Analyses of soluble endoglin and matrix metalloproteinase 14 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the diagnosis and assessment of severity of early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia

Objective: Abnormal trophoblastic invasion and impaired placentation have a crucial role in the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PrE). Trophoblastic cells are involved in invading the maternal decidua and remodelling of the spiral arteries with matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14). MMP-14 cleavage of endoglin releases its extracellular region, the soluble form of endoglin (s-ENG), into the maternal circulation. In PrE, there is a relationship between endothelial dysfunction and s-ENG concentration. The aim was to determine and compare the serum levels of s-ENG and MMP-14 in different groups of PrE patients and healthy subjects. Material and Methods: The study included 30 patients with late-onset preeclampsia (L-PrE) (group 1; gestational age ≥34 weeks), 33 patients with normal pregnancy (group 2; gestational age ≥34 weeks), 31 patients early-onset preeclampsia (E-PrE) (group 3; gestational age <34 weeks), and 31 patients with normal pregnancy (group 4; gestational age <34 weeks). s-ENG and MMP-14 concentrations measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were compared. Results: In all groups, MMP-14 concentrations decreased with increasing gestational age. s-ENG concentrations were highest in the E-PrE group. In groups 1 and 3, 29 had mild PrE while 32 suffered severe PrE and s-ENG concentrations did not differ between mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.133). However, there was a significant difference in MMP-14 concentration comparing mild with severe PrE (3.11±0.61 vs 3.54±1.00; p=0.047, respectively). There was no correlation between s-ENG and MMP-14 concentrations. Conclusion: MMP-14 and s-ENG concentrations can be predictive biomarkers for the diagnosis of PrE. Maternal serum MMP-14 concentration may be a biomarker for determining the severity of PrE.

Amniotic fluid concentrations of soluble endoglin and endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 in pregnancies complicated with neural tube defects.

Objective To determine the concentrations of soluble endoglin (sCD105) and endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) in the amniotic fluid (AF) of pregnant women, and to investigate the relationship between these concentrations and neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 were measured in the study group, which included 60 pregnant women complicated with NTDs, and 64 pregnant women with unaffected healthy fetuses (control group). The AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 in both groups were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared. Results There were no significant differences in terms of the mean AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 between the groups (P=0.141, P=0.084, respectively). There was a significant difference between the AF sCD105 concentrations in those with gestational age <24 weeks (n=101) and ≥24 weeks (n=23) (X̅<24=76.35±126.62 vs. X≥24=39.87±58.32, P=0.041). AF ESM-1 concentrations were found to be statistically significant in the gestational age <22 weeks (n=90) and ≥22 weeks (n=34) groups (X̅<22=135.91±19.26 vs. X̅≥22=148.56±46.85, P=0.035). A positive and low-level relation at a statistically significant level was determined between the gestational age and AF ESM-1 concentration in the study group (r=0.257; P=0.048). Conclusion AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 were not associated with the development of NTDs. Unlike studies that reported that ESM-1 concentrations decreased in maternal plasma with increased gestational age, we determined an increase that was proportionate to gestational age in AF.

Amniotic fluid levels of selected trace elements and heavy metals in pregnancies complicated with neural tube defects.

The aims of this study were to determine the levels of trace elements and heavy metals, namely aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, and to investigate their relationship with neural tube defects (NTDs). The study included 36 pregnant women whose fetuses were complicated with NTDs (study group) and 39 pregnant women with unaffected healthy fetuses (control group), who were matched for body mass index and gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid levels of trace elements and heavy metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and compared between the two groups. Significantly lower mean levels of Zn and Mo and significantly higher levels of Al, Sn, Sb, and Hg in the study group than in the healthy control group were observed, which implied that these elements are possibly correlated with risk factors for the occurrence of NTDs. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the levels of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb between the groups (P ≥ .05).

Fetal fibular hemimelia with focal femoral deficiency: A case report.

Fibular hemimelia (FH) is a congenital deficiency in which a part or all of the fibular bone is hypoplastic or aplastic and associated with hypoplastic tibia and foot anomalies. The main differential diagnoses include proximal focal femoral dysplasia, Femur-Fibula-Ulna syndrome, and Femoral Hypoplasia-Unusual Facies syndrome. Proximal focal femoral dysplasia, which has a short, angulated femur with normal mineralization may be associated with FH. We report a case of unilateral FH with focal femoral deficiency detected at 18 weeks of gestation during a routine ultrasonographic anatomic screening. Sonographic findings were a unilateral short femur (1.8 cm, 3 weeks shorter than expected for gestational weeks), agenesis of ipsilateral fibula and angulation of ipsilateral tibial shaft. During a routine ultrasonographic anatomic scan, all the long bones are carefully measured and evaluated. Long bone shortness can be a part of syndrome or an isolated finding.

Maternal serum endocan concentrations are elevated in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objectives To evaluate the maternal serum endocan levels in pregnant women complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to compare the results with healthy pregnancies. Methods This cohort study included 31 pregnant women with PPROM and 34 gestational age-matched healthy subjects in the third trimester of pregnancy. The blood for analysis was obtained on the day of diagnosis and serum endocan levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The pregnant women were observed until the delivery and perinatal data were noted. Results No significant differences regarding maternal age, body mass index, gravidity, parity and gestational age at sampling were observed (P > 0.05). Mean serum endocan level was significantly higher in the PPROM group than in healthy controls (1490 ± 632 pg/mL vs. 972 ± 586 pg/mL, respectively; P: 0.001). Serum endocan concentration was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.754, P < 0.001) and white blood cells count (WBC) (r = 0.712, P:0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that endocan with a cut-off point of 1198 ng/dL indicated women with PPROM with sensitivity of 64.5% and specificity of 35.1% (area under curve 0.731, confidence interval 0.61-0.85). Conclusion Serum endocan level was significantly elevated in the PPROM patients than in healthy controls. The endocan level may be a useful indicator of endothelial dysfunction/inflammation in PPROM cases.

Lower serotonin level and higher rate of fibromyalgia syndrome with advancing pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between changes in serotonin levels during pregnancy and fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) and the relationships between FS and the physical/psychological state, biochemical and hormonal parameters, which may be related to the musculoskeletal system. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a prospective case-control study conducted with 277 pregnant women at the obstetric unit of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, in the period between January and June 2015. FS was determined based on the presence or absence of the 2010 ACR diagnostic criteria and all the volunteers were asked to answer the questionnaires as Fibromyalgia Impact Criteria (FIQ), Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SS), Beck Depression Inventory and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Biochemical and hormonal markers (glucose, TSH, T4, Ca (calcium), P (phosphate), PTH (parathyroid hormone) and serotonin levels) relating to muscle and bone metabolism were measured. RESULTS: In the presence of fibromyalgia, the physical and psychological parameters are negatively affected (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the fibromyalgia and control groups in terms of glucose, Ca (calcium), P (phosphorus), PTH (parathyroid hormone), TSH (thyroid stimulant hormone), fT4 (free T4) levels (p = 0.060, 0.799, 0.074, 0.104, 0.797, 0.929, respectively). A reduction in serotonin levels may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia but this was not statistically significant. The Beck Depression Inventory scale statistically showed that increasing scores also increase the risk of fibromyalgia (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that serotonin levels in women with FS are lower than the control group and that serotonin levels reduce as pregnancy progresses. Anxiety and depression in pregnant women with FS are higher than the control group. The presence of depression increases the likelihood of developing FS at a statistically significant level. Serotonin impairment also increases the chance of developing FS, but this correlation has not been shown to be statistically significant.

Placental, hepatic, and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma during pregnancy: A case report.

The occurrence of coexisting cancer in pregnant women is not a common phenomenon. It complicates approximately 1 in 1000 to 1500 pregnancies. We present a multiparous woman aged 27 years in her 28th week of pregnancy who was admitted to our clinic with right upper quadrant pain and was finally revealed to have multiple metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma to metastasize both to the placenta and multiple maternal sites (liver, supraclavicular, para-aortic lymph nodes) in a pregnant patient. Unpredictable metastases to the placenta may be encountered and may even lead to definitive diagnosis, as in our case. Therefore, the placenta in any patient with known malignancy should be sent for pathologic evaluation.

Mislocated extrauterine intrauterine devices: Diagnosis and surgical management.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of the diagnostic and surgical treatment methods of our extrauterine intrauterine device (IUD) cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 21 extrauterine IUD cases at our clinic between 2008 and 2010. The symptoms, diagnostic methods, and surgical treatments were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 14 copper and seven levonorgestrel (LNG) IUDs were used. IUD had been inserted during lactation in 71.4% of the patients. The reasons for presentation of patients were unintended pregnancy in 19.05%, pelvic pain in 19.05%, and pelvic pain with vaginal bleeding in 23.8%. IUD in two patients were located the retroperitoneal area. IUD string had not been visible during routine follow-up in 38.1% of the patients. Laparoscopy was performed in 14 patients and laparotomy was performed for dense adhesions in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Extrauterine IUDs can present with various clinical symptoms. Ultrasonography and X-Ray are sufficient for the diagnosis. Surgical removal is needed to prevent possible complications, and the preferred surgical technique in appropriate patients is laparoscopy.

Vesico-cutaneous fistula: unusual complication after transobturator mid-urethral sling.

The transobturator tape (TOT) procedure was described in 2001 as the safest sling technique for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Although routine intraoperative cystoscopy to detect bladder and urethra injuries after the TOT procedure is not usually advocated, when such perforations do occur, there is potential for further patient morbidity. We present a case report of a vesico-cutaneous fistula detected after placement of a TOT sling in a 44-year old woman, 3 months postoperatively. Cystoscopic evaluation after mid-urethral sling procedures, especially in high-risk situations such as patients with cystocele, previous pelvic floor surgery or during the learning curve of the procedure, may avoid such complications associated with unrecognized lower urinary tract injuries.

Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in both lean and obese subjects.

AIM: Even though polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by increased inflammatory activity and insulin resistance, there is no clinical data about whether risk of atrial fibrillation are increased in these patients. We aimed to evaluate atrial conduction parameters predicting atrial involvement in this patient group. METHODS: The study population comprised 50 women 18-40 years of age who had been diagnosed with PCOS. The patients were divided into two groups: lean women (L-PCOS) with a body mass index (BMI) under 25 kg/m² and obese women (O-PCOS) with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m². Twenty-five age-matched lean healthy women were enrolled voluntarily as the control group. Difference between maximum and minimum P-wave duration was calculated and was defined as P-wave dispersion (Pd). Inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delays (inter-AED, intra-AED, respectively) were measured with tissue Doppler imaging. RESULTS: Inter- and intra-AED parameters were higher in the L-PCOS group when compared with control subjects (anova, P=0.004 and P=0.013, respectively), and were also significantly higher in the O-PCOS group compared with other groups (anova, P<0.001 for both). The regression analyses indicated that Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (ß=0.603, P<0.001) and BMI (ß=0.379, P<0.001) were the independent predictors of inter-AED, HOMA-IR (ß=0.835, P<0.001) was an independent predictor of intra-AED, and BMI (ß=0.457, P=0.006) and the left atrial diameter (ß=0.350, P<0.034) were independent predictors of Pd. CONCLUSION: Consequently, our findings provide data regarding prolonged atrial conduction parameters in PCOS patients, especially when accompanied by obesity.

Vaginal vault leiomyoma: 25 years after total abdominal hysterectomy.

Leiomyomas are benign, mesenchymal, monoclonal tumors that typically originate from myometrium smooth-muscle cells, although atypical sites such as the vagina, lungs, vascular structures, and retroperitoneal area have been reported. We present the case of a leiomyoma that originated from the vaginal cuff in a 70-year-old woman, 25 years after total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy.