Versican is a large extracellular matrix proteoglycan that is present in a variety of tissues.
Successful cloning of the gene in man, mouse, cow and chicken has revealed the existence …

Appropriate and timely cervical remodeling is key for successful birth. Premature cervical
opening can result in preterm birth which occurs in 12.5% of pregnancies. Research focused …

The cervix serves as a protective barrier from invading microorganisms and as a structural
barrier to delivery of the fetus. Among all biological processes, the phenomenal connective …

Cervical remodeling during pregnancy and parturition is a single progressive process that
can be loosely divided into four overlapping phases termed softening, ripening …

In normal pregnancy, the cervix maintains its shape during a period of substantial fetal and
uterine growth. Hence, maintenance of biomechanical integrity is an important aspect of …

A greater understanding of the parturition process is essential in the prevention of preterm
birth, which occurs in 12.7% of infants born in the United States annually. Cervical …

The cervix is the essential gatekeeper for birth. Incomplete cervix remodeling contributes to
problems with delivery at or post-term while preterm birth is a major factor in perinatal …

The human uterine cervix is a fibrous organ with a high connective tissue content. An
extensive remodeling of the connective tissue prior to parturition, ie, cervical ripening …

Uterine leiomyoma are common, benign tumors that are enriched in extracellular matrix. The
tumors are characterized by a disoriented and loosely packed collagen fibril structure similar …

Background Human cervical ripening is an inflammatory process. In labour at term the
mRNA-levels and protein concentrations for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in cervix …