Association of serum copeptin and urinary uromodulin with kidney function, blood pressure and albuminuria at 6 weeks post-partum in pre-eclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with subsequent higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Serum copeptin, as a proxy for vasopressin, and urinary uromodulin, were associated with PE physiopathology and kidney functional mass respectively. We describe concentrations of these proteins in the post-partum period and characterize their association with persistent hypertension (HTN) or albuminuria.

Influence of Timing of Maternal Pertussis Immunization on the Avidity of Transferred Antibodies in Term and Preterm Neonates.

The timing of maternal pertussis vaccination influences the titers of cord-blood anti-pertussis antibodies. Whether it affects their avidity is unknown. We demonstrate in 298 term and 72 preterm neonates that antibody avidity is independent of the timing of maternal vaccination, whether comparing second with third trimester or intervals before birth.

Prediction of spontaneous onset of labor at term (PREDICT study): Research protocol.

Background: Recent studies have shown that elective induction of labor versus expectant management after 39 weeks of pregnancy result in lower incidence of perinatal complications, while the proportion of cesarean deliveries remains stable, or even decreases. Still, evidence regarding collateral consequences of the potential increase of induction of labor procedures is still lacking. Also, the results of these studies must be carefully interpreted and thoroughly counter-balanced with women's thoughts and opinions regarding the active management of the last weeks of pregnancy.

Bio-Engineering of Pre-Vascularized Islet Organoids for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

Lack of rapid revascularization and inflammatory attacks at the site of transplantation contribute to impaired islet engraftment and suboptimal metabolic control after clinical islet transplantation. In order to overcome these limitations and enhance engraftment and revascularization, we have generated and transplanted pre-vascularized insulin-secreting organoids composed of rat islet cells, human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our study demonstrates that pre-vascularized islet organoids exhibit enhanced function compared to native islets, and, most importantly, better engraftment and improved vascularization in a murine model.

Surveillance Studies Reveal Diverse and Potentially Pathogenic-Incriminated Vector Mosquito Species across Major Botswana Touristic Hotspots.

Vector mosquitoes contribute significantly to the global burden of diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife. As such, the spatial distribution and abundance of mosquito species and their surveillance cannot be ignored. Here, we surveyed mosquito species across major tourism hotspots in semi-arid Botswana, including, for the first time, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Mechanisms of Immunomodulation and Cytoprotection Conferred to Pancreatic Islet by Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells.

Inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine activity can reverse inflammation mediated dysfunction of islet grafts. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) possess regenerative, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that hAECs could protect islets from cellular damage induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Shielding islets with human amniotic epithelial cells enhances islet engraftment and revascularization in a murine diabetes model.

Hypoxia is a major cause of considerable islet loss during the early posttransplant period. Here, we investigate whether shielding islets with human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), which possess anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, improves islet engraftment and survival. Shielded islets were generated on agarose microwells by mixing rat islets (RIs) or human islets (HI) and hAECs (100 hAECs/IEQ).

[Occiput posterior presentation at delivery: Materno-foetal outcomes and predictive factors of rotation].

Objectives: To describe the maternal and foetal outcomes of an occiput posterior foetal position at delivery; to evaluate predictive factors of anterior rotation during labour.

Methods: Descriptive retrospective analysis of a cohort of 439 women with foetuses in occiput posterior position during labour. Logistic regression analysis to quantify the effect of factors that may favour anterior rotation.

[Obstetrics].

During the past year, we have renewed interest in old well-known problems. New studies and guidelines have been issued about lung maturation in cases of preterm delivery after 37 weeks of gestation. Short term benefits have been proven but the number of cases needed to treat to prevent one case of respiratory complications is high and with possible neurological long-term effects.

Pregnancy-induced Changes in Corneal Biomechanics and Topography Are Thyroid Hormone Related.

Purpose: To identify biomechanical and topographic changes of the cornea during pregnancy and the postpartum period and its association to hormonal changes.

Design: Prospective single-center observational cohort study.

Methods: Participants were 24 pregnant women (48 eyes), monitored throughout pregnancy and after delivery.

Pertussis Antibody Transfer to Preterm Neonates After Second- Versus Third-Trimester Maternal Immunization.

Preterm infants are most vulnerable to pertussis. Whether they might benefit from maternal immunization is unknown. Extending our previous results in term neonates, this observational study demonstrates that second- rather than third-trimester maternal vaccination results in higher birth anti-pertussis toxin titers in preterm neonates.

Maternal positioning to correct occiput posterior fetal position during the first stage of labour: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the hands and knees position during the first stage of labour to facilitate the rotation of the fetal head to the occiput anterior position.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland.

Maternal Immunization Earlier in Pregnancy Maximizes Antibody Transfer and Expected Infant Seropositivity Against Pertussis.

Background: Maternal immunization against pertussis is currently recommended after the 26th gestational week (GW). Data on the optimal timing of maternal immunization are inconsistent.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational noninferiority study comparing the influence of second-trimester (GW 13-25) vs third-trimester (≥GW 26) tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunization in pregnant women who delivered at term.

[Prevention of preterm birth with vaginal progesterone in women with preterm labor: which are the evidences?].

The presence of uterine contractions and a short cervix at less than 37 weeks of gestation (preterm labor) is an important risk factor for a preterm birth. Currently, there is not treatment able to reduce the risk of preterm birth in this high risk group of women. Vaginal progesterone has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of preterm birth in asymptomatic women with a prior preterm birth and in women with a short cervix, measured by vaginal ultrasound before 24 weeks of gestation.

Population differences and the effect of vaginal progesterone on preterm birth in women with threatened preterm labor (.).

Objective: Threatened preterm labor (tPTL) is a complication of pregnancy. Identification of women and clinical definition differs between countries. This study investigated differences in tPTL and effectiveness of vaginal progesterone to prevent preterm birth (PTB) between two countries.

Prevention of preterm delivery with vaginal progesterone in women with preterm labour (4P): randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of 200 mg of daily vaginal natural progesterone to prevent preterm birth in women with preterm labour.

Design: Multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Twenty-nine centres in Switzerland and Argentina.

Influenza vaccination given at least 2 weeks before delivery to pregnant women facilitates transmission of seroprotective influenza-specific antibodies to the newborn.

Background: Pregnant women and infants are at higher risk of complications secondary to influenza infection. Immunization during pregnancy facilitates protection of the neonates through passive transfer of maternal antibodies.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed during the post-H1N1 pandemic winter season of 2010/2011 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Maternal positioning to correct occipito-posterior fetal position in labour: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The occipito-posterior (OP) fetal head position during the first stage of labour occurs in 10-34% of cephalic presentations. Most will spontaneous rotate in anterior position before delivery, but 5-8% of all births will persist in OP position for the third stage of labour. Previous observations have shown that this can lead to an increase of complications, such as an abnormally long labour, maternal and fetal exhaustion, instrumental delivery, severe perineal tears, and emergency caesarean section.

OS108. Preeclamptic women display salt sensitivity and cardiovascular damage before their menopause.

Introduction: Salt sensitivity is an important cardiovascular risk factor. It has been shown that preeclamptic (PEC) women may not be totally cured after the delivery and keep a higher cardiovascular risk than nonPEC women.

Objectives: We aimed to study the salt sensitivity of the blood pressure in women with a history of severe preeclamspia and women with no history of hypertensive complications.

[Correcting occiput posterior position during labor: the role of maternal positions].

Occipito-posterior presentation represents 10 to 34% of cephalic presentations in early labor. Spontaneous rotation during labor to occipito-anterior mode occurs in most cases, but 5 to 8% of fetuses will persist in posterior position for the expulsive phase of delivery. Previous research has shown that this presentation carries an increased risk of unusually long labor, maternal and fetal exhaustion, instrument-assisted delivery, severe perineal injury, and cesarean section.

Maternal heart rate changes during labour.

Objectives: Labour and delivery represent a considerable effort for pregnant women. Lack of aerobic fitness may limit pushing efforts during childbirth and represents increased cardiovascular strain and risk. Increasing prevalence of sedentary behaviour and lack of aerobic fitness may reduce heart rate reserve during labour.

Prepregnancy body mass index and resting metabolic rate during pregnancy.

Aim: The resting metabolic rate (RMR) varies among pregnant women. The factors responsible for this variability are unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of the prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) on the RMR during late pregnancy.

Effects of recommended levels of physical activity on pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: We sought to examine the relation between recommended levels of physical activity during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.

Study Design: We conducted an observational study with energy expenditure, aerobic fitness, and sleeping heart rate measured in 44 healthy women in late pregnancy. Medical records were examined for pregnancy outcome.