Intestinal Epithelial Serotonin as a Novel Target for Treating Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and Mood.

Background & Aims: Mood disorders and disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are highly prevalent, commonly comorbid, and lack fully effective therapies. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are first-line pharmacological treatments for these disorders, they may impart adverse effects, including anxiety, anhedonia, dysmotility, and, in children exposed in utero, an increased risk of cognitive, mood, and gastrointestinal disorders. SSRIs act systemically to block the serotonin reuptake transporter and enhance serotonergic signaling in the brain, intestinal epithelium, and enteric neurons.

Are different station formats assessing different dimensions in multiple mini-interviews? Findings from the Canadian integrated French multiple mini-interviews.

Background: Multiple mini-interviews (MMI) are used to assess non-academic attributes for selection in medicine and other healthcare professions. It remains unclear if different MMI station formats (discussions, role-plays, collaboration) assess different dimensions.

Methods: Based on station formats of the 2018 and 2019 Integrated French MMI (IFMMI), which comprised five discussions, three role-plays and two collaboration stations, the authors performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the lavaan 0.

Pax-5 Protein Expression Is Regulated by Transcriptional 3'UTR Editing.

The gene encodes a transcription factor that is essential for B-cell commitment and maturation. However, deregulation is associated with various cancer lesions, notably hematopoietic cancers. Mechanistically, studies have characterized genetic alterations within the -5 locus that result in either dominant oncogenic function or haploinsufficiency-inducing mutations leading to oncogenesis.

Accuracy of rating scale interval values used in multiple mini-interviews: a mixed methods study.

When determining the score given to candidates in multiple mini-interview (MMI) stations, raters have to translate a narrative judgment to an ordinal rating scale. When adding individual scores to calculate final ranking, it is generally presumed that the values of possible scores on the evaluation grid are separated by constant intervals, following a linear function, although this assumption is seldom validated with raters themselves. Inaccurate interval values could lead to systemic bias that could potentially distort candidates' final cumulative scores.

miRNA Profiles in Extracellular Vesicles From Serum Early in Pregnancies Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: Underlying mechanisms leading to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are still under investigation, and it is unclear whether the placenta plays a role in triggering glucose intolerance or if its functions are modified in response to the hyperglycemia. Circulating miRNAs are involved in placental development and function and are encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Objective: To compare differential expression of miRNAs in circulating EVs in pregnancies complicated by GDM vs controls.

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: A Complementary Method Beyond the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to Identify Hyperglycemia During Pregnancy.

Objectives: To compare: 1) 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in identifying gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and other hyperglycemic statuses in pregnant women; 2) pregnancy outcomes according to glycemic status; and 3) participants' opinions regarding both methods.

Methods: A prospective study in women with a 50 g glucose load test ≥7.2 mmol/L at 24 to 28 weeks' gestation and singleton pregnancy.

N 375 - Directive clinique sur l'utilisation de l'échographie au premier trimestre.

Objectif: Révision des indications cliniques de l'échographie du premier trimestre. RéSULTATS: L'échographie au premier trimestre offre des avantages cliniques démontrés. DONNéES PROBANTES: Les données probantes ont été révisées au moyen de recherche dans Medline et selon la bibliographie des articles pertinents.

Thirty-Eight-Year Follow-Up of Two Sibling Lipoid Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patients Due to Homozygous Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (STARD1) Protein Mutation. Molecular Structure and Modeling of the STARD1 L275P Mutation.

Review the impact of StAR (STARD1) mutations on steroidogenesis and fertility in LCAH patients. Examine the endocrine mechanisms underlying the pathology of the disorder and the appropriate therapy for promoting fertility and pregnancies. Published data in the literature and a detailed 38-year follow-up of two sibling LCAH patients.

Rapid Aneuploidy Detection of Chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y Using Quantitative Fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction with Few Microdissected Fetal Cells.

Objectives: Analysis of DNA from small numbers of cells, such as fetal cells in maternal blood, is a major limiting factor for their use in clinical applications. Traditional methods of single-cells whole genome amplification (SCs-WGA) and accurate analysis have been challenging to date. Our purpose was to assess the feasibility of using a few fetal cells to determine fetal sex and major chromosomal abnormalities by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR).

RETIRED: The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the obstetric patient.

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Validation of automatic scanning of microscope slides in recovering rare cellular events: application for detection of fetal cells in maternal blood.

Objective: Detection of rare fetal cells (FCs) in the maternal circulation could be used for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. Considering that FCs in maternal blood are present in extremely low frequency, manual scanning is cumbersome, time-consuming, and unsuitable for clinical applications. As an alternative, we optimized a custom-made classifier for automatic detection of FCs.

Short and inflamed cervix predicts spontaneous preterm birth (COLIBRI study).

Objective: To develop a new strategy of predicting spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) by combination of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) assessment and inflammatory proteins detection in vaginal secretions.

Methods: Prospective study of 87 women referred for cervical length assessment with a standardized TVUS combined to vaginal secretions sampling. Samples were analyzed for presence of 10 cytokines.

A simplified and accurate method for the analysis of urinary metabolites of testosterone-related steroids using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Rationale: The analysis of urinary metabolites of testosterone-related steroids through the measurement of their carbon isotopic signature (δ(13) C) by gas chromatography/combustion/mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) is a confirmation method employed in doping control analyses. Stringent analytical conditions are essential to an accurate and precise analysis as well as the proper selection of the metabolites, which forms the basis of the refined method presented in this paper.

Methods: In a simplified approach, following enzymatic hydrolysis and extraction from a relatively low volume of urine sample, a one-step high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification was developed for seven diagnostic urinary metabolites (TS) including testosterone itself, dehydroepiandrosterone, 5α- and 5β-androstanediol, epitestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone and two endogenous reference compounds (ERC), 5β-pregnanediol and 5α-androst-16-en-3β-ol.

Preservation of organic matter in sediments promoted by iron.

The biogeochemical cycles of iron and organic carbon are strongly interlinked. In oceanic waters, organic ligands have been shown to control the concentration of dissolved iron. In soils, solid iron phases shelter and preserve organic carbon, but the role of iron in the preservation of organic matter in sediments has not been clearly established.

Impact of the creation of a specialized clinic for prenatal blood sampling and follow-up care in pregnant women.

Objective: To evaluate (1) the effect on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening rates of having a specialized clinic for pregnant women offering blood sampling and screening for GDM, and (2) the impact on perinatal outcomes of having early GDM screening and follow-up provided by the specialized clinic.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study, based on electronic health records. We compared data from women who delivered during a period when the Blood Sampling in Pregnancy (BSP) clinic was operating (2008-2009; n = 2780) to a time period before the clinic was established (2006-2007; n = 2591).

PIERS proteinuria: relationship with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome.

Objective: To examine the ability of three different proteinuria assessment methods (urinary dipstick, spot urine protein:creatinine ratio [Pr/Cr], and 24-hour urine collection) to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: We performed a prospective multicentre cohort study, PIERS (Preeclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk), in seven academic tertiary maternity centres practising expectant management of preeclampsia remote from term in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Eligible women were those admitted with preeclampsia who had at least one antenatal proteinuria assessment by urinary dipstick, spot urine Pr/Cr ratio, and/or 24-hour urine collection.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins in cord blood from neonates with intra-uterine growth restriction.

Objective: We verified whether oxidative stress indices (oxidized low-density lipoproteins and malondialdehyde) and inflammatory biomarkers (circulating C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, serum amyloid A and soluble intercellular vascular cell adhesion molecule) are increased in the umbilical vein of placental insufficiency induced intra-uterine growth restricted neonates.

Study Design: The prospective cohort study, involving 3 tertiary care centers, consists of 200 consecutively recruited pregnant women carrying twins. We chose the twin pregnancy model because both fetuses share the same maternal environment, thereby avoiding potential confounding factors when comparing oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers.

Prediction of adverse maternal outcomes in pre-eclampsia: development and validation of the fullPIERS model.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal deaths. These deaths mainly result from eclampsia, uncontrolled hypertension, or systemic inflammation. We developed and validated the fullPIERS model with the aim of identifying the risk of fatal or life-threatening complications in women with pre-eclampsia within 48 h of hospital admission for the disorder.

A positive correlation between hydrogen peroxide and soluble TNF-alpha receptor 2 early in maternal blood and at term in placenta of pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Objectives: We hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and soluble TNF-α receptor 2 (sTNF-R2) co-play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methods: Correlation of H(2)O(2) and sTNF-R2 was assessed in vivo in maternal blood and placenta, and in vitro in cytotrophoblasts culture.

Results: We showed a positive correlation between increased levels of H(2)O(2) and sTNF-R2 early at 10-15 gestational weeks and at term in maternal serum, and in placenta of women with preeclampsia.

SOGC Clinical Practice Guidelines: Obesity in pregnancy. No. 239, February 2010.

Objective: To review the evidence and provide recommendations for the counselling and management of obese parturients.

Outcomes: OUTCOMES evaluated include the impact of maternal obesity on the provision of antenatal and intrapartum care, maternal morbidity and mortality, and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Evidence: Literature was retrieved through searches of Statistics Canada, Medline, and The Cochrane Library on the impact of obesity in pregnancy on antepartum and intrapartum care, maternal morbidity and mortality, obstetrical anaesthesia, and perinatal morbidity and mortality.