10 research outputs found
Echogenic intracardiac focus - existence in the first trimester and the role of microRNAs
No full textEchogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) constitutes a finding in the ultrasound study that indicates an area which is echogenically bright in the fetal heart and is as bright as the bone that moves synchronically to the atrioventricular valves. Microcalcifications of the papillary muscles or chordae tendinae are being represented by this echogenicity and are mostly present in the left ventricle (90% of cases). EIF appears usually at the ultrasound that is realized in the mid-trimester in a percentage that reaches 3.5% in euploid fetuses and 15% to 30% in fetuses with trisomy 21. In the current paper, the rare and curious case of a 21-year-old primigravida woman is described, who presented for ultrasound scan at the 12th week of gestation. The scan revealed the presence of EIF, which is very rare, as it is well-known that it usually appears in the second trimester of pregnancy. Counseling and debriefing for dismissing parents' anxiety is necessary as well as further examinations, because EIF has low sensitivity. This specific case report could constitute a beginning in the research of whether investigating EIF in the first trimester of pregnancy is possible and which are the benefits of its detection for the mother, the fetus and the whole family, in clinical practice. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Nyctalopia during pregnancy due to vitamin A deficiency after bariatric sleeve gastrectomy: A case report
No full textKey Clinical Message Herein, we report a rare case of nyctalopia diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy due to vitamin A deficiency as a result of a bariatric gastrectomy. Low serum vitamin A levels establish the diagnosis and the patient was treated with oral vitamin A supplements. Moreover, due to the teratogenic effects of exceed Vitamin A levels in early pregnancy, supplements' dosages should be prescribed with respect to the safe limits. Our case aims to highlight the importance of checking micronutricients and vitamins levels before and during pregnancy in women that had a previous bariatric surgery. Abstract Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been identified as the predominant factor in the development of night blindness during pregnancy, a high‐risk for morbidity situation. Herein, we report a rare case of nyctalopia diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy due to VAD as a result of a bariatric gastrectomy. Our case aims to highlight the importance of checking micronutricients and vitamins levels before and during pregnancy in women that had a previous bariatric surgery. Low serum vitamin A levels establish the diagnosis and the patient was treated with oral vitamin A supplements. An uneventful antenatal course resulted in the birth of a healthy live neonatal at 38 weeks of gestation. In conclusion, nyctalopia is a rare condition in pregnant women that is often caused by VAD that poses significant health risks for both the mother and the infant, especially in women with a history of gastrointestinal bypass surgery, or any factors leading to malnutrition. Clinicians have to be alerted for micronutrients deficient in pregnant women who have a bariatric operation in their medical history
Uniaxial strain tuning of organic molecule single photon sources
No full textOrganic fluorophores are excellent single photon sources, combining high brightness, lifetime-limited linewidths and useful emission wavelengths. A key factor in their performance as photon emitters is their dynamic frequency tunability, which can be used to render the emission from multiple molecules indistinguishable. In this work we demonstrate dynamic tuning of dibenzoterrylene molecules embedded in anthracene crystals through the application of uniaxial strain fields. By bending a piezoelectric strip in two opposite directions in linear steps, we impose an escalating compressive or tensile strain on the molecular crystals, resulting in two opposite dynamic detunings of the dopant dibenzoterrylene emission wavelength. To validate that the tuning mechanism is strain, we performed a similar measurement using an identical strip that was depolarised by annealing in which the tuning was absent. Finally, we simulated the effect of strain on the dopant dibenzoterrylene emission wavelength by combining molecular dynamics and density functional theory techniques to determine the strain tuning rate which matched well with that found experimentally
Prenatal detection of mild fetal ventriculomegaly - A systematic review of the modern literature; [Pränatale Diagnose der leichten fetalen Ventrikulomegalie - Eine systematische Übersicht über die aktuelle Literatur]
No full textIntroduction While mild fetal ventriculomegaly is frequently observed as an incidental and benign finding, it is also known to be linked with structural, genetic, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature in order to evaluate the association between apparently isolated fetal mild ventriculomegaly with the presence of additional structural defects detected by fetal brain MRI, chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, and neurodevelopmental delay. Methods This systematic review was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Modern literature was searched from January 1, 2011, to July 31, 2023. Results 23 studies were included, comprising a total of 2590 patients. Nine studies assessed the association between fetal mild ventriculomegaly and neurodevelopmental impairment, including 536 cases, with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes ranging from 64% to 96.5%. Ten studies evaluated the additive value of fetal MRI, including 1266 fetuses, with the detection rate of additional brain defects that eventually altered the clinical management ranging from 0% to 19.5%. Seven studies investigated the association of mild ventriculomegaly with the presence of underlying chromosomal or genetic conditions, including 747 cases, with the rate ranging from 1.1% to 15.4%. Conclusion The prevalence of aneuploidy and genetic abnormalities in ventriculomegaly, especially in isolated cases, is reported to be quite low and the incidence of neurodevelopmental delay appears to be similar to that of the general population in cases that are apparently and truly isolated. © 2024. The Author(s)
Epstein–Barr Virus as a Risk Factor for Fetal Hypoxia and Preterm Birth: A Case Report
No full textAdverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, are markedly higher among patients with perinatal infections. Stress-induced immune dysregulation may contribute to these effects. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection rarely affects the course of pregnancy since only a few pregnant women are susceptible to the virus; however, when there is a primary infection with severe symptoms, the management of the pregnancy is very challenging for both the patient and the obstetrician. We report a rare case of a 20-year-old primigravida who gave preterm birth due to EBV infection causing fetal hypoxia. © The Author(s). 2024
Investigation of cardiac remodeling and cardiac function on fetuses conceived via artificial reproductive technologies: a review
No full textThe prevalence of artificial reproductive technologies (ART), such as intra-uterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has surged in response to the global increase in infertility rates, now impacting 17.5% of couples. With over nine million babies born through ART, the safety and efficacy of these methods are largely recognized; however, emerging concerns regarding their association with prenatal and long-term health risks, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD), necessitate a thorough examination. This review synthesizes recent findings on the cardiac remodeling observed in ART-conceived fetuses, highlighting the potential for sub-clinical dysfunction and subsequent cardiovascular anomalies that may extend into adolescence. It delves into the perinatal complications linked to ART and examines the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system, epigenetic modifications, and altered microRNA expressions to fetal cardiovascular development. The analysis further differentiates the cardiac effects of fresh vs. frozen ART cycles and investigates the enduring nature of these changes beyond birth. Addressing the elevated CVD risk among ART individuals, the review suggests proactive measures, including lifestyle adjustments initiated early in life, to mitigate potential adverse outcomes. It emphasizes the critical need for ongoing research and intervention strategies to safeguard the cardiovascular health of the increasing number of ART-conceived individuals. © 2025 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston
Evaluation of Kurjak Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test in Hypothyroidic Pregnant Women
No full textObjective: Assessing fetal behavior in utero is challenging and of great value for perinatal screening, but the evolution of ultrasonography has led to a better comprehension of fetal pathology. Antenatal screening for early detection of fetal neurological well-being has provided valuable information. The aim of this study is to determine a possible correlation between hypothyroidism in pregnancy and altered fetal behavior. Materials and methods: Kurjak antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) was applied from 28 weeks to 38 weeks in 85 gestations (group A) with hypothyroidism and 87 euthyroid pregnant women (group B). Results: No statistically significant differences were observed considering maternal age (29.2 ± 4.9 years for group A vs 29.7 ± 3.3 years for group B) and gestational age (GA) (33 ± 1.6 weeks for hypothyroidic compared to 33 ± 2.1 weeks for euthyroidic group). The control group reported higher KANET scores than group A. Conclusion: It appears that fetal behavior differences are observed in women with hypothyroidism. © The Author(s). 2024
‐Terphenyl Nanocrystals (ChemPhysChem 4/2022)
No full textThe Cover Feature illustrates the emission of photons from single dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules in para-terphenyl nanocrystals. The nanocrystals protect the DBT from the environment and allow for the emission of high purity single photon states which are spectrally narrow at cryogenic temperatures, making them ideal for use in quantum technologies. More information can be found in the Research Article by Ross C. Schofield, Alex S. Clark, and co-workers
‐Terphenyl Nanocrystals
No full textSingle organic molecules are promising photon sources for quantum technologies. In this work we show photon emission from dibenzoterrylene, a widely used organic emitter, in a new host matrix, para‐terphenyl. We present a reprecipitation growth method that produces para‐terphenyl nanocrystals which are ideal for integration into nanophotonic devices due to their small size. We characterise the optical properties of dibenzoterrylene in nanocrystals at room and cryogenic temperatures, showing bright, narrow emission from a single molecule. Spectral data on the vibrational energies is presented and a further 25 additional molecules are characterised. This emitter‐host combination has potential for quantum technology purposes with wavelengths suitable for interfacing with quantum memories
When the endometrioid adenocarcinoma and the endometrial stromal sarcoma meet: A report of an extremely rare case
No full textIntroduction: Collision tumors are characterized by the coexistence of two adjacent, but histologically distinct tumors. This entity can occur between tumors originating from the same organ or between metastases from other sites. Case presentation: A 49-year-old postmenopausal female with abnormal vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain was diagnosed with two coexistent tumors, a grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma and a pT2 undifferentiated stromal sarcoma (USS). On the first time, the patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy and one month later, she was diagnosed with recurrence. Then, a second surgical excision of the recurrent tumor was performed including exploratory laparotomy and anterior pelvic exenteration. She had an uneventful postoperative period, but unfortunately a month following the second operation she passed away. Conclusion: We aim to raise awareness of these rare synchronous malignancies and highlight the importance of having a broad differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Further studies with larger patient populations are needed to shed light in etiology and pathogenesis of the concurrence of two malignancies with different embryological origin in the same organ, in order to optimize management of these patients. © 2022 The Author(s
