Objective To evaluate the role of cervical length (CL) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI)

Objective: The aim of this article is to assess the use of the anterior cervical angle (ACA) as a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) at 20+0-24+6 weeks of gestation in an unselected population. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study that included 93 women who later delivered spontaneously <34 weeks of gestation and 225 controls. The ACA was assessed retrospectively on all selected images using ImageJ® software. The concordance correlation coefficient was determined for the assessment of interobserver variability. Continuous variables were adjusted by maternal characteristics and expressed as the z-score or multiples of the expected normal median (MoM) of the unaffected group. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether any maternal characteristics and ultrasound variables were significantly associated with sPTD <34 weeks. Results: ACA z-score values were significantly greater in women who later delivered <34 weeks compared to controls (ACA z-score = 1.32 ± 0.57 vs. -0.09 ± 0.35; p = 0.035). The best prediction of sPTD <34 weeks was provided by a model that combined cervical length (CL) MoM, ACA z-score and maternal characteristics. For a fixed false-positive rate of 10%, the detection rate for this model was 37.6%. Conclusion: A model combining maternal history, CL and ACA at 20+0-24+6 weeks of gestation can predict approximately 40% of the severe preterm births.

In this work the micro.somal laurie acid a~-hydroxylation, fatty acid peroxisomalfl-oxidation, and the levels ofcytochrome P-450 IVAI were studied in liver tissu¢ from ,starved rats. Starvation increased the peroxisomal S-oxidation and the microsomal hydroxylation of fatty acids. The correlation between these activities would .support the proposal that both processes are linked, contributing in part to catabolism of fatty acids in liver of starvgl rats.

Aim: We aimed to assess the use of metformin (MTF) in the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in patients with pregestational insulin resistance (PIR). Methods: A double blind, multicenter, randomized trial was carried out in patients with a history of PIR and pregestational MTF treatment. Groups were allocated either to MTF 1700 mg/day or placebo. Patients were recruited between 12 +0 and 15 +6 gestational weeks, and treatment was extended until week 36. A multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the relation between the use of metformin and the development of GDM. Results: One hundred and forty one patients were randomized (68 patients in the MTF group and 73 in the placebo group). A total of 30 patients withdrew from the study during follow-up. Administration of MTF was not associated with a decrease in the incidence of GDM as compared to placebo (37.5% vs 25.4%, respectively; P = 0.2). Moreover, MTF administration was associated with a significant increase in drug intolerance as compared to placebo (14.3% vs 1.8%, respectively; P = 0.02). Conclusion: The use of MTF is not effective in prevention of GDM in populations with PIR. The use of MTF shows a significantly higher frequency of drug intolerance than placebo.

Background/Aims: The evidence regarding the utility of assessing first-trimester adiponectin (ApN) serum levels in early prediction of preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is contradictory. This study aims to determine the role of maternal serum ApN levels as an early predictor of PE and FGR. Methods: A prospective case-control study among a pregnant population who attended their 11- to 14-week ultrasound scan at the University of Chile’s Clinical Hospital’s Fetal Medicine Unit. We included patients who developed PE or FGR (10 cases per group) and 35 healthy controls. We determined ApN levels in blood samples from these 55 patients using a commercial ELISA kit and assessed the relationship of ApN levels with variables like development of PE, FGR, weight at birth and maternal BMI. Results: There were no significant differences among first-trimester ApN serum levels in the groups. Average concentrations were 8, 6.8 and 10.8 ng/ml for the control, PE and FGR groups, respectively. Conclusion: In our study, maternal serum ApN levels were not useful in predicting subsequent development of PE and FGR. However, maternal serum ApN concentration adjusted by BMI was significantly higher during the first trimester in women who later developed FGR.