Influential Serum Kinases (Non-sFlt-1) and Phosphatases in Preeclampsia-Systemic Review and Metanalysis.

The early identification of women with an increased risk of preeclampsia (PE) is desirable, but apart from soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), few biomarkers have previously been identified as relevant for predicting preeclampsia. Since kinases and phosphatases regulate critical biological processes and previous evidence suggests a potential role of these molecules in preeclampsia, we performed this systematic review and metanalysis. The objective was to determine if there are kinases and phosphatases whose serum levels are different between women with and without PE, being relevant biomarkers of PE. We followed the recommendations of Cochrane and the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA) to perform this study. The MESH terms preeclampsia, kinases, phosphatases, angiopoietins, soluble tyrosine protein kinase receptor (sTIE2), and cellular-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) were combined to find relevant articles in the PubMed, PROSPERO, and Cochrane databases. Then, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed in R Studio software. From 580 abstracts identified, 37 were included in the final analysis, which comprised 24,211 pregnant women (2879 with PE and 21,332 women without PE [HP]. The pooled analysis showed that serum creatine kinase (CK) (SMD: 2.43, CI 95% 0.25-4.62) was significantly higher in PE, whereas sTIE2 and anti-angiogenic factor soluble c-Met (sMet)were significantly lower in PE than in HP (SMD: -0.23, CI95% -0.37 to -0.09; and SMD:0.24, CI95% 0.01-0.47, respectively). Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1), angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), the ratio angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase were not different between women with PE and HP. In summary CK, sTIE2, and c-MET are relevant biomarkers of PE. It is desirable to incorporate them into current models for PE prediction to evaluate their utility as biomarkers.

Intrauterine transfusion of a hydropic fetus with anemia due to a giant chorioangioma: A case report.

Giant chorioangiomas are a potentially life-threatening condition that may require intrauterine therapy. We describe a case of a large chorioangioma (>4cm) diagnosed at 30 weeks of gestation causing severe fetal anemia and hydrops. An intrauterine blood transfusion was performed at 31 weeks with reversal of the anemia and hydrops. The neonate was born at 37 weeks showing respiratory distress syndrome that required neonatal intensive care unit admission but was discharged at 30 days of life. Further evaluation at two months of age showed no signs of abnormal neurodevelopment. When timely indicated, intrauterine transfusion of a hydropic fetus with anemia due to a giant chorioangioma is a potentially life-saving therapy that shows good neurodevelopment of the surviving fetus.

Comparison of Outcomes Between Banded and Non-banded Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most common bariatric procedure performed worldwide. It accounts for more than 50% of primary bariatric surgeries performed each year. Recent long-term data has shown an alarming trend of weight recidivism. Some authors have proposed the concurrent use of a non-adjustable gastric band to decrease long-term sleeve failure. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes (weight loss) and safety (rate of complication and presence of upper GI symptoms) between SG and BSG. METHODS: A systematic search with no language or time restrictions was performed to identify relevant observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating people with morbid obesity undergoing SG or SGB for weight loss. An inverse-of-the-variance meta-analysis was performed by random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane X2 and I2 analysis. RESULTS: A total of 7 observational studies and 3 RCT were included in the final analysis. There were 911 participants pooled from observational studies and 194 from RCT. BSG showed a significant higher excess of weight loss (% EWL). The difference among groups was clinically relevant after the third year where the weighted mean difference (SMD) was 16.8 (CI 95% 12.45, 21.15, p < 0.0001), while at 5 years, a SMD of 25.59 (16.31, 34.87, p < 0.0001) was noticed. No differences related to overall complications were noticed. Upper GI symptoms were up to three times more frequent in the BSG group (OR 3.26. CI 95% 1.96, 5.42, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, BSG is superior to SG in weight loss at 5 years but is associated with a higher incidence of upper GI symptoms. However, these conclusions are based mainly on data obtained from observational studies. Further RCT are needed to evaluate the effect and safety of BSG.

Plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity and Carbonylated Proteins Are Increased in Pregnant Women with Severe COVID-19.

Oxidative stress (OS) induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection may play an important role in COVID-19 complications. However, information on oxidative damage in pregnant women with COVID-19 is limited. Objective: We aimed to compare lipid and protein oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) between pregnant women with severe and non-severe COVID-19. Methods: We studied a consecutive prospective cohort of patients admitted to the obstetrics emergency department. All women positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were included. Clinical data were collected and blood samples were obtained at hospital admission. Plasma OS markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonylated proteins (CP), and TAC; angiogenic markers, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF); and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) markers, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) and angiotensin-II (ANG-II) were measured. Correlation between OS, angiogenic, and RAS was evaluated. Results: In total, 57 pregnant women with COVID-19 were included, 17 (28.9%) of which had severe COVID-19; there were 3 (5.30%) maternal deaths. Pregnant women with severe COVID-19 had higher levels of carbonylated proteins (5782 pmol vs. 6651 pmol; p = 0.024) and total antioxidant capacity (40.1 pmol vs. 56.1 pmol; p = 0.001) than women with non-severe COVID-19. TAC was negatively correlated with ANG-II (p < 0.0001) and MDA levels (p < 0.0001) and positively with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (p = 0.027). Conclusions: In pregnant women, severe COVID-19 is associated with an increase in protein oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity as a possible counterregulatory mechanism.

Fetal surgery for obstructive ureterocele using an ultrasound-guided needle laser ablation technique: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive ureterocele is an intravesical cystic dilation of the distal end of the ureter associated with anhidramnios and dilation of both renal pelvises. METHODS: This is a case-series of prenatally diagnosed ureterocele. Cases were selected at a third level reference hospital in Monterrey Mexico between 2010 and 2018. Eligible patients for fetal therapy were selected when bilateral hydronephrosis and severe oligohydramnios were found before 26+0 weeks of gestation. The fetal intervention comprised an ultrasound-guided needle laser technique for ureterocele ablation. RESULTS: There were six cases of prenatal diagnosed of ureterocele, two cases showed anhidramnios at 23 weeks of gestation and were considered obstructive ureterocele. For these two cases, fetal surgery was performed using laser ablation of the ureterocele through an ultrasound-guided needle. In both, the urinary tract was decompressed, and the volume of amniotic fluid improved allowing to carry both pregnancies until term, one of them vaginally and the other by cesarean section. In the postnatal follow-up of both cases, the first neonate died due to neonatal asphyxia at 48-hours, and the second neonate required removal of the abnormal collecting system. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasound-guided laser ablation for the decompression of obstructive ureterocele is a safe and feasible technique in extremely premature fetuses that could allow survival of the affected fetus until term. Patients receiving an early prenatal diagnosis of obstructive ureterocele may benefit from fetal therapy to reduce the risk of lung hypoplasia and stillbirth.Established factsPrenatal mortality of bilateral obstructive ureterocele is up to 45%.Only a few techniques have been described for the management of prenatally bilateral obstructive ureterocele; among them, the puncturing of the ureterocele which may require more than one intervention during fetal, laser by fetoscopy which may increase the risk of postoperative complications, and ultrasound-guided laser fulguration which seems to be effective and safe.Novel insightsThe present is the first description of a case series on ureteroceles comprising two ultrasound-guided laser therapy as an effective treatment for bilateral obstructive ureterocele requiring a single intervention.The use of ultrasound-guided laser in obstructive cases avoids fatality and lung hypoplasia due to severe oligohydramnios. Still, the neonatal prognosis of the affected side at two years of age remains unchanged.

Recomendaciones para el monitoreo continuo de la glucosa en pacientes embarazadas con diabetes mellitus tipos 1, 2 y gestacional / Recommendations for continuous glucose monitoring in pregnant patients with type 1, 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus

Resumen OBJETIVO: Emitir recomendaciones para la vigilancia y seguimiento de pacientes embarazadas con diabetes mellitus tipos 1, 2 y gestacional con base en la experiencia de un grupo de especialistas y en lo reportado en la bibliografía, desde la perspectiva del sistema de salud mexicano. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizó la metodología del panel Delphi modificado, mediante la unanimidad de criterios de un grupo de especialistas en Ginecoobstetricia, Biología de la Reproducción y Medicina Materno Fetal mexicanos, tomando en cuenta un nivel de unanimidad del 80% de los participantes. RESULTADOS: Con base en un ejercicio de consenso se recomienda el monitoreo continuo de la glucosa en todas las pacientes embarazadas con diabetes mellitus tipos 1 y 2 a partir del primer trimestre de la gestación. En pacientes con diabetes gestacional considerar, a partir del segundo o tercer trimestre, el monitoreo continuo de la glucosa en usuarias de insulina o en descontrol glucémico, dependiendo del momento en que se diagnostique la diabetes gestacional, del descontrol glucémico y de la necesidad de insulina. La hemoglobina glucosilada y el tiempo en las concentraciones límite también son métricas de control glucémico. CONCLUSIONES: El monitoreo continuo de la glucosa tiene ventajas en: menos complicaciones perinatales, detección oportuna y reducción de eventos de hiper o hipoglucemia, menor descontrol, ajuste de dosis respecto del tratamiento con insulina y mejora en los hábitos para controlar las concentraciones de glucosa.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To issue recommendations for the surveillance and follow-up of pregnant patients with types 1, 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus based on the experience of a group of experts and on what is reported in the literature, from the perspective of the Mexican health system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified Delphi Panel methodology was performed, through consensus among gynecology, reproductive biologist, and fetal-maternal specialists, and an 80% consensus of all participants. RESULTS: Based on the consensus exercise, we recommend continuous glucose monitoring in all pregnant patients with type I and II diabetes starting on the first trimester; meanwhile in patients with gestational diabetes, continuous monitoring should be considered in patients treated with insulin or uncontrolled glycemia, starting in the second or third trimester, depending on the moment of diagnosis, glycemic levels and insulin requirements, taking into account HbA1c levels and time in range as well as glycemic control metrics. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous glucose monitoring has advantages including the reduction of perinatal complications, timely detection, reduction in the number of hyper/hypoglycemia events, fewer uncontrolled patients, and the capacity for insulin dosage adjustments and improvement of habits for glucose control.

Novel Ratio Soluble Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1/Angiotensin-II (sFlt-1/ANG-II) in Pregnant Women Is Associated with Critical Illness in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: In healthy pregnancies, components of the Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) are present in the placental villi and contribute to invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. At the same time, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) production is induced after binding of ANG-II to its receptor (AT-1R) in response to hypoxia. As RAS plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, we hypothesized that angiogenic marker (sFlt-1) and RAS components (ANG-II and ACE-2) may be related to adverse outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19; Methods: Prospective cohort study. Primary outcome was severe pneumonia. Secondary outcomes were ICU admission, intubation, sepsis, and death. Spearman's Rho test was used to analyze the correlation between sFlt-1 and ANG-II levels. The sFlt-1/ANG-II ratio was determined and the association with each adverse outcome was explored by logistic regression analysis and the prediction was assessed using receiver-operating-curve (ROC); Results: Among 80 pregnant women with COVID-19, the sFlt-1/ANG-II ratio was associated with an increased probability of severe pneumonia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.31; p = 0.003), ICU admission (OR: 1.05; p = 0.007); intubation (OR: 1.09; p = 0.008); sepsis (OR: 1.04; p = 0.008); and death (OR: 1.04; p = 0.018); Conclusion: sFlt-1/ANG-II ratio is a good predictor of adverse events such as pneumonia, ICU admission, intubation, sepsis, and death in pregnant women with COVID-19.

Maternal Serum Interleukin-6: A Non-Invasive Predictor of Histological Chorioamnionitis in Women with Preterm-Prelabor Rupture of Membranes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of maternal serum levels of IL-6 in women with preterm-prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) as a non-invasive test for the prediction of histological chorioamnionitis (HCA). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of pregnant women between 20 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation with a confirmed diagnosis of PPROM. Logistic regression models were created for the prediction of HCA and compared by assessing the improvement in their Naegelkerke R2 as a measure of goodness of fit. Predictive performance of all models was assessed by receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis and compared by the DeLong method. RESULTS: From 47 women with PPROM, 31 (66%) developed HCA. Maternal serum IL-6 ≥19.5 pg/dL was the best cut-off point for the prediction of HCA (OR = 15; 95% CI: 3.6-61; p < 0.01). A model comprising maternal characteristics and IL-6 ≥19.5 pg/dL showed an area under the curve of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74-0.95), significantly improving the previous models of IL-6 ≥19.5 pg/dL (R2: 23.3 vs. 34.1%; p = 0.01) or maternal characteristics (R2: 8.4 vs. 34.1%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A model comprising maternal serum levels of IL-6 plus maternal characteristics proves to be a good non-invasive predictor of HCA.