Publications by authors named "Dan Navolan"

Article Synopsis
  • - Detection and monitoring of TORCH infections during pregnancy is crucial, as they can lead to severe congenital abnormalities despite typically causing mild morbidity in mothers.
  • - A study testing 1,032 women revealed varying seroprevalence rates for TORCH pathogens: 20.1% for toxoplasmosis, 91.3% for rubella, 70.5% for cytomegalovirus, 66.8% for HSV-1, and 3.5% for HSV-2, with age and geography influencing these rates.
  • - There has been a declining trend in seroprevalence for TORCH pathogens compared to earlier studies (2005-2011), suggesting that monitoring maternal serology
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Unlabelled: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a DNA virus that belongs to the family, infects 40-100% of people. Primary/non-primary CMV infection during pregnancy could cause fetal disabilities. After primary infection, CMV causes a latent infection and resides in cells of the myeloid compartment (CD34, monocytes).

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  • Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are common viral infections, and a study in Croatia aimed to assess their prevalence among pregnant women from 2011 to 2021, updating previous research from 2005-2010.
  • The study tested 667 pregnant women for HSV antibodies, finding that 69.9% were positive for HSV-1 and only 3.8% for HSV-2, with an increase in HSV-2 prevalence linked to older age.
  • Results indicate that HSV-1 remains stable among pregnant women, while HSV-2 prevalence has decreased; the research highlights the need for serological screening to identify at-risk women during pregnancy.
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Background: (TG), a zoonotic protozoan parasite, belongs to a group of TORCH infectious agents, which can cause severe damage to the fetus if a primary infection occurs during pregnancy. After primary infection, TG rests lifelong in human organisms causing a latent infection. Most studies have analyzed the consequences of acute, but not latent, TG infection.

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When the first vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 emerged, pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials, so vaccine recommendations were initially adjourned, with late initiation for this populational category. The present study aims to quantify the serum and breastmilk values of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies in both the mother and her newborn after complete vaccination during pregnancy. Ninety-one vaccinated patients were included, some of whom presented COVID-19 infection during pregnancy.

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  • Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is common and has limited treatment options, but alternative therapies, like essential oils (EOs), show promise in managing the disease.
  • Essential oils contain compounds with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, which could be effective in CRC prevention or treatment.
  • The study evaluated the phytochemical composition and biological effects of EOs from specific plant species on colorectal cancer cell lines, finding that they significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with notable effects from Cc_EO.
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: Seroepidemiological studies indicate that parvovirus B19 circulates in all areas of the world, although with some differences. The aim of this study is to analyze the seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 in the Croatian population. : From 2010 to 2021, 1538 serum samples from different populations were tested for the presence of parvovirus B19 IgM/IgG antibodies.

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Romania is a country with high rates of adolescent births, associating scarce comprehensive obstetrical management with this specific population. This research aims to assess soft tissue trauma after vaginal birth in teenage mothers compared to their adult counterparts. A retrospective case-control study was conducted for one year in two hospitals.

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This review provides a brief clinically relevant review of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy, to raise awareness among doctors in obstetrics and the aim is to serve as the first point of reference when confronted by their presence. Pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine, catecholamine-secreting tumours. Despite having the highest incidence rate among other hormone-secreting adrenal tumours, they remain rare especially when associated with pregnancy.

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: , cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella virus, besides other agents, belong to a group named the TORCH complex. Research on the epidemiology of these agents in women is of particular interest, as primary infection during pregnancy could cause severe damage to the fetus. Women who had contracted infection before pregnancy develop IgG antibodies, so the fetus is protected in case of contact with the same agent.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly evolved into a worldwide pandemic causing a serious global public health problem. The risk of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is still debated, and the consequences of this virus on pregnant women and their fetuses remain unknown. We report a case of pregnancy complicated with hydrops fetalis that developed 7 weeks after recovery from a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to intrauterine death of the foetus.

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Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used due to their efficiency in preventing unplanned pregnancies and treating several human illnesses. Despite their medical value, the toxicity of OCs remains a public concern. Previous studies indicate the carcinogenic potential of synthetic sex hormones and their link to the development and progression of hormone-dependent malignancies such as breast cancer.

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Article Synopsis
  • Seronegative women can get rubella during pregnancy, which poses risks to the fetus, making vaccination crucial for prevention.
  • A study involving 6,914 Caucasian women analyzed rubella seroprevalence in two groups, revealing a decrease in immunity from 2008-2010 to 2015-2018.
  • The highest susceptibility to rubella was noted in women born between 1997-2004, indicating that younger women are less protected compared to older age groups who had access to different vaccination programs.
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  • Aspartame, a commonly used artificial sweetener, has raised health concerns regarding its potential link to colorectal cancer, although current scientific data is inconclusive.
  • This study investigates aspartame's impact on colorectal cancer using two methods: in vitro testing on HT-29 human cancer cells and in ovo testing using the chorioallantoic membrane method.
  • Results show that aspartame has a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and exhibits a pro-angiogenic effect with weak irritant properties in vivo, suggesting further research into its role in colorectal cancer may be warranted.
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Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite infection is a cause of congenital infection worldwide. Primary infection or the reactivation of latent infection during pregnancy may lead to fetal infection and to congenital toxoplasmosis syndrome. Seropositive pregnant women are generally protected from maternal-fetal transmission of , although exceptions exist.

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The objective was to have a quantitative description of the normal position of the fetal midbrain in the first trimester, through defining the reference ranges for the mesencephalon to the occipital bone distance, in the axial plane. This was a prospective study that included normal fetuses screened between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. The distance was measured between the posterior limit of the mesencephalon to the occipital bone in the same axial view as the one required for the biparietal diameter (BPD) assessment, at this gestational age (GA).

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Inflammatory mechanisms are involved in achieving a normal pregnancy and in the development of certain pregnancy complications. These changes are more intense in pregnant women that suffer of pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous preterm birth (SPB). This study compared the course of inflammatory markers (IM) [neopterin (Neo), neopterin/creatinine ratio (Neo/Cre), C-reactive protein (CRP), and chitotriosidase (Chito)] serum concentration in the early pregnancy of women with birth at term (BT) and preterm birth (PB).

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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection worldwide, and remains a significant cause of the neurological deficiency and sensory deafness in developed countries. Maternal primary infection, reactivation or reinfection during pregnancy may lead to fetal infection and congenital CMV syndrome. The purpose of this study was to analyze the CMV seroprevalence according to demographic features of pregnant women in western Romania as well as the evolution of CMV immunity in two time intervals.

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Fetal goitrous hypothyroidism is a rare condition associated with important obstetrical, neonatal complications, and neurodevelopmental impairments. Prenatal treatment remains controversial, and the risk to benefit ratio must be accurately assessed and considered for individualized management. The objective of this review was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the conservative treatment of fetal goitrous hypothyroidism.

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Vascular stress at the level of the uterus-placental unit, with chronic placental ischemia, results in intrauterine growth restriction. Expectation management can be used, when the situation allows, in cases of compensated intrauterine growth restriction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neonatal prognosis of preterm births with and without growth restriction and term births with growth restriction in order to improve decisional accuracy regarding the termination of pregnancy.

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In 2020 a new pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is affecting the lives of millions of patients and healthcare workers worldwide. The clinical picture of this infection is in a dynamic process of discovery, and more symptoms emerge as the clinicians observe and diagnose manifestations that affect multiple organs. Anosmia (loss of smell), and ageusia (loss of taste) become more frequently cited as independent symptoms or in association with the most common manifestations of the disease, such as fever, cough and dyspnea.

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Article Synopsis
  • Fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) can be found in maternal blood and are useful for fetal genetic evaluation, prompting a study that compared two methods for isolating these cells.
  • The study involved processing blood samples from 27 pregnant women, using either hemoglobin-based enrichment or anti-CD71 magnetic selection to isolate NRBCs, followed by identifying them with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
  • Results showed that hemoglobin-based enrichment was significantly more effective at isolating NRBCs and confirming fetal cells compared to the anti-CD71 method, making it a simpler and more efficient approach.
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Hysteroscopy has known an increasing use in Romania over the last decade, succeeding to mark an impact on lowering the costs of medical services. The strategy of this study was to present the experience of two Romanian medical units with different experiences using inpatient regimen hysteroscopy, and to further compare it with current worldwide tendencies. Strong points in our practice were sought, as well as components that require improvement.

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Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare elastographic means in parathyroid adenomas, using shear wave elastography and strain elastography.

Methods: This prospective study examined 20 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid adenoma, confirmed by biochemical assay, technetium-99 sestamibi scintigraphy, and pathology report, after parathyroid surgery. All patients were examined on conventional 2B ultrasound, 2D shear wave elastography, and strain elastography.

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Aim: Current major guidelines recommend risk stratification of the thyroid nodules, after each diagnostic evaluation, in order to focus attention on potentially risky nodules. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of combined advanced ultrasound techniques in this process, compared with conventional stratification models, in order to reduce unnecessary fine-needle biopsies, respectively, surgery.

Material And Methods: We evaluated 261 cases (261 nodules) using conventional ultrasound (2B), real-time Doppler evaluation (4D) respectively, real-time elastography, using a linear multifrequency probe and a linear volumetric probe (Hitachi Prerius Machine, Hitachi Inc, Japan).

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