Research
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health at Saint Louis University School of Medicine conducts basic science and clinical research in the areas of general obstetrics and gynecology, women's wellness, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, reproductive medicine and infertility, and biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology. The Department faculty participates in translational research, which helps facilitate the bridge between basic bench research and the delivery of clinical treatments to patients. Currently there are several on-going studies that are recruiting subjects. Below is a listing of the current research being conducted by our faculty.
The Research Division
Faculty Members:
Raul Artal, M. D.
Professor and Chairman
Director,Residency Program
CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:
Diabetes Mellitus and pregnancy
Exercise in pregnancy and clinical applications
Premature labor etimology and management
Detection of cervical dilatation
Obesity and body composition
Pathophysiology of chorioamniotic membranes
Dacorin - collogen intersection
Robert Blaskiewicz, M.D.
Professor and Director, General OB/GYN
Assistant Director, Residency Program
CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:
Perceived and actual medical risk in older women.
Complementary and alternative medicine use in pregnant and non-pregnant patients.
Incidence of uterine hyperstimulation in term patients.
Development of an electric toolbox for use in an ambulatory setting.
Rates of hysterectomy (1985-1989 and 1995-1999)
Thrombophlebitis in patients with preterm labor
Risk of uterine rupture in diabetics
Evaluation of methods to assess professionalism in medical students
Changes in medical student perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry during medical school
Mary T. McLennan, M.D.
Associate Professor and Director, Urogynecology
Associate Director, Residency Program
CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:
Weight loss as a means to treat incontinence
Antibotic prophylayis to prevent surgical fever with incontinence surgery
Morbidity of surgery in the elderly (>65 years)
Tension required for sling procedures
Jeff Gavard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Biostatician
Research Division
Frank Hertelendy, Ph.D., D.Sc
Professor Emeritus
Research Division
CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:
Signal transduction in human myometrial cells; cellular and molecular action of proinflammatory cytokines in human myometrium; regulation of cyclooxygenase type II expression and prostaglandin synthesis in human gestational tissues; animal models for preeclampsia.
Recent publications:
Oxytocin activates mitogen-activated protein kinase and upregulates cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin production in human myometrial cells. Am.J.Obstet.Gynecol. 181:42-4, 1999. (Reviewed in Yearbook of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health 2001 edition pp21-23). NF-kB mediates IL-1-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human myometrial cells. Am.J. Obstet. Gynecol. 181:359-366,1999. Interleukin-1-induced prostaglandin E-2 production in human myometrial cells:role of a pertussis toxin-sensitive component. Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. 4:142-147,2001. Regulation of prostaglandin synthesis in the human uterus. (A review) J. Mat-Fet Med. 10:223-235, 2001. Interferon gamma antagonizes interleukin-1-induced COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E-2 production in human myometrial cells. J.Soc.Gyn.Invest. 9:215-219, 2002.
Other Research Activities:
Decorin-Collagen Interaction In The Disruption of Cervical Collagen During Human Gestation
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