The Predictive Value of First-trimester Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of first-trimester thiol/disulfide homeostasis (t/dh), a new oxidative stress marker, in predicting preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Zeynep Kamil Women and Children Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey, from March 2016 to February 2019. METHODOLOGY: In this multi-centre,serum samples of women with839 singleton pregnancies were collected between 11+0 to 13+6gestational weeks. A total of 215 singleton pregnant women were included in the study. The patient group consisted of 38 women, who were diagnosed with preeclampsia; while the control group consisted of 177 healthy pregnant women without any complication during pregnancy and after delivery. Totalthiol (TT) was estimated by the sum of existing thiol groups and reduced thiol groups (S-S and -SH). After the native thiols (-SH) and (TT) were determined, the disulfide (-SS) amounts, disulfide/total thiol percent ratios (-SS/-SH + -SS), disulfide/native thiol percent ratios (-SS/-SH), and native thiol/total thiol percent ratios (-SH/-SH + -SS) were calculated. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of[(-SH), (TT), (-SS), (-SS/-SH), (-SS/-SH + -SS), and (-SH/-SH + -SS)] six t/dh variables(p>0.05).The first-trimester body mass index (BMI) was statistically different between the two groups (p<0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, none of the concentrations of thiol levels and ratios was found to have a significant predictive value for preeclampsia. The BMI was a significant predictor for preeclampsia (area under curve: 0.749, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Maternal serum t/dh at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation does not predict preeclampsia and t/dh may be the consequence rather than a cause in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Key Words: First-trimester, Preeclampsia, Sulfhydrylcompounds, Thiols.

Reliability and validity of Turkish version of pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy. Evaluation of the quantitative physical activity in diabetic pregnant women is critical. The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) in Turkish patients with GDM. A total of 120 pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 44 years with GDM were included. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured by internal consistency and analysis of 2-week test-retest reliability. Of the patients, 74 completed the test-retest procedure. Concurrent validity was examined by comparing the PPAQ with the Short Form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in 36 patients. Test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient scores varied between 0.72 and 0.95. The Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the PPAQ total activity values were statistically significantly correlated with the total values of IPAQ-Short Form (r = 0.410 and p = .030). In conclusion, the Turkish version of the PPAQ is a valid and reliable tool for the measurement of the physical activity level of pregnant women with GDM.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) developed in 2004 by Chasan-Taber et al.; is a simple and short questionnaire measuring the frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity in pregnant women. To date, this questionnaire has been translated into many languages and has been used in a number of studies.What do the results of this study add? The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the PPAQ in Turkish pregnant women with GDM. On the basis of our study results, we suggest that the Turkish version of the PPAQ is a valid and reliable tool for the measurement of the physical activity level of pregnant women with GDM.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Evaluation of the quantitative physical activity in diabetic pregnant women may contribute to gain a better understanding of the role of physical activity during treatment and may be useful to compare the results of different studies carried out in different places more effectively.

Combined use of oestradiol and progesterone to support luteal phase in antagonist intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles of normoresponder women: a case-control study.

We evaluated the effect of combined use of oral oestrogen (E2) and vaginal progesterone (P) to support luteal phase in antagonist intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. We analysed data from 176 patients who underwent ICSI cycles with antagonist protocol. P 90 mg vaginal gel once a day and micronised E2 of 4 mg/day, were started from the day of oocyte pick up and continued to the 12th day of embryo transfer. Group 1 (n = 79) patients received E2 + P for luteal phase support. In group 2 (n = 97) patients, only P 90 mg vaginal gel was used for luteal phase support. There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2 patients in terms of clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) (26.58% vs. 20.62%, p = .352), early pregnancy loss rates (6.33% vs. 6.19%, p = .969), incidence of luteal vaginal bleeding (8.86% vs. 8.25%, p = .885) and implantation rates (22.8% vs. 16.9%, p = .298). In conclusion, our study showed no beneficial effect of addition of E2 to luteal phase support on clinical PR in antagonist IVF cycles.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Luteal phase deficiency is defined as a disruption in progesterone and oestrogen production after ovulation. It is clear that, luteal phase supplementation to improve the outcomes in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles is mandatory. As an iatrogenic complication of assisted reproductive technique, decreased luteal oestrogen and progesterone levels lead to decreased pregnancy rates (PRs) and implantation rates.What the results of this study add? In this study, we aimed to present the role of luteal phase oestrogen administration in GnRH antagonist cycles. A total of 176 cases received progesterone vaginal gel form for luteal phase support. Study group received 4 mg oral oestradiol hemihydrate in addition to progesterone. Compared to previous studies, our study consisted of larger number of patients and we used oestradiol through oral route. We found out that luteal oestradiol support did not improve the clinical PR.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study showed no beneficial effect of addition of oestradiol to luteal phase support on clinical PR in antagonist IVF cycles.

Thiol-disulfide homoestasis in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction.

Aim: To investigate the role of dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis in preeclamptic and idiopathic fetal growth restricted (FGR) pregnancies. Material and method: In this prospective case-control study, a total of 110 singleton pregnancies with FGR (study group) (51 preeclamptic and 59 idiopathic FGR's cases) were compared with 68 healthy pregnant controls at the same gestational weeks (control group). For serum disulfide-thiol homeostasis, a newly used method described by Erel and Neselioglu was used. Results: Serum native thiol and total thiol levels were lower in FGR pregnancies (285.63 ± 55.92 µmol/L, 324.41 ± 44.18 µmol/L, respectively) than control group (324.41 ± 44.18 µmol/L, 362.98 ± 51.43 µmol/L, p < .001, p = .004, respectively). In subgroup analysis, only preeclamptic FGR's have lower native and total thiol levels (254.41 ± 59.55, 324.41 ± 44.18 µmol/L, respectively) compare to both idiopathic FGR's and control's. There was no difference in native and total thiol levels with idiopathic FGR's with controls. Idiopathic FGR's have higher levels of disulfide than preeclamptic FGR's (21.72 ± 17.72 versus 16.80 ± 11.20 µmol/L). The serum albumin and total protein levels were positively and spot urine protein/creatinine ratio, 24-h urine protein levels were negatively correlated with native thiol and total thiol levels. Conclusion: The balance of thiol-disulfide homeostasis was shifted and native and total thiol levels were decreased only in preeclamptic FGR pregnancies. The serum disulfide level was increased in idiopathic FGR pregnancies compare to preeclamptic FGR pregnancies which may be a sign of oxidative stress in idiopathic FGR pregnancies with normal thiol pool.

Serum serotonin, leptin, and adiponectin changes in women with postpartum depression: controlled study.

PURPOSE: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects nearly 10% of mothers after delivery and has many serious results. Although many factors associated with PPD, the etiology, and pathophysiology of PPD are not known completely. The relationship between serum serotonin concentration and depression is well known, but there are no enough data regarding the serum change of leptin and adiponectin. The aims of this study are to research the level of serum serotonin, leptin,s and adiponectin concentrations in women with PPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A controlled trial has been conducted in three centers. Two hundred and forty four women were evaluated at postpartum day 10 with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDD). Venous blood samples were collected and serotonin, and leptin and adiponectin levels were studied using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of serum levels of serotonin, leptin, and adiponectin between women with PPD and without. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: PPD was detected in 70 postpartum women. The mean serum serotonin level was significantly lower in the group with PPD (p = 0.001), while mean serum adiponectin level was higher (p = 0.001). The mean serum leptin level was not different (p = 0.133). CONCLUSIONS: The serum adiponectin and leptin levels were high in women with PPD. This could play important role in the pathophysiology of PPD. Elevation of serum levels also may play antidepressant role against PPD, especially the early postpartum period.

Acute fetal heart rate tracing changes secondary to cigarette smoking in third trimester pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess the acute alterations on some features of fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings in third trimester pregnancies. METHODS: Data of FHR tracing records were obtained from 79 otherwise healthy pregnant women aged between 18 and 41. Among 79 women, 39 were nonsmokers while the remaining were chronic smokers (six or more cigarettes per day, with an average of 10 cigarettes per day). The baseline of tracings, the number of accelerations and decelerations of FHR, as well as the FHR mean, standard deviation, short-term variability of FHR were all calculated for each participant. The results of smokers and nonsmokers, then the results of smokers before and after smoking were compared. RESULTS: Comparison of some demographic and FHR tracing characteristics between smoker and nonsmoker groups indicated significantly decreased variability in smoker group. All FHR tracing characteristics were compared before and, immediately after cigarette smoking and revealed significantly higher mean baseline, lower variability and acceleration after smoking a cigarette. CONCLUSION: Even in a short time period, smoking is associated with some changes in FHR monitorization characteristics, detailed analyses of these changes may clarify the pathophysiology of smoking associated perinatal outcome.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Presepsin for Subclinical Chorioamnionitis in Pregnancies between 23-28 Week with Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes.

BACKGROUND: Presepsin is an inflammatory marker released from monocytes and macrophages as an acute reaction to microbial infection. We hypothesized that it may be useful in pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) for early diagnosis of subclinical chorioamnionitis. AIMS: To determine whether the plasma presepsin level has any diagnostic or prognostic value for subclinical chorioamnionitis in pregnancies complicated with PPROM. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Fifty-three singleton pregnancies between 23 and 28 weeks of gestation diagnosed with PPROM were prospectively included in the study. Venous blood samples were collected at admission, at the 48th hour of admission, and at the time of delivery to determine presepsin and C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by microscopic examination of the placenta and cords. RESULTS: Of the 53 PPROM cases included in the study, 41 (77.4%) had histologically confirmed chorioamnionitis. Neonatal sepsis developed in 24 (45.3%) of the newborns. The median presepsin level at admission was 135.0 pg/mL for pregnancies with subclinical chorioamnionitis and 113.5pg/mL for pregnancies without chorioamnionitis (p=0.573). There was also no significant difference between subclinical chorioamnionitis (+) and (-) cases in terms presepsin levels at the 48th hour and at delivery. However, chorioamnionitis (+) cases showed a significant decrease in both presepsin level and WBC count at the 48th hour after the administration of antibiotics, which increased significantly at delivery (p<0.001 and p=0.011, respectively). CONCLUSION: The striking fluctuations in presepsin level after the diagnosis of PPROM can be used to predict subclinical chorioamnionitis and determine the optimal timing of delivery before the clinical signs of chorioamnionitis are established. However, presepsin level itself was neither diagnostic nor prognostic for neonatal sepsis.

Microdose Flare-up Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonist Versus GnRH Antagonist Protocols in Poor Ovarian Responders Undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

BACKGROUND: Microdose flare-up GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist have become more popular in the management of poor ovarian responders (POR) in recent years; however, the optimal protocol for POR patients undergoing in vitro fertilization has still been a challenge. METHODS: In this observational study design, two hundred forty four poor ovarian responders were retrospectively evaluated for their response to GnRH agonist protocol (group-1, n=135) or GnRH antagonist protocol (group-2, n=109). Clinical pregnancy rate was the primary end point and was compared between the groups. Student t-test, Mann Whitney U test and χ (2)-test were used to compare the groups. The p<0.05 was considered to show a statistically significant result. RESULTS: The mean total gonadotropin doses were 3814±891 IU in group 1 and 3539±877 IU in group 2 (p=0.02). The number of metaphase-II oocytes (3.6±2.4 vs. 2.8±1.9, p=0.005) and implantation rates (27.8% vs. 18.8%, p=0.04) in group 1 and group 2, respectively were significantly different. The fertilization rate in group 1 and group 2 was 73% vs. 68%, respectively (p=0.5) and clinical pregnancy rate was 19.8% vs. 14.4%, respectively (p=0.13). CONCLUSION: The GnRH agonist microdose flare-up protocol has favorable outcomes with respect to the number of oocytes retrieved and implantation rate; nevertheless, the clinical pregnancy rate was found to be similar in comparison to GnRH antagonist protocol in poor ovarian responders. GnRH antagonist protocol appears to be promising with significantly lower gonadotropin requirement and lower treatment cost in poor ovarian responders.

Iodine status of pregnant women in a metropolitan city which proved to be an iodine-sufficient area. Is mandatory salt iodisation enough for pregnant women?

The objective of this study was to assess the iodine status of pregnant women in a metropolitan city which was stated as iodine sufficient area after salt iodination program. This multicenter, cross-sectional study was carried out on 3543 pregnant women. Age, gestational weeks, smoking, consumption of iodized salt, dietary salt restriction, history of stillbirth, abortus and congenital malformations were questioned. Spot urine samples were analyzed for urine iodine concentration (UIC). The outcomes were: (a) median UIC in three trimesters of pregnancy and (b) frequency of ID among pregnant women. The median UIC was 73 µg/L. The median UIC was 77 µg/L (1-324), 73 µg/L (1-600) and 70 µg/L (1-1650) in three trimesters of pregnancy, respectively (p: 0.14). UIC <50 µg/L was observed in 36.6% (n: 1295) and UIC<150 µg/L was observed in 90.7% (n: 3214) of pregnant women. Only 1% (n: 34) of the pregnant women had UIC levels higher than 500 µg/L. This study showed that more than 90% of the pregnant women in this iodine-sufficient city are facing some degree of iodine deficiency during their pregnancy. A salt iodization program might be satisfactory for the non-pregnant population, but it seems to be insufficient for the pregnant population.

Comparison of 24-hour urinary protein and protein-to-creatinine ratio in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the spot urine protein-to-creatinine (P/C) ratio and 24-hour urine protein excretion in pregnant women with preeclampsia and also to determine the best discriminator values of the spot P/C ratios for 300 mg and 2000 mg protein per 24h. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 200 pregnant women with new onset hypertension at or greater than 140/90 mmHg after 20 weeks of gestation. Women were instructed to collect urine during a 24-hour period, and after the 24-hour urine sample collection was completed a mid-stream urine specimen was obtained for P/C ratio determination. The correlation between 24-hour urine protein excretion and spot urine P/C ratio was calculated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the cut-off values of the spot P/C ratios for 300 mg and 2000 mg protein per 24h. Areas under ROC curves were calculated. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between 24-hour protein excretion and the urine P/C ratio (r=0.828, p<0.0001). The cut-off P/C ratio for 300 mg per 24h was 0.28: sensitivity and specificity were 60.4% and 77.9%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 77.5% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 60.9%. The cut-off P/C ratio for 2000 mg per 24h was 0.77: sensitivity and specificity were 96.8% and 98.6%, respectively. The PPV was 96.8% and NPV was 98.6%. Area under ROC curves for 24-hour urine total protein of 300-2000 mg/day and >2000 mg/day were 0.74 (95% CI 0.66-0.80) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.95-0.99), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Spot P/C ratio is a poor predictor of 24-hour proteinuria but can predict proteinuria >2000 mg better than 300-2000 mg.