METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled, open-label trial evaluated 50 women with insulin-treated GDM randomized to either retrospective CGM (6-day sensor) at 28, 32 and 36 weeks' gestation (Group 1, CGM, n = 25) or usual antenatal care without CGM (Group 2, control, n = 25). All women performed seven-point capillary blood glucose (CBG) profiles at least 3 days per week and recorded hypoglycaemic events (symptomatic and asymptomatic CBG
Methods: 53 women with GDM (30 managed with diet only (GDM-diet) and 23 treated with insulin (GDM-insulin)) and 43 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGDM) were studied, with GIP and GLP-1 levels measured at 24-28 weeks (E1), prior (E2) and after (E3) delivery, and postpuerperium (E4).
Results: Basal GIP was shown to be low in GDM groups compared to NGDM in E1, and in E4 for GDM-diet. GLP-1 was low in GDM groups during pregnancy and afterwards. At E1, serum GIP and GLP-1 were inversely associated with GDM and participants with lower levels of GIP (<0.23 ng/mL) and GLP-1 (<0.38 ng/mL) had a 6 (95% CI 2.5-14.5)- and 7.6 (95% CI 3.0-19.1)-fold higher risk of developing GDM compared with the higher level, respectively. In the postpuerperium, when there is a drop in β-cell function, participants with previous GDM (pGDM) presented lower GLP-1 (in both GDM subgroups) and lower GIP in GDM-diet subgroup compared to controls.
Conclusion: There is an independent, inverse association between fasting incretins and higher risk of GDM. Furthermore, lowered levels of these peptides may play an important role in the abnormality of glucose regulation following pregnancy.
METHODS: This study consisted of 53 subjects diagnosed with GDM and 43 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) pregnant women. Serum leptin and SLeptinR were measured at 24-28 weeks, prior and after delivery, and post-puerperium.
RESULTS: Lower levels of leptin and SLeptinR were observed in GDM compared to NGT. Leptin [OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.94-1.0)] and SLeptinR [OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.93]) were inversely associated with GDM. Participants in the lowest tertile for leptin and SLeptinR had a 2.8-fold (95% CI 1.0-7.6) and a 5.7-fold (95% CI 1.9-17.3) higher risk of developing GDM compared with the highest tertile, respectively. These relationships were attenuated after adjustment for covariates. In both the groups, peak leptin was observed at 24-28 weeks, decreasing continuously during pregnancy (p > 0.05) and after delivery (p
METHOD: The maternal fasting level of adipocytokines of 53 subjects with GDM and 43 normal pregnant (NGDM) was measured using multiplex immunoassay at 24-28 weeks, before delivery, immediate postpartum, and 2-6 months postpuerperium.
RESULTS: Higher levels of AFABP were associated with a 3.7-fold higher risk of GDM. Low chemerin levels were associated with a 3.6-fold higher risk of GDM. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) was inversely associated with the risk of GDM. SPARC had no association with GDM. AFABP was directly correlated to interleukin-6 (r = 0.50), insulin resistance index (r = 0.26), and body mass index (r = 0.28) and inversely correlated to C-reactive protein (r = -0.27). Chemerin levels were directly and strongly correlated with IL-10 (r = 0.41) and interleukin-4 (r = 0.50) and inversely correlated to insulin resistance index (r = -0.23) in GDM but not NGDM. In the longitudinal assessment, there were no significant differences in AFABP and chemerin concentrations of both studied groups.
CONCLUSION: AFABP and chemerin were associated with a higher risk of GDM. These adipocytokines were related to insulin resistance, body mass index, and inflammation in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A preliminary intervention study was conducted on 12 female subjects, who were randomised into a control (n=6) and an intervention (n=6) group. Intervention involved a set regimen of pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel) and the control group did not have any treatment. All subjects were asked to answer a validated, self-rated Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ). EMG measurements of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and the abdominal muscles were taken from all women at recruitment and 8 weeks after study commencement.
RESULTS: After 8 weeks, most of the subjects in the control group did not display any noted positive difference in either PISQ score (4/6) or in their muscle strength (4/6). However, a noted progressive difference were observed in subjects who were placed in the Kegel group; PISQ score (5/6) and muscles strength (4/6).
CONCLUSIONS: The noted difference in the Kegel group subjects was that if progress is observed in the sexual function, improvement is also observed in the strength of at least 2 types of muscles (either abdominal or PFM muscles). Thus, EMG measurement is a potential technique to quantify the changes in female sexual function. Further work will be conducted to validate this assumption.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 genes were selected from the list of up-regulated genes for the validation assay. The qPCR confirmed that 19 out of the 20 genes were up-regulated in endometrial cancer compared with normal endometrium. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to knockdown the expression of the upregulated genes in ECC-1 and HEC-1A endometrial cancer cell lines and its effect on proliferation, migration and invasion were examined.
RESULTS: Knockdown of MIF, SOD2, HIF1A and SLC7A5 by RNAi significantly decreased the proliferation of ECC-1 cells (p < 0.05). Our results also showed that the knockdown of MIF, SOD2 and SLC7A5 by RNAi significantly decreased the proliferation and migration abilities of HEC-1A cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of SLC38A1 and HIF1A by RNAi resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation of HEC1A cells (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: We have identified the biological roles of SLC38A1, MIF, SOD2, HIF1A and SLC7A5 in endometrial cancer, which opens up the possibility of using the RNAi silencing approach to design therapeutic strategies for treatment of endometrial cancer.
OBJECTIVE: To assess teachers' knowledge and perception of HPV, cervical cancer and HPV vaccine prior to commencing a school-based HPV vaccination program in a multiethnic, predominantly Muslim country. Factors associated with acceptability of the vaccine were identified.
METHOD: A bilingual questionnaire was applied to 1,500 secondary school teachers from 20 urban schools in Malaysia. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 17.
RESULTS: 1,166 questionnaires were returned. From this group, 46.1% had never heard of HPV while 50.9% had never had a pap smear. However, 73.8% have heard of the HPV vaccine with 75% agreeing to have it. 96% considered themselves religious with 79.8% agreeing to have the vaccine.
CONCLUSIONS: A national school-based HPV immunization program can be implemented effectively in a multiethnic, cultural and religious country despite limited knowledge of HPV-related pathology among teachers. In addition, the perception that religion has a negative influence on such a program is unwarranted.