Sex-specific differences in echocardiographic parameters of risk stratification in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: In healthy subjects, sex-differences in right heart function have already been detected for various echocardiographic parameters.

Research Question: The objective of the study was to investigate sex-differences in echocardiographic ESC/ERS risk stratification parameters and their impact on survival estimation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Study Design And Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study with a mean follow-up time of 3.

Cumulative effect of maternal vascular malperfusion types in the placenta on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Introduction: Placental vascular disease, characterized by Maternal Vascular Malperfusion (MVM) lesions, is considered to be the underlying cause of pregnancy complications. Aim is to evaluate the relationship between the cumulative number of MVM lesion types, and adverse pregnancy- and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 272 women with singleton gestations who gave birth at a Dutch tertiary hospital between 2017 and 2018 with available placental histopathology reports.

Second-Trimester Constituents of the Metabolic Syndrome and Pregnancy Outcome: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women in later life. In the general population, metabolic syndrome (MetS) shows identical associations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between GDM, constituents of MetS and pregnancy outcomes.

Role of Beta Cell Function and Insulin Resistance in the Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy complication characterized by second trimester hyperglycemia. Untreated, GDM is related to an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Both beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance underlie impaired glucose tolerance.

The association between decidual vasculopathy and abnormal uterine artery Doppler measurement.

Introduction: Placental syndrome is an umbrella term encompassing the clinical phenotypes of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, and is associated with high maternal and neonatal morbidity. In women with placental syndrome, histologicl examination of the uteroplacental unit commonly demonstrates pathological lesions, such as decidual vasculopathy. Decidual vasculopathy are pathological changes in the spiral arteries, which are associated with adverse outcome in preeclampsia and long-term maternal cardiovascular health.

Blood-brain barrier leakage years after pre-eclampsia: dynamic contrast-enhanced 7-Tesla MRI study.

Objective: Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive complication of pregnancy that is associated with an increased risk of long-term cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Although the underlying mechanism of persistent susceptibility to cerebral complications after pre-eclampsia remains largely unclear, impaired blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity has been suggested to precede several cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the integrity of the BBB years after pre-eclampsia.

Functional connectivity of limbic system and prefrontal cortex years after pre-eclampsia: 7-Tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objective: Pre-eclampsia is a vascular complication of pregnancy, associated with a long-term risk of cerebrovascular and mental disorders. We explored whether formerly pre-eclamptic women exhibit differences in functional brain organization, especially in regions that may explain the commonly reported emotional symptoms and cognitive complaints even years after the pregnancy.

Methods: Formerly pre-eclamptic women and control women with a history of normotensive pregnancy underwent structural and functional 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Preconceptional evaluation of women with recurrent pregnancy loss: the additional value of assessing vascular and metabolic status.

Background: A majority of recurrent pregnancy loss cases (RPL) remains unexplained. We hypothesized that complications in vascular and metabolic status may guide towards underlying problems that also predispose to RPL and that the number of pregnancy losses is related.

Methods: A retrospective study in 123 women with either a history of low-order RPL (2-3 pregnancy losses) or high-order RPL (≥ 4 pregnancy losses) and 20 women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancy (controls) was performed.

7T dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for the detection of subtle blood-brain barrier leakage.

Background And Purpose: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) can be employed to assess the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Detection of BBB leakage at lower field strengths (≤3T) is cumbersome as the signal is noisy, while leakage can be subtle. Utilizing the increased signal-to-noise ratio at higher field strengths, we explored the application of 7T DCE-MRI for assessing BBB leakage.

Ultrasound evaluation of the placenta in healthy and placental syndrome pregnancies: A systematic review.

Introduction: An antepartum screening method to determine normal and abnormal placental function is desirable in the prevention of maternal and fetal pregnancy complications. Placental appearance can easily be obtained and evaluated using 2D ultrasonography, but surprisingly little is known about the change in placental appearance during gestation. Aim of this systematic review was to describe the antepartum placental appearance in placenta syndrome (PS) pregnancies, and to compare this to the appearance in healthy pregnancies.

Preventing Recurrent Preeclampsia by Tailored Treatment of Nonphysiologic Hemodynamic Adjustments to Pregnancy.

[Figure: see text].

The "sex gap" in COVID-19 trials: a scoping review.

Background: Many studies investigate the role of pharmacological treatments on disease course in Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Sex disparities in genetics, immunological responses, and hormonal mechanisms may underlie the substantially higher fatality rates reported in male COVID-19 patients. To optimise care for COVID-19 patients, prophylactic and therapeutic studies should include sex-specific design and analyses.

Spiral artery blood flow during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Downstream remodeling of the spiral arteries (SpA) decreases utero-placental resistance drastically, allowing sustained and increased blood flow to the placenta under all circumstances. We systematically evaluated available reports to visualize adaptation of spiral arteries throughout pregnancy by ultra-sonographic measurements and evaluated when this process is completed.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of spiral artery flow (pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV)) was performed.

The association between first trimester placental biomarkers and placental lesions of maternal vascular malperfusion.

Introduction: Abnormal levels of first trimester placental biomarkers are associated with the development of placental syndrome (PS). However, prediction performance is moderate, possibly explained by the clinical heterogeneity of PS. Aim of this study is to investigate the association between first trimester biomarkers and the presence of maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM), as a marker for placental insufficiency.

Feasibility of three dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography methods to assess placental perfusion.

Objectives: Given the crucial role of the placenta in establishing a healthy pregnancy, reliable non-invasive methods to measure placental perfusion are desirable. The aim of this study is to determine the reproducibility and potential bias in different three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) methods assessing placenta perfusion.

Methods: Ten singleton pregnancies around 16 weeks of gestation, with an anteriorly located placenta and centrally inserted umbilical cord were included in this study.

Characterization of the visceral and neuronal phenotype of 4L/PS-NA mice modeling Gaucher disease.

Gaucher disease is caused by a deficiency in glucocerebrosidase that can result in non-neuronal as well as neuronal symptoms. Common visceral symptoms are an increased organ size, specifically of the spleen, and glucosylceramide as well as glucosylsphingosine substrate accumulations as a direct result of the glucocerebrosidase deficiency. Neuronal symptoms include motor deficits and strong alterations in the cerebellum.

Long-term Immune Response to Yellow Fever Vaccination in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected Individuals Depends on HIV RNA Suppression Status: Implications for Vaccination Schedule.

Background: In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, the immune response over time to yellow fever vaccination (YFV) and the necessity for booster vaccination are not well understood.

Methods: We studied 247 participants of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) with a first YFV after HIV diagnosis and determined their immune responses at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years postvaccination by yellow fever plaque reduction neutralization titers (PRNTs) in stored blood samples. A PRNT of 1:≥10 was regarded as reactive and protective.

[HIV and AIDS: what's new in 2010?].

Antiretroviral therapy is now simpler than ever, with one tablet once daily being the gold standard for the development of new combinations. Indications for treatment initiation have now been extended before moderate immune suppression, taking in account not only the individual benefit, but also the public health aspect of preventing HIV transmission to a sexual partner. New preventing methods have been tested in 2010: microbicides as well as dual antiretroviral treatment in HIV-negative high risk population as a chemoprophylaxis have been published.

[Swiss statements: a two-year follow-up].

An HIV-positive individual who has no other sexually transmitted infection and is on an effective antiretroviral therapy will not transmit the virus by sexual contact. This statement was issued by the Swiss National AIDS Commission in January 2008. It rapidly became known as the "Swiss Statement", and initially provoked a wave of international opposition, fueled by the fear that it would jeopardize current prevention strategies.

Randomized trial of a computerized coronary heart disease risk assessment tool in HIV-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can lead to important metabolic changes and increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Computerized clinical decision support systems have been advocated to improve the management of patients at risk for CHD but it is unclear whether such systems reduce patients' risk for CHD.

Methods: We conducted a cluster trial within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) of HIV-infected patients, aged 18 years or older, not pregnant and receiving cART for >3 months.

Cognitive dysfunction in HIV patients despite long-standing suppression of viremia.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cognitive complaints and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) in a cohort of aviremic HIV-positive patients. To evaluate the relevance of the HIV dementia scale to detect HANDs.

Design: Assessment of HANDs with neuropsychological tests.

Lipodystrophy and weight changes: data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, 2000-2006.

Background And Objectives: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is changing, and this may affect the type and occurrence of side effects. We examined the frequency of lipodystrophy (LD) and weight changes in relation to the use of specific drugs in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS).

Methods: In the SHCS, patients are followed twice a year and scored by the treating physician as having 'fat accumulation', 'fat loss', or neither.

The role of compartment penetration in PI-monotherapy: the Atazanavir-Ritonavir Monomaintenance (ATARITMO) Trial.

Objectives: To limit exposure to anti-HIV drugs and minimize risk of long-term side effects, studies have looked at the possibility of simplified maintenance strategies. Ritonavir-boosted protease-inhibitor (PI)-monotherapies are an attractive alternative, but limited compartmental penetration of PI remains a concern.

Design: Non-comparative 24-week pilot study.

[Treatment of HIV infection in 2006: highlights].

In developed countries, drug therapy has turned HIV infection into a chronic disease. More is known about viral replication and new, easily tolerated drugs will enter the marketplace in 2007 and 2008. For the majority of patients who suffer neither resistance nor intolerance, older molecules are combined in the same pill.