BACKGROUND The placenta is of utmost importance for intrauterine fetal development and
growth. Deregulation of placentation can lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and …

In this review, we comprehensively present the function of epigenetic regulations in normal
placental development as well as in a prominent disease of placental origin, preeclampsia …

Background: The discovery of circulating fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma has opened
up new possibilities for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of …

Trisomy 21 is the most common reason that women opt for prenatal diagnosis. Conventional
prenatal diagnostic methods involve the sampling of fetal materials by invasive procedures …

Prenatal diagnosis of monogenic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and β-thalassemia, is
currently offered as part of public health programs. However, current methods based on …

The trials performed worldwide toward noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) of Down's
syndrome (or trisomy 21) have shown the commercial and medical potential of NIPD …

Ras proteins play a direct causal role in human cancer with activating mutations in Ras
occurring in∼ 30% of tumours. Ras effectors also contribute to cancer, as mutations occur in …

Plasma concentrations of biologically active vitamin D (1, 25-(OH) 2 D) are tightly controlled
via feedback regulation of renal 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1; positive) and 24-hydroxylase …

Each differentiated cell type has its own epigenetic signature, which reflects its genotype,
developmental history, and environmental influences, and is ultimately reflected in the …

Preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are two of the most common
adverse pregnancy outcomes, but their underlying causes are mostly unknown. Although …