Expression analysis of microRNAs and cytokine mRNAs in pregnancies complicated by gestational hypertension.

Objectives: Gestational hypertension (GH) is one of the most common pregnancy-related complications, however, there is still insufficient knowledge about its development and molecular changes. The aim of our study was to examine the expression of miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in women with GH and to investigate possible correlations between these parameters.

Study Design: The study included 64 pregnant women, placed either in the control or the GH group.

Comparison of Perinatal Outcome of Delta and Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Infection-A Retrospective Observational Study.

: The aim of the present work was to compare the characteristics of delta and omicron variants of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women, the association of infection with comorbidity, clinical manifestation of the disease, type of delivery, and pregnancy outcome. : The study was designed as an observational, retrospective study of a single center. The analysis included the cohort of women who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and/or childbirth in the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Expression of miRNAs and proinflammatory cytokines in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Altered microRNAs (miRNAs) and cytokines expression levels are associated with several pregnancy-induced complications. We evaluated the profile of circulating miRNAs (miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as their potential use as GDM biomarkers. The case-control study included 65 pregnant women divided into 2 groups - GDM and control.

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes in prenatal diagnosis-molecular characterization and clinical outcomes.

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) are infrequent findings in prenatal diagnostics, however they pose a great challenge for prenatal genetic counseling. We report prenatal 12 sSMC cases detected in a single center during 10 years period, their molecular characterization by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or chromosomal microarray (CMA). Those cases were found among 9620 prenatal diagnostic analyzes by GTG-banding technique.

A placenta-on-a-chip model to determine the regulation of FKBPL and galectin-3 in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific cardiovascular disorder, involving significant maternal endothelial dysfunction. Although inappropriate placentation due to aberrant angiogenesis, inflammation and shallow trophoblast invasion are the root causes of preeclampsia, pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly in early pregnancy. Here, we first confirm the abnormal expression of important vascular and inflammatory proteins, FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) and galectin-3 (Gal-3), in human plasma and placental tissues from women with preeclampsia and normotensive controls.

Maternal plasma proteome profiling of biomarkers and pathogenic mechanisms of early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy without a cure. There are two phenotypes of preeclampsia, early-onset (EOPE) and late-onset (LOPE) with poorly defined pathogenic differences. This study aimed to facilitate better understanding of the mechanisms of pathophysiology of EOPE and LOPE, and identify specific biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Can Thyroid Screening in the First Trimester Improve the Prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of the subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) marker, elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid antibodies in their ability to predict subsequent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In a prospective clinical trial, 230 pregnant women were screened for thyroid function during the first trimester of pregnancy. Increased TSH levels with normal free thyroxine (fT4) were considered SCH.

Antioxidant status in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Objective: Pregnancy can be associated with maternal hypertension leading to possible complications in pregnancy outcome. Antioxidant status may be proned to changes during pregnancy with hypertension. The aim of our study was to estimate antioxidant status through high-risk pregnancies.

Cholesterol homeostasis is dysregulated in women with preeclampsia.

Introduction: The link between preeclampsia and dyslipidemia has been established. Even though lipid profile parameters have been intensively investigated in the pathology of preeclampsia, their accurate molecular mechanisms of action have not been fully decoded.

Objectives: We aimed to identify the specifics of cholesterol metabolism in women affected by late-onset preeclampsia and single out potential biomarkers associated with late-onset syndrome.

The role of resistin in early preeclampsia prediction.

Resistin might be involved with general inflammation and endothelial dysfunction observed in preeclampsia. We aimed to investigate longitudinal changes in resistin concentrations during high-risk pregnancies and evaluate their significance in preeclampsia development. Ninety-one patients were recruited at 11-14 weeks of gestation.

Use of FMF algorithm for prediction of preeclampsia in high risk pregnancies: a single center longitudinal study.

: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) screening algorithm for the prediction of preeclampsia.: Out of 138 women with high-risk pregnancies prospectively followed, 30 developed preeclampsia. The clinical examination and biochemical measurements were performed at first, second, early and late third trimester.

Unraveling the role of oxidative stress and lipid status parameters in the onset of preeclampsia.

: The aim of the study was to assess the potential role of oxidative stress and lipid status in the onset of preeclampsia.: 138 high-risk pregnant women were prospectively followed. Assessment of oxidative stress (TAS, TOS, AOPP and SH groups) and lipid status (t-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, TGC, APO-A1, APO-B) was carried out during the pregnancy.

Characterisation of cardiac health in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure model and a 3D cardiac spheroid model, of preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia is a dangerous cardiovascular disorder of pregnancy that leads to an increased risk of future cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Much of the pathogenesis and mechanisms involved in cardiac health in preeclampsia are unknown. A novel anti-angiogenic protein, FKBPL, is emerging as having a potential role in both preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Placenta-specific plasma miR518b is a potential biomarker for preeclampsia.

Introduction: MicroRNAs have a significant role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Circulating microRNAs could represent a potential biomarker for preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma miR210-3p and miR518b in preeclampsia and healthy pregnancy for the first time by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR).

Screening performance of congenital heart defects in first trimester using simple cardiac scan, nuchal translucency, abnormal ductus venosus blood flow and tricuspid regurgitation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze if the addition of simple cardiac scan in cases with increased nuchal translucency (NT) and/or abnormal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow, and/or tricuspid regurgitation (TCR) can improve detection of congenital heart defects (CHD) in chromosomally normal fetuses without non-cardiac defects at 11-13 + 6 gestational weeks in a population of singleton pregnancies.

Methods: During the 10 years period, all singleton pregnancies at 11-13 + 6 weeks were routinely scanned for NT, DV blood flow and TCR assessment and, if a single of these parameters was abnormal, simple cardiac scan with 2D gray scale and color and/or directional power Doppler in 4-chamber (4-CV) and 3 vessel and trachea views (3VTV) was performed.

Results: The sensitivity and specificity of NT ≥ 95th + DV R/A a-wave + TCR in detecting CHD were 77% and 97%, respectively, and of simple cardiac scan, 67% and 98%, respectively.

Increased oxidative stress and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay parameters in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational arterial hypertension.

We investigated whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational arterial hypertension (GH) are associated with increased oxidative stress and DNA damage. Study included 3 groups of pregnant women (GDM, GH and control). DNA damage biomarkers (micronuclei MNi, nucleoplasmic bridges NPBs and nuclear buds NBUDs) were assessed by cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay.

Major risk factors of maternal adverse outcome in women with two or more previous cesarean sections.

Background/aim: Maternal morbidity is defined as any condition that is attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy and childbirth that has a negative impact on the woman's wellbeing. In recent years, a growing trend of cesarean section rates can be seen throughout the world. The aim of this study was to assess factors that might have major impact on maternal adverse outcome in women with two or more previous cesarean sections.

Screening performances of abnormal first-trimester ductus venosus blood flow and increased nuchal translucency thickness in detection of major heart defects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the screening performances of abnormal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow for the detection of heart defects in chromosomally normal fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness at 11-13 + 6 weeks' gestational in a population of singleton pregnancies.

Methods: During an 8-year period, all singleton pregnancies from 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks were scanned for NT and DV blood flow assessment. Two groups of cases with abnormal NT were evaluated: NT ≥ 95th and NT ≥ 99th centile.

Degree and rate of growth discordance in dichorionic twins conceived by in vitro fertilization.

Objective. Our objective was to estimate degree and rate of discordant growth and its impact on perinatal outcome in dichorionic twin pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) compared to those conceived spontaneously. Study Design.

Improved diagnostic accuracy by using secondary ultrasound markers in the first-trimester screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and Turner syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a combination of parameters at first-trimester screening for fetal aneuploidies, including ultrasound assessment of the nasal bone (NB), blood flow in the ductus venosus (DV) and flow across the tricuspid valve.

Methods: Screening for aneuploidy was carried out in 4172 singleton pregnancies between January 2006 and December 2010. Diagnostic accuracy of combined screening [inclusive of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness and maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A] and of secondary ultrasound markers [NB, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and Doppler studies of the DV] obtained at the same visit was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

[Multifoetal pregnancies complicated by reversed arterial perfusion: report of four cases].

Introduction: Twin reversed arterial perfusion syndrome (TRAP) or acardiac anomaly presents a rare and severe complication affecting monochorionic multiple pregnancies occurring in 1 per 35,000 pregnancies or 1 per 100 of monozygotic twins. We report four cases of multiple pregnancies with TRAP diagnosed over the last 2 years, which were under check-up and treatment during the entire pregnancy course finalized by delivery.

Outline Of Cases: In two cases pregnancies were trigeminal, and other two geminal, with acardia of one foetus, by anceps type in three and acephalus in one.