Searching HPV genome for methylation sites involved in molecular progression to cervical precancer.

Human Papilloma Virus has been considered as the main cause for cervical cancer. In this study we investigated epigenetic changes and especially methylation of specific sites of HPV genome. The main goal was to correlate methylation status with histological grade as well as to determine its accuracy in predicting the disease severity by establishing optimum methylation cutoffs.

Methylation profile of genes involved in inflammation, in the blood from pregnancies with maternal preeclampsia due to untreated gestational diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To investigate DNA methylation changes in peripheral blood from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) due to poorly treated GDM.

Methods: Eighteen pregnant women participated in the study: 6 with GDM, 6 with PE, and 6 healthy controls. The promoter methylation status of genes was profiled using the Human Inflammatory Response and Autoimmunity EpiTect Methyl II Signature PCR Array profiles.

Counselling for smoking cessation during pregnancy reduces tobacco-specific nitrosamine (NNAL) concentrations: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Smoking cessation during pregnancy is beneficial to both the mother and child. Our objective was to assess if an intensive smoking cessation intervention for pregnant women increases: a) rates of smoking cessation, and b) reduces exposure to tobacco-specific carcinogens during pregnancy.

Methods: A two-group single-blinded parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted involving 84 pregnant smokers in either a high intensity (n=42) or minimal contact control group (n=42).

Hypovitaminosis D in Healthy Pregnant Women and their Newborns in Greece.

Background/objectives: The aim of this work was to evaluate the current vitamin D status in healthy pregnant women and their newborns living in Greece and assess possible associations between 25(OH)D and anthropometric features of their fetuses and newborns.

Materials & Methods: 81 healthy women were monitored during pregnancy. Biochemical markers related to bone metabolism, 25(OH)D and PTH levels were measured in serum samples of mothernewborn pairs at 1st trimester of pregnancy and at delivery in mothers, in cord blood and at the 3rd day of life of newborns.

The association between sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus, and cervical cytology abnormalities among women in Greece.

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the presence of cytological changes in the cervix in a cohort of sexually active women in Greece.

Methods: Cervical cytology testing and the molecular typing of HPV and other STIs were performed for 345 sexually active women aged between 18 and 45 years (mean 33.2±7.

Falsely Elevated CA 15-3 Levels in Ovarian Sarcoidosis with Peritoneal Involvement and Ascites.

A rare case of ovarian sarcoidosis with peritoneal and omental involvement presenting as an ovarian malignancy is presented. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluation of the patient revealed ascites and high levels of serum CA 125 and CA 15.3.

γH2Ax Expression as a Potential Biomarker Differentiating between Low and High Grade Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (SIL) and High Risk HPV Related SIL.

Background: γH2AX is a protein biomarker for double-stranded DNA breakage; its expression was studied in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and carcinomas.

Methods: Immunostaining for phospho-γH2AX was performed in sections from histologically confirmed cervical SIL and carcinomas, as well as from normal cervices used as controls. In total, 275 cases were included in the study: 112 low grade SIL (LGSIL), 99 high grade SIL (HGSIL), 24 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 12 adenocarcinoma and 28 cervical specimens with no essential lesions.

The amount and duration of smoking is associated with aggravation of hormone and biochemical profile in women with PCOS.

We investigated the association between the amount and duration of smoking on biochemical, clinical parameters and the ovarian morphology in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). That was a retrospective study. These women were divided into two groups, non-smokers (217) and smokers (92).

Stress urinary incontinence and endogenous sex steroids in postmenopausal women.

Aims: Urinary incontinence in general is a major cause of quality of life impairment, morbidity and hospitalization. Its onset is strongly linked to the menopause. Our study aimed to elucidate the possible relationship between endogenous circulating estrogens and the onset and development of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

The diagnostic accuracy of E6 & 7 mRNA detection as a primary screening test for the detection of severe cervical lesions.

Purpose: This prospective accuracy study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of nucleic acid sequence amplification (NASBA) and flow cytometry for E6/7 human papillomavirus (HPV) mRNA detection as a primary screening test compared to cytology in the triage of severe cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions.

Methods: 1083 women referred to our outpatient gynecology clinics for a routine Pap test were recruited. Residual material of the Pap smears was tested by NASBA and by flow cytometry for E6/7 mRNA expression.

Predicting fetal growth deviation in parous women: combining the birth weight of the previous pregnancy and third trimester ultrasound scan.

Aim: To investigate the value of the birth weight of the previous pregnancy (BW1) alone and combined with the third trimester ultrasonographically estimated fetal weight (EFW) and Doppler studies in the prediction of small (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) neonates in the index pregnancy (BW2).

Method: Some 1298 parous women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies who had a third trimester ultrasound scan were considered as samples in this retrospective cohort study. Maternal and pregnancy characteristics, BW1, EFW, umbilical artery, and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were investigated as predictors of SGA and LGA.

Angiopoietin-2 primes infection-induced preterm delivery.

Current knowledge on the participation of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in the inflammatory process and on the importance of bacterial endotoxins (LPS) in the induction of preterm delivery (PTD) led us to investigate the role of Ang-2/LPS interplay in the pathogenesis of PTD. At a first stage, Ang-2 was measured at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy in the serum of 50 women who delivered prematurely; of 88 women well-matched for age and parity who delivered full-term; and of 20 non-pregnant healthy women. Ang-2 was greater in pregnant than in non-pregnant women.

Reproducibility study of fetal 3-D volumetry in the first trimester: effect of fetal size and rotational angle of VOCAL software.

Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of fetal volume measurement by 3-D ultrasound scan (using VOCAL [Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis] software) in 27 fetuses at 7 to 13 wk was studied. For intra-observer variability, the mean difference (MD) and 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) at 12°, 18° and 30° were MD(12) = 0.097, 95% LOA(12) = -0.

Fetal volume at 11-14 gestational weeks: reference ranges and association with first trimester biochemical and biophysical markers.

Aims: To establish reference ranges for fetal volume (FV) measured by three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) at 11-14 weeks of gestation and to examine the possible association of FV with maternal/pregnancy characteristics and biochemical parameters.

Methods: Prospective observational study on 240 fetuses at 11-14 weeks. FV was measured by 3D-US using Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis.

mRNA and DNA detection of human papillomaviruses in women of all ages attending two colposcopy clinics.

Objective: HPV infection is a common finding, especially in young women while the majority of infections are cleared within a short time interval. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of HPV DNA and mRNA testing in a population attending colposcopy units of two University hospitals.

Methods: 1173 liquid based cervical samples from two colposcopy clinics were tested for HPV DNA positivity using a commercial typing kit and HPV E6/E7 mRNA positivity with a flow cytometry based commercial kit.

Third trimester ultrasound for the prediction of the large for gestational age fetus in low-risk population and evaluation of contingency strategies.

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of third trimester fetal biometry and Doppler studies in predicting the birth of a large for gestational age neonate (LGA ≥ 95(th) centile). Assessment of the value of integrated models (combining maternal characteristics, first trimester parameters, third trimester fetal biometry) and the usefulness of contingency strategies.

Method: Observational cross-sectional study on 2308 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies examined at 11 to 14 weeks and at 30 to 34 weeks.

The diagnostic accuracy of two methods for E6&7 mRNA detection in women with minor cytological abnormalities.

Objective: To examine the diagnostic accuracy of nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) and flow cytometry for E6&7 human papillomavirus (HPV) mRNA detection in the triage of minor cytological abnormalities.

Design: Prospective diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: Gynecology outpatient clinics of a university hospital.

Design and study protocol of the maternal smoking cessation during pregnancy study, (M-SCOPE).

Background: Maternal smoking is the most significant cause of preventable complications during pregnancy, with smoking cessation during pregnancy shown to increase birth weight and reduce preterm birth among pregnant women who quit smoking. Taking into account the fact that the number of women who smoke in Greece has increased steadily throughout the previous decade and that the prevalence of smoking among Greek females is one of the highest in the world, smoking cessation should be a top priority among Greek health care professionals.

Methods/design: The Maternal Smoking Cessation during Pregnancy Study (M-SCOPE), is a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) that aims to test whether offering Greek pregnant smokers a high intensity intervention increases smoking cessation during the third trimester of pregnancy, when compared to a low intensity intervention.

Infertility reversed by glucocorticoids and full-term pregnancy in a couple with previously undiagnosed nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Objective: To report the case of a couple with infertility and two unsuccessful previous attempts of ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF), whose nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) was diagnosed and verified by molecular studies.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Outpatient practice and academic hospital.

Cervical length changes from the first to second trimester of pregnancy, and prediction of preterm birth by first-trimester sonographic cervical measurement.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the evolution of cervical length from the first to second trimester of pregnancy and the value of first-trimester cervical measurement in the prediction of preterm delivery.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal prospective study. Cervical length was measured by transvaginal sonography at 11 to 14 weeks (Cx1), 16 to 19 weeks (Cx2), and 20 to 24 weeks (Cx3).

Office hysteroscopy: current trends and potential applications: a critical review.

Office hysteroscopy is an excellent method of identifying and treating intracavitary uterine lesions. It has become easy to learn and perform; as an aid of modern technological applications, it is safe, accurate, provides immediate results under direct visualisation, and offers the additional benefit of histological confirmation and the discomfort of patients is minimal. We applied an extended literature search to explore the special features and details of the technique itself, as it evolved since it first appeared 30 years back.

Immunological factors and their role in the genesis and development of endometriosis.

The article presents an overview of immunological factors and their role in the genesis and development of endometriosis, with emphasis on inflammatory cytokines and growth and adhesion factors. Although retrograde menstruation is a common phenomenon among women of reproductive age, not all women with retrograde menstruation suffer the disease. Development of endometriosis seems to be a complex process, facilitated by several factors, including quantity and quality of endometrial cells in peritoneal fluid (PF), increased inflammatory activity in PF, increased endometrial-peritoneal adhesion and angiogenesis, reduced immune surveillance and clearance of endometrial cells, and increased production of autoantibodies against endometrial cells.