<i>Objective</i>: The aim of this study was to compare the laeverin level in maternal serum from first trimester (11–14 weeks) of pregnancy between normal pregnancies and pregnancies that later developed preeclampsia (PE).<p><p> <i>Material and methods</i>: This was a case-cohort study. The laeverin concentration was measured in cases with preterm PE (<i>n</i> = 55), term PE (<i>n</i> = 95), and ...

Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) is a sensitive index of myocardial function. Its role in the fetus has not been extensively evaluated. To compare myocardial tissue Doppler velocities in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) to those of normal fetuses (matched for gestational age.) Cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at 2 large perinatal centers (2003-2007). Fetuses with HLHS ...

Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy promote oral bacterial growth, which may affect salivary nitric oxide (NO) levels, oxidative stress (OS), and antioxidant capacity (AC). We hypothesized that caries-related bacterial load, NO level, and OS in the saliva change with advancing gestation. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes in salivary NO, OS, and AC during pregnancy ...

<i>Background</i> - Saliva plays a significant role in maintaining oral health and oral bacterial milieu. Difference in oxidative stress (OS) levels in saliva in conjunction with bacterial load between pregnant and non-pregnant women has not been studied previously. We hypothesized that the physiological changes in pregnancy alter oral bacterial milieu by promoting growth of <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> ...

Recent studies regarding mucosal drug delivery indicate that nanosystems with surface-available polyethylene glycol (PEG) are able to penetrate mucus barrier, assure closer contact with the epithelium, and improve drug delivery to vagina. In the present work, we developed the mucus-penetrating PEGylated liposomes containing interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b), destined to provide localized therapy for ...

In pregnancy during an inflammatory condition, macrophages present at the feto-maternal junction release an increased amount of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and INF-γ, which can disturb the trophoblast functions and pregnancy outcome. Measurement of the cellular and sub-cellular morphological modifications associated with inflammatory responses are important in order ...

Resveratrol (RES), chemically known as 3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene, is a promising multi-targeted antioxidative and anti-inflammatory natural polyphenol. Preclinical studies showed its biological activities against the pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases causing vaginal inflammation and infections. Due to its low solubility and poor bioavailability, the optimal therapeutic uses are ...

Background: Cytomegalovirus seroconversion during pregnancy is common and has a substantial risk of congenital infection with longterm sequale. Screening during pregnancy or vaccination have not been shown to be effective for eliminating congenital infections. Preconception screening policy has not been evaluated adequately in a large scale. This nationwide study aimed to investigate epidemiological ...

<p><i>Objectives - </i>The ratio of middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) to umbilical artery (UA) PI, i.e. cerebro‐placental ratio (CPR), has been suggested as a measure of fetal “brain sparing” phenomenon reflecting redistribution of fetal cardiac output as a response to placental insufficiency. Observational studies have shown that low CPR values predict increased risk of adverse ...

Objective To compare cardiac function, systemic hemodynamics and preload reserve of women with increased (cases) and normal (controls) uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) at 22–24 weeks of gestation. Materials and Methods A prospective cross-sectional study of 620 pregnant women. UtA blood flow velocities were measured using Doppler ultrasonography, and PI was calculated. Mean UtA ...