Rapid differential diagnosis of vaginal infections using gold nanoparticles coated with specific antibodies.

Vaginal infections caused by bacteria, Candida and Trichomonas vaginalis, affect millions of women annually worldwide. Symptoms and signs have limited value in differential diagnosis of three causes of vaginitis. Current laboratory methods for differential diagnosis are either expensive or time consuming. Therefore, in this work, development of a method based on gold nanoparticles has been investigated for rapid diagnosis of vaginal infections. Specific antibodies against three main causes of vaginal infections were raised in rabbits. The antibodies were then purified and conjugated to gold nanoparticles and used in an agglutination test for detection of vaginal infections. Finally, sensitivity and specificity of this test for diagnosis of vaginal infections were estimated using culture method as gold standard. Purification of antibodies from sera was confirmed by electrophoresis. Construction of nanoparticles was proved by TEM and FT-IR methods. Conjugation of antibodies to gold nanoparticles was confirmed using XPS method. Sensitivity and specificity of gold nanoparticles for diagnosis of Candida species were 100%, for Gardnerella were 100% and 93%, and for T. vaginalis was 53.3% and 100%, respectively. Gold nanoparticle-based method is a simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective test for differential laboratory diagnosis of vaginal infections.

Effect of Normal Saline on Cleaning Uterine Cavity During Cesarean Delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Cesarean delivery is the most common and costly gynaecologic surgery, with an increase in rate all over the world. AIM: The present study aimed to estimate the effect of uterine cavity cleansing with normal saline solution during cesarean delivery on the rate of infection, fever, bleeding and postoperative gastrointestinal complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a clinical trial carried out on 90 pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean delivery. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of 45 individuals, including rinsing in 500ml of normal saline solution during cesarean delivery (intervention group) and non-rinsed (control group). Postoperative complications include bleeding, fever, wound infection were examined. The data related to postoperative gastrointestinal complications and endometritis at the second day and one and six weeks after surgery were collected and data were analysed through SPSS 17. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups regarding febrile morbidity two days after the surgery. The rate of one-week postoperative febrile morbidity was higher in the control group but not statistically significant. The difference in the incidence of fever, wound infection and endometritis on the second day and on the first week was not statistically significant but the incidence of endometritis on the sixth week after surgery was significant in the intervention group than control group and was less in the intervention group, the wound infection at sixth week after surgery was fewer in the intervention group but not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of gastrointestinal complications. CONCLUSION: Uterine cavity cleansing with normal saline solution during cesarean delivery may decrease postoperative complication, although the reduction is not statistically significant.

The Effects of Fetal Movement Counting on Pregnancy Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Counting fetal movements may lead to timely assess fetal health and prevent the adverse effects of pregnancy. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fetal movement counting on pregnancy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 208 women with singleton pregnancy were randomly divided into two groups of fetal movement counting and control. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Data were analysed with SPSS and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean maternal concern (p=0.36), admission to hospital due to the decreased fetal movements (p=0.99), birth weight (p=0.21), Apgar score (p=0.51), the mean of gestational age at the time of decreased fetal movements (p=0.49) and mode of delivery (p=0.69) between the two groups. There were no cases of premature labour, intrauterine growth retardation and fetal death in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy outcome was similar in the two groups of fetal movement counting and control. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of fetal movement counting on the major outcomes of pregnancy such as intrauterine fetal death.

A COMPARISON OF SERUM LEVELS OF 25-HYDROXY VITAMIN D IN PREGNANT WOMEN AT RISK FOR GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS AND WOMEN WITHOUT RISK FACTORS.

BACKGROUND: During pregnancy, Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25(OH)D] concentration is even more critical. This deficiency leads to higher incidences of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, bacterial vaginosis, and also affects the health of the infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and differences in high-risk pregnant women and women without risk factors for GDM. METHODS: This cross sectional study including 155 pregnant women, who are still in the first trimester of pregnancy (less than 12 weeks gestation), were randomized to two groups of high and low risk for GDM. For these people, once at the gestational age less than 12 times a week and once at for 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, tests of FBS / BS / HbA1C / 25OHD / insulin / Ca / Albumin was requested. Besides, the OGTT test was performed with 75 g glucose at 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to diagnose GDM. RESULTS: Serum levels of 25(OH)D in the second trimester of pregnancy ng / ml (24.1 ± 39.5) was significantly lower than that of the first trimester ng / ml (25.9 ± 45.6) (p <0.001). But serum 25(OH)D levels in the first and second trimester of pregnancy was significantly different in women at high risk for GDM than women who had no risk factors (p =0.584 and p =0.99). Serum levels of 25(OH)D has an inverse and significant relationship with HbA1C at the beginning of pregnancy (p=0.007). In addition, a significant and inverse relationship was shown between serum levels of 25(OH)D in the second trimester with insulin (p=0.047) and blood sugar 2 hours after ingestion of 75 g glucose (p=0.045) at 24-28 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: Regarding to the relationship between serum levels of 25(OH)D and blood sugar and insulin at the second trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended for pregnant women to take vitamin D supplementation.

Antioxidant Activity and Teratogenicity Evaluation of Lawsonia Inermis in BALB/c Mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Lawsonia inermis is a medicinal plant with abortive properties. There has been no scientific study to evaluate the teratogenicity of this plant. This study was performed to determine the antioxidant activity and the possible side effect of L. inermis hydroalcoholic extract on development of congenital abnormalities in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 120 female mature BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups and after mating and confirming the vaginal plug, the animals in the first group (G1) were kept with no intervention, and the second (G2), third (G3) and fourth (G4) groups were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with respectively saline (0.3 ml), and 10 and 100 mg/kg of L. inermis extract (for 7 days). On the 19th day, caesarean section was performed on the mice and embryos were examined for abnormalities. Their height and weight were measured. Data were analysed by ANOVA and post-hoc least significant difference tests. RESULTS: There were significant differences between G3 and G4, and G1 (p<0.001); no significant difference was seen between G3 and G4. At 100 mg/kg dose of L. inermis, the parietal bones were absent in 90% of embryos and more extra ribs were observed in both G3 and G4 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: L. inermis may have teratogenicity and should be used cautiously during pregnancy.

Analysis of Relationship between Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Gene (G308A Polymorphism) with Preterm Labor.

BACKGROUND: Increased concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in blood and amniotic fluid are observed in women with preterm delivery (PTD) and TNF-α mutations at -308 position are associated with higher expression of this gene. Therefore, we compared the frequency of G308A transition in the promoter region of TNF-α gene of women and neonates delivered preterm with the normal subjects. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 135 mothers who were referred for delivery. According to the gestational age, mothers and their neonates were allocated to the case (preterm, 64 subjects) and control (term, 71 subjects) groups. Using the polymerase chain reaction, restrictive fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), genotyping was performed on both maternal peripheral blood and cord blood samples to determine single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of TNF-α gene at -308. RESULTS: Two mothers in the case group, one mother in the control group and one neonate in the case group had genotyping assays (GA) mutation. All other subjects had normal GG genotype. Frequency of GA mutation was not significantly different between two groups (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant association between PTD and either maternal or fetal TNF-α -308 polymorphism and frequency ofGAmutation is not significantly increased in mothers and neonates delivered preterm. It means that the presence of this mutation by itself does not modify the overall risk of PTD. Investigations on the combination of various polymorphisms indifferent genes are recommended to achieve more accurate results.

The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia vahl on pregnant mice.

OBJECTIVES: Stachys lavandulifolia is commonly used for many health problems including anxiety. A couple of reports indicate that this plant might have an abortifacient effect on pregnant women. Here we examined this effect on pregnant mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incremental doses of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of the extracts or normal saline (control group) were injected intraperitoneally to the pregnant mice between 7(th) to 12(th) days of pregnancy. On day 16, uterine tubes were resected and absorbed fetuses were counted. RESULTS: Our study showed that the different average of absorbed fetuses between treated and control groups is significant (P < 0.05). S. lavandulifolia changes the activity level of hypothalamus-pituitary gland-gonad axis due to flavonoid compounds. Also, S. lavandulifolia decreases progesterone concentration resulting in a significant difference between treated and control groups (P < 0.05) and gives rise to failure in fetus survival and consequently, abortion. The length and weight of fetuses decreased in treated groups and there was a significant difference between treated and control groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Owing to the possible abortive effect of Stachys lavandulifolia, it is highly recommended to use it cautiously during pregnancy.