20 research outputs found
Abstract 4002: Uptake of cervical cancer screening among HIV positive women at a tertiary healthcare center in Nigeria
No full textAbstract 4002: Uptake of cervical cancer screening among HIV positive women at a tertiary healthcare center in Nigeria
No full textComparison of Serum Calcium Level in Hypertensive and Normotensive Pregnant Women
No full textBackground: Calcium deficiency in pregnancy is linked to the risk of development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. At present,hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among leading causes of maternal death in Nigeria. This study was aimed to compare the serumcalcium level of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and normotensive controls.
Methodology: This was a comparative descriptive study among patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (45 pre‑eclampsia [PE] and 45 gestational hypertension [GH]) and comparative group of 45 normotensive pregnant women at Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta.
Results: The serum calcium level in normotensive controls (mean ± standard deviation) was 2.64 ± 1.38 mmol/l, women with GH was 2.39 ± 1.15 mmol/l, and PE was 2.08 ± 0.76 mmol/l (P = 0.065). Hypocalcemia was found to have an incidence rate of 33% in normotensive controls, 51.1% among GH, and 51.1% among PE.
Conclusion: Pregnant women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy showed nonsignificant difference in mean serum calcium level.
Keywords: Calcium, gestational hypertension, hypertensive, normotensive, preeclampsi
Implications of glyphosate-based herbicides on the female reproductive system and reproductive outcomes
No full textBackground
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used herbicides in the United States, accounting for 19% of estimated global use. Although the Environmental Protection Agency has reaffirmed that the active ingredient glyphosate (GLY) is safe for humans, recent studies on exposure have suggested an association with cancer, metabolic disorders, endocrine disruption and infertility, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Recently, we have shown that GLY exposure deteriorates metaphase II oocyte quality through zinc deficiency, ROS accumulation, and chromosome disruption. In this work, we review the mechanisms of GLY toxicity in the female reproductive tract and discuss the potential clinical implications of GLY exposure on female reproductive health. Methods
PubMed was searched using the keywords “glyphosate,” “glyphosate-based herbicides,” “reproductive toxicity,” “reproductive function,” “ovarian function,” “female infertility,” “endocrine disruptors,” and “oxidative stress” up to March 2024. Results
Exposure to GLY is associated with adverse reproductive effects in all animal models and cell lines studied. GLY adversely affects the female reproductive tract through increased ROS generation, Zn deficiency, hormonal imbalances, aromatase inhibition, alterations in uterine morphology, and diminished oocyte quality and ovarian function. Collectively, the effects of GLY exposure on reproductive and endocrine function may increase the risk of female reproductive diseases, including PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, and miscarriage. Conclusions
The ongoing debate about the effects of GLY exposure increasingly exemplifies the public health issue surrounding its consequences on female reproductive health, fertility, and epigenetics. Thus, increased research efforts are warranted regarding the safety and efficacy of GBH on female reproduction
A Comparative Study of Local Dietary Intake Among Subjects with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Attending Antenatal Care
No full textBackground: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain among the most significant causes of pregnancy-related complications. The research by the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) group revealed that non-pharmacological measures and intervention such as diet can be used to control blood pressure. Objective: This study was completed to determine the frequency of consumption of local food among females who were pregnant and their relationship with pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. Methods: This was a descriptive research study of females who were pregnant with pre-eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH) who presented at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Nigeria. During the study period (September–October 2019) at the tertiary healthcare centre, 45 subjects who were pregnant were select from a PE and GH group, and matched with 45 patients with normotension. Comparison of bean meal onsumption (gbegiri) and bone meal (gbure-oloboro) consumption in subjects who were pregnant did not reveal statistically significant differences in those with PE and GH. Results: The findings reveal a statistically significant difference in milk consumption between females who were pregnant with mild and severe PE (p=0.019). There was also a statistically significant difference in subjects with mild and severe GH who consumed milk (p=0.003)
Appendectomy in the Gynecological Setting: Intraoperative Findings and Corresponding Histopathology
No full text<i>Background/Aims:</i> To evaluate the intraoperative findings and corresponding histopathology associated with appendectomies performed during benign gynecological surgery. <i>Methods:</i> Retrospective case series. <i>Results:</i> Twenty-two appendectomies were performed from 2002 through 2008 at Hutzel Women’s Hospital due to intraoperative findings of inflammation or erythema (n = 8), periappendiceal adhesions (n = 5), injury to the appendix or mesoappendix (n = 2), fecalith (n = 2), dilation of the appendix (n = 1), adnexal mass involving the appendix (n = 1), and suspected lipoma (n = 1). Final pathology was consistent with significant findings such as acute inflammation, periappendicitis, and adhesions or endometriosis involving the appendix in 68.2% of cases. <i>Conclusion:</i> In the benign gynecological setting, appendectomies were primarily performed due to inflammation or erythema. In the majority of cases, significant appendiceal pathology was confirmed.</jats:p
Efficacy of Admission Cardiotocography in Early Stage of Labour in Predicting Perinatal Outcome among Parturients in a Tertiary Health Facility in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria
No full textBackground: Some fetuses will present with hypoxia at admission into the labour room and may not be able to withstand the stress of frequent and adequate uterine contractions. Admission cardiotocography (CTG) in early labour has been thought to be useful in detecting babies with such conditions therefore affording the obstetrician early intervention to prevent adverse perinatal outcome.
Aim: This study aims to determine the predictive value of admission cardiotocogram in early labour in the early detection of fetal hypoxia and its adverse perinatal outcome.
Patients,Materials and Methods: It was a prospective cross‑sectional study among low‑ and high‑risk pregnant women in a tertiary health institution in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria. Two hundred participants with singleton fetus in cephalic presentation were recruited consecutively at term in early first stage of labour and were subjected to 20 min admission CTG (ACTG). The resulting cardiotocograms were classified into reactive, suspicious or pathological and further management was based on the cardiotocogram findings. Perinatal outcomes were assessed and statistical analysis done using IBM SPSS version 20. The main outcome measures were mode of delivery and perinatal outcome using Apgar scores, neonatal pulse oximetry, and neonatal unit (NNU) admission.
Results: Seventy percent of the participants were multipara, 42% were aged between 26 and 30 years. Suspicious and pathological CTGs were 9% and 1%, respectively. Operative delivery, birth asphyxia, and NNU admission of babies were more common among the non‑reactive (suspicious/pathological) CTG groups compared to reactive CTG group. The test, in predicting perinatal asphyxia, has low sensitivity (42.86%) and positive predictive values (15%) but high specificity (91.19%) and negative predictive values (97.78)
Conclusion: ACTG is a simple, noninvasive screening tool in labour. It is highly effective in predicting fetuses unlikely to develop birth asphyxia but not so effective at predicting those likely to develop asphyxia. The test should be used with caution
The inhibition of lactoperoxidase catalytic activity through mesna (2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate)
No full textTrends in misoprostol use and abortion complications: A cross-sectional study from nine referral hospitals in Nigeria
No full textObjectiveThe study aimed to assess the use of misoprostol and complications associated with abortions in referral hospitals in Nigeria, a country with restrictive abortion laws.MethodsA cross-sectional study at nine referral hospitals in South-west Nigeria. Nine years’ data were retrieved from medical records, including 699 induced abortions. Independent variable was the method of abortion; dependent variables were complications, need for treatment and mortality. Statistical significance was tested with Chi-square, Fishers’ exact and chi-square for trend tests (pResultsThere were 699 induced abortions amongst 2,463 abortions found in records. Nearly 70% were surgical abortions, but misoprostol use significantly increased over the study period in a linear trend (Χ2 trend: 30.96, P ConclusionMisoprostol abortion has significantly increased over time, and was associated with less morbidity and need for further treatment, in this study. It appears to be the safer option.</div
Immunosequencing and Profiling of T Cells at the Maternal–Fetal Interface of Women with Preterm Labor and Chronic Chorioamnionitis
No full textT cells are implicated in the pathophysiology of preterm labor and birth, the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Specifically, maternal decidual T cells infiltrate the chorioamniotic membranes in chronic chorioamnionitis (CCA), a placental lesion considered to reflect maternal anti-fetal rejection, leading to preterm labor and birth. However, the phenotype and TCR repertoire of decidual T cells in women with preterm labor and CCA have not been investigated. In this study, we used phenotyping, TCR sequencing, and functional assays to elucidate the molecular characteristics and Ag specificity of T cells infiltrating the chorioamniotic membranes in women with CCA who underwent term or preterm labor. Phenotyping indicated distinct enrichment of human decidual effector memory T cell subsets in cases of preterm labor with CCA without altered regulatory T cell proportions. TCR sequencing revealed that the T cell repertoire of CCA is characterized by increased TCR richness and decreased clonal expansion in women with preterm labor. We identified 15 clones associated with CCA and compared these against established TCR databases, reporting that infiltrating T cells may possess specificity for maternal and fetal Ags, but not common viral Ags. Functional assays demonstrated that choriodecidual T cells can respond to maternal and fetal Ags. Collectively, our findings provide, to our knowledge, novel insight into the complex processes underlying chronic placental inflammation and further support a role for effector T cells in the mechanisms of disease for preterm labor and birth. Moreover, this work further strengthens the contribution of adaptive immunity to the syndromic nature of preterm labor and birth.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), University of Virginia, No. 2R01HD051498-06A
