Changes in circulating concentrations of sFlt-1, PlGF, sEng, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio precede the onset of preeclampsia in SLE pregnancies. The risk profile of circulating angiogenic factors for developing preeclampsia distinctly evolves depending on whether this condition is manifested earlier or later.

Preeclampsia is characterized by an increased sensitivity to angiotensin II (Ang II). We herein assessed whether serum Ang II levels measured by a new developed bioassay are associated with preeclampsia, its severity, and the risk for developing this disease.Using a cross-sectional design, we studied 90 pregnant women (30 healthy pregnant and 60 with preeclampsia [30 with- and 30 without severe features]). We also used a nested case-control study with 30 women who eventually developed preeclampsia and 31 normotensive controls. Serum samples were collected at diagnosis of preeclampsia or at 4-week intervals (from weeks 12th to 36th). Ang II was measured using a bioassay.At diagnosis of preeclampsia, serum Ang II concentrations were significantly lower in preeclampsia without and with severe features (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively) than in healthy pregnancy. In addition, Ang II was different in preeclampsia with severe features than in those without severe features (P = .048). Women who subsequently developed preeclampsia had lower Ang II levels than women with normal pregnancies, and these changes became significant at 24 weeks onward. The risk to developing preeclampsia was higher among women with Ang II concentration values in the lowest quartile of the control distribution from 12 weeks onward (odds ratio ranging from 3.8 [95% CI 1.3–11.1] to 6.5 [95% CI 1.6–26.9]).We concluded that concentrations of Ang II are markedly diminished at diagnosis of preeclampsia and are closely associated with the severity of disease. Changes in circulating levels of Ang II precede the clinical presentation of preeclampsia.

In CKD pregnancies, at the time of initial evaluation, proteinuria and CKD stage are associated with increased risk of combined APO. However, urinary IgM concentrations appear to be better predictors of an adverse outcome and may be useful for risk stratification in CKD pregnancies.

Background. Breast cancer (BC) is the first cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in women. This disease has been linked to obesity; however, it is not clear how fat accumulation affects women who survive breast cancer. Although the visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a marker of cardiometabolic risk and adipose tissue dysfunction, it is not clear how it changes in breast cancer survivors. The aim of this investigation was to compare VAI in women with and without breast cancer. Methods. A case-control cross-sectional study was conducted on women who were BC survivors and women without the history of BC (control group). Body composition was assessed using electrical bioimpedance while VAI by means of waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), triacylglycerols (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Results. 49 women in the BC survivor group and 50 in the control group. WC was wider in the survivor group as regards control (93.65 ± 10.48 vs. 88.52 ± 9.61 cm) ( p = 0.025 ); at once, TG and VAI were significantly higher for the survivor group (243.55 ± 199.84 vs. 159.84 ± 75.77) ( p = 0.007 ) and (11.03 ± 11.15 vs. 6.41 ± 3.66) ( p < 0.005 ), respectively. Body composition parameters were similar in both groups. Conclusions. VAI is higher in women who are BC survivors in comparison with controls matched by age and bodyweight.

Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of the soluble endoglin (sEng) and uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography as markers of progression to preeclampsia in women with gestational hypertension (GH). Design: Nested case-control study.