Elevated Circulating IL-1β and TNF-Alpha, and Unaltered IL-6 in First-Trimester Pregnancies Complicated by Threatened Abortion With an Adverse Outcome

The purpose of the present study was to examine the profile of selected proinflammatory cytokines in maternal serum of first-trimester pregnancies complicated by threatened abortion (TACP) and its relevance to obstetric outcome. Serum levels of Th1-type cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and Th2-type cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured, by ELISA, in 22 women with TACP and adverse outcome at admission (group A) and compared with the corresponding levels of 31 gestational age-matched women with TACP and successful outcome at admission (group B1) and discharge (group B2) and 22 gestational age-matched women with first-trimester uncomplicated pregnancy (group C) who served as controls. Mann-Whitney U or Wilcoxon test was applied as appropriate to compare differences between groups. IL-1β and TNF-alpha were detected with significantly higher levels in group A, compared to all other groups. On the contrary, IL-6 levels were detected with no significant difference among all the other groups studied. It is concluded that in first-trimester TACP with adverse outcome, a distinct immune response, as reflected by elevated maternal IL-1β, TNF-alpha, and unaltered IL-6 levels, is relevant to a negative obstetric outcome

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Placenta Growth Factor in Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Fetuses and Neonates

The angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) are respectively up- and downregulated by hypoxia. We aimed to study circulating levels of the above factors in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and to correlate their levels with the customized centiles of the infants. The study included 25 IUGR and 25 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) full-term, singleton infants and their mothers. Maternal (MS), fetal (UC), and neonatal day 1 (N1) and 4 (N4) blood was examined. MS and N1 PlGF, as well as UC VEGF levels correlated with the customized centiles of the infants (r = 0.39, P = .007, r = 0.34, P = .01, and r = −0.41, P = .004, resp). Furthermore, UC, N1, and N4 VEGF levels were higher in girls (r = 0.36, P = .01, r = 0.33, P = .02, and r = 0.41, P = .005 resp). In conclusion, positive and negative correlations of examined factors with the customized centiles of the infant could rely on placental function and intrauterine oxygen concentrations—both being usually lower in IUGR cases—while higher VEGF levels in girls should possibly be attributed to the stimulating action of estrogens

Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation Profile, Unrelated to Homocysteinemia, in Obese Children

To investigate in prepubertal obese children (POC) the profile of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (CLGSI) and its relation to homocysteinemia, 72 POC were evaluated for serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and amyloid A (SAA) levels, both markers of CLGSI, and plasma levels of total homocysteine (tHcy), an independent risk factor for adult atherosclerosis, in comparison to 42 prepubertal lean children (PLC). The main observations in POC were higher CRP levels compared to PLC, positive association of SAA levels to CRP levels, no association of CRP or SAA levels to tHcy levels. Thus, in POC, positively interrelated to each other, elevated CRP and unaltered SAA levels reveal a unique profile of the CLGSI, not explaining homocysteinemia-induced risk for future atherosclerosis

Discrimination Power Assessment of STR Genotyping in Parentage Investigation

OBJECTIVE Nowadays, the application of DNA-typing in laboratory medicine is increasing rapidly for paternity/maternity disputes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of polymorphic microsatellite marker DNA analysis and to establish this analysis as the method of choice for parentage investigations.SUBJECTS AND METHODS Among 708 civil parentage tests addressed to our Laboratory previously examined for HLA class I (-A*,-B*,-Cw*), and class II (-DRB1*,-DQB1*,-DPB1*) alleles using PCR-SSOP and/or PCR-SSP methodologies, a cohort of 50 cases (137 individuals) of disputed parentage was selected. In these cases DNA-typing was generated from co-amplification of 15 autosomal STR DNA markers (D3S1358, HUMTH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, HUMCSF1PO, Penta D, HUMvWA, D8S1179, HUMTPOX, HUMFGA and the sex determining Amelogenin marker HUMAMEL), using fragment analysis methodology.RESULTS The evaluation of the results showed that 15 out of 50 cases, were sufficient for exclusion of fatherhood by both approaches (HLA and STRs). In all remaining 35 non-excluded cases, the PI value using HLA genotyping ranged from 76 to 6,452,794, whereas using aSTR genotyping ranged from 15,173 to 9.2 x 1010. In one non-excluded motherless case the alleged father showed one genetic discrepancy with the child at D21S11 locus, due to a mutation event.CONCLUSION The use of DNA-typing with 15 aSTR loci for parentage testing provides an accurate and high-sensitivity method which is simpler to perform and more rapid than an accepted standard technology, such as HLA genotyping. The analysis of aSTR loci offers a highly discriminating test suitable for trio paternity testing, increasing the W rate in comparison to HLA genotyping. Nevertheless, when a mutation event occurs in motherless cases, combination of HLA and STR polymorphisms offers high level of information, and also diminishes the possibility of false exclusion due to aSTRs mutations

Design and study protocol of the maternal smoking cessation during pregnancy study, (M-SCOPE)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maternal smoking is the most significant cause of preventable complications during pregnancy, with smoking cessation during pregnancy shown to increase birth weight and reduce preterm birth among pregnant women who quit smoking. Taking into account the fact that the number of women who smoke in Greece has increased steadily throughout the previous decade and that the prevalence of smoking among Greek females is one of the highest in the world, smoking cessation should be a top priority among Greek health care professionals.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The Maternal Smoking Cessation during Pregnancy Study (M-SCOPE), is a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) that aims to test whether offering Greek pregnant smokers a high intensity intervention increases smoking cessation during the third trimester of pregnancy, when compared to a low intensity intervention. Prospective participants will be pregnant smokers of more than 5 cigarettes per week, recruited up to the second trimester of pregnancy. Urine samples for biomarker analysis of cotinine will be collected at three time points: at baseline, at around the 32^ndweek of gestation and at six months post partum. The control group/low intensity intervention will include: brief advice for 5 minutes and a short leaflet, while the experimental group/intensive intervention will include: 30 minutes of individualized cognitive-behavioural intervention provided by a trained health professional and a self-help manual especially tailored for smoking cessation during pregnancy, while counselling will be based on the ''5 As.'' After childbirth, the infants' birth weight, gestational age and any other health related complications during pregnancy will be recorded. A six months post-partum a follow up will be performed in order to re-assess the quitters smoking status.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>If offering pregnant smokers a high intensity intervention for smoking cessation increases the rate of smoking cessation in comparison to a usual care low intensity intervention in Greek pregnant smokers, such a scheme if beneficial could be implemented successfully within clinical practice in Greece.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01210118">NCT01210118</a></p