Stacey Jeronis

Preeclampsia-associated stresses activate Gadd45a signaling and sFlt-1 in placental explants†

Accumulating evidence suggests that placental stresses during pregnancy can play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. A common signal pathway that senses and converts placental stresses into intracellular stress response may be contributing to this pathology. Based on our previous findings, we extended our investigation to establish that Gadd45a stress signaling regulates sFlt‐1 levels, particularly in placenta, when exposed to various preeclampsia‐associated stresses including AT‐1 receptor agonist (Angiotensin II), hypoxia, and inflammatory cytokines. Using a placental explant model, we found that Gadd45a was induced in response to all the preeclampsia stresses stated above. Although stress induced Gadd45a was associated with the activation of its downstream effectors phospho‐p38 and phospho‐JNK, the subsequent regulation of sFlt‐1 levels occurred through either one of these effectors, but not both. These observations indicate that Gadd45a signaling may work as a hub connecting placental stresses and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. It also provides evidence to justify testing the role of Gadd45 in the etiology of preeclampsia using in vivo mouse (i.e., Gadd45a null mice) models. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 362–370, 2013.

Self-perceptions of body size in women at an inner-city family-planning clinic

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body size perception among female patients in an inner-city family-planning clinic. STUDY DESIGN All participants (n = 81) were measured for height and weight and completed an anonymous survey. Self-perceived, current, and ideal body sizes were determined by using a standardized scale. Body image discrepancy was calculated by the difference between body image perception and measured BMI. RESULTS Approximately two-thirds of the participants were obese or overweight. As measured BMI increased, the body image discrepancy increased, with significant differences in body perception in both obese (P < .001) and overweight (P < .001) women. Ideal body size increased with measured BMI. CONCLUSION Overweight and obese women in an inner-city clinic are likely to underestimate their body size. Our data support the need for culturally sensitive education for this population, because many do not view themselves at risk for complications related to excessive weight.

Douching With Water Works Device for Perceived Vaginal Odor With or Without Complaints of Discharge in Women With No Infectious Cause of Vaginitis: A Pilot Study

Objective. To determine if douching with Water Works device for 1 month can (1) lower or eliminate perceived vaginal odor by subject; (2) have any effects on vaginal ecosystem. Methods. Ten women with perceived vaginal odor with or without discharge, douched every day for 4 weeks in an open-label, nonrandomized pilot study. Primary outcome measures included perceived vaginal odor by subject, lactobacilli score from Nugent slide, and acceptance of the Water Works douching system. Secondary outcome included the safety of using this douching device. Results. At week 4, there was improvement in vaginal odor (P = .0006) and there was no significant change in lactobacilli score. Conclusion. Douching with Water Works device is associated with reduction or elimination of vaginal odor without adversely affecting the vaginal ecosystem.

First trimester noninvasive fetalRHDgenotyping using maternal dried blood spots: Maternal dried blood spots for first-trimester fetalRHDgenotyping

This study was aimed to evaluate whether maternal dried blood spots could be a potential source for the noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping, serving as a combined one‐step test for both the First Trimester Screen and the fetal RHD genotyping.