The opioid neuropeptides in uterine fibroid pseudocapsules: a putative association with cervical integrity in human reproduction

Prolonged Dystocic Labor in Neuraxial Analgesia and the Role of Enkephalin Neurotransmitters: An Experimental Study

The investigation studied the enkephalinergic neuro fibers (En) contained in the Lower Uterine Segment (LUS) during the prolonged dystocic labor (PDL) with Labor Neuraxial Analgesia (LNA). PDL is generally caused by fetal head malpositions in the Occiput Posterior Position (OPP), Persistent Occiput Posterior Position (POPP), in a transverse position (OTP), and asynclitism (A), and it is detected by Intrapartum Ultrasonography (IU). The En were detected in the LUS samples picked up during cesarean section (CS) of 38 patients undergoing urgent CS in PDL, compared to 37 patients submitted to elective CS. Results were statistically evaluated to understand the differences in En morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by fluorescence microscopy (FM). The LUS samples analysis showed an important reduction in En in LUS of CS for the PDL group, in comparison with the elective CS group. The LUS overdistension, by fetal head malpositions (OPP, OTP, A) and malrotations, lead to dystocia, modification of vascularization, and En reduction. The En reduction in PDL suggests that drugs used during the LNA, usually local anesthetics and opioids, cannot control the "dystocic pain", that differs from normal labor pain. The IU administration in labor and the consequent diagnosis of dystocia suggest stopping the numerous and ineffective top-up drug administration during LNA, and to shift the labor to operative vaginal delivery or CS.

The impact of cervical conization size with subsequent cervical length changes on preterm birth rates in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies

The study aimed to explore the impact of cervical conization size (CCS) with subsequent cervical length (USCL) changes on preterm birth (PTB) rates in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies as compared to pregnancy outcomes in healthy women with an intact cervix (ICG), and to estimate PTB prevention efficiency in patients with a short cervix. Pregnancy outcomes in populations of similar age, ethnicity, residency, education and harmful habits having undergone cervical conization (CCG) were retrospectively analyzed and compared to ICG and cervical conization sub-populations adjusted by USCL during pregnancy (adequate cervical length vs. a short cervix) and a progesterone-only group (POG) vs. a progesterone-pessary group (PPG). Cervical conization was not associated with an increased PTB risk (CCG vs. ICG) when parameters of CCS and USCL were not adjusted (p = NS). A significantly higher proportion of parous women was observed in the CCG population than in the ICG (p = 0.0019). CCS turned out to be a key PTB risk during pregnancy, the larger CCS being associated with a short cervix (p = 0.0001) and higher PTB risks (p = 0.0001) with a notably increased PTB rate (p = 0.0001) in nulliparous women (p = 0.0022), whereas smaller CCS with adequate cervical length and a lower PTB rate was predominantly observed in women with prior parity. An initial equal USCL size was to be considerably elongated in women with adequate cervical length (p < 0.0001), and shortened in those with a short cervix (p < 0.0001). USCL assessment during pregnancy proved to be the PTB risk-predicting tool, with CCS supplementation apt to increase its diagnostic value. No substantial impact on pregnancy outcomes could be linked to any particular PTB prevention mode (POG or PPV). However, during pregnancy, the USCL changes relating to CCS proved to be more critical in pregnancy outcomes.

Submucous Fibroids, Fertility, and Possible Correlation to Pseudocapsule Thickness in Reproductive Surgery

Background and Objectives

Fibroids are related to infertility. Fibroid pseudocapsule is a neurovascular bundle surrounding leiomyomas rich of neurofibers involved in myometrial biology. Authors evaluated, by a case-control study, the fibroid pseudocapsule (FP) thickness by ultrasound (US) and the histological measurements, according to uterine location of fibroids.

Methods

137 consecutive patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine myomas were enrolled and 200 myomas were evaluated. Before surgery, patients underwent an ultrasound (US) investigation to evaluate the number, the size, and the location of fibroids. After surgery, myoma-pseudocapsule-myometrium specimens were measured and evaluated by a single expert pathologist. Both US and histological data were collected and statistically analyzed.

Results

Our results confirm the relevant difference of FP thickness, particularly represented under the endometrium for submucous LMs. FPs near the endometrial cavity were considerably thicker than those of both intramural fibroids and subserous fibroids measured by US (P=0.0001) and histology (P=0.0001). A clear cut-off measurement at 2 mm (P=0.0001) was found between endometrial FPs and all other FPs for either US or histology measurements.

Conclusion

The thickness of FP is considerably higher near the endometrial cavity when compared to those of both intramural and subserous LMs, suggesting a potential role either in fertility or in myometrial healing.

Risk Factors for the Completion of the Cold Loop Hysteroscopic Myomectomy in a One-Step Procedure: A Post Hoc Analysis

Introduction

The aim of the study was to analyze which variables influenced the completion of a cold loop hysteroscopic myomectomy in a one-step procedure in a large cohort of patients.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 1434 cold loop resectoscopic myomectomies consecutively performed. The study population was divided into two groups according to the number of procedures needed to accomplish the treatment. Variables influencing the completion of hysteroscopic myomectomy in a one-step procedure were investigated.

Results

A total of 1434 resections were performed and 1690 myomas in total were removed. The procedure was accomplished in a one-step procedure in 1017 patients (83.7%), whereas 198 women (16.3%) needed a multiple-step procedure. The multivariate analysis showed that the size, the number of myomas, and the age of patients were significantly correlated with the risk of a multiple-step procedure. No correlation was revealed with the grading of myomas, parity, and the use of presurgical GnRH-agonist therapy.

Conclusions

In case of multiple fibroids, the intramural development of submucous myomas did not influence the completion of cold loop hysteroscopic myomectomy in a one-step procedure. The size of myomas and the age of patients were significantly correlated with the need to complete the myomectomy in a multiple-step procedure.

Potential causes of subfertility in patients with intramural fibroids

BACKGROUND

Intramural leiomyomas have been long debated as a potential cause of infertility and pregnancy loss.

FINDINGS

Previous research has linked intramural fibroids to defective implantation, as well as to abnormal peristaltic events of the uterine smooth muscle. Previous reports describe the effects of intramural fibroids on normal human fertility and early pregnancy loss, specifically in regards to implantation failure.

CONCLUSION

A thorough understanding of prior research may direct new research focus, leading to better understanding of leiomyoma-associated infertility.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2013

This paper is the thirty-sixth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2013 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.

A combined ultrasound and histologic approach for analysis of uterine fibroid pseudocapsule thickness

Authors investigated 75 patients with uterine myomas, appraising whether fibroid pseudocapsule (FP) thickness varies depending on fibroid location, by a prospective cohort trial (level of evidence II-2) settled in University-affiliated Hospitals. Uteri were scanned via bidimensional and power Doppler ultrasound (US) to map the fibroids and record the FP thickness, prior to hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids. After hysterectomy, FP specimens were sampled and analyzed by pathologists. Ultrasound and histology data were matched. Pseudocapsule thickness of 108 fibroids was measured: subserosal fibroids (SSFs), intramural fibroids (IMFs), and fibroids near the endometrial cavity (FEC). The FEC's pseudocapsules were considerably thicker than those of IMF and SSF measured by US and histology (P = .001). A clear cutoff existed between FEC pseudocapsule thickness and all other pseudocapsules, with significant differences observed at 2 mm (P = .001). Similarity between histological and US measurements was observed only with IMF pseudocapsules, whereas FEC or SSF showed significant differences. The pseudocapsule of fibroids is considerably thicker near the endometrial cavity when compared to those of both IMFs and SSFs. Since fibroids closest to the endometrial cavity are the most involved in fertility and infertility and FP is considerably thicker near the endometrial cavity, it is possible to hypothesize an involvement of FP of fibroid near the endometrium since FP contains many neuropeptides and neurotransmitters that are physiologically active, even if these data may take on a broader meaning in a study on a larger number of patients.