Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta.

Microplastics are particles smaller than five millimeters deriving from the degradation of plastic objects present in the environment. Microplastics can move from the environment to living organisms, including mammals. In this study, six human placentas, collected from consenting women with physiological pregnancies, were analyzed by Raman Microspectroscopy to evaluate the presence of microplastics. In total, 12 microplastic fragments (ranging from 5 to 10 µm in size), with spheric or irregular shape were found in 4 placentas (5 in the fetal side, 4 in the maternal side and 3 in the chorioamniotic membranes); all microplastics particles were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. All of them were pigmented; three were identified as stained polypropylene a thermoplastic polymer, while for the other nine it was possible to identify only the pigments, which were all used for man-made coatings, paints, adhesives, plasters, finger paints, polymers and cosmetics and personal care products.

Cervicoscopy and Microcolposcopy in the Evaluation of Squamo Columnar Junction and Cervical Canal in LSIL Patients with Inadequate or Negative Colposcopy.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated indications' validity of cervicoscopic and microcolposcopic examination in LSIL patients with unsatisfactory or negative colposcopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] In the cervico-vaginal pathology unit of the "San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli" University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 119 patients with a positive cervical cytology (LSIL), were submitted to the exam for the following two indications: 1) unsatisfactory colposcopy 37 (31.1%); 2) negative colposcopy 82 (68.9%). RESULTS: Cervicoscopy allowed the SCJ visualization in 115 (9.6%) patients. In 4 patients 3.4%, the SCJ visualization was not possible due to cervical stenosis. Cervicoscopy without staining, revealed endocervical squamous columnar junction in 33 (28.7%) patients. The blue dye in panoramic view detected endocervical SCJ in 41 (35.7%), out of 115 patients (>5 mm in 34 (29.6%) patients and >10 mm in 7 (6.1%)). CONCLUSIONS: Cervicoscopic examination revealed 7.8% of CIN2-3 in LSIL patients with inadequate or negative colposcopy. In patients with negative colposcopy the percentage of undiagnosed lesions inside the cervical canal was very low. The blue dye added sensitivity to the exam.

Single inherited thrombophilias and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Inherited thrombophilia is believed to be a multiple gene disease with more than one defect. We aimed to determine the association between single thrombophilic patterns and a variety of pregnancy diseases. METHODS: 284 pregnant women were recruited for the present study and were divided in two groups: A group (176 controls) and B group (108 cases). Patients belonging to the B group had one of the following: severe pre-eclampsia, hemolysis, hepatic enzymes increase, hypertension and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome, gestational hypertension, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine death, abruptio placentae and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. To detect methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C, MTHFR C677T, factor V Leiden, PAI-1, mutant prothrombin G20210A, an inverse hybridization technology was used. Plasma homocysteine, antithrombin (AT) III and protein S were determined. A modified functional activated protein C resistance was detected. RESULTS: MTHFR C677T and hyperhomocysteinemia were more prevalent than other thrombophilias. Deficiency in AT III was significantly linked with pre-eclampsia (relative risk 0.88; 95% CI 0.83-0.94). Activated protein C resistance (APCR) was significantly related to the abruptio placentae (relative risk 0.71; 95% CI 0.61-0.82). COMMENTS: Apart from the linkage between AT III deficiency and the occurrence of pre-eclampsia, and apart from the increased risk of abruptio placentae in pregnant women with altered APCR, we obtained findings in contrast with some of the published literature. In our case series, no association of pre-eclampsia with factor V Leiden or with prothrombin gene mutation was found.