Effect of rosiglitazone on embryonic growth and morphology: a study using a whole rat embryo culture model.

The effects of various concentrations of rosiglitazone on in vitro rat embryo growth and morphology during the critical period of organogenesis was evaluated. We found that rosiglitazone has no significant effects on growth and morphology of in vitro early embryo development, even at very high concentrations.

Reference charts of gestation-specific tissue Doppler imaging indices of systolic and diastolic functions in the normal fetal heart.

Background: Assessment of fetal cardiac function is difficult because of limited accessibility. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a promising technique in assessing diastolic function in adults. There has been sparseness concerning the use of TDI in assessing fetal cardiac function.

Sexual behavior and activity in Chinese pregnant women.

Objective: To evaluate sexual activities, attitudes, and complications related to intercourse among Chinese pregnant women and to study their source of the information.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Two hundred and ninety-eight Chinese pregnant women were recruited.

When to induce labor for post-term? A study of induction at 41 weeks versus 42 weeks.

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of two policies of timing of induction of labor for post-term pregnancies.

Study Design: It is a retrospective study in a University obstetric unit from 1997 to 2002. Five thousand eight hundred and ninety-two singleton, cephalic pregnancies with gestational age at delivery at or more than 41 completed weeks were studied.

Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level and risk of acidosis at birth.

Objective: Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level is elevated in neonates who had undergone more perinatal stresses. The present study aimed to evaluate the cord blood acid-base status in neonates with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone level.

Study Design: The study population consisted of 2366 singleton, term pregnancies.

Placental transfer of rosiglitazone in the first trimester of human pregnancy.

Objective: To determine the degree of placental transfer of rosiglitazone in early human pregnancy.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Prediction of successful vaginal delivery in women undergoing external cephalic version at term for breech presentation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and sonographic predictors of ultimate successful vaginal delivery in women undergoing external cephalic version.

Study Design: The study population consisted of women with external cephalic version performed at or after 36 weeks of gestation. They were randomized into group A or B, each consisted of half of the total study population.

Cord blood acid-base status at delivery after successful external cephalic version.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate whether cord blood acidosis is more likely in infants born after successful external cephalic version.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 89 singleton deliveries with successful version performed over a 2-year period. Their cord blood acid-base parameters were compared to 89 pregnancies with spontaneous cephalic presentation (control group).

Guillain-Barré syndrome in pregnancy.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) complicating pregnancy is a rare event. Reports before the mid-1980s suggested that GBS in pregnancy carries a high maternal morbidity and mortality. However, it is uncertain whether availability of active treatment such as plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin together with advancement in intensive care has improved maternal outcome.

Obstetric outcomes after cervical ripening by multiple doses of vaginal prostaglandin E2.

Aim: The study was designed to investigate the delivery outcome in women who required vaginal prostaglandin E2 for cervical priming prior to labor induction.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all singleton term deliveries that required labor induction over a 3-year period. Incidence and indications of obstetric interventions were compared among women who required different doses of vaginal prostaglandin E2 for cervical priming and who had induction by amniotomy and oxytocin infusion.

Successful treatment of ruptured interstitial pregnancy with laparoscopic surgery. A report of 2 cases.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is generally considered contraindicated in women with ruptured interstitial pregnancy as it is associated with profound bleeding and hypovolemic shock.

Cases: Two cases of ruptured interstitial pregnancy were treated with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic cornuostomy and removal of products of conception were performed in 1 case and laparoscopic cornual resection in the other.

Successful pregnancy in a woman with congenital "Swiss-cheese" platelets. A case report.

Background: Congenital "Swiss-cheese" platelets are a rare disorder of platelet function due to impaired calcium mobilization. Management of pregnancy in patients with this disorder had not been reported previously.

Case: Successful pregnancy occurred in a woman with congenital Swiss-cheese platelets.

Pitfalls in diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy.

Background: To determine the incidence and reasons for misdiagnosis in interstitial ectopic pregnancy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from 1990 to 2001. Women with interstitial pregnancy were identified and their case records retrieved and reviewed.

Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level in high-risk pregnancies.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of various antepartum conditions on cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level.

Study Design: The study group consisted of 24,892 consecutive singleton deliveries over a period of 4 years. The effect of preeclampsia, glucose intolerance, maternal medical diseases, and antepartum hemorrhage of unknown origin (APHUO) on cord blood TSH level were assessed by univariate analysis and linear regression.

Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level in twin pregnancy.

Background: Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level is elevated among neonates who undergo more perinatal stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of twin pregnancy on the cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level.

Methods: The study group consisted of 24 910 singleton and 543 twin neonates over a 4-year period.

Diclofenac-induced embryotoxicity is associated with increased embryonic 8-isoprostaglandin F2alpha level in rat whole embryo culture.

Diclofenac is embryotoxic in animals but the mechanism of its embryotoxicity is not fully understood. We postulated that diclofenac-induced embryotoxicity might be related to free oxygen radical damage. Rat embryos were explanted at 9.

High incidence of obstetric interventions after successful external cephalic version.

Objective: To investigate the delivery outcome after successful external cephalic version (ECV).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Symptomatic venous thromboembolism in Chinese patients after gynecologic surgery: incidence and disease pattern.

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a common cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in Caucasian populations, but it is widely believed that this complication is rare in Chinese.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from January 1998 to December 2000. Women with thromboembolic diseases after gynecologic surgery were identified and their medical records were reviewed.

Diabetic family history is an isolated risk factor for gestational diabetes after 30 years of age.

Background: Family history of diabetes is regarded as a risk factor for gestational glucose intolerance. Most selective screening policy includes family history as an indication of oral glucose tolerance test. However, few studies had evaluated the actual incidence of glucose intolerance in this group of women.