Cytokines of Cervical Mucosa and Human Papilloma Virus Infection of the Cervix: A Descriptive Study.

Objective: The production of cytokines by various cervical cells can be triggered by antigenic stimuli, including human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate differences in cytokine levels between various intraepithelial cervical lesions.

Study Design: A total of 97 women participated in this descriptive study.

Microparticles hyperactivity in a case of intrauterine growth restriction.

A case of a residual intrauterine fetal growth is described in a primiparous woman, aged 33 years, undergoing the 37th week of pregnancy. The patient was admitted to the outpatient department of the present clinic complaining of decreased fetal movement in the past few days. The cardiotocography (CTG) was non reactive, with reduced variability for a period of more than 30 minutes.

Minimally invasive techniques for female stress urinary incontinence, how, why, when.

Aim: The main purpose of this paper is to summarize the recent experience that has been obtained till now in the surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence with less invasive techniques.

Materials And Methods: We used current literature and papers published in MEDLINE and Cochrane library. The keywords used for this review were Stress urinary incontinence, Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), Transobturator tape (TOT, TVT-O), and Single-incision mini-slings (SIMS).

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are common disorders that share many characteristics, particularly abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of MetS between a large cohort of patients with PCOS and body mass index -matched controls.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Total infusion of low molecular weight iron-dextran for treating postpartum anemia.

Aim: 135 puerperal women with iron deficiency anemia participated in our prospective randomized controlled trial in order to investigate alternative treatments to blood transfusion for anemia.

Materials And Methods: The criteria for the diagnosis of anemia were Hb < 8 g/dl and ferritine < 10 microg/dl. Women were randomly separated in two groups, A and B.

Correlation between asymmetric dimethylarginine maternal plasma levels and preeclampsia.

Objective: To aim of our study is to support the correlation between blood pressure and asymmetric dimethyl argine (ADMA) concentrations as a possible marker for early diagnosis of the preeclampsia syndrome.

Study Design: We attempted to calculate in 38 pregnant women with preeclampsia (group A) plasma levels of the main inhibitor to nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is ADMA, and to compare our findings with the levels of ADMA in 36 non preeclamptic pregnant women (group C) and also with the levels in 29 pregnant women who had a history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancies (group B). Maternal venous EDTA plasma samples of 5 ml were collected and analyzed to measure the ADMA concentrations in each subject.

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer--a review analysis.

Unlabelled: The aim of the present review was to assess the relationship between pregnancy and/or lactation and breast cancer, the influence of pregnancy on mortality and prognosis of the disease, the consequences of breast cancer to the current pregnancy and also to discuss the future perspective for women's fertility.

Materials And Methods: Articles were obtained from Medline (1988 present) using as keywords breast cancer, pregnancy, breastfeeding, lactation, carcinoma and pregnancy.

Results: Unfortunately, delays in diagnosis and treatment are common during pregnancy and the prognosis is thus worsened.

Sonographic assessment of fetal subcutaneous fat tissue thickness as an indicator of gestational diabetes.

Objective: We used ultrasound to measure fetal subcutaneous fat in pregnancies with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance tests (GTT).

Study Design: Thirty-five women with singleton pregnancies between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation participated in our study. We measured fetal subcutaneous fat tissue thickness in 20 women with abnormal GTT (Group A, study group) and 15 women with normal GTT (Group B, control group).

D-dimer levels as a predicting factor for DIC following single twin death: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Intrauterine death of one twin in the second or third trimester occurs in about 1% of all twin pregnancies. The retention in utero of the dead fetus may be associated with maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Case: We present the case of a diamniotic monochorionic pregnancy with intrauterine death of the first twin at 24 weeks.

Intravenous administration of iron sucrose for treating anemia in postpartum women.

Background: To compare the efficacy of oral and intravenous administration of iron supplements for treating postpartum anemia.

Methods: One hundred and four anemic postpartum women were studied prospectively. The criteria for the diagnosis of anemia were Hb<8 gr/dl and ferritine<10 microg/dl.

Anorexia nervosa in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature.

Anorexia nervosa is a complex illness rarely encountered in pregnant women. It is a disorder characterized by markedly decreased food intake accompanied by a distorted body image, resulting in an inability to maintain the body weight within 85% of ideal body weight. We describe a case of a pregnant woman diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at 28 weeks of gestation.

A prospective two years study of first trimester screening for Down syndrome.

Introduction: Nowadays maternal age of pregnant women has increased in most developed countries. The rate of women above 35 years old constitutes about 15% of pregnancies.

Aim: The aim of our study is to prove that by first trimester screening, the number of women who have indication for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedure is significantly reduced.

Tension free vaginal tape underneath bladder base: does it prevent cystocele recurrence?

Objective: The target of the current prospective study was to assess the effectiveness of the polypropylene tapes in preventing recurrence of cystocele formation when placed underneath the bladder base.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two Caucasian women, predominantly postmemopausal with marked descent of the anterior, middle and/or posterior pelvic segment, participated in the study. Vaginal reconstructive surgery including anterior colporrhaphy and Kelly placation, posterior colpoperineorrhaphy and/or hysterectomy, was undertaken in all subjects.

A four-year retrospective study of amniocentesis: one centre experience.

Aim: Monitor the performance of the amniocentesis procedure for prenatal diagnosis and particularly the acquisition of results (time to get, success in getting them).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective review of case notes of all pregnant women undergone amniocentesis in our department during the period 2002-2005. Two main operators performed the procedure, using 22 gauze needle usually and 20 gauze should longer needle was needed.

Anterior vaginal wall reconstruction: anterior colporrhaphy reinforced with tension free vaginal tape underneath bladder base.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the polypropylene tape in preventing cystocele recurrence.

Methods: Fifty Caucasian women aged 50-77 years (mean age 66.6 years), with stage II-IV pelvic organ prolapse, enrolled into the study.

Current caesarean delivery rates and indications in a major public hospital in northern Greece.

Background: Over the past 25 years, there has been a sustained increase in caesarean section (CS) rates around the world. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the current CS rates and particularly the trends of CS indications in Greece.

Aim: To assess the overall CS rates and indications in a major Greek teaching hospital over the last five years.

Pregnancy and oral health: utilisation of dental services during pregnancy in northern Greece.

Background: Recent studies have shown that gingivitis and periodontal infection during pregnancy represent an independent risk factor for pre-term birth. However, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of dental attendance during pregnancy.

Methods: During the first 3 days postpartum, an anonymous questionnaire was administered to 425 women in order to explore their dental condition and utilisation of dental health services during pregnancy, as well as their perceptions on the potential associations between dental care during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.

Hemoglobin E-Saskatoon and pregnancy: report of two cases.

Hemoglobin E-Saskatoon (beta22-Glu-Lys) is found worldwide but is extremely rarely. Two cases of pregnant women who carried the abnormal hemoglobin and the various problems that arise from it are reported. A discussion of the combinations with other abnormal hemoglobin is also presented.

Isotretinoin (Ro-Accutane) teratogenesis. A case report.

A case of teratogenesis in a 16-year-old pregnant patient is described. She had been using 60 mg Ro-Accutane daily till the 16th week of gestation. Sonography showed no cephalic skull up to the frontal bone of the fetus.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of the ovary: is it reliable?

Purpose Of Investigation: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytologic findings from the fluid of ovarian cysts in comparison with the histologic diagnosis.

Methods: Over a four-year period all women with single ovarian cysts and no evidence of malignancy from ultrasound examination and tumour marker levels were included in the study. Prior to removal of the cyst, fluid was aspirated from the cyst and prepared for cytologic examination.