BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during pregnancy and parturition. Aberrant ECM degradation by MMPs or an imbalance between MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preterm labor, however few studies have investigated MMPs or TIMPs in maternal serum. Therefore, the purpose of this...

background: morbidity and mortality of preterm babies are important issues in perinatal medicine. in developed countries, preterm delivery is the cause of about 70% of mortality and 75% of morbidity in the neonatal period, respectively. objective: the aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for preterm labor and the outcomes, in terms of perinatal mortality and morbidity at the time...

Purpose: The proper function of amnion is necessary for a normal pregnancy and delivery to occur. Understanding the change of amnion between term and preterm labor leads to a better method of diagnosis and prevention for preterm labor. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes a series of reactions about the formation of cross-linking of collagen fibrils. Human amniotic tissue, containing a large amount of...

The global rate of preterm delivery (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) is increasing and there are no effective means available to prevent this rise. Prematurity is the principal cause of neonatal mortality and a major cause of pediatric morbidity and long-term disability. Current strategies to prolong pregnancy are based on inhibiting the mechanisms that effect uterine smooth muscle (myo...

Aim of this study is to determine the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome by maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) level. We followed 295 pregnant women from MSAFP screening in the 14th to 22th week of gestation until the end of pregnancy and information on pregnancy outcome have been recorded in questionnaires. Of 295 pregnant women, 270 had term labor and 25 had preterm labor. The frequencie...

  Preterm labor is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Despite significant improvement in care for premature neonates, the most suitable and inexpensive treatment is prevention of preterm labor by inhibiting uterine contractions. The aim of this research is to obtain scientific evidence for the relaxant effect of ketotifen on the rat uterus and to provide the preclinica...

Molecular mechanisms involved in uterine quiescence during gestation and those responsible for induction of labor at term are incompletely known. More than 10% of babies born worldwide are premature and 1,000,000 die annually. Preterm labor results in preterm delivery in 50% of cases in the United States explaining 75% of fetal morbidity and mortality. There is no Food and Drug Administration-a...

Background and Objectives: Measurement of cervical length using Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) is commonly used to identify those patients of threatened preterm labor who are likely to deliver. Biochemical markers in cervical secretions namely fetal fibronectin and Phosphorylated Insulin like Growth Factor Binding Protien-1 (phIGFBP-1) have also been used to improve predictability. This study ev...