The Effectiveness of Cyanoacrylates versus Sutures for Mesh Fixation after Lichtenstein Repair (SCyMeLi STUDY) A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyze of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is still the most frequent complication after open Lichtenstein repair and any strategy to reduce its incidence and implications is a step forward to better outcomes. Between the means of mesh fixation atraumatic glue fixation has been explored as such possibility. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the performance of cyanoacrylate glue versus sutures fixation was conducted. Methods: the meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2000 and December 2021 were searched for in MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholars. The quality of RCTs and the potential risk of bias were assessed using MINORS criteria and the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: of 269 papers the meta-analysis was performed on 19 RCTs including 3578 patients. In the glue fixation group, the operation was shorter (mean pooled difference 6 minutes; SE = 0.47; 95% CI = - 6.77 - - 4.92; t test = -12.36; p 0.0001) and immediate postoperative pain was lower (2.37% vs 13.3%OR - 0.158; 95% CI = 0.064 0.386; p = 0.0001). There was no difference in terms of chronic pain, recurrence rate and wound events. Conclusion: glue fixation of mesh in elective Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia seems to be a valid choice for a painful and safe procedure without increasing risk of recurrence.

Fetal Ovarian Cyst-A Scoping Review of the Data from the Last 10 Years.

Abdominal cystic masses are diagnosed during the intrauterine period and have a relatively low incidence. Fetal ovarian cysts are the most common form diagnosed prenatally or immediately after birth. The pathophysiology of the development of these types of tumors is not fully elucidated, with ovarian hyperstimulation caused by maternal and placental hormones being the most accepted hypothesis. During intrauterine development, the diagnosis of fetal ovarian cysts is most often made accidentally during usual check-up ultrasounds corresponding to the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. We conducted a scoping review with the aim to map the current knowledge regarding the treatment of fetal ovarian cysts diagnosed in the intrauterine period. Focusing on the articles published in the last 10 years in the specialized literature, we tried to identify a conceptualization regarding the surveillance and treatment of these anomalies.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with delivery techniques for impacted fetal head at cesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Late first-stage or second-stage cesarean section is commonly associated with fetal head impaction, leading to maternal and neonatal complications. This situation requires safe delivery techniques, but the optimal management remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with delivery techniques via cesarean section. METHODS: An electronic search of three databases, from inception to June 2021, was conducted. Cohort and randomised comparative studies on maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with techniques to deliver an impacted fetal head during cesarean section were included. The methodological quality of the primary studies was assessed. Review Manager 5.4 was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Nineteen articles, including 2,345 women were analyzed. Three fetal extraction techniques were identified. Meta-analyses showed that the "pull" technique carries lower risks as compared to the "push" technique and the "Patwardhan" technique is safer compared to the "push" or the "push and pull" technique. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of robust evidence to support the use of a specific technique, the choice of the obstetrician should be based on best available evidence. Our study suggests that the "pull", as well as the "Patwardhan" technique represent safe options to deliver an impacted fetal head.

Alteration of Gene and miRNA Expression in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women in terms of prevalence and mortality. Cervical cancer has some particularities that distinguish it from any other oncologic pathology: first, it is completely preventable by prompt detection of its precursor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); second, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a known etiological agent; third, the mean age at diagnosis is much lower than in other oncologic conditions, as a consequence of the sexually-transmitted HPV. Methods: We evaluated the expression level of several long noncoding RNAs and a microRNA in samples from 30 patients with CIN, 9 with cervical cancer and 38 normal samples using qRT-PCR technology. Results: We observed higher expression levels for MEG3, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 in CIN samples than in normal samples, whereas TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression levels. For cancer samples, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 had higher expression, and MEG3, TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression when compared to normal samples. In the case of CIN versus cancer samples, only MEG3 gene showed a statistically significant difference. The expression of miR-205-5p was lower in both CIN and cancer samples compared to normal samples. Conclusion: Decreased MEG3 expression could be considered an alarm signal in the transition from a premalignant cervical lesion to invasive cancer, while altered expression levels of TIMP3, SOX1, MLH1, MALAT1 and miR-205-5p could serve as early biomarkers in the diagnosis of premalignant cervical lesions. Future studies, including a larger number of patients with CIN, will be of particular importance in validating these observations.

The profile of urinary biomarkers in overactive bladder.

AIMS: In overactive bladder (OAB) research, different biomarkers have been proposed as diagnostic tools and may be used to create individual patient profiles. Assessing the diagnostic performance of biomarkers would better outline their utility. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the diagnostic value of four urinary biomarkers: human brain derived neurotrophic factor (hBDNF), malondialdehyde (MDA), h nerve growth factor (hNGF) and h 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in women with OAB. These are neurotrophins/oxidative stress markers that have been linked to lower urinary tract symptoms. METHODS: A total of 105 women were included in the study and distributed in two groups: a group with OAB (n = 53) and a control group (n = 50). The levels of the biomarkers were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and they were compared between the groups. If the Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a statistically significant difference, receiver operating curves (ROC) analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: When normalized to urinary creatinine, hBDNF, MDA, and hNGF showed significantly increased values in women with OAB as compared to controls, whereas 8-OHdG showed no significant difference. The diagnostic performance of these biomarkers was analyzed based on the area under the ROC curve (AUC). MDA had the highest AUC (0.75), followed by hNGF (0.69) and hBDNF (0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that MDA, a relatively novel biomarker in OAB research, has a fair performance as a diagnostic tool for OAB. Moreover, urinary neurotrophins (NGF and BDNF) as biomarkers may have a role in the diagnostic pathways of women with OAB symptoms.

Uterine Artery Doppler Ultrasonography for First Trimester Prediction of Preeclampsia in Individuals at Risk from Low-Resource Settings.

Background and objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of first trimester uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography for the early prediction of preeclampsia (PE), in at-risk pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study, including 120 Caucasian pregnant women with risk factors for PE. The potential of pulsatility indexes (PI) and notch was assessed as a tool for preeclampsia screening. Results: Doppler examination of the uterine artery performed early at 11-14 WA allows the detection of pregnancies that will develop PE with a sensitivity of 61.5% and a specificity of 63.8% based on PI analysis. Predictive power increases slightly by adding bilateral notch (sensitivity = 65.4%; specificity = 66%). Conclusions: Uterine artery Doppler examination is an effective non-invasive screening test for the development of PE in pregnancies at risk, particularly appropriate in health systems with limited means of evaluating other biomarkers.

Transperineal Ultrasound Assessment of a Cystocele's Impact on the Bladder Neck Mobility in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Background and objectives: As pelvic floor disorders are often difficult to assess thoroughly based on clinical examination alone, the use of imaging as a complementary technique is helpful. This study's aim was to investigate by transperineal ultrasound (US) if there was any significant difference in the mobility of the bladder neck in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) without a cystocele and in those with SUI and an associated cystocele. The study also investigated whether the number of vaginal births and/or the heaviest newborn's birth weight was correlated with the bladder neck mobility. Materials and Methods: A total of 71 women suffering from SUI were included in the study and divided into two groups based on the presence of a cystocele. Their bladder neck mobility was evaluated by transperineal US, calculating the distance from the inferior margin of the symphysis pubis to the bladder neck (SPBN), and the dorsocaudal linear movement (DLM), term used to illustrate the displacement of the bladder neck by subtracting rest and Valsalva values. GraphPad Prism 8 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Within both study groups, the SPBN values were significantly higher and the DLM values were significantly lower at rest as compared to Valsalva maneuver (p < 0.05). No significant difference between the groups regarding SPBN and DLM values at rest, Valsalva, or subtraction was demonstrated. A significant positive correlation was found between the bladder neck mobility and the heaviest newborn's birth weight, regardless of the presence of a cystocele (p = 0.042). Conclusions: The presence of a cystocele had no significant impact on the bladder neck mobility measurements in patients with SUI. The heaviest newborn's birth weight positively correlated with bladder neck hypermobility, as quantified by SPBN.

GRP78 levels, regional fat distribution and endometrial cáncer.

BACKGROUND: The association of obesity with endometrial cancer is supported by the presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the adipocyte. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a marker for ER stress. This protein is a central regulator of ER stress due to its major anti-apoptotic role. It plays an important role in tumor development, progression and chemoresistance. AIM: To look for an association between android and gynoid obesity, plasma GRP78 levels and endometrial cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty four patients with endometrial cancer aged 72 ± 6 years and 44 healthy women aged 55 ± 9 years were studied. Android and gynoid fat distribution were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry and plasma GRP78 levels were measured. RESULTS: GRP78 plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with endometrial cancer as compared to the control group. Android fat distribution had a positive correlation with plasma GRP78 levels (p<0.01). Gynoid fat had a negative correlation with plasma GRP78 levels (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: GRP78 levels are associated with the distribution of adipose tissue and are higher in patients with endometrial cancer.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines for evaluation of inflammatory status in endometriosis.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to investigate the serum pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in patients with diagnosed endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 160 women, who were divided in two study groups (Group I - endometriosis; Group 2 - healthy). We evaluated the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-12, and of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) with the use of Human Multiplex Cytokine Panels. RESULTS: The serum level of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α is significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared to women free of disease, from the control group (mean 10.777, 183.027, and 131.326, respectively, compared to 3.039, 70.043, and 75.285, respectively; p = 0.002, p < 0.001, and p = 0.015, respectively). No significant differences in the serum levels of IL-5 and IL-12 were observed between the studied groups, and IL-7 had a very low detection rate. CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis have elevated levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines, i.e. IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. At the same time, IL-1ß and IL-6 could be used as predictors for endometriosis.

Serum anti-inflammatory cytokines for the evaluation of inflammatory status in endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a frequent gynecologic disease with a severe impact on the quality of life in the affected women; its pathogenesis is yet to be fully understood, with an altered immunity as a possible key factor. The present study aimed to investigate the serum anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in the patients with endometriosis compared with the healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty women were included, divided into two study groups (Group I - endometriosis; Group 2 - healthy women). We evaluated the serum levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-15 with the use of Human multiplex cytokine panels. Statistical analyses (normality distribution analysis, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test) were performed using IBM SPSS software (version 22.0) and GraphPad Prism (version 5.00); receiver operating characteristic curve were used to demonstrate the diagnostic performance of the studied markers. RESULTS: The mean serum level of IL-1Ra, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared to women free of disease from the control group (30.155, 138.459, and 1.489, respectively, compared to 14.109, 84.710, and 0.688, respectively; P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.002, respectively.). No significant differences in the mean serum levels of IL-2, IL-13, and IL-15 were observed between the studied groups and IL-2R had a very low detection rate. CONCLUSION: Endometriosis is associated with elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1Ra, IL-4, and IL-10, markers that have a potential role as a prognostic factor for endometriosis.

Endometriosis Reccurence ­ is Ultrasound the Solution?

BACKGROUND: Transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography has become a widely used investigative method in the diagnostic workup of endometriosis, as well as for the postoperative follow-up. The variety of lesions, the distorted anatomy caused by adhesions and the fibrosis process represent the main challenges of the ultrasound evaluation. Regarding the recurrence of endometriosis, the diagnostic criteria are being imprecise, being adjusted according to the development of ultrasound techniques. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To this study, extensive research has been performed interrogating PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases to identify published research including patients with endometriosis who underwent surgery. Included patients had postoperative ultrasound investigations to detect evidence of endometriosis recurrence. The selected timeframe was 5 years. We conducted a literature review on ultrasound markers of endometriosis recurrence. RESULTS: In this analysis, 2023 patients from 9 studies were included. The recurrence rate detected was 17.26%. The postoperative treatment was different in the selected studies and they include the administration of progesterone, oral combined contraceptives, GnRh antagonists, aromatase inhibitors and intrauterine devices with prolonged release of progesterone. DISCUSSION: The recurrence rate is different in the selected studies as a result of the recurrence definition used by each author and the minimum dimension of the lesions, in case of the cystic pattern. Innovative techniques of differential diagnosis by ultrasound are proposed, one of them being the textural analysis performed by computer-aided diagnosis ­ CAD. In order to standardize the recommendations regarding imaging techniques, we propose an algorithm for following up with patients in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The transabdominal or endovaginal ultrasound performed regularly represents a key factor to determine the recurrence of endometriosis in the postoperative period and the imaging reassessment is recommended to be performed at a 6-month interval.

Obesity, a Single Pathology Influencing Both Mother and Child-A Retrospective Analysis in Hospital Settings.

Obesity, characterized by an excess of adipose tissue, has become a significant global health issue. The prevalence of obesity has increased markedly in recent decades worldwide, with a sharp rise also observed in developing countries, particularly in urban areas. Addressing obesity during pregnancy is crucial for several reasons and presents challenges for specialists in obstetrics and gynecology. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between obesity and its implications for childbirth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study involving 1513 patients, grouped into normal-weight, overweight, and obese categories using corrected BMI values. We performed comparative analyses to explore the association between BMI and various outcomes: the method of delivery, the Apgar score at birth, the incidence of fetal distress, fetal birth weight, the presence of pregnancy-associated pathologies, and the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage. Descriptive statistical analysis was utilized to characterize the demographic and clinical features of the patients and newborns. RESULTS: By examining variables such as the occurrence of fetal distress during labor, the Apgar score at delivery, and the mode of delivery, we identified an association between increasing BMI and complications during labor and delivery. The results indicate that a higher BMI is linked with increased complications and variations in the mode of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is the most common health issue among women of reproductive age and requires long-term care. It can contribute to numerous pregnancy-associated pathologies and affect both mother and child during labor and delivery. Obesity is associated with lower Apgar scores, the increased incidence of fetal distress, and a higher rate of cesarean section deliveries. Although the absolute risk of serious complications for mother, fetus, and newborn is low among women with obesity, adopting healthy eating and exercise behaviors prior to pregnancy, ideally, or as early in pregnancy as possible, can help minimize excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Amniocentesis-When It Is Clear That It Is Not Clear.

A fetus identified to be at risk for chromosomal abnormalities may benefit from identification of genetic defects through amniocentesis. Although the risks associated with amniocentesis are considered to be minimal, being an invasive procedure it is not completely without complications. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to identify correlations between blood contamination of samples collected during amniocentesis and certain factors dependent on the instruments used (thickness of the needle used to aspirate the fluid), the location of the placenta, and uterine vascularity (more pronounced in multiparous patients). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 190 patients in the second trimester of pregnancy who met one of the criteria for invasive prenatal diagnosis (age over 35 years, high risk in first trimester screening, history of pregnancies with genetic abnormalities, etc.). The amniotic fluid samples collected from these patients were analyzed in terms of blood contamination of the amniotic fluid aspirated with maternal cells Results: Of the patients in whom the procedure was performed using 21 G size needles, 16 samples (13.33% of the total) were contaminated. None of the samples collected from patients where a 20 G needle was used were contaminated. There was a statistically significant association between the lack of contamination and the use of Doppler ultrasound in multiparous patients with anterior placenta in whom a 21-gauge needle was used for amniocentesis. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased rate of sample contamination (statistically significant) when using 21 G needle sizes and a significant difference in contamination between primiparous and multiparous patients, with contamination being more frequent in multiparous patients. The use of Doppler ultrasonography may benefit the procedure, as the contamination rate was significantly reduced when used during amniocentesis.

Comparison of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with vaginal reconstructive procedures and abdominal sacrocolpopexy for the surgical management of vaginal vault prolapse: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Vaginal vault prolapse, also known as apical prolapse, is a distressing condition that may affect women following hysterectomy, necessitating surgical intervention when conservative measures prove ineffective. The surgical management of apical compartment prolapse includes procedures such as laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSCP), abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASCP) or vaginal reconstructive procedures (VRP). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the outcomes of these interventions. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify eligible studies. Fourteen studies comprising a total of 1,289 women were included. The selected studies were analyzed to evaluate outcomes such as duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, blood loss, complication rates, and patient satisfaction. Results: LSCP did not demonstrate significant advantages over VRP in terms of perioperative or long-term outcomes. However, when compared to ASCP, LSCP showed shorter hospital stay, reduced blood loss, decreased postoperative pain, and lower rates of ileus. Discussion: This systematic review contributes to evidence-based decision-making for the surgical treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. While LSCP did not exhibit substantial benefits over VRP, it emerged as a preferable option compared to ASCP due to shorter hospital stays and reduced postoperative complications. The findings from this study provide valuable insights for clinicians and patients in selecting the most appropriate surgical approach for vaginal vault prolapse. However, future research should focus on long-term follow-ups, standardizing outcomes, and outcome measures, and evaluating cost-effectiveness to further enhance clinical practice.

Early outcomes of open anterior versus posterior components separation with transversus abdominis release for large median incisional hernias: a retrospective stepwise analysis.

BACKGROUND: Complex incisional hernia is still a debatable topic, with increasing incidence and an increased local and systemic postoperative morbidity and mortality. The size of the defect is a risk factor for both difficult closure and 30-day readmission due to complications. The main option for closure such defect is a mesh augmented component separation technique. The goal was to evaluate 30-day wound events and general complications including 90 days mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study that includes patients from two different university hospitals who underwent open incisional hernia repair with anterior component or posterior component separation between January 2015 and December 2021. Only non-contaminated adult patients (over 18 years old) with postoperative primary or recurrent median abdominal wall defects larger than 6 cm and with complete fascial closure were included. Demographics (age, gender, Body Mass Index-BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification-ASA score), recurrence rank, and co-morbidities), operative details, patient outcomes complications were collected. A native abdomen/pelvis computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed preoperatively in all patients and the anatomy of the defect and volumetry (abdominal cavity volume, incisional hernia volume and peritoneal volume) were evaluated. One of the component separation technique was performed according to Carbonell's equation. RESULTS: Two hundred and two patients (101 from each group) were included. The patients with posterior component separation were more comorbid and with larger defects. The procedure was longer with 80 min but overall length of hospital stay shorter (p < 0.001) for posterior component separation. Seroma, hematoma and skin necrosis were equally distributed for both group of patients and there was no direct relation to surgery (OR 0.887, 95% CI 0.370-2.125, p = 0.788; OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.677-3.33, p = 0.318 and OR 0.386, 95% CI 0.117-1.276, p = 0.119). Surgical Site Infection rate was increased for anterior component separation (p =0.004). CONCLUSION: Complex incisional hernia repair is a challenge given by a large amount of wound complications. Choosing between anterior and posterior component separation is still a source of significant debate. We were not able to depict significant different rates of complications between the procedures and we couldn't find any specific factor related to complications.

Progesterone's Serum Level and a New Ultrasonographic Parameter in the First Trimester Pregnancy - Prognostic Factors for Embryonic Demise.

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of embryonic demise is multifactorial, with chromosomal abnormalities being the most common (40%). The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the correlation between a serum biomarker, progesterone, and an ultrasonographic parameter, the distance between yolk sac and embryo (DYSE) in assessing the prognosis of pregnancy outcome in the 1st trimester. METHODS: The present study is a prospective case-control analysis that includes 2 groups of patients: 81 patients with first-trimester normal evolutive pregnancy and 89 patients with embryonic demise, all of the patients having between 6 and 11 weeks of amenorrhea. Endovaginal ultrasonographic exploration was performed to evaluate the distance between the lower pole of the embryo and the yolk sac. From each subject enrolled in the study, 20 ml of blood was collected for progesterone serum level measurement. RESULTS: Regarding the DYSE in the case group, lower values were observed compared with the control group, the difference being statistically significant. In the statistical analysis of serum progesterone values, statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The DYSE has a high positive predictive value in identifying pregnancies with potentially reserved outcome, with the present study demonstrating that a DYSE < 3 mm causes an unfavorable evolution of the pregnancy. Low serum levels of progesterone are associated with an increased rate of nonviable embryos. The correlation between these two parameters increases the effectiveness of screening methods in prenatal monitoring and improves the diagnostic methods for the first-trimester pregnancies whose outcome potential can be reserved.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue and Ishikawa cells co-culture highlight the role of adiponectin in endometrial cancer pathogenesis.

Visceral obesity is a risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC). Visceral adipose tissue secretes over 50 inflammatory cytokines that can act centrally to regulate different physiological processes of the body but also remotely involved in communicating messages from the adipose tissue to other target tissues. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect of in vitro adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on endometrial tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were isolated from normal subcutaneous (SC) and omentum adipose tissue from one woman without any other pathologies associated during a Fallopian tube ligature intervention. From one patient with EC was also harvested both SC and omentum adipose tissue. Ishikawa cells were cultured in ASCs conditioned medium. Study outcomes included detection of adipokines in cell culture supernatants and cell lysates by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Our results indicate that cells from the EC patient's fat tissues migrated during the first days of cultivation and had a high proliferation rate. Ishikawa cells grown in MSCs co-culture showed lower absolute values of adiponectin than the cells cultured individually, having a pro-tumoral effect. The differences were statistically significant compared to Ishikawa cells in monoculture. In supernatants of MSCs, an increase in adiponectin's values in MSCs from SC adipose tissue of the patient with EC (SC cMSCs) was observed in co-culture as compared to monocellular control culture. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the hypothesis that ASCs are an important source of intracellular adiponectin, which increase the EC cell proliferation.

Yolk sac-embryo distance in correlation with soluble form of vascular endothelial growth factor levels in pregnancy with potentially reserved evolutivity.

AIMS: Embryonic demise is a frequent complication of the first trimester pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between a serum biomarker, the soluble form of the vasculo-endothelial growth factor (sFlt-1) and the distance between the yolk sac (YS) and embryo (DYSE), determined by ultrasonography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a prospective case-control study that included 2 groups of patients - the control group with 81 first-trimester pregnancies in evolution and the case group with 89 first-trimester pregnancies with a potentially reserved evolutivity. RESULTS: A correlation between the serum level of sFlt-1 and DYSE in embryos with crown-rump length (CRL) greater than 5 mm was identified, showing that a DYSE ≤3 mm correlates with a low level of sFlt-1 (p<0.05) and a DYSE> 4 mm correlates with an increased level of sFlt-1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A low level of sFlt-1 associated with a distance between the embryo and yolk sac of small dimensions, respectively <3 mm, correlates with an increased rate of non-viable embryos. This correlation between an ultrasound and a serum parameter is of great value and brings important information about the viability of firsttrimester pregnancies.

Monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy complicated by twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence and retroplacental hematoma - a case report.

Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a rare and severe complication specific to monochorionic twin pregnancies, involving the presence of an acardiac twin and a structurally normal co-twin (pump twin). We report on the case of a33-year-old female with a biamniotic monochorionic twin pregnancy complicated with TRAP sequence and polyhydramnios. The patient underwent fetoscopic termination of the acardiac twin and at 34 gestational weeks (GW) was readmitted with aretroplacental hematoma. The patient gave birth through caesarean section to a living female fetus, weighing 1480 g. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting a twin pregnancy with TRAP sequence complicated with retroplacental hematoma.

Endometriosis-associated changes in serum levels of interferons and chemokines.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum concentration of main chemokines and interferons in patients with diagnosed endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 women were divided in two study groups (group 1 - endometriosis; group 2 - healthy women). Serum levels of IFN-α, IFN-γ, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, RANTES, eotaxin, IL-8, MIG, IP-10, and IL-17A were measured with Human Multiplex Cytokine Panels. Results. Serum levels of IFN-γ, MCP-1, and IL-8 were significantly higher (mean 14.03, 57.24, and 534.24, respectively, compared to 0.58, 20.51, and 259.82, respectively), and serum levels of IP-10 and eotaxin were significantly lower in women with endometriosis compared to the controls (mean 1.15 and 1.01, respectively, compared to 3.90 and 3.22, respectively). Conclusions. According to our results women with endometriosis have elevated levels IFN-γ, MCP-1, and IL-8, and lower serum levels of IP-10 and eotaxin, indicating unbalanced immune activity in endometriosis.