Maternal serum concentration of angiogenic factors: PIGF, VEGF and VEGFR-1 and placental volume in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction

INTRODUCTION: Pathomechanism of intrauterine growth restriction is a complex issue, involving many different factors, and is still undergoing an investigation. Improper placental angiogenesis, resulting in placental pathology, is considered to be one of the most important causes of IUGR. Placental vascular growth factors--placental growth factor (PIGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR-1), are involved in the mechanism of placental vascular development and maternal endothelial function during the pregnancy. AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate the maternal serum concentration of vascular growth factors (PIGF, VEGF) and their receptor (VEGFR-1), as well as the placental volume in pregnancies complicated by IUGR, and to compare the results with healthy control groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients with intrauterine growth restriction and 18 healthy pregnant women were recruited. Their blood serum samples were assayed for the placental growth factor (PIGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their receptor (VEGFR-1). These placental factors were measured with the ELISA- method (R@D Systems Kits. In all cases the placental volume was assessed with an ultrasound (Voluson V730 GE) with VOCAL (Virtual Organ Komputer-aided AnaLysis). RESULTS: Our investigation revealed significantly lower maternal serum concentrations of PIGF in pregnancies with IUGR, comparing to the controls in the third trimester. In most cases, VEGF concentrations were undetectable in the maternal serum both, in the second as well as in the third trimester. In the 2nd trimester VEGFR-1 concentrations were statistically higher in the investigated group. In the 3rd trimester the concentrations of VEGFR-1 were higher in the investigated group, but the difference has not achieved the level of statistical importance. The mean placental volume was lower in the investigated group but with not statistical gnificance. CONCLUSIONS: Presented and documented dependencies may indicate the involvement of angiogenic factors in a pathomechanism of intrauterine growth restriction process. It seems that the measurement of placental volume may be useful in IUGR diagnosis. However, it should be a complementary examination only, due to technical limitations.     

The role and place of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) in treatment of infertility

The assisted reproductive technics (ART) compose the very valuable tool in the infertility treatment additionally to pharmacological and surgical methods. ART comparises the classical in vitro fertilization and embryotransfer (IVF/ET) intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) intrauterine insemination (IUI), microepididymal sperm spiration (MESA), and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA). Male infertility, tubal factor, ovarian factor, endometriosis or an unexplained infertility constitute pathologies where ART can be applied as the methods of choice or as the methods of the last chance. The efficacy of ART is closely related to the age of the female partner. Hence, taking a decision of the inappropriate treatment of the infertility and prolongation of such treatment for years is the "Theft" of the reproductive time of women and a diminution or even deprivation of the chance for pregnancy. The role and the appropriate time of the ART application in different infertility causes are described.     

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE ETIOLOGICAL R?LE OF VIBRIO FETUS

The data bearing on these three cases are quite sufficient to rule out Bacillus abortus as the agent. Not only the cultures and guinea pig tests of fetal tissues and contents of the digestive tract, but also the agglutination and guinea pig tests of the milk, were negative. The same is true of the agglutination tests of the blood serum. Only in one case was the placenta obtained in part. The stained films and the sections from various regions showed no abortion bacilli. Guinea pig tests of placental tissue were negative for Bacillus abortus. On the other hand) minute organisms resembling vibrios were detected in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells within capillaries in the edematous subchorionic tissue. Subsequently the agglutination titer of the blood serum of one of these cases rose to a level indicating infection with Bacillus abortus during the second pregnancy. The peculiar distribution of abortions due to Vibrio fetus among older cows and heifers in this herd, resulting at first in cases among older cows and latterly passing to young stock, may be explained by certain occurrences in the herd itself. It may be assumed that the infection was originally brought in by purchased cows. The young stock is kept segregated from these in a special barn, and when 6 months old it is pastured on outlying farms until returned in an advanced stage of pregnancy. The heifers during the first pregnancy were thus kept away from vibrio carriers until after the first calf was born. In June and July, 1919, 55 older cows, purchased and native, were placed on the young stock pasture. The three cases of abortion in heifers due to Vibrio fetus occurred October 24, November 9, and December 2, 1919. The age and condition of the fetuses accord very well with the assumption that Vibrio fetus was introduced among the young stock in June or July of the same year. The information gathered thus far concerning vibrionic abortion in this herd enables us to formulate a tentative hypothesis subject to modification with increasing knowledge of this type of infectious abortion. The infectious agent was probably introduced by purchased cows in 1917 or earlier. It gained a certain headway up to 1919, then the number of cases declined so that between May, 1919, and May, 1920, only the above three cases in heifers, and one case of mixed infection with Bacillus abortus in an older cow, were detected. During the same period cases due to Bacillus abortus continued undiminished. The greater resistance of Bacillus abortus manifested in cultures as compared with Vibrio fetus is thus reflected in its behavior in nature. The temporary dying out of the infection indicates that natural immunization of a herd to Vibrio fetus proceeds quite rapidly. Another outbreak may be expected when the immunity of the herd has declined in the absence of the infecting agent and the latter is reintroduced from without, or it may reappear at any time when a vibrio of higher virulence is brought in.     

High Prevalence of Physical Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Malnourished Older Adults–A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Malnutrition and frailty are two geriatric syndromes that significantly affect independent living and health in community-dwelling older adults. Although the pathophysiology of malnutrition and physical frailty share common pathways, it is unknown to what extent these syndromes overlap and how they relate to each other.

Grating-based X-ray phase contrast for biomedical imaging applications

In this review article we describe the development of grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging, with particular emphasis on potential biomedical applications of the technology. We review the basics of image formation in grating-based phase-contrast and dark-field radiography and present some exemplary multimodal radiography results obtained with laboratory X-ray sources. Furthermore, we discuss the theoretical concepts to extend grating-based multimodal radiography to quantitative transmission, phase-contrast, and dark-field scattering computed tomography.     

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in meristematic cells of the root of Vicia faba

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an organic solvent with several biological applications. It is extensively used to dissolve compounds that hardly dissolve in water to detect their genotoxic activity in vitro. In this study DMSO will be tested to determine its genotoxic potential. The effect of DMSO on the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in anaphase as well as DNA fragmentation through the comet assay has been evaluated in the meristematic cells of the root tips of Vicia faba. It has been observed that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations increases when the concentration of DMSO increases, reaching its maximum value with 20% of DMSO and decreasing at 30 and 40% of DMSO, in comparison to this maximum value, but significantly higher than the values observed in the control. Similarly, the percentage of fragmentation and damage index evaluated through the comet assay showed the same behavior; some of the possible mechanisms of action are discussed.     

Acidified seawater impacts sea urchin larvae pH regulatory systems relevant for calcification

Calcifying echinoid larvae respond to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry with reduced growth and developmental delay. To date, no information exists on how ocean acidification acts on pH homeostasis in echinoderm larvae. Understanding acid–base regulatory capacities is important because intracellular formation and maintenance of the calcium carbonate skeleton is dependent on pH homeostasis. Using H⁺-selective microelectrodes and the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF, we conducted in vivo measurements of extracellular and intracellular pH (pH_e and pH_i) in echinoderm larvae. We exposed pluteus larvae to a range of seawater CO₂ conditions and demonstrated that the extracellular compartment surrounding the calcifying primary mesenchyme cells (PMCs) conforms to the surrounding seawater with respect to pH during exposure to elevated seawater pCO₂. Using FITC dextran conjugates, we demonstrate that sea urchin larvae have a leaky integument. PMCs and spicules are therefore directly exposed to strong changes in pH_e whenever seawater pH changes. However, measurements of pH_i demonstrated that PMCs are able to fully compensate an induced intracellular acidosis. This was highly dependent on Na⁺ and HCO₃⁻, suggesting a bicarbonate buffer mechanism involving secondary active Na⁺-dependent membrane transport proteins. We suggest that, under ocean acidification, maintained pH_i enables calcification to proceed despite decreased pH_e. However, this probably causes enhanced costs. Increased costs for calcification or cellular homeostasis can be one of the main factors leading to modifications in energy partitioning, which then impacts growth and, ultimately, results in increased mortality of echinoid larvae during the pelagic life stage.     

Mndical Mnemonics

In all cases of obstructive lung disease, smoking cessation, proper use of metered-dose inhalers, up-to-date immunizations, adequate nutrition, and general physical conditioning are important components of treatment. Dr Jacobs summarizes these components as well as stepwise pharmacologic approaches to controlling the inflammation of asthma, the bronchospasm of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and the symptoms of secondary or coexisting conditions.