Relationship between dietary and plasma copper levels of pregnant Nigerian women

Dietary copper intake as well as plasma copper levels were assessed in a group of pregnant Nigerian women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Intake of zinc, protein and energy was also measured. Dietary intake was assessed by cumulative 24-hour recalls while plasma copper was assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Dietary copper levels were relatively lower than those documented in the literature for other physiological groups. The intake of other nutrients was below recommended dietary allowances. When corrected for the effect of gestation and maternal age, one-way analysis of variance showed that plasma copper varied with the level of dietary copper intake. Correlation analysis seems to suggest that the influence of dietary copper on plasma levels during pregnancy is partially dependent on the relative amounts of copper and zinc as represented by the copper:zinc ratio in the diets consumed.     

Relationship between climacteric symptoms and serum galanin levels in post-menopausal women

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible relationship between climacteric symptoms and serum galanin concentrations in post-menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 38 women who attended the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology in Poznan because of climacteric complaints. The control group comprised 16 women [mean age 22.2 yr (SD+/-0.9 yr), range 18-24 yr] who were menstruating regularly and had normal body mass index. We evaluated the severity of climacteric symptoms using the Kupperman scale and we measured 17beta-estradiol, FSH and galanin serum concentrations by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The mean serum galanin concentration was 18.7 pg/ml (SD+/-16.1 pg/ml) in the study group and 21.9 pg/ml (SD+/-9.4 pg/ml) in the control group. The difference was not statistically relevant. The mean serum galanin concentration was 15.9 pg/ml (SD+/-12.6 pg/ml) in the group of patients with mild and moderate climacteric symptoms and 29.5 pg/ml (SD+/-23.3 pg/ml) in the group of patients with severe climacteric symptoms. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Student t-test: p<0.05). Climacteric patients with nervousness had lower serum galanin concentration than patients without this symptom (Student t-test: p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: a) Serum galanin concentration in post-menopausal women is related to severity of climacteric syndrome; b) the presence of nervousness in post-menopausal women is related to lower serum galanin level.     

Epidemiological study on vaginal Candida glabrata isolated from pregnant women

Candida glabrata was the second most frequently occurring fungus and the dominant non-albicans species caused candidal vulvovaginitis. We used a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method to compare genotypes of vaginal C. glabrata from pregnant women with or without clinical symptoms. The aims of our study were to define the prevalence of C. glabrata during pregnancy and identify the relationship between genotypes of C. glabrata and the clinical symptoms. A total of 50 C. glabrata strains were isolated, identified, and genotyped from 628 pregnant women. The prevalence of C. glabrata during pregnancy was 7.96% (50/628). C. glabrata was detected in 25.12% (50/199) of all Candida isolates. 17 unique genotypes were generated by RAPD and the mean SAB value of all isolates was 0.891+/-0.002. All results show that the genotypes of vaginal C. glabrata isolated from pregnant women were highly similar but non-identical. Compared to those of symptomatic patients in the same trimester and asymptomatic patients in different trimesters, C. glabrata isolated from the asymptomatic patients in the first trimester had more genotypical similarities. Genotypical similarities of C. glabrata were related to clinical signs and symptoms, to some degree.     

孕妇血清细胞因子及同型半胱氨酸水平与妊娠期高血压疾病的相关性研究

目的 探究孕妇血清细胞因子及同型半胱氨酸（homocysteine,Hcy）表达水平与妊娠期高血压疾病的相关性。方法 回顾性分析保定市妇幼保健院2020年～2021年3月收治的113例妊娠期高血压疾病患者的临床资料,另选取同期来我院进行健康体检的70例正常妊娠孕妇作为正常妊娠组;比较两组Hcy、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素4(Interleukin-4,IL-4)、胱抑素C(Cystatin C,CysC)、超敏C反应蛋白（hypersensitive C-reactive protein,hs-CRP）、D-二聚体（D-Dimer,D-D）水平,采用Spearman相关性分析Hcy、TNF-α、IL-4、CysC、hs-CRP、D-D水平与妊娠期高血压疾病的关系。结果 (1)妊娠期高血压疾病组TNF-α水平显著高于正常妊娠组,妊娠期高血压疾病组IL-4水平显著低于正常妊娠组,P<0.01;(2)妊娠期高血压疾病组Hcy、CysC、hs-CRP、D-D水平均显著高于正常妊娠组,P<0.01;(3)Spearman...     

Relationship between symptoms and disordered continence mechanisms in women with idiopathic faecal incontinence

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anal sphincter weakness and rectal sensory disturbances contribute to faecal incontinence (FI). Our aims were to investigate the relationship between symptoms, risk factors, and disordered anorectal and pelvic floor functions in FI. METHODS: In 52 women with "idiopathic" FI and 21 age matched asymptomatic women, we assessed symptoms by standardised questionnaire, anal pressures by manometry, anal sphincter appearance by endoanal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pelvic floor motion by dynamic MRI, and rectal compliance and sensation by a barostat. RESULTS: The prevalence of anal sphincter injury (by imaging), reduced anal resting pressure (35% of FI), and reduced squeeze pressures (73% of FI) was higher in FI compared with controls. Puborectalis atrophy (by MRI) was associated (p<0.05) with FI and with impaired anorectal motion during pelvic floor contraction. Volume and pressure thresholds for the desire to defecate were lower, indicating rectal hypersensitivity, in FI. The rectal volume at maximum tolerated pressure (that is, rectal capacity) was reduced in 25% of FI; this volume was associated with the symptom of urge FI (p<0.01) and rectal hypersensitivity (p = 0.02). A combination of predictors (age, body mass index, symptoms, obstetric history, and anal sphincter appearance) explained a substantial proportion of the interindividual variation in anal squeeze pressure (45%) and rectal capacity (35%). CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic FI in women is a multifactorial disorder resulting from one or more of the following: a disordered pelvic barrier (anal sphincters and puborectalis), or rectal capacity or sensation.     

60例孕妇HBV血清标志物水平与母婴传播的关系分析

目的 探讨孕妇乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）血清标志物水平与母婴传播的关系。方法 采取60例孕妇、脐带、新生儿血清用美国雅培试剂做HBV血清标志物（HBVM）包括：HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb定量分析,用荧光定量PCR法测HBV DNA。结果 HBsAg、HBeAg、HBcAb阳性母亲的新生儿脐血HBV M阳性率91．67％,新生儿血HBV M阳性率85％,母血HBsAg、HBeAg、HBcAb滴度显著高于脐血、新生儿血,且母血、脐血、新生儿血HBV M水平依次降低;HBV DNA阳性率也依次降低,分别为58、33％、10％、6、67％,滴度也依次降低。HBsAg、HBeAb、HBcAb阳性母亲,HBsAg、HBcAb阳性母亲和单项HBsAg阳性母亲的新生儿脐血、新生儿血HBV M阳性率较低。新生儿血以HBeAg阳性为主,滴度明显高于正常值,HBsAg滴度仅略高于正常值。结论 母婴垂直传播与母亲HBeAg高滴度有密切关系,与母亲HBV DNA阳性或阴性关系并不十分密切。检测脐血和新生儿血HBsAg、HBV DNA阴性并不能排除HBV感染,不如检测HBsAg、HBeAg更有意义,更经济。     

Thyroid-stimulating activity in sera of normal pregnant women

To evaluate the effect of a thyroid stimulator on thyroid function in the sera of normal pregnant women, we measured thyroid-stimulating activity (TSA) using a highly sensitive bioassay based on cAMP accumulation in cultured rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Serum was pretreated with 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the supernatant (PEG-pretreated serum) was then used in the following studies. FRTL-5 cells were preincubated in 5H medium and incubated for 2 h with PEG pretreated serum, and cAMP was measured. All 11 patients with untreated hyperthyroid Graves' disease with strongly positive thyroid-stimulating antibody activity had normal TSA, because only 5.6% of their immunoglobulin G was recovered in the PEG-pretreated serum. In 32 normal pregnant women, 29 (91%) had positive TSA. Their TSA showed statistically significant positive correlations with serum hCG and free T4 levels, and a negative correlation with serum TSH levels. Moreover, when hCG was absorbed from sera by incubation with the solid phase anti-HCG monoclonal antibody, a significant positive correlation was observed between the rate of decrease in hCG and that in TSA. In conclusion, 1) TSA exists in the sera of normal pregnant women, which reflects hCG itself; and 2) thyroid glands of normal pregnant women may be stimulated by TSA to induce a slight suppression of TSH but not sufficient to induce overt hyperthyroidism.     

育龄妇女弓形虫感染与不良孕产结局的关系

采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测1 033例孕后自然流产者、233例原发不孕妇女（实验组）及10 284例正常孕产妇（对照组）血清弓形虫抗体,阳性率分别为6.97%、13.30%和1.89%,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。表明弓形虫感染是造成自然流产、不孕类不良孕产结局的原因之一。     

The activity of selected hydrolases of adult female Ascaris suum, Goeze 1782

Summary The activity of hydrolases was measured in the perienteric fluid, muscles and three sections of the intestine of female Ascaris suum. In none of the examined samples was the activity of lipase and α-galactosidase detected. The activity of hydrolases in anterior, middle and posterior sections of the A. suum intestine was similar. The high activity of the following glucosidases: β-galactosidase (lactase), N-acetyl-β glucosaminidase and α-fucosidase, was detected in the contents and extracts from the intestinal wall, apart from the activity of those found in earlier studies. In perienteric fluid and in extracts from muscles, a high activity of β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase was detected; such activity was not found in the intestine.     

High prevalence of fibromyalgia symptoms among healthy full-term pregnant women

The impact of fibromyalgia on the course of pregnancy is not clearly defined. We evaluate the frequency of FMS symptoms among full-term healthy pregnant women and the impact on the course of delivery. The 2011 modification of the ACR 2010 criteria for FMS diagnosis was used as well as the FIQ, SF-36 and AIMS questionnaires. The 1990 ACR classification criteria were documented. Data were collected relating to course of the delivery, induction, length of stage 1, 2 and 3 of delivery, epidural anesthesia, artificial rupture of membranes, instrumental delivery and cesarean section. A VAS recording pain intensity during delivery was documented. Out of 100 women recruited, 27 (27 %) fulfilled Modified FMS criteria. Only one of these women fulfilled ACR 1990 criteria, women who fulfilled the ACR criteria differed significantly from women who did not fulfill these criteria on a broad range of parameters including widespread pain and fatigue, social functioning, emotional well-being, role limitation and physical functioning. A significant correlation was found between length of stage 2 and results of the FIQ as well as with components of the SF-36. The intensity of pain during birth however was not correlated with the presence of FMS criteria. FMS symptoms were highly prevalent among healthy pregnant women at term. The presence of such symptoms may impact on the course of delivery and the need for anesthesia. Evaluating for features of centrally mediated pain may be of clinical relevance for physicians involved in the treatment of pregnant women.     

Serotypes VI and VIII predominate among group B streptococci isolated from pregnant Japanese women

Infection by group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of bacterial disease in neonates, pregnant women, and nonpregnant adults. Whereas serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, and V are most commonly associated with colonization and disease in the United States, strains of other serotypes have been isolated from patients in Japan. By use of an inhibition ELISA, the serotypes of 73 vaginal colonizing GBS strains isolated from healthy pregnant Japanese women were investigated. Twenty-six (35.6%) were type VIII, 18 (24.7%) were type VI, and the remaining 29 were distributed among more traditional serotypes. Strains were also tested by immunoblot for the presence of GBS surface proteins. Fifty-three (72.6%) of the 73 strains expressed one or more laddering GBS proteins. These data show that type VI and VIII GBS strains are common vaginal isolates in pregnant Japanese women and that one or more laddering proteins are present in most GBS strains.     

Relationship between alpha-tocopherol content in the different lipoprotein fractions in term pregnant women and in umbilical cord blood

AIMS: To determine the concentration of vitamin E in normal maternal and umbilical cord blood pairs, and to study the relationship between vitamin E content in maternal lipoprotein fractions and umbilical cord blood. METHODS: Fifty healthy pregnant women were recruited randomly at term and blood samples were drawn from the mothers at delivery and cord blood was obtained immediately postpartum. Vitamin E was determined by HPLC in plasma, in the different lipoprotein fractions and in the placenta. Plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were also measured. RESULTS: The concentration of vitamin E in umbilical cord plasma was 250 microg/dl, lower than in maternal plasma (1,460 microg/dl) (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the vitamin E concentration in maternal plasma, LDL and VLDL and in the umbilical cord plasma. In contrast, no correlation was found between maternal HDL concentration and umbilical cord blood. CONCLUSION: These results show that the concentration of vitamin E in umbilical cord blood is lower than in maternal plasma. LDL and VLDL seem to be the main source of vitamin E for the fetus.     

HBV携带孕妇与正常孕妇雌激素水平及妊娠结局的对比性研究

目的　探讨HBV携带孕妇与正常孕妇雌激素水平及妊娠结局的差异,为临床HBV携带孕妇正常妊娠提供参考依据。方法　选取2015年1月—2018年1月本院收治的226例孕妇作为研究对象,将其中116例正常孕妇作为对照组,其余110例HBV携带孕妇作为观察组,检测2组体内雌激素水平,并分析对妊娠结局产生的影响。结果　观察组雌酮、雌二醇、雌三醇水平均显著高于对照组（P均＜0.05）。观察组胎儿窘迫、新生儿窒息、剖宫产及早产等妊娠结局的发生率均显著高于对照组,顺产率显著低于对照组（P均＜0.05）。观察组蛋白尿、尿WBC阳性、妊娠期高血压及产后出血等并发症的发生率均显著高于对照组（P均＜0.05）。Logistic多元回归分析结果显示,雌激素水平高、年龄大、携带HBV时间长、有既往治疗史、病毒载量高、ALT水平高均为妊娠不良结局的危险因素（P均＜0.05）。结论　HBV携带孕妇机体分泌的雌激素水平显著升高,进一步增加肝脏的负荷,导致肝功能出现明显异常,增加了妊娠不良结局及妊娠并发症的发生率,临床应加强对HBV携带孕妇相关指标检测,并做好相关并发症的预防。     

The prevalence and associated risk factors of sleep disorder-related symptoms in pregnant women in China

Purpose

The sleep disorder in pregnant women remains unfamiliar to perinatal care providers, resulting in lack of appropriate care. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of sleep disorder-related symptoms in pregnant women and to identify the associated risk factors.

Methods

Married pregnant women were enrolled from their first trimester and followed up until delivery. Nonpregnant married healthy women were selected as controls. A survey questionnaire was administered to each of them.

Results

We successfully performed a survey to 1,993 pregnant women and 598 nonpregnant women. The overall prevalence of sleep disorder-related symptoms in pregnant women was significantly higher than the controls (56.1 vs. 29.9 %, P?<?0.05). There was higher prevalence of snoring (30.2 %), observed sleep apnea (1.1 %), mouth breathing (23.7 %), nocturnal arousal (46.5 %), insomnia (35.1 %), and daytime sleepiness (52.6 %) in pregnant women. There were no significant differences of the prevalence of bruxism (7.0 vs. 6.7 %), sleep talking (8.1 vs. 7.2 %), and sleep walking (0.4 vs. 0.2 %) between the two groups (P?>?0.05). Nocturnal sleep time (8.0?±?1.3 h) was less in the third trimester compared with the nonpregnant women (8.2?±?1.1 h) (P?<?0.05). Smoking (OR?=?3.39), drinking (OR?=?2.40), allergic rhinitis/asthma (OR?=?1.71), an obvious difference in neck circumference (OR?=?1.11), and waistline (OR?=?1.07) changes between the first and third trimesters were the risk factors for sleep disorder-related problems.

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of sleep disorder-related symptoms in pregnant women. Our data may provide a baseline for prevention and treatment of sleep disturbances in pregnant women.     

Rapid increase in the prevalence of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance among Plasmodium falciparum isolated from pregnant women in Ghana

Use of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy (IPTp-SP) has become policy in much of sub-Saharan Africa but crucially depends on the efficacy of SP. We assessed the frequency of the dhfr triple mutation among Plasmodium falciparum isolates obtained from pregnant Ghanaian women in 1998, 2000, and 2006. The prevalence of the triple mutation, which confers resistance to SP, doubled from 36% to 73% during the study period (P<.001). In 2006, the prevalence was virtually identical among women of early gestation and delivering women with or without a history of IPTp-SP use, indicating that such treatment did not select for mutant parasites. Nevertheless, IPTp-SP may be outdated by drug resistance before it is fully implemented.     

Relationship between neonatal birth weight and maternal plasma amino acid profiles in lean and obese nondiabetic women and in type I diabetic pregnant women

Profiles of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and concentrations of plasma glucose and 18 plasma amino acids were obtained in ten nonobese, insulin-dependent type I diabetic women, in 9 age- and weight-matched normal women and in ten obese nondiabetic women throughout pregnancy and postpartum. In late gestation, the period of maximum fetal growth, average HbA1c, plasma glucose, and total amino acid concentrations in diabetic mothers were significantly elevated above lean control values. No differences existed between the obese and lean control groups. Lean diabetic mothers also had significantly heavier babies (mean +/- SEM) relative to the 50th percentile for gestational age and sex (119 +/- 9%) than did the lean control group (94 +/- 3%, P less than .05). Relative birth weights among control lean and obese mothers did not differ significantly (94 +/- 3% v 104 +/- 5%). Late pregnancy profiles of HbA1c and average plasma glucose did not correlate with relative weight of neonates whereas average total plasma amino acids and six individual amino acids did correlate with this parameter. These data suggest that maternal plasma amino acid concentrations may influence fetal weight generally and may have an important role in the development of fetal macrosomia in diabetic pregnancies.     

Relationship between atrial tachyarrhythmias and symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate patient-reported symptoms of atrial fibrillation with the underlying rhythm. BACKGROUND: The reliability of patient-reported symptoms as a marker of atrial fibrillation recurrence has not been well studied. METHODS: This prospective multicenter trial correlated the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias with symptoms in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation and a standard indication for permanent pacing. Pacemaker-detected atrial tachyarrhythmia events were correlated with symptoms. Patients logged symptomatic events into the device's memory via an external manual activator. Patients were followed for 12 months and were contacted weekly to ensure compliance with activator usage. Episodes were classified as symptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia, asymptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia, or symptomatic nonatrial tachyarrhythmia depending on concordance between patient symptoms and the rhythm. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients underwent implantation of a DDDRP pacemaker and were followed for 12 +/- 2 months. A median of 25.0 (4.0-55.8) symptomatic events attributed to atrial fibrillation. A median of 1.0 (0.0-10.0) symptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia episodes were documented during follow-up. Symptoms related to atrial fibrillation were reported in 6% of atrial tachyarrhythmia episodes identified by the pacemaker. The probability that symptoms were associated with an atrial tachyarrhythmia (positive predictive value) was 17%. The ventricular rate between symptomatic and asymptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia events was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with symptomatic bradycardia and a history of atrial fibrillation, symptoms of atrial fibrillation often were not associated with documented atrial tachyarrhythmias, and more than 90% of atrial tachyarrhythmias were clinically silent.     

Comparison between cultures of urine sediment and of the vagina for detection of carriers of group B Streptococcus (GBS) among pregnant women

An attempt was made to detect carriers of group B Streptococcus (GBS) among pregnant women by vaginal culture. Reported carrier rates have varied from 3% to 15% and one study has reported that cultures of urine sediment showed a very high positivity rate of 30% among non-pregnant women. In this study, we cultured urine sediment from 110 non-pregnant and 415 pregnant women. Among non-pregnant women, 26% were found to be GBS carriers by culture of urine sediment. Among pregnant women, the carrier rate was 3% by vaginal culture and 15% by culture of urine sediment. The serotypes of cases positive by vaginal vulture were identical with those positive by urine sediment culture. For detection of GBS carriers among pregnant women, culture of urine sediment is easy and reduces the rate of false negativity.