Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabrielle Gray, Douglas G. Scroggins, Katlin T. Wilson, Sabrina M. Scroggins
Summary: The intolerance of the feto-placental environment is a key factor in the development of preeclampsia, and the use of DCregs has shown promise in preventing preeclampsia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Fernanda Garces, Haiver Antonio Rodriguez-Navarro, Julieth Daniela Buell-Acosta, Alvaro Javier Burgos-Cardenas, Roberto Franco-Vega, Luis Miguel Maldonado-Acosta, Javier Eslava-Schmalbach, Arturo Jose Parada-Banos, Andres Castro-Pinzon, Elizabeth Sanchez, Edith Angel-Muller, Ezequiel Lacunza, Justo P. Castano, Carlos Dieguez, Ruben Nogueiras, Ariel Ivan Ruiz-Parra, Jorge Eduardo Caminos
Summary: The study found that serum ANGPTL3 levels significantly decreased in healthy pregnant women during pregnancy, with no significant differences in levels between different trimesters and healthy states. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum ANGPTL3 levels and triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in healthy non-pregnant women.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Scott W. Walsh, Marwah Al Dulaimi, Kellie J. Archer, Jerome F. Strauss
Summary: The study found that gene expression profiles of neutrophils can distinguish different preeclampsia phenotypes, with changes occurring before clinical symptoms in mild cases. Severe preeclampsia showed gene expression patterns that mirrored normal pregnancy, while mild preeclampsia had distinct gene expression profiles. DNA methylation levels in circulating neutrophils were extremely low, and did not mediate gene expression differences in either mild or severe preeclampsia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Jose D. Debes, Pablo A. Romagnoli, Jhon Prieto, Marco Arrese, Angelo Z. Mattos, Andre Boonstra
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide. Late diagnosis and limited treatment options contribute to the low survival rate of patients with HCC. Currently, combining ultrasound with the biomarker AFP is a commonly used screening method, but its clinical utility and operator-dependence are controversial.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mingxi Liu, Yue Niu, Kongyang Ma, Peter C. K. Leung, Zi-Jiang Chen, Daimin Wei, Yan Li
Summary: Novel first-trimester serum biomarkers were identified and an effective prediction model for preeclampsia (PE) was developed using immune-related factors and placental growth factor (PlGF), which could aid in the development of early diagnostic strategies for PE and provide new insights into its immunological mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Yusuf Madendag, Erdem Sahin, Ilknur Col Madendag, Mefkure Eraslan Sahin, Mehmet Mete Kirlangic, Sabahattin Muhtaroglu
Summary: This study demonstrated a significant increase in maternal serum telomerase levels in both preeclampsia groups.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Elena Gibbone, Iulia Huluta, Alan Wright, Kypros H. Nicolaides, Marietta Charakida
Summary: This study examines the differences in cardiac function between women who develop preeclampsia (PE) and those with uncomplicated pregnancies. The findings suggest that women who develop PE have abnormalities in cardiac function long before the onset of PE. However, routine cardiac assessment at midgestation does not improve the performance of screening for PE achieved by established biomarkers.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Daniel Pitz Jacobsen, Heidi Elisabeth Fjeldstad, Guro Mork Johnsen, Ingrid Knutsdotter Fosheim, Kjartan Moe, Patji Alnaes-Katjavivi, Ralf Dechend, Meryam Sugulle, Anne Cathrine Staff
Summary: Decidua basalis, the endometrium of pregnancy, plays a crucial role in maternal-fetal interface with acute atherosis being a common lesion, particularly in conditions like preeclampsia. The causal factors and effects of acute atherosis are still uncertain, potentially involving various pathways such as inflammation and arterial lesions. Further research is needed to determine if the presence of acute atherosis can identify women at higher risk for premature cardiovascular disease.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Malia S. Q. Murphy, Samantha J. Benton, Brian Cox, Kara Nerenberg, Scott McComb, Lakshmi Krishnan, Risini D. Weeratna, Jean-Francois Pare, Alysha L. J. Dingwall-Harvey, Shannon A. Bainbridge, Andree Gruslin, Laura M. Gaudet
Summary: Women who develop preeclampsia are at high risk for cardiovascular disease. This study investigates the potential of cytokine and immune cell profiles in distinguishing low and high cardiovascular disease risk in the early postpartum period.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ayse Zehra Gul, Nil Atakul, Sahabettin Selek, Yildiz Atamer, Ufuk Sarikaya, Tugce Yildiz, Metin Demirel
Summary: The study found that copper levels were significantly elevated and thiol levels were decreased in patients with preeclampsia compared to the control group. The predictive cutoff value for copper in patients was 224 micrograms per deciliter, and the copper/native thiol ratio was 1.19. There was no difference in zinc levels between the two groups.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Yasir I. B. Ahmed, Hind S. Yagoub, Mohamed A. Hassan, I. Adam, Hamdan Z. Hamdan
Summary: This study found that women with preeclampsia had similar levels of iron status, hepcidin, and interleukin-6 compared to healthy pregnant women. There was no significant correlation between iron status, hepcidin, and interleukin-6.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yixuan Chen, Linlin Wu, Hangkuan Liu, Ziping Li, Linjie Li, Xiaoxia Wu, Qiong Lei, Aiqi Yin, Jianing Tong, Kan Liu, Xiaonian Guan, Cuiping Zeng, Huafan Zhang, Yanmei Wan, Xuna Huang, Pingping Huang, Qing Yang, Xin Zhou, Jianmin Niu
Summary: This study found that maternal chemerin levels in patients with preeclampsia during pregnancy are associated with blood pressure levels after delivery, and chemerin levels can predict the occurrence of postpartum hypertension.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lizhu Chen, Yun Xiu, Qijun Wu, Yu Wang, Yixin Zhang, Jia Xue, Qinbo Wang, Zhengwei Yuan
Summary: This study found that maternal serum LMNA may serve as a potential biomarker for prenatal diagnosis of fetal CHD, NTD, and PE.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amy L. Wooldridge, Christy Chan, Floor Spaans, Anita Quon, Craig D. Steinback, Margie H. Davenport, Sandra T. Davidge, Christy-Lynn M. Cooke
Summary: Advanced maternal age is a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes, and it may affect the structure of resistance arteries in the omentum. This study found that omental arteries from women of advanced maternal age had lower compliance and less elastin compared to younger women. The collagen:elastin ratio was also higher in arteries from advanced maternal age women. These findings contribute to the understanding of how vascular aging affects pregnancy adaptations and may help improve pregnancy outcomes.
BIOSCIENCE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Mira Lanki, Hanna Seppanen, Harri Mustonen, Aino Salmiheimo, Ulf-Hakan Stenman, Marko Salmi, Sirpa Jalkanen, Caj Haglund
Summary: In this study, hs-CRP and seven cytokines were identified as potential prognostic factors for survival prediction in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anna Kajdy, Dorota Sys, Artur Pokropek, Steven W. Shaw, Tung-Yao Chang, Pavel Calda, Ganesh Acharya, Maya Ben-Zion, Tal Biron-Shental, Dariusz Borowski, Bartosz Czuba, Adolfo Etchegaray, Stepan Feduniw, Rosario Garcia-Mandujano, Monica Garcia Santacruz, Maria M. Gil, Sonia Hassan, Sebastian Kwiatkowski, Arancha Martin-Arias, Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla, Federico Prefumo, Michal Rabijewski, Laurent J. Salomon, Heidi Tiller, Stefan Verlohren, Hian Yan Voon, Omar Fernando Yanque-Robles, Soon Leong Yong, Liona C. Poon
Summary: This study examines risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that pregnant women in high-income economies experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. Factors such as the need for psychiatric treatment before pregnancy, restrictions in social distancing and access to leisure activities, pregnancy-related complications, fear of adverse outcomes in children related to COVID-19, and financial burden are associated with increased risk of anxiety and depression during pregnancy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Emily R. Smith, Erin Oakley, Gargi Wable Grandner, Gordon Rukundo, Fouzia Farooq, Kacey Ferguson, Sasha Baumann, Kristina Maria Adams Waldorf, Yalda Afshar, Mia Ahlberg, Homa Ahmadzia, Victor Akelo, Grace Aldrovandi, Elisa Bevilacqua, Nabal Bracero, Justin S. Brandt, Natalie Broutet, Jorge Carrillo, Jeanne Conry, Erich Cosmi, Fatima Crispi, Francesca Crovetto, Maria del Mar Gil, Camille Delgado-Lopez, Hema Divakar, Amanda J. Driscoll, Guillaume Favre, Irene Fernandez Buhigas, Valerie Flaherman, Christopher Gale, Christine L. Godwin, Sami Gottlieb, Eduard Gratacos, Siran He, Olivia Hernandez, Stephanie Jones, Sheetal Joshi, Erkan Kalafat, Sammy Khagayi, Marian Knight, Karen L. Kotloff, Antonio Lanzone, Valentina Laurita Longo, Kirsty Le Doare, Christoph Lees, Ethan Litman, Erica M. Lokken, Shabir A. Madhi, Laura A. Magee, Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla, Torri D. Metz, Emily S. Miller, Deborah Money, Sakita Moungmaithong, Edward Mullins, Jean B. Nachega, Marta C. Nunes, Dickens Onyango, Alice Panchaud, Liona C. Poon, Daniel Raiten, Lesley Regan, Daljit Sahota, Allie Sakowicz, Jose Sanin-Blair, Olof Stephansson, Marleen Temmerman, Anna Thorson, Soe Soe Thwin, Beth A. Tippett Barr, Jorge E. Tolosa, Niyazi Tug, Miguel Valencia-Prado, Silvia Visentin, Peter von Dadelszen, Clare Whitehead, Mollie Wood, Huixia Yang, Rebecca Zavala, James M. Tielsch
Summary: This sequential, prospective meta-analysis aimed to identify risk factors among pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 for adverse outcomes related to disease severity, maternal morbidities, neonatal mortality and morbidity, and adverse birth outcomes. Data from 21 participating studies were included, and risk factors and outcomes were analyzed. The study found that women with comorbidities, HIV infection, prepregnancy underweight, and anemia were at increased risk for severe COVID-19-related outcomes and adverse birth outcomes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
A. Arechvo, D. A. Nikolaidi, M. M. Gil, V. Rolle, A. Syngelaki, R. Akolekar, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to examine the relationship between the English index of multiple deprivation (IMD) and the incidence of stillbirth and evaluate whether IMD contributes to the prediction of stillbirth provided by maternal demographic characteristics and elements of medical history. The study found that women living in the most deprived areas in South East England had higher rates of stillbirth, particularly placental dysfunction-related stillbirth. However, including IMD in stillbirth screening did not improve the prediction provided by race, other maternal characteristics, and elements of medical history.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sani Tsz Kei Wong, So Ling Lau, Christopher Pak Hey Chiu, Patricia Nga Ping Ip, Lo Wong, Dorota Sys, Anna Kajdy, Liona Chiu Yee Poon
Summary: This study assessed the anxiety and depression levels of pregnant women in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined the influence of demographic, economic, and social factors on these levels. The findings showed that pregnant women with psychiatric illness had higher scores in anxiety and depression. Factors such as financial difficulty, education, and in-vitro fertilization were associated with higher levels of depression, while partner support was associated with reduced levels of depression and anxiety. Therefore, addressing the needs of pregnant women with psychiatric illness and providing partner support are crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yi Man Isabella Wah, Ye Cao, Chun Yiu Law, Kwong Wai Choy, Tak Yeung Leung, Hoi Wan Angel Kwan, Liona C. Poon Poon
Summary: This article reports a case of recurrent congenital microcephaly in a Chinese family. Two affected fetuses presented with microcephaly early in the second trimester with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Whole-exome sequencing analysis detected two compound heterozygous candidate variants in the SASS6 gene, but the pathomechanism is still unknown.
FETAL DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sumaiya Adam, Harold David McIntyre, Kit Ying Tsoi, Anil Kapur, Ronald C. Ma, Stephanie Dias, Pius Okong, Moshe Hod, Liona C. Poon, Graeme N. Smith, Lina Bergman, Esraa Algurjia, Patrick O'Brien, Virna P. Medina, Cynthia Maxwell, Lesley Regan, Mary L. Rosser, Bo Jacobsson, Mark A. Hanson, Sharleen L. O'Reilly, Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
Summary: Gestational diabetes (GDM) affects approximately 17 million pregnancies worldwide. Women with a history of GDM are at a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to those without prior GDM. Although prevention and delayed progression of GDM to type 2 diabetes is possible, it is not widely practiced. Considering the increasing rates of type 2 diabetes and CVD in women globally, it is crucial to utilize pregnancy as an opportunity for early identification and preventive intervention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Cynthia Maxwell, Rachelle Shirley, Amy C. O'Higgins, Mary L. Rosser, Patrick O'Brien, Moshe Hod, Sharleen L. O'Reilly, Virna P. Medina, Graeme N. Smith, Mark A. Hanson, Sumaiya Adam, Ronald C. Ma, Anil Kapur, Harold David McIntyre, Bo Jacobsson, Liona C. Poon, Lina Bergman, Lesley Regan, Esraa Algurjia, Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
Summary: Obesity is a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and treatable neurobehavioral disease that affects women's health and requires a focus on optimizing health outcomes rather than weight loss. Appropriate and sensitive language, as well as trauma-informed care, is necessary when discussing obesity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Lai Ling Hui, Karene H. T. Yeung, Ka Ming Chow, Liona C. Poon, Patricia L. S. Ip, E. Anthony S. Nelson
Summary: Barriers to breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong include mother-baby separations in hospitals and vaccine safety concerns. However, the pandemic has also created new opportunities to support breastfeeding, such as receiving post-natal care from family doctors, online antenatal classes, work-from-home policies, and telemedicine.
JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Adriana Aquise, Nieves Rayo, Irene Fernandez-Buhigas, Ana Alfonso, Natalia Pagola, Miguel Rodriguez, Laura de Miguel, Irene Santacruz, Santiago Valor, Liona C. Poon, Maria M. Gil, Belen Santacruz
Summary: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among first-trimester pregnant women was 8.2% between January 1 and May 15, 2020. Seropositive women did not show significant differences in complications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Lin Gao, Vrinda Mathur, Sabrina Ka Man Tam, Xuemeng Zhou, Ming Fung Cheung, Lu Yan Chan, Guadalupe Estrada-Gutierrez, Bo Wah Leung, Sakita Moungmaithong, Chi Chiu Wang, Liona C. Poon, Danny Leung
Summary: Recent studies have found that COVID-19 infection can cause disruptions in the maternal-fetal interface, potentially leading to pregnancy complications. By analyzing transcriptomic and epigenomic data from COVID-19 patients and control samples, researchers discovered abnormal immune activation and angiogenesis patterns in specific cells, as well as dysregulation of retrotransposons. In particular, they found that reduced enhancer activities of LTR8B elements were linked to downregulation of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein genes in syncytiotrophoblasts.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sakita K. Moungmaithong, Angel H. S. Kwan, Ada W. Tse, Natalie K. C. Wong, Michelle S. S. Lam, Jing Wang, Liona C. Poon, Daljit S. Sahota
Summary: International professional organizations recommend aspirin prophylaxis to women at high risk for preterm preeclampsia (PE) in the first trimester. However, the UK Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) screening test using mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UTPI), and placental growth factor (PlGF) has shown lower detection rates (DRs) in Asian population studies. Additional biomarkers are needed in Asian women to improve screening for preterm and term PE.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel, Kenean Getaneh Tlaye, Ling Wu, Liona C. Poon, Chi Chiu Wang
Summary: This meta-analysis confirmed that platelet count was significantly lower in preeclamptic women, irrespective of severity and presence or absence of associated complications, even before the onset of preeclampsia and in the second trimester of pregnancy. Our findings suggest that platelet count may be a potential marker to identify and predict preeclampsia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY MFM
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Raquel Gonzalez, Anna Gonce, M. del Mar Gil, Edurne Mazarico, Elena Ferriols-Perez, Paloma Toro, Elisa Llurba, Elisa Saez, Miguel angel Rodriguez-Zambrano, Laura Garcia-Otero, Marta Lopez, Belen Santacruz, M. angeles Roman, Antoni Paya, Sofia Alonso, Monica Cruz-Lemini, Clara Pons-Duran, Luis Bernardo Herrera, Haily Chen, Azucena Bardaji, Llorenc Quinto, Clara Menendez
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in pregnant and postpartum women with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that although the prevalence of infection was lower in the HCQ group, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of COVID-19 progression, adverse events, and electrocardiogram changes.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Piya Chaemsaithong, Maria M. Gil, Noppadol Chaiyasit, Diana Cuenca-Gomez, Walter Plasencia, Valeria Rolle, Liona C. Poon
Summary: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of placental growth factor and placental growth factor-based models in predicting the development of preeclampsia in asymptomatic women. The findings suggest that placental growth factor combined with maternal factors has the highest predictive performance for early preeclampsia, while placental growth factor-based models perform similarly to soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1-placental growth factor ratio for any-onset preeclampsia in the third trimester. Standardized research using consistent models is needed to accurately predict preeclampsia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Raquel Martin-Alonso, Valeria Rolle, Ranjit Akolekar, Catalina de Paco Matallana, Irene Fernandez-Buhigas, Maria Isabel Sanchez-Camps, Tara Giacchino, Miguel Rodriguez-Fernandez, Jose Eliseo Blanco-Carnero, Belen Santacruz, Maria M. Gil
Summary: In late-term uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) has shown poor predictive capacity for adverse perinatal outcomes.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)