Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide production and metabolism in preeclampsia.

Objective: To elucidate the regulation of the nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) pathways in preeclampsia and to evaluate the ratio of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) to symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) as a marker for preeclampsia.

Methods: Maternal plasma and placental samples were obtained from 20 participants with preeclampsia and 23 controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma NO, ADMA, and SDMA as well as placental NO and hemeoxygnase 1 (HO-1).

Vaginal versus oral indomethacin in a rabbit model for non-infection-mediated preterm birth: an alternate tocolytic approach.

Objective: We examined the hypotheses that vaginal indomethacin is more effective for prolonging gestation, and mediates its tocolytic actions via changes in cervical matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, compared to oral.

Study Design: Pregnant rabbits induced with mifepristone received oral or vaginal indomethacin; or oral or vaginal vehicle once daily for 2 days. Premature delivery, fetal ductus arteriosus, and cervical MMP activity were assessed.

Do placental sections accurately reflect umbilical cord nucleated red blood cell and white blood cell differential counts?

Objective: Elevated levels of umbilical cord nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) have been used to assess in utero hypoxia. Although the umbilical nRBC value has been the 'gold standard', umbilical blood may not be obtained at delivery. We determined if the levels of nRBCs and white blood cell (WBC) counts in fixed placental sections might serve as a proxy for cord blood values.