Ultrastructural changes of the placenta in cases of preeclampsia

The placenta plays vital roles during fetal development and growth. The ultrastructure of the placenta together with remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries are very important to maintain the utero-placental blood flow. Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial disorder with abnormal placentation affecting the mother and fetus. The aim of this study was to study the ultrastructural abnormalities of the placenta in cases of PE. The placentas of 10 PE women and 10 controls were studied. Women of PE group were delivered by caesarian section while seven control women were delivered vaginally, and three by caesarian section. Placental samples were studied both morphologically and histologically by light and transmission electron microscopy. Light microscopic study of control placentas showed numerous microvilli, few syncytial knots, thin-walled blood vessels. PE placentas showed reduced number of microvilli with numerous syncytial knots, thick-walled vessels, edematous spaces, fibrotic areas and fibrinoid degeneration. Electron microscopic study of the control placentas showed a thick layer of syncytiotrophoblast (Sy), numerous microvilli and a thin layer of cytotrophoblast (Cy). PE placenta showed hypertrophy of Cy with atrophy of Sy and scarce microvilli. The trophoblast showed edematous vacuoles and glycogen storage areas. The villous core had congested capillaries, edematous spaces, glycogen storage areas and widespread areas of fibrosis. All the changes in PE placentas were attributed to hypoxia and oxidative stress and reduced utero-placental flow due to abnormal remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries that was aggravated by the thick placental barrier and the presence of edema, fibrosis and glycogen storage areas.

Ocular drug delivery system (ODDS): Exploration the challenges and approaches to improve ODDS

The remarkable life structures and physiology of the eye presents huge difficulties to researchers in the field of visual medication conveyance frameworks. Nearby infusion is the most fitting and proper medication organization technique for the treatment of foremost front sickness. There are two kinds of hindrances in ophthalmic medication conveyance frameworks: static boundaries and dynamic obstructions. Static lamellae contain corneal, dermal, retinal, and retinal vessels while dynamic lamellae contain placental blood stream, conjunctiva, tear evacuation, and lymphatic seepage. These limitations influence the bioavailability of the medication. This article examines the limits of customary ophthalmic practice and the central point affecting the pharmacokinetics of the eye. Likewise, eye salves, gels, prodrugs, intranasal infusions, thickeners, entrance energizers, liposomes, microparticles, nanoparticles, visual infusions, inserts, nanoparticles, nanostructures, microemulsions, gels and periocular infusions. It guarantees the bioavailability of the medication and the controlled and constant control of the medication in the foremost and back alveoli.

A Diagnostic Survey of Aborted Equine Fetuses and Stillborn Premature Foals in Denmark

Background: Loss of pregnancy in mares can have many different causes, including both infectious and non-infectious conditions. Extrapolation of findings from other studies is often uncertain as the significance of each cause varies across regions. Causes of pregnancy loss in mares have never been thoroughly studied in Denmark, so a prospective cross-sectional cohort study targeting the entire Danish population of pregnant mares was performed over a period of 13 months to obtain knowledge of the significance of individual causes. Fifty aborted or prematurely delivered stillborn fetuses were submitted for necropsy and examined by a panel of diagnostic laboratory methods.Results: Overall, a cause of fetal loss was established for 72% of the examined cases. Most cases (62%) were lost due to a non-infectious cause, of which obstruction of the feto-placental blood circulation due to severe torsion of the umbilical cord was most prevalent. Pregnancy loss due to a variety of opportunistic bacteria, including bacteria not previously associated with abortion in mares, accounted for 12%, while equid alphaherpesvirus (EHV) type 1 was the cause of pregnancy loss in 8% of the cases. EHV type 4 and Chlamydiaceae species were identified in some cases, but not regarded as the cause of fetal loss.Conclusion: Umbilical cord torsion was found to be the most prevalent cause of fetal loss in Danish mares, while infectious causes such as EHV type 1 and streptococci only accounted for a minor proportion of the losses. The study highlights the need for defined criteria for establishing an abortion diagnosis in mares, particularly in relation to EHV types 1 and 4.

A study of placental blood drainage in third stage of labour to prevent postpartum haemorrhage: a randomized controlled study

Background: PPH is most common cause of maternal mortality accounting for 25-30% incidence and third stage of labour plays most crucial role in preventing postpartum haemorrhage.Methods: A prospective randomized control study in which 100 low risk pregnant women, admitted to labour ward with term gestation were evaluated. They were divided into 2 groups- control group (controlled cord traction) and study group (placental cord blood drainage), 50 pregnant women in each group. Duration of third stage and Amount of blood loss in third stage were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups.Results: Mean duration of third stage of labour in study group was 3.96±1.36 minutes and in control group was 6.00±2.12 minutes. The mean amount of blood loss in third stage of labour in study group was 99.80±56.47 ml in control group was 171.760±96.94 ml. Drop in haemoglobin level after delivery in control group was almost double than study group.Conclusions: Placental cord blood drainage in the management of third stage is non-invasive, easy, safe method which can be used in active management of third stage of labour as it has minimal interference in natural mechanism of placental separation. Placental cord blood drainage should be encouraged for management of third stage of labour universally to all pregnant women specifically in low resource setting areas.

Myeloperoxidase and Other Markers of Neutrophil Activation Associate With Malaria and Malaria/HIV Coinfection in the Human Placenta

IntroductionPlacental malaria (PM) is characterized by accumulation of inflammatory leukocytes in the placenta, leading to poor pregnancy outcomes. Understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains incomplete. Neutrophils respond to malaria parasites by phagocytosis, generation of oxidants, and externalization of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). NETs drive inflammation in malaria but evidence of NETosis in PM has not been reported. Neutrophil activity in the placenta has not been directly investigated in the context of PM and PM/HIV-co-infection.MethodsUsing peripheral and placental plasma samples and placental tissue collected from Kenyan women at risk for malaria and HIV infections, we assessed granulocyte levels across all gravidities and markers of neutrophil activation, including NET formation, in primi- and secundigravid women, by ELISA, western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.ResultsReduced peripheral blood granulocyte numbers are observed with PM and PM/HIV co-infection in association with increasing parasite density and placental leukocyte hemozoin accumulation. In contrast, placental granulocyte levels are unchanged across infection groups, resulting in enhanced placental: peripheral count ratios with PM. Within individuals, PM- women have reduced granulocyte counts in placental relative to peripheral blood; in contrast, PM stabilizes these relative counts, with HIV coinfection tending to elevate placental counts relative to the periphery. In placental blood, indicators of neutrophil activation, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PRTN3), are significantly elevated with PM and, more profoundly, with PM/HIV co-infection, in association with placental parasite density and hemozoin-bearing leukocyte accumulation. Another neutrophil marker, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9), together with MPO and PRTN3, is elevated with self-reported fever. None of these factors, including the neutrophil chemoattractant, CXCL8, differs in relation to infant birth weight or gestational age. CXCL8 and MPO levels in the peripheral blood do not differ with infection status nor associate with birth outcomes. Indicators of NETosis in the placental plasma do not vary with infection, and while structures consistent with NETs are observed in placental tissue, the results do not support an association with PM.ConclusionsGranulocyte levels are differentially regulated in the peripheral and placental blood in the presence and absence of PM. PM, both with and without pre-existing HIV infection, enhances neutrophil activation in the placenta. The impact of local neutrophil activation on placental function and maternal and fetal health remains unclear. Additional investigations exploring how neutrophil activation and NETosis participate in the pathogenesis of malaria in pregnant women are needed.

Norepinephrine versus Ephedrine Boluses To Treat Spinal-Induced Hypotension in Cesarean Deliveries

Corresponding Background Cesarean sections normally require an anesthetic block at T4 level, so hypotension is reported to occur in up to 80% of spinal anesthesia cases. When maternal hypotension associated with spinal anesthesia for cesarean section is severe and sustained, it can lead to serious maternal complications as well as impairment of the uterine and placental blood flow with consecutive fetal hypoxia, acidosis, and neurological injury. Aim of the Work to compare the administration of intermittent i.v. boluses of norepinephrine and ephedrine to counterbalance the hypotensive effect of spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery. The results of the study showed that compared with ephedrine, norepinephrine maintained maternal blood pressure and uterine artery blood flow. Further, it was associated with lower numbers of hypotension and hypertension episodes and less frequency of bradycardia and tachycardia during cesarean delivery. Furthermore, the numbers of boluses of vasopressors used during spinal anesthesia were lower in norepinephrine compared with the use of ephedrine. Conclusion Norepinephrine can be used as an alternative vasopressor to maintain maternal blood pressure during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery, with no adverse effect on neonatal outcome.

Comparison of prenatal functional markers of retardation of fetal growth and delayed fetal development with expression of vascular growth factors in the placenta

AIM: The study aimed to investigate and compare Doppler metric indicators in the main arteries of the functional system of the mother, placenta, and fetus as well as the parameters of the activityrest cycle in fetuses with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and placenta growth factor (PlGF) in the presence of physiological pregnancy and placental insufficiency to analyze morphofunctional parallels between these indicators in the third trimester of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine women on the 3435 weeks of pregnancy (period of physiological maturity of the activityrest cycle in the fetus) were screened. The main group consisted of 19 patients. The inclusion criteria were as follows: single-fetal pregnancy, fetometric indicators below the 10th percentile, and presence of blood flow disorders in the main vessels of the motherplacentafetus functional system. The comparison group included 10 relatively healthy women. The criteria for inclusion in the comparison group were as follows: single-fetal physiological pregnancy, fetometric indicators above the 10th percentile, and absence of Doppler disorders of placental blood flow. Fetometry and Doppler studies of the placental blood flow in the main arteries of the functional system of the mother, placenta, fetus were performed using the Voluson 730 Expert ultrasound device (GE, USA). The activityrest cycle in the fetus was evaluated using Sonicaid Team Care fetal monitor (Oxford, UK). Placental tissue was taken from the central placental area for immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF and PlGF expression with primary monoclonal antibodies of the main women group and comparison group after childbirth (1:100, Abcam, UK). RESULTS: A direct correlation between the expression of VEGF in the central zone of the placenta and index resistance (IR), ripple index (RI) in the uterine arteries, as well as the cerebroplacental relationship CPR (r1=0.487; p1=0.035; r2=0.487; p2=0.035; r3=0.578; p3=0.030, respectively) in women of the main group was found. A direct correlation was established between the expression of VEGF in the central zone of the placenta and IR in the umbilical artery (r=0.49; p=0.033) in patients of the main group. The analysis of the restactivity cycle in fetuses of women of the main group showed that at 3435 weeks 73% of them do not form it: the behavior of fetuses is represented only by the activated state. An inverse relationship was found between VEGF expression and the motor-cardiac reflex amplitude (r=0.866; p=0.05) as well as the heart rate oscillation amplitude (r=0.866; p=0.05) in fetuses of women of the main group. CONCLUSIONS: The identified morphofunctional parallels will allow to develop non-invasive pathogenetic prognostic models for prenatal diagnosis of fetal development delay with different degrees of growth restriction.