Integrated analysis of comorbidity, pregnant outcomes, and amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses with persistent left superior vena cava

BACKGROUND Persistent left superior vena cava(PLSVC)is the most common venous system variant.The clinical characteristics and amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses with PLSVC remain to be further explored.AIM To develop reliable prenatal diagnostic recommendations through integrated analysis of the clinical characteristics of fetuses with PLSVC.METHODS Cases of PLSVC diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography between September 2019 and November 2022 were retrospectively studied.The clinical characteristics of the pregnant women,ultrasonic imaging information,gestational age at diagnosis,pregnancy outcomes,and amniocentesis results were summarized and analyzed using categorical statistics and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.RESULTS Of the 97 cases diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound,49(50.5%)had isolated PLSVC and 48(49.5%)had other structural abnormalities.The differences in pregnancy outcomes and amniocentesis conditions between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).No significant differences were identified between the two groups in terms of advanced maternal age and gestational age(P>0.05).According to the results of the classification statistics,the most common intrac-ardiac abnormality was a ventricular septal defect and the most common extrac-ardiac abnormality was a single umbilical artery.In the subgroup analysis,the concurrent combination of intra-and extracardiac structural abnormalities was a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes(odds ratio>1,P<0.05).Additional-ly,all abnormal cytogenetic findings on amniocentesis were observed in the comorbidity group.One case was diagnosed with 21-trisomy and six cases was diagnosed with chromosome segment duplication.CONCLUSION Examination for other structural abnormalities is strongly recommended when PLSVC is diagnosed.Poorer pregnancy outcomes and increased amniocentesis were observed in PLSVC cases with other structural abnor-malities.Amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses is recommended for PLSVC with other structural abnormalities.

Noninvasive Fetal Lung Maturity Prediction Based on Amniotic Fluid Turbidity Using Ultrasonic Histogram Measurement Function

Background: Amniotic fluid turbidity increases with fetal lung maturation due to vernix and lung surfactant micelles suspended in the amniotic fluid. This study focused on this phenomenon and evaluated the presence or absence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)/transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) by quantitatively assessing the brightness of the amniotic fluid turbidity using a noninvasive ultrasound histogram measurement function. Methods: We included cases of singleton pregnancies managed at the Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital between November 2020 and March 2022. Histograms of amniotic fluid turbidity were measured at the center of the amniotic fluid depth, avoiding the fetus, placenta, and umbilical cord, with the gain setting set to 0, and the average value was obtained after three measurements. Histograms of fetal urine in the bladder were measured similarly. The value obtained by subtracting the fetal bladder brightness value from the amniotic brightness value based on histogram measurements was used as the final amniotic fluid brightness value. Results: We included 118 cases (16 of RDS/TTN and 102 of control). The gestational age of delivery weeks was correlated with amniotic fluid brightness (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was 0.344;p = 0.00014). Amniotic fluid brightness values were significantly lower in the RDS/TTN group than in the control group (RDS/TTN: 16.2 ± 13.5, control: 26.3 ± 16.3;p = 0.020). The optimal cutoff value of amniotic fluid brightness to predict RDS/TTN was 20.3. For predicting RDS/TTN, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 91.7%, 69.6%, 26.2%, and 94.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The quantitative value of the amniotic fluid brightness by histogram measurements may provide an easy and objective index for evaluating the presence or absence of RDS/TTN.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of human amniotic fluid cells and their differentiation potential

The main goal of the study was to identify a novel source of human multipotent cells, overcoming ethical issues involved in embryonic stem cell research and the limited availability of most adult stem cells. Amniotic fluid cells （AFCs） are routinely obtained for prenatal diagnosis and can be expanded in vitro; nevertheless current knowledge about their origin and properties is limited. Twenty samples of AFCs were exposed in culture to adipogenic, osteogenic, neurogenic and myogenic media. Differentiation was evaluated using immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting. Before treatments, AFCs showed heterogeneous morphologies. They were negative for MyoD, Myf-5, MRF4, Myogenin and Desmin but positive for osteocalcin, PPARgamma2, GAP43, NSE, Nestin, MAP2, GFAP and beta tubulin III by RT-PCR. The cells expressed Oct-4, Rex-1 and Runx-1, which characterize the undifferentiated stem cell state. By immunocytochemistry they expressed neural-glial proteins, mesenchymal and epithelial markers. After culture, AFCs differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts when the predominant cellular component was fibroblastic. Early and late neuronal antigens were still present after 2 week culture in neural specific media even if no neuronal morphologies were detectable. Our results provide evidence that human amniotic fluid contains progenitor cells with multi-lineage potential showing stem and tissue-specific gene/protein presence for several lineages.

Amniotic fluid stem cell-based models to study the effects of gene mutations and toxicants on male germ cell formation

Male infertility is a major public health issue predominantly caused by defects in germ cell development. In the past, studies on the genetic regulation of spermatogenesis as well as on negative environmental impacts have been hampered by the fact that human germ cell development is intractable to direct analysis in vivo. Compared with model organisms including mice, there are fundamental differences in the molecular processes of human germ cell development. Therefore, an in vitro model mimicking human sperm formation would be an extremely valuable research tool. In the recent past, both human embryonic stem （ES） cells and induced pluripotent stem （iPS） cells have been reported to harbour the potential to differentiate into primordial germ cells and gametes. We here discuss the possibility to use human amniotic fluid stem （AFS） ceils as a biological model. Since their discovery in 2003, AFS cells have been characterized to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers, to be genomically stable, to have a high proliferative potential and to be non-tumourigenic. In addition, AFS cells are not subject of ethical concerns. In contrast to iPS cells, AFSs cells do not need ectopic induction of pluripotency, which is often associated with only imperfectly cleared epigenetic memory of the source cells. Since AFS cells can be derived from amniocentesis with disease-causing mutations and can be transfected with high efficiency, they could be used in probing gene functions for spermatogenesis and in screening for male reproductive toxicity.

Study of concentration of amniotic fluid Alpha-fetal protein in thalassemia fetus

Objective:To test the hypothesis that concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein(AFAFP) is increased in thalassemia fetus.Methods:A total of 135 cases of amniocentesis admitted from July 2013 to December 2014 were included in this study.Among them 98 cases of normal fetuses were assigned into control group and 37 cases of thalassemia fetus were included as thalassemia fetus group.Alpha-fetoprotein levels detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the alpha-fetoprotein concentration were compared between the two groups.There is no significant difference in gestrational age between the two groups.Results:1.AFP concentration in thalassemia fetus group was significantly higher than that of normal control group [(1541.65±734.78) μg/mL vs.(2728.84± 1539.97) μg/mL ],and amniotic fluid AFP concentration was related to fetal thalassemia.2.AFAFP concentration in pureα-thalassemia fetus was higher than that of β thalassemia fetus or mixed αand was not significant.Conclusions:Concentration of a β thalassemia fetus,but the difference mniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein is increased in thalassemia fetus.AFP concentration inα-thalassemia fetus was higher than that of β thalassemia or mixed αand lore β thalassemia fetus but difference was not significance.Further studies are needed to exp the possible correlation between Down syndrome and biochemical markers of Thalassemia.

Human amniotic fluid stem cell therapy can help regain bladder function in type 2 diabetic rats

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus(DM)is a serious and growing global health burden.It is estimated that 80%of diabetic patients have micturition problems such as poor emptying,urinary incontinence,urgency,and urgency incontinence.Patients with diabetic bladder dysfunction are often resistant to currently available therapies.It is necessary to develop new and effective treatment methods.AIM To examine the therapeutic effect of human amniotic fluid stem cells(hAFSCs)therapy on bladder dysfunction in a type 2 diabetic rat model.METHODS Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups:Group 1,normal-diet control(control);group 2,high-fat diet(HFD);group 3,HFD plus streptozotocin-induced DM(DM);group 4,DM plus insulin treatment(DM+insulin);group 5,DM plus hAFSCs injection via tail vein(DM+hAFSCs).Conscious cystometric studies were done at 4 and 12 wk after insulin or hAFSCs treatment to measure peak voiding pressure,voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and residual volume.Immunoreactivities and/or mRNA expression of muscarinic receptors,nerve growth factor(NGF),and sensory nerve markers in the bladder and insulin,MafA,and pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1(PDX-1)in pancreatic beta cells were studied.RESULTS Compared with DM rats,insulin but not hAFSCs treatment could reduce the bladder weight and improve the voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and residual volume(P<0.05).However,both insulin and hAFSCs treatment could help to regain the blood glucose and bladder functions to the levels near controls(P>0.05).The immunoreactivities and mRNA expression of M2-and M3-muscarinic receptors(M2 and M3)were increased mainly at 4 wk(P<0.05),while the number of beta cells in islets and the immunoreactivities and/or mRNA of NGF,calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),substance P,insulin,MafA,and PDX-1 were decreased in DM rats(P<0.05).However,insulin and hAFSCs treatment could help to regain the expression of M2,M3,NGF,CGRP,substance P,MafA,and PDX-1 to near the levels of controls at 4 and/or 12 wk(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Insulin but not hAFSCs therapy can recover the bladder dysfunction caused by DM;however,hAFSCs and insulin therapy can help to regain bladder function to near the levels of control.

Changes of Nerve Growth Factor in Amniotic Fluid and Correlation with Ventriculomegaly

Objective To detect the change of nerve growth factor (NGF) level in human amniotic fluid during gestation, and to explore the relationship between this change and fetal ventriculo-megaly (VM). Methods The studied subjects (collected from 2004 to 2007) were divided into four groups, including the second-trimester pregnancy group (n=113), third-trimester pregnancy group (n=110), fetal cerebral VM group (n=12), and healthy control group (n=12) which matched with the VM group in gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid specimens were obtained during amniocentesis or cesarean section. The NGF levels in amniotic fluid were detected with en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results A significantly negative correlation was found between gestational age and the NGF level in amniotic fluid (r= 0.6149, P<0.0001). The NGF level in patients with fetal VM was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (33.95±29.24 pg/mL vs. 64.73±16.21 pg/mL, P=0.024). Conclusion NGF levels in amniotic fluid may be a sensitive marker for fetal VM.

Amniotic fluid embolism:literature review and an integrated concept of pathomechanism

Literature concerning procoagulant activity of the amniotic fluid and pathomechanism of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) was surveyed and a new concept of its pathogenesis, called the integrated concept of AFE, was presented. According to this concept, two components of the amniotic fluid are involved: (i) apoptosis-affected amniotic cells showing a special role in the initiation of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and (ii) leukotrienes (formerly called slow-reacting substances), inducing bronchial and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle contraction. Although each of these components initiates a different pathogenic pathway, they both lead to the formation of a mechanical barrier on blood flow through the lungs (amniotic debris + microemboli) and/or functional barrier (pulmonary vasoconstriction). An old dilemma, concerning indications for heparin therapy in AFE was recalled in the light of the new concept.

A Novel Method for the Prenatal Diagnosis of Cleft Palate Based on Amniotic Fluid Metabolites

Background and purpose The prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate is an important component of sequential therapy,but the relevant diagnostic methods are still limited.We aimed here,to explore the possibility of an early prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate by assessing metabolites in pregnant mice.Methods Twenty-four inseminated females were randomly divided into retinoic acid(RA)-treated(treated with retinoic acid at 10.5 gestation days)and control groups.The metabolites of the embryonic palatal tissue,maternal amniotic fluid,and serum were characterized using 9.4T magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vitro.Then,a predictive model was established through the principal component analysis(PCA),and the correlations between the metabolites of amniotic fluid and palatal tissue were explored using orthogonal-2 partial least squares(O2-PLS).Results The incidences of cleft palate were 100%and 0%in the RA-treated and control groups,respectively.A predictive PCA model with a high specificity and sensitivity was established for the early prenatal diagnosis of isolated cleft palate using amniotic fluid metabolic data.Between RA-treated and control mice,we found that two metabolites in the amniotic fluid and palatal tissue were correlated.Creatinine showed the same trend in the palatal tissue and amniotic fluid,while choline showed opposite trends in the two tissues.However,the data for serum metabolites could not be used to establish a prediction model.Conclusion This study indicates that assessing the metabolites of amniotic fluid is a potential approach for the prenatal diagnosis of isolated cleft palate.

Heparin and other anticoagulants in amniotic fluid embolism(AFE):Literature review and concept of the therapy

Aim: The objective of this study is to review all the reported outcomes of heparin application in amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) so far and to find out why, when and how heparin or other anticoagulants should be used in AFE. Material and methods: We searched Medline (from 1969 to 2011), using two key words: 1) amniotic fluid embolism;2) amniotic fluid embolism and heparin. The search for the former produced 1127 replies, of which 208 were case reports of AFE. In response to the other key word, there were 94 articles. We looked through all the articles, selecting those relevant for our study. Results: In the years 1969-2011, 208 AFE cases were reported. Heparin (unfractionated heparin) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was applied in 20 cases (9.6%), being the main drug in 11 cases (5.3%) and in 6 cases as a component of spectacular treatment of AFE (surgical treatment and extracorporal membrane oxygenation). In one of these cases anithrombin (AT) with LMWH was used. In one patient heparin therapy was considered to be unsuccessful and hence recombinant plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was instituted. All the patients survived. Conclusions: 1) The attempts to use heparin in AFE could be defined as promising, although the number of treated patients is too small for conclusion;2) The postulate to use heparin at the very onset of AFE (a bolus of 10,000 U followed by monitored intravenous infusion) has serious justification: one of the pathways of AFE is the target for heparin (coagulation pathway).

Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE): A Review of the Literature Orientated on Two Clinical Presentations--Typical and Atypical

Background/Aim: Recently, a comparative study on the incidence of AFE has highlighted rather confusing results, showing that the complication is more than three times higher in North America than that in some European countries. In this paper, we put forward the hypothesis that this discrepancy is due to inaccurate diagnosis of non-classical form of AFE (atypical AFE). We also provide an outline of symptoms that characterize this type of AFE based on the analysis of all available case reports. Material and Methods: We searched Medline from 1969 (its inception) to 2011, using the key words “amniotic fluid embolism”. The search produced 1127 articles, including 208 case reports of AFE and other publications identified as eligible for our study (11 review articles and 6 population-based studies of the last few years). Moreover, we looked through the articles from the period before “inception of Medline” to find 178 earlier case reports. Full texts were analyzed. Results and Conclusions: (i) Worldwide, 447 cases of AFE have been reported, including 70 cases of atypical AFE (15.7%). (ii) Typical AFE is characterized by three clinical phases (cardiopulmonary collapse, clotting disorders and hemorrhages, multiorgan disturbances), whereas the atypical one shows lack of cardiopulmonary collapse as the initial presentation—the first to appear is obstetric hemorrhage and/or pulmonary and renal dysfunction. (iii) Four subclasses of atypical AFE were distinguished on the basis of case reports: uterine hemorrhage-type of AFE, ARDS as the only presentation of atypical AFE, paradoxical AFE, and cesarean section-related atypical AFEs.

A Comparison of Amniotic Fluid Index versus Single Deepest Vertical Pocket Measurement at Term as a Predictor of Adverse Perinatal Outcome

Introduction: Oligohydramnios is an important sign of fetal jeopardy and amniotic fluid index (AFI) and single deepest vertical pocket (SDVP) have been used to detect it. Objective: To compare AFI vs. SDVP at term as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Teaching Hospital Kandy, Sri Lanka for eight months from July 2015 to March 2016. 448 Singleton pregnancies admitted after 37 completed weeks were included. AFI ≤ 5 cm and SDVP < 2 cm were the exposure variables, which were related to outcome variables. Results: Mean AFI was 11.35 cm (SD = 5.15) and Mean SDVP was 4.07 cm (SD = 1.88). AFI and SDVP values showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.954;p < 0.001). A significant percentage with low AFI needed induction of labour (RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.85 - 2.49). Low AFI was also a significant risk factor for not having an uneventful birth outcome (RR 2.682, 95% CI 1.082 - 6.642). Low SDVP was a significant risk factor for induction of labour (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.434 - 2.334), operative delivery (RR 1.714, 95% CI 1.292 - 2.280), meconium-stained liquor (RR 2.67, 95% CI 1.342 - 5.308), and Apgar < 7 (RR 17.74, 95% CI 7.96 - 40.924). SDVP had better predictability than AFI for adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusion: AFI better predicted oligohydramnios and subsequent labour induction than SDVP. Low SDVP was a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes (such as induction of labour, meconium-stained liquor, operative delivery, 5-minute Apgar less < 7, admission to special care baby units or perinatal deaths). In predicting adverse perinatal events, a higher potential was noted in SDVP method than AFI method. To determine the most predictive cut-off values of SDVP and AFI for each perinatal outcome, an in-depth experimental analysis is required in future research.

Chinese Population Reference Curves for Ultrasound-Measured Amniotic Fluid Deepest Vertical Pocket in Dichorionic Twin Pregnancies,and Their Associations With Pregnancy Outcomes

Objective:To establish the Chinese population's amniotic fluid deepest vertical pocket(DVP)reference curves for dichorionic twin pregnancies and to investigate DVP links with adverse perinatal outcomes.Methods:This retrospective cohort study,conducted at Peking University Third Hospital from August 2011 to December 2020,used data from 375 women aged 20 to 45 years who had dichorionic twin pregnancies that were confirmed through first-trimester ultrasound.After exclusions,reference curves were developed using 318 women with 3,299 DVP scans,and the data analyzed included maternal demographics,pregnancy outcomes,ultrasound measurements,and neonatal information.DVPs were assessed via ultrasound at regular intervals and grouped by gestational age(GA)for analyses.Linear mixed models were used to create amniotic fluid reference curves.Associations between abnormalities and adverse perinatal outcomes were examined using Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests.Logistic regression provided both crude and adjusted odds ratios,adjusting for pre-pregnancy weight,age,ethnicity,parity,and conception mode.Significance was set at P<0.05 with 95%confidence intervals(CI),and the analyses were conducted using SPSS ver.26.0(IBM Corp.,Armonk,NY)and SAS ver.9.4(SAS Institute Inc.,Cary,NC,USA)software.Results:DVP increased from the first trimester to a maximum at 26 weeks(95%confidence interval(CI),2.7–8.3 cm for twin 1 and 2.8–7.9 cm for twin 2)and then decreased gradually toward term.Differences between twins 1 and 2 were significant after 26 weeks(95%CI for twin 1:5.3,5.5;95%CI for twin 2:4.4,4.5;P<0.010).Polyhydramnios of twin 1 increased the risk of large for GA.Oligohydramnios of twin 1 increased the risk of small for GA.Polyhydramnios of twin 2 increased the risk of small for GA,premature birth,and neonatal complications.Oligohydramnios of twin 2 increased the risk of preeclampsia,hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy,and premature rupture of membranes.Conclusion:Reference curves for twin amniotic fluid volumes vary by GA and differ between twins,with potential implications for pregnancy outcomes.

Does cesarean section prevent adverse neonatal outcomes associated with meconium amniotic fluid?

Background Making decisions regarding the mode of delivery in the cases of meconium amniotic fluid(MAF)presents a challenge for healthcare providers.We aimed to compare the neonatal outcome of MAF cases delivered via cesarean section(CS)versus those delivered vaginally to determine if CS is a protective factor against the adverse neonatal outcomes.Methods In this retrospective study,we assessed singleton pregnant mothers diagnosed with MAF who gave birth at a tertiary hospital in Bandar Abbas,Iran,between January 2020-2022.Mothers with certain adverse pregnancy conditions were excluded from the study.These conditions included:abnormal fetal heart rate and pattern,bloody amniotic fluid,malpresentation,abnormal placentation,chorioamnionitis,intrauterine growth restriction,intrauterine fetal death,obstructed labor,and maternal comorbidities.The MAF mothers were divided into two groups based on the method of delivery:those who had CS and those who had a normal vaginal delivery(NVD).Demographic factors,obstetrical factors,and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results Out of 746 MAF mothers,213(28.5%)underwent CS,while 533(71.4%)had NVD.There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics.Among MAF mothers who had CS,66.2%were primiparous,and 33.8%were multiparous.For those who had NVD,35.1%were primiparous,and 64.9%were multiparous.The first and 5-min Apgar values,rates of asphyxia,neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)admission,and neonatal death were not statistically different between the two delivery modes.The rate of newborns who breastfed within the first hour did not differ depending on the mode of delivery.Although initial resuscitation steps were required more frequently in MAF mothers with NVD than in those with CS(11.1%vs.2.3%),no correlation was found between the mode of delivery and the need for resuscitation using logistic regression.Conclusions Our research findings suggest that there were no superior neonatal outcomes in terms of CS compared to NVD in MAF mothers.Further studies are needed to provide more substantial evidence to support this conclusion.

Applications of human amniotic fluid stem cells in wound healing

Complete wound regeneration preserves skin structure and physiological functions,including sensation and perception of stimuli,whereas incomplete wound regeneration results in fibrosis and scarring.Amniotic fluid stem cells(AFSCs)would be a kind of cell population with self-renewing and non-immunogenic ability that have a considerable role in wound generation.They are easy to harvest,culture,and store;moreover,they are non-tumorigenic and not subject to ethical restrictions.They can differentiate into different kinds of cells that replenish the skin,subcutaneous tissues,and accessory organs.Additionally,AFSCs independently produce paracrine effectors and secrete them in exosomes,thereby modulating local immune cell activity.They demonstrate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties,regulate the physicochemical microenvironment of the wound,and promote full wound regeneration.Thus,AFSCs are potential resources in stem cell therapy,especially in scar-free wound healing.This review describes the biological characteristics and clinical applications of AFSCs in treating wounds and provide new ideas for the treatment of wound healing.

Prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome using cell-free fetal DNA in amniotic fluid by quantitative fluorescent polymersase chain reaction

Backgroud Amniotic fluid （AF） supernatant contains cell-free fetal DNA （cffDNA） fragments.This study attempted to take advantage of cffDNA as a new material for prenatal diagnosis,which could be combined with simple quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction （QF-PCR） to provide an ancillary method for the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 syndrome.Methods AF supernatant samples were obtained from 27 women carrying euploid fetuses and 28 women carrying aneuploid fetuses with known cytogenetic karyotypes.Peripheral blood samples of the parents were collected at the same time.Short tandem repeat （STR） fragments on chromosome 21 were amplified by QF-PCR.Fetal condition and the parental source of the extra chromosome could be determined by the STR peaks.Results The sensitivity of the assay for the aneuploid was 93％ （26/28; confidence interval,CI：77％-98％） and the specificity was 100％ （26/26; CI：88％-100％）.The determination rate of the origin of the extra chromosome was 69％.The sensitivity and the specificity of the assay in the euploid were 100％ （27/27）.Conclusions Trisomy 21 can be prenatally diagnosed by the QF-PCR method in AF supernatant.This karyotype analysis method greatly reduces the requirement for the specimen size.It will be a benefit for early amniocentesis and could avoid pregnancy complications.The method may become an ancillary method for prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21.

Therapeutic values of chick early amniotic fluid(ceAF)that facilitates wound healing via potentiating a SASP-mediated transient senescence

Inflammatory,proliferative and remodeling phases constitute a cutaneous wound healing program.Therapeutic applications and medication are available;however,they commonly are comprised of fortified preservatives that might prolong the healing process.Chick early amniotic fluids(ceAF)contain native therapeutic factors with balanced chemokines,cytokines and growth-related factors;their origins in principle dictate no existence of harmful agents that would otherwise hamper embryo development.Instead,they possess a spectrum of molecules driving expeditious mitotic divisions and possibly exerting other functions.Employing both in vitro and in vivo models,we examined ceAF's therapeutic potentials in wound healing and found intriguing involvement of transient senescence,known to be intimately intermingled with Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotypes(SASP)that function in addition to or in conjunction with ceAF to facilitate wound healing.In our cutaneous wound healing models,a low dose of ceAF exhibited the best efficacies;however,higher doses attenuated the wound healing presumably by inducing p16 expression over a threshold.Our studies thus link an INK4/ARF locus-mediated signaling cascade to cutaneous wound healing,suggesting therapeutic potentials of ceAF exerting functions likely by driving transient senescence,expediting cellular proliferation,migration,and describing a homeostatic and balanced dosage strategy in medical intervention.

Therapeutic application of chick early amniotic fluid: effective rescue of acute myocardial ischemic injury by intravenous administration

Myocardial regeneration has been considered a promising option for the treatment of adult myocardial injuries.Previously,a chick early amniotic fluid(ceAF)preparation was shown to contain growth-related factors that pro-moted embryonic growth and cellular proliferation,though the nature of the components within ceAF were not fully defined.Here we tested whether this ceAF preparation is similarly effective in the promotion of myocardial regen-eration,which could provide an alternative therapeutic for intervening myocardial injury.In this study,a myocardial ischemic injury model was established in adult mice and pigs by multiple research entities,and we were able to show that ceAF can efficiently rescue damaged cardiac tissues and markedly improve cardiac function in both experimental models through intravenous administration.ceAF administration increased cell proliferation and improved angio-genesis,likely via down-regulation of Hippo-YAP signaling.Our data suggest that ceAF administration can effectively rescue ischemic heart injury,providing the key functional information for the further development of ceAF for use in attenuating myocardial injury.

Amount of polyhydramnios attributable to diabetes may be less than previously reported

AIM To evaluate the frequency and the quantity of polyhydramnios attributable to diabetes in pregnancy.METHODS The charts of patients with a four-quadrant amniotic fluid index(AFI) ≥ 20 cm and either a diagnosis of diabetes or a diabetes screening test during the index pregnancy were retrospectively reviewed. AFI was stratified into 5 categories and the frequency of diabetes was evaluated for each group. The frequency of polyhydramnios attributable to diabetes was compared to the frequency of polyhydramnios in the setting of fetal anomalies or no known cause. RESULTS One thousand five hundred and forty-five patients were included in the study. Eight point five percent(n = 131) had diabetes and no other cause for polyhydramnios. Eleven point two percent(173) had antenatally diagnosed anomalies. For all categories of AFI except the largest(> 40.9 cm) the most common cause of polyhydramnios was idiopathic. In patients with diabetes the AFI was most likely to be between 26 cm and 35.9 cm.CONCLUSION The rate of polyhydramnios in this study is 8.5%. Patients with diabetes most commonly have mild polyhydramnios between 26 and 35.9 cm of fluid on a four-quadrant AFI.

Effect of intraoperative cell rescue on bleeding related indexes after cesarean section

BACKGROUND Obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality globally,especially in China.The key to a successful rescue is immediate and rapid blood transfusion.Autotransfusion has become an integral part of clinical blood transfusion,with intraoperative cell salvage(IOCS)being the most widely used.AIM To investigate the application of IOCS in cesarean section.METHODS A total of 87 patients who underwent cesarean section and blood transfusion in our hospital from March 2015 to June 2020 were included in this prospective controlled study.They were divided into the observation(43 cases)and control(44 cases)groups using the random number table method.The patients in both groups underwent lower-segment cesarean section.The patients in the control group were treated with traditional allogeneic blood transfusion,whereas those in the observation group were treated with IOCS.Hemorheology[Red blood cell count,platelet volume,and fibrinogen(FIB)]and coagulation function(partial prothrombin time,prothrombin time(PT),platelet count,and activated coagulation time)were measured before and 24 h after transfusion.In the two groups,adverse reactions,such as choking and dyspnea,within 2 h after cesarean section were observed.RESULTS Before and after transfusion,no significant differences in hemorheology and coagulation function indices between the two groups were observed(P>0.05).About 24 h after transfusion,the erythrocyte count,platelet ratio,and FIB value significantly decreased in the two groups(P<0.05);the PLT value significantly decreased in the two groups;the activated partial thromboplastin time,PT,and activated clotting time significantly increased in the two groups(P<0.05);and no statistical differences were observed in hemorheology and coagulation function indices between the two groups(P>0.05).Furthermore,there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION In patients undergoing cesarean section,intraoperative cell salvage has a minimum effect on hemorheology and coagulation function and does not increase the risk of amniotic fluid embolism.