Search

Objectives: To investigate the rate and outcome of emergency Cesarean delivery (CD) in women with placenta previa with or without placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) and to elucidate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in predicting emergency CD. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective study involving 16 referral hospitals in Italy (ADoPAD study). Inclusion criteria were women with placenta previa minor (< 20 mm from the internal cervical os) or placenta previa major (covering the os), aged ≥ 18 years, who underwent transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound assessment at ≥ 26 + 0 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was the occurrence of emergency CD, defined as the need for immediate surgical intervention performed for emergency maternal or fetal indication, including active labor, cumulative maternal bleeding > 500 mL, severe and persistent vaginal bleeding such that maternal hemodynamic stability could not be achieved or maintained, or category‐III fetal heart rate tracing unresponsive to resuscitative measures. The primary outcome was reported separately in the population of women with placenta previa and no PAS confirmed after birth and in those with PAS. The secondary aim was to report on the strength of association and to test the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in predicting emergency CD. Univariate, multivariate and diagnostic accuracy analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 450 women, including 97 women with placenta previa and PAS and 353 with placenta previa only, were analyzed. In women with placenta previa and PAS, emergency CD was required in 20.6% (95% CI, 14–30%), and 60.0% (12/20) delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. The mean gestational age at delivery was 32.3 ± 2.7 weeks in women undergoing emergency CD and 34.9 ± 1.8 weeks in those undergoing elective CD (P < 0.001). Women undergoing emergency CD had a higher median estimated blood loss (2500 (interquartile range (IQR), 1350–4500) vs 1100 (IQR, 625–2500) mL; P = 0.012), mean units of blood transfused (7.3 ± 8.8 vs 2.5 ± 3.4; P = 0.02) and more frequent placement of a mechanical balloon (50.0% vs 16.9%; P = 0.002) compared with those undergoing elective CD. On univariate analysis, the presence of interrupted retroplacental space, interrupted bladder line and placental lacunae was more common in women not experiencing emergency CD. No comprehensive multivariate analysis could be performed in this subgroup of women. Ultrasound signs of PAS, including presence of interrupted retroplacental space, interrupted bladder line and placental lacunae, were not predictive of emergency CD. In women with placenta previa but no PAS, emergency CD was required in 31.2% (95% CI, 26.6–36.2%), and 32.7% (36/110) delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. The mean gestational age at delivery was lower in women undergoing emergency CD compared with those undergoing elective CD (34.2 ± 2.9 vs 36.7 ± 1.6 weeks; P < 0.001). Pregnancies complicated by emergency CD were associated with a lower birth weight (2330 ± 620 vs 2800 ± 480 g; P < 0.001) and had a higher risk of need for blood transfusion (22.7% vs 10.7%; P = 0.003) compared with those who underwent elective CD. On multivariate analysis, only placental thickness (odds ratio (OR), 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00–1.03); P = 0.046) and cervical length < 25 mm (OR, 3.89 (95% CI, 1.33–11.33); P = 0.01) were associated with emergency CD. However, a short cervical length showed low diagnostic accuracy for predicting emergency CD in these women. Conclusion: Emergency CD occurred in about 20% of women with placenta previa and PAS and 30% of those with placenta previa only and was associated with worse maternal outcome compared with elective intervention. Prenatal ultrasound is not predictive of the risk of emergency CD in women with these disorders. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the performance of third-trimester ultrasound for the diagnosis of clinically significant placenta accreta spectrum disorder (PAS) in women with low-lying placenta or placenta previa.Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study of pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with low-lying placenta (< 20 mm from the internal cervical os) or placenta previa (covering the internal cervical os) on ultrasound at ≥ 26 + 0 weeks' gestation, between October 2014 and January 2019. Ultrasound suspicion of PAS was raised in the presence of at least one of these signs on grayscale ultrasound: (1) obliteration of the hypoechogenic space between the uterus and the placenta; (2) interruption of the hyperechogenic interface between the uterine serosa and the bladder wall; (3) abnormal placental lacunae. Histopathological examinations were performed according to a predefined protocol, with pathologists blinded to the ultrasound findings. To assess the ability of ultrasound to detect clinically significant PAS, a composite outcome comprising the need for active management at delivery and histopathological confirmation of PAS was considered the reference standard. PAS was considered to be clinically significant if, in addition to histological confirmation, at least one of these procedures was carried out after delivery: use of hemostatic intrauterine balloon, compressive uterine suture, peripartum hysterectomy, uterine/hypogastric artery ligation or uterine artery embolization. The diagnostic performance of each ultrasound sign for clinically significant PAS was evaluated in all women and in the subgroup who had at least one previous Cesarean section and anterior placenta. Post-test probability was assessed using Fagan nomograms.Results: A total of 568 women underwent transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound examinations during the study period. Of these, 95 delivered in local hospitals, and placental pathology according to the study protocol was therefore not available. Among the 473 women for whom placental pathology was available, clinically significant PAS was diagnosed in 99 (21%), comprising 36 cases of placenta accreta, 19 of placenta increta and 44 of placenta percreta. The median gestational age at the time of ultrasound assessment was 31.4 (interquartile range, 28.6-34.4) weeks. A normal hypoechogenic space between the uterus and the placenta reduced the post-test probability of clinically significant PAS from 21% to 5% in women with low-lying placenta or placenta previa in the third trimester of pregnancy and from 62% to 9% in the subgroup with previous Cesarean section and anterior placenta. The absence of placental lacunae reduced the post-test probability of clinically significant PAS from 21% to 9% in women with low-lying placenta or placenta previa in the third trimester of pregnancy and from 62% to 36% in the subgroup with previous Cesarean section and anterior placenta. When abnormal placental lacunae were seen on ultrasound, the post-test probability of clinically significant PAS increased from 21% to 59% in the whole cohort and from 62% to 78% in the subgroup with previous Cesarean section and anterior placenta. An interrupted hyperechogenic interface between the uterine serosa and bladder wall increased the post-test probability for clinically significant PAS from 21% to 85% in women with low-lying placenta or placenta previa and from 62% to 88% in the subgroup with previous Cesarean section and anterior placenta. When all three sonographic markers were present, the post-test probability for clinically significant PAS increased from 21% to 89% in the whole cohort and from 62% to 92% in the subgroup with previous Cesarean section and anterior placenta.Conclusions: Grayscale ultrasound has good diagnostic performance to identify pregnancies at low risk of PAS in a high-risk population of women with low-lying placenta or placenta previa. Ultrasound may be safely used to guide management decisions and concentrate resources on patients with higher risk of clinically significant PAS. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions In conclusion, our study shows that low serum PAPP-A levels in the first trimester were strongly associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. EP01.42: First trimester screening: the increasing value of adding serum PAPP-A levels in predicting pregnancy outcomes The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of first trimester maternal serum pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in the prediction of pregnancy complications. [Extracted from the article]

Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing represents the best screening method for common aneuploidies. Conclusions In conclusion, our results highlighted the importance of an adequate counselling to pregnant women with high BMI regarding the test reliability and its clinical implications. [Extracted from the article]

Dry socket or alveolar osteitis is a common postoperative complication following tooth extraction, characterized by severe pain due to the disintegration of the blood clot within the socket. Various factors contribute to its development, such as traumatic extraction, patient age and sex, smoking, and anesthetic use. To mitigate this condition, socket preservation techniques, including the use of bone substitute materials, have been employed. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has emerged as a promising biomaterial, enhancing healing and reducing the incidence of dry socket. Materials and Methods: This systematic review, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD 578018), examines the efficacy of PRF in managing dry socket by analyzing studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published between January 2013 and May 2024. Boolean keywords have been used in the search strategy: ("Treatment") AND ("Dry Socket") AND ("Platelet Rich Fibrin" OR "PRF"). A total of 738 publications were found using the electronic database search. After the screening phase, 13 records were chosen for qualitative analysis. The results from multiple clinical trials and comparative studies indicate that PRF significantly reduces postoperative pain, expedites healing, and lowers the incidence of Alveolar Osteitis. Despite promising results, further large-scale, randomized studies are needed to validate PRF as a standard treatment for dry socket.

(1) Background: Preeclampsia (PE) usually presents with hypertension and proteinuria, related to poor placentation. Reduced maternal-fetal immunological tolerance is a possible trigger of inadequate placentation. Aberrant antigen expression of HLA-DR has been observed in the syncytiotrophoblast of PE patients. In this study, we analyzed plasma levels of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR+ syncytiotrophoblast-derived extracellular vesicles (STEVs) during the three trimesters of pregnancy in relation to PE onset. (2) Methods: Pregnant women underwent venous blood sampling during the three trimesters. STEVs were collected from plasma via ultracentrifugation (120,000 g) and characterized by Western blot, nanotracking analysis and flow cytometry for the expression of Placental Alkaline Phosphatase (PLAP), a placental-derived marker, and HLA-DR. (3) Results: Out of 107 women recruited, 10 developed PE. STEVs were detected in all three trimesters of pregnancy with a zenith in the second trimester. A significant difference was found between the non-PE and PE groups in terms of plasma levels of HLA-DR+ STEVs during all three trimesters of pregnancy. (4) Conclusions: More research is needed to investigate HLA-DR+ as a potential early marker of PE.

Precision medicine using highly precise technologies and big data has produced personalised medicine with rapid and reliable diagnoses and targeted therapies. The most recent studies have directed precision medicine into the study of tumours. The application of precision medicine in the oral microbiota can be used both in the field of prevention and treatment in the strictly dental field. This article aims to evaluate the interaction between microbiota and oral cancer and the presence of biomarkers as risk predictors., Materials and Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed analysing the various interactions between microorganisms, biomarkers, and oral cancer., Results: After screening processes, 21 articles were selected for qualitative analysis., Conclusion: The correlation between oral diseases/cancers and changes in the microbiota explains the increasing utility of precision medicine in enhancing diagnosis and adapting treatment on the individual components of the microbiota. Diagnosing and treating oral diseases and cancers through precision medicine gives, as well as economic advantages to the health care system, predictable and rapid management of the patient.

Different biomaterials, from synthetic products to autologous or heterologous grafts, have been suggested for the preservation and regeneration of bone. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous tooth as a grafting material and examine the properties of this material and its interactions with bone metabolism. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched to find articles addressing our topic published from 1 January 2012 up to 22 November 2022, and a total of 1516 studies were identified. Eighteen papers in all were considered in this review for qualitative analysis. Demineralized dentin can be used as a graft material, since it shows high cell compatibility and promotes rapid bone regeneration by striking an ideal balance between bone resorption and production; it also has several benefits, such as quick recovery times, high-quality newly formed bone, low costs, no risk of disease transmission, the ability to be performed as an outpatient procedure, and no donor-related postoperative complications. Demineralization is a crucial step in the tooth treatment process, which includes cleaning, grinding, and demineralization. Since the presence of hydroxyapatite crystals prevents the release of growth factors, demineralization is essential for effective regenerative surgery. Even though the relationship between the bone system and dysbiosis has not yet been fully explored, this study highlights an association between bone and gut microbes. The creation of additional scientific studies to build upon and enhance the findings of this study should be a future objective of scientific research.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of emigration on fetal birth weight (BW) in a group of pregnant women coming from the Indian subcontinent., Methods: This was a retrospective study in a mixed population of pregnant women from the Indian subcontinent that either moved to Europe or stayed in their original countries. The influence of emigration along with several pregnancy characteristics: GA at delivery, fetal gender, maternal age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and parity on BW was evaluated by means of multivariable linear regression analysis., Results: According to European standards, babies born to Indo-Pakistan emigrants and babies born to women staying in the Indian subcontinent were similarly small (BW centile 30± 29 and 30.1 ± 28, p <0.68). Multivariable regression demonstrated that emigration by itself did not exert a direct influence on BW ( p   = 0.27), being BMI and gestational age at delivery the true determinants of BW ( p <0.0001)., Conclusions: Maternal BMI is the most relevant parameter affecting fetal growth regardless of the place of residence., Competing Interests: Declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

An abnormal and hypertrophied upper labial frenulum (ULF) can cause diastemas, gingival recession, eruption abnormalities, and the onset of carious and periodontal problems in the upper central incisors, as well as aesthetic and functional disorders of the upper lip. The goal of this investigation is to review the evidence on the surgical techniques that are currently available for treating ULF in order to identify the best approach. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for papers that matched our topic from 13 November 2012 up to 22 November 2022 using the following Boolean keywords: "frenulum" and "surgery*". A total of eight articles were selected for the purpose of the review. ULF can be surgically treated using either traditional scalpel surgery or laser surgery. The latter is the better option due to its intra- and post-operative benefits for both the patients and the clinicians, in terms of faster healing, fewer side effects and discomfort, and greater patient compliance. However, a higher learning curve is required for this technique, especially to calibrate the appropriate power of the laser. To date, it is not possible to identify which type of laser achieves the best clinical results for the treatment of ULF.

Phenolic compounds are natural phytochemicals that have recently reported numerous health benefits. Resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin have recently received the most attention among these molecules due to their documented antioxidant effects. The review aims to investigate the effects of these molecules on bone metabolism and their role in several diseases such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, bone tumours, and periodontitis. The PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase electronic databases were searched for papers in line with the study topic. According to an English language restriction, the screening period was from January 2012 to 3 July 2022, with the following Boolean keywords: ("resveratrol" AND "bone"); ("curcumin" AND "bone"); ("quercetin" AND "bone"). A total of 36 papers were identified as relevant to the purpose of our investigation. The studies reported the positive effects of the investigated phenolic compounds on bone metabolism and their potential application as adjuvant treatments for osteoporosis, bone tumours, and periodontitis. Furthermore, their use on the titanium surfaces of orthopaedic prostheses could represent a possible application to improve the osteogenic processes and osseointegration. According to the study findings, resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin are reported to have a wide variety of beneficial effects as supplement therapies. The investigated phenolic compounds seem to positively mediate bone metabolism and osteoclast-related pathologies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Aim: In the literature, many studies and articles are investigating new devices and approaches to achieve rapid palate expansion through the opening of the palatal suture, and evaluating the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue effects. The purpose of this review was to assess how palatal expansion is performed in adolescent patients with permanent dentition. Furthermore, it was reported as an example of successful orthodontic treatment of an 11-year-old female patient affected by maxillary skeletal transverse deficiency, in permanent dentition. Methods: A search of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria were the year of publication between 2017 and 2022, patients aged 10 to 16 years in permanent dentition, with transversal discrepancy, treated with tooth-borne, bone-borne, hybrid palatal expanders. Results: A total of 619 articles were identified by the electronic search, and finally, a total of 16 papers were included in the qualitative analysis. Conclusions: From this study, it was assessed that MARPE is more predictable, and it determines a more significant expansion of the suture than the Hyrax expander, with fewer side effects.

Objective: To investigate whether fetal growth restriction (FGR) diagnosis, based on pathological prenatal fetal Doppler velocimetry, is associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) independently of being small for gestational age (SGA) per se at birth among very preterm infants., Design: Prospective, observational study. FGR was defined as failing fetal growth in utero and fetal Doppler velocimetry abnormalities., Setting: Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Roma, Italy., Patients: Preterm newborns with gestational age ≤30 weeks and birth weight (BW) ≤1250 g., Main Outcome Measures: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia., Results: In the study period, 178 newborns were eligible for the study. Thirty-nine infants (22%) were considered fetal growth-restricted infants. Among the 154 survived babies at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, 12 out of 36 (33%) of the FGR group developed BPD versus 8 out of 118 (7%) of the NO-FGR group (p<0.001). BPD rate was sixfold higher among the SGA-FGR infants compared with the SGA-NO-FGR infants. In a multivariable model, FGR was significantly associated with BPD risk (OR 5.1, CI 1.4 to 18.8, p=0.01), independently from BW z-score that still remains a strong risk factor (OR 0.5, CI 0.3 to 0.9, p=0.01)., Conclusion: Among SGA preterm infants, BPD risk dramatically increases when placenta dysfunction is the surrounding cause of low BW. Antenatal fetal Doppler surveillance could be a useful tool for studying placenta wellness and predicting BPD risk among preterm babies. Further research is needed to better understand how FGR affects lung development., Competing Interests: Competing interests: There is no potential conflict of interest, real or perceived in: (1) study design; (2) the collection,analysis and interpretation of data; (3) the writing of the report and (4) the decision to submit the paper for publication., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Objective: to compare perinatal outcome in induced postterm pregnancies with normal amniotic volume and in patients with prolonged pregnancy undergone induction for oligohydramnios, evaluated by two different ultrasonographic methods., Methods: amniotic fluid volume was measured, using Single Deepest Vertical Pocket (SDVP) and Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI), in 961 singleton uncomplicated prolonged pregnancies. In 109 of these patients, hospitalization was planned for induction of labor, during or after 42 weeks of gestation, for oligohydramnios, postterm pregnancy and other indications in 47, 51 and 11 cases, respectively. Perinatal outcome included: rate of caesarean section, fetal distress, non reassuring fetal heart tracing, presence of meconium, umbilical artery pH < 7.1, Apgar score at 5 minutes < 7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)., Results: oligohydramnios was diagnosed in 4.89% of cases, when at least one of the two methods was used. A reduced AFI and SDVP value identified 4.47% and 3.75% of cases, respectively, even if without statistical difference. No statistical differences were reported in perinatal outcomes in postterm versus prolonged pregnancies with oligohydramnios, also in relation to the two different ultrasonographic methods., Conclusions: oligohydramnios is more frequently diagnosed using AFI than SDVP, consequently determining a higher rate of induction of labor. Moreover, perinatal outcome in prolonged induced pregnancies is not affected by oligohydramnios.