Atosiban is an effective and safe drug for the acute treatment of preterm labor with minimal side effects, and it can be an option in the treatment of preterm labor, especially in patients with heart disease and multi-fetal pregnancies.

Abnormal UCI may relate to adverse perinatal outcome.

Objective: To determine the pregnancy outcome following a previous spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Method: A prospective cohort study was done on 300 gravida-2 patients: 200 patients (case group) whose previous pregnancy was spontaneously aborted (early abortion), and 100 patients (control group) whose previous pregnancy went to term and a live fetus was delivered. All the patients were followed until delivery, and then the pregnancy outcomes, neonatal complications and delivery routes were determined and compared between the 2 groups. Pregnancy outcomes included: maternal complications (e.g. placenta previa, placental abruption, premature rupture of the membranes, preeclampsia and eclampsia, abortion, breech presentation, preterm labor, intrauterine fetal death); neonatal complications (low birth weight, gross congenital malformations, low Apgar score at 1 min), and delivery routes (cesarean delivery or instrumental delivery, e.g. forceps or vacuum). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the pregnancy complications following a previous spontaneous miscarriage were no different from those of the control group, except for abortion (16.5 vs. 11%, p < 0.003, RR = 1.15, CI 95% = 0.95–1.39), fetal deaths (1.5 vs. 0%, p < 0.004, RR = 1.51, CI 95% = 1.39–1.63), and vaginal bleeding during the first trimester (19 vs. 1%, p < 0.001, RR = 1.57, CI 95% = 1.41–1.75), which were more than those of the control group. Also, the rate of cesarean delivery (28.14 vs. 13.48%) was increased (p = 0.026, RR = 1.25, CI 95% = 1.07–1.47). Neonatal complications were not statistically significantly different in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: A prior spontaneous miscarriage is a risk for the next pregnancy, and the risk of abortion and intrauterine fetal death will increase. Therefore, careful prenatal care is mandatory.

No abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of sweeping of fetal membranes for induction of labor in uncomplicated term pregnancies. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed in 122 pregnant women beyond 39 weeks of gestation with no complications. The women were assigned to have their membranes swept or not (controls) for labor induction. The main outcome measures included duration of pregnancy and possible complications of sweeping of membranes, including rupture of membranes, postpartum infections, and vaginal bleeding. Results: Twenty-one patients did not give birth in our hospital and were, therefore, excluded from the study; 101 women completed the study (51 patients in the control group and 50 women in the study group). There were no statistically significant differences in maternal age, parity, birth weight, and Bishop score in the two groups. The mean interval between sweeping (stripping) and vaginal examination until delivery was 7.7 ± (SD) 6.9 and 7.1 ± 5.6 days in the sweeping and in the control group, respectively (p = 0.61). Of the 101 pregnant women, only 6 patients had premature rupture of membranes (2 in the sweeping group and 4 in the control group). There were no statistically significant differences between these individuals (p = 0.68). Significant vaginal bleeding was not observed in the two groups. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid was seen in 13 women: 8 in the sweeping group and 5 in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences among the women who had meconium-stained fluid in case and control groups (p = 0.39).There were no differences between women who had puerperal fever (3 in the sweeping group and 2 in the control group; p = 0.68).12 of the 101 women (6 in each group) had cesarean section performed, but there was no difference betweeen the two groups. Conclusion: Sweeping of membranes at 39 weeks of gestation has no significant clinical effect on the duration of pregnancy.

No abstract

Background: Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, among which ovarian cancer has a high incidence and case fatality. Gaining insight into the epidemiology and trends of ovarian cancer can be very influential in cancer screening and treatments programming. This study aimed to investigate the trends in the incidence of ovarian cancer in Iran, because this issue has been neglected so far.

The specific effects of chilling and freezing are meat tenderness and texture, drip production, meat colour and appearance and odor and flavor. Low temperatures are required during carcass storage to prevent microbial spoilage. Cold shortening or cold toughening depends on the difference between hot carcass and environmental temperatures. Carcass size and degree of fatness are other factors that influence carcass temperature decline.Most concern during storage, distribution and retail display of meat and meat products is the minimum growth temperature for a microorganism. Domestic refrigeration and freezing significantly improves the texture, juiciness and aroma of meat. This paper discusses the effects of chilling and freezing on the quality of meat.