Prevention of Cesarean Scar Defects: What Is Possible?

Defect healing of the uterotomy at ceasarean section (CS) results in a morphological und probably functional disruption of the anterior uterine wall. Clinical sequelae concern subsequent pregnancies with a broad range of complications before and during pregnancy as well as at birth. In the following chapter, we provide an overview about the definition, diagnosis, symptoms and pathogenetical mechanisms of CS scar defects. Keeping in mind the pathogenesis allows to introduce preventative approaches

Elevated systemic galectin-1 levels characterize HELLP syndrome

Galectin-1 (gal-1), a member of a family of conserved β-galactoside-binding proteins, has been shown to exert a key role during gestation. Though gal-1 is expressed at higher levels in the placenta from HELLP patients, it is still poorly understood whether systemic gal-1 levels also differ in HELLP patients. In the present study, we evaluated the systemic expression of gal-1, together with the angiogenic factors, placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) in conjunction with HELLP syndrome severity. Systemic levels of gal-1 and sFlt-1 were elevated in patients with both early- and late-onset HELLP syndrome as compared to healthy controls. In contrast, peripheral PlGF levels were decreased in early- and late-onset HELLP. A positive correlation between systemic gal-1 levels and sFlt-1/PlGF ratios was found in early onset HELLP patients. Our results show that HELLP syndrome is associated with increased circulating levels of gal-1; integrating systemic gal-1 measurements into the diagnostic analyses of pregnant women may provide more effective prediction of HELLP syndrome developmentFil: Schnabel, Annegret. Universitat Regensburg; AlemaniaFil: Blois, Sandra M.. Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Meint, Peter. Universitat Regensburg; AlemaniaFil: Freitag, Nancy. Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Ernst, Wolfgang. Universitat Regensburg; AlemaniaFil: Barrientos, Gabriela Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Conrad, Melanie L.. Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Rose, Matthias. Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Seelbach-Göbel, Birgit. Universitat Regensburg; Alemani

Ethylene and jasmonic acid act as negative modulators during mutualistic symbiosis between Laccaria bicolor

The plant hormones ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid have interconnecting roles during the response of plant tissues to mutualistic and pathogenic symbionts. [br/]We used morphological studies of transgenic- or hormone-treated Populus roots as well as whole-genome oligoarrays to examine how these hormones affect root colonization by the mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor S238N. [br/][br/]We found that genes regulated by ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid were regulated in the late stages of the interaction between L. bicolor and poplar. Both ethylene and jasmonic acid treatments were found to impede fungal colonization of roots, and this effect was correlated to an increase in the expression of certain transcription factors (e.g. ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1) and a decrease in the expression of genes associated with microbial perception and cell wall modification. Further, we found that ethylene and jasmonic acid showed extensive transcriptional cross-talk, cross-talk that was opposed by salicylic acid signaling.[br/][br/]We conclude that ethylene and jasmonic acid pathways are induced late in the colonization of root tissues in order to limit fungal growth within roots. This induction is probably an adaptive response by the plant such that its growth and vigor are not compromised by the fungus