Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Species-, , .

St. John's wort (, Hypericaceae) is the most well-known species in the genus , which comprises several hundred species. This study investigates the biological and phytochemical potential of the under-researched species, , , and .

Bioactivity Profiling of (Bolton) J. Schröt. 1888: Implications for Its Possible Application in Enhancing Women's Reproductive Health.

This study investigates the bioactivity profile of wood-rotting fungal species (Bolton) J. Schröt. 1888, focusing on its antioxidant, cytotoxic, and genotoxic activities and enzyme modulation properties with respect to its possible application in terms of enhancing women's reproductive health.

Biological Activity of Genus Hypericum Sect. Species-, subsp. , .

St. John's wort (, Hypericaceae) has long been used in traditional medicine as a potent remedy, while many other species of this genus have not been thoroughly investigated. The study aimed to detect the biological activity, including antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, anticholinergic, antimicrobial and monoaminoxidase inhibitory potential, of water-alcoholic extracts of three species autochthonous for Serbia and Greece from plant genus (section -, ssp.

Diagnostic Tests in the Prediction of Neonatal Outcome in Early Placental Fetal Growth Restriction.

: Monitoring pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR) presents a challenge, especially concerning the time of delivery in cases of early preterm pregnancies below 32 weeks. The aim of our study was to compare different diagnostic parameters in growth-restricted preterm neonates with and without morbidity/mortality and to determine sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic parameters for monitoring preterm pregnancies with early preterm fetal growth restriction below 32 weeks. : Our clinical study evaluated 120 cases of early preterm deliveries, with gestational age ≤ 32 + 0 weeks, with prenatally diagnosed placental FGR.

Effects of UV Stress in Promoting Antioxidant Activities in Fungal Species (L.) Lloyd and (Curtis) Singer.

and , after submerged cultivation, with intermittent exposure to ultraviolet light (UV), were studied for Total Phenolic content (TP) and Total Proteins (TPR) contents and antioxidant properties against free radicals. The TP and TPR were determined by a spectrophotometric method and Lowry's assay, respectively. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify polyphenols.

A Prospective Study of Mid-Trimester MCP-1 Levels as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery.

Background: The prevention of preterm delivery (PTD) represents one of the major topics in modern obstetrics. The aim was to design a prospective study and investigate if mid-trimester serum and amniotic fluid levels of MCP-1 could predict the occurence of spontaneous PTD. Methods: The study involved 198 women who underwent genetic amniocentesis and blood sampling in the middle of their trimester.

Antimicrobial and Toxic Effects of Roxb. and Linn. Essential Oils on Vaginal Inhabitants.

Commercial essential oils (EOs) of incense, Roxb, and mint, L., were investigated against vaginal bacterial and isolates for antimicrobial potential and safety use. The antimicrobial activity of EOs was investigated through a double-dilution micro-plate assay.

Disturbance of oxidative balance in the pregnancy with fetal trisomy 21.

Background/aim: Location of the gene encoding superoxide-dismutase on chromosome 21 suggests a possible impact on the maternal oxidative stress parameters. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible impact of the fetal trisomy 21 on the level of oxidative stress in mothers.

Methods: The study involved two groups of pregnant women: a study group ( = 30) with fetal trisomy 21 and a control group ( = 50) with physiological pregnancy and normal fetal karyotype.

Serum magnesium level in the first trimester of pregnancy as a predictor of pre-eclampsia - a pilot study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of serum concentration of magnesium (Mg) in the first trimester of pregnancy for predicting pre-eclampsia (PE).

Methods: This prospective study included 403 pregnant women over 18, with singleton pregnancy (from 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy). The subjects were divided into a group who subsequently developed PE (PEKT) (n = 61), and a group of healthy pregnancies with no complications and with normal outcomes (TNT) (n = 342).

Origanum vulgare essential oil affects pathogens causing vaginal infections.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the application of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (EO) as an alternative antimicrobial agent against vaginal infections.

Methods And Results: Microdilution methods were applied for the detection of the minimal inhibitory (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal/fungicidal (MBC/MFC) concentration of 15 clinical strains originating from women with symptoms of vaginal infection.

Antimicrobial Potential of Rosmarinus officinalis Commercial Essential Oil in the Treatment of Vaginal Infections in Pregnant Women.

Treating inflammatory conditions .such as vaginosis, vaginitis, and vulvovaginitis in pregnancy is- a special problem due to limitations. of available drugs.

Prostaglandin E2, trace elements and levels of oxidative processes in spontaneous miscarriages.

Objective: We investigated the significance of prostaglandin (PG)E2, trace elements level, pro-oxidative and antioxidative parameters changes in spontaneous miscarriages.

Patients And Methods: In the 125 first trimester pregnancies, 35 with complete spontaneous abortion (group S), 40 with missed abortion (M) and 50 healthy (H), PGE2 plasma concentrations were analysed by commercial ELISA kits, plasma trace elements colorimetrically, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidative enzyme activities in hemolysate by commercial sets. Student's t-test and ANOVA were applied.

Disturbance of oxidative balance in the first trimester of spontaneous abortions.

Background/aim: Pregnancy is defined as a condition of increased oxidative stress. The aim of this research was to determine the intensity of pro-oxidative processes and the content of GSH, as well as antioxidative enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), gluthatione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the total antioxidative status (TAS) in patients with spontaneous abortions.

Methods: A total of 120 patients were involved in the research (70 spontaneous abortions and 50 healthy pregnancies).

Early pregnancy angiogenic proteins levels and pregnancy related hypertensive disorders.

Introduction: Normal placental vascular development depends on multiple interactions of many regulatory molecules including pro and antiangiogenic proteins. It is considered that these vascular modulators might be one of the factors responsible for development hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the early pregnancy (11-14 week of gestation) serum level of angiogenic proteins sFlt1, VEGF i PIGF between different types of pregnancy related hypertensive disorders.

[Cardiorespiratory Disorders of Infants of Diabetic Mothers].

Introduction: One of the characteristics of modern era is the explosion of diabetes in the world. Today more than 400,000,000 people suffer from diabetes in the entire world. During the last decade the number of women with the disorder of glucose homeostasis is six to seven times greater than in the previous period.

Alternative treatment of vaginal infections – in vitro antimicrobial and toxic effects of Coriandrum sativum L. and Thymus vulgaris L. essential oils.

Aims: The aims of study were to examine the antibacterial potential of two commercial essential oils (EOs) from coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) against vaginal clinical strains of bacteria and yeast and their chemical composition.

The influence of bacterial vaginosis on gestational week of the completion of delivery and biochemical markers of inflammation in the serum.

Background/aim: Preterm delivery is one of the most common complications in pregnancy, and it is the major cause (75-80%) of all neonatal deaths. Bacterial vaginosis predisposes to an increased risk of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membrane and miscarriage. In this syndrome normal vaginal lactobacilli, which produce protective H2O2, are reduced and replaced with anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria and others.

[Cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy and delivery].

Introduction: Nowadays, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the current obstetric practice. PHYSIOLOGICALLY ADAPTED MECHANISMS OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN PREGNANCY: It is normal that during pregnancy some physiological adaptive changes of the cardiovascular system occur and they may contribute to the deterioration of the clinical cardiac status of a patient with preexisting or acquired cardiovascular disease. The most prominent adaptive mechanisms include the increase of circulating blood volume, decrease of peripheral vascular resistance and decrease of plasma colloid-oncotic pressure.

[Prediction of labor induction outcome using different clinical parameters].

Introduction: Induction of labor is one of the most common obstetric interventions in contemporary obstetrics.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and sonographic parameters in prediction of success of labor induction.

Methods: The prospective study included 422 women in whom induction of labor was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Clinical Centre of Vojvodina.

Interferon gamma, interleukin 8 and interleukin 10 in serum of patients with the cervical infection and symptoms of the imminent preterm delivery.

Introduction: Preterm delivery (PTD), defined as a delivery between 24th and 37th completed week, increases the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a growing body of evidence that the intrauterine infection as well as cervicovaginal bacterial infections and Chlamydia infections are possible causes of preterm delivery. Host response to cervicovaginal and/or intrauterine infections is coupled with a release of various inflammatory mediators, many of which are cytokines.

Erythropoietin in amniotic fluid as a potential marker in distinction between growth restricted and constitutionally small fetuses.

Objective: To determine if there is any difference in amniotic fluid erythropoietin (EPO) concentration between fetuses small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and between the constitutionally small (CSF) and growth-restricted (GRF) fetuses.

Methods: EPO concentrations in the amniotic fluid samples were determined by EpoELISA test in 38 pregnancies with SGA and 15 pregnancies with AGA fetuses. In the SGA group we measured Ponderal index (PI) and skin-fold thickness (SFT).

[Significance of serum ferritin level in the prediction of delivery of low birth weight newborns for gestational age].

Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction is one of the leading causes of prenatal morbidity and mortality. As there is no causal therapy, prediction of intrauterine growth retardation is one of the priorities of prenatal healthcare.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze blood ferritin level, and erythrocyte, hemoglobin and hematocrit count in pregnant women between 30-32 weeks of gestation and to set apart those with a possible development of intrauterine growth restriction.

Mid-pregnancy interleukins levels in serum and amniotic fluid as predictors of preterm delivery.

Abstract Objectives: To find out if determination of IL-4, IL-13 and IL-6 in amniotic fluid (AF) and serum in mid-pregnancy can be used as predictors of preterm delivery. Material and methods: The research has comprised 88 pregnant women at 16-24 weeks of gestation, who were subjected to early amniocentesis. Levels of interleukins were determined by ELISA tests.

Lipid peroxidation in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Aim: To determine the existence and level of oxidative stress caused by lipid peroxidation in pregnancy.

Methods: The research was conducted as prospective examination that included 60 healthy women (age 18-45). The women included in the examination were divided into two groups.

Bacterial vaginosis and biomarkers of oxidative stress in amniotic fluid.

Objective: In this study we tried to determine if the activities of the primary antioxidant enzymes are detectable in amniotic fluid and if they can be used as early biomarkers of complications in pregnancy connected with bacterial vaginosis.

Methods: This was a prospective study in which amniotic fluid was taken between 16 and 19 weeks of gestation. 161 pregnant women were divided into two groups: study group--patients with the treated local infection and control group--healthy pregnant women.