"The next-generation": Long-term reproductive outcome of adults born at a very low birth weight

Background Preterm birth at very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) has a multitude of consequences that extend to various aspects of adult life. Little is known about the long-term reproductive outcome of VLBW that survive to adulthood. Aims To evaluate the reproductive outcome of VLBW infants who survive to adulthood (next-generation). Study design Retrospective cohort Subjects Infants born at a single tertiary center between the years 1982–1997 who survived to 18 years of age (first-generation). Outcome measures The number and the birth weight of offspring from adults born with VLBW were compared to those of other birth weight groups born in the same epoch: 1500–2499g, 2500–3799g (reference group) and ≥3800g. We calculated the ratio of actual compared to expected number of children in the next-generation for extreme birth weight parents, using the reference group as a control group and adjusting for birth year. Thereafter, we measured whether first-generation VLBW had an increased risk for a VLBW in the next-generation. Results After exclusions, we identified first-generation 67,183 births, including 618 (9.2%) VLBW. There were 193 males and 184 female VLBW infants who survived to adulthood. Both female and male first-generation patients from the VLBW group had half the reproductive rate relative for the normal birth weight group. After adjusting for parental age, male and female VLBW survivors had no significant risk for a VLBW neonate in the next-generation, however, the overall number of are small and may limit any conclusion. Conclusions VLBW children who reach adulthood may be at a significantly lower reproductive capacity

Inhibition of cell motility by troglitazone in human ovarian carcinoma cell line

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Troglitazone (TGZ) is a potential anticancer agent. Little is known about the effect of this agent on cancer cell migration.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Human ovarian carcinoma cell line, ES-2 cells were treated with various concentrations of TGZ. Cell migration was evaluated by wound-healing and Boyden chamber transwell experiments. PPARγ expression was blocked by PPARγ small interfering RNA. The effects of TGZ on phosphorylation of FAK, PTEN, Akt were assessed by immunoblotting using phospho-specific antibodies. The cellular distribution of paxillin, vinculin, stress fiber and PTEN was assessed by immunocytochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TGZ dose- and time-dependently impaired cell migration through a PPARγ independent manner. TGZ treatment impaired cell spreading, stress fiber formation, tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and focal adhesion assembly in cells grown on fibronectin substratum. TGZ also dose- and time-dependently suppressed FAK autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of the C-terminal of PTEN (a phosphatase). At concentration higher than 10 μM, TGZ caused accumulation of PTEN in plasma membrane, a sign of PTEN activation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that TGZ can suppress cultured ES-2 cells migration. Our data suggest that the anti-migration potential of TGZ involves in regulations of FAK and PTEN activity.</p

"The next-generation": Long-term reproductive outcome of adults born at a very low birth weight

Background Preterm birth at very low birth weight (VLBW, &lt;1500g) has a multitude of consequences that extend to various aspects of adult life. Little is known about the long-term reproductive outcome of VLBW that survive to adulthood. Aims To evaluate the reproductive outcome of VLBW infants who survive to adulthood (next-generation). Study design Retrospective cohort Subjects Infants born at a single tertiary center between the years 1982–1997 who survived to 18 years of age (first-generation). Outcome measures The number and the birth weight of offspring from adults born with VLBW were compared to those of other birth weight groups born in the same epoch: 1500–2499g, 2500–3799g (reference group) and ≥3800g. We calculated the ratio of actual compared to expected number of children in the next-generation for extreme birth weight parents, using the reference group as a control group and adjusting for birth year. Thereafter, we measured whether first-generation VLBW had an increased risk for a VLBW in the next-generation. Results After exclusions, we identified first-generation 67,183 births, including 618 (9.2%) VLBW. There were 193 males and 184 female VLBW infants who survived to adulthood. Both female and male first-generation patients from the VLBW group had half the reproductive rate relative for the normal birth weight group. After adjusting for parental age, male and female VLBW survivors had no significant risk for a VLBW neonate in the next-generation, however, the overall number of are small and may limit any conclusion. Conclusions VLBW children who reach adulthood may be at a significantly lower reproductive capacity.</p

Fetal urine production rate in preterm premature rupture of membranes is associated with adverse neonatal outcome: A pilot study.

Introduction In this study we evaluated the associations between fetal urinary production rate (FUPR), measured by ultrasound, and adverse neonatal outcome in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Material and Methods We conducted a prospective cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM occurring at gestational week 24 or later in a single center. Women with PPROM and conservative management until spontaneous labor (after 48 hours of admission), chorioamnionitis, or induction by protocol at 35+0 weeks. FUPR was evaluated by 2D sonography at admission, and corrected for gestational age. Attending physicians were blinded to FUPR results. The main neonatal outcome measures were chorioamnionitis, placental inflammatory grading, first neonatal creatinine value, first neonatal dextrose value, length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (grades I-IV), blood transfusions, reduced neonatal urine production rate (&lt;4mL/kg/h), and early neonatal sepsis. Samples of maternal (at admission) and umbilical cord blood were analyzed for interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. Results The study included 38 women. Low FUPR was associated with chorioamnionitis, longer NICU hospitalization (p=0.01), and higher rates of NEC or IVH (p=0.008), and blood transfusion (p=0.004). There were no significant associations between antenatal FUPR and placental histologic inflammation grading, neonatal creatinine, neonatal dextrose, or early neonatal sepsis. IL-6 levels did not correlate with chorioamnionitis, FUPR, or early sepsis. Conclusion A finding of FUPR on in utero ultrasound examination in pregnancies complicated by PPROM may be indicative of an inflammatory process and predictive of adverse neonatal outcome.</p

Fetal urine production rate in preterm premature rupture of membranes is associated with adverse neonatal outcome: A pilot study.

Introduction In this study we evaluated the associations between fetal urinary production rate (FUPR), measured by ultrasound, and adverse neonatal outcome in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Material and Methods We conducted a prospective cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM occurring at gestational week 24 or later in a single center. Women with PPROM and conservative management until spontaneous labor (after 48 hours of admission), chorioamnionitis, or induction by protocol at 35+0 weeks. FUPR was evaluated by 2D sonography at admission, and corrected for gestational age. Attending physicians were blinded to FUPR results. The main neonatal outcome measures were chorioamnionitis, placental inflammatory grading, first neonatal creatinine value, first neonatal dextrose value, length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (grades I-IV), blood transfusions, reduced neonatal urine production rate ( Results The study included 38 women. Low FUPR was associated with chorioamnionitis, longer NICU hospitalization (p=0.01), and higher rates of NEC or IVH (p=0.008), and blood transfusion (p=0.004). There were no significant associations between antenatal FUPR and placental histologic inflammation grading, neonatal creatinine, neonatal dextrose, or early neonatal sepsis. IL-6 levels did not correlate with chorioamnionitis, FUPR, or early sepsis. Conclusion A finding of FUPR on in utero ultrasound examination in pregnancies complicated by PPROM may be indicative of an inflammatory process and predictive of adverse neonatal outcome.</p

Fetal urine production rate in preterm premature rupture of membranes is associated with adverse neonatal outcome: A pilot study.

Introduction In this study we evaluated the associations between fetal urinary production rate (FUPR), measured by ultrasound, and adverse neonatal outcome in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Material and Methods We conducted a prospective cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM occurring at gestational week 24 or later in a single center. Women with PPROM and conservative management until spontaneous labor (after 48 hours of admission), chorioamnionitis, or induction by protocol at 35+0 weeks. FUPR was evaluated by 2D sonography at admission, and corrected for gestational age. Attending physicians were blinded to FUPR results. The main neonatal outcome measures were chorioamnionitis, placental inflammatory grading, first neonatal creatinine value, first neonatal dextrose value, length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (grades I-IV), blood transfusions, reduced neonatal urine production rate (<4mL/kg/h), and early neonatal sepsis. Samples of maternal (at admission) and umbilical cord blood were analyzed for interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. Results The study included 38 women. Low FUPR was associated with chorioamnionitis, longer NICU hospitalization (p=0.01), and higher rates of NEC or IVH (p=0.008), and blood transfusion (p=0.004). There were no significant associations between antenatal FUPR and placental histologic inflammation grading, neonatal creatinine, neonatal dextrose, or early neonatal sepsis. IL-6 levels did not correlate with chorioamnionitis, FUPR, or early sepsis. Conclusion A finding of FUPR on in utero ultrasound examination in pregnancies complicated by PPROM may be indicative of an inflammatory process and predictive of adverse neonatal outcome