ObjectiveTo conduct a meta-analysis assessing the prevalence and trends of the abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) epidemic in general population.MethodStudies that reported prevalence rates of AAA from the general population were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and reference lists for the period between 1988 and 2013. Studies were included if they reported prevalence rates of AAA in general population from the community. In stratified analyses possible sources of bias, including areas difference, age, gender and diameter of aneurysms were examined. Publication bias was assessed with Egger's test method.Results56 studies were identified. The overall pooled prevalence of AAA was 4.8% (4.3%, 5.3%). Stratified analyses showed the following results, areas difference: America 2.2% (2.2%, 2.2%), Europe 2.5% (2.4%, 2.5%), Australia 6.7% (6.5%, 7.0%), Asia 0.5% (0.3%, 0.7%); gender difference: male 6.0% (5.3%, 6.7%), female 1.6% (1.2%, 1.9%); age difference: 55–64years 1.3% (1.2%, 1.5%), 65–74 years 2.8% (2.7%, 2.9%), 75–84 years1.2%(1.1%, 1.3%), ≥85years0.6% (0.4%, 0.7%); aortic diameters difference: 30–39 mm, 3.3% (2.8%, 3.9%), 40–49 mm,0.7% (0.4%,1.0%), ≥50 mm, 0.4% (0.3%, 0.5%). The prevalence of AAA has decreased in Europe from 1988 to 2013. Hypertension, smoking, coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, respiratory disease, cerebrovascular disease, claudication and renal insufficiency were risk factors for AAA in Europe.ConclusionAAA is common in general population. The prevalence of AAA is higher in Australia than America and Europe. The pooled prevalence in western countries is higher than the Asia. Future research requires a larger database on the epidemiology of AAA in general population.

The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles in placentas from preeclamptic pregnancies versus normal placentas. Placental tissues were obtained immediately after delivery from women with normal pregnancies (n = 6) and patients with preeclampsia (n = 6). The gene expression profile was assessed by oligonucleotide-based DNA microarrays and validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Functional relationships and canonical pathways/networks of differentially-expressed genes were evaluated by GeneSpring Ô GX 11.0 software, and ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA). A total of 939 genes were identified that differed significantly in expression: 483 genes were upregulated and 456 genes were downregulated in preeclamptic placentas compared with normal placentas (fold change ‡ 2 and p < 0.05 by unpaired t-test corrected with Bonferroni multiple testing). The IPA revealed that the primary molecular functions of these genes are involved in cellular function and maintenance, cellular development, cell signaling, and lipid metabolism. Pathway analysis provided evidence that a number of biological pathways, including Notch, Wnt, NF-jB, and transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) signaling pathways, were aberrantly regulated in preeclampsia. In conclusion, our microarray analysis represents a comprehensive list of placental gene expression profiles and various dysregulated signaling pathways that are altered in preeclampsia. These observations may provide the basis for developing novel predictive, diagnostic, and prognostic biomarkers of preeclampsia to improve reproductive outcomes and reduce the risk for subsequent cardiovascular disease.

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common cause of maternal morbidity, and can lead to the development of diabetes later in life. Pre-pregnancy body weight is associated with the change in body mass index (BMI) between a first and second pregnancy. Compared with long-term change in BMI between pregnancies, the most accessible follow-up point to investigate BMI change is 6 weeks after the initial pregnancy. The present study aimed to assess the association between weight retention at 6 weeks postpartum and the risk of GDM in a subsequent pregnancy. Methods We recruited 6429 singleton pregnancies into this retrospective cohort study. For each pregnancy, we calculated weight retention at 6 weeks postpartum after the first pregnancy, the interpregnancy BMI change between pregnancies, and the gestational weight gain in the second pregnancy. Risk was represented by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We then determined the relationship between postpartum weight retention at 6 weeks after the initial pregnancy, and the interpregnancy change in BMI between pregnancies. Analyses were stratified by BMI during the first pregnancy. Results Compared to women with a stable BMI (− 1 to 1), interpregnancy BMI gains were associated with an increased risk of GDM in the second pregnancy. Risk increased significantly for women with a BMI below and above 25 during the first pregnancy, although the increase was greater in the women with a BMI < 25. The risk of GDM in the second pregnancy was higher in women with inadequate weight gain during the second gestation. The weight retention at 6 weeks postpartum, where there was a gain of > 3 BMI units was significantly more related to weight gain more than when there was 1 BMI unit gain between pregnancies ( P < 0.05) and associated with an increased incidence of GDM in the second pregnancy (OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.95 ~ 4.45). Women who showed a change in BMI that was > 3 units at 6 weeks postpartum after the first pregnancy showed an increased risk for BMI subsequently (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.08~1.87). Conclusions Women who gained more than 3 BMI units at 6 weeks postpartum were associated with an increased risk of BMI in a subsequent pregnancy. Six weeks postpartum provides a new early window of opportunity to identify risk factors for a subsequent pregnancy and allows us to implement primary prevention strategies.

Objective Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most frequently performed major surgical interventions. Local anesthetic techniques, a universal component of perioperative multimodal analgesia, are reportedly effective in reducing pain scores and opioid requirements. However, the optimal local anesthetic technique for postoperative CS pain remains unclear. Methods Six databases were searched, and a Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed. The outcomes included cumulative morphine consumption and pain scores at four time points, time to first analgesic request, postoperative nausea and vomiting, pruritus, and sedation. Results Sixty-eight studies with 5039 pregnant women were included. Six local anesthetic techniques were involved, including transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB), ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block, quadratus lumborum blocks, transversalis fascia plane block, erector spinae block, and wound infiltration. Compared to inactive controls, TAPB reduced cumulative morphine consumption at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 h (with the exception of 24 h at rest), the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sedation. Compared with inactive controls, ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block reduced cumulative morphine consumption at 6 and 24 h and pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 h during movement. Compared with inactive controls, quadratus lumborum blocks reduced cumulative morphine consumption at 24 and 48 h and pain scores at 6 and 12 h and lengthened the time to first analgesic request. Compared with inactive controls, wound infiltration reduced cumulative morphine consumption at 12 and 24 h, pain scores at 12 and 24 h during movement, and risk of sedation. Compared with inactive controls, erector spinae block reduced pain scores at 6 and 12 h. Transversalis fascia plane block was found to have similar outcomes to inactive controls. Conclusion TAPB is the most comprehensive local anesthetic technique for postoperative CS analgesia in the absence of intrathecal morphine.

Studies investigating the association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms and preeclampsia reported contradictory or nonconclusive results. We performed a meta-analysis of 18 genetic association studies that examined the relationship between preeclampsia and the G894T, 4a/b and T-786C polymorphisms of the eNOS gene. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity and potential sources of heterogeneity and bias were explored. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched to access the relevant genetic association studies up to June 2011. For the allelic analysis of the G894T variant, all studies showed no significant association. For the genotypic analysis, the combined studies of the G allele showed negative significance (odds ratio [OR]=0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-0.97), all the studies showed positively significance when the T allele was combined (OR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.01-1.36), and results were also positively significant in non-Asian populations (OR=1.20; 95% CI: 1.02-1.43). For the allelic analysis of the 4b/a variant, all studies showed no significant association, but results were negatively significant in non-Asian populations (OR=0.67; 95% CI: 0.46-0.98). For the genotype analysis, combined studies of the b allele showed negative significance (OR=0.55; 95% CI: 0.36-0.84). Moreover, non-Asian studies showed negatively significant results (OR=0.45; 95% CI: 0.28-0.72). For the analysis of the T-786C variant, none of the studies showed significant results. The synthesis of available evidence supports the fact that intron 4a allele, homozygosity for the 894T and intron 4a of eNOS are positively associated with preeclampsia. Large, multiethnic confirmatory, and well-designed studies are needed to determine the relation between preeclampsia and polymorphisms of the eNOS gene.