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“Purpose: To evaluate the relation between umbilical cord diameter versus pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) level in first trimester women.

Method: Cord diameter were measured and patients were divided into two groups according to frequency distribution analysis as below or above 3.7 mm for free loop diameter (FCD) and below or above 3.4 mm for cord

measurement at umbilicus (ACD). Groups were compared with each other.

Results: Strong correlations were found between ACD versus PAPP-A.

Conclusion: By using strong correlation between ACD versus PAPP-A, it may be possible to reduce unnecessary amniocentesis due to false positive screening results.”
“Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived TPCA-1 manufacturer 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) protects against oxidative stress which is important in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Three single

nucleotide polymorphisms and 1 triplet repeat polymorphism are found in the promoter region of the Nrf2 gene. Molecular haplotyping of the Nrf2 promoter region was performed using DNA obtained from the peripheral blood of 69 COPD patients. The luciferase activities of Nrf2 promoter constructs containing all possible combinations of the 4 polymorphisms were determined and found to differ among the 16 haplotypes. The haplotypes isolated from the subjects were divided into 3 groups (L: low; M: medium; H: high) on the basis of luciferase activities. The proportions of subjects belonging to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease stage 3 or 4 decreased from the group with the LL haplotype to that with the HH haplotype. Presence of the LH or MM haplotype (hazard ratio, 3.36; this website 95% confidence BAY 63-2521 interval, 1.16-9.69), gender (0.13; 0.02-0.67), and post-bronchodilator FEV(1) value of predicted (0.95; 0.91-0.99) are significant predictors of respiratory failure development. The haplotype of the Nrf2 gene promoter affects its activity, and is associated with the severity and the development of respiratory failure in COPD.”
“Objective:

This study was undertaken to investigate the usefulness of angiogenic markers and standard laboratory parameters measurement after 20th week of pregnancy for the individual prediction of preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: A prospective designed study included 34 patients with PE and a control group of 35 uncomplicated pregnancies. Patients were recruited from 20th until 41st week of pregnancy at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital Celje, Slovenia. PlGF (placental growth factor), sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1), erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, urate, body mass index, body surface area, parity, and age were evaluated to predict the occurrence of PE based on multivariate logistic regression model.