Translation into Portuguese (Brazil), cultural adaptation and validation of Parathyroid Assessment of Symptoms (PAS) in patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is related to high morbidity and mortality and loss of quality of life. Likewise, hyperparathyroidism is associated to progressive loss of renal function, with increased phosphate and decrease calcium levels, which induce the secretion of parathyroid hormone.

Objectives: To translate into Portuguese (Brazil), culturally adapt and validate the questionnaire Parathyroid Symptoms Assessment (PAS), following reliability and validity criteria in patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperparathyroidism.

Birth after low-level +20 Aneuploid Mosaic Embryo Transfer: A Case Report.

Objective: Recently, it has been discussed whether or not mosaic embryo transfers should be performed since they might result in viable pregnancies, although they often end up being discarded. We report a case of successful pregnancy, after a mosaic embryo transfer from an in vitro matured egg and frozen PESA sperm.

Case Description: Tests performed on a female aged 40 years and a male aged 37 years seeking fertility treatment found she had an adequate ovarian reserve and patent fallopian tubes.

A sharing oocyte donation program: a 15-year cohort stud.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and laboratory outcomes of oocyte donation cycles and compare the results from donors and recipients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a reproductive medicine center. A 586 first fresh oocyte donation cycles, performed from 01/2002 to 12/2017 were included.

Fertility preservation: a case report of a newborn following 13 years of oocyte cryopreservation.

Objective: Oocyte cryopreservation enables the storage of genetic material, especially in situations where the ovarian function is compromised, also for women desiring to postpone maternity. Before 2012, oocyte cryopreservation was still experimental, and the success of the procedure was uncertain; however, it was the only possibility that women had for fertility preservation. Thus, we aim to report a case of a birth after 13 years of elective oocyte cryopreservation.

The impact of body mass index on laboratory, clinical outcomes and treatment costs in assisted reproduction: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the body mass index (BMI) on laboratory, clinical outcomes and treatment costs of assisted reproduction, as there are still controversial and inconclusive studies on this subject.

Methods: This research was retrospective cohort study, including women undergoing assisted reproduction in a Reproductive Medicine Center between 2013 and 2020. The participants were divided into groups according to BMI (kg/m): Group 1 < 25; Group 2, 25-29.

Influence of overweight and obesity on perinatal outcomes in assisted reproduction: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: In spontaneous pregnancies, maternal weight and gestational diabetes are independent risk factors for macrosomia and large-for-gestational-age newborns. Furthermore, maternal body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m is associated with worse neonatal vitality, classified as an Apgar score of < 7 at the fifth minute of life. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of BMI on perinatal outcomes in pregnancies resulting from assisted reproduction.

Patients undergoing elective and oncofertility preservation respond similarly to controlled ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation.

Objective: Outcome data for oocyte vitrification for fertility preservation are still scarce despite the scientific and technological advances. Studies suggest that patients with cancer have worse outcomes regarding mature vitrified oocytes when compared to healthy patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the oocyte vitrification response in patients undergoing elective and oncofertility preservation.

Tubal factor, cleavage stage and more than one embryo transferred were risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy after assisted reproductive treatment.

Objective: Ectopic pregnancy is a well-known complication following in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer; studies have questioned, however, whether there are risk factors that could be identified before the procedure. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible risk factors involved in ectopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study performed at an assisted reproduction clinic in Brazil.

Is there a better evolutionary outcome in a 4-cell tetrahedron embryo?

With the growing understanding of in vitro fertilization and reproductive technology, the magnitude of studies related to embryonic evolution has also increased. The optimization of embryo selection is crucial to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancies and to guarantee successful implantation and pregnancy. On the second day of culture, the four-cell embryo can be shaped into different arrangements, such as tetrahedral and planar.

Ectopic pregnancy in left ovary and contralateral uterine tube diagnosed one week apart in In Vitro Fertilization with donor eggs: Case report.

Bilateral ectopic pregnancy is a rare clinical condition with an estimated prevalence of 1/200 000 in spontaneous pregnancies. Studies have found that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is related to ectopic pregnancy independently, but the incidence of tubal disease in the donor egg recipient population is thought to be significantly lower than in the standard IVF population. We report the case of a patient participating in the egg-sharing program, who was diagnosed with ovarian ectopic pregnancy, treated with surgery.

Increased proteinuria and uric acid levels are associated with eclamptic crisis.

Objectives: Eclampsia results in high morbidity and mortality, so it is important to identify clinical and laboratorial aspects that may be useful as potential markers to differentiate women at higher risk. Thus, we aim to identify, among women with preeclampsia, aspects that may increase the risk to develop eclampsia.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Negative Correlation between Placental Growth Factor and Endocan-1 in Women with Preeclampsia.

Objective:  To analyze endocan-1, a biomarker of vascular endothelial related pathologies, and the placental growth factor (PlGF), an angiogenic factor and a placental dysfunction marker in patients with preeclampsia (PE).

Methods:  Case-control study conducted at Hospital São Lucas, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were quantified in the maternal plasma using the MagPlexTH-C microsphere system (MAGPIX System, Luminex, Austin, Texas, US) and evaluated through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and adjusted by body mass index (BMI), gestational age and maternal age.

Reversible hemianopsia in postpartum due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in pregnant with late eclampsia.

Objectives: To describe a case of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome diagnosed in pregnant women with late-eclampsia, as well as its clinical management.

Case Description: A 34 years old patient in her third pregnancy had started with high blood pressure levels during labor; after eleven days postpartum, she presented a decreased right visual acuity; subsequently one episode of seizure followed by partial loss of vision in the right eye. After conducting tests and ruled out stroke, the patient was diagnosed as Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES).

Immature platelet fraction in hypertensive pregnancy.

Background: Imbalance in hemostatic mechanisms can occur during pregnancy with a tendency for hypercoagulability and increased thrombosis risk. Pregnant women with hypertensive disorder, especially preeclampsia, show alterations in platelet indexes. Immature platelet fraction (IPF) has been suggested as a sensitive index for monitoring changes in platelet production and destruction.

Endocan-1 concentrations in maternal and fetal plasma and placentae in pre-eclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Introduction: Endocan-1 has been proposed as a possible biomarker and predictor of vascular endothelial related pathologies. Thus, we hypothesised that Endocan-1 levels would be up-regulated in maternal plasma and placentae from women with pre-eclampsia. The aim of our study was to compare Endocan-1 concentrations in maternal/fetal plasma and placentae from normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Is there any relationship between ABO/Rh blood group and patients with pre-eclampsia?

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between pre-eclampsia and blood groups in a group of pregnant women hospitalized in a University Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil - Hospital São Lucas (HSL)/PUCRS.

Study Design: Our sample consisted of 10,040 pregnant women admitted to the maternity department of HSL between 2005 and 2010. The patients were reviewed retrospectively for inclusion.

Is the atherosclerotic phenotype of preeclamptic placentas due to altered lipoprotein concentrations and placental lipoprotein receptors? Role of a small-for-gestational-age phenotype.

Atherosis of spiral arteries in uteroplacental beds from preeclamptic women resemble those of atherosclerosis, characterized by increased plasma lipids and lipoproteins. We hypothesized that: 1) lipoprotein receptors/transporters in the placenta would be upregulated in preeclampsia, associated with increased maternal and fetal lipoprotein concentrations; and 2) expression of these would be reduced in preeclamptic placentae from women delivering small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Placental biopsies and maternal and umbilical serum samples were taken from 27 normotensive and 24 preeclamptic women.