Cervical bacterial colonization in women with preterm premature rupture of membrane and pregnancy outcomes

Background: One of the most important etiologies in pretermpremature rupture of membranes [PPROM] is cervical bacterial colonization

Objective: This study evaluated cervical bacterial colonization in women with PPROM and the pregnancy outcomes

Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, 200 pregnant women with PPROM at 27-37 wk of gestation who were admitted in an academic hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from March 2015 to July 2016 were studied. samples were obtained from endocervical canal for detection of routine bacteria and Gram staining. Also, we obtained one blood culture from neonates. Maternal endocervical culture, chorioamnionitis, neonatal intensive care unit admission, neonatal positive blood culture, neonatal sepsis, and mortality were documented

Results: Most common isolated microorganism of endocervical culture were Escherichia coli [24.2%], Coagulase negative Staphylococci [27.2%], Enterococcus and candida each one [11.7%]. The prevalence of GBS was only 2.2%. Simultaneous positive blood cultures were seen in 3% of neonates. Among them, Gram-negative bacilli accounted for [66.6%], while Gram-positive cocci and candida made up only [16.7%]. Endocervical colonization was associated with a higher admission rate [p=0.004], but there was no significant correlation between endocervical colonization and chorioamnionitis, positive blood culture and neonatal mortality rate

Conclusion: With regard to low GBS colonization rate, appropriate antibiotic regimens should be considered in PPROM cases according to the most prevalent micro organisms of endocervical bacterial colonization. Maybe cervical bacterial colonization had some effects on neonatal outcomes. There was no significant association between endocervical bacterial colonization and chorioamnionitis, positive neonatal blood culture and neonatal mortality

The Effect of Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) on Body Composition in Postmenopausal Women with Excess Weight: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of fennel on body composition. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Fifty-four out of 60 patients were able to successfully complete the original study. Seven out of 54 patients were excluded because they were not overweight and obese. Thus, 47 women were included in this secondary analysis. Of these 47 women, 22 were in the fennel group and 25 were in placebo group. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) as well as fat distribution was measured at the baseline and after a three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Comparison of fennel and placebo groups did not reveal any significant effect in terms of body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and fat distribution. Also, the results of paired t-test did not variation of these parameters across groups before and after 12-week treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal women in fennel group experienced a slight increase in body weight and fat distribution, which was not significant. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to validate the results of this study.

Evaluation of selected thrombotic factors among pregnant women with preeclampsia and normal pregnant women

Preeclampsia is one of the common complications during pregnancy with considerable maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Hypercoagulability due to thrombophilic factors is discussed as the etiology involved in this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate selected thrombotic factors among pregnant women with preeclampsia and normal pregnant women. This case-control study was performed on 200 pregnant women at third trimester of pregnancy between 2012 and 2013. 100 pregnant women admitted to Qaem and Imam Reza hospitals of Mashhad, due to preeclampsia, were selected as case group and 100 pregnant women without preeclampsia referred to OB/GYN clinic of these hospitals as control group. Blood samples were taken from two groups for evaluation of the coagulation factors including factor V Leiden, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant antibodies. Two groups were not significantly different in terms of maternal age and parity [p>0.05]. Levels of factor V Leiden, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, anti-cardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant antibodies were compared between two groups. The number of patients with abnormal factor V Leiden and protein C was significantly higher in case group than in the control group [p<0.01 respectively], but other factors were not significant different between two groups. Thrombophilia disorders were significantly more in case group compared to control [p<0.001]. The risk of thrombophilia disorders is higher in preeclamptic patients than normal pregnant women

Identification of Xq22.1-23 as a region linked with hereditary recurrent spontaneous abortion in a family

Recurrent spontaneous abortion [RSA] is one of the most common health complications with a strong genetic component. Several genetic disorders were identified as etiological factors of hereditary X linked RSA. However, more genetic factors remain to be identified. In this study we performed linkage analysis on a large X linked RSA pedigree to find a novel susceptibility locus for RSA. A linkage scan using 11 microsatellites was performed in 27 members of a large pedigree of hereditary X-linked RSA. Two point parametric Linkage was performed using Superlink v 1.6 program. Evidence of linkage was observed to markers at Xq23, DXS7133 and at Xq22.1 DXS101, with LOD score of 3.12 and 1.60, respectively. Identified locus in this study may carry a responsible gene in RSA. Narrowing down of this region may leads to identification of this gene

Unexplained recurrent abortion and diminished ovarian reserve

To Determin the incidence of diminished ovarian reserve in unexplained recurrent abortion. among 116 women with complaint of recurrent abortion who referred to Ghaem hospital, after evaluation, 25 women with unexplained recurrent abortion were chosen as the test group and the control group [n=25] were women with a history of normal pregnancy. Mean age, day 3 serum FSH and E2 levels, presence or absence of a history of infertility and menstrual cycle lengths were compared between two groups. Day 3 FSH and E2 levels were higher in the unexplained recurrent abortion group compared with the control group [61% VS 16%] P <0.005. Other factors did not differ between two groups. Women with unexplained recurrent abortion have a greater incidence of elevated day 3 serum FSH and E2 levels than do women with a normal pregnancy history. Therefore diminished ovarian reserve may contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss and should be considered as a part of the work - up for unexplained recurrent abortion