Use of labour induction and risk of cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Induction of labour is common, and cesarean delivery is regarded as its major complication. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate whether the risk of cesarean delivery is higher or lower following labour induction compared with expectant management. Methods: We searched 6 electronic databases for relevant articles published through April 2012 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which labour induction was compared with placebo or expectant management among women with a viable singleton pregnancy. We assessed risk of bias and obtained data on rates of cesarean delivery. We used regression analysis techniques to explore the effect of patient characteristics, induction methods and study quality on risk of cesarean delivery. Results: We identified 157 eligible RCTs (n = 31 085). Overall, the risk of cesarean delivery was 12% lower with labour induction than with expectant management (pooled relative risk [RR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-0.93; I2 = 0%). The effect was significant in term and post-term gestations but not in preterm gestations. Meta-regression analysis showed that initial cervical score, indication for induction and method of induction did not alter the main result. There was a reduced risk of fetal death (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.99; I2 = 0%) and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.94), and no impact on maternal death (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.10-9.57; I2 = 0%) with labour induction. Interpretation: The risk of cesarean delivery was lower among women whose labour was induced than among those managed expectantly in term and post-term gestations. There were benefits for the fetus and no increased risk of maternal death. © 2014 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors

Basin approach to evaluation of human impact on the environment in oil production regions

The article demonstrates efficiency of basin approach to environmental area assessment based on Tatneft's experience. Basin approach when used in combination with 3D geo-information analysis techniques enables to evaluate human impact on the environment, extent of landscape disturbance as well as impact of particular industries

A Proteomic Approach to Study the Effect of Thiotaurine on Human Neutrophil Activation

Thiotaurine, a thiosulfonate related to taurine and hypotaurine, is formed by a metabolic process from cystine and generated by a transulfuration reaction between hypotaurine and thiocysteine. Thiotaurine can produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from its sulfane sulfur moiety. H2S is a gaseous signaling molecule which can have regulatory roles in inflammatory process. In addition, sulfane sulfur displays the capacity to reversibly bind to other sulfur atoms. Thiotaurine inhibits PMA-induced activation of human neutrophils, and hinders neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis. Here, we present the results of a proteomic approach to study the possible effects of thiotaurine at protein expression level. Proteome analysis of human neutrophils has been performed comparing protein extracts of resting or PMA-activated neutrophils in presence or in absence of thiotaurine. In particular, PMA-stimulated neutrophils showed high level of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression compared to the level of the same glycolytic enzyme in the resting neutrophils. Conversely, decreased expression of GAPDH has been observed when human neutrophils were incubated with 1 mM thiotaurine before activation with PMA. This result, confirmed by Western blot analysis, suggests again that thiotaurine shows a bioactive role in the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory process, influencing the energy metabolism of activated leukocytes and raises the possibility that thiotaurine, acting as a sulfur donor, could modulate neutrophil activation via persulfidation of target proteins, such as GAPDH

Basin approach to evaluation of human impact on the environment in oil production regions

The article demonstrates efficiency of basin approach to environmental area assessment based on Tatneft's experience. Basin approach when used in combination with 3D geo-information analysis techniques enables to evaluate human impact on the environment, extent of landscape disturbance as well as impact of particular industries

Basin approach to evaluation of human impact on the environment in oil production regions

The article demonstrates efficiency of basin approach to environmental area assessment based on Tatneft's experience. Basin approach when used in combination with 3D geo-information analysis techniques enables to evaluate human impact on the environment, extent of landscape disturbance as well as impact of particular industries

Basin approach to evaluation of human impact on the environment in oil production regions

The article demonstrates efficiency of basin approach to environmental area assessment based on Tatneft's experience. Basin approach when used in combination with 3D geo-information analysis techniques enables to evaluate human impact on the environment, extent of landscape disturbance as well as impact of particular industries

Creation of geographic information systems for environmental management and protection

Oil production is a complex process having multiple impacts on the environment. A number of issues related to evaluation and management of such impacts may be tackled using modern information technologies such as creation of dedicated geographic information systems for environmental management and protection. Applicability of such systems depends on requirements to the level of incoming data generalization. The article discusses the approaches to creation of ecological and geographic information systems of regional and local generalization level applied in Tatneft OAO