Thromboprophylaxis following cesarean section - a nation-wide survey from Germany.

Our study aimed to assess current practice related to thromboprophylaxis following cesarean section (c.s.) among obstetricians in Germany taking account of the German and international guidelines.

Meconium indicators of maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy and association with patient characteristics.

Aim: Identification of women with moderate alcohol abuse during pregnancy is difficult. We correlated self-reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy and patient characteristics with objective alcohol indicators measured in fetal meconium.

Methods: A total of 557 women singleton births and available psychological tests, obstetric data and meconium samples were included in statistical analysis.

Genetic variants in the genes of the stress hormone signalling pathway and depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of the stress hormone signaling pathway, specifically FKBP5, NR3C1, and CRHR1, are associated with depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy.

Methods: The Franconian Maternal Health Evaluation Study (FRAMES) recruited healthy pregnant women prospectively for the assessment of maternal and fetal health including the assessment of depressiveness. The German version of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed at three time points in this prospective cohort study.

Socioeconomic status and depression during and after pregnancy in the Franconian Maternal Health Evaluation Studies (FRAMES).

Purpose: Depression during and after pregnancy can have a negative impact on women's quality of life and on the development of the newborn child. Interventions have been shown to have a positive influence on both mothers and children. Predictive factors for depressive symptoms might possibly be able to identify groups that are at high risk.

Factors influencing breast changes after pregnancy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are major factors reducing breast cancer (BC) risk. A potential mechanism for this effect might be changes in mammographic density, but other factors might be involved. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing changes in breast size and breast stiffness after pregnancy.

Genetic variants in the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2) and depression during and after pregnancy.

Background: A number of studies indicate that altered serotonergic transmission may be a risk factor for depression in the peripartum period. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in the TPH2 gene, the gene product of which is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin in the central nervous system, are associated with depressive symptoms in pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Methods: In a cohort of 361 Caucasians, the severity of depression was assessed prospectively during pregnancy (third trimester) and the postpartum period (2-3 days and 6-8 months) using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Vaccination with dendritic cells pulsed with hepatitis C pseudo particles induces specific immune responses in mice.

Aim: To explore dendritic cells (DCs) multiple functions in immune modulation.

Methods: We used bone-marrow derived dendritic cells from BALB/c mice pulsed with pseudo particles from the hepatitis C virus to vaccinate naive BALB/c mice. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) pseudo particles consist of the genotype 1b derived envelope proteins E1 and E2, covering a non-HCV core structure.

The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism modulates the influence on environmental stressors on peripartum depression symptoms.

Background: Maternal depression during the peripartum period has an incidence of about 13%. Individuals with specific genetic predispositions are more vulnerable to stressful life events suggesting that exploration of gene-environmental pathways might facilitate the identification of risk factors for peripartum depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of stressful life events in combination with the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on peripartum depressive symptoms.

Treatment of heterotopic cervical pregnancies.

Objective: To describe a rare case of a heterotopic pregnancy with a gestational sac in the cervix and one in the uterine cavity, managed successfully with subsequent delivery of a healthy newborn.

Design: Case report and review of the literature.

Setting: Tertiary university hospital.