Single-Center Experience with Swiss LithoClast® Trilogy for Kidney Stones.

INTRODUCTION: PCNL remains the gold standard for larger kidney stones. Reducing the operating time of PCNL and its complication rate seems to be the next logical step in optimizing this classical technique. To achieve these objectives, some new methods of lithotripsy emerge. We present the data of a single, high-volume, academic center with combined ultrasonic and ballistic lithotripsy in PCNL using the Swiss LithoClast® Trilogy device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective, randomized study including patients who underwent PCNL or miniPerc with lithotripsy using the new EMS Lithoclast Trilogy or EMS Lithoclast Master. The procedure was carried out with all patients in prone position, by the same surgeon. The working channel size was 24 Fr-15.9 Fr. We evaluated the stones' features, operative time, fragmentation time, complications, stone clearance rate and stone-free rate. RESULTS: Our study included 59 patients, 38 females and 31 males, of an average age of 54.5 years old. The Trilogy group included 28 patients and the comparator included 31 patients. Urine culture was positive in seven cases which required seven days of antibiotics. The mean stone diameter was 35.6 mm with a mean Hounsfield unit (HU) of 710.1. The average number of stones was 2.08 (6 complete staghorn stones and 12 partial staghorn stones). A total of 13 patients presented a JJ stent (46.4%). We found a very significant difference in all the parameters favoring the Trilogy device. The most important result in our opinion is the probe active time, which was almost six times shorter in the Trilogy group. The stone clearance rate was about double in the Trilogy group, leading to shorter overall and intra-renal operating times. The overall complication rate was 17.9% in the Trilogy group and 23% in the Lithoclast Master group. The mean hemoglobin drop was 2.1 g/dL with a mean creatinine rise of 0.26 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Swiss LithoClast® Trilogy, a device combining ultrasonic and ballistic energy, is a safe and efficient method of lithotripsy for PCNL, proving statistically significant benefits over its predecesor. It can achieve the goal of reducing complication rates and operative times for PCNL.

Sonographic features of adenomyosis correlated with clinical symptoms and intraoperative findings: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Adenomyosis is a common disease of females during their reproductive age. As of today, histologic examination of the uterus after hysterectomy constitutes the gold standard for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of sonographic, hysteroscopic, and laparoscopic criteria for the diagnosis of the disease. METHODS: This study included data collected from 50 women in the reproductive age of 18-45 years, who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy in the gynecology department of the Saarland University Hospital in Homburg between 2017 and 2018. The patients with adenomyosis were compared with a healthy control group. RESULTS: We collected data of anamnesis, sonographic criteria, hysteroscopic criteria and laparoscopic criteria and compared it with the postoperative histological results. A total 25 patients were diagnosed with adenomyosis postoperatively. For each of these; at least three sonographic diagnostical criteria for adenomyosis were found compared with a maximum of two for the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an association between pre- and intraoperative signs of adenomyosis. In this way, it shows a high diagnostic accuracy of the sonographic examination as a pre-operative diagnostic method of the adenomyosis.

Foetal Intrapartum Compromise at Term: Could COVID-19 Infection Be Involved? A Case Report.

The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy has been studied and many reports have been published, mainly focussing on complications and in utero transmission with neonatal consequences. Although the effects of other viruses on foetuses are well known, the impact of maternal COVID-19 during pregnancy is not completely understood. We report a case of acute foetal intrapartum hypoxia without other risk factors than maternal COVID-19 disease 2 weeks previous to birth at term. Placental histological changes suggested that the viral infection could have been the culprit for the unfavourable outcome during labour. The neonate was promptly delivered by Caesarean section. Neonatal intensive care was started, including therapeutic hypothermia. The procedure was successful, the evolution of the neonate was favourable, and she was discharged after 10 days. Follow-up at 2 months of life indicated a normal neurological development but a drop in head growth. The case raises the idea that pregnancies with even mild COVID-19 symptoms may represent the cause of neonate compromise in a low-risk pregnancy. An important follow-up in the neonatal period and infancy is required to identify and treat any subsequent conditions. Further long-term studies are necessary to identify a cause-effect relationship between COVID-19 pregnancies and the whole spectrum of neonatal and infant consequences.

Mini-Perc for Renal Stones-A Single Center Experience and Literature Review.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of miniaturized nephrolithotomy (mini-perc) in the management of renal stones with a diameter smaller than 20 mm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 102 patients who underwent mini-perc between March 2015 and March 2020 in our department. The primary objective was the stone-free rate, but we also analyzed the retreatment rate, complications, hospital stay, operative time and reduction in hemoglobin level. All these patients had this technique as their first-line treatment, in a prone position, using a 16 Fr sheath size. Data were compared to a series of patients from the literature, treated with conventional PCNL. RESULTS: The patients had calculus limited to either a single calyx or just extending to the renal pelvis, and stone size was less than 20 mm in its maximal dimension. The intrarenal stone location was in the upper calyx in 7 cases, middle calyx in 20 cases and lower calyx in 46 cases, and there were 29 patients with renal pelvis stone. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1, and the median age was 48.4 years. The average stone size was 17.4 mm in diameter (ranging between 9 and 20 mm) and all cases underwent Ho-YaG laser lithotripsy, ballistic energy and combined ultrasonic and ballistic lithotripsy. At the end of the procedure, an antegrade double J stent was placed under fluoroscopy for a maximum of 2 weeks in 42 cases, while 9 cases needed a nephrostomy tube 12-14 F. A total of 51 cases were totally tubeless. Our median operative time was 61 min (ranging from 35 to 75 min). The median hospitalization stay was 3.8 days. The stone free rate was 90.1% after one procedure, only nine (8.8%) cases needed a "second look" flexible ureteroscopy, and the final stone-free rate was 98% (absence of detectable calculi on ultrasound, KUB or non-contrast CT scan). The overall complication rate was 6.86% (Clavien classification I-57.14%; II-28.5%; III-14.2%), while no Clavien IV or V complications were reported. No patient required a blood transfusion, and mean hemoglobin loss was 0.81 mg/dL. Overall, our results are better than similar data for conventional PCNL in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The "mini-perc" technique is an effective procedure for the treatment of the renal lithiasis that is less or equal to 2 cm. The results demonstrated that this minimally invasive technique is associated with a higher stone-free rate and minimal complications.

Quality of life and sexual function in patients aged 35 years or younger undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecologic conditions: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how hysterectomy performed for benign gynecologic pathologies affects the quality of life and sexual function of patients aged 35 years or younger, and if outcomes differ according to the surgical technique. METHODS: Seventy-three patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy (SLH), or vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for benign uterine disorders between April 2014 and June 2020 at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany, were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study. Quality of life and sexual function were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using standardized validated questionnaires: the European Quality of Life Five-Dimension Scale (EQ-5D) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: Thirty-three (45%) patients underwent TLH, 25 (34%) underwent SLH, and 15 (21%) patients underwent VH. The median preoperative EQ-5D score, FSFI score, and EQ-5D visual analog scale were 0.9 (range 0.62-1), 19.25 (range 2.4-27.4), and 50 (range 0-100); postoperative scores were 1 (range 0.61-1), 24.15 (range 3.9-29.3), and 90 (range 30-100), respectively (P ≤ 0.001). Postoperative scores were significantly higher than preoperative scores, with no significant difference according to the surgical technique. CONCLUSION: Hysterectomy for benign indication in women aged 35 years or less significantly improved the patients' quality of life and sexual function with no differences regarding the surgical technique. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the German trial registry (no. DRKS00005622).

Hysteroscopy for Infertility in Young Women - Our Experience.

Objective: Infertility is a complex condition that depends on numerous mechanisms regarding its occurrence and evolution. It does not appear as a single pathology, and therefore the diagnosis and management involve both the identification of etiological causes and other possible systemic interactions. Infertility is defined as a succession of unsuccessful attempts of unprotected intercourse within a couple for 12 months, during the reproductive life. Among the many causes related to infertility, uterine pathology has an important place and hysteroscopy is outstanding in diagnosing and treating various pathologies in this category. Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted on a retrospective analysis of a group of patients from Bucur Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania. The main data were obtained from medical electronic records and included the type of infertility, associated diagnoses and symptoms, previous investigations, hysteroscopic procedure and follow-up. In order to obtain the database, the above parameters were evaluated and processed in the IBM SPSS Statistics version 28, including other few graphs processed in Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Results:The present study included 51 patients aged between 20 and 40 years, with a mean of 32.02 ± 3.7. Out of the total number of patients, 76.47% of participants to the present study were diagnosed with secondary infertility and 58.82% described menometrorrhagias as the most common symptom. Endometrial polyps were more frequently associated with menometrorrhagias (70% of patients), while synechiae and secondary amenorrhea were found together in 75% of cases. Previous ultrasound evaluation identified uterine cavity abnormalities as nonhomogeneous echo-pattern in 58.82% of cases, with some of them being suggestive of endometrial polyps (37.25%), intrauterine synechiae (3.92%) and uterine fibromas (9.8%). We noticed that 12% of cases required laparoscopy and 4% laparotomy. The outcomes of hysteroscopic management resulted in a conception rate of 39%. We found that 20% of pregnancies achieved were complicated with placenta praevia, 5% with gestational hypertension and 15% with imminence of abortion. Conclusions:Secondary infertility was more frequently encountered than primary infertility and the most common associated manifestations included menometrorrhagia, followed by secondary amenorrhea and pelvic-abdominal pain. Transvaginal ultrasound was correlated with hysteroscopic diagnosed pathology; posthysteroscopic results were favourable, regardless of the size and location of changes in the uterine cavity, thus highlighting the importance of hysteroscopic therapeutic techniques in increasing the chances of conception.

Placenta, the Key Witness of COVID-19 Infection in Premature Births.

Adverse perinatal outcomes, such as increased risks of pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth have been reported in SARS-CoV-2 infection. For a better understanding of COVID-19 complications in pregnancy, histopathological changes in the placenta, which is the interface between mother and foetus, could be the place to look at. The aim of this study was to determine placental histopathological changes and their role in preterm birth in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a prospective, observational study in a COVID-only hospital, which included 39 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth compared with a control group of 39 women COVID-19 negative with preterm birth and a placental pathology exam available. The microscopic examination of all placentas revealed placental infarction (64.1% vs. 30.8%), decidual arteriopathy (66.7% vs. 23.1%), intervillous thrombi (53.8% vs. 38.5%), perivillous fibrin deposits (59% vs. 46.2%), inflammatory infiltrate (69.2% vs. 46.2%), chorangiosis (17.9% vs. 10.3%), and accelerated maturation of the villi (23.1% vs. 28.2%).

The Accuracy of Cytology, Colposcopy and Pathology in Evaluating Precancerous Cervical Lesions.

Introduction: Cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common cancer in the world, and Romania has the highest incidence of cervical cancer in Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cytology, colposcopy, and pathology for the early detection of premalignant cervical lesions in a group of Romanian patients. Methods: This observational type 2 cohort study included 128 women from our unit, "Bucur" Maternity, who were referred for cervical cancer screening. Age, clinical diagnosis, cytology results, colposcopy impression, and biopsy results were considered. Colposcopy was performed by two experienced examiners. The pathological examination was performed by an experienced pathologist. Results: The cytology found high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 60.9% of patients, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 28.1%, atypical squamous cells for which a high-grade lesion could not be excluded in 9.4%, and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, known as repeated LSIL, in 1.6%. The first evaluator identified low-grade lesions in 56.3%, high-grade lesions in 40.6%, and invasion in 3.1% of patients. The second evaluator identified low-grade lesions in 59.4%, high-grade lesions in 32.0%, and invasion in 8.6% of patients. The pathological exam identified low-grade lesions in 64.1%, high-grade lesions in 25%, and carcinoma in 14% of patients. The colposcopic accuracy was greater than the cytologic accuracy. Conclusions: Colposcopy remains an essential tool for the identification of cervical premalignant cancer cells. Standardization of the protocol provided an insignificant interobserver variability and can serve as support for further postgraduate teaching.

The Impact of Prenatal Lectures in Breastfeeding and Neonatal Care in Romania - Our Experience.

Objective:The aim of the study was to identify the impact of prenatal lectures in breastfeeding and neonatal care in Romania. Methods:We distributed a questionnaire to mothers who gave birth at the Bucur Maternity, Bucharest, Romania. A study group was constituted from women who attended prenatal lectures and their answers were compared with those from women who did not have prenatal education. Results:The study included 122 women. Primiparous women tend to participate in educational lectures to a greater extent than others (p=0.001). Participants in prenatal lectures breastfeed longer than non-participants (.0.001) and they had at least university studies in a higher proportion (94.06%) than non-attenders (52.38%). Women without prenatal lectures live predominantly in rural areas (p=0.003). Most women who attended classes (86.2%) considered that information provided by prenatal lectures was useful. Exclusively breastfeeding was more frequent among participants (47.49%) than non-participants (38.89%). Conclusion:Primiparity, high level of education and living in urban areas are the main characteristics of female participants in prenatal lectures, who tend to breastfeed longer and ensure exclusive human milk feeding for their babies in a higher proportion than non-participants.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Significance in Prenatal Diagnosis-Case Series.

The persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a congenital heart anomaly reported in 0.3-0.5% of the general population and can be associated with congenital heart diseases in up to 8% of cases. Prenatal identification of PLSVC is important to prompt an extended cardiac and extracardiac fetal examination. We retrospectively reevaluated anomaly scans performed in our unit in a 2-year interval according to the national guidelines to evaluate the incidence of PLSVC and its association with prenatal morbidity. In our population, the incidence of PLSVC was 0.31%, and we found a low association with cardiac and extracardiac anomalies. The standard sections (three-vessel and trachea view, four-chamber view and outflow tract's view) are insufficient to exclude cardiac anomalies whenever PLSVC is found. In our case series, only one newborn required postnatal surgery for total pulmonary vein anomaly, and at 2 years of life all babies had a normal evolution. Prenatal diagnosis of PLSVC can raise counseling issues; therefore, awareness of its good outcome when isolated and need for an extended examination to rule out other anomalies is very important.

Postpartum Assessment of the Correlation between Serum Hormone Levels of Estradiol, Progesterone, Prolactin and ß-HCG and Blood Pressure Measurements in Pre-Eclampsia Patients.

Background: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disease. Aberrant hormone levels have been implicated in blood pressure disorders. This study investigated the association of postpartum maternal serum hormone levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and ß-HCG with poorer PE-related complications including arterial hypertension. Methods: Thirty patient women with preeclampsia, and twenty women with uncomplicated pregnancy were included in this study. Serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and ß-HCG were determined immediately after delivery, and on the first and third postpartum days by means of ECLIA. Results: Compared with normal pregnancy cases, preeclampsia cases had higher serum levels of ß-HCG levels on Day-0 (319%), of progesterone on Day-0 (207%) and Day-1 (178%), and of estradiol on Day-1 (187%) and Day-3 (185%). Increased prolactin levels were positively associated with disease severity and estradiol and progesterone levels were decreased in poorer preeclampsia features including disease onset and IUGR diagnosis. No significant correlation between different hormone levels and blood pressure measurements was reported. Conclusions: This study is the first that detected postpartum maternal serum hormone levels and their correlation with blood pressure measurements in preeclampsia. We believe that the persistent arterial hypertension in the puerperium in preeclampsia as well as poorer disease specifications are most likely not of hormonal origin. Larger, well-defined prospective studies are recommended.

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Premature Birth-Our Experience as COVID Center.

Information about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women is still limited and raises challenges, even as publications are increasing rapidly. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on preterm birth pregnancies. We performed a prospective, observational study in a COVID-only hospital, which included 34 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth compared with a control group of 48 healthy women with preterm birth. The rate of cesarean delivery was 82% in the study group versus 6% for the control group. We observed a strong correlation between premature birth and the presence of COVID-19 symptoms (cough p = 0.029, fever p = 0.001, and chills p = 0.001). The risk for premature birth is correlated to a lower value of oxygen saturation (p = 0.001) and extensive radiologic pulmonary lesions (p = 0.025). The COVID-19 pregnant women with preterm delivery were older, and experienced an exacerbation of severe respiratory symptoms, decreased saturation of oxygen, increased inflammatory markers, severe pulmonary lesions and decreased lymphocytes.

The Prevalence, Management and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Medical Students' Lives-A Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Dysmenorrhea is defined as the presence of painful menstruation, and it affects daily activities in different ways. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence and management of dysmenorrhea and to determine the impact of dysmenorrhea on the quality of life of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study conducted was prospective, analytical and observational and was performed between 7 November 2019 and 30 January 2020 in five university centers from Romania. The data was collected using an original questionnaire regarding menstrual cycles and dysmenorrhea. The information about relationships with family or friends, couples' relationships and university activity helped to assess the effects of dysmenorrhea on quality of life. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The study comprised 1720 students in total. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 78.4%. During their menstrual period, most female students felt more agitated or nervous (72.7%), more tired (66.9%), as if they had less energy for daily activities (75.9%) and highly stressed (57.9%), with a normal diet being difficult to achieve (30.0%). University courses (49.4%), social life (34.5%), couples' relationships (29.6%), as well as relationships with family (21.4%) and friends (15.4%) were also affected, depending on the duration and intensity of the pain. CONCLUSION: Dysmenorrhea has a high prevalence among medical students and could affect the quality of life of students in several ways. During their menstrual period, most female students feel as if they have less energy for daily activities and exhibit a higher level of stress. The intensity of the symptoms varies considerably and, with it, the degree of discomfort it creates. Most student use both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to reduce pain (75.7%). University courses, social life, couples' relationships, as well as relationships with family and friends are affected, depending on the duration and intensity of the pain.

Psycho-Emotional Impact of Anomaly Ultrasound Scan in Romanian Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: Second-trimester anomaly scan was introduced as a regulated practice in Romania in 2019, causing misperceptions and unrealistic expectations about this examination among pregnant women. This study aimed to assess whether second trimester anomaly scan is a reason "per se" for maternal anxiety. DESIGN: A prospective type 1 cohort study was conducted in a tertiary prenatal diagnosis center with three locations in Bucharest, Romania, among pregnant women who underwent a second trimester anomaly scan between 1 December 2019 and 29 February 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Anxiety at the time of prenatal anomaly scan. RESULTS: Out of the 138 participants, 32.6% believed that the anomaly scan could detect all fetus defects, 13.8% considered that the baby is bothered by the probe "light", 8.7% believed that the scan could harm the fetus, 96.4% reported that it was a pleasant experience, and 95% felt that it strengthened their bond with the fetus. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) score revealed that women with high state anxiety were more anxious at pre-scan (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound scan in the second trimester is correlated with a significant anxiety for women who are prone to this psychological trait. It is also a good opportunity to screen for highly anxious women who could benefit from prenatal psychological counseling to facilitate timely recognition and prevention of postpartum psychiatric disorders such as depression.

Evaluation of the SF-36 questionnaire for assessment of the quality of life of endometriosis patients undergoing treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endometriosis has a negative influence on the physical, psychological, and social aspects of a patient's life; therefore, it affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The current review aimed to investigate the efficiency of a 36-item generic questionnaire survey (SF-36) for patients with endometriosis who were undergoing medical or surgical treatment. A search strategy including the key words 'endometriosis', 'quality of life' (QOL), and 'questionnaire SF-36' was applied using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases in order to include articles that evaluated the QOL among women with endometriosis using the SF-36. Only articles that included interviews of patients both before and after surgical or medical endometriosis treatment or those articles that compared study groups were considered. The qualitative analysis was based on 37 articles, whereas the quantitative analysis utilized 14 articles. The research participants included 11,101 women, among whom 6,888 patients were diagnosed with endometriosis. The analysis recorded 17 studies dealing with all types of endometriosis, 9 studies dealing with deep infiltrative endometriosis (DIE), and 9 studies dealing with bowel endometriosis or DIE with bowel involvement. QOL was evaluated using only SF-36 in 12 studies that collectively included 1,912 women and using SF-36 in association with other questionnaires in 25 studies that collectively included 8,022 women. For patients with endometriosis, physical functioning [odds ratio (OR), 78.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 68.97-88.77; I2=98.77%; P≤0.001] was the most affected life parameter. This parameter showed the highest improvement after surgical intervention (OR, 63.39; 95% CI, 48.71-78.07; I2=97.65%; P≤0.001) or hormonal treatment (OR, 38.65; 95% CI, 14.39-62.91; I2=38.65%; P≤0.001). The 36-item survey generic questionnaire seems to be an efficient tool for assessment of the QOL of life of women with endometriosis who are undergoing surgical or medical treatment. It can be applied before and after the procedure, and it can also be used for comparing study groups.

Can SARS-CoV-2 Induce Uterine Vascular Anomalies and Poor Contractile Response?-A Case Report.

We are reporting a case of a 36 year-old Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive hypertensive primigravida with postpartum uterine atony that required emergency subtotal hysterectomy at Saint John Hospital Bucur Maternity Bucharest. The maternity was designated as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Maternity for Bucharest and Ilfov County since March 2020. The patient was mildly symptomatic for SARS-CoV-2, infection confirmed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The caesarean section was performed and a live male fetus was born, 2630 g and Apgar Score of 9 (the male fetus was negative for SARS-CoV-2). Postpartum hysterectomy with adnexal preservation was performed because of uterine atony. The postoperative evolution was favorable. The patient was discharged with her baby 10 days after birth. Given the limited resources, the placenta, the umbilical cord and the uterus were not tested for SARS-CoV-2. The pathology exam revealed that on the maternal side there were specific uterine atony lesions as well as endometrial and miometrial ischaemia. The placenta had nonspecific findings: chronic ischemic lesions with small villi, fibrin deposits in the materno-fetal interface. The peculiarity of the case is that we report the morphological findings of the placenta and uterus resulted from intrapartum uterine atonia in a patient with gestational arterial hypertension, premature birth and COVID-19. Further studies are required to characterize the pattern of such intricate conditions.

How Did Prenatal Education Impact Women's Perception of Pregnancy and Postnatal Life in a Romanian Population.

Background and Objectives: Prenatal education represents an important part of maternal prenatal care in Western countries. In Romania, prenatal education is of recent interest but there is no official information about prenatal courses and their impact on prenatal care and patients in Romania. Material and methods: A prospective study based on the STROBE statement was designed in order to assess the prenatal education delivered in our unit. The study group included women who gave birth at Bucur Maternity, "Saint. John" Hospital, Bucharest, Romania and attended the prenatal courses, compared with a control group (women who gave birth in our unit but did not attend the prenatal lecture). Patients' perception about the impact of prenatal education was collected by applying a questionnaire. Results: The analysis included 89 women who fulfilled the questionnaire online. In our study, 62 women (69.7%) attended the prenatal education classes and represented the study group while 27 women (30.3%) constituted the control group. Women who attended the prenatal lecture recognized the utility of the topic regarding newborn care (90.3%), while women from the control group did not consider it useful (n = 55.6%), χ2 = 18.412, p < 0.001. Patients from the study group admitted the importance of the topics (93.5%) from the lectures about breast feeding, while the percentage of these women from the control group is significantly lower (55.6%) χ2 = 27.867, p < 0.001. Conclusions: The benefits of prenatal education were recognized by women who attended the prenatal lecture, while women who did not participate underestimated the utility of the topics. Further actions are required to inform mothers about the necessity of antenatal education.

Fibroblast involvement in cardiac remodeling and repair under ischemic conditions.

Cardiac fibroblasts play a main role in the physiological turnover of the extracellular matrix, as well as its pathological remodeling. A study was performed on a batch of 23 cases who died of various cardiac complications secondary to scarring myocardial infarctions. The aim of the study was to assess the fibroblast involvement in cardiac repair under ischemic conditions after myocardial infarction. Tissue myocardial samples from the left ventricle were taken from these cases for microscopy examination, in order to investigate the type and degree of fibrosis as well as the presence of cardiac interstitial fibroblasts. Multiple series of histological sections were also performed and examined, along with immunohistochemical analysis. The fibroblasts were diffusely distributed in the interstitium among the residual cardiomyocytes, showing variable expression of vimentin and smooth muscle actin. During cardiac remodeling, there was a successive interstitial deposition, first of reticulin fibers and then of collagen fibers, leading to interstitial fibrosis and myocardial replacement. There was a correlation between vimentin and smooth muscle actin expression and collagen deposition. Fibrosis with cardiac remodeling is based on maintaining proliferation capacity of the fibroblast and its capacity of protein synthesis in the extracellular matrix. Under hypoxic ischemic conditions, followed by myocardial infarction, the fibroblast switches phenotype and transdifferentiate into myofibroblast, contributing to the healing by secreting extracellular matrix proteins and collagen deposition, with subsequent cardiac remodeling and regulation of the micro-environment metabolism.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in high compared to low risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (phase 2): the World Association of Perinatal Medicine working group on coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: It has still to be ascertained whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in pregnancy is associated with worse maternal and fetal outcomes compared to low risk gestations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes in high- and low-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multinational retrospective cohort study involving women with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from 76 centers from 25 countries in Europe, the United States, South America, Asia, and Australia from April 4, 2020, to October 28, 2020. The primary outcome was a composite measure of maternal mortality and morbidity, including admission to the intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. The secondary outcome was a composite measure of adverse perinatal outcome, including miscarriage, fetal loss, neonatal and perinatal death, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. All outcomes were assessed in high- and low-risk pregnancies. Pregnancies were considered high risk in case of either preexisting chronic medical conditions in pregnancy or obstetrical disorders occurring in pregnancy. The Fisher exact test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 887 singleton pregnancies who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens were included in the study. The risk of composite adverse maternal outcomes was higher in high-risk pregnancies than in low-risk pregnancies (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.24; P=.035). In addition, women carrying high-risk pregnancies were at higher risk of hospital admission (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.04; P=.002), presence of severe respiratory symptoms (odds ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-3.21; P=.001), admission to the intensive care unit (odds ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-4.88), and invasive mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-5.94; P=.002). When exploring perinatal outcomes, high-risk pregnancies were at high risk of adverse perinatal outcomes (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-2.72; P=.009). However, such association was mainly because of the higher incidence of miscarriage in high-risk pregnancies compared with that in low-risk pregnancies (5.3% vs 1.6%, P=.008); furthermore, there was no difference in other explored outcomes between the 2 study groups. At logistic regression analysis, maternal age (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22; P=.023) and high-risk pregnancy (odds ratio, 4.21; 95% confidence interval, 3.90-5.11; P<.001) were independently associated with adverse maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION: High-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were at higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes than low-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

The Influence of Educational, Environmental and Social Factors in the Decision to Attend Prenatal Lectures among Pregnant Women in Romania.

Introduction: Prenatal and postnatal education is an essential compound of prenatal care that prepares and facilitates the acquisition of women's skills, necessary for positive experiences during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period. Material and method: We conducted a prospective study that included pregnant women who attended prenatal courses. They were asked to fulfil a questionnaire about course topics, utility and impact on birth preparations. The pregnant women included in this group planned to give birth at Bucur Maternity, Saint John Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania. Results:A number of 205 pregnant women answered the online questionnaire over a period of two months. Their age range was between 25 and 35 years (40.98%). Among them, 74.15% had higher education, 85.37% of them were from urban areas, 82.44% were primiparous and 63.41% intended to have natural birth. There has been a growing interest for natural birth among pregnant women in their first pregnancy (68.05%) and also for participating in pre- and postnatal education courses, which was influenced by the level of completed education (65.66% of pregnant women with higher education wanted to give birth naturally). Topics of interest for most pregnant women are mentioned too. Conclusion:In our study, the majority of participants were aware of the importance to get accurate information about the prenatal period, birth, childbirth and the next period, as well as the care of the new-born from specialized courses, provided by medical staff.