Does parity affect pregnancy outcomes in the elderly gravida?

Purpose: To identify whether older primiparas have more complications than do women who continue to deliver children into their late reproductive age. Patients of at least 35 years of age at delivery were included. Within this cohort, data from primiparous and multiparous women were compared.

Trial of vaginal delivery for twins - is it safe? a single center experience.

Purpose: This study assessed our hospital protocol of vaginal delivery for twins and evaluated whether trial of vaginal delivery (unless contraindicated) was as safe as elective cesarean. Risk factors leading to failed trial of labor (TOL) were characterized to improve our ability to advise patients and select cases for TOL.

Methods: This retrospective, cohort study included women >32 weeks gestation, with twin A in cephalic presentation and no contraindications for vaginal delivery.

Premature rupture of the membranes at term: time to reevaluate the management.

Purpose: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in induced vs. expectant management of term PROM.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with term PROM.

Heat shock protein-27 (HSP27) regulates STAT3 and eIF4G levels in first trimester human placenta.

During placental implantation, cytotrophoblast cells differentiate to extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells that invade from the placenta into the maternal uterine blood vessels. The heat shock protein-27 (HSP27), the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (EIF4E) are involved in regulating EVT cell differentiation/migration. EIF4E and EIF4G compose the translation initiation complex, which is a major control point in protein translation.

Genomic Alterations Are Enhanced in Placentas from Pregnancies with Fetal Growth Restriction and Preeclampsia: Preliminary Results.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) secondary to placental insufficiency and preeclampsia (PE) are associated with substantially increased childhood and adult morbidity and mortality. The long-term outcomes are related to placental aberrations and intrauterine programming. Advances in microarray technology allow high-resolution, genome-wide evaluation for DNA copy number variations - deletions and duplications.

Intra-vaginal prostaglandin E2 versus double-balloon catheter for labor induction in term oligohydramnios.

Objective: Compare mechanical and pharmacological ripening for patients with oligohydramnios at term.

Study Design: Fifty-two patients with oligohydramnios ⩽ 5 cm and Bishop score ⩽ 6 were randomized for labor induction with a vaginal insert containing 10 mg timed-release dinoprostone (PGE2) or double-balloon catheter. The primary outcome was time from induction to active labor.

The effect of heat shock protein 27 on extravillous trophoblast differentiation and on eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E expression.

Heat shock protein (HSP27) is expressed in human placentae. Previously, we showed that HSP27 is expressed in the villous cell column of first trimester placental explants and in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. EVT differentiation is accompanied by increased motility, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, decreased proliferation and expression of specific markers such as HLAG and CD9.

The involvement of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E in extravillous trophoblast cell function.

Unlabelled: Extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) are major players in placental implantation. They differentiate in the villous cell column, invade to the uterus and remodel the uterine spiral arteries. Trophoblast and tumor cells have similar invasion mechanisms, share similar biochemical mediators (e.

Suspected macrosomia? Better not tell.

Objective: To evaluate the management policy of delivery in a suspected macrosomic fetus and to describe the outcome of this policy.

Study Design: For this prospective observational study we followed the management by reviewing the medical records of 145 women and their infants. The study population included women at term admitted to the obstetrics department with suspected macrosomic infants, as was diagnosed by an obstetrician and/or by fetal sonographic weight estimation of > or =4,000 g.

Early post partum discharge: is it possible?

Objectives: To characterize maternal post partum complications and to identify risk factors for the development of post partum complications in low risk parturients.

Study Design: The first part of our research was a case study only. It included low risk parturients identified using a computerized database who developed post partum complication between the years 2000 and 2003 (n = 136).