American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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We sought to examine the association between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration in early pregnancy and the subsequent diagnosis of preeclampsia (PE). ⋯ Maternal vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy defined as 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L may be an independent risk factor for PE. The relevance of vitamin D supplementation for women of childbearing age should be explored as a strategy for reducing PE and for promoting a healthier pregnancy.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Apr 2015
Observational StudyMitochondrial DNA sequence variation is largely conserved at birth with rare de novo mutations in neonates.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes the proteins of the electron transfer chain to produce adenosine triphosphate through oxidative phosphorylation, and is essential to sustain life. mtDNA is unique from the nuclear genome in so much as it is solely maternally inherited (non-mendelian patterning), and shows a relatively high rate of mutation due to the absence of error checking capacity. While it is generally assumed that most new mutations accumulate through the process of heteroplasmy, it is unknown whether mutations initiated in the mother are inherited, occur in utero, or occur and accumulate early in life. The purpose of this study is to examine the maternally heritable and de novo mutation rate in the fetal mtDNA through high-fidelity sequencing from a large population-based cohort. ⋯ In this first in-depth sequencing analysis of mtDNA from maternal-fetal pairs at the time of birth, a low rate of de novo mutations appears in the fetal mitochondrial genome. This implies that these mutations likely arise from the maternal heteroplasmic pool (eg, in the oocyte), and accumulate later in the offspring's life. These findings have key implications for both the occurrence and screening for mitochondrial disorders.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Apr 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate does not prolong pregnancy or reduce the rate of preterm birth in women at high risk for preterm delivery and a short cervix: a randomized controlled trial.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C) in prolonging gestation in patients with a short cervix and other risk factors for preterm delivery, such as previous preterm birth, cervical surgery, uterine anomalies, or prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure. ⋯ 17OHP-C did not prolong pregnancy in women with singleton gestations, a sonographic short cervix, and other risk factors of preterm delivery (prior history, uterine malformations, cervical surgery, or prenatal DES exposure).
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Apr 2015
Activation of vestibule-associated lymphoid tissue in localized provoked vulvodynia.
Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) may have inflammatory etiology. We wanted to find out whether the cell-mediated immune system becomes activated in the vestibular mucosa in LPV. ⋯ We demonstrate here local organized vestibule-associated lymphoid tissue analogous to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Vestibule-associated lymphoid tissue may emerge as a response to local infection or inflammation in LPV.