Menopausal symptoms and the awareness of menopausal-related information in low-income mid-aged women from Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Objective: To assess menopausal symptoms and determine awareness of menopausal related information in mid-aged women.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 140 women aged 40 to 60 years from Guayaquil, Ecuador were surveyed with the short 10-item Cervantes Scale (CS-10) and a questionnaire containing personal data and questions assessing awareness of menopause related information.

Results: The mean age of the sample was 48.

Polymorphism of the THOC5 of the transcription/export multiprotein complex and its correlation with the lipid and metabolic profile in middle-aged women.

The transcription/export complex (TREX) is formed by a core called THO. These are necessary for the transcription and packaging of messenger RNA and its subsequent nuclear exportation. Studies have correlated THO-specific polymorphisms with abnormalities of HDL-C metabolism.

Evaluation of depressive symptoms in mid-aged women: report of a multicenter South American study.

Objective: To evaluate depressive symptoms and related factors among mid-aged women using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study in which women aged 40 to 65 from various South American countries were surveyed with the CESD-10 and a general questionnaire containing personal and partner data.

Results: In all, 864 women were interviewed from Colombia (Afro-Colombian, n = 215), Ecuador (Mestizo, n = 202), Perú (Quechua at high altitude, n = 231), and Paraguay (Mestizo, n = 216).

Lower placental growth factor and higher free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels in the fetal circulation of near-term pregnancies complicated with severe preeclampsia.

Background: An imbalance between anti- and angiogenic factors during early placentation is key for the development of preeclampsia. Nevertheless, the majority of studies addressing this issue relate to maternal blood and not the fetal circulation.

Objective: To measure placental growth factor (PlGF), free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels in the fetal circulation of near-term pregnancies complicated with severe preeclampsia (n = 20), and their controls matched for parity, and maternal and gestational age.

Polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (C677T and A1298C) in the placenta of pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia has been related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene; however, data regarding the placenta are still lacking.

Objective: To determine the frequency of C677T and A1298C SNPs of the MTHFR gene in the placenta of preeclamptic pregnancies and healthy controls.

Methods: Genotyping of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene using RFLP-PCR was performed to the placenta of 100 gestations (n = 50 complicated with preeclampsia and n = 50 normal controls matched for parity and maternal age).

[Maternal and perinatal outcomes in nulliparous gestations with late onset preeclampsia: Comparative study with gestations without preeclampsia].

Objective: To assess obstetrical outcomes in a sample of nulliparous gestations with preeclampsia, as compared to gestations without preeclampsia, attended in the Enrique C. Sotomayor Hospital of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Method: This was a comparative study of maternal and perinatal outcome data of gestations with late onset preeclampsia (n=150; gestational age=36.

Polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (C677T and A1298C) in nulliparous women complicated with preeclampsia.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of C677T and A1298C Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MTHFR gene in nulliparous women complicated with preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: One hundred fifty gestations complicated with PE and their corresponding controls without the disease were recruited for the genotyping of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene using restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction. Secondarily, homocysteine (HCy) plasma levels were measured in preeclamptic women displaying the CC genotype of the A1298C polymorphism (homozygous) and compared to HCy levels determined among controls with the normal AA genotype for the A1298C variant.

Intimate partner violence and psychoemotional disturbance among pregnant women admitted to hospital with prenatal complications.

Objective: To assess intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychoemotional disturbance among pregnant women in a low-income setting.

Methods: In total, 283 pregnant women with high-risk prenatal complications were surveyed via the 20-item Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and the Violence against Women screening tool. A total SRQ-20 score of at least 7 was defined as indicating psychoemotional disturbance.

Inhaled intrapartum analgesia using a 50-50 % mixture of nitrous oxide-oxygen in a low-income hospital setting.

Aim: To analyze the benefits of an inhaled analgesia procedure over intrapartum pain and the degree of satisfaction of using this method.

Methods: This was a pilot study carried out at a low-income hospital setting in which women with singleton pregnancies, cephalic presentation and active phase of labor were requested to inhale ad libitum a 50-50 % mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (N(2)O-O(2)) (Oxicalm(®), Indura S.A-Indura Ecuador) using a face mask with an auto-demand valve.

Depressive Symptoms and Resilience among Pregnant Adolescents: A Case-Control Study.

Background. Data regarding depression and resilience among adolescents is still lacking. Objective.