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L-2-Keto-3-deoxyfuconate 4-dehydrogenase (L-KDFDH) catalyzes the NAD+-dependent oxidization of L-2-keto-3-deoxyfuconate (L-KDF) to L-2,4-diketo-3-deoxyfuconate (L-2,4-DKDF) in the non-phosphorylating L-fucose pathway from bacteria, and its substrate was previously considered to be the acyclic α-keto form of L-KDF. On the other hand, BDH2, a mammalian homolog with L-KDFDH, functions as a dehydrogenase for cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline (C4LHyp) with the cyclic structure. We found that L-KDFDH and BDH2 utilize C4LHyp and L-KDF, respectively. Therefore, to elucidate unique substrate specificity at the atomic level, we herein investigated for the first time the crystal structures of L-KDFDH from Herbaspirillum huttiense in the ligand-free, L-KDF and L-2,4-DKDF, D-KDP (D-2-keto-3-deoxypentonate; additional substrate), or L-2,4-DKDF and NADH bound forms. In complexed structures, L-KDF, L-2,4-DKDF, and D-KDP commonly bound as a α-furanosyl hemiketal. Furthermore, L-KDFDH showed no activity for L-KDF and D-KDP analogs without the C5 hydroxyl group, which form only the acyclic α-keto form. The C1 carboxyl and α-anomeric C2 hydroxyl groups and O5 oxygen atom of the substrate (and product) were specifically recognized by Arg148, Arg192, and Arg214. The side chain of Trp252 was important for hydrophobically recognizing the C6 methyl group of L-KDF. This is the first example showing the physiological role of the hemiketal of 2-keto-3-deoxysugar acid.
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Modelos Moleculares , Especificidade por Substrato , Cristalografia por Raios X , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Sítios de LigaçãoRESUMO
L-Fucose (6-deoxy-L-galactose), a monosaccharide abundant in glycolipids and glycoproteins produced by mammalian cells, has been extensively studied for its role in intracellular biosynthesis and recycling of GDP-L-fucose for fucosylation. However, in certain mammalian species, L-fucose is efficiently broken down to pyruvate and lactate in a poorly understood metabolic pathway. In the 1970s, L-fucose dehydrogenase, an enzyme responsible for the initial step of this pathway, was partially purified from pig and rabbit livers and characterized biochemically. However, its molecular identity remained elusive until recently. This study reports the purification, identification, and biochemical characterization of the mammalian L-fucose dehydrogenase. The enzyme was purified from rabbit liver approximately 340-fold. Mass spectrometry analysis of the purified protein preparation identified mammalian hydroxysteroid 17-ß dehydrogenase 14 (HSD17B14) as the sole candidate enzyme. Rabbit and human HSD17B14 were expressed in HEK293T and Escherichia coli, respectively, purified, and demonstrated to catalyze the oxidation of L-fucose to L-fucono-1,5-lactone, as confirmed by mass spectrometry and NMR analysis. Substrate specificity studies revealed that L-fucose is the preferred substrate for both enzymes. The human enzyme exhibited a catalytic efficiency for L-fucose that was 359-fold higher than its efficiency for estradiol. Additionally, recombinant rat HSD17B14 exhibited negligible activity towards L-fucose, consistent with the absence of L-fucose metabolism in this species. The identification of the gene-encoding mammalian L-fucose dehydrogenase provides novel insights into the substrate specificity of enzymes belonging to the 17-ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase family. This discovery also paves the way for unraveling the physiological functions of the L-fucose degradation pathway, which remains enigmatic.
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Iron is the micronutrient with the best-studied biological functions. It is widely distributed in nature, and its involvement in the main metabolic pathways determines the great importance of this metal for all organisms. Iron is required for cellular respiration and various biochemical processes that ensure the proper functioning of cells and organs in the human body, including the brain. Iron also plays an important role in the production of free radicals, which can be beneficial or harmful to cells under various conditions. Reviews of iron metabolism and its regulation can be found in the literature, and further advances in understanding the molecular basis of iron metabolism are being made every year. The aim of this review is to systematise the available data on the role of iron in the function of the nervous system, especially in the brain. The review summarises recent views on iron metabolism and its regulatory mechanisms in humans, including the essential action of hepcidin. Special attention is given to the mechanisms of iron absorption in the small intestine and the purpose of this small but critically important pool of iron in the brain.
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INTRODUCTION: Physical activity during pregnancy is established to derive clinically meaningful improvements in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health outcomes. Evidence-based pre-screening tools have been developed to support the implementation of physical activity programmes, and enhance communication between health care providers, exercise professionals and pregnant women. The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy (GAQ-P) and the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity (HCPCF) empower pregnant women to identify whether they require additional counselling from their obstetric health care provider in terms of physical activity. However, these tools are not available in Polish. This work details the process taken to translate the GAQ-P and HCPCF into Polish. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We followed the translation process outlined by the Translation and Cultural Adaptation International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines between August 2022 and August 2023. We formed an expert group that included representatives of the Polish Society of Sports Medicine, The Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, practitioners, and scientists in physical activity during pregnancy. We implemented 9 of the 10 steps recommended by ISOPR in the translation process. At the Cognitive Debriefing stage, we collected opinions on the Polish version of GAQ-P and HCPCF from 70 stakeholders on the clarity and cultural appropriateness of the translation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Target users have positively evaluated the Polish version of GAQ-P and HCPCF. Thanks to the ISPOR methodology, we obtained a trustworthy, evidence-based screening tools, which can reduce the barriers for most women to be physically active during pregnancy.
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Background: Kidneys play an essential role in the circulatory system, regulating blood pressure and intravascular volume. They are also set on maintaining an adequate filtration pressure in the glomerulus. During the CPB, a decrease in systemic blood pressure and hemoglobin concentration may lead to renal ischemia and subsequent acute kidney injury. Methods: One hundred nine adult patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. The intervention in this study was increasing the flow of the CPB pump to reach the target MAP of > 90 mmHg during the procedure. The control group had a standard pump flow of 2.4 L/min/m2. Results: Standard pump flow of 2.4 L/min/m2 resulted in mean MAP < 90 mmHg during the CPB in most patients in the control group. Maintaining a higher MAP during CPB in this study population did not affect CSA-AKI incidence. However, it increased the intraoperative and postoperative diuresis and decreased renin release associated with CPB. Higher MAP during the CPB did not increase the incidence of cerebrovascular complications after the operation; patients in the highest MAP group had the lowest incidence of postoperative delirium, but the result did not obtain statistical significance. Conclusion: Maintaining MAP > 90 mmHg during the CPB positively impacts intraoperative and postoperative kidney function. It significantly reduces renal hypoperfusion during the procedure compared to MAP < 70 mmHg. MAP > 90 mmHg is safe for the central nervous system, and preliminary results suggest that it may have a beneficial impact on the incidence of postoperative delirium.
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OBJECTIVES: The Polish criteria for "intrauterine death" include fetal demise after 22 weeks of gestation, weighing > 500 g and body length at least 25 cm, when the gestational age is unknown. The rate of fetal death in Poland in 2015 is 3:10,000. In 2020, 1,231 stillbirths were registered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis using 142,662 births in the period between 2015-2020 in 11 living in Poland. The first subgroup was admitted as patients > 22 to the beginning of the 30th week of pregnancy (n = 229), and the second from the 30th week of pregnancy inclusively (n = 179). In the case of women from both subgroups, there was a risk of preterm delivery close to hospitalization. RESULTS: It was found that stillbirth in 41% of women in the first pregnancy. For the patient, stillbirth was also the first in his life. The average stillbirth weight was 1487 g, the average body length was 40 cm. Among fetuses up to 30 weeks, male fetuses are born more often, in subgroup II, the sex of the child was usually female. Most fetal deaths occur in mothers < 15 and > 45 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: According to the Polish results of the origin of full-term fetuses > 30 weeks of gestation for death in the concomitant antenatal, such as placental-umbilical and fetal hypoxia, acute intrapartum effects rarely, and moreover < 30 Hbd fetal growth restriction (FGR), occurring placental-umbilical, acute intrapartum often.
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(1) Background: It is relevant to find new diagnostic biomarkers for endometrial cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α, EGF and ANG-2 could be considered new useful markers for diagnosis and survival of endometrial cancer. (2) Methods: A total of 93 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC) and 66 patients with non-cancerous endometrial lesions (NCEL) were included in this study. (3) Results: Median serum levels of PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α, EGF and ANG-2 were significantly higher in the EC group compared to the NCEL group (for PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α and ANG-2, p = 0.0000; for EGF, p = 0.0186). The cut-off level of PDGF-AB was set at 127.69 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 87.1% and a specificity of 66.67% (AUC = 0.78, p < 0.000001). The cut-off level of PDGF-BB was set at 207.86 ng/L with a sensitivity of 82.8% and a specificity of 75.76% (AUC = 0.85, p < 0.000001). The cut-off level of TGF-α was set at 33.85 ng/L with a sensitivity of 82.8% and a specificity of 75.76% (AUC = 0.82, p < 0.000001). The cut-off level of EGF was set at 934.76 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 83.87% and a specificity of 28.79% (AUC = 0.61, p = 0.018472). The cut-off level of ANG-2 was set at 3120.68 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 72.04% and a specificity of 93.94% (AUC = 0.87, p < 0.000001). (4) Conlusion: It was concluded that all the proteins studied could be potential diagnostic markers in endometrial cancer.
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BACKGROUND: Nowadays, it is possible to identify a group at increased risk of preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) using the principles of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF). It has been established for several years that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) reduces the incidence of PE and FGR in high-risk populations. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of ASA use after the first-trimester screening in a Polish population without chronic hypertension, as well as its impact on perinatal complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 874 patients were enrolled in the study during the first-trimester ultrasound examination. The risk of PE and FGR was assessed according to the FMF guidelines, which include the maternal history, mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtPI), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and placental growth factor (PLGF). Among patients with a risk higher than >1:100, ASA was administered at a dose of 150 mg. Perinatal outcomes were assessed among the different groups. RESULTS: When comparing women in the high-risk group with those in the low-risk group, a statistically significantly higher risk of pregnancy complications was observed in the high-risk group. These complications included pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (OR 3.6 (1.9-7)), any PE (OR 7.8 (3-20)), late-onset PE (OR 8.5 (3.3-22.4)), FGR or small for gestational age (SGA) (OR 4.8 (2.5-9.2)), and gestational diabetes mellitus type 1 (GDM1) (OR 2.4 (1.4-4.2)). The pregnancies in the high-risk group were more likely to end with a cesarean section (OR 1.9 (1.2-3.1)), while the newborns had significantly lower weights (<10 pc (OR 2.9 (1.2-6.9)), <3 pc (OR 10.2 (2.5-41.7))). CONCLUSIONS: The first-trimester screening test for PE and FGR is a necessary and effective tool in identifying high-risk pregnancies. ASA prophylaxis among high-risk patients may have the most beneficial effect. Furthermore, this screening tool may significantly reduce the incidence of early-onset PE (eo-PE).
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Preeclampsia (PE) is a prevalent obstetric illness affecting pregnant women worldwide. This comprehensive literature review aims to examine the role of biomarkers and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying PE. The review encompasses studies on biomarkers for predicting, diagnosing, and monitoring PE, focusing on their molecular mechanisms in maternal blood or urine samples. Past research has advanced our understanding of PE pathogenesis, but the etiology remains unclear. Biomarkers such as PlGF, sFlt-1, PP-13, and PAPP-A have shown promise in risk classification and preventive measures, although challenges exist, including low detection rates and discrepancies in predicting different PE subtypes. Future perspectives highlight the importance of larger prospective studies to explore predictive biomarkers and their molecular mechanisms, improving screening efficacy and distinguishing between early-onset and late-onset PE. Biomarker assessments offer reliable and cost-effective screening methods for early detection, prognosis, and monitoring of PE. Early identification of high-risk women enables timely intervention, preventing adverse outcomes. Further research is needed to validate and optimize biomarker models for accurate prediction and diagnosis, ultimately improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.
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Pré-Eclâmpsia , Gravidez , Humanos , Feminino , Pré-Eclâmpsia/diagnóstico , Estudos Prospectivos , Biomarcadores , Família , FetoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Preoperative fasting and surgery cause metabolic stress, insulin resistance with ketosis, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Oral carbohydrate loading strategy (CHO) improves outcomes in labor and general surgery. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of CHO with standard fasting in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery (CD) under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: A single-center, parallel, prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a tertiary university obstetrics department at Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to the CHO group (oral carbohydrate 2 h before elective CD, n = 75) or the SF group (control-standard fasting, n = 73). The main outcome measures were incidence and severity of PONV at 6 and 24 h after CD, time to the first peristalsis, time to first bowel movement, and biochemical parameters indicating ketosis in mothers and their children. RESULTS: A total of 148 adult females with singleton pregnancies undergoing elective CD under spinal anesthesia (ASA I and II) were included in the final analysis. At 24 h after CD, 8.0% from the CHO group vs. 20.55% reported three or more episodes of vomiting or dry retching as compared to patients in the SF group (p = 0.041). Preoperative CHO supplementation decreased preoperative feelings of hunger (p < 0.001) and thirst (p < 0.001). Laboratory results in the CHO group showed higher plasma pH (p = 0.001) and glucose (p < 0.001), lower F2-isoprostane in plasma (p = 0.049) and urine (p = 0.018), lower urine F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio (p = 0.045) than in the SF group. HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) and lactate (p < 0.001) were higher in the CHO group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the incidence or severity of early PONV at 6 h. The incidence of vomiting or dry retching at 24 h after cesarean delivery was lower in the CHO group as compared to standard starvation, but the combined results of PONV frequency and severity on the Wengritzky scale did not differ between the two study groups. Preoperative CHO supplementation decreased preoperative feelings of hunger and thirst, enhancing the comfort of pregnant women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04069806.
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During pregnancy, the placenta undergoes a natural aging process, which is considered normal. However, it has been hypothesized that an abnormally accelerated and premature aging of the placenta may contribute to placenta-related health issues. Placental senescence has been linked to several obstetric complications, including abnormal fetal growth, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and stillbirth, with stillbirth being the most challenging. A systematic search was conducted on Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Twenty-two full-text articles were identified for the final synthesis. Of these, 15 presented original research and 7 presented narrative reviews. There is a paucity of evidence in the literature on the role of placental aging in late small for gestational age (SGA), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and stillbirth. For future research, guidelines for both planning and reporting research must be implemented. The inclusion criteria should include clear differentiation between early and late SGA and FGR. As for stillbirths, only those with no other known cause of stillbirth should be included in the studies. This means excluding stillbirths due to congenital defects, infections, placental abruption, and maternal conditions affecting feto-maternal hemodynamics.
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PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common endocrine disorder that affects 8-13% of women of reproductive age. Increased body weight and insulin resistance may be associated with chronic inflammation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular complications. CRP (C-reactive protein) tests may be use to assess persistent inflammation. Elevated CRP levels may be associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Determination of hsCRP, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, can be used to assess cardiovascular risk in women with PCOS. In this study, 120 women between the ages of 18 and 42 were divided into two groups: patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 80) and regular menstruating women in whom PCOS was excluded (n = 40). Lipid and carbohydrate metabolism parameters and hsCRP levels were assessed, followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for hsCRP, where metabolic syndrome was the dependent variable. For hsCRP, the cutoff point was 1.44 (mg/dL). Sensitivity for the cutoff point was 0.913 and specificity was 0.691. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.851 (p < 0.000). The closer the AUC value is to unity, the better the predictive ability of the studied variable. There was also a statistically significant correlation between hsCRP levels and the presence of metabolic syndrome.
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BACKGROUND: The partial dislocation of the talus from the calcaneus and navicular bones is a primary factor leading to a prolonged overpronation during weightbearing. This study aimed to assess the possibility of returning to physical activity and long-term patient satisfaction after an extra-osseous talotarsal stabilization (EOTTS) procedure with a HyProCure sinus tarsi implant for partial talotarsal joint dislocation (TTJ). METHODS: A total of 41 adult patients (61 feet), with an average age of 46.41, were included and treated surgically with EOTTS as a stand-alone surgery. Physical activity and functional scores were assessed pre- and post-operatively using questionnaires-the UCLA Activity Score, Symptom-Related Ankle Activity Scale (SAAS), Sports Frequency Score (SFS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and VAS scale. Satisfaction was assessed on a ten-point scale. The follow-up period was on average 8.61 years (from 7.33 to 10.31). RESULTS: EOTTS had a positive impact on physical activity, and a high rate of patient satisfaction (8.95 ± 1.9) was noted. The treatment led to a reduction in foot pain, as well as an increase in SAAS and LEFS scores (15,6% and 19,3%, respectively, p <0.01). The VAS pain score decreased by 18,6% (p <0.001). SFS and UCLA scores showed a small increase, but it was not statistically significant. A positive correlation was noted between patient satisfaction and time of physical activity per week (R = 0.33, p =0.04), and also between patient satisfaction and SAAS scores (R = 0.43, p =0.005). Pain from other joints (knee, hip) was eliminated or reduced in 40% of patients after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: EOTTS with a HyProCure implant is an effective long-term treatment option for partial talotarsal joint dislocation, leading to a reduction in foot pain and increased patient satisfaction, and allowing for a return to physical activity.
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Selenium (Se) and manganese (Mn) are essential micronutrients that are important elements of cell metabolism. They are involved in the composition of enzyme systems and regulate enzyme activity. Disturbances in the homeostasis of these micronutrients affect the development of many diseases and carcinogenesis, which can be linked to increased levels of oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant properties of many enzymes. Selenium has a very important function in maintaining immune-endocrine, metabolic and cellular homeostasis. Manganese, on the other hand, is important in development, digestion, reproduction, antioxidant defense, energy production, immune response and regulation of neuronal activity. We review the role of selenium and manganese and their effects on tumor growth, metastasis potential and remodeling of the microenvironment. We also describe their role as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and the potential for the use of Se- and Mn-containing compounds in composition for the treatment of cancer of the reproductive organs.
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Neoplasias Ovarianas , Selênio , Feminino , Humanos , Selênio/uso terapêutico , Manganês/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/uso terapêutico , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Micronutrientes , Compostos de Manganês , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-factorial disorder of pregnancy, and it continues to be one of the leading causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aspirin is universally recommended for high-risk women to reduce preeclampsia risk. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recommendations of various scientific societies on predicting preeclampsia and their indications for the inclusion of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) prophylaxis. Fourteen guidelines were compared. The recommended dose, screening method, and gestational age at the start of the test vary depending on the recommendation. The societies are inclined to recommend using increasingly higher doses (>75 mg) of ASA, with many encouraging doses from 100 mg upward. Most societies indicate that the optimal time for implementing aspirin is prior to 16 weeks' gestation. Following the publication of the Aspirin for Evidence-Based Preeclampsia Prevention (ASPRE) trial results and other papers evaluating the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) screening model, a large number of societies have changed their recommendations from those based on risk factors alone to the ones based on the risk assessment proposed by the FMF. This allows for the detection of a high-risk pregnancy population in whom aspirin will be remarkably effective in preventing preterm PE, thereby decreasing maternal and fetal morbidity.
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INTRODUCTION: Cervical insufficiency accounts for 15% of recurrent pregnancy losses between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation. The aim of the study is to verify the effectiveness of emergency double-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone in cervical insufficiency treatment in terms of the prevention of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This trial is a multicentre, non-blinded, randomised study with 1:1 allocation ratio. The study is conducted at tertiary perinatal care departments in Poland. It will include patients with cervical insufficiency with the fetal membranes visible in the open cervical canal or protruding into the vagina between 16+0 and 23+6 weeks of pregnancy. They will be randomised into two arms: emergency single-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone or double-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone. All will be administered antibiotics and indomethacin. The primary outcome is the rate of deliveries below 34+0 weeks of gestation, while secondary outcomes include gestational age at delivery, neonatal outcomes, maternal outcomes according to the Core Outcome Set for Evaluation of Interventions to Prevent Preterm Birth and cerclage procedure complications. The planned number of participants according to the power analysis is 78. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was written in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials statement. It was created according to the requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki for Medical Research involving Human Subject. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education (no. 1/2022). The study protocol was approved and published by ClinicalTrials.gov (posted on 24 February 2022). All participants gave a written informed consent. After completion of the study its results will be published in a peer-reviewed English language journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05268640.
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Cerclagem Cervical , Nascimento Prematuro , Gravidez , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Progesterona , Nascimento Prematuro/prevenção & controle , Nascimento Prematuro/etiologia , Cerclagem Cervical/efeitos adversos , Cerclagem Cervical/métodos , Colo do Útero , Suturas/efeitos adversos , Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como Assunto , Estudos Multicêntricos como AssuntoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy significantly increases the demand for iron (Fe) in the female body to facilitate maternal blood volume expansion, placental development, and fetal growth. As Fe flux in pregnancy is significantly influenced by the placenta, the aim of this study was to determine the dependencies between the Fe concentration in the placenta, the infant's morphometric parameters and the woman's morphological blood parameters in the last trimester. METHODS: The study was conducted on 33 women with multiple (dichorionic-diamniotic) pregnancies from whom the placentas were drawn, and their 66 infants, including pairs of monozygotic (n = 23) and mixed-sex twins (n = 10). Fe concentrations were determined based on inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) using ICAP 7400 Duo, Thermo Scientific. RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed that lower placental Fe concentrations were associated with deteriorated morphometric parameters of infants, including weight and head circumference. Although we found no statistically significant dependencies between Fe concentration in the placenta and the women's morphological blood parameters, higher Fe concentration in the placenta of mothers supplemented with Fe correlated with better morphometric parameters in infants compared to those whose mothers received no Fe supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The research adds additional knowledge for placental iron-related processes during multiple pregnancies. However, many limitations of the study do not allow detailed conclusions to be assessed, and statistical data should be assessed conservatively.
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Placenta , Gravidez de Gêmeos , Gravidez , Feminino , Humanos , Placenta/irrigação sanguínea , Peso ao Nascer , PlacentaçãoRESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity of oxidative stress by measuring the concentrations of lipid peroxidation products (LPO) in fetal membrane, umbilical cord, and placenta samples obtained from women with multiple pregnancies. Additionally, the effectiveness of protection against oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR). Due to the role of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) as cofactors for antioxidant enzymes, the concentrations of these elements were also analyzed in the studied afterbirths. The obtained data were compared with newborn parameters, selected environmental factors, and the health status of women during pregnancy to determine the relationship between oxidative stress and the health of women and their offspring during pregnancy. The study involved women (n = 22) with multiple pregnancies and their newborns (n = 45). The Fe, Zn, and Cu levels in the placenta, umbilical cord, and fetal membrane were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) using an ICAP 7400 Duo system. Commercial assays were used to determine SOD, GPx, GR, CAT, and LPO activity levels. The determinations were made spectrophotometrically. The present study also investigated the relationships between trace element concentrations in fetal membrane, placenta, and umbilical cord samples and various maternal and infant parameters in women. Notably, a strong positive correlation was observed between Cu and Zn concentrations in the fetal membrane (p = 0.66) and between Zn and Fe concentrations in the placenta (p = 0.61). The fetal membrane Zn concentration exhibited a negative correlation with shoulder width (p = -0.35), while the placenta Cu concentration was positively correlated with placenta weight (p = 0.46) and shoulder width (p = 0.36). The umbilical cord Cu level was positively correlated with head circumference (p = 0.36) and birth weight (p = 0.35), while the placenta Fe concentration was positively correlated with placenta weight (p = 0.33). Furthermore, correlations were determined between the parameters of antioxidative stress (GPx, GR, CAT, SOD) and oxidative stress (LPO) and the parameters of infants and maternal characteristics. A negative correlation was observed between Fe and LPO product concentrations in the fetal membrane (p = -0.50) and placenta (p = -0.58), while the Cu concentration positively correlated with SOD activity in the umbilical cord (p = 0.55). Given that multiple pregnancies are associated with various complications, such as preterm birth, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and placental and umbilical cord abnormalities, research in this area is crucial for preventing obstetric failures. Our results could serve as comparative data for future studies. However, we advise caution when interpreting our results, despite achieving statistical significance.