Recent advances in the syntheses of anthracene derivatives.

Anthracene and anthracene derivatives have been extensively studied over the years because of their interesting photophysical, photochemical, and biological properties. They are currently the subject of research in several areas, which investigate their use in the biological field and their application in OLEDs, OFETs, polymeric materials, solar cells, and many other organic materials. Their synthesis remains challenging, but some important preparative methods have been reported, especially in the last decade.

Second trimester amniotic fluid myo-inositol concentrations in women later developing gestational diabetes mellitus or pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate myo-inositol concentrations in amniotic fluid in women later developing gestational diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out with three groups of amniotic fluid samples (15-18 gestational weeks): 30 gestational hypertension pregnancies, 30 gestational diabetes pregnancies, and 30 normal pregnancy.

Results: A significant difference was observed in myo-inositol concentrations between the median gestational diabetes values (124.

Maternal serum PAPP-A as an early marker of obstetric complications?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether low first-trimester PAPP-A levels are associated with an adverse pregnancy outcome.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case-control study was carried out using a Down's syndrome assays database over a 6-year period, between the 8th and 11th week of pregnancy. There were 164 women with PAPP-A multiples of median (MoM) levels <0.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin serum evaluation through normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was evaluated prospectively through normal pregnancy and pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia syndrome. Sixty women enrolled in the study were evaluated for serum NGAL levels at 9-11 weeks gestation, at 24-26 weeks gestation and at delivery. Thirty women were affected by preeclampsia and 30 women with uncomplicated pregnancies formed the control group.

Second trimester neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a potential prediagnostic marker of preeclampsia.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations, a product of neutrophils, were investigated in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Prospectively collected data and late second trimester (24-26 weeks) serum samples from 48 women who subsequently developed preeclampsia (PE) and 96 control women with uncomplicated pregnancies were compared. Serum NGAL values, as determined by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay, were significantly increased in the preeclamptic compared to the control women: 76.

Endoglin, PlGF and sFlt-1 as markers for predicting pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of endoglin, placental growth factor (PlGF) and the soluble form of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sFlt-1) measurements in gestational weeks 24-28 were used to predict pre-eclampsia.

Design: Observational, prospective study. Setting.

Midtrimester amniotic fluid leptin and insulin levels and subsequent gestational diabetes.

Aims: To evaluate midtrimester amniotic fluid leptin levels in pregnancies subsequently complicated by gestational diabetes.

Methods: We studied 32 pregnant women with gestational diabetes and a control group of 43 normal pregnancies with an adequate gestational age fetus. All underwent a midtrimester amniocentesis: leptin and insulin were measured in the amniotic fluid.

Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hot flushes, endometrium, and vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women: a 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate in a 12-month, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study whether pure administration of the phytoestrogen genistein (54 mg/d) might reduce the number and severity of hot flushes in postmenopausal women with no adverse effect on the endometrium.

Design: A total of 389 participants met the main study criteria and were randomly assigned to receive the phytoestrogen genistein (n=198) or placebo (n=191). About 40% of participants in both groups did not suffer from hot flushes, and the evaluation was performed in a subgroup of 247 participants (genistein, n=125; placebo, n=122).

C-reactive protein as an early predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To assess whether C-reactive protein at the beginning of the midtrimester is significantly increased in patients who subsequently develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study Design: A total of 72 subjects who underwent a Down screening program between the 14th and 16th weeks of gestation were studied: 32 developed GDM, and 40 were controls. The C-reactive protein serum levels were evaluated in all patients.

Plasma adiponectin concentration in early pregnancy and subsequent risk of hypertensive disorders.

Objective: Adiponectin is an exclusively adipose tissue-derived protein. Low plasma adiponectin levels have been found in hypertensive men. Our objective was to evaluate whether low first-trimester plasma adiponectin values were predictive of hypertensive disorders later in pregnancy.

The effect of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy on homocysteine and C-reactive protein level in postmenopausal women.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect, in postmenopausal women, of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on circulating two independent factors of cardiovascular risk: homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: Ninety healthy postmenopausal women, from 50 to 60 years of age, were randomly assigned to receive genistein (n = 30; 54 mg/die) or continuous combined estrogen/progestin therapy (17-beta-estradiol 1 mg plus norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg) or placebo.

Neurokinin B and nitric oxide plasma levels in pre-eclampsia and isolated intrauterine growth restriction.

Objective: To verify if neurokinin B plasma level is increased in pre-eclampsia and IUGR. Also, to ascertain if there is a correlation between neurokinin B plasma level and nitric oxide production.

Design: A total of 90 pregnant women were studied.

Plasma homocysteine in early and late pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and isolated intrauterine growth restriction.

Background: Elevated circulating homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Increased homocysteine plasma levels have been reported to occur in approximately 20-30% of women with preeclampsia and it has been suggested that they may predict the subsequent development of preeclampsia.

Methods: In a cohort of 1874 pregnant women followed longitudinally, who participated in the Down screening program, 27 developed preeclampsia and 36 intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Is mid-trimester maternal serum inhibin-A a marker of preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction?

Background: To evaluate maternal serum Multiple of Median inhibin-A in mid-trimester blood samples of women who subsequently developed preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction and controls. Also, to verify whether this marker is related to these pathological conditions.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of serum samples from a bank of stored serum, originally taken for Down's syndrome screening over 15-18 weeks, was performed.

ICAM-1 in maternal serum and amniotic fluid as an early marker of preeclampsia and IUGR.

Objective: To determine if plasma and amniotic fluid levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) at 16 weeks' gestation could be predictive of preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Study Design: A retrospective analysis was undertaken in 44 serum samples stored for Down's syndrome screening at 16 weeks' gestation and 44 amniotic fluid samples obtained by midtrimester amniocentesis.

Results: No significant difference was found between women who subsequently developed preeclampsia or IUGR and the control group.