Reference Ranges for Left Modified Myocardial Performance Index: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The modified myocardial performance index (mod-MPI) is a noninvasive Doppler-derived metric used to evaluate fetal cardiac function. However, the reference ranges for mod-MPI in normal fetuses are not clearly defined, which limits the use of this technology in fetuses with potential cardiac compromise. Thus, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of published mod-MPI reference ranges across gestation.

Ovarian reserve markers of women with superficial endometriosis.

Objective: Endometriosis affects up to 10% of reproductive age women and is associated with pelvic pain and subfertility. While previous studies have shown an association between deep and ovarian endometriosis to reduced ovarian reserve, there is no data on the effect of superficial endometriosis on ovarian reserve markers. Hence, we aimed to compare ovarian reserve markers of women with superficial endometriosis to that of women without endometriosis.

Validating staging criteria for sonographic and physical examination for cervical changes at <24 weeks' gestation to predict preterm birth.

Background: Preterm birth represents a significant clinical challenge, and the ability to predict it effectively is a priority in obstetrics. The cervix undergoes specific changes during pregnancy, and staging these changes may offer a valuable predictive model for preterm birth, particularly among women with a midtrimester short cervical length.

Objective: The study aimed to validate a proposed staging model for asymptomatic women with midtrimester short cervical length and to evaluate its potential for predicting preterm birth.

Prenatal diagnosis of lanosterol synthase deficiency: Fetal ultrasound findings as a window on family genetics.

Cholesterol is essential in the brain from the earliest stages of embryonic development. Disruption of cholesterol synthesis pathways that leads to cholesterol deficiency underlies a few syndromes, including desmosterolosis and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. In both syndromes, brain anomalies can occur.

The role of secure instant messaging applications in medical education: Evaluating student satisfaction in a case-based learning program using Siilo.

Background: Instant messaging applications for mobile phones have recently grown in popularity among medical personnel, including both physicians and medical students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education was largely transferred to virtual platforms, making such applications an increasingly important tool for medical education. "Siilo" is a secure instant messaging application that was designed for medical professionals, and offers several advantages over other instant messaging services that are vital for its use in medical settings, including information security, data encryption, and a built-in blurring tool to maintain patient privacy.

The effectiveness of vaginal progesterone in reducing preterm birth in high-risk patients diagnosed with short cervical length after 24 weeks: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the impact of progesterone treatment on maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with a history of preterm birth and short cervical length diagnosed after 24 weeks of gestation.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included women with a history of preterm birth and a transvaginal sonographic cervical length measurement of ≤ 25 mm, diagnosed between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation. Exclusion criteria included prior progesterone treatment, cervical cerclage, or pessary.

A DNA methylation atlas of normal human cell types.

DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mark that governs gene expression and chromatin organization, thus providing a window into cellular identity and developmental processes. Current datasets typically include only a fraction of methylation sites and are often based either on cell lines that underwent massive changes in culture or on tissues containing unspecified mixtures of cells. Here we describe a human methylome atlas, based on deep whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, allowing fragment-level analysis across thousands of unique markers for 39 cell types sorted from 205 healthy tissue samples.

Artificial rupture of membranes as a mode for induction of labor in women with a previous cesarean section- a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Induction of labor in women with a previous cesarean section (CS) is associated with increased rates of uterine rupture and failed attempt for vaginal delivery. Prostaglandins use is contraindicated in this population, limiting available options for cervical ripening.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) as a mode of Induction of labor (IOL) in women with a previous cesarean section.

The role of vaginal progesterone for preterm birth prevention in women with threatened labor and shortened cervix diagnosed after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Objective: To determine whether vaginal progesterone treatment for women with a short cervix, diagnosed after 24 weeks of pregnancy, reduces preterm birth rates.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study that included women with a singleton pregnancy, threatened preterm labor, and a short cervix measured between 24 and 33 weeks. Women who received vaginal progesterone were compared with women who did not receive progesterone.

The effect of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine on the symptoms of women with endometriosis.

Purpose: As the use of the messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine has grown, reports on menstrual changes have arisen. We aimed to examine menstrual bleeding patterns and endometriosis-associated symptoms after receiving the mRNA BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in women with endometriosis, as compared to the control group.

Methods: This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study including a total of 174 women.

Exome sequencing for structurally normal fetuses-yields and ethical issues.

The yield of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) is well established in structurally normal fetuses (0.4-1.4%).

Case report: An unusual presentation of puerperal sepsis.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS; ) is a facultative gram-positive coccus, uncommonly colonizing parturient genitalia, where its presence can potentially lead to a life-threatening invasive infection after delivery. GAS infection typically occurs within the first 4 days post-partum and is characterized by high fever, chills, flashing, abdominal pain, and uterine tenderness. Nonetheless, patients with GAS puerperal sepsis may have an unusual presentation, when fever is absent, and the symptoms and signs can be mild, non-specific, and not indicative of the severity of infection.

Twenty-four versus 48 hours of expectant management in the setting of premature rupture of membranes at term among women with a prior cesarean delivery.

Objectives: Compare two approaches of expectant management in the setting of term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) among women with prior cesarean delivery.

Methods: A retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care center during 2006 to 2017, including primiparous women with singleton pregnancy and a prior low-transverse cesarean delivery who presented with term PROM and requested trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). Outcomes were compared between the two campuses at our center: campus A enabled expectant management up to 48 hours following PROM and campus B enabled up to 24 hours after PROM.

The effect of BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine on menstrual cycle symptoms in healthy women.

Objective: To investigate the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine on women's menstrual cycle.

Methods: In this questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, we assessed menstrual pattern and changes in women who completed the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine 3 months before and after receiving the vaccine. Included were women aged 18-50 years without known gynecologic comorbidities who regularly monitor their menstruation through electronic calendars.

Kinetics of Maternally Derived Anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibodies in Infants in Relation to the Timing of Antenatal Vaccination.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection during early infancy can result in severe disease. We evaluated the durability of maternally-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in infants and its relation to antenatal vaccination timing.

Methods: Sera were prospectively collected at birth and 3 months after delivery from mother-infant pairs following antenatal BNT162b2 vaccination.

Maternal and Neonatal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Neutralization After Antenatal Messenger RNA Vaccination.

We evaluated the neutralization efficiency against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in maternal and cord blood sera after antenatal BNT162b2 vaccination. Neutralizing antibodies against Omicron were lacking at the time of delivery after 2-dose vaccination. A third booster dose was essential in building neutralizing antibody capacity against Omicron among mothers and neonates.

Hyponatremia among preeclampsia patients - a potential sign of severity.

Objectives: Although hyponatremia in preeclamptic patients was previously described, its significance remains unknown. We aimed to describe the prevalence and clinical significance of hyponatremia among a cohort of preeclamptic patients.

Methods: An electronic medical record based retrospective cohort study included all singleton deliveries at Hadassah University Medical Center between 2003 and 2015.

Is birthweight influenced equally by maternal and paternal anthropometry?

Objectives: To elucidate the influence of parental biometric factors on fetal birthweight (BW).

Study Design: This prospective study was conducted between 2015 and 2017 in Hadassah University Hospital. Inclusion criteria included singletons that were born to healthy mothers at 37-41 weeks' gestation and had no growth abnormality or congenital malformation.

The Effect of Gestational Age at BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination on Maternal and Neonatal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody Levels.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy and early infancy can result in severe disease. Evaluating the effect of gestational age at the time of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination on maternal antibody levels and transplacental antibody transfer has important implications for maternal care and vaccination strategies.

Methods: Maternal and cord blood sera were collected from mother-newborn dyads (n = 402), following term delivery after antenatal 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination.

Duration of the second stage of labour and risk of subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

Objectives: To determine the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) associated with the length of second stage of labour in the first term delivery.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University hospital.

Timing of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy and transplacental antibody transfer: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: We aimed to assess the impact of early versus late third-trimester maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination on transplacental transfer and neonatal levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Methods: Maternal and cord blood sera were collected following term delivery after antenatal SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination, with the first vaccine dose administered between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) and receptor-binding domain (RBD) -specific, IgG levels and neutralizing potency were evaluated in maternal and cord blood samples.

Trial of labor after cesarean in primiparous women with fetal macrosomia.

Key Message: Spontaneous labor onset, epidural anesthesia and prior cesarean for non-arrest disorders are strong predictors of successful vaginal birth after cesarean in women delivering a macrosomic fetus.

Purpose: Lower rates of successful vaginal birth after cesarean in association with increasing birthweight were previously reported. We aimed to determine the factors associated with successful trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) among primiparous women with fetal macrosomia.

Factors associated with the development of neonatal hypoglycemia after antenatal corticosteroid administration: It's all about timing.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with neonatal hypoglycemia among neonates exposed to antenatal corticosteroid (ACS).

Methods: A retrospective study conducted during 2017-2019 at a tertiary-care center including all neonates delivered between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation after ACS administration. The primary outcome was neonatal hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dl).