Evaluation of maternal serum SERPINC1, E-selectin, P-selectin, RBP4 and PP13 levels in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether Serpin clade C (SERPINC1), E-selectin, P-selectin, Placental protein 13 (PP13), and Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) levels in maternal serum were associated with the presence of preeclampsia and to compare them with uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS: This prospective study included 40 women with preeclampsia and 40 healthy pregnant women. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to measure serum SERPINC1, E-selectin, P-selectin, PP13, and RBP4 levels. RESULTS: The preeclampsia group had significantly higher E-selectin and P-selectin levels than the control group. PP13 and SERPINC1 levels were also significantly lower than the control group. There was no significant difference in RBP4 levels. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed the best cutoff values for the following: E-selectin >19.2 ng/mL, with 87.5% sensitivity and 95% specificity; P-selectin >5.1 ng/mL, with 97.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity; PP13 ≤ 107.03 pg/mL, with 72.5% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity; and SERPINC1 ≤ 87.76 ng/mL, with 100% sensitivity and 97.5% specificity. CONCLUSION: In this study, the endothelial dysfunction parameters SERPINC1, PP13, E-selectin, and P-selectin were found to be associated with preeclampsia. Endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in maternal non-serum body fluids may differ. More research is needed, especially to determine the relationship between SERPINC1 and preeclampsia.

Assessment of maternal serum SERPINC1, E-selectin, P-selectin, and RBP4 levels in pregnancies with early- and late-onset preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate whether the SERPINC1, E-selectin, P-selectin, and RBP4 levels in first trimester maternal serum was associated with the presence of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 26 women with early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE), 27 women with late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), and 27 women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Levels of serum SERPINC1, E-selectin, P-selectin, and RBP4 were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: E-Selectin levels in patients with EO-PE were higher than those with LO-PE and control patients (pE-L  = 0.025; pE-C  = 0.000; p < 0.05). There was no significant intergroup difference in terms of P-selectin and RBP4 levels (p > 0.05). SERPINC1 levels were lower in the patients in the with EO-PE group than in those in the LO-PE and the control groups (pE-L  = 0.000; pE-C  = 0.000; p < 0.05). In the PE group, there was a negative, moderate (41.7%) correlation between E-selectin level and SERPINC1 (p = 0.002; p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the best cut-off values for E-selectin were 23.14 ng/ml > with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The ROC curve showed that the best cut-off values for SERPINC1 were ≤87.76 ng/ml with 98.1% sensitivity and 96.3% specificity. DISCUSSION: Of the endothelial damage parameters, E-selectin and SERPINC1 are especially associated with EO-PE. Furthermore, they can be used as potential early diagnosis markers in the prediction of PE.

Investigation of awareness and anxiety levels of pregnant women during pandemic process.

OBJECTIVES: It is currently unknown that how pregnant women deal with the Coronavirus disease and its results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic on pregnant women and to determine whether pregnant women have sufficient knowledge and awareness for a healthy antenatal process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted at two centers. Regardless of the gestational age, a questionnaire was distributed to 1003 pregnant women in total, from which 51 original questions we prepared. Five hundred twenty-six participants were included in the study. The questionnaire was delivered using the QR code method. The questionnaires were answered online by participants via SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: The period when anxiety was highest was the 2nd trimester, whereas women in the 1st trimester had the lowest level of anxiety. High levels of awareness were observed in patients with heart disease, but patients with diabetes mellitus had a high level of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to maintain the mental and physical health of pregnant women, who are in a more delicate condition than other individuals in the society. In this regard, healthcare professionals have important duties such as taking necessary precautions and explaining the seriousness of the situation to pregnant women.

HPV Infection, HPV Vaccines and Cervical Cancer Awareness: A Multi-Centric Survey Study in Istanbul, Turkey.

Our purpose was to examine the level of knowledge and awareness about HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection, HPV vaccines, and cervical cancer of participants. This study was conducted at students and healthcare workers of Uskudar University as well as the healthcare workers of Umraniye Training and Research Hospital and patients admitted to the gynecology outpatient clinics. A 41-question survey was conducted that investigated the 700 participants' demographic characteristics, HPV infection and cervical cancer status, and attitudes toward vaccination. 44.1% of the participants stated that they knew the cause of cervical cancer, 42.8% did not. 55.9% of those who went to regular doctor control, 38.5% of those who did not, knew that the HPV vaccine prevented warts and cervical cancer. 63.4% of men and 75.4% of women stated that they did not know whether the vaccine was effective against penile, anal and laryngeal cancer. All these were found to be statistically significant (P < .05). Lack of knowledge on vaccine protection, insufficient knowledge regarding HPV, prevalence of prejudices, and overall opinions about health are the most prevalent public health concerns in Turkey.

Investigation of fetal cardiac function using tissue doppler imaging in fetuses compromised by growth restriction.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate fetal cardiac systolic and diastolic function using the tissue Doppler technique in pregnancies with complications of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to examine the relationship between FGR with umbilical artery Doppler parameters and fetal cardiac function in complicated pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 30 pregnant women with FGR complications and 46 pregnant women without FGR complications. Both groups were at 24-34 gestational weeks. Fetal cardiac examination was performed using pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in all pregnancies. In the analysis of myocardial tissue by tissue Doppler, the tracing obtained from the junction of the tricuspid valve annulus with the right ventricle was recorded by measuring the duration of the isovolumetric contraction wave (IVC), ejection time (ET), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVR). Furthermore, we calculated the myocardial performance index (MPI) and then measured and recorded the early diastolic annular rate. RESULTS: Based on the TDI studies, the mean IVC and IVR values were significantly longer and the ET values were significantly shorter in the study group than those in the control group. The study group also had significantly longer MPI measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Because TDI is a considerably more sensitive method than cardiac sonographic evaluation using pulsed Doppler, tissue Doppler parameters facilitate the detection of cardiac dysfunction at a relatively early stage. In addition, TDI and myocardial evaluation in fetuses with FGR can be noninvasively performed in clinical practice.