Finding maximal exact matches in graphs.

Background: We study the problem of finding maximal exact matches (MEMs) between a query string Q and a labeled graph G. MEMs are an important class of seeds, often used in seed-chain-extend type of practical alignment methods because of their strong connections to classical metrics. A principled way to speed up chaining is to limit the number of MEMs by considering only MEMs of length at least ( -MEMs).

The role of a new three-dimensional ultrasound technique in the diagnosis of levator ani muscle avulsion.

Aims: To evaluate the intermethod agreement between the tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), considered as the gold standard, and the OmniView-VCI in the diagnosis of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion and in the measurement of levator-urethral gap (LUG).

Methods: We acquired dynamic 4D transperineal ultrasound volumes from 114 women. Each data set was analyzed on maximal pelvic floor contraction by TUI and OmniView-VCI techniques to check for LAM avulsion.

Dynamic changes of fetal head descent at term before the onset of labor correlate with labor outcome and can be improved by ultrasound visual feedback.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dynamic changes of angle of progression (AoP) before the onset of labor and their correlation with labor outcome and to investigate the effect of visual feedback using transperineal ultrasound on maternal pushing.

Methods: We recruited a group of low-risk nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy at term. We measured AoP at rest, during pelvic floor contraction and Valsalva maneuver (before and after visual feedback).

Shared decision-making for delivery mode: An OPTION scale observer-based evaluation.

Objective: Shared decision-making (SDM) may help to reduce the rate of Cesarean Delivery (CD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent to which pregnant women are involved in SDM about the mode of delivery, applying the Italian version of the OPTION scale to obstetric consultations.

Methods: Fifty-eight outpatient consultations were rated; statistical associations between OPTION scores and sociodemographic data of both patient and physicians were determined.

Comparison of two "a priori" risk assessment algorithms for preeclampsia in Italy: a prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: To compare the performance of the algorithms proposed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation in 2012 and BCNatal in 2013 in an Italian population.

Methods: A multicentric prospective study was carried out which included pregnancies at 11-13 weeks' gestation from Jan 2014 through May 2017. Two previously published algorithms were used for the calculation of the "a priori" risk of preeclampsia (based on risk factors from medical history) in each individual.

Emilia-Romagna Study on Pregnancy and Exposure to Antiepileptic drugs (ESPEA): a population-based study on prescription patterns, pregnancy outcomes and fetal health.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of antiepileptic drug (AED) exposure in pregnant women and the comparative risk of terminations of pregnancy (TOPs), spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, major birth defects (MBDs), neonatal distress and small for gestational age (SGA) infants following intrauterine AED exposure in the Emilia Romagna region, Italy (4 459 246 inhabitants on 31 December 2011).

Methods: We identified all deliveries and hospitalised abortions in Emilia Romagna in the period 2009-2011 from the certificate of delivery assistance registry (Certificato di Assistenza al Parto- CedAP) and the hospital discharge card registry, exposure to AEDs from the reimbursed drug prescription registries, MBDs from the regional registry of congenital malformations, and Apgar scores and cases of SGA from the CedAP. Records from different registries were linked.

Correction to: Management of pregnancy-related issues in multiple sclerosis patients: the need for an interdisciplinary approach.

The original version contained a mistake. The authors have specified only in a few paragraphs that all the contents of the paper are meant for Copaxone but not for unbranded glatiramer acetate, Authors ask to add the specification of Copaxone or branded glatiramer acetate everytime.

Three-dimensional/four-dimensional transperineal ultrasound: clinical utility and future prospects.

During the last decade, there has been a huge advancement in the use of transperineal ultrasound (TPU) in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Its main applications in obstetrics include the monitoring of fetal progression in labor and recently the assessment of maternal pelvic dimensions, whereas in gynecology, TPU is at present widely used for the evaluation of the female pelvic floor, opening new boundaries for the assessment of pelvic floor disorders. The association of volumetric three-dimensional techniques has largely contributed to the remarkable progress that has occurred in the use of TPU.

Management of pregnancy-related issues in multiple sclerosis patients: the need for an interdisciplinary approach.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), most probably autoimmune in origin, usually occurring in young adults with a female/male prevalence of approximately 3:1. Women with MS in the reproductive age may face challenging issues in reconciling the desire for parenthood with their condition, owing to the possible influence both on the ongoing or planned treatment with the possible consequences on the disease course and on the potential negative effects of treatments on foetal and pregnancy outcomes. At MS diagnosis, timely counselling should promote informed parenthood, while disease evolution should be assessed before making therapeutic decisions.

Circulating mRNA in Maternal Plasma at the Second Trimester of Pregnancy: A Possible Screening Tool for Cardiac Conotruncal and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Abnormalities.

Objective: Maternal plasma is a source of circulating placental nucleic acids. This study was designed to detect aberrantly expressed placental mRNA genes circulating in the maternal plasma of pregnancies affected with fetal conotruncal anomalies (CNTRA) and left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: This was a retrospective monocentric study conducted from 1 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2016.

Reduced short-term variation following antenatal administration of betamethasone: Is reduced fetal size a predisposing factor?

Objective: To assess the association between fetal size and the incidence of reduced short-term variability (STV) following bethametasone administration for fetal lung maturity.

Study Design: This was a retrospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted in two Tertiary University Units. Only uncomplicated singleton pregnancies admitted for threatened preterm labor between 26 and 34 weeks and submitted to betamethasone for fetal lung maturity were included.

Perinatal Outcomes of Non-Primary Maternal Cytomegalovirus Infection: A 15-Year Experience.

Objective: To evaluate perinatal outcomes in case of non-primary maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with active CMV infection referred to our unit over a 15-year period (January 2000 to December 2014). Non-primary infection was diagnosed on the basis of the results of confirmatory serological and virological tests (avidity test, immunoblotting, real-time PCR-DNA).

Elevated maternal placental protein 13 serum levels at term of pregnancy in postpartum major hemorrhage (>1000 mLs). A prospective cohort study.

Problem: To compare placental protein 13 (PP13) levels in the serum of women with primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) with a control population.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between May 2014 and May 2016 and included 435 pregnant women at term (38 weeks gestation) without any known risk factor and with normal labor. Multiples of median (MoM) were used to evaluate differences of the PP13 values between cases and controls.

Antiphospholipid antibody profile based obstetric outcomes of primary antiphospholipid syndrome: the PREGNANTS study.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune, hypercoagulable state that is caused by antiphospholipid antibodies. Anticardiolipin antibodies, anti-β2 glycoprotein-I, and lupus anticoagulant are the main autoantibodies found in antiphospholipid syndrome. Despite the amassed body of clinical knowledge, the risk of obstetric complications that are associated with specific antibody profile has not been well-established.

Automated 3D ultrasound measurement of the angle of progression in labor.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility and reliability of an automated technique for the assessment of the angle of progression (AoP) in labor by using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound.

Methods: AoP was assessed by using 3D transperineal ultrasound by two operators in 52 women in active labor to evaluate intra- and interobserver reproducibility. Furthermore, intermethod agreement between automated and manual techniques on 3D images, and between automated technique on 3D vs 2D images were evaluated.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Prognostic Value of Maternal DNAemia at Amniocentesis.

Background: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of childhood hearing loss and can lead to neurodevelopmental delay. To date, few studies have examined the correlation between maternal viremia and congenital HCMV infection. The aim of our study was to ascertain if HCMV DNA in the peripheral blood of pregnant women with primary HCMV infection at the time of amniocentesis may have a prognostic value in terms of congenital infection and neonatal symptomatic disease.

Chronobiology, sleep-related risk factors and light therapy in perinatal depression: the "Life-ON" project.

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) has an overall estimated prevalence of roughly 12 %. Untreated PND has significant negative consequences not only on the health of the mothers, but also on the physical, emotional and cognitive development of their children. No certain risk factors are known to predict PND and no completely safe drug treatments are available during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

An innovative test for non-invasive Kell genotyping on circulating fetal DNA by means of the allelic discrimination of K1 and K2 antigens.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present a new method for fetal Kell genotyping by means of the allelic discrimination of K1 and K2 in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction incorporating an allele-specific primer was developed for detecting the K allele of KEL.

Results: By means of this method, the K1/K2 genotype was able to be determined in all blood samples analyzed.

Automated Measurement of the Angle of Progression in Labor: A Feasibility and Reliability Study.

Objectives: The aim of this paper was to assess the feasibility and reliability of a new automated method for the measurement of the angle of progression (AoP) in labor.

Methods: AoP was assessed using two-dimensional transperineal ultrasound by two operators in 52 women in active labor to evaluate intra- and interobserver reproducibility. The intermethod agreement between automated and manual techniques was analyzed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman method.

Cardiotocographic findings in the second stage of labor among fetuses delivered with acidemia: a comparison of two classification systems.

Background: The RCOG classification system of CTG trace is widely used for the analysis of the fetal heart rate during the first and second stage of labor. Other authors proposed specific classification systems for the second stage traces.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of RCOG and Piquard cardiotocographic patterns classification systems in predicting fetal acidemia in the second stage of labor.

Maternal plasma mRNA species in fetal heart defects: a potential for molecular screening.

Objective: To verify the hypothesis that aberrant placental mRNA genes related to cardiogenesis can be detected in maternal plasma at the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: NanoString technology was used to identify aberrant genes, comparing 39 women carrying a fetus with a congenital heart defect (CHD) to 31 controls at 19-24 weeks of gestation. The genes with differential expression were subsequently tested using real time polymerase chain reaction.

Agreement between two 3D ultrasound techniques for the assessment of the subpubic arch angle.

Objectives: To assess the reliability of a new three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound technique for the measurement of the subpubic arch angle (SPA) and the agreement between two contrast-enhancing 3D ultrasound techniques.

Methods: We acquired two static 3D transperineal volumes from 72 nulliparous women using two ultrasound machines equipped with two different 3D contrast enhancement and linear reconstruction softwares: 1. Oblique View Extended Imaging with HD-Volume Imaging (OVIX-HDVI™), Samsung; 2.

Evaluation of quantitative fFn test in predicting the risk of preterm birth.

Objective: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of quantitative fetal fibronectin (qfFN) test in predicting preterm birth (PTB) risk <34 weeks' gestation or within 14 days from testing. We explored the predictive potential of the test in five-predefined PTB risk categories based on predefined qfFN thresholds (<10, 10-49, 50-199, 200-499 and ≥500 ng/mL).

Methods: Measurement of cervicovaginal qfFN with Rapid fFN 10Q System (Hologic) in 126 women with singleton pregnancy (23-33 weeks' gestation) reporting signs and symptoms indicative of preterm labour (PTL).

Subpubic Arch Angle and Mode of Delivery in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women.

Objective: To assess whether subpubic arch angle (SPA) measurement before labor onset can predict labor outcome among low-risk pregnant women.

Methods: 3D ultrasound volume was transperineally acquired from a series of nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancy at term before the onset of labor. SPA was measured offline using Oblique View Extended Imaging (OVIX) on each volume performed by an investigator not involved in the clinical management.