scholarly journals Longitudinal study on steroid hormone variations during the second trimester of gestation: a useful tool to confirm adequate foetal development

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Alonso ◽  
Sara Caceres ◽  
Daniel Vélez ◽  
Luis Sanz ◽  
Gema Silvan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Foetal Development ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Estrone Sulphate

Abstract Background The interaction of hormonal factors are crucial for good foetal development. During the second trimester of gestation, most of the main physiological processes of foetal development occur. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the variations in the physiological levels of cortisol, estriol, estrone sulphate, and progesterone during the second trimester (weeks 12–26) in order to establish normal ranges that can serve as indicators of foetal well-being and good functioning of the foetal-placental unit. Methods Saliva samples from 106 pregnant women were collected weekly (from week 12 to week 26 of gestation), and hormonal measurements were assayed by an enzyme immunoassay. The technique used for hormone measurements was highly sensitive and served as a non-invasive method for sample collection. Results The results revealed a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference between cortisol, progesterone, and oestrogens throughout the second trimester, with a more substantial relationship between oestrogens and progesterone [P4-E3 (r=0.427); P4-E1SO4 (r=0.419)]. By analysing these hormone concentrations, statistically significant (p<0.05) elevations in progesterone, cortisol, and estriol levels were found at the 16th [(P4 (0.78±0.088), C(1.99±0.116), E3(2.513±0.114)]; 18th [(P4 (1.116±0.144), C(3.409±0.137), E3(3.043±0.123)] and 23rd week of gestation [(P4(1.36±0.153), C(1.936±0.11), E3(2.657±0.07)]. Estrone sulphate levels appeared to increase progressively throughout the second trimester [from 1.103±0.03 to 2.244±0.09]. Conclusion The 18th week of gestation seems to constitute a very important week during foetal adrenal development, and the analysis of the main hormones involved in foetal development, provided more precise information regarding the proper functioning of the foetal unit and foetal development.

Trends in Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability during Pregnancy and Three Months Postpartum: Continuous Monitoring in a Free-Living Context (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Sarhaddi ◽  
Iman Azimi ◽  
Anna Axelin ◽  
Hannakaisa Niela-Vilen ◽  
Pasi Liljeberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Third ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Frequency Power

BACKGROUND Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method reflecting autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulations. Altered HRV is associated with adverse mental or physical health complications. ANS also has a central role in physiological adaption during pregnancy causing normal changes in HRV. OBJECTIVE Assessing trends in heart rate (HR) and HRV parameters as a non-invasive method for remote maternal health monitoring during pregnancy and three months postpartum. METHODS Fifty-eight pregnant women were monitored using an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based remote monitoring system during pregnancy and 3-months postpartum. Pregnant women were asked to continuously wear Gear sport smartwatch to monitor their HR and HRV. In addition, a cross-platform mobile application was utilized for collecting pregnancy-related information. The trends of HR and HRV parameters were extracted using reliable data. We also analyzed the trends of normalized HRV parameters based on HR to remove the effect of HR changes on HRV trends. Finally, we exploited hierarchical linear mixed models to analyze the trends of HR, HRV, and normalized HRV parameters. RESULTS HR increased significantly during the second trimester (P<.001) and decreased significantly during the third trimester (P<.01). Time-domain HRV parameters, average normal interbeat intervals (AVNN), standard deviation of normal interbeat intervals (SDNN), root mean square of the successive difference of normal interbeat intervals (RMSSD), normalized SDNN (nSDNN), and normalized RMSSD (nRMSSD) decreased significantly during the second trimester (P<.001) then increased significantly during the third trimester (P<.01). Some of the frequency domain parameters, low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and normalized HF (nHF) decreased significantly during the second trimester (P<.01), and HF increased significantly during the third trimester (P<.01). In the postpartum period, nRMSSD decreased (P<.05), and the LF to HF ratio (LF/HF) increased significantly (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that HR increased and HRV parameters decreased as the pregnancy proceeded, and the values returned to normal after the delivery. Moreover, our results show that HR started to decrease while time-domain HRV parameters and HF started to increase during the third trimester. Our results also demonstrate the possibility of continuous HRV monitoring in everyday life settings.

scholarly journals Novel Diagnostic Markers for Endometriosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Żaneta Kimber-Trojnar ◽  
Aleksandra Pilszyk ◽  
Magdalena Niebrzydowska ◽  
Zuzanna Pilszyk ◽  
Monika Ruszała ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Diagnostic Markers ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Ca 125 ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Cancer Antigen 125 ◽  
Immune Markers ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Speed Up

Endometriosis is a disease that affects women of reproductive age and has a significant impact on their well-being. The main symptoms are dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The diagnostic process in many cases is very long and can take up to 8-12 years. Laparoscopy, which is an invasive method, is still necessary to confirm final identification. Therefore, the development of diagnostic markers seems to be crucial for the diagnosis and proper treatment of women affected by endometriosis as soon as possible. Still the most frequently studied and used marker is Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125). Other glycoproteins, growth factors and immune markers seem to play an important role. However, the search for the ideal endometriosis marker is still ongoing. Developing researches on endometriosis pathogenesis help to identify potential biomarkers or sets of biomarkers in order to improve and speed up the diagnostic process in a non-invasive way.

scholarly journals Ultrasound - first imaging modality in the detection of parathyroid adenomas

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ahmed ◽  
N Khan ◽  
S Ellemdin ◽  
K Gayaparsad
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Parathyroid Adenomas ◽  
Thyroid Adenomas ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Ultrasound Features

Abstract We present a series of 12 patients in whom the typical ultrasound features of parathyroid adenomas were accurately demonstrated. High resolution ultrasound [in experienced hands] is a highly sensitive accurate, safe and non invasive method of localizing parathyroid adenomas especially in patients with typically located glands and an absence of thyroid pathology. Our aim was to compare ultrasound with nuclear medicine as an imaging gold standard in patients with thyroid adenomas.

Values of T/QRS ratio in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Value Differences ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Ratio Variables

AbstractAims:To evaluate values of T/QRS ratio in normal pregnancies and those complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) using non-invasive method with transabdominal electrodes. Assessment of fetal well-being in IUGR pregnancies.Methods:Fetal electrocardiograms were recorded and analyzed by KOMPOREL software from ITAM (Zabrze, Poland) and T/QRS ratios were automatically calculated. Doppler velocimetry of the middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery was carried out. The study group consisted of IUGR pregnancies with normal cerebroplacental ratios (CPRs) (n=110), IUGR pregnancies with decreased CPRs (n=29), and healthy controls (n=549). Analyses were performed between the study groups and by gestational age. T/QRS ratio variables and CPRs were calculated. Analysis of variance and linear regression were performed.Results:Maximum values, maximum minimal value differences, and standard deviations of T/QRS ratio were significantly different between the IUGR group with reduced CPRs and normal CPRs (P=0.0009, P=0.0000, P=0.0034, respectively) as well as between the IUGR group with reduced CPRs and healthy controls (P=0.0000, P=0.0001, P=0.0009, respectively). Mean maximum values in the IUGR group with reduced CPRs exceeded normal values.Conclusions:T/QRS ratio may be useful in assessing fetal well-being in IUGR pregnancies; however, future studies are needed to determine typical ranges of T/QRS ratio in pregnancies complicated by IUGR.

scholarly journals Examination the stresseffect of litter’s let-together system (“kindergarten”) by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites of sows and piglets

2016 ◽  
pp. 87-90
Author(s):  
Zsolt Győri ◽  
Margit Kulcsár ◽  
Péter Balogh ◽  
László Huzsvai ◽  
Gabriella Novotniné Dankó
Keyword(s):  
Stress Effect ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Pig Husbandry ◽  
Cortisol Metabolites

Piglets in commercial intensive pig husbandry are often abruptly weaned between 3 and 4 weeks for economic reasons. The process of weaning is a multifactorial stressor, in which nutritional, social, physical and psychologic stressors are combined. Piglets are often exposed to unfamiliar piglets around weaning which results in a period of vigorous fighting. Stress plays an important part in welfare research. Traditionally glucocorticoids are measured in blood samples but their use is often limited as the act of sample collection may stress an animal. Measurement of faecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites is a non-invasive method for evaluation adrenocortical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of litter’s let-together system (“kindergarten”) in the farrowing house by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites. According to our results the “kindergarten” system has no stress effect on sows and piglets, respectively.

scholarly journals An observational study of salivary C-reactive protein as a potential novel non-invasive biomarker of neonatal sepsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Induparkavi Murugesan ◽  
Sanjeev B. Rai
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Suspected Sepsis ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Potential Clinical Utility ◽  
Serum Crp ◽  
Rule Out

Objectives: Serial C-reactive protein (CRP) monitoring helps to rule out and prognosticate sepsis. Small blood volumes in neonates make it difficult for repeated blood draws for serial CRP monitoring. Hence, the need of the hour is a non-invasive method such as CRP estimation in saliva. This study aims to correlate salivary CRP with serum CRP levels and establish the potential clinical utility of salivary CRP in diagnosing neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three consecutive neonates diagnosed with clinically suspected sepsis and admitted to the NICU were the study subjects. Demographics such as gestational age and weight at birth, sex and detailed clinical features, and comorbidities were noted. Blood samples for CRP estimation and blood culture were collected as soon as clinical suspicion of sepsis arose. Saliva samples were collected for CRP estimation within 1 h of blood sample collection. The saliva was collected in a 2 mL syringe using low suction. Salivary and serum CRP were estimated by the particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: In our study, the CRP levels in saliva correlated moderately well with CRP levels in serum (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.582, P = 0.004). The sensitivity and specificity of salivary CRP to predict a serum level of ≥10 mg/L were observed to be 0.75 and 0.93, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows the promise of salivary CRP as a potential clinically meaningful biomarker of neonatal sepsis and warrants the need for larger studies to validate the utility of salivary CRP to serially monitor neonatal sepsis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Modified Bit Device to Obtain Saliva Samples from Horses

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Aviva Vincent ◽  
Robin Marie Peth-Pierce ◽  
Meghan A. Morrissey ◽  
Mary C. Acri ◽  
Fei Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Methodological Rigor ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Saliva Collection ◽  
Stress Signals ◽  
Equine Assisted

(1) Background: Accounting for the well-being of equine partners is a responsibility of those engaged in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS). Researchers took heed of this call to action by developing an innovative way to collect data to assess the physiological indicators of stress in equine participants. The collection of saliva is considered to be a minimally invasive method of data collection and is typically performed using a cotton swab; however, in equines, the introduction of a foreign object may induce stress; (2) Methods: Researchers used a modified bit to collect pooled saliva in an effort to further reduce stress during the saliva collection process. Additionally, the collection of pooled saliva, via the bit, increases the opportunity to consider additional analyses, such as oxytocin, which is more reliable in pooled saliva than site-specific saliva captured with a swab; (3) Results: A data analysis demonstrated that ample saliva was captured using the modified bit. Observational data supported that the horses demonstrated fewer physical stress signals to the bit than to the swab. Thus, the modified bit is a feasible and valid method for equine salivary sample collection; (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that the modified bit provides a viable method to collect equine saliva and supports national calls to prioritize animal welfare analysis, specifically for horses used within EAS. Future research should enhance methodological rigor, including in the process and timing, thereby contributing to the bit’s validation.

scholarly journals The Effect of Geometric Sound on Physical Matter, Brain Waves and Well Being and its Application for Advanced Medicine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rona Geffen ◽  
Christoph Braun
Keyword(s):  
Head Injuries ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Geometrical Structures ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Brain Waves ◽  
Spatial Sound ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
And Control ◽  
Emotional Effects ◽  
Sound Technology

This study introduces Geometric Sound as an emerging subfield of Spatial Sound and proposes a new and non-invasive method for the treatment of various illnesses of both physical and psychological characteristics, with emphasis on stress related conditions and neurological impairments. The approach relies on presenting auditory stimuli that are mathematically defined geometric structures propagated in space, using advanced spatial sound technology. This study examined the effects of Geometric Sound on physical matter by cymatic emergence, providing insights on projection of Geometric Sound through Faraday waves. With these insights in mind the effects of Geometric Sound on brain waves was studied, considering the brain as physical matter for wave propagation. Finally, we analyzed the related effects on emotional well being by behavioural analysis. The study is inspired by vibrational medicine, focusing on sound frequencies produced by tuning forks and propagated in mathematically defined 3D geometrical structures of spatial sound using 4DSOUND technology. A novel finding of this study shows that Geometric Sound affects matter and that the same sound frequencies played in different geometric shapes and measured under identical conditions produce correlating cymatic images to the geometric shape they were projected in. In terms of the effect on brain waves, Geometric Sound was found to affect both power amplitude, connectivity patterns and topology of brain waves, as compared to base condition and control. Results of the emotional effects show that Geometric Sound has a positive effect on well being, reduces stress and improves sense of relaxation according to behavioral response and as measured by heart rate and blood pressure of participants. Therefore, Geometric Sound may be used as a tool for treatment of various illnesses and disabilities such as depression, anxiety, stress related disabilities and dysfunctionalities, and impairments related to head injuries and trauma.

scholarly journals UNA METODOLOGÍA NO INVASIVA PARA LA EXTRACCIÓN DE ADN DE CORYPHAENA HIPPURUS

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Rafaela Caetano Nunes Pazdiora ◽  
John Josephraj Selvaraj ◽  
Diego Fernando Marmolejo ◽  
Jaime Eduardo Muñoz ◽  
Ángela Inés Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Animal Tissue ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Coryphaena Hippurus ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Tissue Material

A protocol for DNA extraction and effect of the type of tissue material for obtaining DNA from dolphinfih in high quantity and quality for molecular studies was evaluated. The DNA of 25 individuals was extracted from the digestion of the muscle and the dorsal fi, with proteinase K, and the extraction kit for blood and animal tissue. DNA were obtained in all the samples; however, dorsal fis samples showed signifiantly higher amount of DNA than muscle samples. The defiition of an appropriate methodology of DNA extraction can contribute to studies of genetic structure of the species. DNA extraction from dolphinfih dorsal fis, non-invasive method, is an alternative that is environmentally, socially, and commercially viable, where sample collection does not require the sacrifie of the animal and do not alter its economic value.

Malfunctional Reorganization in the Developing Limbo-Prefrontal System in Animals: Implications for Human Psychoses?

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt ◽  
Ralf R. Dawirs
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Activity Dependent

Abstract: Neuroplasticity research in connection with mental disorders has recently bridged the gap between basic neurobiology and applied neuropsychology. A non-invasive method in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculus) - the restricted versus enriched breading and the systemically applied single methamphetamine dose - offers an experimental approach to investigate psychoses. Acts of intervening affirm an activity dependent malfunctional reorganization in the prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and reveal the dopamine position as being critical for the disruption of interactions between the areas concerned. From the extent of plasticity effects the probability and risk of psycho-cognitive development may be derived. Advance may be expected from insights into regulatory mechanisms of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus which is obviously to meet the necessary requirements to promote psycho-cognitive functions/malfunctions via the limbo-prefrontal circuit.

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