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Pharmaceutics 2022 May 30;14(6). Epub 2022 May 30.

Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University School of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.

Functional embryo-maternal interactions occur during the embryo implantation and placentation. Extracellular vesicles with microRNA (miR) between cells have been considered of critical importance for embryo implantation and the programming of human pregnancy. MiR-138-5p functions as the transcriptional regulator of G protein-coupled receptor 124 (GPR124). Read More

Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022 May 9;44(5):2069-2088. Epub 2022 May 9.

Laboratory of Microsomal Oxidation, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 119121 Moscow, Russia.

An important step in the proteomic analysis of missing proteins is the use of a wide range of tissues, optimal extraction, and the processing of protein material in order to ensure the highest sensitivity in downstream protein detection. This work describes a purification protocol for identifying low-abundance proteins in human chorionic villi using the proposed "1DE-gel concentration" method. This involves the removal of SDS in a short electrophoresis run in a stacking gel without protein separation. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022 Jul 25;274:136-141. Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Cente, Israel; Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel.

Objective: Molar pregnancy is the most common type of gestational trophoblastic disease. Several recent reports have described changes in the clinical representation, the incidence and the diagnostic sensitivity of molar pregnancy. These changes could be due to widespread use of transvaginal ultrasound and beta-hCG testing in the management of routine first-trimester investigations. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 May 13;11(10). Epub 2022 May 13.

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies conceived ≤6 months after first trimester (<14 weeks) dilation and curettage (D&C).

Methods: A retrospective computerized database study of women who conceived ≤6 months following a missed abortion and delivered in a single tertiary medical center between 2016 and 2021. The maternal and neonatal outcomes of women who had D&C were compared to those of women who had non-medical or spontaneous miscarriages. Read More

Patient Saf Surg 2022 May 25;16(1):16. Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, 537-3 Iguchi, Nasushiobara, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan.

Background: In Japan, dilatation & curettage (D&C) has been performed under general anesthesia as a surgery for an early pregnancy miscarriage for a long time. In 2016, manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) under general anesthesia was introduced at our hospital and has been used as a surgical treatment for first-trimester pregnancy miscarriage, with its utility to date being reported here. In July 2018, our hospital introduced the MVA procedure under local anesthesia. Read More

Exp Cell Res 2022 Aug 20;417(2):113216. Epub 2022 May 20.

Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China. Electronic address:

Missed abortion (MA) is a special form of spontaneous abortion that is increasing in incidence. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying MA, especially regarding the decidua, are poorly understood. Herein, we identified molecular signaling pathways related to MA by comparing the decidua of women experiencing normal pregnancy and MA using a quantitative proteomics approach based on HPLC-MS/MS and iTRAQ labeling. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 16. Epub 2022 May 16.

Division of Family Planning Services and Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to quantify the likelihood of assessing all mandated fetal views during the second-trimester anatomy ultrasound prior to the proposed federal 20-week abortion ban.

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort study of a random sample of 1,983 patients undergoing anatomy ultrasound in 2017 at a tertiary referral center. The difference in proportion of incomplete anatomic surveys prior compared with after 20-week gestation was analyzed using and adjusted logistic regression; difference in mean days elapsed from anomaly diagnosis to termination tested using -tests and survival analysis. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2022 Jun 14;23(6):397. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Health and Technology University, Istanbul 34015, Turkey.

The present study aimed to compare decidual protein levels and gene expression levels of chemokines between patients with early pregnancy loss and those with voluntary abortion. A total of 15 patients between 6 and 10 gestational weeks, who presented with negative fetal heartbeat to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics of Gaziosmanpasa Hospital (Yeni Yuzyil University, Istanbul, Turkey) and who had no additional systemic disease and 13 patients between 6 and 10 gestational weeks, who presented with positive fetal heartbeat for voluntary abortion were included in the present study. CX3CL1, CCL17, CXCR4, chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)5 protein expression levels were determined by ELISA and gene expression levels by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in fresh materials recovered after therapeutic curettage. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2022 May 29;23(5):356. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09010, Turkey.

The aim of the present study was to reveal the association of missed abortion, a process integrated with the immune system, with interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and to demonstrate the function of these molecules by examining their levels in decidual tissue. This prospective cohort study included 13 patients with no additional systemic disease, between 6 and 10 weeks of gestation with negative fetal heartbeat, and 11 patients between 6 and 10 weeks of gestation with positive heartbeat who presented for voluntary termination of pregnancy. In the fresh decidual tissue materials recovered after therapeutic curettage, IFN-γ and IRF5 protein levels were determined by ELISA method and IFN-γ and IRF5 gene expression levels by qPCR method. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2022 Jul 25;57:236.e5-236.e6. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.

Background: First-trimester bleeding and pregnancy loss are common reasons for presentation to emergency departments. Women of childbearing age frequently receive urine and serum pregnancy tests, which are thought to be reliable markers of pregnancy.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 34-year-old woman who presented to an emergency department with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain and was found to have negative urine and serum markers of pregnancy. Read More

Int J Environ Health Res 2022 Apr 28:1-13. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is an environmental pollutant widely exposed to human beings. While the relationship between BaP and missed abortion is few understood. To explore the association between missed abortion and BaP, genetic polymorphisms of AhR pathway, we recruited 112 cases women with missed abortion and 137 controls women with normal pregnancy from Shanxi, China. Read More

J Clin Lab Anal 2022 Jun 24;36(6):e24446. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Department of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Huangshi Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Polytechnic Univercity, Edong Healthcare Medical Group, Huangshi, China.

Background: This observational study aimed to compare the potential application of thromboelastography (TEG) in diagnosing women with normal pregnancy (NP) and women with threatened abortion (TA), missed abortion (MA), embryo arrest (EA), fetal death (FD), history of abnormal pregnancy (HAP), and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (AA).

Methods: According to the relevant clinical criteria, patients were divided into groups, and their blood samples were subjected to TEG. Next, the parameters R, K, α-angle, MA, LY-30, G, and coagulation index (CI) were analyzed. Read More

Reprod Biol 2022 Jun 13;22(2):100639. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Department of Pathology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan Hubei Province 430015, China. Electronic address:

Missed abortion, one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality, is associated with impaired trophoblast function. Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5) interacts with outer membrane proteins, Opa, to play an important role in mitosis and tumorigenesis. The role of OIP5 in missed abortion was investigated in this study. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022 Apr 12;22(1):313. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.

Background: People using maternity services in the United Kingdom (UK) have faced significant changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing regulations. We focused on the experiences of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the pandemic and the impact of social distancing rules on their mental health and wellbeing.

Methods: We conducted 23 qualitative semi-structured interviews from June 2020 to August 2021, with women from across the UK who experienced a pregnancy during the pandemic. Read More

Paediatr Int Child Health 2022 Apr 10:1-6. Epub 2022 Apr 10.

Department of Paediatrics, Vani Vilas Hospital, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, India.

Untreated syphilis in pregnancy can result in an adverse outcome for the fetus. A multigravida woman with a previously poor obstetric history of early neonatal death, abortion and stillbirth was admitted in labour in the 7th month of pregnancy. On admission, syphilis screening with the qualitative rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test was negative. Read More

Ultrasound Q 2022 Mar 31. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Department of Ultrasound, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China.

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of intrauterine 3-dimensional ultrasound and the functional characteristics of the intrauterine cavity for puerpera with intrauterine adhesions, and to explore the safety of pregnancy after treatment. A total of 102 puerperas with intrauterine adhesions were randomly selected, and intrauterine 3-dimensional ultrasound and 2-dimensional ultrasound were performed, respectively. Patients were followed up for 3 years to observe the pregnancy outcome and safety. Read More

SAGE Open Med 2022 26;10:20503121221088089. Epub 2022 Mar 26.

Department of Midwifery, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.

Background: Youth faces various sexual and reproductive health problems in developing countries like Ethiopia. Major health problems like unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and sexually transmitted infections are common among youth in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the level of utilization of youth-friendly reproductive health services and associated factors among youth in Aleta Wondo town, southern Ethiopia, from 20 to 30 June 2020. Read More

Sex Reprod Healthc 2022 Jun 28;32:100714. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Gynuity Health Projects, New York, NY, United States.

Objective: Medical menstrual regulation (MMR) may offer a promising way to reach Senegalese women and girls in need of fertility management, especially in rural contexts. To assess the feasibility of introducing a MMR service in Senegal, the study aimed to (1) understand how women and girls manage their menses and fertility, and (2) document acceptability of MMR among women, youth, and health providers.

Methods: Six focus group discussions and 34 in-depth interviews were conducted with women, youth, and health providers in Kaolack, Mbour, and Thiès, Senegal. Read More

CJEM 2022 04 3;24(3):278-282. Epub 2022 Mar 3.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Objectives: Incomplete and missed spontaneous abortion cases often first present to the emergency department (ED), where they can be managed operatively via dilation and curettage (D&C) or non-operatively through medical or expectant management. The primary objective of this study was to determine how rates of operative management have changed over time across Calgary EDs. The secondary objective was to assess correlates of effectiveness and potential drivers in management including gynecological consults, ED return visits requiring admission, and subsequent D&Cs. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2022 May 25;48(5):1110-1115. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Clinic Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine- University of Barcelona, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.

Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a strategy based on direct-acting uterine curettage (UC) versus a pre-direct-acting misoprostol (1600 mg) in patients with missed abortion (MA), from the perspective of a National Health System.

Methods: An open prospective cohort study was carried out at Reina Sofía University Hospital (Córdoba, Spain) from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 in 180 patients diagnosed with MA. The patients chose medical treatment with intravaginal misoprostol (800 μg/4 h) or UC after receiving complete and detailed information. Read More

J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022 Feb 16:1-9. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA.

Objective: To understand large animal veterinarians' knowledge of select zoonotic diseases that cause livestock abortions and identify barriers to using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Sample: A convenience sample of 469 veterinarians currently working with livestock.

Procedures: We sent an electronic survey invitation to large animal veterinarians through various veterinary organizations. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2021 Dec;71(Suppl 9)(12):S43-S46

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

Objective: To assess the significance of platelet indices, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width in patients with missed abortion as an earlier and cost-benefit screening test.

Methods: The prospective case-control study was conducted at the University Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from April to September 2021, and comprised women with missed abortion as well as healthy controls. Anthropometric parameters were recorded alongside complete blood count, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Read More

BMJ Open 2022 Jan 31;12(1):e052192. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.

Introduction: Medical treatment is a less invasive alternative to surgical management of missed miscarriage. Studies have shown that pretreatment with mifepristone can increase the complete abortion rate in management of first-trimester missed miscarriage compared with misoprostol alone. Two studies have also shown that pretreatment with letrozole could increase the efficacy compared with misoprostol alone. Read More

J Clin Lab Anal 2022 Mar 1;36(3):e24250. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Department of Women's HealthCare, Affiliated Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in missed miscarriage.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 400 women (involving 200 with missed early miscarriage and 200 with normal pregnancy but terminate by artificial abortion) were included. General clinical data and complete blood count (CBC) such as white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation (RDW-SD), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil count, and lymphocyte count were collected, and the NLR and PLR were calculated for both groups. Read More

J Reprod Immunol 2022 03 14;150:103477. Epub 2022 Jan 14.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada.

The eutopic secretory phase endometrium in endometriosis overproduces and releases a soluble immunosuppressive CD200 molecule (CD200L) and is populated by stromal cells that contain a truncated CD200 (CD200S) that promotes a proinflammatory environment. The CD200S cell population persists when pregnancy occurs and are abundant in the early pregnancy decidua of women with missed abortion. In the present study, CD200S, CD56, and CD68 cells were enumerated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections from women with endometriosis and non-endometriosis controls. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022 Mar 6;270:105-110. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna and IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S.Orsola-Malpighi, Italy.

Objectives: First trimester miscarriage is a multifactorial event. Various angiogenic factors have been proposed as possible early markers of non-viable pregnancies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the systemic nitric oxide (NO) production in healthy early pregnancy and its possible role in first trimester miscarriage. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2022 05 30;44(5):503-507. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON.

Objective: Manual vacuum aspiration is a safe surgical option for the management of early pregnancy loss. To provide rapid, patient-centred access to MVA, an Outpatient Program for Early pregnancy Loss ("OPEL") was established at our institution. Objectives were to (1) assess complete uterine evacuation rates; (2) assess complication rates, and (3) assess patient satisfaction with the program. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022 01;119(1)

Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709.

US state legislatures have proposed laws to prohibit abortion once the earliest embryonic electrical activity is detectable (fetal "heartbeat"). On average, this occurs roughly 6 wk after the last menstrual period. To be eligible for abortion, people must recognize pregnancy very early in gestation. Read More

J Immunol Res 2021 20;2021:5571894. Epub 2021 Dec 20.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Rd, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China.

Objective: To conduct a preliminary investigation that shows the possible correlation between the change of gut microbiota and missed abortions (MAs), which further provides a new potential insight for the prevention and therapy of MAs.

Method: One hundred women, including 50 patients with MAs (case group) and 50 normal pregnant women (control group), were enrolled in the study. Fecal specimens were collected in the first trimester. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2021 ;37(sup1):8-12

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Course of Perinatology of the Russian University of Peoples' Friendship, Moscow, Russia.

Objective: To study the relationship between vitamin D deficiency, VDR gene polymorphism rs10735810 (A > G), and a missed abortion in the first trimester of gestation; to determine the predictors of its risk.

Research Methods: 178 women aged between 18 and 41 were surveyed. The main group consisted of patients with miscarriage ( = 101), verified at the hospital stage (O02. Read More