203. A differential pattern of follistatin expression in the placenta between spontaneous, induced and non-labouring patient groups

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
K. M. Rae ◽  
K. G. Hollebone ◽  
L. Meng ◽  
D. C. Clausen ◽  
J. R. McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Polyclonal Antiserum ◽  
Antigen Retrieval ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chorionic Villi ◽  
Patient Groups

Follistatin has been identified in human placenta, fetal membranes and fluids, with serum follistatin concentrations rising during pregnancy, particularly near term. Our laboratory has shown follistatin concentrations rise across labour in spontaneous but not induced women.1 As the placenta is a source of follistatin, this study examined placental tissues using immunohistochemistry to determine differences in follistatin localization between groups. Placental tissue was collected immediately following delivery from three groups of women at term, spontaneous onset (n = 4), induction (n = 4) and non-labouring caesarian (n = 4), and immediately formalin fixed. Antigen-retrieval immunohistochemistry using a specific chicken polyclonal antiserum (CK20) raised against a follistatin peptide (AA 121-133) or pre-immune chicken serum was performed. Positive staining of syncytiotrophoblast cells of the chorionic villi was seen in patients undergoing spontaneous labour but not in the induced and caesarian delivery group. The two labouring groups (spontaneous and induced) both showed positive staining for the vascular endothelial cells within the chorionic villi and the stratum basale, whilst the caesarian delivery group was negative for any staining within these vessels. Positive staining of Hofbauer cells was observed in both labouring groups; however, the caesarian group showed infrequent positive staining of these cell types. The differences in expression pattern in the two labouring groups (spontaneous v. induced) may be due to variations in labour lengths (6.5 v. 4.5 h, respectively); however, we would have expected a lower level of expression in the same cell types rather than the complete absence of staining. The positive follistatin staining in the syncytiotrophoblast of spontaneous patients suggests this may be the source of the rising plasma follistatin seen in this group. These differences in staining support our hypothesis that an earlier endocrine signal is absent in the induced and caesarian patient groups. (1)Rae K, Hollebone K, Clausen DC, Chetty V, McFarlane JR. (2004). A Cross-Sectional Study of Follistatin During Labour in Women. The Endocrine Societies 86th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 2004.

scholarly journals Aflatoxins in body fluids and food of Nigeria children with protein-energy malnutrition

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (53) ◽  
pp. 6553-6566
Author(s):  
GC Onyemelukwe ◽  
◽  
D Ogoina ◽  
GE Ibiam ◽  
GH Ogbadu
Keyword(s):  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
The Body ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Nigerian Children ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Patient Groups

Aflatoxins are natural contaminants of food crops implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. This study aimed to determine the associations between aflatoxins and protein- energy malnutrition ( PEM) by measurements of aflatoxins in serum, urine and food on plate of Nigerian children with PEM. A cross - sectional study was undertaken in 3 agro - ecological regions of Nigeria (Guinea savannah, Sudan savannah and Rain forest), where aflatoxins B1 , B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2 were measured in sera, urine and food on plate of 79 children with PEM (kwashiorkor n=36, marasmic kwashiorkor n=29 and marasmus n=13) and 33 healthy controls, matched for age and sex. Among healthy controls, aflatoxin detection rates were higher in the Guinea Savannah (72.2%) than in the Sudan Savannah (53.8%), albeit statistically insignificant. In relation to nutritional groups, the rates of detection of aflatoxins were higher in marasmic kwashiorkor (93.1%) and kwashiorkor patients (88.9%) , compared to marasmus (76.9%) and controls (63.6%, p=0.013). The rates of detection of B1 aflatoxin followed a similar trend viz. marasmic kwashiorkor (82.4%), kwashiorkor (69.4%), marasmus (53.8%) and controls (42.4%, p=0.007). Of all types of aflatoxins detected in serum, M2 had the highest rates of detection in all patient groups and controls. The median concentrations of aflatoxins detected in sera of each PEM group were significantly higher than those of controls, but comparisons between PEM groups were not statistically significant. The frequency and concentration of aflatoxins detected in urine and food of PEM groups and controls were not statistically different. However, controls had the lowest serum / urine aflatoxin ratio as well as lowest median aflatoxins concentrations in their food as compared to PEM patient s. In conclusion, aflatoxins are commonly detected in the body fluids and food of Nigerian children , but more frequently and at higher concentrations in children with PEM , possibly due to decreased excretion or increased exposure. Future prospective studies are desirable to determine if aflatoxins contribute to the pathogenesis of all types of PEM and not necessarily kwashiorkor alone.

scholarly journals Hep-CORE: a cross-sectional study of the viral hepatitis policy environment reported by patient groups in 25 European countries in 2016 and 2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. e25052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey V Lazarus ◽  
Samya R Stumo ◽  
Magdalena Harris ◽  
Greet Hendrickx ◽  
Kristina L Hetherington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Policy Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Groups

scholarly journals Duration of gargling and rinsing among frequent mouthwash users: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e040754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Renee Phillips ◽  
Christopher Fairley ◽  
Kate Maddaford ◽  
Sabrina Trumpour ◽  
Rebecca Wigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Workers ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Sex With Men

ObjectiveTo examine the rinsing and gargling mouthwash practices among frequent mouthwash users to determine if there are differences in use between gender, sexual orientation and sex work status.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingData obtained from patients attending a sexual health centre located in Melbourne, Australia.Participants200 frequent mouthwash users (four or more times per week), 50 for each of the following patient groups: men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), females who are not sex workers and men who have sex with women only (MSW). Participants were observed and audio recorded using mouthwash.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDescriptive analyses were conducted to calculate the median age, time rinsing and gargling, amount of mouthwash used and proportion of participants who rinsed, gargled or both, as determined from the audio files. Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ2 test were used to examine differences between the patient groups.ResultsMedian age was 28 years (IQR: 24–33). During the study, most (n=127; 63.5%) rinsed and gargled, but 70 (35.0%) rinsed only and three (1.5%) gargled only. Median time rinsing was 13.5 s (IQR: 8.5–22.0 s), gargling was 4.0 s (IQR: 2.5–6.0 s) and the median total duration was 17.0 s (IQR: 11.5–25.8 s). Median duration of mouthwash did not differ significantly between the groups (females not sex workers: 18.8 s (IQR: 12.5–24.5 s); FSW: 14.0 s (9.0–22.0 s); MSM: 22.3 s (13.0–26.5 s); MSW: 15.8 s (12.0–25.0 s); p=0.070) but males used mouthwash longer than females (median 20.3 s compared with 15.5 s; p=0.034). The median volume of mouthwash used was 20 mL (IQR: 15–27 mL). And most (n=198; 99.0%) did not dilute mouthwash with water.ConclusionOver a quarter of frequent users do not gargle mouthwash at all (35%) and used it for a substantially shorter period of time than it was used in the randomised trial (1 min) where it was shown to be effective at inhibiting Neisseria gonorrhoeae growth. Our findings suggest that many frequent mouthwash users do not follow the manufacturer instructions for using mouthwash and may not use mouthwash in a way that was shown to reduce the growth of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea.

scholarly journals Placental Malaria: Histological Findings and Immune Cell Infiltrates in Submicroscopic Infections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga María Agudelo-Garcia ◽  
Eliana María Arango ◽  
Stephanie K Yanow ◽  
Jaime Carmona-Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Placental Malaria ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tissue Alterations ◽  
Plasmodial Infection ◽  
Immune Cell Infiltrates

Abstract Most research on placental malaria is focused on microscopic infection by Plasmodium falciparum; there are very few studies on submicroscopic infection. This study aimed to assess alterations of placental tissue associated with placental malaria, to describe the immune cell populations in the placental tissue, and to explore the relationships between the histopathological changes and cell infiltrates. A descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study was carried out. Women were recruited at hospital obstetric facilities in three municipalities in Northwest Colombia. The histopathological analysis was performed in a total of 132 placentas including 66 placentas with submicroscopic plasmodial infection and 66 that were negatives. Immunohistochemistry was performed on a subset of 75 placentas to determine the distribution of immune cells. Based on histology, there were more immune cells in placentas with submicroscopic plasmodial infection compared with those without infection. The quantity of syncytial knots and calcifications was greater with submicroscopic plasmodial infection, but the quantity of abruption and thrombi was greater in placentas without infection. By immunohistochemistry, we observed a significant increase of CD56+ and CD68+ cells in the infected placentas. Submicroscopic plasmodial infection in the placenta causes tissue alterations and increased immune cell infiltrates. Submicroscopic plasmodial infection is very common in Colombia and can represent a serious threat to mothers and newborns.

scholarly journals Histopathological Changes of Placenta Associated with Maternal Anaemia in Northeast Ethiopia: A Comparative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teshome Gebremeskel ◽  
Abay Mulu ◽  
Solomon Kumbi ◽  
Wondwossen Ergete
Keyword(s):  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Histopathological Changes ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Maternal Anaemia ◽  
Intervillous Space ◽  
Terminal Villi ◽  
Indirect Indicator

BACKGROUND: Anaemia during pregnancy affects about half of all pregnant mothers in developing countries; it is the major causes of indirect maternal mortality. Anaemia can directly cause poor growth of fetus in utero due to inadequate oxygen flow to the placental tissue or it is indirect indicator of maternal nutritional deficiency. Mal-development of placenta is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and an important factor of fetal growth retardation. The aim of this study was to compare histopathological changes of placenta associated with maternal anaemia.METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May-June, 2018 in Dessie Referral Hospital. A total of 66 placentas (33 anaemic and 33 non-anaemic) were collected after delivery. EPI data version 4.2.0 was used to enter the data while the data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi-square and oneway ANOVA were used to analyze the data.RESULTS; In pregnancies with maternal anaemia, 75.7% of anaemic placentas terminal villi vessels were increased in number, compared to 15.1% in non-anaemic (p=0.001). Placental calcification was 72.7% in anaemic groups compared to 54% in non-anaemic groups. However, it was insignificant (p=0.12). Intervillous space was wider in anaemic compared to non-anaemic groups (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS; Chorionic villi capillaries were increased in number, and it was dilated in anaemic placenta, compared to non-anaemic. Intervillous space was significantly wider in anaemic placenta. 

scholarly journals The MRI central vein marker; differentiating PPMS from RRMS and ischemic SVD

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal P.R. Samaraweera ◽  
Yasser Falah ◽  
Alain Pitiot ◽  
Robert A. Dineen ◽  
Paul S. Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Small Vessel Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Central Vein ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
The Difference

ObjectiveTo determine whether the assessment of brain white matter lesion (WML) central veins differentiate patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and ischemic small vessel disease (SVD) using 3T MRI.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 71 patients with PPMS, RRMS, and SVD were imaged using a T2*-weighted sequence. Two blinded raters identified the total number of WMLs, proportion of WMLs in periventricular, deep white matter (DWM) and juxtacortical regions, and proportion of WMLs with central veins in all patient groups. The proportions were compared between disease groups, including effect sizes. MS or SVD was categorized using a threshold of ≥40% WMLs with central veins as indicative of MS. Interrater and intrarater reproducibility was calculated.ResultsThe mean proportion of WMLs with central veins was 68.4% in PPMS, 74.3% in RRMS, and 4.7% in SVD. The difference in proportions between PPMS and SVD groups was significant (p < 0.0005; effect size: 3.8) but not significant between MS subtypes (p = 0.3; effect size: 0.29). Distribution of WMLs was similar across both MS groups, but despite SVD patients having more DWM lesions than PPMS patients, proportions of WMLs with central veins remained low (2.75% in SVD; 62.5% in PPMS). Interrater and intrarater reproducibility comparing proportions of WMLs with central veins across all patients was 0.86 and 0.90, respectively. Level of agreement between the proportion of WML central veins and established diagnosis was 0.84 and 0.82 for each rater.ConclusionsWML central veins could be used to differentiate PPMS from SVD but not between MS subtypes.

scholarly journals Cognitive and Motor Outcome in Patients with Early-detected Central Congenital Hypothyroidism Compared with Siblings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanda C Naafs ◽  
Jan Pieter Marchal ◽  
Eric Fliers ◽  
Paul H Verkerk ◽  
Michiel A J Luijten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Hypothyroidism ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Neonatal Hypoglycemia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Motor Outcome ◽  
Marginal Means ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Motor Difficulties ◽  
Mean Differences

Abstract Context Early treatment of primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH) prevents irreversible brain damage. Contrary to primary CH, outcome studies on central CH are scarce. Most patients with central CH have multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD); these patients are also at risk for neonatal hypoglycemia. Objective To assess cognitive and motor outcome in patients with early-treated central CH detected by the Dutch neonatal screening. Methods In this cross-sectional study, primary outcome full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) was measured in patients with MPHD and patients with isolated central CH born between January 1, 1995, and January 1, 2015, with siblings as controls. Secondary outcomes were intelligence test subscales and motor function. Linear mixed models were used to compare both patient groups and siblings, followed by post hoc tests in case of significant differences. Results Eighty-seven patients (52 MPHD; 35 isolated central CH) and 52 siblings were included. Estimated marginal means for FSIQ were 90.7 (95% CI 86.4-95.0) in patients with MPHD and 98.2 (95% CI 93.0-103.5) in patients with isolated central CH. While patients with MPHD scored lower FSIQs than siblings (mean difference –7.9 points, 95% CI –13.4 to –2.5; P = .002), patients with isolated central CH did not. Processing speed was lower in both patient groups than in siblings (mean differences –10.5 and –10.3 points). Motor difficulties occurred significantly more often in patients (33%) versus siblings (5%; P = .004). Conclusion In early-treated central CH, FSIQ is comparable with siblings in patients with isolated central CH, while patients with MPHD have a significantly lower FSIQ. This may be explained by disease-specific consequences of MPHD, such as neonatal hypoglycemia and more severe hypothyroidism.

scholarly journals Can differences in length of stay between Dutch university hospitals and other hospitals be explained by patient characteristics? A cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e021851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Ghielen ◽  
Sezgin Cihangir ◽  
Karin Hekkert ◽  
Ine Borghans ◽  
Rudolf Bertijn Kool
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Additional Patient ◽  
Main Diagnosis ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Groups

ObjectivesThe indicator unexpectedly long length of stay (UL-LOS) is used to gain insight into quality and safety of care in hospitals. The calculation of UL-LOS takes patients’ age, main diagnosis and main procedure into account. University hospitals have relatively more patients with a UL-LOS than other hospitals. Our main research question is whether the high number of patients with a UL-LOS in university hospitals is caused by differences in additional patient characteristics between university hospitals and other hospitals.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional study and used administrative data from 1 510 627 clinical admissions in 87 Dutch hospitals. Patients who died in hospital, stayed in hospital for 100 days or longer or whose country of residence was not the Netherlands were excluded from the UL-LOS indicator. We identified which patient groups were treated only in university hospitals or only in other hospitals and which were treated in both hospital types. For these last patient groups, we added supplementary patient characteristics to the current model to determine the effect on the UL-LOS model.ResultsPatient groups treated in both hospital types differed in terms of detailed primary diagnosis, socioeconomic status, source of admission, type of admission and amount of Charlson comorbidities. Nevertheless, when adding these characteristics to the current model, university hospitals still have a significantly higher mean UL-LOS score compared with other hospitals (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe difference in UL-LOS scores between both hospital types remains after adding patient characteristics in which both hospital types differ. We conclude that the high UL-LOS scores in university hospitals are not caused by the investigated additional patient characteristics that differ between university and other hospitals. Patients might stay relatively longer in university hospitals due to differences in work processes because of their education and research tasks or financing differences of both hospital types.

scholarly journals Resistance ofEscherichia coliin faeces and the use of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of hospital patients

1983 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Degener ◽  
A. C. W. Smit ◽  
M. F. Michel ◽  
H. A. Valkenburg ◽  
L. Muller
Keyword(s):  
Faecal Sample ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Annual Turnover

SUMMARYResistance of faecalEscherichia colito ampicillin, tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole and gentamicin was studied in patients admitted to seven different departments in two hospitals. The resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline and sulphamethoxazole in the seven patient groups was 27–57%, 26–56% and 35–63%, respectively. Resistance to gentamicin was found in only one department. AnE. coliflora predominantly resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline or sulphamethoxazole (> 50% of theE. colistrains in a faecal sample resistant) was found in 10–38%, 4–30% and 21–35% of the samples. A cross-sectional study focusing on the influence of the use of antimicrobial agents on the occurrence of resistant strains revealed a positive correlation between the annual turnover of broad-spectrum penicillins in various departments and the occurrence of predominantly ampicillin-resistantE. colistrains in these departments.

scholarly journals Automated Quantitative Image Evaluation of Antigen Retrieval Methods for 17 Antibodies in Placentation and Implantation Diagnostic and Research

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Julia Fuchs ◽  
Olivia Nonn ◽  
Christine Daxboeck ◽  
Silvia Groiss ◽  
Gerit Moser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Quantitative Image Analysis ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Antigen Retrieval ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Quantitative Image ◽  
Β Hcg

Immunostaining in clinical routine and research highly depends on standardized staining methods and quantitative image analyses. We qualitatively and quantitatively compared antigen retrieval methods (no pretreatment, pretreatment with pepsin, and heat-induced pretreatment with pH 6 or pH 9) for 17 antibodies relevant for placenta and implantation diagnostics and research. Using our newly established, comprehensive automated quantitative image analysis approach, fluorescent signal intensities were evaluated. Automated quantitative image analysis found that 9 out of 17 antibodies needed antigen retrieval to show positive staining. Heat induction proved to be the most efficient form of antigen retrieval. Eight markers stained positive after pepsin digestion, with β-hCG and vWF showing enhanced staining intensities. To avoid the misinterpretation of quantitative image data, the qualitative aspect should always be considered. Results from native placental tissue were compared with sections of a placental invasion model based on thermo-sensitive scaffolds. Immunostaining on placentas in vitro leads to new insights into fetal development and maternal pathophysiological pathways, as pregnant women are justifiably excluded from clinical studies. Thus, there is a clear need for the assessment of reliable immunofluorescent staining and pretreatment methods. Our evaluation offers a powerful tool for antibody and pretreatment selection in placental research providing objective and precise results.

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