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Human umbilical vein (HUV) can be used as a substitute for small caliber blod vessels (

Study question: Altered adipose tissue secretion plays a central role in the meta- bolic abnormalities observed in PCOS. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of adipokines in different phenotypes of PCOS women, hy- pothesizing that normal-weight, normoinsulinemic PCOS women, with mildest phenotype also present with changes in adipokine secretion compared to controls. Summary answer: There was no difference in adipokines serum levels be- tween different PCOS phenotypes. Lower levels of adiponectin and ghrelin, and higher levels of leptin and resistin were observed in all lean PCOS phenotypes without hyperinsulinemia compared to controls suggesting that other intrinsic PCOS factor is in the culprit of these abnormalities. What is known already: Women with PCOS have significantly elevated leptin and resistin, and lower adiponectin and ghrelin serum levels compared to healthy women. Whether these abnormalities are secondary to obesity/ab- dominal fat distribution/hyperandrogenism/hyperinsulinemia or represents the intrinsic PCOS abnormality is yet to be determined. There is a limited data on the adipokine serum levels in four main PCOS phe- notypes defined by the Rotterdam Criteria. The majority of them observed posi- tive association of serum adipokine concentrations and PCOS phenotype severity. Study design, size, duration: Observational, prospective study of 186 women with PCOS fulfilling Rotterdam criteria and 162 weight and age-matched women was conducted from 2009 to 2013. Five groups were created: A) O (Oligoovulation) + H (Hyperandrogenism) + P (Polycystic ovaries) (n = 102) ; B) O + H (n = 15), C) H + P (n = 27) ; D) O + P (n = 42) and E) (control group). Participants/materials, setting, methods: Body mass index (BMI), waist/ hip ratio (WHR) and hirsutism were evaluated. Serum concentrations of a leptin, adiponectin, resistin, ghrelin, androgens, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), glucose and insulin were measured. Free testosterone and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Results were analyzed using SPSS 17 for Windows. Main results and the role of chance: No association was found between the leptin, resistin, adiponectin and ghrelin serum levels with severity of PCOS pheno- type (all p > 0.05). We observed higher levels of leptin and resistin and lower levels of adiponectin and ghrelin in all PCOS phenotypes compared to control group (all p < 0.001). The most prominent finding was the lower adiponectin (p < 0.001) and ghrelin (p < 0.001) serum levels and higher levels of leptin (p < 0.001) and resistin (p < 0.001) in lean PCOS patients without hyperandrogenemia and insulin resis- tency (phenotype D) compared to healthy controls (group E).Limitations, reason for caution: Small sample size in group B. HOMA-IR was used instead of more reliable but technically difficult hyperinsulinemic- euglycemic clamp technique. With significant variations in PCOS presentation seen in different ethnic populations, generalizing data obtained from any single ethnic group to other population groups should be approached with caution. Wider implications of the findings: Although the O + P phenotype itself is under dispute, our data show that the normal-weight, normoinsulinemic PCOS women, who share this phenotype present with alterations in adipokines metabolism, the finding that was previously observed in PCOS women in general. This may suggest that some other intrinsic PCOS factor other than obesity, hyperandrogenism or hyperinsulinemia modulates the adipose tissue dysfunction which merit further research.

The aim of this study was to calculate the relative prevalence of all phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare them for anthropometrical, hormonal and metabolic differences according to the Rotterdam Criteria. A total of 300 women with PCOS aged 26.7 +/- 5.6 years (mean +/- SD) and 100 women aged 28.3 +/- 4.1 years (mean +/- SD) were included in a control group. Anthropometrical, hormonal and metabolic parameters were compared between the groups. The most prevalent phenotype in our population was the most severe, phenotype A (56.7%), followed by phenotype D (26.7%) and phenotype C (14.3%). Phenotype B was present in only 2.3% of patients. The four main phenotypes did not differ in age, BMI and WHR. Women with phenotypes A and C had increased levels of LH and an increased LH/FSH ratio along with elevated androgen levels compared to the other groups. Serum glucose levels did not differ between the groups studied, however, higher levels of insulin, GIR and HOMA-IR were found between phenotype A and the control group. Phenotype C PCOS or ovulatory PCOS have the same characteristics as classic PCOS, however in a more mild form, which represents a transition between the classic form and the control group. Compared to the control group, phenotype D had higher mean levels of serum testosterone (still within normal range) along with elevated LH levels and LH/FSH ratio, similar to classic PCOS. However, compared with women diagnosed with PCOS based on hyperandrogenism, oligo-ovulation and polycystic ovaries, these patients demonstrated milder endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. Therefore, from an endocrine point of view, our study supports the inclusion of a normoandrogenic anovulatory phenotype in PCOS diagnostic criteria.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition affecting women of reproductive age. There are many typical signs and symptoms that allow for the diagnosis of PCOS depending on the criteria used. Interestingly, ethnicity influences the extent of these signs and symptoms; therefore, the frequency of symptoms varies between different countries and ethnic groups. The prevalence of this syndrome in Croatia is unknown, and it's clinical and biochemical characteristics have not yet been reported. During this study, we used the Rotterdam criteria to evaluate 365 Croatian women with PCOS, and compared them to 304 age matched controls to assess the clinical and biochemical abnormalities that occur in PCOS patients. The mean age of PCOS patients at presentation was 26.1 +/- 5.9 years and of controls were 28.0 +/- 4.2 years. Women with PCOS has significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than the control group, although in both groups most patients had normal weight (76.2% vs. 87.8%). Abdominal distribution of fat tissue was similar in both groups. Menstrual cycle abnormalities were observed in 90.7% of PCOS patients, and ultrasonographic appearance of polycystic ovaries was reported in 97.3% of PCOS cases. Nearly 75% of patients with PCOS had hirsutism and 49.6% had acne. We recorded significantly higher serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (fT) and insulin, while the serum levels of sex hormone binding globuline (SHBG) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly lower than in the control group. Serum glucose values were not significantly different between the groups. In conclusion, chronic anovulation, hirsutism and ultrasound appearance of polycystic ovaries are the dominant features of PCOS in Croatian population. The majority of patients with PCOS had normal body weight. The incidence of insulin resistance in this group of patients is less than the previously described frequency in other populations of patients with PCOS and normal weight.

multiple pregnancy, outcome

Angiogenesis or neovascularization is a process of formation of blood vessels in adults, and experiments indicate the two pathways of formation: angiogenesis by endothelial progenitor cells from the bone marrow, and angiogenesis from already existing blood vessels. Tumor growth and metastatic potential depend on angiogenesis. Angiogenesis research can have both diagnostic and therapeutic use. Microvessel density (MVD) is an indicator of angiogenesis intensity-the number of blood vessels per surface unit. Immunohistochemical markers (antibodies) used for MVD determination are presented due to their specifi city. Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation between MVD and expression of factors that stimulate angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastatic potential in numerous solid tumors, i.e. MVD is an independent prognostic factor. Angiogenesis in tumor growth represents an attractive therapeutic goal consisting in the inhibition of factors that stimulate angiogenesis and the exogenic use of inhibitors. Anti- angiogenic therapy of cancer is presented, mostly drugs in various phases of investigation and the rare ones which are in widespread clinical use.

To determine the parameters for early detection of intrauterine infection and neonatal outcome in preterm labour complicated with pPROM.

As pathological patterns of fetal blood flow distribution are often associated with various obstetrical complications per se, it is difficult to distinguish permanent neurologic disability independently predicted by various complications of pregnancy and/or early neonatal period and those somehow predicted by some circulatory abnormality. Positive neonatal cranial ultrasonography showed significant predictive value regarding both major and minor neurologic impairment later in life. Blood circulation in fetal aorta could be an important milestone in detection of fetuses at increased risk, perhaps irrespective of their gestational age at birth. We therefore recommend cranial ultrasonography examination to all neonates with absent or reversed blood flow in descending aorta. The combination of both positive findings, regardless of gestational age at birth, carries a significantly increased risk of permanent neurologic damage.

HELLP syndrome – relation to preeclampsia/ecclampsia (FI/EC).