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Seys E, Page AS, Deprest J, Lannoo L, van Calsteren K, Devlieger R, van der Merwe J. Urogenital cultures and preterm birth in women with cervical cerclage: a single center retrospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:324. [PMID: 38671377 PMCID: PMC11046802 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06509-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The leading hypothesis of the pathogenesis of cervical insufficiency suggests a role of cervical inflammation. Urogenital tract infections could play a causative role in this process. To test this hypothesis in women with a cervical cerclage, we aimed to retrospectively examine the relationship between gestational age (GA) at delivery and positive urogenital cultures. METHODS This single center retrospective study reviewed the records of all women with a singleton pregnancy that underwent cervical cerclage (n = 203) between 2010 and 2020 at the University Hospital of Leuven, Belgium. Transvaginal cerclages were categorized as history indicated (TVC I, n = 94), ultrasound indicated (TVC II, n = 79) and clinically indicated (TVC III, n = 20). Additionally, ten women received transabdominal cerclage (TAC). Urogenital cultures (vaginal and urine) were taken before and after cerclage with 4-week intervals. Urogenital cultures were reported 'positive' if urine and/or vaginal cultures showed significant growth of a microorganism. Treatment decision depended on culture growth and clinical presentation. The primary aim was to evaluate the association between the urogenital culture results and the GA at delivery, for each of the cerclage groups. Secondarily, to investigate the effect of antibiotic treatment of positive cultures on GA at delivery. RESULTS Positive pre-cerclage urogenital cultures were associated with lower GA at delivery in TVC III (positive culture 26w4d ± 40d vs. negative 29w6d ± 54d, p = 0.036). For TVC I, GA at delivery was longer when pre-cerclage urogenital cultures were positive (positive culture 38w0d ± 26d vs. negative 35w4d ± 42d, p = 0.035). Overall post-cerclage urogenital cultures status was not associated with a different GA at delivery. Treating patients with pre- or post-cerclage positive urogenital cultures did also not change GA at delivery. CONCLUSION Positive urogenital cultures taken before clinically indicated cerclage intervention may be associated with lower GA at delivery. However, there seems to be no benefit of antibiotic treatment or routine urogenital cultures during follow-up of asymptomatic women after cerclage placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Seys
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Ann-Sophie Page
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Lore Lannoo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Kristel van Calsteren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Roland Devlieger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
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Haenen K, Vergote S, Kunpalin Y, De Catte L, Devlieger R, Lewi L, van der Merwe J, Russo F, De Vloo P, Lannoo L, Deprest J. Subsequent fertility, pregnancy, and gynaecological and psychological outcomes after maternal-fetal surgery for open spina bifida: A prospective cohort study. BJOG 2023; 130:1677-1684. [PMID: 37272251 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the medium-term maternal impact of open fetal spina bifida repair. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. POPULATION Mothers who had open maternal-fetal spina bifida repair between March 2012 and December 2021. METHODS A patient-reported survey on subsequent fertility, pregnancy, and gynaecological and psychological outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Complications during subsequent pregnancies, and gynaecological and psychological problems. RESULTS Seventy-two out of 100 invited women completed the questionnaire (72%). Despite being advised not to, seven of 13 women attempting to conceive became pregnant within 2 years after fetal surgery and one woman delivered vaginally. Two of the 16 subsequent pregnancies were complicated by an open neural tube defect. One pregnancy was complicated by a placenta accreta and one pregnancy was complicated by a uterine rupture, both with good neonatal outcomes. Nearly half of respondents who did not attempt to conceive reported that this was because of their experience of the index pregnancy and caring for the index child. Three out of four respondents reported medium-term psychological problems, mostly anxiety for the health of the index child, fear for recurrence in subsequent pregnancies and feelings of guilt. CONCLUSIONS Open maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida did not appear to affect fertility in our cohort. Half of the attempts to conceive took place within 2 years. One uterine rupture and one placenta accreta occurred in 16 subsequent pregnancies. Most respondents reported psychological problems linked to the index pregnancy, which reinforces the need for long-term psychological support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kobe Haenen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simen Vergote
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yada Kunpalin
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc De Catte
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roland Devlieger
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Lewi
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Russo
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe De Vloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lore Lannoo
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- University College London Institute for Women's Health, London, UK
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Valenzuela I, Regin Y, Gie A, Basurto D, Emam D, Scuglia M, Zapletalova K, Greyling M, Deprest J, van der Merwe J. Long-term pulmonary and neurodevelopmental impairment in a fetal growth restriction rabbit model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20966. [PMID: 38017239 PMCID: PMC10684490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48174-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains one of the main obstetrical problems worldwide, with consequences beyond perinatal life. Animal models with developmental and structural similarities to the human are essential to understand FGR long-term consequences and design novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or ameliorating them. Herein, we described the long-term consequences of FGR in pulmonary function, structure, and gene expression, and characterized neurodevelopmental sequelae up to preadolescence in a rabbit model. FGR was induced at gestational day 25 by surgically reducing placental blood supply in one uterine horn, leaving the contralateral horn as internal control. Neonatal rabbits born near term were assigned to foster care in mixed groups until postnatal day (PND) 21. At that time, one group underwent pulmonary biomechanical testing followed by lung morphometry and gene expression analysis. A second group underwent longitudinal neurobehavioral assessment until PND 60 followed by brain harvesting for multiregional oligodendrocyte and microglia quantification. FGR was associated with impaired pulmonary function and lung development at PND 21. FGR rabbits had higher respiratory resistance and altered parenchymal biomechanical properties in the lungs. FGR lungs presented thicker alveolar septal walls and reduced alveolar space. Furthermore, the airway smooth muscle content was increased, and the tunica media of the intra-acinar pulmonary arteries was thicker. In addition, FGR was associated with anxiety-like behavior, impaired memory and attention, and lower oligodendrocyte proportion in the frontal cortex and white matter. In conclusion, we documented and characterized the detrimental pulmonary function and structural changes after FGR, independent of prematurity, and beyond the neonatal period for the first time in the rabbit model, and describe the oligodendrocyte alteration in pre-adolescent rabbit brains. This characterization will allow researchers to develop and test therapies to treat FGR and prevent its sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Valenzuela
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Yannick Regin
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andre Gie
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David Basurto
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Doaa Emam
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Tanta, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Marianna Scuglia
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katerina Zapletalova
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marnel Greyling
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 805, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Vergote S, Joyeux L, Basurto D, Bleeser T, Valenzuela I, Valentyn B, Emam D, Watananirun K, De Bie FR, Aertsen M, van der Merwe J, Deprest J. Duration of fetoscopic spina bifida repair does not affect the central nervous system in fetal lambs. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:101156. [PMID: 37714330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal spina bifida aperta repair improves neurologic outcomes yet comes with a significant risk of prematurity and uterine scar-related complications. To reduce such complications, different fetoscopic techniques, for example, with varying numbers of ports, are being explored. This has an effect on the duration of the procedure, potentially affecting central nervous system development. Both the condition and anesthesia can affect the central nervous system, particularly the hippocampus, a region crucial for prospective and episodic memory. Previous animal studies have shown the potential influence of anesthesia, premature delivery, and maternal surgery during pregnancy on this area. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the effects of 2- vs 3-port fetoscopic spina bifida aperta repair in the fetal lamb model using neuron count of the hippocampus as the primary outcome. STUDY DESIGN Based on the hippocampal neuron count from previous lamb experiments, we calculated that we required 5 animals per group to achieve a statistical power of ≥ 80%. A spina bifida aperta defect was developed in fetal lambs at 75 days of gestation (term: 145 days). At 100 days, fetuses underwent either a 2-port or 3-port fetoscopic repair. At 143 days, all surviving fetuses were delivered by cesarean delivery, anesthetized, and transcardially perfused with a mixture of formaldehyde and gadolinium. Next, they underwent neonatal brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging after which these organs were harvested for histology. Hippocampus, frontal cortex, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum samples were immunostained to identify neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and markers associated with cell proliferation, myelination, and synapses. The degree of hindbrain herniation and the ventricular diameter were measured on magnetic resonance images and volumes of relevant brain and medulla areas were segmented. RESULTS Both treatment groups included 5 fetuses and 9 unoperated littermates served as normal controls. The durations for both skin-to-skin (341±31 vs 287±40 minutes; P=.04) and fetal surgery (183±30 vs 128±22; P=.01) were longer for the 2-port approach than for the 3-port approach. There was no significant difference in neuron density in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and cerebellum. In the caudate nucleus, the neuron count was higher in the 2-port group (965±156 vs 767±92 neurons/mm2; P=.04). There were neither differences in proliferation, astrogliosis, synaptophysin, or myelin. The tip of the cerebellar vermis was closer to the foramen magnum in animals undergoing the 2-port approach than in animals undergoing the 3-port approach (-0.72±0.67 vs -2.47±0.91 mm; P=.009). There was no significant difference in the ratio of the hippocampus, caudate nucleus, or cerebellar volume to body weight. For the spine, no difference was noted in spine volume-to-body weight ratio for the lower (L1-L2), middle (L3-L4), and higher (L5-L6) levels. Compared with controls, in repaired animals, the cerebellar vermis tip laid closer to the foramen magnum, parietal ventricles were enlarged, and medulla volumes were reduced. CONCLUSION In the experimental spina bifida fetal lamb model, a 2-port repair took 40% longer than a 3-port repair. However, there was no indication of any relevant morphologic differences in the fetal brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simen Vergote
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest)
| | - Luc Joyeux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Dr Joyeux)
| | - David Basurto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Fetal Medicine and Fetal Surgery, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico (Dr Basurto)
| | - Tom Bleeser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Anaesthesiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Dr Bleeser); Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Dr Bleeser)
| | - Ignacio Valenzuela
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest)
| | - Britt Valentyn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest)
| | - Doaa Emam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta, Egypt (Dr Emam)
| | - Kanokwaroon Watananirun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand (Dr Watananirun)
| | - Felix R De Bie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest)
| | - Michael Aertsen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Clinical Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Dr Aertsen)
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest)
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Drs Vergote, Joyeux, Basurto, Bleeser, and Valenzuela, Ms Valentyn, and Drs Emam, Watananirun, De Bie, van der Merwe, and Deprest); Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom (Dr Deprest).
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Zapletalova K, Valenzuela I, Greyling M, Regin Y, Frigolett C, Krofta L, Deprest J, van der Merwe J. The Effects of Prenatal Pravastatin Treatment in the Rabbit Fetal Growth Restriction Model. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2685. [PMID: 37893059 PMCID: PMC10604497 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains without an effective prenatal treatment. Evidence from murine FGR models suggests a beneficial effect of prenatal pravastatin. Since the rabbit hemodichorial placenta more closely resembles the human condition, we investigated the effects of prenatal maternal pravastatin administration in the rabbit FGR model. At a gestational age of 25 days (term 31d), pregnant dams underwent partial uteroplacental vessel ligation (UPVL) in one uterine horn to induce FGR, leaving the other horn as a control. Dams were randomized to either receive 5 mg/kg/d pravastatin dissolved in their drinking water or normal drinking water until delivery. At GA 30d, the rabbits were delivered and were divided into four groups: control without pravastatin (C/NoPrav), FGR without pravastatin (FGR/NoPrav), FGR with pravastatin (FGR/Prav), and controls with pravastatin (C/Prav). The newborn rabbits underwent pulmonary functional assessment and neurobehavioral assessment, and they were harvested for alveolar morphometry or neuropathology. The placentas underwent histology examination and RNA expression. Birth weight was lower in the FGR groups (FGR/Prav, FGR/NoPrav), but there was no difference between FGR/Prav and C/NoPrav. No differences were noted in placental zone proportions, but eNOS in FGR/Prav placentas and VEGFR-2 in FGR/Prav and C/Prav were upregulated. There were no differences in pulmonary function assessment and alveolar morphometry. FGR/Prav kittens had increased neurosensory scores, but there were no differences in neuromotor tests, neuron density, apoptosis, and astrogliosis. In conclusion, in the rabbit FGR model, pravastatin upregulated the expression of VEGFR-2 and eNOS in FGR placentas and was associated with higher neurosensory scores, without measurable effects on birthweight, pulmonary function and morphology, and neuron density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Zapletalova
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.Z.); (I.V.)
- Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 147 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ignacio Valenzuela
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.Z.); (I.V.)
| | - Marnel Greyling
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.Z.); (I.V.)
| | - Yannick Regin
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.Z.); (I.V.)
| | - Cristian Frigolett
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Statistics Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ladislav Krofta
- Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 147 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.Z.); (I.V.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.Z.); (I.V.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Bleeser T, Basurto D, Russo F, Vergote S, Valenzuela I, Van den Broucke S, Kunpalin Y, Joyeux L, Van der Veeken L, Vally JC, Emam D, van der Merwe J, Van de Velde M, Devroe S, Deprest J, Rex S. Effects of cumulative duration of repeated anaesthesia exposure on foetal brain development in the ovine model. J Clin Anesth 2023; 85:111050. [PMID: 36640704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2022.111050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anaesthesia is required in 0.4-1% of pregnant women, and prolonged and repeated exposures to anaesthesia may be required. It is unknown whether these exposures may result in foetal neurotoxicity in humans. As sheep have a gestation comparable to that of humans, the objective of this study was to analyse the neurodevelopmental outcome of ovine foetuses that had been exposed in utero to repeated and prolonged anaesthesia. DESIGN Randomized controlled preclinical study. SETTING Anaesthesia for non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy. ANIMALS Twenty-four healthy pregnant Swifter ewes. INTERVENTIONS The ewes were randomized to no anaesthesia exposure (control-group), single exposure (at gestational age 68-70 days), or repeated exposure (at gestational age 68-70 days and 96-98 days) to 2.5 h of sevoflurane anaesthesia and maternal laparotomy. All lambs were delivered at approximately term gestation (gestational age: 140-143 days). MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was neuron density in the frontal cortex 24 h after birth for the control-group versus the repeated-exposure-group. Key secondary outcome was the time needed to achieve the milestone of standing. Secondary outcomes included other neurobehavioural assessments (e.g., motoric milestones) and histological parameters quantified in multiple brain regions (neuron density, total cell density, proliferation, inflammation, synaptogenesis, astrocytes and myelination). MAIN RESULTS Neuron density in the frontal cortex did not differ between groups (mean ± standard deviation: control-group: 403 ± 39, single-exposure group: 436 ± 23 and repeated-exposure-group: 403 ± 40 neurons/mm2, control-group versus repeated-exposure-group: p = 0.986, control-group versus single-exposure-group: p = 0.097). No significant difference was observed for the time needed to achieve the milestone of standing. Only very limited differences were observed for other histological outcome parameters and neurobehavioural assessments. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence for foetal neuronal injury or neurobehavioural impairments after a cumulative duration of 5 h repetitive prenatal anaesthesia in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Bleeser
- Department of Anaesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Basurto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Russo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simen Vergote
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ignacio Valenzuela
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Yada Kunpalin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Joyeux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Paediatric Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Lennart Van der Veeken
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZA, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Janine C Vally
- Department of Anaesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Doaa Emam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Tanta, Egypt
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Van de Velde
- Department of Anaesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Devroe
- Department of Anaesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UZ Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Rex
- Department of Anaesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Valenzuela I, Zapletalova K, Greyling M, Regin Y, Gie A, Basurto D, Deprest J, van der Merwe J. Fetal Growth Restriction Impairs Lung Function and Neurodevelopment in an Early Preterm Rabbit Model. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010139. [PMID: 36672647 PMCID: PMC9855731 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported the multi-system sequelae of fetal growth restriction, induced by placental underperfusion, in near-term born rabbits, in the immediate neonatal period and up to pre-adolescence. Herein, we describe the pulmonary and neurodevelopmental consequences of FGR in rabbits born preterm. We hypothesize that FGR has an additional detrimental effect on prematurity in both pulmonary function and neurodevelopment. FGR was induced at gestational day (GD) 25 by placental underperfusion, accomplished by partial uteroplacental vessel ligation in one uterine horn. Rabbits were delivered by cesarean section at GD 29, and placentas were harvested for histology. Neonates underwent neurobehavioral or pulmonary functional assessment at postnatal day 1, followed by brain or lung harvesting, respectively. The neurodevelopmental assessment included neurobehavioral testing and multiregional quantification of cell density and apoptosis in the brain. Lung assessment included functional testing, alveolar morphometry, and airway histology. FGR was associated with higher perinatal mortality, lower birth and placental weight, and a similar brain-to-body weight ratio compared to controls. Placental underperfusion decreased labyrinth and junction zone volumes in FGR placentas. FGR impaired pulmonary function, depicted by higher parenchymal resistance, damping, and elastance. Alveolar morphometry and airway smooth muscle content were comparable between groups. Neurobehavioral tests showed motoric and sensorial impairment in FGR rabbits. In FGR brains, cell density was globally reduced, with higher apoptosis in selected areas. In conclusion, in preterm-born rabbits, placental underperfusion leads to higher mortality, FGR, and impaired lung and brain development in early assessment. This study complements previous findings of placental, pulmonary, and neurodevelopmental impairment in near-term born rabbits in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Valenzuela
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katerina Zapletalova
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Charles University, 147 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marnel Greyling
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Regin
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andre Gie
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
| | - David Basurto
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Valenzuela I, Kinoshita M, van der Merwe J, Maršál K, Deprest J. Prenatal interventions for fetal growth restriction in animal models: A systematic review. Placenta 2022; 126:90-113. [PMID: 35796064 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) in human pregnancy is associated with perinatal mortality, short- and long-term morbidities. No prenatal therapy is currently established despite decades of research. We aimed to review interventions in animal models for prenatal FGR treatment, and to seek the next steps for an effective clinical therapy. We registered our protocol and searched MEDLINE, Embase, and The Cochrane Library with no language restrictions, in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. We included all studies that reported the effects of any prenatal intervention in animal models of induced FGR. From 3257 screened studies, 202 describing 237 interventions were included for the final synthesis. Mice and rats were the most used animals (79%) followed by sheep (16%). Antioxidants (23%), followed by vasodilators (18%), nutrients (14%), and immunomodulators (12%) were the most tested therapy. Two-thirds of studies only reported delivery or immediate neonatal outcomes. Adverse effects were rarely reported (11%). Most studies (73%), independent of the intervention, showed a benefit in fetal survival or birthweight. The risk of bias was high, mostly due to the lack of randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. Future research should aim to describe both short- and long-term outcomes across various organ systems in well-characterized models. Further efforts must be made to reduce selection, performance, and detection bias.
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van der Merwe J, van der Veeken L, Inversetti A, Galgano A, Valenzuela I, Salaets T, Ferraris S, Vercauteren T, Toelen J, Deprest J. Neurocognitive sequelae of antenatal corticosteroids in a late preterm rabbit model. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:850.e1-850.e21. [PMID: 34875248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.11.1370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late preterm birth is associated with short-term respiratory and adaptive problems. Although antenatal corticosteroids seem to reduce the respiratory burden, this may come at the cost of adverse neuropsychological outcomes later in life. This impact has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE Herein, we investigate what the short- and long-term neurodevelopmental effects of a single course of betamethasone in simulated late preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN Time-mated pregnant does received 0.1 mg/kg betamethasone (n=8) or 1 mL saline intramuscular (n=6) at the postconceptional ages of 28 and 29 days. The antenatal corticosteroid dose and scheme were based on previous studies and were comparable with routine clinical use. Cesarean delivery was done on postconceptional age 30 days (term=31 days), and new-born rabbits were foster-cared for 28 days and were thereafter cared for in group housing. Neonatal lung function testing and short-term neurobehavioral testing was done. Open field, spontaneous alternation, and novel object recognition tests were subsequently performed at 4 and 8 weeks of age. On postnatal day 1 and at 8 weeks, a subgroup was euthanized and transcardially perfuse fixated. Ex vivo high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to calculate the Diffusion Tensor Imaging-derived fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. Fixated brains underwent processing and were serial sectioned, and a set of 3 coronal sections underwent anti-NeuN, Ki67, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. RESULTS Antenatal corticosteroid exposure was associated with improved neonatal lung function, yet resulted in a long-term growth deficit that coincided with a persistent neurobehavioral deficit. We demonstrated lower neonatal motor scores; a persistent anxious behavior in the open field test with more displacements, running, and self-grooming episodes; persistent lower alternation scores in the T-Maze test; and lower discriminatory indexes in the novel object recognition. On neuropathological assessment, antenatal corticosteroid exposure was observed to result in a persistent lower neuron density and fewer Ki67+ cells, particularly in the hippocampus and the corpus callosum. This coincided with lower diffusion tensor imaging-derived fractional anisotropy scores in the same key regions. CONCLUSION Clinical equivalent antenatal corticosteroid exposure in this late preterm rabbit model resulted in improved neonatal lung function. However, it compromised neonatal and long-term neurocognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium; Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lennart van der Veeken
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium; Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annalisa Inversetti
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Angela Galgano
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ignacio Valenzuela
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Salaets
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium; Division Woman and Child, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sebastiano Ferraris
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Vercauteren
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium; School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium; Division Woman and Child, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Belgium; Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Lopez-Varela E, Abulfathi AA, Strydom N, Goussard P, van Wyk AC, Demers AM, Deventer AV, Garcia-Prats AJ, van der Merwe J, Zimmerman M, Carter CL, Janson J, Morrison J, Reuter H, Decloedt EH, Seddon JA, Svensson EM, Warren R, Savic RM, Dartois V, Hesseling AC. Drug concentration at the site of disease in children with pulmonary tuberculosis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:1710-1719. [PMID: 35468189 PMCID: PMC9155609 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current TB treatment for children is not optimized to provide adequate drug levels in TB lesions. Dose optimization of first-line antituberculosis drugs to increase exposure at the site of disease could facilitate more optimal treatment and future treatment-shortening strategies across the disease spectrum in children with pulmonary TB. OBJECTIVES To determine the concentrations of first-line antituberculosis drugs at the site of disease in children with intrathoracic TB. METHODS We quantified drug concentrations in tissue samples from 13 children, median age 8.6 months, with complicated forms of pulmonary TB requiring bronchoscopy or transthoracic surgical lymph node decompression in a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Pharmacokinetic models were used to describe drug penetration characteristics and to simulate concentration profiles for bronchoalveolar lavage, homogenized lymph nodes, and cellular and necrotic lymph node lesions. RESULTS Isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide showed lower penetration in most lymph node areas compared with plasma, while ethambutol accumulated in tissue. None of the drugs studied was able to reach target concentration in necrotic lesions. CONCLUSIONS Despite similar penetration characteristics compared with adults, low plasma exposures in children led to low site of disease exposures for all drugs except for isoniazid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lopez-Varela
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic - Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Corresponding author: E-mail:
| | - Ahmed A. Abulfathi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, USA
| | - Natasha Strydom
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, USA
| | - Pierre Goussard
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abraham C. van Wyk
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Tygerberg Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anne Marie Demers
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Service de microbiologie, Département clinique de médecine de laboratoire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anneen Van Deventer
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anthony J. Garcia-Prats
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Matthew Zimmerman
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey, USA, and Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Claire L. Carter
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey, USA, and Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Pathology, Hackensack School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, USA
| | - Jacques Janson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julie Morrison
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helmuth Reuter
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eric H. Decloedt
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - James A. Seddon
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elin M. Svensson
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacy, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Warren
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Radojka M. Savic
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, USA
| | - Véronique Dartois
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey, USA, and Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Anneke C. Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Bauters E, Aertsen M, Froyman W, van der Merwe J. Uterine hemangioma in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2022; 51:102401. [PMID: 35490987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2022.102401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine hemangioma is a rare benign vascular tumor which can cause bleeding problems in various age groups. Current knowledge on this rare condition in pregnancy is limited. We report on a recent case of uterine hemangioma in a pregnancy that was already diagnosed during her first trimester. We also provide a literature review to summarize the characteristics and outcomes of uterine hemangioma cases in pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic search was done of all published literature up to February 2021 using PubMed and Scopus databases. The selection process was registered using the online tool Rayyan QCRI. All data was described in a narrative format. The protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021237519). RESULTS Fifteen case reports were included. In most cases, the diagnosis was established by antenatal ultrasound. More than half of the women developed a postpartum hemorrhage, necessitating a hysterectomy for bleeding control in half of the cases, although the risk for both seemed lower in those women in whom the hemangioma was diagnosed before delivery. One case of maternal mortality and two cases of fetal death were reported. There was one case of neonatal respiratory morbidity, although the neonatal data were not routinely reported upon. CONCLUSION Current knowledge on uterine hemangioma in pregnancy is limited, but it seems to hold substantial risks for both pregnant women and their unborn child. We recommend routine screening for this condition at the standard mid-trimester anomaly scan. Pregnant women with uterine hemangioma should ideally be cared for in centers of expertise. An international registry will help to build a better understanding of this rare pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Bauters
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael Aertsen
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wouter Froyman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven University, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Van Audenhove C, Russo FM, van der Merwe J, Eerdekens A, Ortibus E, Lewi L. Outcomes of Monoamniotic Twin Pregnancies from the First Trimester Onward. Fetal Diagn Ther 2022; 49:361-367. [DOI: 10.1159/000526162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins are rare, and information is lacking on pregnancy outcomes from the first trimester onward. This study compares the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between MCMA and monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies from the first trimester onward. We also report on the outcomes of MCMA twin pregnancies continuing after 28 weeks and on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of MCMA twins. Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study of MCMA and MCDA twin pregnancies followed from the first trimester with a fortnightly ultrasound scan. We excluded pregnancies with a major anomaly diagnosed on the first-trimester ultrasound scan. MCMA twin pregnancies were offered inpatient monitoring from 28 weeks onward, and an elective cesarean section was advised between 32 and 33 weeks. MCDA pregnancies were managed as inpatients only if medically indicated, and an elective birth between 36 and 37 weeks was recommended. Results: We analyzed the outcomes of 52 MCMA and 671 MCDA twin pregnancies. In MCMA twins, the fetal and neonatal survival rate was 81/104 (78%) versus 1,192/1,342 (89%) in MCDA twins (p = 0.016). Double intrauterine demise (IUD) was more common in MA than in DA pairs (13% vs. 3%) (p = 0.002). No IUD occurred in the 40 MCMA pregnancies that continued after 28 weeks, but five women (13%) required an urgent cesarean section for fetal distress. Thirty-eight of 52 eligible infants (73%) underwent a neurodevelopmental assessment. Thirty-three (87%) had cognitive and motor development scores within normal limits. Four infants had mild cognitive or motor impairment, and one infant was diagnosed with spastic diplegia. Conclusion: MCMA twins are associated with decreased survival rates compared to MCDA due to increased rates of double IUD. After 28 weeks, about one in eight women required an urgent delivery for fetal distress. Most infants had normal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Nguyen TM, van der Merwe J, Elowsson Rendin L, Larsson-Callerfelt AK, Deprest J, Westergren-Thorsson G, Toelen J. Stretch increases alveolar type 1 cell number in fetal lungs through ROCK-Yap/Taz pathway. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L814-L826. [PMID: 34431413 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00484.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate fluid pressure in the fetal lung is critical for its development, especially at the beginning of the saccular stage when alveolar epithelial type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) cells differentiate from the epithelial progenitors. Despite our growing understanding of the role of physical forces in lung development, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transduction of mechanical stretch to alveolar differentiation remain elusive. To simulate lung distension, we optimized both an ex vivo model with precision cut lung slices and an in vivo model of fetal tracheal occlusion. Increased mechanical tension showed to improve alveolar maturation and differentiation toward AT1. By manipulating ROCK pathway, we demonstrate that stretch-induced Yap/Taz activation promotes alveolar differentiation toward AT1 phenotype via ROCK activity. Our findings show that balanced ROCK-Yap/Taz signaling is essential to regulate AT1 differentiation in response to mechanical stretching of the fetal lung, which might be helpful in improving lung development and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tram Mai Nguyen
- Division Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Division Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Linda Elowsson Rendin
- Lung Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Jan Deprest
- Division Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jaan Toelen
- Division Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division Woman and Child, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Moro F, Buonsenso D, van der Merwe J, Bourne T, Deprest J, Froyman W, Inchingolo R, Smargiassi A, Mascilini F, Moruzzi MC, Ciccarone F, Landolfo C, Lanzone A, Scambia G, Timmerman D, Testa AC. A Prospective International Lung Ultrasound Analysis Study in Tertiary Maternity Wards During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic. J Ultrasound Med 2021; 40:1991-1996. [PMID: 33231887 PMCID: PMC7753391 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Moro
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomeItaly
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomeItaly
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Woman and ChildUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child ClusterBiomedical Sciences Group
| | - Tom Bourne
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Woman and ChildUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child ClusterBiomedical Sciences Group
- Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, BelgiumQueen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial CollegeLondonUK
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child ClusterBiomedical Sciences Group
| | - Wouter Froyman
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Woman and ChildUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child ClusterBiomedical Sciences Group
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Floriana Mascilini
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Maria Cristina Moruzzi
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Francesca Ciccarone
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Chiara Landolfo
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Antonio Lanzone
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita e Sanità Pubblica
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita e Sanità Pubblica
| | - Dirk Timmerman
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Woman and ChildUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child ClusterBiomedical Sciences Group
- Epidemiology Research Group Center
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Antonia Carla Testa
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita e Sanità Pubblica
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15
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Crombag N, Sacco A, Stocks B, De Vloo P, van der Merwe J, Gallagher K, David A, Marlow N, Deprest J. 'We did everything we could'- a qualitative study exploring the acceptability of maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida to parents. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41:910-921. [PMID: 34228835 PMCID: PMC7613560 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective To explore the concepts and strategies parents employ when considering maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) as an option for the management of spina bifida (SB) in their fetus, and how this determines the acceptability of the intervention. Methods A two-centre interview study enrolling parents whose fetuses with SB were eligible for MFS. To assess differences in acceptability, parents opting for MFS (n = 24) were interviewed at three different moments in time: prior to the intervention, directly after the intervention and 3-6 months after birth. Parents opting for termination of pregnancy (n = 5) were interviewed only once. Themes were identified and organised in line with the framework of acceptability. Results To parents opting for MFS, the intervention was perceived as an opportunity that needed to be taken. Feelings of parental responsibility drove them to do anything in their power to improve their future child’s situation. Expectations seemed to be realistic yet were driven by hope for the best outcome. None expressed decisional regret at any stage, despite substantial impact and, at times, disappointing outcomes. For the small group of participants, who decided to opt for termination of pregnancy (TOP), MFS was not perceived as an intervention that substantially could improve the quality of their future child’s life. Conclusion Prospective parents opting for MFS were driven by their feelings of parental responsibility. They recognise the fetus as their future child and value information and care focusing on optimising the child’s future health. In the small group of parents opting for TOP, MFS was felt to offer insufficient certainty of substantial improvement in quality of life and the perceived severe impact of SB drove their decision to end the pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeltje Crombag
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adalina Sacco
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Philippe De Vloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katie Gallagher
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Institutes for Health, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Anna David
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Institutes for Health, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Neil Marlow
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Institutes for Health, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Bleeser T, Van Der Veeken L, Devroe S, Vergote S, Emam D, van der Merwe J, Ghijsens E, Joyeux L, Basurto D, Van de Velde M, Deprest J, Rex S. Effects of Maternal Abdominal Surgery on Fetal Brain Development in the Rabbit Model. Fetal Diagn Ther 2021; 48:189-200. [PMID: 33631746 PMCID: PMC7613467 DOI: 10.1159/000512489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anesthesia during pregnancy can impair fetal neurodevelopment, but effects of surgery remain unknown. The aim is to investigate effects of abdominal surgery on fetal brain development. Hypothesis is that surgery impairs outcome. METHODS Pregnant rabbits were randomized at 28 days of gestation to 2 h of general anesthesia (sevoflurane group, n = 6) or to anesthesia plus laparoscopic appendectomy (surgery group, n = 13). On postnatal day 1, neurobehavior of pups was assessed and brains harvested. Primary outcome was neuron density in the frontal cortex, and secondary outcomes included neurobehavioral assessment and other histological parameters. RESULTS Fetal survival was lower in the surgery group: 54 versus 100% litters alive at birth (p = 0.0442). In alive litters, pup survival until harvesting was 50 versus 69% (p = 0.0352). No differences were observed for primary outcome (p = 0.5114) for surviving pups. Neuron densities were significantly lower in the surgery group in the caudate nucleus (p = 0.0180), but not different in other regions. No differences were observed for secondary outcomes. Conclusions did not change after adjustment for mortality. CONCLUSION Abdominal surgery in pregnant rabbits at a gestational age corresponding to the end of human second trimester results in limited neurohistological changes but not in neurobehavioral impairments. High intrauterine mortality limits translation to clinical scenario, where fetal mortality is close to zero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Bleeser
- Department of Anesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lennart Van Der Veeken
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Devroe
- Department of Anesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simen Vergote
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Doaa Emam
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Tanta, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elina Ghijsens
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Joyeux
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Basurto
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Van de Velde
- Department of Anesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, My FetUZ Fetal Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Rex
- Department of Anesthesiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,
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17
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Valenzuela IJ, van der Merwe J, Basurto D, Emam D, Van der Veeken L, Vergote S, Deprest J. 412 Neurobehavioural and neuropathological consequences of fetal growth restriction in a rabbit model. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.12.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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18
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Valenzuela I, van der Merwe J, De Catte L, Devlieger R, Deprest J, Lewi L. Foetal therapies and their influence on preterm birth. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:501-514. [PMID: 32785752 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Foetal therapy aims to improve perinatal survival or to prevent severe long-term handicap. Foetal medicine opens a new territory by treating the foetus as a patient. The mother has nothing to gain in terms of health benefits, yet she is inherently also undergoing treatment. In utero foetal interventions can be divided into ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures, fetoscopic procedures and open hysterotomy procedures, which carry an inherent risk of ruptured membranes and preterm birth. In this review, we summarise the conditions that may benefit from foetal therapy and review the current therapies on offer, each with their associated risk of ruptured membrane and preterm birth. We also look into some risk limiting and preventative strategies to mitigate these complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Valenzuela
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc De Catte
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roland Devlieger
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liesbeth Lewi
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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19
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van der Merwe J, Couck I, Russo F, Burgos-Artizzu XP, Deprest J, Palacio M, Lewi L. The Predictive Value of the Cervical Consistency Index to Predict Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Asymptomatic Twin Pregnancies at the Second-Trimester Ultrasound Scan: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061784. [PMID: 32521741 PMCID: PMC7356565 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) markers have been proposed to improve spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) prediction. Preliminary results of the cervical consistency index (CCI), uterocervical angle (UCA), and cervical texture (CTx) have been promising in singletons. However, in twin pregnancies, the results have been inconsistent. In this prospective cohort study of asymptomatic twin pregnancies assessed between 18+0–22+0 weeks, we evaluated TVU derived cervical length (CL), CCI, UCA, and the CTx to predict sPTB < 34+0 weeks. All iatrogenic PTB were excluded. In the final cohort of 63 pregnancies, the sPTB rate < 34+0 was 16.3%. The CCI, UCA, and CTx, including the CL was significantly different in the sPTB < 34+0 weeks group. The best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for sPTB < 34+0 weeks was achieved by the CCI 0.82 (95%CI, 0.72–0.93), followed by the UCA with AUC 0.72 (95%CI, 0.57–0.87). A logistic regression model incorporating parity, chorionicity, CCI, and UCA resulted in an AUC of 0.91 with a sensitivity of 55.3% and specificity of 88.1% for predicting sPTB < 34+0. The CCI performed better than other TVU markers to predict sPTB < 34+0 in twin gestations, and the best diagnostic accuracy was achieved by a combination of parity, chorionicity, CCI, and UCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (F.R.); (J.D.); (L.L.)
- Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-016-341-732
| | - Isabel Couck
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (F.R.); (J.D.); (L.L.)
- Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Russo
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (F.R.); (J.D.); (L.L.)
- Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xavier P. Burgos-Artizzu
- Fetal i + D Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal-Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (X.P.B.-A.); (M.P.)
- Transmural Biotech S. L. Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (F.R.); (J.D.); (L.L.)
- Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Institute for Women’s Health, UCL, London WC1E 6HU, UK
| | - Montse Palacio
- Fetal i + D Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal-Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (X.P.B.-A.); (M.P.)
| | - Liesbeth Lewi
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (F.R.); (J.D.); (L.L.)
- Division Woman and Child, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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20
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van der Merwe J, van der Veeken L, Ferraris S, Gsell W, Himmelreich U, Toelen J, Ourselin S, Melbourne A, Vercauteren T, Deprest J. Publisher Correction: Early neuropathological and neurobehavioral consequences of preterm birth in a rabbit model. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17005. [PMID: 31723197 PMCID: PMC6853944 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53779-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lennart van der Veeken
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sebastiano Ferraris
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Willy Gsell
- moSAIC facility, Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- moSAIC facility, Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pediatrics, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sebastien Ourselin
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Melbourne
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tom Vercauteren
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
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21
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Wu Z, Subramanian N, Jacobsen EM, Laib Sampaio K, van der Merwe J, Hönig M, Mertens T. NK Cells from RAG- or DCLRE1C-Deficient Patients Inhibit HCMV. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7110546. [PMID: 31717670 PMCID: PMC6920872 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7110546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The recombination-activating genes (RAGs) and the DNA cross-link repair 1C gene (DCLRE1C) encode the enzymes RAG1, RAG2 and Artemis. They are critical components of the V(D)J recombination machinery. V(D)J recombination is well known as a prerequisite for the development and antigen diversity of T and B cells. New findings suggested that RAG deficiency impacts the cellular fitness and function of murine NK cells. It is not known whether NK cells from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) patients with defective RAGs or DCLRE1C (RAGs−/DCLRE1C−-NK) are active against virus infections. Here, we evaluated the anti-HCMV activity of RAGs−/DCLRE1C−-NK cells. NK cells from six SCID patients were functional in inhibiting HCMV transmission between cells in vitro. We also investigated the expansion of HCMV-induced NK cell subset in the RAG- or DCLRE1C-deficient patients. A dynamic expansion of NKG2C+ NK cells in one RAG-2-deficient patient was observed post HCMV acute infection. Our study firstly reveals the antiviral activity of human RAGs−/ DCLRE1C−-NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeguang Wu
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Eva-Maria Jacobsen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Manfred Hönig
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Mertens
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-731-500-65101; Fax: +49-731-500-65102
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22
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Frascaroli G, Lecher C, Varani S, Setz C, van der Merwe J, Brune W, Mertens T. Human Macrophages Escape Inhibition of Major Histocompatibility Complex-Dependent Antigen Presentation by Cytomegalovirus and Drive Proliferation and Activation of Memory CD4 + and CD8 + T Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1129. [PMID: 29887865 PMCID: PMC5981096 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) persistently infects 40–90% of the human population but in the face of a normal immune system, viral spread and dissemination are efficiently controlled thus preventing clinically signs and disease. HCMV-infected hosts produce a remarkably large amount of HCMV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that can even reach 20–50% of total T memory cells in the elderly. How HCMV may elicit such large and long-lasting T-cell responses in the absence of detectable viremia has not been elucidated yet. Additionally, HCMV is known to encode several gene products that potently inhibit T-cell recognition of infected cells. The best characterized are the four immune evasive US2, US3, US6, and US11 genes that by different mechanisms account for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II degradation and intracellular retention in infected cells. By infecting M1 and M2 human macrophages (Mφ) with the wild-type HCMV strain TB40E or a mutant virus deleted of the four immune evasive genes US2, US3, US6, and US11, we demonstrated that human Mφ counteract the inhibitory potential of the US2-11 genes and remain capable to present peptides via MHC class I and class II molecules. Moreover, by sorting the infected and bystander cells, we provide evidence that both infected and bystander Mφ contribute to antigen presentation to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The T cells responding to TB40E-infected Mφ show markers of the T effector memory compartment, produce interferon-γ, and express the lytic granule marker CD107a on the cell surface, thus mirroring the HCMV-specific T cells present in healthy seropositive individuals. All together, our findings reveal that human Mφ escape inhibition of MHC-dependent antigen presentation by HCMV and continue to support T cell proliferation and activation after HCMV infection. Taking into account that Mφ are natural targets of HCMV infection and a site of viral reactivation from latency, our findings support the hypothesis that Mφ play crucial roles for the lifelong maintenance and expansion of HCMV-committed T cells in the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Frascaroli
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.,Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carina Lecher
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefania Varani
- Department of Diagnostic, Experimental and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Corinna Setz
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Wolfram Brune
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Mertens
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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23
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van der Veeken L, Russo FM, van der Merwe J, Basurto D, Sharma D, Nguyen T, Eastwood MP, Khoshgoo N, Toelen J, Allegaert K, Dekoninck P, Hooper SB, Keijzer R, De Coppi P, Deprest J. Antenatal management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia today and tomorrow. Minerva Pediatr 2018; 70:270-280. [PMID: 29479945 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4946.18.05186-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is rare birth defect, which can be easily corrected after birth. The main problem is that herniation of viscera during fetal life impairs lung development, leading to a 30% mortality and significant morbidity. In isolated cases the outcome can be accurately predicted prenatally by medical imaging. Cases with a poor prognosis can be treated before birth; clinically this is by fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion. Obstruction of the airways triggers lung growth. This procedure is currently being evaluated in a global clinical trial for left sided cases; right sided cases with poor prognosis are offered the procedure clinically. The search for more potent and less invasive therapies continues. Prenatal transplacental sildenafil administration will in due course be tried clinically, with the aim to reduce the occurrence of persistent pulmonary hypertension, either alone or in combination with fetal surgery. Other medical approaches are in an earlier translational phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart van der Veeken
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca M Russo
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Basurto
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dyuti Sharma
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tram Nguyen
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie P Eastwood
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Institutes for Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Namesh Khoshgoo
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Dekoninck
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart B Hooper
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Keijzer
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Institutes for Child Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan Deprest
- Academic Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium - .,Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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24
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Engels A, DeKoninck P, Van Mieghem T, van der Merwe J, Power B, Nicolaides K, Gratacos E, Deprest J. 399: Added value to the prenatal counseling by standardized website based information about intrauterine treatment for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.10.565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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25
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Zehrmann A, van der Merwe J, Verbitskiy D, Härtel B, Brennicke A, Takenaka M. The DYW-class PPR protein MEF7 is required for RNA editing at four sites in mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana. RNA Biol 2012; 9:155-61. [PMID: 22258224 DOI: 10.4161/rna.18644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In plant mitochondria and plastids, RNA editing alters about 400 and about 35 C nucleotides into Us, respectively. Four of these RNA editing events in plant mitochondria specifically require the PPR protein MEF7, characterized by E and DYW extension domains. The gene for MEF7 was identified by genomic mapping of the locus mutated in plants from EMS treated seeds. The SNaPshot screen of the mutant plant population identified two independent EMS mutants with the same editing defects as a corresponding T-DNA insertion line of the MEF7 gene. Although the amino acid codons introduced by the editing events are conserved throughout flowering plants, even the combined failure of four editing events does not impair the growth efficiency of the mutant plants. Five nucleotides are conserved between the four affected editing sites, but are not sufficient for specific recognition by MEF7 since they are also present at three other sites which are unaffected in the mutants.
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