Maternal serum concentration of angiogenic factors: PIGF, VEGF and VEGFR-1 and placental volume in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction

INTRODUCTION: Pathomechanism of intrauterine growth restriction is a complex issue, involving many different factors, and is still undergoing an investigation. Improper placental angiogenesis, resulting in placental pathology, is considered to be one of the most important causes of IUGR. Placental vascular growth factors--placental growth factor (PIGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR-1), are involved in the mechanism of placental vascular development and maternal endothelial function during the pregnancy. AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate the maternal serum concentration of vascular growth factors (PIGF, VEGF) and their receptor (VEGFR-1), as well as the placental volume in pregnancies complicated by IUGR, and to compare the results with healthy control groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients with intrauterine growth restriction and 18 healthy pregnant women were recruited. Their blood serum samples were assayed for the placental growth factor (PIGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their receptor (VEGFR-1). These placental factors were measured with the ELISA- method (R@D Systems Kits. In all cases the placental volume was assessed with an ultrasound (Voluson V730 GE) with VOCAL (Virtual Organ Komputer-aided AnaLysis). RESULTS: Our investigation revealed significantly lower maternal serum concentrations of PIGF in pregnancies with IUGR, comparing to the controls in the third trimester. In most cases, VEGF concentrations were undetectable in the maternal serum both, in the second as well as in the third trimester. In the 2nd trimester VEGFR-1 concentrations were statistically higher in the investigated group. In the 3rd trimester the concentrations of VEGFR-1 were higher in the investigated group, but the difference has not achieved the level of statistical importance. The mean placental volume was lower in the investigated group but with not statistical gnificance. CONCLUSIONS: Presented and documented dependencies may indicate the involvement of angiogenic factors in a pathomechanism of intrauterine growth restriction process. It seems that the measurement of placental volume may be useful in IUGR diagnosis. However, it should be a complementary examination only, due to technical limitations.     

Is the polycystic ovary syndrome associated with chronic inflammation per se?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-soluble receptors, and IL-6 in obese women without additional diseases and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 39 obese women with PCOS and 34 age-matched obese women without additional disease were included as controls. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured by the enzymatic procedure. Plasma insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, total and free testosterone, cortisol, progesterone, 17OH-progesterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by a commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptors (sTNFRs), and IL-6 were determined by an ELISA. RESULTS: We did not observe any differences in serum concentrations of TNF-alpha between obese women with and without PCOS. Serum concentrations of sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were significantly higher in PCOS patients compared with controls; however, serum concentrations of IL-6 were significantly lower in PCOS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PCOS is not associated with chronic inflammation.     

The length of menstrual bleeding and the risk of urogenital infections in the context of the activity of hemoglobin-derived microbicidal peptides

OBJECTIVE: Well-known natural unspecific antimicrobial factors acting in the vagina are additionally reinforced during menstrual bleeding by hemocidins--a recently discovered novel class of microbicidal peptides generated proteolytically from hemoglobin. The aim of the presented research was to investigate the relation between the average length of menstrual bleeding and the frequency of urogenital infections. We expected that the shorter menstrual bleeding might increase the risk of urogenital infections because is synonymous with the shorter period of exposition on bactericidal action of hemocidins. STUDY DESIGN: The study contains statistical analysis of an average declared length of menstrual bleeding in the group of 267 young, sexually active women with the symptoms of urogenital infections. The control group consisted of 300 young healthy women. RESULTS: The length of menstrual bleeding in the group of patients with urogenital infections (average 4.35 days) was statistically significantly shorter than in the control group (average 4.95 days). The average length of the menstrual cycle was equal and counted ca. 28 days in both groups. CONCLUSION: The length of menstrual bleeding seems to be a significant factor in the vaginal ecology maintenance.     

Occupation, smoking, and chronic obstructive respiratory disorders: a cross sectional study in an industrial area of Catalonia, Spain

Background  

Few studies have investigated the independent effects of occupational exposures and smoking on chronic bronchitis and airflow obstruction. We assessed the association between lifetime occupational exposures and airflow obstruction in a cross-sectional survey in an urban-industrial area of Catalonia, Spain.     

Gastric Cancer Risk Was Associated with Dietary Factors Irritating the Stomach Wall: A Case–Control Study in Korea

The incidence of gastric cancer is high in Korea, and dietary factors are important risk factors for gastric cancer. This study examined whether gastric cancer risk was related to dietary factors that directly irritate the stomach wall. This case–control study consisted of 308 matched pairs of gastric cancer cases and controls recruited from 2002 to 2006 at two hospitals in Korea. Dietary assessments were completed using a food frequency questionnaire and a dietary habit questionnaire. Gastric cancer risk was increased for high meal frequency of >3 vs. low meal frequency of ≤3 times per day, overeating vs. not overeating, and preferred vs. not preferred spicy or salty foods. Furthermore, participants with dietary factors of high meal frequency, overeating, and preference for spicy or salty foods elevated the risk of gastric cancer compared to those with low meal frequency, not overeating, and not preferring spicy or salty foods, simultaneously. In conclusion, gastric cancer risk was significantly increased in people with dietary factors that irritate the stomach wall, such as high meal frequency, overeating, and preference for spicy or salty foods.     

Can the patient pinpoint where the ingested fish bone is impacted?: A single-center,retrospective study

Among the plethora of foreign body impactions, fish bones are common examples that patients may struggle to properly disclose in clinical situations. This study investigated whether patients could pinpoint where the ingested fish bone was lodged. In addition, we investigated the differences between fish bone and other foreign bodies, the usefulness of computed tomography (CT), and the related risk factors for hospitalization. The cases of patients who underwent an endoscopic removal of fish bone between April 2008 and April 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical outcomes, X-ray scan, CT, and complications of each patient were investigated. A total of 96 patients were included in this study. The mean size of the impacted fish bone was 23.78 mm, and most were found in the upper esophagus (n = 38). There was a weak correlation between pain location and the actual lesion location (r = 0.419, P < .001). Compared to those of other foreign bodies, the location of impacted fish bones was different (P < .001), the X-ray detection rate of fish bones was lower (P < .001), and the complication incidence was higher (P = .030). CT (95.89%) showed higher sensitivity than X-ray scanning (11.24%) (P < .001). Foreign body size (P = .004) and door-to-endoscopy time (P = .029) were related to admission. Patients only managed to point out the approximate location of the ingested fish bone. CT detected fish bones well, but scans should include at least the entire esophagus instead of solely the area where pain is felt. Fish bone impaction has different clinical characteristics from other foreign bodies. Endoscopic removal without delay can reduce the admission rates.     

Postpartum depression: Identifying associations with bipolarity and personality traits. Preliminary results from a cross-sectional study in Poland

The goals of this study have been to determine the prevalence of the bipolar spectrum features in the population of women with postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms, as well as to analyze the personality differences between putative ‘unipolar’ and ‘bipolar’ PPD subjects. The sample enrolled into the cross-sectional study consisted of 344 women at 6–12 weeks postpartum. The authors used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; cut-off score: 13 pts.) for the assessment of the PPD symptoms, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ; cut-off scores: 7 or 8 pts.) for diagnosing the bipolar features, and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) for the assessment of personality traits. The EPDS-positive subjects were more likely to score positively on the MDQ, as compared to the EPDS-negative ones. The EPDS-positive subjects who also scored ≥8 pts. on the MDQ were characterized by higher index of neuroticism, as compared to those who scored positively on the EPDS only. The results suggest that the presence of PPD symptoms is related to significantly higher scores of bipolarity and neuroticism. The more robust trait of neuroticism might be a marker of the ‘bipolar’ PPD, as compared to the ‘unipolar’ form of the disorder.     

Angiopoietin-2 as a biomarker of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients with or without type 2 diabetes

IntroductionAngiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a novel marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes (DM). The aim was to evaluate Ang-2 as a potential new biomarker of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in patients with or without type 2 DM (T2DM).Material and methodsThis was a multi-center, prospective study that included 138 (males: 91/66%) consecutive patients hospitalized due to NSTEMI, T2DM, or different cardiac disorders. The subjects were divided into four study groups: group A: 28 patients with NSTEMI and T2DM; group B: 47 patients with NSTEMI without T2DM; group C: 31 patients with T2DM, without a history of CAD; group D: 32 patients as a control group. Patients with NSTEMI underwent urgent coronarography. Clinical characteristics including biomarkers (hs-CRP, hsTnT, NT-proBNP, VEGF, HbA_1c), SYNTAX SCORE, type of intervention (PCI vs. CABG), and number of implanted stents were taken into account in the analysis.ResultsSerum Ang-2 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with NSTEMI (group A: 1769 pg/ml; group B: 1757 pg/ml) and patients with T2DM (group C: 1993 pg/ml) as compared to the patients without CAD and without T2DM (group D: 866.8 pg/ml; p < 0.05). The prognostic accuracy of Ang-2 in NSTEMI diagnosis was determined with the area under the ROC curve (area under curve (AUC) = 0.63).ConclusionsAngiopoietin-2 serum concentration is elevated in the presence of NSTEMI in patients with and without T2DM and does not correspond to the degree of myocardial injury and hemodynamic status. Ang-2 remains elevated also in patients with T2DM without a history of CAD.     

Suppression of serum lipid transfer proteins involved in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism by intensive insulin therapy in the first year of type 1 diabetes mellitus: Prospective InLipoDiab1 study

Background and aimsCholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) are crucial proteins in reverse cholesterol transport. There are insufficient data on regulating these proteins by insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We aimed to assess prospectively the impact of insulin therapy initiation on transfer proteins serum levels in adults with newly diagnosed T1DM.Methods and results57 adults with newly diagnosed T1DM were enrolled in the InLipoDiab1 Study. All participants were treated with subcutaneous insulin in the model of intensive insulin therapy since the diagnosis of diabetes. Serum PLTP and CETP concentrations were measured at diagnosis, after three weeks, six months, and after one year of insulin treatment, using the immunoenzymatic method ELISA.A significant decrease in PLTP and CETP concentrations were demonstrated during twelve months of insulin therapy in newly diagnosed T1DM. The dynamics of changes in the level of these proteins varied depending on the occurrence of remission after a year of the disease. In the group without remission, a significant decrease in PLTP and CETP levels appeared after six months of follow-up. The remission group was characterized by a decrease in proteins concentration only after one year of treatment. In the non-remission group, significant negative correlations were found between the daily dose of insulin and levels of PLTP and CETP.ConclusionExogenous insulin is an inhibitor of lipid transfer proteins involved in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in the first year of treatment.