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Low-dose aspirin (LDA) is thought to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancy, but it is not universally used out of concern for its efficacy and safety. The authors metaanalyzed 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate LDA for preventing preeclampsia and its complications. LDA can reduce the incidence of preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.87), severe preeclampsia (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.23-0.61), preterm birth (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.88), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90). LDA is more effective in reducing incidence of preeclampsia or IUGR if used before 16 gestational weeks than if used later. LDA increases the incidence of placental abruption (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05-1.73) but not other major complications. The available evidence suggests that LDA is effective in preventing preeclampsia, preterm birth, and IUGR in high-risk pregnancies without posing a major safety risk to mothers or fetuses.

Introduction:Although nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is generally believed to be involved in carcinogenesis, the relationship between NF-κB activation and progression of cervical cancer in clinical settings has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the association of NF-κB activation with aggressive aspects and prognosis in cervical cancer.Methods:Nuclear factor-κB subunits p65 and p50 were detected in 159 paraffin tissues including normal cervical, precancerous (squamous intraepithelial lesions), and cervical carcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry. Nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity in precancerous or carcinoma tissues were examined by Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively.Results:A gradual NF-κB activation from normal cervical epithelial cells to precancerous and carcinoma cells was detected by immunohistochemistry (nuclear expression of p65 and p50, P < 0.001), Western blot (NF-κB nuclear translocation), and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (enhanced DNA-binding activity). In 79 cancer tissues, increased nuclear p65, an active NF-κB form, was correlated with poor tumor grade, lymphatic metastasis, interstitial invasion, and larger tumor size (P < 0.05). Similarly, increased nuclear p50 was correlated with poor tumor grade, interstitial invasion, and larger tumor size (P < 0.05). Moreover, increased nuclear p65 was associated with lower survival rate in patients with cancer (P < 0.05).Conclusions:Constitutive NF-κB activation is correlated to tumor progression, aggressive behaviors, and poor prognosis in cervical cancer, suggesting that NF-κB is a tumor promoter, a prognostic indicator, and a possible therapeutic target for this malignant disease.