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Nine Hungarian medical societies have developed a consensus recommendation on the preferred normal range of vitamin D, the dose of vitamin D supplementation and the method of administration. They summarized the clinical conditions and diseases the development of which may be associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDD). VDD is extremely common in Hungary, especially in late winter. The lower limit of the recommended normal range is 75 nmol/l, although the clinical significance of deficiency is evident mainly at values below 50 nmol/l, but since vitamin D supplementation at the recommended dose is safe, it is worthwhile for everyone to reduce the health risk associated with VDD. The aim of vitamin D supplementation is to prevent deficiency. The recommended normal range is 75–125 nmol/l, above which there is no clear benefit of vitamin D supplementation. To maintain the normal range, a daily intake of 2000 IU in adults is recommended during the UV-B radiation-free period. Vitamin D supplementation is also recommended for children during the same periods and conditions as for adults, but the dose varies with age. In adults, vitamin D3 supplementation at daily, weekly and monthly intervals is equally effective and safe. In severe deficiency, a loading dose is recommended, followed by maintenance supplementation. In addition to the wellknown skeletal, immunological and oncological effects of VDD, more and more data support unfavorable gyneco- logical and obstetric effects. The process of building the consensus has met the requirements of the latest Delphi criteria.Összefoglaló. Kilenc magyarországi orvostársaság közös ajánlást alakított ki a D-vitamin javasolt normáltartományával, a D-vitamin-pótlás adagjával és az adagolás módjával kapcsolatban. Összefoglalták azokat a klinikai állapotokat, betegségeket, amelyek kialakulása összefüggésben lehet a D-vitamin-hiánnyal. Magyarországon a D-vitamin-hiány – főleg a tél végére – rendkívül gyakori. A javasolt normáltartomány alsó határa 75 nmol/l, annak ellenére, hogy a hiány klinikai jelentősége főleg 50 nmol/l alatti értékeknél nyilvánvaló, ám mivel a D-vitamin pótlása a javasolt dózisban biztonságos, mindenkinél érdemes csökkenteni a D-vitamin-hiánnyal kapcsolatos egészségügyi kockázatot. A D-vitamin-pótlás célja a hiány megszüntetése. A javasolt normáltartomány 75–125 nmol/l, az ezt meghaladó tartományban a D-vitamin adásának nincs további egyértelmű előnye. A normáltartomány fenntartásához felnőttekben napi 2000 NE bevitele javasolt az UV-B sugárzástól mentes időszakban. Gyermekeknek is javasolt a D-vitamin pótlása azokban az időszakokban és állapotokban, mint a felnőtteknek, de az adag korfüggő módon változik. D-vitamin-pótlásra D3-vitamin adása javasolt. Felnőttekben a D3-vitamin-pótlás napi, heti és havi gyakoriságú adagolással is egyformán hatásos és biztonságos. Súlyos hiányban javasolt telítő adagot alkalmazni, majd ezt követően fenntartó adagolással kell folytatni a pótlást. A D-vitamin-hiány jól ismert csontrendszeri, immunológiai és onkológiai hatásai mellett egyre több adat támasztja alá előnytelen nőgyógyászati és szülészeti hatásait is. A legerősebb érv a D-vitamin-hiány megszüntetése és a szükséges pótlás alkalmazása mellett a halálozási kockázat D-vitamin-hiányban észlelt növekedése. A konszenzus elkészítésének folyamata megfelelt a Delfi-irányelveknek. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(15): 575–584.

Congenital laryngocele is an uncommon cause of neonatal stridor. There are only a few cases reported in the literature. The authors present a successfully treated case of an infant, whose life could only be saved by urgent tracheostomy. On the 5th postoperative day endoscopic excision and marsupialization provided patent airway. The patient could be decannulated. During follow-up no recurrence was observed.

The rs10830963 variant of the Melatonin Receptor 1B (MTNR1B) gene is associated with the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We hypothesized that carrying the rs10830963/G risk allele had effect on antenatal insulin therapy (AIT) initiation in GDM in a body mass index (BMI)-dependent manner. Design: In this post hoc analysis the MTNR1B rs10830963 genotype and the clinical data of 211 Caucasian GDM patients were assessed. As a first step, a pre-pregnancy BMI threshold was determined where the effect of MTNR1B rs10830963/G allele carrying on AIT initiation was the most significant using logistic regression. Maternal age adjusted real-life odds ratios (OR) values were calculated. The chi-square test was also used to calculate the p value and 10.000 bootstrap simulations were performed in each case to re-assess the statistical power and the OR. Carrying the MTNR1B rs10830963/G allele increased the odds of AIT initiation (OR = 5.2, p = 0.02 [χ2 test], statistical power = 0.53) in GDM patients with pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 29 kg/m2. The statistical power reached 0.77, when the pre-pregnancy BMI cutoff of 27 kg/m2 was used and the genetic effect on AIT initiation was still significant, but only using the logistic regression model. Carrying the MTNR1B rs10830963/G risk allele—in interaction with pre-pregnancy BMI—is likely be considered as a candidate pharmacogenetic marker of antenatal insulin therapy initiation and should be further assessed in precision medicine trials in GDM.

Context Genetic variation in human maternal DNA contributes to the susceptibility for development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective We assessed 77 maternal single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) for associations with GDM or plasma glucose levels at OGTT in pregnancy. Methods 960 pregnant women (after dropouts 820: case/control: m99’WHO: 303/517, IADPSG: 287/533) were enrolled in two countries into this case-control study. After genomic DNA isolation the 820 samples were collected in a GDM biobank and assessed using KASP (LGC Genomics) genotyping assay. Logistic regression risk models were used to calculate ORs according to IADPSG/m’99WHO criteria based on standard OGTT values. Results The most important risk alleles associated with GDM were rs10830963/G of MTNR1B (OR = 1.84/1.64 [IADPSG/m’99WHO], p = 0.0007/0.006), rs7754840/C (OR = 1.51/NS, p = 0.016) of CDKAL1 and rs1799884/T (OR = 1.4/1.56, p = 0.04/0.006) of GCK. The rs13266634/T (SLC30A8, OR = 0.74/0.71, p = 0.05/0.02) and rs7578326/G (LOC646736/IRS1, OR = 0.62/0.60, p = 0.001/0.006) variants were associated with lower risk to develop GDM. Carrying a minor allele of rs10830963 (MTNR1B); rs7903146 (TCF7L2); rs1799884 (GCK) SNPs were associated with increased plasma glucose levels at routine OGTT. Conclusions We confirmed the robust association of MTNR1B rs10830963/G variant with GDM binary and glycemic traits in this Caucasian case-control study. As novel associations we report the minor, G allele of the rs7578326 SNP in the LOC646736/IRS1 region as a significant and the rs13266634/T SNP (SLC30A8) as a suggestive protective variant against GDM development. Genetic susceptibility appears to be more preponderant in individuals who meet both the modified 99’WHO and the IADPSG GDM diagnostic criteria.

At present, there is no obligatory guideline for the prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal disease in Hungary.The aim of the present study was to gain insight into the spontaneously developed preventive strategy of the domestic obstetric divisions and departments in Hungary.Standardized questionnaire was sent out to each of the 71 obstetric divisions and departments in Hungary.Overall, 20 (27.4%) of the chairpersons replied, and thus, 39.9% of the total number of live births in Hungary were included in the study. Despite missing public health guidelines, each of the divisions and departments developed their own strategy to prevent neonatal group B streptococcal disease. In 95% of cases, bacterial culture of the lower vagina was the method of identifying pregnant women at risk. In 5% of the cases intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis was based on risk assessment only. Of the departments using culture-based prophylaxis, 58% departments sampled women after completion of 36th gestational weeks. Antibiotic of choice was penicillin or ampicillin in 100% of cases. Of the study participants, 80% reported on multiple administration of colonized pregnant women after onset of labor or rupture of the membranes.The authors concluded that the rate of participation in the study was low. However, prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection is a priority of obstetric care in Hungary. Lack of a nation-wide public health policy did not prevent obstetric institutions in this country to develop their own prevention strategy. In the majority of cases and institutions, the policy is consistent with the widely accepted international standards.Bevezetés: Magyarországon jelenleg nincs kötelező útmutató a korai kezdetű újszülöttkori B csoportú Streptococcus-szepszis megelőzésére. Célkitűzés: A szerzők a szülészeti intézetekben spontán szerveződő prevenciós módszerek megismerését tűzték ki célul. Módszer: Az országban működő 71 szülészeti intézettől érdeklődtek a 2012. évben folytatott gyakorlatukról. Eredmények: Megkeresésükre 20 intézetből (27,4%) érkezett válasz. A felmérésben részt vevő intézetekből összesen 36 092 szülésről és 36 588 újszülöttről kaptak adatokat, miközben 2012-ben Magyarországon összesen 90 269 szülést tartottak nyilván. A választ küldő intézetekben a 2012. évi országos szülésszám 39,9%-a zajlott. Valamennyi választ küldő intézet rendelkezett saját stratégiával az újszülöttek korai kezdetű szepszisének megelőzésére. A profilaxisra szoruló terhesek azonosítása az esetek 95%-ában bakteriológiai tenyésztéssel, 5%-ában kizárólag kockázatelemzéssel történt. A bakteriológiai módszert alkalmazó intézetek 58%-a a tenyésztést a 36. hét után végezte. A profilaxisra elsőnek választott antibiotikum minden intézetben penicillinszármazék volt (100%). Az intrapartum antibiotikumprofilaxis többszöri adagolásból állt az intézetek 80%-ában. Kötelező érvényű népegészségügyi előírások hiányában is a hazai szülészeti intézetekben proaktív stratégiával foglalkoztak a korai kezdetű újszülöttkori szepszis megelőzésének kérdésével. Következtetések: A vizsgálatban részt vevő intézetek több mint felében a profilaxis módszere az elfogadott nemzetközi gyakorlatnak felelt meg. Az önkéntes felmérésben a részvételi hajlandóság alacsony volt. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(29), 1167–1172.

To shed light on how humans can learn to understand music, we need to discover what the perceptual capabilities with which infants are born. Beat induction, the detection of a regular pulse in an auditory signal, is considered a fundamental human trait that, arguably, played a decisive role in the origin of music. Theorists are divided on the issue whether this ability is innate or learned. We show that newborn infants develop expectation for the onset of rhythmic cycles (the downbeat), even when it is not marked by stress or other distinguishing spectral features. Omitting the downbeat elicits brain activity associated with violating sensory expectations. Thus, our results strongly support the view that beat perception is innate.

The ability to separate pitch from other spectral sound features, such as timbre, is an important prerequisite of veridical auditory perception underlying speech acquisition and music cognition. The current study investigated whether or not newborn infants generalize pitch across different timbres. Perceived resonator size is an aspect of timbre that informs the listener about the size of the sound source, a cue that may be important already at birth. Therefore, detection of infrequent pitch changes was tested by recording event-related brain potentials in healthy newborn infants to frequent standard and infrequent pitch-deviant sounds while the perceived resonator size of all sounds was randomly varied. The elicitation of an early negative and a later positive discriminative response by deviant sounds demonstrated that the neonate auditory system represents pitch separately from timbre, thus showing advanced pitch processing capabilities.

Bevezetés: A szerzők célja, hogy Magyarországon először beszámoljanak egy ritka bőrbetegség, az acne inversa szeméremtesten megnyilvánuló, súlyos formájának radikális vulvectomiával történő sikeres kezeléséről. Esetismertetés: Egy 56 éves nőbeteg 30 éve fennálló acne inversa betegsége az ambuláns kezelések és többszöri hospitalizáció ellenére progrediált, és a szeméremtestet jelentősen torzító elváltozáshoz vezetett. A roncsolt szeméremtest eltávolítása radikális vulvectomia útján esztétikailag és az életminőség javítása szempontjából is eredményes volt. A szerzők az eset kapcsán ismertetik az acne inversa kóreredetének, differenciáldiagnosztikájának és kezelésének alapjait. Következtetés: A közlemény célja rámutatni arra, hogy a diagnózis felállításának és a sikeres kezelésnek alapfeltétele a társszakmák közötti szoros együttműködés.

Aim: In this study, we investigated the course of subsequent pregnancies in patients with HELLP syndrome and the development of chronic maternal diseases. Results: The study population consisted of 50 patients who were treated for HELLP syndrome at 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2004. There were 35 subsequent pregnancies in 25 patients. Of these there were seven miscarriages, one mid-trimester loss. The incidence of premature birth was 40.7%, and neonatal mortality 7.4%. Preeclampsia recurred in twelve pregnancies; it was mild in eight and severe in four cases. HELLP syndrome re-occurred four times in three patients (14.28%). Recurrent hypertension was observed in 24% of the pregnancies. Conclusions: Pregnancies after a previous pregnancy complicated by HELLP syndrome carry not only an increased chance for HELLP syndrome but also the development of other pathological obstetric conditions and chronic maternal diseases. Hypertension was found to be a maternal disease of increased incidence (24%) in subsequent pregnancies.

RNA recovered from paraffin-embedded tissue has been reported to be a suitable substrate for polymerase chain reaction. During tissue fixation and paraffin embedding, RNA undergoes degradation, but with certain restrictions, it can be used for gene expression studies. At the same time, formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded histopathology archives contain an unestimable collection, which could be analyzed to investigate changes in mRNA expression in pathologic processes. To decide for future tissue conservation of pathology samples, it would be reasonable to satisfy both histologic and molecular biologic needs. The effect of three different fixation methods, RNAlater (SIGMA R 0901, St Louis, MO), acetone, and formalin, were compared by histology, immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR. To assess tissue structure preservation and antigenicity, hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed; to assess RNA quality, RNA was extracted and the transcription of different amplicon sizes (121, 225, 406 bp for GAPDH; 166, 310, 536 bp for beta globin) were examined on human endometrium samples. The most adequate tissue preservation was found in case of formalin fixation, while there were no significant differences in the three fixatives' yields for various size real-time PCR amplicons. Longer amplicons (above approximately 225 bp) have limited use for gene expression studies, while shorter amplicons could give more reliable results.

Fas-mediated apoptosis of maternal lymphocytes during pregnancy has been postulated to prevent the development of pre-eclampsia. A single adenine (A) to guanine (G) polymorphism at position 2 670 in the Fas gene (TNFRSF6) results in decreased Fas synthesis. The association between this polymorphism and pre-eclampsia in Hungarian women was investigated. In a case –control study, buccal swabs from 38 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 89 normotensive controls were analysed for the TNFRSF62670 polymorphism. Investigators were blinded to clinical outcomes. Maternal homozygosity for the TNFRSF62670*A occurred in 33 (37.1%) normotensive pregnant women as compared to only 5 (16.1%) of 31 pre-eclamptic pregnant women who delivered at

Background Tissue-specific dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) dysregulation has been described in adults with diabetes mellitus. The DPP4 -incretin system has not been studied in foetal life. In this study, DPP4 activity and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were assessed in cord blood of neonates born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and nondiabetic controls. Material and methods This study has been conducted in two Hungarian and one Austrian centres. Patients: A total of 568 pregnant women were enrolled in the study after their OGTT between the 24th and 28th gestational week. Cord blood samplings with DPP4 activity and GLP-1 level measurements were possible in 270 (DPP4: 159 control, 111 GDM) and 112 (GLP-1: 72 control, 40 GDM) cases. OGTT (24–28th gestational week) and cord blood sampling at delivery were performed. Cord serum DPP4 activity was determined in a continuous monitoring microplate-based kinetic assay, and cord plasma GLP-1 was measured using a fluorescence ELISA method. Results Cord serum DPP4 activity was lower in GDM [mean (95% CI): 28·07 U/L (26·32–29·82 U/L)] than in controls [31·61 U/L (29·93–33·29 U/L), MWU P = 0·0015]. Cord plasma active GLP-1 levels were close to the lower detection limit and were not altered in GDM (control: mean = 3·43 pM, 95% CI: 3·04–3·82 pM, GDM: mean = 3·61 pM, 95% CI: 2·96–4·28 pM – MWU test P = 0·6). Conclusions Decreased cord serum DPP4 activity in gestational diabetes mellitus might be the result of an adaptive foetal response or an early dysregulation in the entero-insular axis with consequences beyond the incretin system. Cord plasma GLP-1 levels may reflect the missing oral intake with a limited glucose sensing of L cells via the circulation in foetal life.

Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization was examined in paired cervical and introital specimens from 56 untreated HIV-seropositive women. Specimens were tested for U. urealyticum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Peripheral blood was examined for CD4 lymphocyte counts and HIV RNA concentration. U. urealyticum was detected in the cervix of 38 (69.1%) women. Introital U. urealyticum was present in 16 (28.6%) women, all of whom were cervical-positive. Cervical motion pain was present in 40.0% of women with U. urealyticum in the introitus and cervix, 23.8% of those with only cervical U. urealyticum and 5.9% of women negative for this organism ( P = 0.03). There was no relation between U. urealyticum colonization and CD4 lymphocyte count. However, 64.3% of women with introital U. urealyticum had circulating HIV RNA levels > 10,000 copies per ml as compared with 28.6% of women with only cervical U. urealyticum and 7.1% of women negative for this organism ( P < 0.01).

Clinical and histopathological correlations of immunoreactivity to Chlamydia trachomatis and to epitopes of the C. trachomatis 60 kDa heat shock protein (hsp60) among women with ectopic pregnancy were evaluated in a case-control study. Serological responses to 13 synthetic peptides corresponding to major epitopes of the chlamydial hsp60 were determined in 67 women treated for ectopic pregnancy and 45 women with uncomplicated pregnancy in utero. Plasma cell salpingitis was detected in 29 (43.3%) of the ectopic patients. Its presence correlated with antibodies to two hsp60 epitopes, encompassing amino acids 260-271 and 411-422 (P = 0.02). Antibodies to these two epitopes, along with five other epitopes, also correlated with peritubal adhesion formation in ectopic pregnant patients (P < 0.01). Antibodies to epitopes 260-271 and 188-199 also correlated with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; P = 0.05). Patients with ectopic pregnancy were also more likely than their intrauterine pregnant controls to have present anti-chlamydial immunoglobulin G (P < 0.005). Women positive for both C. trachomatis and hsp60 epitope antibodies had an increased prevalence over controls of salpingitis, pelvic adhesions or history of PID (P < 0.05). In contrast, patients who were positive for only C. trachomatis antibodies or only hsp60 epitope antibodies did not differ from antibody-negative patients in each of these categories.

Auditory size perception refers to the ability to make accurate judgements of the size of a sound source based solely upon the sound emitted from the source. Electro-physiological and behavioural data were collected to test whether sound-source size parameters are detected from task-irrelevant sequences in adults and newborn infants. The mismatch negativity (MMN) obtained from adults indexed automatic detection of changes in size for voices, musical instruments and animal calls, regardless of whether the acoustic change indicated larger or smaller sources. Neonates detected changes in the size of a musical instrument. The data are consistent with the notion that auditory size-deviant detection in humans is an innate automatic process. This conclusion is compatible with the theory that the ability to assess the size of sound sources evolved because it provided selective advantage of being able to detect larger (more competent) suitors and larger (more dangerous) predators.

Objective: We investigated whether the auditory system of newborn babies extracts the constancy of a pitch interval from exemplars varying in absolute pitch. Methods: Event-related brain potentials (ERP) were recorded from healthy newborn infants in an oddball paradigm consisting of frequent standard and infrequent deviant tone pairs. Tone pairs varied in absolute frequency. Standard and deviant pairs differed in the amount of pitch difference within the pairs, but not in the direction of pitch change. Results: Deviant tone pairs elicited a discriminative ERP response. Conclusions: This result suggests that the neonate auditory system represents pitch intervals similarly to adults. Significance: Adult-like processing of pitch intervals allows newborn infants to learn music, speech prosody, and to process various important auditory cues based on spectral acoustic features.

This prospective study was aimed to evaluate whether non-invasive clinical and serologic parameters of tubal disease are predictive for subsequent spontaneous conception and pregnancy outcome after first episode of ectopic pregnancy (EP).Overall, 144 women aged35 years were enrolled. Outcome of subsequent spontaneous conception was analyzed after 3 years and compared with clinical parameters and antibody responses to Chlamydia trachomatis and epitopes of the 60-kDa chlamydial heat shock protein (CHSP-60).Antibody response to a conserved epitope of CHSP-60 (amino acids, aa 260-277) was independently correlated with both decreased spontaneous conception and term delivery rates (adjusted odds ratios, OR: 3.6 and 5.4, respectively).Presence of circulating antibodies to a conserved epitope of the CHSP-60 is associated with a lower spontaneous conception rate, and increased likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcome in women treated by salpingectomy for first episode of EP.

Placental protein 13 (PP13) is a galectin expressed by the syncytiotrophoblast. Women who subsequently develop preterm pre-eclampsia have low first trimester maternal serum PP13 concentrations. This study revealed that third trimester maternal serum PP13 concentration increased with gestational age in normal pregnancies (p < 0.0001), and it was significantly higher in women presenting with preterm pre-eclampsia (p = 0.02) and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome (p = 0.01) than in preterm controls. Conversely, placental PP13 mRNA (p = 0.03) and protein, as well as cytoplasmic PP13 staining of the syncytiotrophoblast (p < 0.05) was decreased in these pathological pregnancies compared to controls. No differences in placental expression and serum concentrations of PP13 were found at term between patients with pre-eclampsia and control women. In contrast, the immunoreactivity of the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane was stronger in both term and preterm pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome than in controls. Moreover, large syncytial cytoplasm protrusions, membrane blebs and shed microparticles strongly stained for PP13 in pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. In conclusion, parallel to its decreased placental expression, an augmented membrane shedding of PP13 contributes to the increased third trimester maternal serum PP13 concentrations in women with preterm pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) is a severe, life-threatening form of preeclampsia. Its development is accompanied by significant increase in maternal, as well as fetal, morbidity, and mortality rates. It is essential, therefore, for obstetricians to be familiar with the disease.In the past 10 years, 107 patients were treated for HELLP syndrome in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Semmelweis University. During this time, we studied the characteristic laboratory findings of the disease from the day of the diagnosis until the first few postpartum days.HELLP syndrome was present in 0.37% of all women having live births. In our study, the liver enzymes AST, and LDH, and the level of total bilirubin (indicating the degree of hemolysis), and repeated thrombocyte counts were suitable for following the cases. The AST, LDH and bilirubin levels returned to normal between the third and seventh days postpartum. The platelet count passed the critical level of 100,000/microL on the third to fourth day.We have found that the platelet count, LDH, AST, and total bilirubin levels proved to be useful indicators of the progression of HELLP syndrome.

Adults normally perceive auditory scenes in terms of sound patterns emitted by concurrently active sources. Thus pattern formation is an important process of auditory object perception. The aim of the present study was to determine whether neonates group sounds by repeating pitch patterns. Standard ("S"; p = 80%) and deviant tones ("D", p = 20%) differing only in pitch were delivered either in a randomized order (random condition) or in a repeating SSSSD pattern (grouped condition). Both event-related brain potentials and gamma-band activity differed between the S and D tones in the random condition but not in the grouped condition. These results suggest that in the grouped condition, the S and D tones were processed as part of the same higher order regularity by the neonate auditory system. Also, for the first time, we observed oscillatory gamma-band activity in neonates, which was sensitive to infrequent pitch changes.

Insufficient invasion of the spiral arteries by trophoblast cells is associated with the etiology of pre-eclampsia, the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet counts (HELLP) and pre-eclampsia-associated intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the innate immune system. MBL-mediated activation of the complement cascade is an important event in the destruction of invading trophoblasts. The gene coding for MBL is polymorphic, and variant alleles result in greatly reduced circulating MBL levels. The aim of this study was to test the association between an MBL polymorphism and pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and IUGR. DNA was extracted from buccal swabs of 51 women with pre-eclampsia, 81 women with HELLP syndrome and 184 healthy pregnant controls. Aliquots were tested for a single nucleotide MBL gene polymorphism at codon 54 by PCR and endonuclease digestion. Homozygosity for the wild-type allele was more frequent in patients with pre-eclampsia (P = 0.04) and HELLP syndrome (P = 0.02) when compared with controls. The presence of the variant allele was more prevalent among controls than in women with pre-eclampsia (P = 0.02) or HELLP syndrome (P = 0.028). Twenty-two (55%) patients with pre-eclampsia and 43 (53%) women with HELLP syndrome delivered an IUGR neonate. MBL-54 heterozygosity was more frequent in controls (27.2%) than in pre-eclamptic women (4.5%, P = 0.025) and those with HELLP syndrome (11.7%, P = 0.05) who delivered an IUGR neonate. Genotype frequencies of neonates born to mothers in all study groups were similar. Carriage of the MBL codon 54 polymorphism protects against pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and IUGR and implies that an MBL-mediated event might be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

BACKGROUND: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a component of the innate immune system, provides a first-line defense against invading microorganisms. Polymorphisms in the MBL gene have been associated with increased risk of infection. Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infections are a major cause of Fallopian tube occlusion. Our objective was to test whether an MBL codon 54 polymorphism might contribute to development of C. trachomatis-associated tubal damage. METHODS: In a case-control study, 97 women with occluded and 104 women with patent Fallopian tubes were tested for a history of chlamydial infection by serology and for their MBL codon 54 genotype by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Clinical data were blinded to those performing all laboratory analyses. RESULTS: Women with tubal occlusion who also had a positive chlamydial serology had the highest rate of variant MBL B allele carriage (P < 0.001). Among women who were chlamydial antibody negative, allele B carriage was also more frequent in those with blocked, as opposed to patent, Fallopian tubes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Wild-type allele A homozygosity is protective against, while carriage of the variant allele B is a risk factor for, Fallopian tube occlusion in women who are seropositive or seronegative for C. trachomatis.

Ligation of the hypogastric arteries (HAL) was first introduced into surgery by the end of the 19(th) century to control intractable hemorrhage from the uterus of women with advanced cervical cancer. At present, HAL is one in a spectrum of operative methods to control life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage before hysterectomy. Bilateral ligation of the internal iliac artery does not result in complete blockage of but to a significant decrease in blood supply to the female pelvic organs. Soon after ligation three previously existent collateral circulations will develop. Due to the smaller caliber of these arteries, the arterial pulse and pulse pressure are virtually eliminated. The effectiveness of HAL in avoiding hysterectomy for postpartum hemorrhage has been reported in up to 50% of cases. HAL has no adverse effect on subsequent fertility or pregnancy outcome, however, assessment for intrauterine fetal growth restriction is recommended. This safe and effective procedure should be taught during obstetric and gynecologic training.

The "gold standard" of the gynecologic examinations is even today the classical clinical examination completed with the digital colposcopy, the Pap smears prepared from transport media and histological examination of biopsy material. Without these classical examinations one cannot evaluate the results of the molecular tests detecting papillomaviruses. The majority (70 to 90%) of the primary clinical symptoms caused by papillomaviruses recovers spontaneously. The recovery can be supported by, "imiquimod" (Aldara) which is an immunostimulant-inducing interferon gamma and the production of interleukins, since papillomavirus infection is able to prevent the production of these mediators through its blocking effect to the innate immunity. Prevention is the main aim of the contemporary public health facilitated by the modern gene technology. The tetravalent vaccine (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) is harmless, since no tumor inducing genes are included. The empty capsids are manufactured in yeast cells and purified to a high degree similar to that of hepatitis B vaccine. The tetravalent vaccine is a preventive vaccine. It will be useful for teenagers, who have not acquired yet the most common papillomavirus types. There is intensive research going on in order to create therapeutic vaccines, that might be effective also in people of older age who had acquired certain virus types before vaccination, and may possess clinical symptoms, too. Men are the source of papillomavirus infection of women. Therefore vaccination of both genders will be indicated. The importance of the classical diagnostic procedures will not be diminished even under the umbrella of vaccination, since the preventive efforts were shown to be fully effective, if the clinical examinations, colposcopy, pap smears and biopsies are regularly performed in the patients with clinical symptoms increasing the rate of recovery above 90%. About 13 to 15 subtypes of human papillomaviruses may induce malignant processes. These are also present and most frequent in Hungary both in sexually transmitted infections and in the cancers of head and neck.

To evaluate the prevalence and the behavioral and historical determinants of genital chlamydial infection among adolescent females in Hungary.A total of 214 consecutive, unselected, self-referred, sexually active, nonpregnant female individuals aged 16-20 years were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction through the use of questionnaires.The prevalence of chlamydial infection within this population was 7.9%. We find that the most important correlates of chlamydial infection were at least three lifetime sexual partners (p.005), two or more sexual partners in the preceding 3 months (p.05), and symptoms of vaginitis (p = .002).The high prevalence of chlamydia in this study population may justify universal testing in Hungary.

HELLP syndrome (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low platelet count) is a grave, life threatening form of preeclampsia, which was named by Weinstein in 1982, on the basis of characteristic changes in laboratory findings (haemolysis, elevated level of liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia).To assess the rate of maternal complications in HELLP syndrome.In the past ten years, 107 patients were treated for HELLP syndrome at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Semmelweis University. The authors summed up about their experience with the treatment of patients, with special regard to the typical symptoms of HELLP syndrome, the course of the disease, postpartum maternal complications.The frequency of HELLP syndrome in live births was found to be 0.37%. In 96% of the patients the pregnancy was terminated via Caesarean section. Pulmonary oedema was the most common cardiopulmonary complication (11%) and developed in Mississippi Group I in the majority of the cases (21%). Transfusions had to be given quite frequently; 62% of the patients in the study were transfused using erythrocyte preparations. In persistent or progressive cases in the postpartum period, the elimination (uterine curettage and lavage) of factors responsible for the persistence of the disease (toxic and vasoactive agents in the endometrium) resulted in the recovery of one third of the patients. Maternal thromboembolic complications developed in 11% of the patients, each of them was affected in Mississippi Group I, with the lowest platelet count.The immediate termination of a pregnancy in which HELLP syndrome emerges may save the patient's life. It is recommended to try and lift foci applying uterine curettage and lavage as the first step, if the mothers' condition persists or progresses after delivery. Its development is accompanied by a significant increase in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality alike, therefore it is essential for the obstetricians to be familiar with the disease.

To estimate whether an AG polymorphism at position -670 in the gene coding for Fas (gene symbol TNFRSF6) is associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.In a retrospective study, buccal swabs from 81 women with the complete form of HELLP syndrome and 83 normotensive control women with uncomplicated full-term pregnancy, and 110 of their neonates, were analyzed for the presence of the TNFRSF6-670 polymorphism. Investigators were blinded to clinical outcomes.Pregnant women heterozygous for the TNFRSF6-670 genotype were more likely than those homozygous for TNFRSF6-670*A allele to have HELLP syndrome (P = .01; odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.2-5.9). Moreover, patients with homozygous carriage of the TNFRSF6-670*G allele were more likely than those homozygous for the wild type of the Fas gene (TNFRSF6-670*A/A) to have HELLP syndrome (P = .006; odds ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval 1.7-9.8). In contrast, TNFRSF6-670 genotype distribution of neonates born to mothers with HELLP syndrome was not statistically different from that found in neonates born to healthy pregnant women (P = .4). In patients with HELLP syndrome, no association between TNFRSF6 genotype distribution and severity of hemolysis, platelet counts or liver enzymes levels was noted.A single AG nucleotide substitution at position -670 in the maternal but not neonatal TNFRSF6 gene coding for Fas is associated with a higher risk for HELLP syndrome.II-2.

The topography of the hypogastric (internal iliac) artery, its pelvic collateral anastomoses, the procedure and physiological consequences of hypogastric artery ligation are described. Indications and clinical findings in 117 cases of bilateral hypogastric artery ligation for uncontrollable pelvic bleeding are presented.In all 37 obstetric cases, hemorrhage was effectively controlled. There was no need for reoperation, and in 13 cases even the uterus could be preserved, with 4 women having delivered mature infants up until now. The uterus was successfully preserved even in cases such as cervical pregnancy, placenta previa, placental abruption, uterine atony, and uterine rupture. Out of 80 gynecological cases, hypogastric ligation was performed to control intractable hemorrhage in 41 patients, while prophylactic reduction of pelvic blood flow was the indication of the procedure in 39 cases. Prophylactic ligation was performed in 34 women because profuse bleeding was expected. In the remaining 5 cases, the procedure was done for requests of patients who were members of Jehova's Witnesses. Out of cases with preserved uterus one woman delivered mature infant up until now. Apart from a slight lesion of the hypogastric vein, no complications have been observed in relation to these 117 cases of bilateral hypogastric artery ligation.It is emphasized that hypogastric artery ligation is indicated if (1) life-threatening pelvic hemorrhage cannot be controlled by conservative methods, (2) prophylactic reduction of pelvic blood flow is needed, (3) during the management of uncontrollable massive hemorrhage, preservation of reproductive functions and/or female identity is desirable. Ligation of the hypogastric artery has proven to be a safe and usually effective method. This easy-to-acquire technique should be practiced by most gynecologists and should be an integral part of obstetric and gynecological training.

Ligating the hypogastric (internal iliac) arteries has long been accepted as a life-saving means of controlling heavy pelvic bleeding while avoiding hysterectomy. Uterine bleeding remains a common cause of death in obstetric and gynecologic patients. Despite the concern of many gynecologists, the procedure does not damage pelvic organs. The authors reviewed the results of 117 bilateral hypogastric artery ligations carried out in the years 1990-2004 in 37 obstetric and 80 gynecologic patients. Ligation was done in the first half of pregnancy in eight of the 37 obstetric cases. In all obstetric cases, hemorrhage was effectively controlled. In 13 cases, the uterus was preserved despite conditions such as uterine rupture, placental abruption, and cervical pregnancy. Four women delivered mature infants. Nine women had bilateral hypogastric artery ligation at the time of cesarean delivery to lessen pelvic blood flow and control bleeding. Four patients with uterine atony had laparotomy after spontaneous delivery. No woman required repeat laparotomy after hypogastric artery ligation, and no further bleeding was noted during the recovery period. Four women to date have conceived again and delivered healthy infants. Hemorrhage was controlled in 41 of the 80 gynecologic patients. Approximately half the patients had the procedure prophylactically to reduce pelvic blood flow. Five of them were Jehovah's Witnesses who refused blood transfusion. The uterus was preserved in a few women, one of whom later delivered a mature infant. In a majority of gynecologic cases, bilateral hypogastric artery ligation was done to control bleeding from cervical cancer or from surgery for cervical cancer. No gynecologic patient required repeat laparotomy to control bleeding. The only complication was an injury of the right hypogastric vein. Hypogastric artery ligation is a safe and usually effective procedure that should be taught to obstetric and gynecologic trainees. Accepted indications include: • Life-threatening pelvic hemorrhage that cannot be controlled by more conservative methods; • Prophylactic reduction of pelvic blood flow to prevent serious bleeding; and • Preservation of reproductive function when desired.

The pathogenic role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in late coronary bypass graft failure has not yet been extensively investigated. We examined failed and new arterial/venous bypass grafts using immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serology. Thirty-four long-term failed grafts and 28 new grafts were examined in 21 patients undergoing redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Immunohistochemically, 28 (82%) failed grafts were positive in the intimal–medial compartment, and 33 grafts (97%) were positive for C. pneumoniae in the adventitia. Thirteen (46%) and 27 (96%) new grafts showed infection in the intima–media and in the adventitia, respectively ( p 0.05 ). Immunohistochemically, the overall presence of C. pneumoniae in all vessels examined was 66% in the intima–media and 97% in the adventitia ( p 0.05 ). C. pneumoniae was detected by PCR in 19 (31%) of all the vessels examined. C. pneumoniae seems to be frequently present in grafts of patients considered for redo CABG in Hungary. The adventitia of both failed, and new grafts particularly often contained C. pneumoniae. The results suggest that there exists an adventitial baseline infection from which infection of the inner wall layers develops, depending on local microenvironmental conditions. This is the first study to evaluate chlamydial infection in arterial/venous coronary grafts by immunohistochemistry, PCR, and serology.

Aims The association between alleles at two loci of the polymorphic beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) gene and pregnancy outcome was determined. Methods In a case-control study, buccal swabs obtained from 159 mother-infant pairs after a preterm or term birth were analyzed by gene amplification and endonuclease digestion for polymorphisms at codons 16 and 27 of the beta2AR gene. Results Homozygosity for allele A at codon 16 (Arg-16) occurred in 26 (20.5%) of 127 mothers with a term birth and in none of the mothers who had a spontaneous preterm birth (p=0.002). Conversely, 24 of 32 (75.0%) mothers with a spontaneous preterm birth, as compared to 58 of 127 (45.7%) mothers with term births, were Arg-16/ allele G (Gly-16) heterozygotes (p=0.003). There was no relation between pregnancy outcome and infant genotype at codon 16 or maternal or infant genotypes at codon 27. The alleles at codon 16 and 27 were in linkage disequilibrium and the combinations of Arg-16-Gln-27 homozygosity (p=0.04) and Arg-16/Gly-16-Gln homozygous (p=0.01) were associated with a decreased and increased rate of spontaneous preterm birth, respectively. Conclusion At codon 16 of the beta2-AR gene, maternal Arg-16 homozygosity protects against, and Gly-16 predisposes to spontaneous preterm birth.

Objective:The relationship between pregnancy outcome and expression of the heat shock proteins (hsps) or hsp-antibody complexes of 60kD (hsp60), 70kD (hsp70), and 90kD (hsp90) in placental tissue and circulating antibodies to hsps was evaluated.Method:Expression of hsp60, hsp70, and hsp90 in placentae from 12 women with preterm birth, eight with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and 10 with term birth, as well as the presence of the corresponding antibodies, was investigated by a new carbocyanine double fluorescence technique. Results were compared with microbiological findings and circulating antibodies to hsps in sera.Results:In each placental specimen examined, hsp60, hsp70, and hsp90 were identified. However, hsp70-antibody complexes were detected in only four of the preterm labor cases. Similarly, hsp60-antibody complexes were detected in only five preterm labor patients and in one patient with IUGR. None of the placentae contained hsp90-antibody complexes. In the preterm birth group, all patients with hsp60-antibody complexes were also positive for circulating antibodies to hsp60. The presence of hsp70-antibody complexes also correlated with hsp70 antibody in sera.Conclusions:Formation of hsp60- and hsp70-antibody complexes in the placenta may contribute to the induction of preterm birth. Women sensitized to these antibodies may be at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 7:180–185, 1999.