Tricky TRIC: A replication study using trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix to study genetic birth defects.

Objective: Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis has recently been introduced for a limited number of monogenetic disorders. However, the majority of DNA diagnostics still require fetal material obtained using an invasive test. Recently, a novel technique, TRIC (Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix), has been described, which collects fetal trophoblast cells by endocervical sampling.

Total bile acids in the maternal and fetal compartment in relation to placental ABCG2 expression in preeclamptic pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome.

Objective: To investigate total bile acid (TBA) levels in maternal (MB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) in normotensive, preeclamptic (PE), and PE pregnancies complicated by hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome in the context of ABCG2 placental gene expression levels, a recently reported placental bile acid transporter.

Methods: TBA levels were determined in 83 paired MB and UCB samples of normotensive, PE and PE/HELLP pregnancies and in 22 paired arterial and venous UCB samples from uncomplicated term pregnancies. ABCG2 gene expression was measured in 104 human placentas by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Intussusception during pregnancy after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

In fertile women, the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is being increasingly performed. Pregnancy and LRYGB both give an increased risk of intussusception, which can lead to bowel necrosis, sepsis and preterm labour. We describe two pregnant women with a history of LRYGB who presented to the emergency department with non-specific abdominal pain.

[Risks of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is defined as pruritus during pregnancy in the absence of primary skin lesions, combined with an increase in serum total bile salts and/or abnormal serum liver tests. This article provides an insight into the diagnostic and therapeutic considerations by presenting two cases. ICP usually presents around 34 weeks of gestation, but can be present early in pregnancy as described in a 32-year-old patient pregnant after in-vitro fertilization.

HELLP syndrome preceded by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: one serious itch.

We present four women with seven ongoing pregnancies. Five pregnancies were complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and severe haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome with uncommon maternal morbidity. The combination of ICP and HELLP syndrome has not previously been reported.

Molecular genetics of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome - a review.

Preeclampsia is characterised by new onset hypertension and proteinuria and is a major obstetrical problem for both mother and foetus. Haemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is an obstetrical emergency and most cases occur in the presence of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia and HELLP are complicated syndromes with a wide variety in severity of clinical symptoms and gestational age at onset.

Expression of placental FLT1 transcript variants relates to both gestational hypertensive disease and fetal growth.

The recent discovery of additional alternative spliced FLT1 transcripts encoding novel soluble (s)FLT1 protein isoforms complicates both the predictive value and functional implications of sFLT1 in preeclampsia. We investigated FLT1 expression levels and splicing patterns in placentas of normotensive and preeclamptic women, and established the tissue specificity of all FLT1 transcript variants. mRNA levels of sFLT1 splice variants were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 21 normal human tissues and placental biopsies from 91 normotensive and 55 preeclamptic women.

Leukocyte activation and circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles in preeclampsia.

Problem: Preeclampsia shows characteristics of an inflammatory disease including leukocyte activation. Analyses of leukocyte-derived microparticles (MP) and mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes in leukocytes may establish which subgroups of leukocytes contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

Method Of Study: Blood samples were obtained from preeclamptic patients, normotensive pregnant and non-pregnant controls.

Development of real-time PCR assays for the quantitative detection of Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, comparison of TaqMan probes, and molecular beacons.

Human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause serious complications in immunocompromised patients. Rapid diagnosis of EBV and CMV infection is critical in the management of the disease so that anti-viral therapy can be started early. Here we describe the development of real-time PCR assays using TaqMan probes and molecular beacons and compare the performance of both assays with a well-established, validated, gel-based PCR method for the quantification of EBV and CMV in patients' samples.