Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Annamaria Schaffer, Judit Hajagos-Toth, Eszter Ducza, Nikolett Bodi, Maria Bagyanszki, Zita Szalai, Robert Gaspar
Summary: The study investigated the effects of the KISS1 94-121 fragment on rat uterine contractility during pregnancy, and found that the expression of Kiss1r decreases towards the end of gestation. The majority of Kiss1r is located in the myometrium, and the relaxation effect of kisspeptin decreases towards the end of gestation in parallel with Kiss1r expression reduction. These findings suggest a potential role of kisspeptin in maintaining uterine quiescence with implications in miscarriage or preterm contractions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Wrona, Veronika Aleksandrovych, Tomasz Bereza, Pawel Basta, Anna Gil, Magdalena Ulatowska-Bialas, Malgorzata Mazur-Laskowska, Kazimierz Pitynski, Krzysztof Gil
Summary: Oxygen balance is crucial for reproductive function, and there is a relationship between the oviduct and uterine myoma. Patients with uterine myoma have different expressions of sex steroid receptors and an increased number of telocytes. Blood biochemical analyses reveal a higher progesterone level and lower AMH in patients with uterine myoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiang-Qun Hu, Rui Song, Chiranjib Dasgupta, Arlin B. Blood, Lubo Zhang
Summary: Hypoxia during pregnancy impairs uterine vascular adaptation through the miR-210-TET2-mtROS pathway, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and increased generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). TET2, a regulator of inflammation and oxidative stress, is downregulated in uterine arteries under gestational hypoxia and is targeted by miR-210. Knockdown of TET2 inhibits STOCs, increases mtROS, and elevates myogenic tone, while overexpression of TET2 reverses the effects of hypoxia and miR-210-induced mtROS.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tsung-Teng Huang, Chuan-Mu Chen, Song-Shu Lin, Ying-Wei Lan, Hsu-Chen Cheng, Kong-Bung Choo, Ching-Chiung Wang, Tse-Hung Huang, Kowit-Yu Chong
Summary: In this study, the anti-angiogenic activity of E7050 was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, and its mechanism of action was elucidated. E7050 was found to significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as the neovessel formation in chick embryos. The underlying molecular mechanism involved the suppression of VEGFR2 phosphorylation and its downstream signaling pathway components. Moreover, E7050 showed efficacy in attenuating tumor growth and inhibiting angiogenesis in a xenograft model of multidrug-resistant uterine sarcoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Xiang-Qun Hu, Chiranjib Dasgupta, Rui Song, Monica Romero, Sean M. Wilson, Lubo Zhang
Summary: Pregnancy-induced hypoxia significantly increases circulating levels of miR-210 in both ewes and their fetuses. The study revealed that miR-210 directly targets and downregulates specific proteins in uterine arteries, leading to significant decreases in Ca2+ sparks and STOCs. This mechanistic link sheds light on pregnancy complications associated with hypoxia and potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Min Long, Yan Cui, Xin Pang, Biao Wang, Junfeng He, Qian Zhang, Sijiu Yu, Xuefeng Bai
Summary: This study investigated the structural features of arterial blood vessels in yak uterine caruncle and the effects of vascular regulation-related factors on angiogenesis in pregnant and non-pregnant yak uterus. The findings showed that the length and number of blood vessels in the caruncle increased during pregnancy, while the degree of curvature decreased. VEGF and Ang-1 were strongly expressed in the mucosal epithelial cytoplasm. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF and Ang-1 were highest in pregnancy, followed by the luteal phase and the follicular phase.
REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Maurizio Bruno, Rosa Serio
Summary: Evidence suggests that Prangoil and its components, 8-ocimene and carvacrol, can reduce spontaneous and KCl or oxytocin-induced contractions of rat myometrium by modulating calcium ion channels and intracellular calcium release. Further studies could contribute to evaluating the potential use of Prangoil in the treatment of uterine contractility disorders.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Juliana Yumi Ishisaki, Hitomi Kato, Xixi Zhang, Yoshiki Kuwatsuru, Hideaki Miyazaki, Shuji Sato, Ryohei Kuwatsuru
Summary: This study found that NCE-MRA performed at 3 T can better visualize uterine arteries compared to 1.5 T before uterine artery embolization, but there was no significant difference in the detection of enlarged ovarian arteries between the two field strengths.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Oluwatobiloba Osikoya, Spencer C. Cushen, Contessa A. Ricci, Styliani Goulopoulou
Summary: The study found that inhibition of COX signaling suppressed the anti-dilatory effects of PVATmedia, while PVATmedia had no effect on the contribution of the NOS/NO pathway to ACh-induced relaxation in uterine arteries from pregnant rats, indicating that the anti-dilatory effects of uterine PVAT are mediated in part by COX-dependent mechanisms.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Robert Gaspar, Judit Hajagos-Toth, Annamaria Schaffer, Anna Kothencz, Lilla Siska-Szabo, Eszter Ducza, Adrienn Csanyi, Tamas Tabi, Fruzsina Bagamery, Eva Szoko, Orsolya Kovacs, Tamara Barna, Reza Samavati, Mohsen Mirdamadi, Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov, Kalman Ferenc Szucs, Sandor G. Vari
Summary: This study investigates the effects of obesity on pregnant uterine contraction in a rat model and finds that obesity reduces uterine contractility and cytokine-induced inflammatory processes, demonstrating partial applicability of obese pregnant rats as a model for human processes.
Article
Oncology
Yan Mei, Mingdian Wang, Guanming Lu, Jiangchao Li, Lixia Peng, Yanhong Lang, Mingming Yang, Lingbi Jiang, Changzhi Li, Lisheng Zheng, Zhijie Liu, Dehuan Xie, Lingling Guo, Bijun Huang, Musheng Zeng, Yanxia Shi, Chaonan Qian
Summary: The study using different genetic backgrounds in a mouse model revealed that immunity levels play a key role in affecting tumor onset in breast cancer, with Fvb.B6 mice showing reduced IL-6 levels and intact dendritic cell maturation, leading to delayed and suppressed tumor progression.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrizia Marchese, Maria Lombardi, Maria Elena Mantione, Domenico Baccellieri, David Ferrara, Roberto Chiesa, Ottavio Alfieri, Chiara Foglieni
Summary: This study reveals the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy in preventing thrombus formation, particularly through blocking the P2X7 receptor. Flow experiments demonstrate that P2X7 antagonist can reduce thrombogenesis in arterial tissue. These findings offer new insights for the prevention and treatment of atherothrombosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Min Hu, Yuehui Zhang, Xu Zhang, Xiuying Zhang, Xinyue Huang, Yaxing Lu, Yijia Li, Mats Brannstrom, Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri, Linus R. Shao, Hakan Billig
Summary: This study found that polycystic ovary syndrome may increase pregnancy complications through impaired uterine spiral artery remodeling, placental dysfunction, and placental senescence.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Michael D. Toboni, Elena Lomonosova, Shaina F. Bruce, Joan I. Tankou, Mary M. Mullen, Angela Schab, Alyssa Oplt, Hollie Noia, Danny Wilke, Lindsay M. Kuroki, Andrea R. Hagemann, Carolyn K. McCourt, Premal H. Thaker, Matthew A. Powell, Dineo Khabele, David G. Mutch, Katherine C. Fuh
Summary: Uterine serous cancer is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer with high mortality rates despite its low prevalence. The study aimed to improve treatment outcomes by inhibiting AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and using a combination therapy with bevacizumab.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Weiwei Yang, Qinghua Li, Jeremy W. Duncan, Bhavisha A. Bakrania, Jessica L. Bradshaw, Joey P. Granger, Sarosh Rana, Frank T. Spradley
Summary: Luteolin directly promotes vasorelaxation in the medial smooth muscle layer of uterine arteries during normal pregnancy. The vasorelaxation effect of luteolin in uterine arteries from pregnant rats is not mediated by endothelial factors.
PREGNANCY HYPERTENSION-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WOMENS CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Faith A. Miller, Adalina Sacco, Anna L. David, Ashley K. Boyle
Summary: Interventions targeting inflammation show therapeutic potential for infection/inflammation-induced preterm births in animal models. However, the heterogeneity in methodology and lack of standardization remain challenges in preclinical studies.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Adalina Sacco, Emily F. Cornish, Neil Marlow, Anna L. David, Dino A. Giussani
Summary: According to a systematic review of human clinical literature, antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) exposure does not have long-term effects on cardiovascular function in human offspring. However, due to the limited number, heterogeneity, and mixed quality of studies, the effects on cardiac structure and other measures of cardiac function remain unclear. Further research is needed to assess central cardiac function in human offspring exposed to ACS.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Megan Jeffery, Sarah Tai-MacArthur, Panicos Shangaris, Martin Duggan, Julia Spencer, Srividhya Sankaran
Summary: Foetal urological abnormalities are a complex issue affecting pregnant women, and most women choose to terminate the pregnancy after severe abnormalities are detected by prenatal diagnosis. The number of cases in England and Wales has been increasing steadily, but declined in 2019.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Hematology
Panicos Shangaris, Sara El Hoss
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sophia Bano, Francisco Vasconcelos, Anna L. David, Jan Deprest, Danail Stoyanov
Summary: Fetoscopic video mosaicking can create an expanded field-of-view image of the fetoscopic intraoperative environment to support surgeons during twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome treatment. However, existing methods relying on vessel presence have limitations. We propose a vessel-guided hybrid fetoscopic mosaicking framework that combines placental vessel-based registration and deep learning-based dense matching to improve overall performance. Experimental results demonstrate the robustness of the proposed framework over state-of-the-art methods, even in vessel-free and low-textured fetoscopic views.
COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING-IMAGING AND VISUALIZATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tania Jeyaseelan, Panicos Shangaris, Athina Efthymiou, Linzi Martin, Lisa Story, Surabhi Nanda, Neelam Gupta, Mudher Al-Adnani, Andreas Marnerides, Kypros H. H. Nicolaides, Srividhya Sankaran
Summary: This study describes a rare complication in dichorionic twin pregnancy called twin anemia polycythemia sequence, which was managed using intrauterine blood transfusion and resulted in a prolonged pregnancy of nearly two weeks.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Letter
Genetics & Heredity
Anna L. David, Rebecca N. Spencer
PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
S. Vergote, J. van der Stock, Y. Kunpalin, E. Bredaki, H. Maes, S. Banh, L. De Catte, R. Devlieger, L. Lewi, S. Devroe, R. Spencer, A. David, P. De Vloo, F. Van Calenbergh, J. A. Deprest
Summary: This prospective single-center audit examined the fetal and maternal adverse events following fetal surgery for spina bifida and assessed the impact of patient engagement in collecting follow-up data. The study found that severe complications could occur in both the fetus and the mother after the surgery, but the nature and rate of these complications were similar to those reported in other studies. Patient empowerment and involvement improved the collection of outcome data.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pediatrics
Daniel Cromb, Megan Hall, Lisa Story, Panicos Shangaris, Mudher Al-Adnani, Mary A. Rutherford, Grenville F. Fox, Neelam Gupta
Summary: Placental examination is of great importance as it provides valuable clinical information related to fetal development, neonatal morbidity and mortality, and future health outcomes. The examination can identify intrinsic or secondary placental lesions that are directly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes or indicate an unfavorable intrauterine environment. This article describes the clinical value of placental examination, common pathological findings, how to interpret key findings, as well as the medico-legal and financial implications and current and future clinical considerations.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Simon N. Waddington, William H. Peranteau, Ahad A. Rahim, Ashley K. Boyle, Manju A. Kurian, Paul Gissen, Jerry K. Y. Chan, Anna L. David
Summary: Fetal gene therapy was proposed in the late 1990s when gene therapy was at its peak of inflated expectations. Over the years, gene therapy matured and became a clinical and market reality. The trajectory of treatment for genetic diseases is now focused on earlier intervention, with increasing ability to diagnose genetic diseases in utero. Recent clinical trials have pointed towards the potential for fetal gene therapy. This review summarizes the history of fetal gene therapy, advancements in fetal surgery and diagnosis, and the scope of preclinical gene therapy for inherited metabolic diseases.
JOURNAL OF INHERITED METABOLIC DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Nada Mufti, Joanna Chappell, Patrick O'Brien, George Attilakos, Hassna Irzan, Magda Sokolska, Priya Narayanan, Trevor Gaunt, Paul D. Humphries, Premal Patel, Elspeth Whitby, Eric Jauniaux, J. Ciaran Hutchinson, Neil J. Sebire, David Atkinson, Giles Kendall, Sebastien Ourselin, Tom Vercauteren, Anna L. David, Andrew Melbourne
Summary: The study investigates the use of super-resolution reconstruction (SRR) MRI to improve placental assessment and predict adverse maternal outcomes. The results show that SRR imaging and paired imaging can enhance the detection of pathological MRI markers, aiding in surgical planning.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Isabelle Schiff, Panicos Shangaris, Mary Grinsted, Srividhya Sankaran
Summary: This study analyzes the trends in feticide in singleton pregnancy in England and Wales between 2012 and 2020. The prevalence of feticide fluctuated, but there was an overall decrease over the years. Intracardiac injection of potassium chloride was the most common method used for feticide. Most feticides took place at 23 weeks, followed by 22 weeks and between 20 and 21 weeks.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Developmental Biology
Kimberley Botting-Lawford, Ruth Horler, Anthony White, Sheila Mizani, Gabrielle Crombie, Hakim-Moulay Dehbi, Owen Vaughan, Anna L. David
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Efthymios Maneas, Andreas Hauptmann, Erwin J. Alles, Wenfeng Xia, Sacha Noimark, Anna L. David, Simon Arridge, Adrien E. Desjardins
Summary: A post-processing framework based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed to improve the spatial resolution of ultrasonic tracking images. The application of CNNs shows promising potential in enhancing the resolution of tracking images.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED RADIOLOGY AND SURGERY
(2023)
Letter
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jenny Carter, Naomi Carlisle, Anna David, Jane Sandall, Paul Seed, Andrew Shennan, Rachel Tribe, Helena Watson
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)