foetal development
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Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Monika Dawid ◽  
Ewa Mlyczyńska ◽  
Małgorzata Jurek ◽  
Natalia Respekta ◽  
Karolina Pich ◽  
...  

The apelinergic system, which includes the apelin receptor (APJ) as well as its two specific ligands, namely apelin and ELABELA (ELA/APELA/Toddler), have been the subject of many recent studies due to their pleiotropic effects in humans and other animals. Expression of these factors has been investigated in numerous tissues and organs—for example, the lungs, heart, uterus, and ovary. Moreover, a number of studies have been devoted to understanding the role of apelin and the entire apelinergic system in the most important processes in the body, starting from early stages of human life with regulation of placental function and the proper course of pregnancy. Disturbances in the balance of placental processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, or hormone secretion may lead to specific pregnancy pathologies; therefore, there is a great need to search for substances that would help in their early diagnosis or treatment. A number of studies have indicated that compounds of the apelinergic system could serve this purpose. Hence, in this review, we summarized the most important reports about the role of apelin and the entire apelinergic system in the regulation of placental physiology and pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Parth K. Thakkar ◽  
Mahesh Bhatt ◽  
Sheela Bharani Chawla ◽  
Hitesh Desai

Non-compaction of left ventricular (NCLV) is a rare cardiomyopathy of unknown origin characterized by prominent ventricular trabeculations and deep intertrabecular sinusoids, in communication with the left ventricular cavity. The NCLV results due to failure of compaction during foetal development. In this study, five children were diagnosed with NCLV out of 135 cases of cardiomyopathy and the youngest case was diagnosed at 27th day of life. Congestive cardiac failure presenting as tachycardia and tachypnea were common clinical manifestations. Early detection of NCLV helps patients to get timely treatment. NCLV should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis amongst cases of cardiomyopathy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Zhang ◽  
Zhenyang Liu ◽  
Linlin Mao ◽  
Jian Wu ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High resolution, strong contrast and multimodality visualization of live mammalian embryo is an important requirement for studying foetal development. Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are two advanced imaging modalities that has been utilized for embryonic imaging. However, high contrast, multiscale and deep tissue visualization of live embryos remains challenging. Results Here, we demonstrate the use of gold nanostars (GNS) as multimodality contrast agents for the visualization and differentiation of embryos in vivo using NIR-I PAT and NIR-II OCT. We perform NIR-I PAT imaging to confirm in vivo GNS accumulation in the foetuses, and then use a customized NIR-II OCT system to further reveal deep, contrast-enhanced micro features of freshly harvested embryos. We investigate two different GNS administration pathways, i.e. intravenous and intravaginal injection, and significant enhancement of signal, image contrast, and imaging depth are achieved for both PAT and OCT. Conclusions These findings prove that PAT-OCT bi-modal imaging with GNS enhancement provides more accurate structural characteristic of live mammalian embryos, and thus reveal its potential for embryonic development visualization and early abnormality examination. These findings prove that PAT-OCT bi-modal imaging with GNS enhancement provides more accurate structural characteristic of live mammalian embryos, and thus reveal its potential for embryonic development visualization and early abnormality examination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Bellofiore ◽  
Jarrod McKenna ◽  
Stacey Ellery ◽  
Peter Temple-Smith

Menstruation, the cyclical breakdown of the uterine lining, is arguably one of evolution's most mysterious reproductive strategies. The complexity and rarity of menstruation within the animal kingdom is undoubtedly a leading contributor to our current lack of understanding about menstrual function and disorders. In particular, the molecular and environmental mechanisms that drive menstrual and fertility dysregulation remain ambiguous, owing to the restricted opportunities to study menstruation and model menstrual disorders in species outside the primates. The recent discovery of naturally occurring menstruation in the Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) offers a new laboratory model with significant benefits for prospective research in women's health. This review summarises current knowledge of spiny mouse menstruation, with an emphasis on spiral artery formation, inflammation and endocrinology. We offer a new perspective on cycle variation in menstrual bleeding between individual animals, and propose that this is indicative of fertility success. We discuss how we can harness our knowledge of the unique physiology of the spiny mouse to better understand vascular remodelling and its implications for successful implantation, placentation, and foetal development. Our research suggests that the spiny mouse has the potential as a translational research model to bridge the gap between bench to bedside and provide improved reproductive health outcomes for women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 1224-1237
Author(s):  
Pia Römer ◽  
Amanda Goméz Putzer ◽  
Robin Kemmerich ◽  
Birgit Mathes

AbstractSince their market launch in 2007, e-cigarettes gained popularity and were considered a relatively safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. Pregnant women and women of childbearing age in particular are increasingly turning to e-cigarettes. Little is known about the effects of prenatal exposure on the affected foetus. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current research on the effects of prenatal e-cigarette exposure on the foetus. Since studies in humans are lacking to date, this review refers only to animal and in vitro analyses. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were used for an extensive literature search. The search yielded N = 17 significant research papers. Possible sequelae resulting from prenatal exposure to traditional cigarettes were also seen in prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes. Prenatal e-cigarette exposure was found to be associated with increased DNA methylation overall, resulting in lower gene expression. This could adversely impact the development of affected children, especially in case of those genes relevant to their development. In mice, for example, this greatly reduced the cell vitality of neural and stem cells and increased cell death. Further, prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes resulted in numerous developmental disorders, such as malformations of facial morphology and lower birth weight. Moreover, in animal models the animals suffered from a deterioration of their short-term memory. Activity and cognitive flexibility increased, while anxiety behaviour decreased. It is clear that more research and especially studies of humans are needed on this issue. In addition, there is a need for more intense education of prenatal care professionals as well as women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assunta Bianco ◽  
Matteo Lucchini ◽  
Rocco Totaro ◽  
Roberta Fantozzi ◽  
Giovanna De Luca ◽  
...  

AbstractRecent studies estimated an incidence of 4–25% of disease rebound after withdrawal of fingolimod (FTY) for any reason, but specific data on disease reactivation after FTY withdrawal due to pregnancy are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and predictors of disease reactivation in patients who stopped FTY for pregnancy. A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted in four Italian MS centres in 2013–2019. Both planned and unplanned pregnancies were included. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) was calculated before FTY treatment, during FTY treatment, during pregnancy and during the year after delivery. In total, 27 patients (mean age 29 years) were included. The ARR 1 year before FTY treatment was 1.3. Patients were exposed to FTY for a median of 2.9 years. The ARR was 0.04 during the last year before conception (p < 0.001 compared with the ARR before FTY treatment). Eleven patients became pregnant after a mean of 88 days following FTY discontinuation, whereas 16 patients stopped FTY after pregnancy confirmation. Relapses were observed in 22% of patients during pregnancy and in 44% in the postpartum period. ARR increased both during pregnancy (0.49; p = 0.027) and in the first year after delivery (0.67; p < 0.001) compared to the last year before pregnancy. Compared with radiological assessment before pregnancy, more patients showed new or enlarging T2 lesions (63% vs 30%; p = 0.02) and gadolinium-enhancing lesions (44% vs 0; p = 0.0001) on brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Relapses during pregnancy were the only significant predictor for postpartum relapses (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.11–3.1). One case of spontaneous abortion and no cases of abnormal foetal development were observed. Despite adequate and prolonged control of disease activity, women who discontinue FTY because of pregnancy are at risk for disease reactivation. In patients who relapsed during pregnancy, the initiation of high-efficacy disease modifying drugs (DMDs) soon after delivery is advisable to prevent postpartum relapses.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 863
Author(s):  
Navroop Johal ◽  
Kevin X. Cao ◽  
Boyu Xie ◽  
Michael Millar ◽  
Reena Davda ◽  
...  

Neurogenic lower urinary tract (NLUT) dysfunction in paediatric patients can arise after congenital or acquired conditions that affect bladder innervation. With some patients, urinary tract dysfunction remains and is more difficult to treat without understanding the pathophysiology. We measured in vitro detrusor smooth muscle function of samples from such bladders and any association with altered Wnt-signalling pathways that contribute to both foetal development and connective tissue deposition. A comparator group was tissue from children with normally functioning bladders. Nerve-mediated and agonist-induced contractile responses and passive stiffness were measured. Histology measured smooth muscle and connective tissue proportions, and multiplex immunohistochemistry recorded expression of protein targets associated with Wnt-signalling pathways. Detrusor from the NLUT group had reduced contractility and greater stiffness, associated with increased connective tissue content. Immunohistochemistry showed no major changes to Wnt-signalling components except down-regulation of c-Myc, a multifunctional regulator of gene transcription. NLUT is a diverse term for several diagnoses that disrupt bladder innervation. While we cannot speculate about the reasons for these pathophysiological changes, their recognition should guide research to understand their ultimate causes and develop strategies to attenuate and even reverse them. The role of changes to the Wnt-signalling pathways was minor.


2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Westrich ◽  
Erin E. McNulty ◽  
Marisa J. Edmonds ◽  
Amy V. Nalls ◽  
Megan R. Miller ◽  
...  

An infectious agent’s pathogenic and transmission potential is heavily influenced by early events during the asymptomatic or subclinical phase of disease. During this phase, the presence of infectious agent may be relatively low. An important example of this is Zika virus (ZIKV), which can cross the placenta and infect the foetus, even in mothers with subclinical infections. These subclinical infections represent roughly 80 % of all human infections. Initial ZIKV pathogenesis studies were performed in type I interferon receptor (IFNAR) knockout mice. Blunting the interferon response resulted in robust infectivity, and increased the utility of mice to model ZIKV infections. However, due to the removal of the interferon response, the use of these models impedes full characterization of immune responses to ZIKV-related pathologies. Moreover, IFNAR-deficient models represent severe disease whereas less is known regarding subclinical infections. Investigation of the anti-viral immune response elicited at the maternal-foetal interface is critical to fully understand mechanisms involved in foetal infection, foetal development, and disease processes recognized to occur during subclinical maternal infections. Thus, immunocompetent experimental models that recapitulate natural infections are needed. We have established subclinical intravaginal ZIKV infections in mice and guinea pigs. We found that these infections resulted in: the presence of both ZIKV RNA transcripts and infectious virus in maternal and placental tissues, establishment of foetal infections and ZIKV-mediated CXCL10 expression. These models will aid in discerning the mechanisms of subclinical ZIKV mother-to-offspring transmission, and by extension can be used to investigate other maternal infections that impact foetal development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 154-160
Author(s):  
Kannan Mani ◽  
Sheetal A. Agrawal ◽  
Ashish S. Agrawal

Ayurveda the science of medicine deals with the aim of Swastha Sharir. The Rachna Sharir is the ayurveda term which mainly deals with the anatomical and physiological compositions of body. Sushrut samhita is one of those Ayurvedic classic which deals with human anatomy and physiology. It gives precise description of Garbha vruddhi and vikas kram in detail. The knowledge of Sharir starts from Garbha. The understanding of Garbha helps to manage healthy progeny. According to Ayurveda, the union of shukra (spermatozoa), shonita (ovum) and Atma (soul) inside the uterus is known as garbha (embryo). The fertilization between Shukra and Shonita produces zygote which further develops into fetus. The Ritu, Kshetra and Ambu etc. plays vital role in the proper development of fetus.. Different components originating fromFive Elements takes part in the formation, development of the garbha. The whole process of development of the foetus from two cells to mature foetus is called Garbhavakranti. Itincludes the basis of the earliest embryology which was known to the human being. In Ayurvedic texts the process of chronological development of the foetus is explained clearly. The understanding of Garbha developmenthelps to acquire necessary conditions which required for the better management of pregnancy. Extensive study and discussion is essential to understand ancient concept of Garbha vikas kram. Review of Ayurvedic text along with modern text will help to obtain knowledge regarding this. This study is an attempt to elaborate and compare both ancient and modern concept of foetal development. Keywords: Shukra, Shonit, Garbha, Garbhavakranti, Garbha vikas kram.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Correia ◽  
Julia Scheel ◽  
Shailendra Gupta ◽  
Keqing Wang

Abstract The placenta is a highly vascularized and complex foetal organ that performs various tasks, crucial to a healthy pregnancy. Its dysfunction leads to complications such as stillbirth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. The specific cause of placental dysfunction remains unknown. Recently, the role of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial adaptations in the context of angiogenesis and placental dysfunction is getting more attention. The required energy for placental remodelling, nutrient transport, hormone synthesis, and the reactive oxygen species leads to oxidative stress, stemming from mitochondria. Mitochondria adapt to environmental changes and have been shown to adjust their oxygen and nutrient use to best support placental angiogenesis and foetal development. Angiogenesis is the process by which blood vessels form and is essential for the delivery of nutrients to the body. This process is regulated by different factors, pro-angiogenic factors and anti-angiogenic factors, such as sFlt-1. Increased circulating sFlt-1 levels have been linked to different preeclamptic phenotypes. One of many effects of increased sFlt-1 levels, is the dysregulation of mitochondrial function. This review covers mitochondrial adaptations during placentation, the importance of the anti-angiogenic factor sFlt-1in placental dysfunction and its role in the dysregulation of mitochondrial function.


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