Trophoblast retrieval from the cervical canal to predict abnormal pregnancy early in gestation: a pilot study.

Background: The current detection of fetal chromosomal abnormalities by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) mainly relies on the cell free DNA(cfDNA) in the maternal blood. However, a gestational age of less than 12 weeks or a high maternal BMI affects cfDNA fetal fraction and further the detection by NIPT negatively. In this study, we aim to retrieve the trophoblast cells from the maternal cervix to develop a new sampling method for NIPT enabling an earlier use of NIPT.

A new and improved method of library preparation for non-invasive prenatal testing: plasma to library express technology.

Objectives: This study aims to develop a novel library preparation method, plasma to library express technology (PLET), to construct next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries directly from plasma without cell-free DNA (cfDNA) isolation.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples (600) were obtained from a retrospective cohort of 300 pregnant women prior to invasive diagnostic testing. The samples were subsequently distributed between library preparation methodologies, with 300 samples prepared by PLET and 300 by conventional methods for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to screen for common trisomies using low-pass whole genome next generation sequencing.

Development and evaluation of a predictive nomogram for survival in heat stroke patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to establish an effective nomogram to predict the survival of heat stroke (HS) based on risk factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational multicenter cohort study. We analyzed patients diagnosed with HS, who were treated between May 1 and September 30, 2018 at 15 tertiary hospitals from 11 cities in Northern China.