Role of the cerebro-placental-uterine ratio in predicting adverse perinatal outcome in low-risk pregnancies at term.

Purpose: The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) is associated with adverse perinatal outcome (APO) in low-risk pregnancies near term. A Doppler parameter, which also includes information from the uterine vessels could potentially improve detection of subclinical placental dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of cerebro-placental-uterine ratio (CPUR) related to APO prediction in low-risk term pregnancies in > 40 + 0 weeks.

Pregnancy exposure to venlafaxine-Therapeutic drug monitoring in maternal blood, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood and obstetrical outcomes.

Background: For treatment with psychotropic drugs during pregnancy, extended therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for individual therapy adjustment. We measured venlafaxine (VEN), O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) and active moiety, AM (sum of VEN+ODV) concentrations in maternal serum, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood.

Methods: Concentrations of VEN, ODVEN and AM were measured in nine mother-infant pairs at time of delivery; in five cases, amniotic fluid samples were available.

Human bone marrow contains high levels of extracellular vesicles with a tissue-specific subtype distribution.

Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EV) are shed from a broad variety of cells and play an important role in activation of coagulation, cell to cell interaction and transport of membrane components. They are usually measured as circulating EV in peripheral blood (PB) and other body fluids. However, little is known about the distribution, presence and impact of EV and their subpopulations in bone marrow (BM).

Comprehensive Measurements of Intrauterine and Postnatal Exposure to Lamotrigine.

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure and investigate correlations of lamotrigine concentrations in maternal as well as umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, and breast milk to account for the distribution of the drug.

Methods: Concentrations of lamotrigine were measured in 19 mother-infant pairs at the time of delivery. To account for the penetration ratio into amniotic fluid, cord blood and breast milk, the concentration of lamotrigine in the particular environment was divided by the concentration in maternal serum.

Antidepressants in breast milk; comparative analysis of excretion ratios.

Despite increasing prescription rates of antidepressants in pregnant and breastfeeding women over the past decades, evidence of drug exposure for neonates through lactation is very sparse. Concentrations of three antidepressants citalopram, sertraline, and venlafaxine were measured in maternal blood and breast milk in 17 women receiving antidepressant therapy during breastfeeding period. We also computed concentration-by-dose-ratios (C/D) and milk to serum (plasma) penetration ratios (M/P).

Extracellular vesicles in human follicular fluid do not promote coagulation.

Body fluids contain extracellular vesicles expressing tissue factor on their surface and serve as an additional trigger for coagulation. During the menstrual cycle ovarian tissue restoration is mandatory and it is unknown whether follicular fluid might provide procoagulant substances. Within an observational study, follicular fluid from women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was analysed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), electron microscopy, resistive pulse sensing (RPS), nanoparticle-tracking analysis (NTA) and fibrin generation tests (FGT).

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor as treatment option in patients with recurrent miscarriage.

In 1-5% of patients during childbearing years recurrent miscarriages (RM) occur. There are established risk factors like anatomical, endocrine and hemostatic disorders as well as immunological changes in the maternal immune system. Nevertheless, further elucidation of the pathogenesis remains a matter of debate.

The impact of treatment for genital cancer on quality of life and body image--results of a prospective longitudinal 10-year study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of treatment for genital cancer on quality of life and body image to determine patients' therapy-related needs for quality improvement of medical care before and after surgery.

Methods: We started to evaluate women with cervical cancer planned for pelvic exenteration in 1993 and integrated women planned for a Wertheim-Meigs surgery in 1995 before surgery, 4 and 12 months after surgery. Thanks to funding since 1999, more than 400 patients with a diagnosis of genital (n = 185) or breast (n = 217) cancer participated in this prospective study until July 2003.

The physician-patient relationship before cancer treatment: a prospective longitudinal study.

Objectives: To evaluate quality of life before surgery for genital cancer to determine risk factors that might influence the physician-patient relationship.

Methods: From 1993 until 2003, 129 women with cervical cancer entered this prospective study. Patients were contacted 1 to 5 days before surgery by a psychologist or psychotherapeutically trained physician on the surgical ward.