Article
Toxicology
S. G. Rudyak, L. A. Usakin, E. A. Tverye, E. D. Robertson, A. A. Panteleyev
Summary: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression and stability are influenced by AhR ligands. Treatment with TCDD, FICZ, and I3C caused a decrease in AhR expression. AhR degradation is regulated by proteasomal degradation and the presence of AhR antagonists, and requires the involvement of AhR dimerization partner ARNT. In addition, HDAC inhibition enhances AhR expression.
TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Katherine H. Bligard, Xinyuan Xu, Nandini Raghuraman, Jeffrey M. Dicke, Anthony O. Odibo, Antonina Frolova
Summary: Compared with persistent absent end-diastolic velocity, intermittent absent end-diastolic velocity in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction is associated with lower rates of progression to reversed end-diastolic velocity, higher likelihood of umbilical artery Doppler improvement, longer latency to delivery, higher gestational age at delivery, and lower rates of neonatal morbidity and death. Using an absent end-diastolic velocity percentage cut-point in 50% of cardiac cycles can help differentiate between intermittent and persistent absent end-diastolic velocity, allowing for further risk stratification in growth-restricted fetuses.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Tu Nguyen, Mei Zheng, Maura Knapp, Nikola Sladojevic, Qin Zhang, Lizhuo Ai, Devin Harrison, Anna Chen, Albert Sitikov, Le Shen, Frank J. Gonzalez, Qiong Zhao, Yun Fang, James J. K. Liao, Rongxue Wu
Summary: The decline in endothelial ARNT expression contributes to the suppressed angiogenic phenotype in diabetic mice. The cytoprotective effect of ARNT in endothelial cells is partially mediated by declines in ROS production.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Eran Ashwal, Fabiana Ferreira, Elad Mei-Dan, Amir Aviram, Christopher Sherman, Arthur Zaltz, John Kingdom, Nir Melamed
Summary: Fetoplacental Doppler has limited value in ruling out FGR due to non-MVM pathologies, but is highly accurate in ruling out FGR due to MVM placental pathology.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Oana Sorina Tica, Andrei Adrian Tica, Doriana Cojocaru, Irina Tica, Cristian Lucian Petcu, Victor Cojocaru, Dragos Ovidiu Alexandru, Vlad Iustin Tica
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of maternal administration of dexamethasone on the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venous spectrum in growth-restricted fetuses and also evaluated the impact on uterine artery flow. The results showed that dexamethasone temporarily restored the absent end-diastolic flow in the majority of cases and had a positive impact on perinatal prognosis.
Article
Oncology
Yujing Bi, Qiuli Yang, Zhengchao Li, Yuexin Wang, Yufei Wang, Anna Jia, Zhiyuan Pan, Ruifu Yang, Guangwei Liu
Summary: The lack of aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) promotes neutrophil recruitment, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) development, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and suppressive activities, thereby promoting colorectal cancer growth. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the functional alterations of Arnt(-/-) neutrophils. These findings have important implications for the combination of gut microbiota and immunotherapy approaches in colorectal cancer.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lindsay S. Cahill, Shiri Shinar, Clare L. Whitehead, Sebastian R. Hobson, Greg Stortz, Viji Ayyathurai, Anjana Ravi Chandran, Anum Rahman, John C. Kingdom, Ahmet Baschat, Kellie E. Murphy, Lena Serghides, Christopher K. Macgowan, John G. Sled
Summary: This study found that after betamethasone administration, female fetuses from a hypoxic environment showed favorable vascular responses, while males did not exhibit significant changes. Additionally, umbilical artery reflections were larger in human growth-restricted fetuses compared to controls, indicating potential differences in vascular response to corticosteroid treatment between genders.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY MFM
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Michelle M. Steidemann, Jian Liu, Kalin Bayes, Lizbeth P. Castro, Shelagh Ferguson-Miller, John J. Lapres
Summary: Cellular homeostasis requires the use of multiple environmental sensors to respond to different compounds. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the translocator protein (TSPO) are two proteins involved in cellular homeostasis, and their interaction affects mitochondrial-related genes. Knockouts for AHR and TSPO were created in a mouse lung epithelial cell line, and the cells' response to ligands for AHR and TSPO was analyzed through RNA-seq. The results suggest that AHR and TSPO participate in similar pathways that contribute to mitochondrial homeostasis.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kathrin Oelmeier, Mareike Moellers, Helen A. Koester, Daniela Willy, Eike Bormann, Janina Braun, Walter Klockenbusch, Ralf Schmitz
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between fetal Doppler and adrenal gland ratio and fetal growth restriction (FGR). The results showed that PI of the umbilical artery was correlated with FGR, while adrenal gland ratio showed no correlation. However, in logistic regression, both parameters were significantly associated with fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Combining these parameters improved the predictive value.
JOURNAL OF PERINATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Puneet Kumar, Manoj Yadav, Khushi Verma, Ruhi Dixit, Juhi Singh, Satyendra K. Tiwary, Gopeshwar Narayan, V. K. Dixit
Summary: The study reveals that AHRR expression is significantly down-regulated in gallbladder cancer tissue samples compared to controls, and this decreased expression is associated with tumor development and progression, suggesting a potential role for AHRR as a tumor suppressor gene in gallbladder cancer.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Oana Sorina Tica, Andrei Adrian Tica, Doriana Cojocaru, Mihaela Gheonea, Irina Tica, Dragos Ovidiu Alexandru, Victor Cojocaru, Lucian Cristian Petcu, Vlad Iustin Tica
Summary: The study found that the effect of maternal dexamethasone on absent end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery in growth-restricted fetuses from pregnancies complicated by early-onset preeclampsia with severe features can be a useful prognostic factor for perinatal outcomes. In the prAEDF group, there was a higher risk of fetal proximal deterioration, maternal deterioration, neonatal hypoxic complications, but not for perinatal mortality.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Hope Y. Yu, Phinnara Has, Valery A. Danilack, Erika F. Werner, Dwight J. Rouse
Summary: This study aimed to develop a model to predict the risk of delivery within 7 days in patients with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and abnormal umbilical artery doppler (UAD) velocimetry. The model showed a high sensitivity and specificity, and if validated externally, it can potentially improve the timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Juan Carlos Bustos, Denise Vega, Waldo Sepulveda
Summary: The study analyzed umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in second- and third-trimester fetuses with trisomy 18 and 13, finding a high prevalence of abnormal Doppler velocimetry that increased with gestational age. This suggests placental insufficiency may play a significant role in the development of fetal growth restriction in these aneuploid fetuses.
JOURNAL OF PERINATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sam Mathewlynn, Sridevi Beriwal, Christos Ioannou, Angelo Cavallaro, Lawrence Impey
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the risk of placental dysfunction and adverse outcomes in appropriately grown fetuses with a raised umbilical artery pulsatility index. The results showed that fetuses with a high pulsatility index were more likely to develop growth restriction markers and have an increased risk of small-for-gestational-age at birth. These findings suggest that the umbilical artery pulsatility index can be used as a predictor for adverse outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lakha Prasannan, Matthew J. Blitz, Stephanie Augustine, Nina Kohn, Burton Rochelson, Cara Pessel
Summary: This study aimed to compare the persistence of umbilical artery Doppler abnormalities after corticosteroid administration and their effect on adverse perinatal outcome in growth-restricted fetuses. The results showed that the improvement or persistence of umbilical artery Dopplers did not significantly affect perinatal outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Linda M. Ernst, Crystal Bockoven, Alexa Freedman, Vivien Wang, Matthew Pellerite, Todd N. Wylie, Kristine M. Wylie
Summary: Viruses, particularly herpesviruses, were more frequently detected in cases compared with controls. Antiviral pathways were upregulated in cases. VUE may have multiple inflammatory gene expression profiles.
Article
Microbiology
Yingshi Ouyang, Tarique Bagalkot, Wendy Fitzgerald, Elena Sadovsky, Tianjiao Chu, Ana Martinez-Marchal, Miguel Brieno-Enriquez, Emily J. Su, Leonid Margolis, Alexander Sorkin, Yoel Sadovsky
Summary: Research has shown that the main entry factors for SARS-CoV-2 are expressed in human placental trophoblasts, but not in other placental villous cells. The placental defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection likely involves post-entry processing mechanisms.
Article
Developmental Biology
Alexa A. Freedman, Gregory E. Miller, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: The study found that individuals with chronic villitis in their first pregnancy are over two times more likely to develop chronic villitis in their second pregnancy. Recurrent chronic villitis is not associated with increased prevalence of small for gestational age infant. Among those with recurrent chronic villitis, high-grade chronic inflammation and fetal vascular malperfusion were more common in the second pregnancy.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexa A. Freedman, Gregory E. Miller, Lauren S. Keenan-Devlin, Britney P. Smart, Janedelie Romero, Ann Borders, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: Exposure to acute stressors during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, is associated with increased risk of preterm birth. While first trimester exposure did not show increased odds of placental pathology, stress may contribute to preterm birth risk through chronic placental inflammation.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexa A. Freedman, Britney P. Smart, Lauren S. Keenan-Devlin, Ann Borders, Linda M. Ernst, Gregory E. Miller
Summary: The study shows that individuals living in areas with higher eviction rates are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially for those with low neighborhood and individual socioeconomic status who are likely to be renters and affected by local eviction policies.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Abhineet M. Sharma, Robert Birkett, Erika T. Lin, Linda M. Ernst, William A. Grobman, Suchitra Swaminathan, Hiam Abdala-Valencia, Alexander Misharin, Elizabeth T. Bartom, Karen K. Mestan
Summary: Placental lesions are associated with unique changes in gene expression in fetal monocytes and monocyte subsets. Fetal monocytes exposed to acute placental inflammation upregulate biological processes related to monocyte activation, monocyte chemotaxis, and platelet function, while monocytes exposed to maternal vascular malperfusion lesions downregulate these processes. Intermediate monocytes might be a source of mitogens implicated in different outcomes related to prematurity.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sunitha C. Suresh, Alexa A. Freedman, Emmet Hirsch, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This study analyzed the placental pathology histologic types in preterm births and found that high-grade chronic placental inflammation was associated with recurrent preterm birth. Low-grade maternal vascular malperfusion was associated with recurrent preterm birth only in early preterm births.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Raymond W. Redline, Drucilla J. Roberts, Mana M. Parast, Linda M. Ernst, Terry K. Morgan, Michael F. Greene, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Judette M. Louis, Emin Maltepe, Karen K. Mestan, Roberto Romero, Joanne Stone
Summary: The importance of a fully functioning placenta for a good pregnancy outcome is unquestioned. Placental pathology has advanced the science and practice of obstetrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine. However, obstacles in incorporating placental findings into clinical studies and practice have existed. Nonetheless, the potential use of placental pathology for phenotypic classification, understanding adverse pregnancy outcomes, and developing treatment and prevention has never been greater. This review reexamines the role of placental pathology, explains current concepts and terminology, emphasizes the usefulness of specific diagnoses, and suggests future improvements.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Diane L. Gumina, Emily J. Su
Summary: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) caused by suboptimal placental function leads to significant risks for adverse outcomes in both the short and long term. Delivery is currently the only treatment available, but it does not improve outcomes for survivors. The long-term consequences of FGR can lead to a multi-generational cascade of adverse effects. Understanding the mechanisms of placental-mediated FGR is crucial for improving outcomes and overall health.
Article
Pathology
Linda M. Ernst, Alexa Freedman, Erica Price, Andrew Franklin
Summary: The tapering of the ductus arteriosus in stillborn fetuses is associated with fetal vascular blood flow obstruction and more prevalent in cases with umbilical cord accident/FVM-related cause of death.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Kiran Manjee, Erica Price, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This study compares the autopsy findings of second trimester and third trimester stillbirths and finds that the most common cause of death is pathologic placental conditions, particularly those associated with umbilical cord obstruction. The study emphasizes the importance of placenta examination in determining the cause of death in both second and third trimester fetuses.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Alexa A. A. Freedman, Erica Price, Andrew Franklin, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: Placental maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) is associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). In autopsied stillbirths, it was found that stillbirths caused by MVM had relatively less impact on heart weight compared to body weight. Therefore, the effect of MVM on fetal cardiac structure is minimal and further research is needed in this area.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Michael K. Fritsch, Nina Gotteiner, Jamaal A. Rehman, Erica Price, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This research identified that anomalies in the cardiac conduction system and thinning or discontinuity of the annulus fibrosus may lead to fetal atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia, resulting in refractory dysrhythmia.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Ansa Mehreen, Sunitha Suresh, Alexa A. Freedman, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This study compared the histopathology and CD15 expression in large for gestational age (LGA) placentas with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) placentas. The results showed that LGA placentas had increased expression of CD15 in villous capillary endothelium and a higher prevalence of fetal vascular malperfusion, delayed villous maturation, and villous chorangiosis. Therefore, LGA placentas have high-risk features compared to AGA placentas.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Lauren Sayres, Amanda R. Flockton, Shuhan Ji, Carla Rey Diaz, Diane L. Gumina, Emily J. Su
Summary: Severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) is characterized by impaired angiogenesis, due to abnormal placental stromal composition. This study aimed to investigate the impact of individual extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on placental angiogenic properties in severe FGR. The findings suggest that the overall placental stroma, rather than singular ECM proteins, is responsible for the angiogenic defects seen in severe FGR. Further investigations into stromal composition, architecture, stiffness, growth factor sequestration, and remodeling capacity are crucial for understanding the role of ECM in impaired angiogenesis in severe FGR.