Bilateral vulvar lipomas in a premenopausal woman: A case report.

Vulvar lipomas are benign mesenchymal neoplasms that are usually well defined, small and painless. They closely resemble the pathology and presentation of lipomas at other sites. They are commonly found in young and middle-aged women but can also be diagnosed in infants.

Correlation Between Placental Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Protein Expression Throughout Gestation in Normal Human Pregnancy.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), specifically MMP-9 plays a role in human placentation. The enzyme confers an invasive ability to cytotrophoblasts and degrades the endometrial matrix as the cells infiltrate the decidua to keep up with placental growth. Since tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) can induce the synthesis of MMP-9, we investigated the patterns of changes in and correlation between placental villous MMP-9 and TNF-α expressions throughout normal human gestation.

Urinary Incontinence in Pregnant Young Women and Adolescents: An Unrecognized At-Risk Group.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in pregnant young women and adolescents, characterize UI subtype, and identify characteristics associated with UI.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant females aged 25 years or below, presenting for routine obstetrical care at a New York City community hospital. Subjects were stratified into 2 groups: adolescents (age, ≤19 years) and young adults (age, >19 years).

Placental tumor necrosis factor-α protein expression during normal human gestation.

Objective: Placental tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cell signaling protein. During pregnancy, TNF-α induces synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which allows cytotrophoblasts to reach the spiral arteries deeper within the uterine decidua. TNF-α also augments apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells surrounding these arteries.

Placental Oxidative Status throughout Normal Gestation in Women with Uncomplicated Pregnancies.

The effects of gestational age on placental oxidative balance throughout gestation were investigated in women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Placental tissues were obtained from normal pregnant women who delivered at term or underwent elective pregnancy termination at 6 to 23 + 6 weeks of pregnancy. Placental tissues were analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde, MDA) levels using commercially available kits.

Advanced extrauterine pregnancy at 33 weeks with a healthy newborn.

Abdominal pregnancy is a very rare form of ectopic pregnancy, associated with high morbidity and mortality for both fetus and mother. It is, and often, seen in poor resource nations, where early diagnosis is often a major challenge due to poor prenatal care and lack of medical resources. An advanced abdominal pregnancy with a good fetal and maternal outcome is therefore a more extraordinary occurrence in the modern developed world.

Induction of labor at 41 weeks of pregnancy among primiparas with an unfavorable Bishop score.

Objective: To determine the rate and factors associated with the successful Induction of Labor (IOL) in nulliparous patients undergoing scheduled IOL at 41 weeks of gestational age (GA) with an unfavorable cervix.

Design: This was a retrospective analysis that included nulliparous patients who presented to the Labor and Delivery unit at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center between 2011 and 2012 for elective IOL at 41 weeks of GA. The Bishop score was assessed upon admission and IOL agents were used in compliance with ACOG guidelines in different combinations, based on the obstetrical team preference.

Maternal body mass index does not affect neonatal umbilical artery blood gas parameters.

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of obesity on fetal well-being in glucose-tolerant and nonhypertensive women. Medical charts of all patients admitted to the labor and delivery department at our institution between January, 2011 and July, 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance or hypertension were excluded.

Compliance with follow-up in an inner-city population treated with intramuscular methotrexate for suspected ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate compliance with follow-up among inner-city patients with ectopic pregnancy treated with methotrexate, in addition to assessing outcome.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients evaluated for first-trimester bleeding and diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, New York, USA, from October 2007 to March 2011. Compliance and complications were evaluated for all patients who received medical treatment with methotrexate.

Risk factors for persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 1 and 2: managed by watchful waiting.

Objective: : This study examines risk factors for persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and examines whether human papillomavirus (HPV) testing predicts persistent lesions.

Materials And Methods: : Women with histologically diagnosed CIN 1 or CIN 2 (n = 206) were followed up every 3 months without treatment. Human papillomavirus genotyping, plasma levels of ascorbic acid, and red blood cell folate levels were obtained.

Effects of oral, vaginal, and transdermal hormonal contraception on serum levels of coenzyme q(10), vitamin e, and total antioxidant activity.

The use of the transdermal contraceptive patch is associated with greater bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol (EE) compared with contraceptive vaginal ring or oral contraceptives (OC). We compared the influences of three contraceptive methods (OC, vaginal ring, and transdermal patch) on serum levels of coenzyme Q(10), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and total antioxidant capacity in premenopausal women. Blood samples from 30 premenopausal women who used hormonal contraception for at least 4 months were collected.

Factors influencing long-term pessary use.

Introduction And Hypothesis: We aimed to identify factors contributing to successful pessary use for over 1 year.

Methods: A chart review was conducted composed of 150 women at Montefiore Medical Center, using a pessary for over 1 year. Characteristics of those who continued pessary usage were compared with those who discontinued use by using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, logistic regression model, receiver-operator characteristic curve, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens and RNA in HIV-seronegative women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

While investigating whether proteins retrieved by cervicovaginal lavages (CVL) from women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) might correlate with risk of progression to invasive cervical cancer, we unexpectedly identified HIV gag and env glycoprotein in CVL from women with HIV-negative serology. HIV antigens were consistently identified by mass spectrometry (MS) in CVL from 4 women but were absent in CVL from the remaining 16 women. HIV serologies of all 20 patients were negative for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies.

Regional heterogeneity in expression of the sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway in the female rat lower urinary tract.

Objective: We investigated the existence and regional distribution of sphingosine-1-phosphate regulatory enzymes and receptors in the lower urinary tract and determined the functional role of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors in the bladder.

Study Design: Lower urinary tract tissue from 10 female rats was harvested for real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or organ bath physiology, whereas blood serum was obtained for high-performance liquid chromatography determination of sphingosine-1-phosphate levels. Statistical analysis included the Student t test and analysis of variance.

Nerve injury during uterosacral ligament fixation: a cadaver study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objective of this study was to identify nerve(s) vulnerable to entrapment during uterosacral ligament fixation (USLF), which could cause postoperative lower extremity pain previously described in the literature.

Methods: Preserved cadavers in a medical anatomy course were used. Before the students' pelvic dissections, a 2-0 prolene suture was placed in the middle third of each left uterosacral ligament visualized.

Gross and microscopic hematuria: guidelines for obstetricians and gynecologists.

Although gross hematuria is a relatively uncommon condition in general obstetrics and gynecology practice, microscopic hematuria is a common incidental finding during routine antepartum or gynecologic office visits. The proper evaluation and treatment options are understudied in females. In fact, work-up of females is controversial, and no consensus guidelines exist at this time.

Anatomic variations of the pelvic floor nerves adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: a female cadaver study.

Our objective was to document variations in the topography of pelvic floor nerves (PFN) and describe a nerve-free zone adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament (SSL). Pelvic floor dissections were performed on 15 female cadavers. The course of the PFN was described in relation to the ischial spine (IS) and the SSL.

Innervation of the levator ani muscles: description of the nerve branches to the pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus, and puborectalis muscles.

We described the innervation of the levator ani muscles (LAM) in human female cadavers. Detailed pelvic dissections of the pubococcygeus (PCM), iliococcygeus (ICM), and puborectalis muscles (PRM) were performed on 17 formaldehyde-fixed cadavers. The pudendal nerve and the sacral nerves entering the pelvis were traced thoroughly, and nerve branches innervating the LAM were documented.

Rupture of a tuboovarian abscess into the anterior abdominal wall: a case report.

Background: Rupture of a tuboovarian abscess is a life-threatening emergency. The current standard of care is surgery to manage the onset of peritonitis and sepsis.

Case: A 34-year-old woman presented with gradually worsening abdominal pain over several weeks.

Genital sensation and sexual function in women bicyclists and runners: are your feet safer than your seat?

Introduction: Bicycling is associated with neurological impairment and impotence in men. Similar deficits have not been confirmed in women.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of bicycling on genital sensation and sexual function in women.

Incisional bladder hernia and refractory urinary urgency after pelvic surgery: a case report.

Background: Isolated incisional herniation of the bladder is very rare following pelvic surgery and may present as suprapubic discomfort. We report a case of incisional bladder hernia following pelvic surgery presenting as refractory urinary urgency.

Case: A 70-year-old woman, para 2, presented with a long history of suprapubic tenderness and refractory urinary urgency following reconstructive pelvic surgery.

Effects of menopause and hormone replacement therapy on serum levels of coenzyme Q10 and other lipid-soluble antioxidants.

The present study examines the influence of menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on serum levels of coenzyme Q(10) and other lipid-soluble antioxidants in normal women. Serum levels of coenzyme Q(10), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, beta-carotene and lycopene in 50 premenopausal women (not using oral contraceptives), 33 healthy postmenopausal and 15 postmenopausal women on HRT ("Prempo"; combination of 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen and 2.

Effects of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants.

Study Design: In this cross-section study, nonfasting blood samples were collected twice from 10 healthy premenopausal women during the follicular phase (between days 8 and 11) and the luteal phase (between days 18 and 22) of their same menstrual cycle. In addition, blood samples from 15 premenopausal women who used oral contraceptive for at least 6 months and 40 women who did not use oral contraceptive were collected randomly at any day of the menstrual cycle.

Fecal incontinence: a review of prevalence and obstetric risk factors.

Anal incontinence (AI) is a significant problem that causes social and hygienic inconvenience. The true prevalence of AI is difficult to estimate due to inconsistencies in research methods, but larger studies suggest a rate of 2-6% for incontinence to stool. There is a significant association between sonographically detected anal sphincter defects and symptoms of AI.