Characterization of components of resistance to Corn Stunt disease.

Corn Stunt is an important disease in the Americas due to it high prevalence and the yield reductions that can cause when present. However, changes in the presence of this disease across years hampers the effective identification of resistant genotypes to this disease. To avoid the limitations of phenotypic selection under natural pressure, this research aimed to devise an effective strategy to screen disease-resistant genotypes in the absence of high and constant natural pressures.

FABP4 in Gestational Diabetes-Association between Mothers and Offspring.

Fetuses exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a higher risk of abnormal glucose homeostasis in later life. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are still not fully understood. Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) appears to be one of the most probable candidates involved in the pathophysiology of GDM.

Umbilical Cord SFRP5 Levels of Term Newborns in Relation to Normal and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain.

Among the new adipokines, secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is considered to prevent obesity and insulin resistance. The umbilical cord SFRP5 levels have not yet been investigated. The main aim of the study was to investigate whether the umbilical cord SFRP5 concentrations are altered in term neonates born to mothers with excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG).

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4-An "Inauspicious" Adipokine-In Serum and Urine of Post-Partum Women with Excessive Gestational Weight Gain and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

The exact roles of adipokines in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and obesity are still unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) concentrations in the serum and urine of women with excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the early post-partum period, with reference to their laboratory test results, body composition, and hydration status. The study subjects were divided into three groups: 24 healthy controls, 24 mothers with EGWG, and 22 GDM patients.

Heat Shock Proteins as a Potential Therapeutic Target in the Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What We Know so Far.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex condition that involves a variety of pathological mechanisms, including pancreatic β-cell failure, insulin resistance, and inflammation. There is an increasing body of literature suggesting that these interrelated phenomena may arise from the common mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Both obesity-associated nutrient excess and hyperglycemia disturb ER function in protein folding and transport.

Ghrelin in Serum and Urine of Post-Partum Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Women with a previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases in the future. The aim of the study was to evaluate ghrelin concentrations in serum and urine in the GDM group in the early post-partum period, with reference to laboratory results, body composition, and hydration status. The study subjects were divided into two groups, that is, 28 healthy controls and 26 patients with diagnosed GDM.

Preeclampsia - Current Management and Future Approach.

Preeclampsia is one of the most serious pregnancy - specific medical conditions of increasing incidence. It remains a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although maternal mortality is especially high in developing countries, preeclampsia and its complications are one of the top four causes of maternal deaths even in developed societies.

Predictors of cesarean delivery in cervical ripening and labor induction with Foley catheter.

The aim of this paper is to identify predictors of cesarean delivery (CD) in patients with an unfavorable cervix undergoing cervical ripening and labor induction with Foley catheter. A retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies induced using Foley catheter was performed to evaluate whether factors in the maternal history and during the process of labor induction are useful in predicting the risk of CD. During the study period there were 2221 births in the Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.

The Role of Interleukin-17, Interleukin-23, and Transforming Growth Factor- in Pregnancy Complicated by Placental Insufficiency.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interleukin-23 (IL-23), and transforming growth factor- (TGF-) in pregnancy complicated by placental insufficiency and in normal pregnancy.

Material And Methods: The study comprised 34 patients with pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with preeclampsia (PE), as well as 35 healthy pregnant women. The concentrations of IL-17, IL-23, and TGF- in sera from maternal peripheral blood were determined by an immunoenzymatic assay.

Fetal programming of the metabolic syndrome.

Prenatal development is currently recognized as a critical period in the etiology of human diseases. This is particularly so when an unfavorable environment interacts with a genetic predisposition. The fetal programming concept suggests that maternal nutritional imbalance and metabolic disturbances may have a persistent and intergenerational effect on the health of offspring and on the risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Perinatal outcome according to chorionicity in twins - a Polish multicenter study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the perinatal outcome of twin gestations and estimate the influence of chorionicity on the outcome in a large cohort of twin pregnancies in Poland.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 465 twin deliveries in 6 Polish centers in 2012 was conducted. Baseline characteristics, the course of pregnancy and labor, as well as the neonatal outcome were analyzed in the study group and according to chorionicity.

Stress experienced by women after premature labor is conditioned by their personality.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze a possible correlation between personality traits and the level of stress experienced by women after premature labor.

Material And Methods: The analysis was carried out on the basis of a study conducted in 96 women after premature labor. The following tools were used: Personality Inventory NEO-FFI, Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (SSR:OITN), and personal data questionnaire.

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule and Endogenous NOS Inhibitor: Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) and endogenous NOS inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), as markers of endothelium dysfunction in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Patients And Methods: The levels of s-ICAM-1 and ADMA were analysed in the group of 56 patients with GDM and compared to 25 healthy pregnant women. The concentrations of s-ICAM-1 and ADMA were measured in serum using ELISA tests.

A Prevention of Pre-eclampsia with the Use of Acetylsalicylic Acid and Low-molecular Weight Heparin - Molecular Mechanisms.

Pre-eclampsia appears to be the main cause for the maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia are more likely to be threatened with conditions which potentially may be lethal, such as: disseminated intravascular coagulation, cerebral hemorrhage, liver and renal failure. Pregnancy complicated with pre-eclampsia is also associated with a greater risk for iatrogenic prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, premature abruption of placenta, and even intrauterine fetal death.

Intra-uterine Growth Retardation as a Risk Factor of Postnatal Metabolic Disorders.

Intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) represents one of the major problems in perinatal medicine. IUGR is one of main causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. A huge number and variety of established and possible causes of IUGR have been described.

Precision of the retinal tomograph as a screening device.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph 3 (HRT3) as a screening device in comparison with the reference standard of Octopus standard automated perimetry results (SAP) combined with clinical findings.

Methods: All patients underwent screening examinations and investigations within a single day. Abnormal screening results were classified as follows: The HRT3: Either "borderline" or "outside normal limits" using the global Moorfields classification (MFC); SAP and clinical exam: A mean defect>2.

Systematic Occlusion of Shunts: Control of Early Postoperative IOP and Hypotony-related Complications Following Glaucoma Shunt Surgery.

Objective: Evaluation of a protocol of total intraluminal occlusion of Baerveldt shunts and its effects on early postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) control and hypotony-related complications.

Design: This was a noncomparative, prospective, and interventional study.

Participants: Glaucoma patients were recruited to undergo Baerveldt shunt surgery.

The critical role of Th17 cells, Treg cells and co-stimulatory molecules in the development of pre-eclampsia.

There are suggestions in the literature that pre-eclampsia has an immunological basis, in which there is a failure of the immune system to recognize fetal alloantigens. It seems that abnormal activation of the inflammatory response may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Many authors have found a number of changes in the immune system which might have contributed to its development.

T CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes are more susceptible for apoptosis in the first trimester of normal human pregnancy.

Aims: Normal human pregnancy is a complex process of many immunoregulatory mechanisms which protect fetus from the activation of the maternal immune system. The aim of the study was to investigate the apoptosis of lymphocytes in peripheral blood of normal pregnant patients and healthy nonpregnant women.

Methods: Sixty pregnant women and 17 nonpregnant women were included in the study.

Late prematurity in twins: a Polish multicenter study.

The study aimed at investigating the impact of late prematurity (LPT) on neonatal outcome in twins and neonatal morbidity and mortality within LPT with regard to the completed weeks of gestation. The study was conducted in six tertiary obstetric departments from different provinces of Poland (Warsaw, Lublin, Poznan, Wroclaw, Bytom). It included 465 twin deliveries in the above centers in 2012.

The impact of substance P on the pathogenesis of insulin resistance leading to gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the most often medical conditions during pregnancy affecting 5-6% of all pregnancies. The etiology of gestational diabetes is not clearly understood. In obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2, abnormal insulin signaling is an important agent mediating the increase of insulin resistance.

Anticoagulant therapy in pregnant patients with metabolic syndrome: a review.

Pregnancy is a specific state of heightened coagulability related to the increase in procoagulant agents and to the reduced fibrinolysis. Pregnancy is associated with a 4-fold increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) and this risk still increases to 14-fold during puerperium. A correlation between the metabolic syndrome and development of cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular incidents has been described.