Immune-checkpoint proteins, cytokines, and microbiome impact on patients with cervical insufficiency and preterm birth.

Background: Microenvironmental factors, including microbe-induced inflammation and immune-checkpoint proteins that modulate immune cells have been associated with both cervical insufficiency and preterm delivery. These factors are incompletely understood. This study aimed to explore and compare interactions among microbiome and inflammatory factors, such as cytokines and immune-checkpoint proteins, in patients with cervical insufficiency and preterm birth.

Afterbirth oral fluid secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor decreased in acute histologic chorioamnionitis in preterm birth.

Background: Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is an innate anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial peptide and produced in amnion of fetal membranes during pregnancy. However, studies on the association between SLPI levels in amniotic fluid and acute chorioamnionitis are limited. Afterbirth oral fluid (AOF) of the baby could be useful for representing the intra-amniotic environment precisely just before delivery.

Altered Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Related Factors in Pregnant Women in Korea from 2007 to 2019.

Background: Pregnant women are at a high-risk of influenza infection. We have previously reported a low influenza vaccination coverage rate (4.0%) in Korea during the 2006-2007 influenza season.

The Relationship Between Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 in After Birth Oral Fluid and Acute Histologic Chorioamnionitis in Preterm Delivery.

Elevated concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in amniotic fluid is a known predictor of intra-amniotic inflammation and infection. The aim of this study was to determine the nature of the association between MMP-8 levels in oral fluid obtained immediately after birth and acute histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) in preterm delivery. Oral fluid was collected from 93 consecutive preterm birth newborns between gestational weeks of 24 + 0 and 36 + 6.

Associations of exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols with gynecological disorders.

Phthalates and environmental phenols might be associated with some benign diseases that have been found to be hormone-sensitive. Current knowledge on adverse effects of these chemicals among reproductive women is limited and often controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the urinary concentration of phthalates and environmental phenols and gynecological disorders from 512 women of reproductive age.

Decreased expression of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 in fetal membranes with chorioamnionitis among women with preterm birth.

Purpose: Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) have anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. This study aimed to determine the expression of PGRMC1 in fetal membranes among women with preterm labor (PTL), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and acute histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) during preterm birth.

Methods: Full thickness fetal membranes were obtained from women with gestational age-matched (32-34 weeks of gestational age), and categorized as PTL without HCA (PTL, n = 10), PPROM without HCA (PPROM, n = 10), PPROM with HCA (HCA, n = 10), and term without labor and HCA (term birth (TB), n = 9).

Neutrophil elastase in cervical fluid in women with short cervical length.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between short cervical length (CL) and levels of cervical fluid neutrophil elastase (NE), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in the second trimester of pregnancy of women who underwent ultrasound-indicated cervical cerclage.

Materials And Methods: CL of <25 mm or cervical funneling were included in the short CL group (n = 26) and the normal CL group (n = 22) included women who had CL of ≥25 mm and had no cervical funneling in women between 17 + 0 and 24 + 6 weeks of gestation. Levels of NE, SLPI, and IL-8 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Tuberculous peritonitis in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Tuberculous peritonitis in pregnancy is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that is not easily diagnosed. The clinical presentations of tuberculous peritonitis are usually non-specific and mimic those of other diseases, such as ovarian malignancy or chronic liver disease, and this non-specificity can cause diagnostic delays and complications. The authors report the case of a 31-year-old primigravida woman who presented with uncontrolled fever, dyspnea, elevated liver enzymes, and mild abdominal distension at 13+2 weeks of gestation.

Is a cause of postpartum hemorrhage of using of tocolytic agents in preterm delivery?

Objective: Tocolytic agents are used to inhibit uterine contraction in preterm. The authors undertook this study to determine whether using of tocolytic agents before delivery is associated with increase postpartum hemorrhage in preterm delivered women.

Method: 296 singleton pregnancies delivered preterm from 24 + 1 to 37 + 0 weeks gestation were retrospectively reviewed.

Association of food consumption during pregnancy with mercury and lead levels in cord blood.

In utero exposure to mercury and lead has been linked to various adverse health effects related to growth and development. However, there was no evidence on the relationship between food consumption during pregnancy and mercury or lead level in cord blood. Therefore we measured mercury and lead levels in bloods, urines, and cord bloods obtained from 302 pregnant women and estimated relationships between food consumption during pregnancy and mercury or lead level in cord blood to identify perinatal mercury and lead exposures originated from foods during pregnancy.

Borderline amniotic fluid index and perinatal outcomes in the uncomplicated term pregnancy.

Objective: To determine perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated term pregnancies with a borderline amniotic fluid index (AFI).

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at term (>37 weeks). Borderline and normal AFI were defined as 5.