 days.

Blunt laryngeal trauma resulting in arytenoid dislocation and dysphonia.

We present a case of left arytenoid dislocation due to blunt laryngeal trauma causing a subsequent large granuloma formation resulting in dysphonia and stridor. The patient underwent emergency excision of the obstructive granuloma and speech therapy was started post-operatively. A few weeks after surgery, the granuloma started to recur and laryngeal manipulation by a specialist osteopath was performed.

Increased rate of small-for-gestational-age neonates in pre-eclamptic women with preterm deliveries.

We sought to determine whether hypertensive pregnancies can be considered a distinct subgroup of premature births. All women in our centre who had had singleton preterm spontaneous deliveries over an 8-year period were divided into hypertensive and normotensive groups and compared for maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome. Of the 4175 eligible women, 9.

IL-1 activity is expressed differently during pregnancy in the rat uterine artery than in aortic or uterine tissues.

Problem: Uterine artery was shown to be unique in its capacity to change in size and function during pregnancy. As interleukin-1 (IL-1) was shown to be involved in reproduction processes, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of IL-1 activity of the uterine artery tissue in pregnant rat.

Method Of Study: Nine virgins and nine midpregnant rats were selected.

The relationship between bacterial vaginosis and preterm birth. A review.

Bacterial vaginosis is currently the most prevalent form of vaginal infection of reproductive age women. The etiology of bacterial vaginosis has not yet been defined. However, clear criteria for diagnosis and treatment have been established in the absence as well as in presence of pregnancy.

Polyhydramnios is an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality and intrapartum morbidity in preterm delivery.

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of polyhydramnios as a predictor of perinatal death and intrapartum morbidity in patients with preterm delivery.

Study Design: The study population consisted of 4211 patients with singleton gestation, intact membranes and preterm delivery (< 37 weeks). Two groups were identified and compared according to the sonographic assessment of the amniotic fluid volume: increased and normal amniotic fluid.

[Pseudotumor cerebri during pregnancy].

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a syndrome characterized by intracranial hypertension and associated with headaches, visual disturbances and papilledema, but without any identifiable intracranial pathology. PTC during pregnancy is uncommon; we report 2 such cases. Neither patient had specific complications associated with PTC.

Maternal serum CA 125 is of prognostic value in patients with uterine bleeding in the detection of small-for-gestational-age neonates.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether maternal serum CA 125 determination in women with uterine bleeding has a prognostic value in the detection of women at risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age neonate.

Study Design: The patients population consisted of women with uterine bleeding at a gestational age greater than 20 weeks. Patients with abruptio placentae, placenta previa, fetal distress and history of coagulopathy were excluded.

Intraamniotic infection in patients with preterm labor and twin pregnancies.

Background: Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity plays a major role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and delivery in singleton pregnancy. Nevertheless, this association is not well established among patients with multiple gestations. The purpose of our study was to explore the role of intraamniotic infection in the setting of twin pregnancies.

Decreased interleukin-2 production by rat uterine artery, aorta and uterine tissues during pregnancy.

Changes in size and function during pregnancy are unique to the uterine artery. The aim of this study was to determine the interleukin (IL)-6 activity of the uterine artery wall tissue in pregnant rats. A total of 18 Charles River white rats (nine virgin and nine in midpregnancy) were used for the study.

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid cortisol and progesterone concentrations between women with and without term labor. A comparison.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine the amniotic fluid and maternal plasma concentrations of cortisol and progesterone in nonlaboring women at term and to compare them to those in women with active labor at term.

Study Design: A prospective, cross-sectional study. Soroka Medical Center of Kupat Holim, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negro, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate concentrations in preterm labor and delivery.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether preterm parturition is associated with changes in maternal plasma and amniotic fluid dehydroepian-drosterone-sulfate concentrations. A cross sectional study was constructed according to the gestational age at admission and response to tocolysis. Group 1 consisted of women admitted with preterm labor and intact membranes between 28 and 31 weeks and 6 days gestational age (n = 40).

GnRH in pregnancy.

Human trophoblast produce GnRH and its precursor, immunologically and chemically identical to those of hypothalamic origin. Placental GnRH stimulates human chorionic gonadotropin secretion by the syncytiotrophoblast. It is known that GnRH analogue has negative effect on early rat pregnancy and may cause abortion through its action on the corpus luteum.

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and cortisol concentrations in women with successfully and unsuccessfully treated preterm labor.

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid (AF) were obtained for measurement of 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and cortisol concentrations from 40 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes at 28-32 weeks of gestation: 20 delivered preterm and the remaining 20 patients responded to tocolytic treatment and delivered at term. Maternal plasma and AF concentrations of these hormones were measured with specific commercially available radioimmunoassay kits. Maternal plasma and AF 17 beta-estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in women who delivered preterm than in those who delivered at term, 8.

Prolactin concentrations in preterm and term pregnancy and labour.

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid (AF) were obtained for measurement of prolactin concentrations from: 1) 20 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes who delivered within one week of amniocentesis; 2) 20 patients with preterm labor who responded to tocolysis and delivered at term; 3) 20 women at term who were not in labor and 4) from 20 women in active labor at term. No significant differences were found between: 1) maternal plasma prolactin concentrations in women with preterm labor who delivered prematurely and those who delivered at term (155 ng/ml vs 176.5 ng/ml); 2) patients at term who were not in labor (188 ng/ml) and those who were in labor (155 ng/ml); 3) AF prolactin concentrations in the two preterm labor groups (1987.

Gestational diabetes complicated by severe hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis.

We present a case of severe acute pancreatitis in pregnancy associated with hypertriglyceridemia, gestational diabetes, sepsis and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The patient was successfully treated by antibiotics, parenteral feeding, intravenous insulin and bezafibrate and gave birth to a healthy boy at 40 weeks gestation.

Eradication of viridans streptococci from the amniotic cavity by parenteral antibiotic administration. A case report.

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that infection plays a key role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and delivery. Recently, localized intrauterine infection was recognized as a major factor in preterm labor.

Case: We report a case of successful eradication of Viridans streptococci from the amniotic cavity in a patient with preterm labor and intact membranes at 30.

One or multiple previous cesarean sections are associated with similar increased frequency of placenta previa.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether multiple previous cesarean sections would be associated with a higher frequency of placenta previa in subsequent deliveries than in women with only one previous cesarean section.

Study Design: Data of all pregnant women and deliveries were obtained from the computerized records of our department for the period 1985-1992. The study group included symptomatic placenta previa diagnosed by real time ultrasound or during labor.

Breech presentation and cesarean section in term nulliparous women.

Objective: To examine pregnancy outcome in nulliparous women with single term breech presentation.

Methods: Two departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the same hospital used different approaches to deliver nulliparous women with singleton breech presentation at term. One department (A) delivered by trial of labor and the other (B) delivered by elective cesarean section.

The diagnostic value of amniotic fluid Gram stain examination and limulus amebocyte lysate assay in patients with preterm birth.

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of Gram stain examination and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test in the detection of intraamniotic infection. Ninety women with preterm labor and intact membranes (n = 55) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (n = 35) who delivered prematurely were included in the study. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as for mycoplasmas.