OBJECTIVE: To investigate the development and characterizations of the hepatocytes isolated from fetal ovine and to determine the effect of hypoxia on their growth and metabolism. METHODS: Fresh hepatocytes were isolated from the liver of fetal ovine at late gestation, cultured in specific media, and exposed to normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (2% O2). The cellular characteristics and population purity were identified by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry (FCM). The effects of hypoxia on cell cycle and apoptosis of the hepatocytes were evaluated by FCM, whereas the cellular ultrastructure changes were examined with a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The cell purity of hepatocytes was over 95%. Under hypoxia exposure, the hepatocytes showed a gradual increase in proportion at the S phase and in proliferative index, followed with a compatible increase in apoptosis and progressively decreased cell viability. Additionally, the organelles of the hepatocytes demonstrated dramatic changes, including swelling of mitochondria, disorder in cristae arrangement, expansion of endoplasmic reticulum, and a large number of circular lipid droplets emerging in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSION Fetal ovine hepatocytes could be primarily cultured in a short-term culture system with a high purity of over 95% and with their preserved original characteristics. Hypoxia could induce changes in ultrastructural and inhibit the proliferation of cultured fetal ovine hepatocytes through apoptotic mechanisms.
Anaerobiosis ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Fetus ; physiology ; Hepatocytes ; physiology ; Oxygen ; analysis ; Sheep ; physiology

To investigate hemodynamic parameters in 2 anatomical segments (S1 and S2) of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in normal pregnancy during the second and third trimester of gestation.
 Methods: The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), time-average maximum velocity (TAMAXV), peak systolic velocity/end diastolic velocity (S/D), resistance index (RI), and pulsation index (PI) in S1 and S2 of fetal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in 288 normal pregnant women were detected by power Doppler and pulsed Doppler. Multiple regression models were fitted to estimate the relation between Doppler variables and gestational age. The differences of hemodynamic parameters between ACAS1 and ACAS2 were compared.
 Results: The PSV, EDV, and TAMAXV of ACAS1 and ACAS2 were positively correlated with the weeks of pregnancy (P<0.001), all fitted with the cubic curve. The S/D, PI, and RI values of ACAS1 and ACAS2 were not correlated with gestational ages (P>0.05). The PSV, TAMAXV, S/D, PI, and RI of ACAS1 were significantly higher than those of ACAS2, while EDV in ACAS1 was lower than that in ACAS2 (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The velocity parameters (PSV, EDV, TAMAXV) of the 2 anatomical segments (ACAS1 and ACAS2) are increased with the increase of gestational age in normal pregnant fetus during the second and third trimester of gestation, and the resistance parameters (S/D, PI, RI) are not significantly correlated with gestational age. Distribution of blood flow is different in the blood supply territory between ACAS1 and ACAS2.
Anterior Cerebral Artery ; physiology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Female ; Fetus ; blood supply ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

BACKGROUNDFetal brain development is a complicated process that continues throughout pregnancy. Fetal sulcus development has typical morphological features. Assessment of fetal sulcus development to understand the cortical maturation and development by prenatal ultrasound has become widespread. This study aimed to explore a reliable method to assess cortical sulcus and to describe the normal sonographic features of cortical sulcus development in the human fetus between 18 and 41 weeks of gestation.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was designed to examine the fetal cortical sulcus development at 18-41 weeks of gestation. Ultrasound was used to examine the insula, sylvian fissure (SF), parieto-occipital fissure (POF), and calcarine fissure (CF). Bland-Altman plots were used for assessing the concordance, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was used for assessing the reliability.

RESULTSSF images were successfully obtained in 100% of participants at 22 weeks of gestation, while the POF images and CF images could be obtained in 100% at 23 weeks of gestation and 24 weeks of gestation, respectively. The SF width, temporal lobe depth, POF depth, and the CF depth increased with the developed gestation. The width of uncovered insula and the POF angle decreased with the developed gestation. By 23 weeks of gestation, the insula was beginning to be covered. Moreover, it completed at 35 weeks of gestation. The intra- and inter-observer agreements showed consistent reproducibility.

CONCLUSIONSThis study defined standard views of the fetal sulcus as well as the normal reference ranges of these sulcus measurements between 18 and 41 weeks of gestation. Such ultrasonographic measurements could be used to identify fetuses at risk of fetal neurological structural disorders.

Adult ; Brain ; embryology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Fetal Development ; physiology ; Fetus ; embryology ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; methods

BACKGROUND: Prenatal tongue development may affect oral-craniofacial structures, but this muscular organ has rarely been investigated. METHODS: In order to document the physiology of prenatal tongue growth, we histologically examined the facial and cranial base structures of 56 embryos and 106 fetuses. RESULTS: In Streeter's stages 13-14 (fertilization age [FA], 28 to 32 days), the tongue protruded into the stomodeal cavity from the retrohyoid space to the cartilaginous mesenchyme of the primitive cranial base, and in Streeter's stage 15 (FA, 33 to 36 days), the tongue rapidly swelled and compressed the cranial base to initiate spheno-occipital synchondrosis and continued to swell laterally to occupy most of the stomodeal cavity in Streeter's stage 16-17 (FA, 37 to 43 days). In Streeter's stage 18-20 (FA, 44 to 51 days), the tongue was vertically positioned and filled the posterior nasopharyngeal space. As the growth of the mandible and maxilla advanced, the tongue was pulled down and protruded anteriorly to form the linguomandibular complex. Angulation between the anterior cranial base (ACB) and the posterior cranial base (PCB) was formed by the emerging tongue at FA 4 weeks and became constant at approximately 124degrees-126degrees from FA 6 weeks until birth, which was consistent with angulations measured on adult cephalograms. CONCLUSIONS: The early clockwise growth of the ACB to the maxillary plane became harmonious with the counter-clockwise growth of the PCB to the tongue axis during the early prenatal period. These observations suggest that human embryonic tongue growth affects ACB and PCB angulation, stimulates maxillary growth, and induces mandibular movement to achieve the essential functions of oral and maxillofacial structures.
Adult ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fetus* ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Mesoderm ; Parturition ; Physiology ; Skull Base ; Tongue*

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) during pregnancy is quite rare, however it has a high maternal mortality rate. A pregnant woman in the 16th gestational week was admitted to our hospital with a drowsy level of consciousness. A brain magnetic resonance (MR) image showed hemorrhage on the prepontine cistern, and both sylvian fissures, and MR angiography and cerebral digital subtraction angiography demonstrated an aneurysm at the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). We performed endovascular coil embolization attempting to minimize radiation exposure. She was discharged with no neurologic deficit and delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section at the 38th week of gestation. This case study reported the shortest gestational period and this is the first report on an aneurysmal rupture arising from PICA which was treated using an endovascular method. Using an appropriate technique for reduced radiation exposure to the fetus and limited alterations in maternal-fetal physiology, endovascular coil embolization could guarantee good results in treatment of aneurysmal SAH in pregnant women.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries* ; Brain ; Cesarean Section ; Consciousness ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Fetus ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Maternal Mortality ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Physiology ; Pica ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Scarless healing is considered as the most ideal mode of wound repair. This ability generally exists in the early period of mammalian embryos, however it gradually turns to scar healing with the development of the embryos. This phenomenon is the result of the interaction of multiple biological functions, and the mechanism is still uncertain. This article deals with a systematical review of literature concerning the mechanism of scarless healing based on the recent experimental studies, hoping to provide evidence for the treatment of wounds to realize scarless healing in adult.
Adult ; Animals ; Cicatrix ; prevention & control ; Fetus ; physiology ; Humans ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dopamine and phenylephrine for treatment of hypotension during cesarean section under combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) on the stereology of the placenta.

METHODSForty puerperants undergoing cesarean section under CSEA were randomly divided into dopamine group and phenylephrine group. Ropivacaine (16 mg) was administered immediately after spinal anethesia. Blood pressure was maintained near the baseline by adjusting the drug infusion rate. Fetal blood gas, Apgar score, and placental villus microvascular stereological changes were observed during the operation.

RESULTSThe microvascular density was significantly lower in dopamine group than in phenylephrine group (P<0.05). Phenylephrine group showed significantly lower umbilical artery blood pH than dopamine group (P<0.05). The Apgar score and blood pressure were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to the baseline, both of the two groups showed significantly lowered heart rate during the operation (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDopamine is associated with the risk of fetal acidosis. Phenylephrine is helpful for preventing hypotension by increasing placental blood flow and improving oxygen supply to ensure maternal and fetal safety during cesarean section.

Amides ; administration & dosage ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Apgar Score ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cesarean Section ; Dopamine ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Fetus ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; drug therapy ; Infant, Newborn ; Oxygen ; Phenylephrine ; administration & dosage ; Placenta ; drug effects ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence reported of maternal depression from the first to the third trimester was 7.4%, 12.8%, 12.0% respectively, which implies that around one-tenth of pregnant women suffer from psychological disorder during the whole pregnancy. It is assumed that during pregnancy the maternal-fetal circulation unit is also affected by maternal psychological status. The aim of this study is to explore the association between maternal psychological status and fetal dynamic blood flow circulation during pregnancy.

METHODSWe recruited 102 singleton low risk pregnant women between 30 to 33 gestational weeks. The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) was used to assess maternal psychological status. Ultrasound Doppler was used to measure blood flow changes in maternal-fetal circulation. Pulsatility index (PI) value was measured in umbilical artery (UA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and maternal uterine arteries (UTA). Peak systolic velocity (PSV) was measured in MCA and velocity was measured in umbilical vein (UV). Statistical analysis was performed with standard nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests. Two-tailed P values <0.05 were considered statistical significance.

RESULTSOf the 102 pregnant women, 12 patients show high levels of poor mental health. Women with poor mental health have higher umbilical artery PI values than good mental health patients (P = 0.020). A higher MCA PI value is found in poor mental health patients but this does not reach statistical significance (P = 0.053). Women with hostility show lower placental scores (P = 0.030). Women with somatization demonstrate higher values in UA PI, MCA PI and MCA PSV (P = 0.049, 0.030 and 0.035 respectively). A higher MCA PSV value is also found in phobic anxiety patients (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONSPoor mental health during pregnancy is found to have an adverse effect on maternal-fetal circulation. Umbilical artery and fetal cerebral circulation are more sensitive and affected by maternal psychological disorder.

Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; physiology ; Female ; Fetus ; blood supply ; physiology ; Gestational Age ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Stress, Psychological ; physiopathology

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of age-related dementia. The neuropathological hallmarks of AD include extracellular deposition of amyloid-beta peptides and neurofibrillary tangles that lead to intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Soluble amyloid-beta oligomers are the primary pathogenic factor leading to cognitive impairment in AD. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are able to self-renew and give rise to multiple neural cell lineages in both developing and adult central nervous systems. To explore the relationship between AD-related pathology and the behaviors of NSCs that enable neuroregeneration, a number of studies have used animal and in vitro models to investigate the role of amyloid-beta on NSCs derived from various brain regions at different developmental stages. However, the Abeta effects on NSCs remain poorly understood because of conflicting results. To investigate the effects of amyloid-beta oligomers on human NSCs, we established amyloid precursor protein Swedish mutant-expressing cells and identified cell-derived amyloid-beta oligomers in the culture media. Human NSCs were isolated from an aborted fetal telencephalon at 13 weeks of gestation and expanded in culture as neurospheres. Human NSCs exposure to cell-derived amyloid-beta oligomers decreased dividing potential resulting from senescence through telomere attrition, impaired neurogenesis and promoted gliogenesis, and attenuated mobility. These amyloid-beta oligomers modulated the proliferation, differentiation and migration patterns of human NSCs via a glycogen synthase kinase-3beta-mediated signaling pathway. These findings contribute to the development of human NSC-based therapy for AD by elucidating the effects of Abeta oligomers on human NSCs.
Amyloid beta-Peptides/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Aging ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Culture Media, Conditioned/chemistry/pharmacology ; Fetus/cytology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/*metabolism ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neural Stem Cells/*drug effects/metabolism/physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Telomere Shortening

Independent component analysis (ICA) aims at decomposing an observed random vector into statistically independent variables. Fast independent component analysis (FastICA) algorithm and its variants are catching more attention because of their simplicity and convergence speed. In this paper, a novel method referred to robust independent component analysis (RobustICA), based on normalized kurtosis and optimal step-size, is analyzed in detail. When applied to fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) extraction and compared with FastICA, it gave decent results and showed prosperous future usages.
Algorithms ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fetal Heart ; physiology ; Fetal Monitoring ; Fetus ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Principal Component Analysis ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted