Path-level interpretation of Gaussian graphical models using the pair-path subscore

Background Construction of networks from cross-sectional biological data is increasingly common. Many recent methods have been based on Gaussian graphical modeling, and prioritize estimation of conditional pairwise dependencies among nodes in the network. However, challenges remain on how specific paths through the resultant network contribute to overall ‘network-level’ correlations. For biological applications, understanding these relationships is particularly relevant for parsing structural information contained in complex subnetworks. Results We propose the pair-path subscore (PPS), a method for interpreting Gaussian graphical models at the level of individual network paths. The scoring is based on the relative importance of such paths in determining the Pearson correlation between their terminal nodes. PPS is validated using human metabolomics data from the Hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcome (HAPO) study, with observations confirming well-documented biological relationships among the metabolites. We also highlight how the PPS can be used in an exploratory fashion to generate new biological hypotheses. Our method is implemented in the R package , available at https://github.com/nathan-gill/pps. Conclusions The PPS can be used to probe network structure on a finer scale by investigating which paths in a potentially intricate topology contribute most substantially to marginal behavior. Adding PPS to the network analysis toolkit may enable researchers to ask new questions about the relationships among nodes in network data.

An obstetric outcome in pregnant women with consumption of tobacco

Background: Tobacco is known to be an established cause of adverse pregnancy outcome. Scientific studies, encompassing various ethnic groups, cultures and countries, have shown that cigarette smoking during pregnancy significantly affects mother, unborn fetus and the newborn baby.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was performed on 933 patients, separated in two groups: tobacco users and tobacco non-users and findings from each group were compared.Results: Incidence of complications like anemia, PIH and abruption increase with maternal usage of tobacco during pregnancy, chances of preterm delivery and ectopic pregnancy was raised, rate of wound complication was more in tobacco user women. There was no significant difference in mode of delivery.Conclusions: In the present study may establish association of tobacco consumption with adverse neonatal and obstetrics outcome and may encourage administration to focus on IEC (information, education, communication) to reduce tobacco consumption during pregnancy. Incidence of complications like anemia, PIH, abruption increase with maternal usage of tobacco during pregnancy. Chances of preterm delivery and ectopic pregnancy, was raised usage with of tobacco.

Role of annular pentameric molecule: C-Reactive protein in periodontal disease and its association with systemic health

Various acute phase reactants are produced in response to inflammatory stimuli, one of them is C-reactive protein which is. Serum levels of C-Reactive protein are useful to monitor and diagnose inflammatory process associated with disease as it being one of the valuable biomarkers in various clinical conditions, increase in level of C-Reactive protein is found in subjects with periodontal disease, which in turn can act as useful biomarker to diagnose cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcome as they being associated with periodontal disease. This manuscript is brief overview of C-Reactive protein and its relation with periodontal disease and systemic health.

Does Multiparity Affect Periodontitis Associated Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes' Awareness?

Background: Periodontal disease is a very common, undesirable, and neglected bacterial infection causing destruction of the connective tissue and dental bone support. During pregnancy, the oral bacteria could lead to tissue damage and mediate immune response which can impair the development and fetal growth in the placenta that it may be a risk factor for pre-term birth (before 37 weeks of gestation). The goal of this study to measure the knowledge and awareness of women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia toward the relation between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcome. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from January 2020 until November 2021. based on a validated questionnaire developed by the authors. A convenience sample size of 966 women, aged 20-50 years, with a confidence level of 95%, and a 5% margin of error was selected. The questionnaire was divided into three main sections: demographics, knowledge and attitude. Results: The study showed a mean score of awareness of 3.801.26 (54.35 ± 17.98%) while the mean score of attitudes was 1.60 ± 0.98 (39.91 ± 24.42%). There was no statistically significant relationship to age group, nationality, or parity, however, scores were significant to university education level. Conclusion: Learning from previous multigravidas did not influence knowledge and awareness towards adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with PD.

Assessment of Health Seeking Behavior of Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy among Elderly Primi Mother

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diagnosed by elevated blood glucose in pregnancy though the definition has changed repeatedly since its first description in the 1960’s. The most frequently reported perinatal consequence of GDM is macrosomia (usually defined as a neonate weighing over 4 kg) which can increase the risk of caesarean section and shoulder dystocia. For the mother, there are also potential longer-term consequences including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes post-pregnancy and/or in later life. The investigators of a large international Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study aimed to identify a cut-point in the continuum to decide the blood glucose level (BGL) thresholds that should be used to define GDM. Objective: To assess the incidence rate of gestational diabetes in pregnancy among the elderly primi mother. To assess the health seeking behavior of gestational diabetes in elderlyprimimothers. To associate the demographic variables of gestational diabetes in elderly primi mothers. Materials and Methods: A Descriptive research study was to assess the incidence and Health seeking behavior of gestational diabetes in pregnancy among the elderly primi mother. The target population for the study includes all antenatal women (12-36 weeks of gestation) who attend the antenatal clinics of AVBRH Out Patient Department. Sample consists of sub set of units that compose accessible population. In this study sample size was 100 elderly primi mother of selected area of community of Wardha. A tool is an instrument or equipment used for collection of data. A blue print was prepared prior to the construction of knowledge questionnaire based on which items were developed. Results: A finding shows that (41%) were having good, (40%) were having very good, (17%) were having average and (2%) were having excellent knowledge score. The minimum score was 05 and maximum score was 14, the mean score for the test was 8.93 ± 2.23 and mean percentage of knowledge was 59.54%. There was no significant association in relation to age, education, occupation, No.of gravida, income etc.

Does Adjusted Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (aGAPSS) Predict the Obstetric Outcome in Antiphospholipid Antibody Carriers? A Single-Center Study

The adjusted Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) Score (aGAPSS) is a tool proposed to quantify the risk for antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-related clinical manifestations. However, aGAPSS has been validated mainly for thrombotic events and studies on APS-related obstetric manifestations are scarce. Furthermore, the majority of them included patients with positive aPL and different autoimmune diseases. Here, we assess the utility of aGAPSS to predict the response to treatment in aPL carriers without other autoimmune disorders. One-hundred and thirty-seven women with aPL ever pregnant were included. Sixty-five meet the APS classification criteria, 61 had APS-related obstetric manifestations, and 11 were asymptomatic carriers. The patients’ aGAPSS risk was grouped as low (< 6, N = 73), medium (6–11, N = 40), and high risk (≥ 12, N = 24). Since vascular risk factors included in the aGAPSS were infrequent in this population (< 10%), the aGAPSS score was mainly determined by the aPL profile. Overall, the live birth rate was 75%, and 37.2% of the patients had at least one adverse pregnancy outcome (APO). When considering patients according to the aGAPSS (high, medium, and low risk), no significant differences were found for pregnancy loss (29.2%, 25%, and 21.9%) or APO (33.3%, 47.5%, and 32.9%). In the present study, including aPL carriers without other autoimmune diseases, aGAPSS is not a valuable tool to identify patients at risk for obstetric complications despite treatment. In these patients with gestational desire, in addition to the aPL profile, other pregnancy-specific factors, such as age or previous obstetric history, should be considered.