COMBINED FIRST TRIMESTER SCREENING FOR FETAL DOWN SYNDROME AT THE SPLIT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER: A SEVEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE.

The aim of this study was to present the results and to explore the success of combined screening at the Split University Hospital Center. A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed, including all pregnant women who underwent combined screening at the Split University Hospital Center from 2011 to 2017. Data were collected from the hospital archives.

Evaluation of placental oxygenation by near-infrared spectroscopy in relation to ultrasound maturation grade in physiological term pregnancies.

A prospective observational study (ClinicalTrial ID: NCT05771415) was conducted to compare placental oxygenation in low-risk, uncomplicated term pregnancies measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in relation to the placental maturity grade determined by ultrasound assessment according to the Grannum scale. We included 34 pregnancies divided into two groups according to placental maturation. For each pregnancy, measurements were taken at the site above the central part of the placenta (test) and at the site outside of the placenta on the lower abdomen (control).

Does COVID-19 infection acquired in different pregnancy trimester influence placental pathology?

Objectives: To determine the morphological characteristics of the placentas from COVID-19 positive mothers in regard to the trimester of COVID-19 infection onset and low weight molecular heparin (LMWH) treatment.

Methods: Placentas were collected in the period April 1st till September 1st 2021 after delivery at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital Split, Croatia, and sent for pathological examination. Medical history and pathology reports were used to collect the data.

[Molecular diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection. The Chilean experience].

Cervical Cancer (CaCu) has a heterogeneous epidemiological behavior throughout the planet, depending on regional socioeconomic development level. Some developed countries predict a potential eradication of this cancer in the next 100 years, while in Chile it still constitutes a pending challenge. Incidence rates show a slow but sustained downward prob, however, mortality has continued to fluctuate between 500-600 cases per year.

Public-private collaboration in the provision of palliative care for children and adolescents with cancer: A Chilean experience.

Background: In Chile, children and adolescents with cancer in need of palliative care receive services through a collaborative scheme run in coordination between the hospitals of the public health system that attend children with cancer and the non-profit civil society organization Fundación Nuestros Hijos (FNH).

Aim: The main objective of this article is to offer a summary of the Chilean experience in the provision of palliative care services for children and adolescents with cancer, as an example of a public-private partnership that improves the quality of life and the end-of-life experience for the children, adolescents, and their families.

Methods And Results: The palliative care program works with the children and their families as main members of the team, providing medical services for pain and symptom alleviation, psycho-social support, rehabilitation for the improvement of quality of life, and aid to secure the best physical conditions for the child at home or in temporary housing for the whole family.

Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Addition to Folic Acid and Iron Improves Hematological and Biochemical Markers in Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in cell division and is of vital importance during pregnancy. Iron and B12 deficiency increase the risk of neonatal morbidity and the outcome of the overall pregnancy. The aim of our study was to analyze whether the use of vitamin B12, with standard supplements of folic acid and iron among nonanemic pregnant women, will result in improvements of hemogram parameters in terms of hematological and biochemical markers.

Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy as an Uncommon Clinical Problem.

Background: Heterotopic pregnancy refers to the simultaneous coexistence of an intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy. In natural conception it is very rare, with a rising incidence in patients undergoing assisted reproduction technologies. It presents a serious diagnostic problem which is often misdiagnosed.

Maternal body mass index change as a new optimal gestational weight gain predictor in overweight women.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy body-mass index (BMI) and neonatal birth weight.

Methods: The observational study included 2906 mothers and their neonates born from 2005 to 2011 at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Split University Hospital Center. Mothers with singleton term pregnancies who were overweight before pregnancy (BMI 25-29.

A Retrospective Study of Discordant Twin Growth in Dichorionic Twin Pregnancies and Risk of Preterm Delivery at Split University Hospital Centre: Three-Year Experience.

The aim was to determine whether discordant twin growth has an impact on preterm birth in dichorionic pregnancies. This retrospective study included dichorionic twin pregnancies in the period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. The following variables were investigated: maternal age (years), parity, body mass index (kg/m2), week (≤366/7 and ≥37) and mode of delivery (vaginal and cesarean section), birth weight (grams) and Apgar score (≤7, 8-10).

Calculation of optimal gestation weight gain in pre-pregnancy underweight women due to body mass index change in relation to mother's height.

Background: Optimal gestational weight gain has not yet been clearly defined and remains one of the most controversial issues in modern perinatology. The role of optimal weight gain during pregnancy is critical, as it has a strong effect on perinatal outcomes.

Purpose: In this study, gestational body mass index (BMI) change, accounting for maternal height, was investigated as a new criterion for gestational weight gain determination, in the context of fetal growth assessment.

The Impact of Inherited Thrombophilia Types and Low Molecular Weight Heparin Treatment on Pregnancy Complications in Women with Previous Adverse Outcome.

Purpose: To assess the distribution of births and spontaneous abortions, first-trimester abortion (FTA) and mid-trimester abortion (MTA), in untreated (n=128) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treated pregnancies (n=50) of the same women with inherited thrombophilias and adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in previous pregnancies. We particularly investigated the impact of LMWH on reducing the pregnancy complications in two thrombophilia types, "Conventional" and "Novel".

Materials And Methods: 50 women with inherited thrombophilia (26 Conventional and 24 Novel) and APO in previous pregnancies were included in the study.

Fas and FasL expression in placentas complicated with intrauterine growth retardation with and without preeclampsia.

Objective: To compare the level of Fas and FasL immunohistochemical expression in villous trophoblast (VT), extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells, decidual cells (DC), endothelial cells (EC) of villous blood vessels and spiral arteries between the study groups of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) placentas with and without preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: The study included 17 placentas from pregnancies complicated by IUGR + PE and 17 placentas from pregnancies complicated by idiopathic IUGR (I-IUGR). Seventeen placentas from normal pregnancies served as a control group.

The importance of antenatal prevention of RhD immunisation in the first pregnancy.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine which pregnancies are associated with RhD immunisation and haemolytic disease of foetus and newborn (HDFN) when postnatal RhD prophylaxis is applied.

Material And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnancies with RhD immunisation; each of the pregnant women received anti-D immunoglobulin after delivery, miscarriage or invasive antenatal diagnostic procedures. For each pregnancy we analysed the order of pregnancy that caused immunisation as well as the order of the monitored pregnancy and whether the anti-D antibodies caused HDFN.

Low molecular weight heparin treatment and impact of inherited thrombophilia type in pregnancies with previous adverse outcome.

Objective: To assess the impact of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment in 50 pregnancies of women with inherited thrombophilia and adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in previous untreated pregnancies. The impact of "Conventional" (FVL, PT, AT, PC, PS) and "Novel" (MTHFR, PAI-1, ACE) thrombophilias on APO was investigated.

Methods: The primary outcomes (PO) were: early and late pregnancy loss (EPL, LPL), preterm birth (PTB) or term birth (TB) compared to the last untreated pregnancies of the same women.

Evaluating the effects of non-neutral molecular markers on phylogeny inference.

Nucleotide substitution models used in molecular phylogenetics do not account for nucleotide sequences evolving under selection, yet selection is rarely tested for. If non-neutral markers violate these models (i.e.

Asymmetrical fetal growth is not associated with altered trophoblast apoptotic activity in idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation.

Aim: To investigate whether there is difference in trophoblast apoptosis between infants with asymmetrical idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and those with symmetrical fetal growth appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Methods: Data and placentas from 52 singleton term pregnancies with idiopathic IUGR, from which a subgroup of 33 (63.4%) infants with asymmetrical growth and malnutrition was identified using the ponderal index served as a study group.

Is there difference in perinatal outcome of singleton and twin pregnancies after assisted conception: two-year experience.

The aim of the study was to compare perinatal outcome of singleton and twin pregnancies conceived after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This retrospective study included singleton and twin pregnancies conceived after ART in the period from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2008. The study variables were maternal age (years), parity, body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), week (< or =36 (6/7) and > or = 37) and mode of delivery (vaginal and cesarean section), birth weight (grams) and APGAR score (< or = 7; 8-10).

Maternal pre-pregnancy underweight and fetal growth in relation to institute of medicine recommendations for gestational weight gain.

Purpose: Maternal nutritional status is one of the most important factors of fetal growth and development. Consequently, the currently increasing prevalence of underweight women worldwide has come in the focus of interest of perinatal medicine. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of low pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on fetal growth.

Expression of inflammatory cytokines in placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and decidua placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE), Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count (HELLP) syndrome and gestational age-matched controls.

Methods: Study group included 35 placentas from pregnancies complicated with PE and 35 placentas from pregnancies with HELLP syndrome. Control group included 35 placentas from idiopathic preterm labor.

Apoptosis, proliferation and Fas ligand expression in placental trophoblast from pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome or pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To investigate apoptosis, proliferation and Fas ligand expression of placental trophoblast in the hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome and in pre-eclampsia (PE), and to compare this with normal pregnancies.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital in Croatia.

Trophoblast apoptosis in human term placentas from pregnancies complicated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation.

Objective: To investigate proliferative, apoptotic, and antiapoptotic activity of placental trophoblast in pregnancies complicated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Methods: Study group included data and placentas from 52 normal singleton term pregnancies with idiopathic IUGR. Records and placentas from 69 singleton pregnancies with normal fetal growth served as a control group.

Phylogeny and evolution of Indo-Pacific shrimp-associated gobies (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae).

Despite the ubiquity of obligate mutualisms on coral reef ecosystems, little is known about the evolution of many participating species. The shrimp gobies, known primarily from the coral reef habitats of the Indo-Pacific, are small benthic fishes that participate in a remarkable mutualism with alpheid shrimp. In this mutualism, the shrimp build and maintain a burrow that is guarded by the goby, and the shrimp and goby engage in an intricate tactile communication system.

Trophoblast apoptosis in placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Aims: To assess trophoblast apoptosis separately in the cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, total villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and syncytial knot formation, and to investigate the expression of apoptotic factors Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2 and proliferation marker Ki-67 in the trophoblast of placentas from preeclamptic patients.

Methods: The study included placental samples from 25 preeclamptic and 25 normal pregnancies. For the detection of apoptosis and proliferation, antibody M30 and antibody against Ki-67 antigen were used.

Morphological characteristics of placentas associated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation: a clinicopathologic study.

Objectives: To investigate histopathologic findings, placental diameters and characteristics of syncytial knots in the placentas from idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) pregnancies, and to compare them with a normal birth weight group.

Study Design: Based on strict eligibility criteria, this prospective case-control study included 52 term placentas from idiopathic IUGR pregnancies and 69 term placentas from normal birth weight pregnancies. The study was carried out at the Clinical Hospital Centre, Split, where all placentas were collected and examined.