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Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-systemic disease in pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Elevated expression levels of certain circulating microRNAs (miRs) can be considered potential biomarkers, and have been reported in maternal plasma of pregnant women. We aimed to evaluate the expression profiles of circulating miR-1183 and its putative target mRNA in preeclampsia and their utility for prenatal diagnosis of preeclampsia. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from pregnant women between 26 and 32 weeks of gestation. Circulating miR-1183 and its target mRNA expression levels were determined by qRT-PCR in maternal plasma of 31 patients with preeclampsia and 22 normotensive pregnancies patient as control. Bioinformatics tools were used to predict the target gene of miR-1183. Results: The expression level of circulating miR-1183 was significantly increased in plasma of preeclampsia patients compared to controls (P = .002). The expression level of CHURC1 gene, the target gene of miR-1183, is dramatically decreased in PE cases compared to controls (P < .001). Spearman's correlation between miR-1183 and CHURC1 expression levels shows an r-value of -0.37, suggesting a moderate inverse relationship between the 2 parameters but it was not statistically significant (P = .08). By Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis, miR-1183 and CHURC1 showed high accuracy in discriminating PE from controls. The area under the curve (AUC) was found in miR-1183 and CHURC1 at 0.79 (95% CI, 0.62-0.91) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.78-0.99), respectively. Conclusion: Circulating miR-1183 may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia via the regulation of its target mRNA, CHURC1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Benign ovarian cysts (BOC) are the most common tumors in women of reproductive age. Usually, these cysts are harmless, but, a small number of them occasionally progress to malignancy. Among ovarian malignancies, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) comprises 90% and is the most important cause of gynecologic cancerrelated deaths. We aimed to identify dysregulated miRNAs in patients with benign ovarian cysts (n = 11) compared to EOC (n = 10) and to healthy individuals (HI) (n = 15). Methods: The serum samples from EOC and BOC patients were collected before operation. We studied three diffferent sample groups (serum of EOC (n = 8), HI (n = 8), and BOC (n = 8) patients) that contained the highest-quality of RNA. Microarray data were analyzed according to expression of miRNAs and target genes by bioinformatics tools. Results: When compared to EOC samples, 75 miRNAs were dysregulated in BOC samples. Sixty-six miRNAs from BOC were dysregulated when compared to HI samples. Bioinformatics analysis of BOC vs. EOC and BOC vs. HI showed that 46 miRNAs were congruent and their expression alterations were similar (up- or down-regulated). Further analysis showed that these 46 miRNAs are associated to one of three pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis. Conclusion: Several miRNAs might play a role in BOC formation and/or malignant transformation. These dysregulated miRNAs could potentially be a biomarker to distinguish between a completely BOC and one that is malignant or has potential for malignant transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medical Journal of Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman / İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Tıp Dergisi is the property of Logos Medical Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim Quantitative changes of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma as an indicator for impending pre-eclampsia was reported in different studies. Cell-free fetal nucleic acids can be detected in maternal circulation during pregnancy. Our aim was to determine the higher rate of fetal DNA levels in maternal blood in pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancies and the clinical use of real-time polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) in the Turkish population as a marker. Material and Methods According to their gestational ages, the plasma levels of 30 pre-eclamptic women at 26-40 weeks of pregnancy were matched with 18 healthy pregnant women. Cell-free fetal DNA levels in maternal plasma were compared using real-time PCR technology. For the quantitative measurement of fetal DNA from maternal blood, the relative quantification PCR process was applied to all samples, using SRY and GAPDH genes. These patients were classified as pre-eclamptic and control groups and were matched according to weeks of pregnancy. Results Free fetal DNA levels of 30 pre-eclamptic patients were compared to healthy pregnant women and an average 3.06-fold increase was observed. During the second trimester, free fetal DNA levels were 1.5 times higher in pre-eclamptic patients. This increase was 3.5-fold during the third trimester. The DNA increase of pre-eclamptic patients was 4.1-fold and 3.4-fold during 29th-33rd and 34th-40th weeks, respectively. Conclusions Cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood could be used as a marker for identifying subjects at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recent developments in molecular genetics improved our knowledge on fetal genome and physiology. Novel scientific innovations in prenatal diagnosis have accelerated in the last decade changing our vision immensely. Data obtained from fetal genomic studies brought new insights to fetal medicine and by the advances in fetal DNA and RNA sequencing technology novel treatment strategies has evolved. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis found ground in genetics and the results are widely studied in scientific arena. When Lo and colleges proved fetal genetic material can be extracted from maternal plasma and fetal DNA can be isolated from maternal serum, the gate to many exciting discoveries was open. Microarray technology and advances in sequencing helped fetal diagnosis as well as other areas of medicine. Today it is a very crucial prerequisite for physicians practicing prenatal diagnosis to have a profound knowledge in genetics. Prevailing practical use and application of fetal genomic tests in maternal and fetal medicine mandates obstetricians to update their knowledge in genetics. The purpose of this review is to assist physicians to understand and update their knowledge in fetal genetic testing from maternal blood, individualized prenatal counseling and advancements on the subject by sharing our experiences as İstanbul University Fetal Nucleic Acid Research Group., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors reported no conflict of interest related to this article.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn is the clinical condition in which Rh blood group antigens in couples are incompatible with each other and mother is negative for the antigen, whereas father is positive. Although RHD antigen encoded by RHD gene that is localized on chromosome 1 determines person's Rh genotyping, this incompatibility can lead to delivery as anemia, jaundiced, or dead in mother's uterus. In recent years, improvements have occurred in the prenatal diagnosis of Rh incompatibility. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) has been improved and determining rapidly, reliably, and sensitively has been possible. In this study, the determination of RHD genotyping was investigated using fetal DNA obtained from amniotic fluid and SYBR Green I and TaqMan probe methods were compared, and reliability in prenatal diagnosis of these methods was determined. We studied 35 pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. "SYBR Green I" and "TaqMan" probes results for RHD gene of genomic DNA extracted from total 35 different amniotic fluid samples acquired from 10 RHD (-) and 25 pregnant women randomly were analyzed. DNA extracted from amniotic fluid was analyzed for RHD gene with real-time PCR and the results were then compared with the RHD fetal genotype determined on RHD phenotype of the red blood cells of the infants at birth. The results of RHD TaqMan probes PCR analysis of amniotic fluid DNA were completely concordant with the fetal blood group analysis after birth. Real-time PCR using the TaqMan probes has proven to be more sensitive, accurate, and specific for RHD gene than SYBR Green I method.

Objective: Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a clinic phenomenon which occurs during pregnancy due to the Rhesus (Rh) D alloimmunization between a Rh (-) pregnant woman, who has become sensitive to RhD antigens, and her Rh (+) fetus. As a result of the attack of maternal RhD antibodies on fetal RhD antigens, fetal anemia, HDN and fetal death may occur. % 40 of Rh (-) pregnant women carry Rh (-) fetus. However, all Rh (-) pregnant women are offered anti-D Immunoglobulin (Anti-D Ig) at 28 weeks' gestation in case of fetomaternal haemorrhage, so the pregnant women carrying Rh (-) fetus are exposed to blood products unnecessarily. Although the RhD of fetus can be detected, methods used for prenatal diagnosis recently are invasive tests and they can result in abortion in a certain percentage. The discovery of circulating cell-free fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma has opened up new possibilities for non invasive prenatal diagnosis. The aim of this study was to detect prenatal RhD by analysing the presence of the RhD gene of fetal DNA in maternal blood., Material and Methods: Total free DNA was isolated from the blood of 19 Rh (-) pregnant women, who had RhD alloimmunization with their husbands, in the 11-14 th week of their pregnancy. The existence of a gene in isolated DNA was investigated with TaqMan prob and "Real-time PCR" method by using primers belonging to exon 7 of RhD gene., Results: Using a quantitative real-time PCR assay, the presence of RhD gene sequences was evaluated in the serum of patients at the onset of pregnancy. We have analyzed 19 Rh (-) pregnant women. Twelve of them were Rh (-) and the rest of them were 7 Rh (+). After birth the baby's blood groups were concordant with our results., Conclusion: The results obtained by RhD primer were analysed. The possibility of detection of fetal RhD gene in maternal blood contributed to noninvasive prenatal diagnosis.