Objectives: To explore the correlation between maternal and cord blood prolactin, the correlation between cord prolactin and birth weight, and to compare cord blood prolactin in new-borns of women with normal pregnancy and women with pregnancy complications namely; gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes and preterm labour.Methods: This study was performed from September to December 2018. Thirty-two women, delivered at Baghdad teaching hospital, and their newborns (32) were included. Maternal blood (5 ml) was taken before labour and cord blood (5 ml) was collected after placenta expulsion. Maternal and cord blood prolactin were analysed using fluorescence immunoassay. Results: Cord blood prolactin was higher in babies born to hypertensive women (405.28±77.52 ng/ml) than normal pregnancy women (244.80±60.80 ng/ml), P=0.000. Also, cord prolactin in gestational hypertension group was significantly higher than diabetic (P=0.006) and preterm labour (P=0.000) groups. No significant difference was noticed in cord blood prolactin in newborns of diabetic and normal pregnancy women (299.28±37.01, 244.80±60.80 ng/ml respectively, P=0.053). Preterm babies had lower cord prolactin (204.57±22.90 ng/ml) than normal pregnancy babies (244.80±60.80 ng/ml), however the difference was non-significant, P=0.118. Positive correlation was found between cord and maternal prolactin (P=0.000) and between cord prolactin and birth weight (P=0.018). Conclusion: Cord blood prolactin is high in newborns of hypertensive women, low in preterm neonates. Diabetes has no effect on cord prolactin level. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.558 How to cite this:Alawad ZM, Al-Omary HL. Maternal and cord blood prolactin level and pregnancy complications. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):1122-1127. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.558 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
In this research, experimental and numerical studies were carried out to investigate the performance of encased glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) beams under fire. The test specimens were divided into two peer groups to be tested under the effect of ambient and elevated temperatures. The first group was statically tested to investigate the monotonic behavior of the specimens. The second group was exposed to fire loading first and then statically tested to explore the residual behavior of the burned specimens. Adding shear connectors and web stiffeners to the GFRP beam was the main parameter in this investigation. Moreover, service loads were applied to the tested beams during the fire. Utilizing shear connectors, web stiffeners,
... Show MoreThe study aimed to extract the lipase enzyme from different sources, estimate its enzymatic activity, choose the best sources in terms of enzymatic activity, partially purify, and characterize it. The enzyme was extracted from plant sources (pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, and orange peels). The enzyme extract was precipitated with ammonium sulfate at a saturation level of 80%. The dialysis and lyophilization processes were performed for the partially purified enzyme. The optimum temperature for the partially purified enzyme was 40°C and the optimum pH was 7. The enzyme activity of the plant sources was 2.598, 0.723, and 1.333 units g-1, respectively. Animal sources (chicken pancreas and intestinal tract of carp fish). The enzymatic ac
... Show MoreVitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder classified as an autoimmune ailment. It is linked to immune mechanisms, oxidative stress, and disturbances in the cellular environment. Among the factors contributing to histological changes, proteolytic enzymes such as collagenase stand out, due to their role in degrading components of the extracellular matrix. Prolidase is a key enzyme in collagen metabolism, involved in the breakdown of proline-rich peptides. Objective: This study aims to investigate the mechanism of collagen decline in Iraqi vitiligo patients, prolidase activity and basic homeostasis to understand their roles in disease progression. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional comparative study, and 150 p
... Show MoreThis study is designed to isolate and molecular identification of C. neoformans, C. neoformans is pathogenic yeast and effect immunocompromised and immunocompetent. Methods: collect 50 samples from pigeon dropping and 50 samples from pigeon fanciers (sputum). The collection time was extended from November 2021 to February 2022, then culture at SDA, BSA, Cryptococcus Differential agar, esculin agar, Eucalyptus leaves agar media and Brain heart infusion agar with methyldopa, biochemical test including urease test and methyldopa, and then confirm identification by molecular identification by PCR technique sequencing and genetic analysis. The results showed that 3 swaps taken from sputum of human included cryptococcus neoformans and 6 s
... Show MoreZnTe possesses the proper optoelectronic properties as a candidate for device development. The structure and optical properties of ZnTe semiconductor thin films of 500 nm were studied using thermal evaporation technique. The influence of annealing temperatures on ZnTe thin films in the range ( R.T - 473 K). XRD and surface morphological analyses are used to examine the films. The ZnTe films are comparatively polycrystalline and cubic in phase, according to the XRD analysis. with a lattice constant of 0.61 nm upon an (111) orientation. The intensities of all the peaks rapidly increase though they show the same tendencies; it shows the crystallinity of the films becomes higher crystal size diameters (from 8.41 to 12.18nm) both increas
... Show MoreThis mixed method research analyses urban heritage and identity management concerning Karbala, and important spiritual and historical center. Homing in on particular spatial issues germane to Muharram’s rites, this study explores spiritual activities for the remembrance of the martyrdoms of Imam Hussein (A) and his brother Abbas (A), and their followers (RA), and identifies the way in which such activities construct urban identity in Karbala. Furthermore, this study contemplates the deployment of contemporary AR and VR technologies for urban identity. After reviewing extensive studies on religious, cultural, and urban heritage, a field survey of the Muharram pilgrimage in Karbala was conducted, spatially analyzing pilgrims’ movements in
... Show MoreRainfall in Nigeria is highly dynamic and variable on a temporal and spatial scale. This has taken a more pronounced dimension due to climate change. In this study, Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Mann-Kendall test statistical tools were employed to analyze rainfall trends and patterns in Gombe metropolis between 1990 and 2020 and the ARIMA model was used for making the forecast for ten (10) years. Daily rainfall data of 31 years obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET) was used for the study. The daily rainfall data was subjected to several analyses. Standard precipitation index showed that alternation of wet and dry period conditions had been witnessed in the study area. The result obtained showed that there is an u
... Show MoreBackground: The materials and techniques of orthodontic bonding systems remain a pivotal concern in orthodontic research. This issue is further complicated by orthodontists' preferences. To assess the effect of knowledge and practice on the attitudes of orthodontists towards bonding materials and techniques. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted using Google Forms. The questionnaire comprised 17 multiple-choice questions that targeted orthodontists' awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards bonding materials. It was distributed via email or social networking platforms to specialist Iraqi orthodontists. Results: A total of 176 participants responded with nearly equal representation between the sexes. Th
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