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Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the umbilical arterial 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, concentrations between pregnancies that were complicated by moderate or thick meconium-stained liquor and those with clear liquor. Study design: Umbilical cord arterial blood samples were collected from 247 singleton pregnancies with either moderate or thick meconium-stained liquor at any stage of labor or clear liquor at all stages of labor for the determination of the total 8-iso-prostaglandins F2α concentration. Results: The median total 8-iso-prostaglandins F2α concentration of the meconium-stained liquor group was significantly higher than that of the control group (719.2 vs 115.8 pg/mL). Among the meconium-stained liquor group, those who had a change from "clear liquor" at early labor to "moderate/thick meconium-stained liquor" at late first stage or at delivery (late meconium-stained liquor group) had higher 8-iso-prostaglandins F2α concentration, compared with those who had moderate/thick meconium-stained liquor since early labor (early meconium-stained liquor group; 959.8 vs 499.9 pg/mL). With the use of multiple regression analysis, meconium-stained liquor, duration of second stage of labor, and abnormal fetal heart tracings were independent determinants of cord blood 8-iso-prostaglandins F2α concentration. Conclusion: Moderate or thick meconium-stained liquor is an independent factor for increased oxidative stress in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum induces peritoneal oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of intra-abdominal pressure on oxidative stress in the peritoneum and on post-operative adhesion formation.Methods: Forty-one rabbits underwent laparoscopic surgery: either gasless, or with CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum at pressures of 5, 10 or 15 mmHg. Serial parietal peritoneal biopsies were taken at various time-points: immediately after reaching the abdominal cavity, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min afterwards, and 15 min after abdominal desufflation. 8-iso prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-iso PGF(2alpha)), a marker of oxidative stresss, was assayed by enzyme immunoassay and adhesion formation was scored by second-look laparoscopy on day 14.Results: The gasless group showed no significant changes in 8-iso PGF(2alpha). Conversely, significant changes occurred in CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum in a time- and pressure-dependent manner. Adhesions developed only in the CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum groups, and total adhesion score was correlated with the amount of CO(2) insufflated and intra-abdominal pressure, but not with 8-iso PGF(2alpha), which was correlated with intra-abdominal pressure.Conclusion: Intra-abdominal pressure increased 8-iso PGF(2alpha) in the parietal peritoneum in a graded fashion, whilst gasless laparoscopy had no impact. It also influenced the frequency and severity of adhesion formation, but no causal link was found between 8-iso PGF(2alpha) and post-operative adhesion formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the prediction of cervical response to prostaglandin E[sub 2] using fetal fibronectin. Aspects of cervico-vaginal secretions; Details on the induction of labor; Comparison of latent phase and active phase of labor.

Reviews the treatment options of isolated vulval varicosities and reports an approach by using laparoscopic ovarian vein ligation for an isolated vulval varicosity in a non-pregnant lady. Management of vulval varicosities in the non-pregnant state; Occlusion of ovarian veins by laparoscopic ovarian vein ligation or transcatheter embolotherapy; Administration of transcatheter embolization of the right ovarian vein.