Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Fetal Growth Restriction: Clinical Characteristics and Placental Lesions and Possible Preventive Nutritional Targets

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the placental lesions in pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders (HDP) and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and in uneventful control pregnancies. Methods: This is a case control study that included singleton pregnancies with HDP and normally grown fetus (HDP-AGA fetus), with HDP and FGR, early FGR, late FGR, and uneventful pregnancies. Feto-placental Doppler velocimetry and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were performed. Placental histology was evaluated blinded according to the Amsterdam Consensus criteria. Results: Placental lesions with maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) were significantly more frequent in HDP-FGR and early FGR (92% and 83%). MVM were significantly associated with abnormal feto-placental Doppler parameters, especially in early FGR. Delayed villous maturation (DVM) was associated with late FGR (83%). HDP-AGA fetus cases presented a heterogeneous pattern of placental lesions, including 60% of cases with MVM, but were not associated with abnormal Doppler feto-placental velocimetry. Conclusions: We found a prevalence of placental maternal vascular malperfusion in HDP-FGR and early FGR groups. These lesions were also associated with abnormal, anti-, and angiogenic markers. Conversely HDP-AGA fetus and late FGR presented more heterogeneous placental lesions not severe enough to cause feto-placental Doppler anomalies. These conditions are likely associated with different etiologies, such as maternal pre-pregnancy risk factors for metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest a possible preventive nutritional approach in addition to low-dose aspirin in pregnant women with predisposing factors for HDP-AGA fetuses and late FGR

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal brushings and olfactory mucosa biopsies of COVID-19 patients

The aim of the present study is to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 of patients affected by COVID-19 in olfactory mucosa (OM), sampled with nasal brushing (NB) and biopsy, and to assess whether a non-invasive procedure, such as NB, might be used as a large-scale procedure for demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 presence in olfactory neuroepithelium. Nasal brushings obtained from all the COVID-19 patients resulted positive to SARS-CoV-2 immunocytochemistry while controls were negative. Double immunofluorescence showed that SARS-CoV-2 positive cells included supporting cells as well as olfactory neurons and basal cells. OM biopsies showed an uneven distribution of SARS-CoV-2 positivity along the olfactory neuroepithelium, while OM from controls were negative. SARS-CoV-2 was distinctively found in sustentacular cells, olfactory neurons, and basal cells, supporting what was observed in NB. Ultrastructural analysis of OM biopsies showed SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in the cytoplasm of sustentacular cells. This study shows the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at the level of the olfactory neuroepithelium in patients affected by COVID-19. For the first time, we used NB as a rapid non-invasive tool for assessing a potential neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2 infection

Risk factors, prenatal diagnosis, and outcome of posterior placenta accreta spectrum disorders in patients with placenta previa or low-lying placenta: A multicenter study

Introduction: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders occur when the definitive placenta develops within the uterus scar area. Although classically PAS develops in the anterior wall of the uterus mainly, it can also develop in the posterior uterine wall. The aim of this study was to report the risk factors, diagnostic accuracy of prenatal imaging, and surgical outcome of pregnancies complicated by posterior PAS in women with placenta previa or low-lying. Material and methods: Secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective study involving 16 referral hospitals in Italy (ADoPAD Study). Inclusion criteria were patients with a posterior low-lying placenta (<20 mm from the internal cervical os) or placenta previa (covering the os), aged ≥18 years undergoing ultrasound assessment at ≥26+0 weeks of gestation. The reference standard for PAS was represented by the failure of placental separation at delivery or by pathological analysis. The primary aim was to report the risk factors associated with the occurrence of posterior PAS. The secondary aims were to evaluate the ability of prenatal ultrasound in detecting posterior PAS and to report its surgical outcome compared to posterior placental previa or low-lying with no PAS and anterior PAS, respectively, and in patients with a prenatal compared to post-natal diagnosis. Univariate and diagnostic accuracy analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: 258 patients were included in the analysis. Posterior PAS occurred in 8.1% (n = 21; 95% CI 5.4-12.1) of patients. There was a higher incidence of one or more prior CS (62% vs. 21%, p < 0.001) and myomectomy with uterine penetration (71.0% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001) in patients with posterior PAS compared to those with no PAS. In patients with posterior PAS, placenta accreta occurred in 66.67% (14/21), increta in 23.81% (5/21), and percreta in 9.52% (2/21) of cases. Posterior PAS confirmed at birth was diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound in 62% (13/21) of cases. When comparing anterior with posterior PAS, patients with anterior PAS were more likely to have a prior CS (82% vs. 62%; p = 0.0049) and placenta percreta (54% vs. 10%; p < 0.001). Finally, the need for hysterectomy (89% vs. 48%; p < 0.001) was higher, while that of balloon tamponade insertion was lower (17% vs. 52%; p = 0.001) in patients with anterior compared to posterior PAS. Conclusions: Prior uterine surgery in patients with placenta previa or low-lying represents the commonest risk factors for posterior PAS. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detecting posterior PAS is lower in cases with posterior compared to anterior PAS. Finally, in referral centers, posterior PAS disorders were associated with a lower risk of hysterectomy compared to anterior PAS

IN "POLPO ... SITION" E ALTRI BREVI RACCONTI

Assalito dalla felicità corsi al mare, guardai l’acqua e fui preso da una forza, non mia, non umana che mi trascinò in acqua. Lì venni rapito da fantastiche sensazioni, l’adrenalina salì a mille, vidi un enorme creatura che suscitò in me delle emozioni mai provate prima, si era avvicinata talmente tanto che stava per toccarmi e, appena lo fece, il mio corpo si illuminò magicamente, le mie mani iniziarono pian piano ad assottigliarsi, il mio petto diventava sempre più piccolo e tondo e da lì a poco, ero diventato un polpo

Unexpected distribution of CA19.9 and other type 1 chain Lewis antigens in normal and cancer tissues of colon and pancreas: Importance of the detection method and role of glycosyltransferase regulation

Background: CA19.9 antigen has been assumed as an abundant product of cancer cells, due to the reactivity found by immunohistochemical staining of cancer tissues with anti-CA19.9 antibody. Methods: Expression and biosynthesis of type 1 chain Lewis antigens in the colon and the pancreas were studied by immunodetection in tissue sections and lysates, quantification of glycosyltransferase transcripts, bisulfite sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Results: CA19.9 was poorly detectable in normal colon mucosa and almost undetectable in colon cancer, while it was easily detected in the pancreatic ducts, togetherwith Lewis b antigen, under both normal and cancer conditions. B3GALT5 transcripts were down-regulated in colon cancer, while they remained expressed in pancreatic cancer. Even ST3GAL3 transcript appeared well expressed in the pancreas but poorly in the colon, irrespective of normal or cancer conditions. CpG islands flanking B3GALT5 native promoter presented an extremely low degree of methylation in pancreatic cancer with respect to colon cancer. In a DNA region about 1 kb away fromthe B3GALT5 retroviral promoter, a stretch of CG dinucleotides presented a methylation pattern potentially associated with transcription. Such a DNA region and the transcription factor binding site provided overlapping results by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, corroborating the hypothesis. Conclusions: CA19.9 appears as a physiological product whose synthesis strongly depends on the tissue specific and epigenetically-regulated expression of B3GALT5 and ST3GAL3. General significance: CA19.9 and other Lewis antigens acquire tumor marker properties in the pancreas due to mechanisms giving rise to reabsorption into vessels and elevation in circulating levels.Background CA19.9 antigen has been assumed as an abundant product of cancer cells, due to the reactivity found by immunohistochemical staining of cancer tissues with anti-CA19.9 antibody. Methods Expression and biosynthesis of type 1 chain Lewis antigens in the colon and the pancreas were studied by immunodetection in tissue sections and lysates, quantification of glycosyltransferase transcripts, bisulfite sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Results CA19.9 was poorly detectable in normal colon mucosa and almost undetectable in colon cancer, while it was easily detected in the pancreatic ducts, together with Lewis b antigen, under both normal and cancer conditions. B3GALT5 transcripts were down-regulated in colon cancer, while they remained expressed in pancreatic cancer. Even ST3GAL3 transcript appeared well expressed in the pancreas but poorly in the colon, irrespective of normal or cancer conditions. CpG islands flanking B3GALT5 native promoter presented an extremely low degree of methylation in pancreatic cancer with respect to colon cancer. In a DNA region about 1\ua0kb away from the B3GALT5 retroviral promoter, a stretch of CG dinucleotides presented a methylation pattern potentially associated with transcription. Such a DNA region and the transcription factor binding site provided overlapping results by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, corroborating the hypothesis. Conclusions CA19.9 appears as a physiological product whose synthesis strongly depends on the tissue specific and epigenetically-regulated expression of B3GALT5 and ST3GAL3. General significance CA19.9 and other Lewis antigens acquire tumor marker properties in the pancreas due to mechanisms giving rise to reabsorption into vessels and elevation in circulating levels

Overview on neural tube defects: From development to physical characteristics

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations in humans affecting the development of the central nervous system. Although NTD pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated, many risk factors, both genetic and environmental, have been extensively reported. Classically divided in two main sub-groups (open and closed defects) NTDs present extremely variable prognosis mainly depending on the site of the lesion. Herein, we review the literature on the histological and pathological features, epidemiology, prenatal diagnosis, and prognosis, based on the type of defect, with the aim of providing important information based on NTDs classification for clinicians and scientists

The Burden of Placental Histopathology in Stillbirths Associated With Maternal Obesity

Abstract Objectives Obesity is an increasing health problem that has become a common medical disorder among women of childbearing age, representing worldwide a risk factor for stillbirth. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between placental histopathologic findings and obesity in stillbirth. Methods Placentas were analyzed according to the Amsterdam consensus statement. Histologic findings in stillbirth from obese and lean mothers were analyzed and compared with those observed in liveborn controls. Results Stillbirth in obese mothers displayed placental pathology in all gestational ages, mostly at term of pregnancy. The most observed placental lesions were those consistent with maternal vascular malperfusion of the placental bed. Decidual arteriopathy and placental infarcts appeared specifically associated with maternal obesity. Moreover, obese women with stillbirth showed the highest cumulative number of placental lesions. Conclusions Considering the significant association between stillbirth, maternal obesity, and placental histopathologic findings, health care providers should be aware about the importance of placental examination in obese women, especially in stillborn cases. The high prevalence of lesions consistent with vascular malperfusion of the placental bed suggests that stillbirth prevention strategies in obese women should rely on the development of tools to study and improve decidual artery functioning early in pregnancy. </jats:sec

Autophagy in Normal and Abnormal Early Human Pregnancies

Autophagy is an inducible catabolic process by which cells degrade and recycle materials to survive stress, starvation, and hypoxia. The aim of this study was to evaluate autophagy at the fetal-maternal interface, to assess autophagy involvement during the early phase of human gestation, and to explore autophagic modification in case of early abnormal pregnancy outcome. Specimens were collected from first-trimester normal gestations undergoing legal termination of pregnancy and first-trimester sporadic spontaneous miscarriages. Autophagy was studied in villous and decidual samples by transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. Autophagy markers were found in cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, extravillous trophoblast, and decidual stromal cells. Autophagy is physiologically involved in early normal gestation. Compared with normal pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage presents an increase in autophagy expression in villous specimens due to an increment in concentration of autophagic vacuole in syncytiotrophoblast, suggesting a cytoprotective mechanism of the cells to respond to microenvironmental challenge

Autophagy and Human Parturition: Evaluation of LC3 Expression in Placenta from Spontaneous or Medically Induced Onset of Labor

Induction of labor is one of the most used procedures in obstetrics, performed to achieve vaginal delivery through cervical ripening and stimulation of uterine contractions. We investigated the impact of induction of labor upon placental autophagy, a catabolic pathway activated in response to alteration of the physiological intracellular conditions. We collected 28 singleton placentas at the time of uncomplicated term vaginal delivery (7 spontaneous onset of labor, 21 induced labor). Autophagy was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. No significant difference in the autophagy expression was found between spontaneous or induced onset of labor. We found an inverse relationship between autophagy expression and the maternal prepregnancy body mass index, irrespective of the mode of labor onset. This result could be related to the nutritional maternal habits before and throughout pregnancy rather than rapid metabolic changes during labor