Levels of annexin IV and V in the plasma of pregnant and postpartum women

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (06) ◽  
pp. 1129-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junko Masuda ◽  
Eiji Takayama ◽  
Ayano Satoh ◽  
Michiru Ida ◽  
Tadashi Shinohara ◽  
...  

SummaryAnnexin (Anx) V is pivotal in the maintenance of pregnancy by preventing the activation of blood coagulation. The homology of the amino acid sequence between Anx IV and Anx V is highest in Anx family proteins. However, little is known about the roles of Anx IV in pregnancy.The aim of this study is to clarify the roles of circulating Anx IV and Anx V in normal pregnancy. Subjects were non-pregnant women (n = 50), 120 pregnant women, and maternal subjects just after delivery (n = 53) or postpartum (n = 67). Anx IV in the plasma of non-pregnant women was at a concentration 20 times that of Anx V. The plasma levels of Anx IV suddenly increase after delivery, but Anx V levels remain low during this period. Anx IV and Anx V exert similar levels of anticoagulant activity. Anx IV protein was expressed on the basal surface of syncytiotrophoblasts; Anx V protein, on the apical surface of syncytiotrophoblasts. These results suggest that Anx IV enters the maternal bloodstream just after delivery and might play a role in preventing disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and that Anx V helps to prevent clotting in the placenta during pregnancy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 030006052096400
Author(s):  
Zheng Zheng ◽  
Xiaodan Di ◽  
Lele Wang ◽  
Weijuan Zhang ◽  
Yan Feng ◽  
...  

Objective The study aimed to evaluate cervical ripening by measuring cervical collagen levels in non-pregnant women, women with a normal pregnancy, and postpartum women by light-induced fluorescence (LIF). Methods Cervical collagen content in normal pregnant women (n = 165) at various times of gestation was measured by LIF with a collascope, which is specifically designed to measure fluorescence of collagen. Cervical LIF in non-pregnant women (n = 12) and postpartum women (n = 14) was also detected. The demographic characteristics of women at various times were recorded. The Bishop score at 40 to 41 gestational weeks (n = 37) before the onset of labor was analyzed. Results Cervical LIF values progressively declined from the non-pregnant state to late gestation (R = −0.836) and reached their lowest levels during parturition and then increased at postpartum. LIF values and the Bishop score were significantly negatively correlated (R = −0.83). In patients with a Bishop score ≥6, the first stage of labor was shortened with a decrease in LIF values (R = 0.718). Conclusions Cervical collagen levels as measured by LIF could be a useful method for evaluating cervical maturity.


2019 ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
V.O. Golyanovskiy ◽  
◽  
Ye.O. Didyk ◽  

Pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have an increased risk of adverse perinatal and long-term complications compared with the birth of children with normal body weight. Thus, IUGR is one of the main challenges for the global health system, especially in poor and developing countries. Morpho-functional studies of the placentas help in determining the causes of IUGR, and therefore, timely prevent complications in pregnant women with IUGR. The objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate various morphometric and pathomorphological changes in the placenta, including inflammatory, in cases of IUGR, and to establish a correlation of these results with the etiology and complications for the fetus. Materials and methods. In the current study, 54 placentas of the fetuses with IUGR (the main group) were compared with 50 placentas of the fetuses with normal development (control group). The criteria for the inclusion of IUGR were gestational age more than 30 weeks and all fetuses with a weight less than 10th percentile for this period of pregnancy. The placenta material was studied pathomorphologically with laboratory screening for infection and inflammation. Similarly, the results were determined for placentas of the fetuses with normal development compared to placentas with IUGR. Results. The placenta study showed the presence of calcification in the case of IUGR, as well as in the case of prolonged pregnancy. However, calcification of the placenta in the case of IUGR was more progressive compared with placenta in the normal pregnancy. In addition, the presence of intrauterine infection and inflammation was observed, which could also lead to an adverse outcome for the further progression of pregnancy with IUGR. Conclusion. A comparative macro- and microscopic pathomorphological study of the placentas in the two groups has shown a significant increase in the pathological changes in all the anatomical structures of the fetuses with IUGR. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal weight, pathomorphological changes of the placenta.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682199317
Author(s):  
Karolina Leziak ◽  
Eleanor Birch ◽  
Jenise Jackson ◽  
Angelina Strohbach ◽  
Charlotte Niznik ◽  
...  

Background: Rapid expansion of mobile technology has resulted in the development of many mobile health (“mHealth”) platforms for health monitoring and support. However, applicability, desirability, and extent of tailoring of these platforms for pregnant women, particularly in populations who experience the greatest health inequities—such as women with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or those with greater socioeconomic barriers—remains unknown. The objective is to understand low-income pregnant women’s experiences and preferences for mHealth tools to support DM health and improve DM self-management during pregnancy. Methods: Low-income pregnant and postpartum women were included in individual interviews or focus groups; women with type 2 DM, gestational DM, or no DM were included. Analysis was performed with the constant comparison method. Results: In this population of 45 ( N=37 with DM) low-income, largely minority, pregnant and postpartum women, 100% reported access to smartphones and prior experience with apps. Interest in mHealth to support health and engagement during pregnancy was high. Preferences for general mHealth features included education that reduces uncertainty, support communities, visualizing progress, convenient access to information, and support for better management of pregnancy-related tasks. Preferred design elements included personalization, interactive features, and integrated graphics. Women with DM expressed multiple additional DM-specific needs, including support tools for DM self-management and self-regulation tasks. Conclusion: Pregnant and postpartum women, especially those with DM, desire mHealth technology to support engagement and to adapt lifestyle guidelines and treatment requirements for a healthy pregnancy. Further work to develop mHealth interventions tailored for target populations remains a key step in reducing health inequities and promoting access to evidence-based perinatal health interventions.


2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Strus ◽  
Dorota Pawlik ◽  
Monika Brzychczy-Włoch ◽  
Tomasz Gosiewski ◽  
Krzysztof Rytlewski ◽  
...  

The study was arranged to assess the actual rates of colonization of pregnant women and their children with group B streptococcus (GBS) in a Polish university hospital. Resistance of these cocci to macrolides and clindamycin was also tested and routes of transmission of GBS were followed in some cases using molecular typing. Colonization with GBS was checked in 340 pregnant women living in the south-eastern region of Poland (Małopolska) in the years 2004–2006. Women with a complicated pregnancy were more often colonized than those with a normal pregnancy (20.0 % versus 17.2 %). Moreover, women with a complicated pregnancy were twice as often colonized with GBS strains with the MLSB phenotype indicating resistance to macrolides and clindamycin. Regarding neonatal colonization by GBS, we found that neonates born from the colonized mothers with a complicated pregnancy were more often colonized with GBS than those from the mothers with a normal pregnancy (35 % versus 26.7 %). By molecular typing of the GBS strains isolated from mothers and their newborns we have been able to suggest the possibility of horizontal transmission of the strains from the hospital environment to newborns. Our results clearly indicate that rates of GBS colonization among pregnant women and neonates in a Polish university hospital have reached levels comparable to those reported in other European clinical centres.


1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Roberts ◽  
Carol Jenkins ◽  
Rhoda Wilson ◽  
Charles Pearson ◽  
Ian A Franklin ◽  
...  

Roberts J. Jenkins C, Wilson R, Pearson C, Franklin IA, MacLean MA, McKillop JH, Walker JJ. Recurrent miscarriage is associated with increased numbers of CD5/20 positive lymphocytes and an increased incidence of thyroid antibodies. Eur J Endocrinol 1996;134:84–6. ISSN 0804–4643 The aim of this study was to determine whether recurrent miscarriage (three or more miscarriages, no live children) was associated with an increased incidence of autoantibodies. Five groups were enrolled into the study; healthy non-pregnant women, healthy first-trimester pregnant women, women suffering spontaneous abortion, those undergoing termination of pregnancy and those with a previous history of miscarriage. The number of total B cells and the numbers of the antibody producing B cell subset CD5+/CD20+ were determined for each group. Samples were tested for anticardiolipin antibodies, antinuclear antibodies and thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin antibodies. The results showed that compared to normal pregnancy or spontaneous abortion, recurrent miscarriage was associated with a significant increase in the number of CD5+/20+ positive cells (0.8 ± 0.3 vs 0.5 ± 0.1 vs 1.1 ± 0.3 × 108/l: p < 0.001). These women were also found to have a higher incidence of thyroid antibodies, with four out of the 11 patients being positive for thyroid microsomal antibodies. These results suggest that there may be an association between autoimmunity and recurrent miscarriage. R Wilson, Department of Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 205630511668510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Tiidenberg ◽  
Nancy K. Baym

This article analyzes how pregnant women perform their pregnancies on Instagram. We ask whether they rely on and reproduce pre-existing discourses aimed at morally regulating pregnancy, or reject them and construct their own alternatives. Pregnancy today is highly visible, intensely surveilled, marketed as a consumer identity, and feverishly stalked in its celebrity manifestations. This propagates narrow visions of what a “normal” pregnancy or “normal” pregnant woman should be like. We argue that pregnant women on Instagram do pregnancy via three overlapping and complimentary discourses of “learn it,” “buy it,” and “work it.” Together these form the current authoritative knowledge of pregnancy we call “intensive pregnancy” as performed on Instagram. Concurrently, this article highlights how the combined discursive power of hashtags, images, and captions may influence and enforce discursive hegemonies.


2008 ◽  
Vol 159 (6) ◽  
pp. 805-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Manetti ◽  
Arthur B Parkes ◽  
Isabella Lupi ◽  
Graziano Di Cianni ◽  
Fausto Bogazzi ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate antipituitary antibody (APA) prevalence in a series of patients with postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) during pregnancy and in the postpartum.DesignWe conducted a nested case–control study on consecutive PPT and normal pregnant women at the Centre for Endocrine and Diabetes Sciences in Cardiff and at the Department of Endocrinology in Pisa.MethodsWe enrolled 30 women with PPT: 17 were hypothyroid (Hypo), 7 with hyperthyroidism (Hyper) and 6 with a transient hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism (Biphasic). Twenty-one healthy pregnant women served as controls. APA (measured using indirect immunofluorescence), free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, TSH, antithyroid autoantibodies, and thyroid ultrasound were performed during pregnancy and postpartum. The stored sera have been sent to Pisa, where serum APA, IGF1, and cortisol were measured.ResultsAPA were found in 8 out of the 30 PPT patients (26.7%) and in one normal pregnancy (4.7%, P=0.063). Three out of the seventeen Hypo with PPT (17.6%), three out of the seven Hyper PPT (42.8%), and two out of the six Biphasic PPT (33.3%) were positive for APA. APA prevalence was not significantly different in the PPT subgroups (P=0.453). With one exception, APA all increased in the postpartum period (87.5%, P<0.016). Basal serum IGF1 and cortisol were in the normal range with the exception of two patients with positive APA who presented low serum IGF1 levels (36 and 45 ng/ml).ConclusionsAPA are frequently present in the postpartum period in patients affected by PPT. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether APA in PPT patients are associated with pituitary function impairment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 109980042110172
Author(s):  
Eman Mahmoud Qasim Emleek ◽  
Amani Anwar Khalil

Background: The disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is under-recognized in critically ill patients. The International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH; DIC) provides a useful scoring system for accurate DIC identification. The study investigated the period prevalence of ISTH DIC from 2015 to 2017 in critically ill patients. Methods: In this multi-center, retrospective observational study, we included all patients identified with a DIC code or medically diagnosed with DIC during all admissions. Based on ISTH DIC scores ≥ 5, patients were classified with overt DIC. Results: A total of 220 patients were included in this study. The period prevalence of DIC was 4.45%. The point prevalence of DIC has increased from 3.49% to 5.58% from 2015 to 2017 (27.7% female; median age 61.6 years). Based on the ISTH-Overt DIC criteria, 45.2% of the sample had sepsis. Overt DIC patients had significantly lower baseline hemoglobin (HB; t = 2.137, df = 193, p = 0.034), platelet count ( t = 3.591, df = 193, p < 0.001) and elevated serum creatinine level ( M = 2.1, SD = 1.5, t = 2.203, df = 193, p = 0.029) compared to non–Overt DIC. There was a statistically significant elevation in FDPs among Overt DIC compared to non–Overt DIC (χ2 = 30.381, df = 1, p < 0.001). Overt DIC patients had significantly prolonged PT ( U = 2,298, z = 5.7, p < 0.001), PTT ( U = 2,334, z = 2.0, p = 0.045) and INR ( U = 2,541, z = 5.1, p < 0.001) compared to those with non–Overt DIC. Conclusion: The ISTH overt-DIC score can be used in critically ill patients regardless of the underlying disease. Efforts are required to predict and identify overt DIC using a valid scoring system on admission and follow-up of adult patients admitted to ICU.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza C Miller ◽  
Kathryn M Sundheim ◽  
Joshua Z Willey ◽  
Amelia K Boehme ◽  
Randolph S Marshall

Background: Pregnancy-associated hemorrhagic stroke (HS), while rare, is a significant cause of maternal mortality. Prior studies have suggested that the pathophysiology of HS may differ in pregnant/postpartum women when compared with HS in other young adults. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected stroke registry, for patients aged 18-45, admitted with HS of any type from 01/2008-03/2015. We reviewed charts for study variables, including patient characteristics, risk factors, stroke mechanisms, and outcomes. Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin score of 0-2 at time of discharge. We compared study variables between three groups: pregnant/postpartum women, non-pregnant/postpartum women, and men. Results: Of 219 young adults with HS during the study period, 93 (42%) were men and 126 (58%) were women, of whom 19 (15.1%) were pregnant/postpartum. Among men, 58 (62.4%) had ICH and 41 (33.3%) had SAH, 31 (75.6%) of which were aneurysmal. Among non-pregnant women, 49 (45.8%) had ICH and 61 (57%) had SAH, 53 (87%) of which were aneurysmal. Among pregnant/postpartum women, 10 had ICH (52.6%) and 11 (57.9%) had SAH, 1 of which was aneurysmal. Compared with men and with non-pregnant women, pregnant/postpartum women had fewer vascular risk factors, were more likely to have history of migraine, and were more likely to have the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome as stroke mechanism (11/19, 57.9% versus 0/93 men and 2/107 non-pregnant women, p=0.0001). While there were no deaths in the pregnant/postpartum group, there were no significant differences between groups in good outcome (Table). Conclusions: In our analysis, pregnancy-associated hemorrhages were uniquely non-aneurysmal and associated with fewer cerebrovascular risk factors than age-matched men and non-pregnant women, suggesting there is a pregnancy-specific pathophysiology for HS that requires special consideration.


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