A history of prior preeclampsia as a risk factor for preterm birth.

Objective: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the frequency and type of preterm birth (PTB) in women with prior preeclampsia and to compare neonatal outcomes between spontaneous PTB (SPTB) and medically indicated PTB (IPTB) groups.

Study Design: A secondary analysis of data in women with prior preeclampsia enrolled in a multicenter randomized trial for preeclampsia prevention. Delivery indications were categorized as SPTB and IPTB.

Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in the superoxide dismutase 1 and 2 genes among children with myelomeningocele.

Objective: Excessive oxidative stress has been demonstrated as a mechanism for neural tube defects (NTDs). The current exploratory study sought to examine sequence variations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and 2 (SOD2) genes in patients with myelomeningocele and to identify variants altering risk for myelomeningocele.

Study Design: We sequenced deoxyribonucleic acid from 96 patients with myelomeningocele.

The impact of medically indicated and spontaneous preterm birth among hypertensive women.

Objective: To (1) describe the frequency of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) and medically indicated preterm birth (PTB) among women with chronic hypertension (CHTN) and (2) to evaluate differences in neonatal outcomes according to SPTB or medically indicated PTB.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of a previously conducted multicenter randomized trial. Deliveries were categorized as SPTB or medically indicated and stratified by gestational ages (<37 weeks, 34 to 366/7 weeks, 30 to 336/7 weeks, < 30 weeks).

Association of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) genes with nonsyndromic myelomeningocele.

Background: A common and severe neural tube defect (NTD) phenotype, myelomeningocele (MM), results from the defective closure of the caudal end of the neural tube with herniation of the spinal cord and meninges through the vertebral column. The exact mechanisms for NTDs are unknown, but excessive oxidative stress, particularly in association with maternal diabetes, has been postulated as a mechanism for MM.

Methods: The SNPlex Genotyping (ABI, Foster City, CA) platform was used to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 and 2 genes to assess their association with MM risk.

Customized estimated fetal weight: a novel antenatal tool to diagnose abnormal fetal growth.

Objective: We sought to apply customized standards to ultrasound-derived estimated fetal weight (EFW), and assess the frequency of abnormal growth when compared to population-based standards. We also evaluated association with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: This was a historical cohort using prenatal ultrasound examination data at ≥24 weeks over a 1-year period.

Population standards of birth weight underestimate fetal growth abnormalities in diabetic pregnancies.

The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of abnormal fetal growth in women with diabetes mellitus (DM) using population-based birth weight (pop BW) percentiles compared with customized birth weight (cust BW) percentiles, which include adjustments for maternal race, parity, height, weight, and fetal sex. The study design comprised a retrospective cohort of singleton DM pregnancies delivered over a 1-year period (June 2007 to May 2008) from a single tertiary care university-based medical center. Inclusion criteria were gestational age >20 weeks at delivery, live birth, and absence of major chromosomal/structural abnormalities.

Excessive gestational weight gain in women with gestational and pregestational diabetes.

We sought to determine the frequency of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and its impact on perinatal outcomes in women with gestational (GDM) and pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM). A retrospective cohort of diabetic women was studied. GWG was categorized by the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium regulates intercellular junction proteins and facilitates transepithelial neutrophil and bacterial passage.

The establishment of tight junctions (TJ) between columnar epithelial cells defines the functional barrier, which enteroinvasive pathogens have to overcome. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) directly invades intestinal epithelial cells but it is not well understood how the pathogen is able to overcome the intestinal barrier and gains access to the circulation.