CDX2 enhances HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cell invasion by altering the expression of matrix metalloproteinases.

Background/aims: The invasion of trophoblast cells into the maternal uterine decidua is critical for normal placentation, establishment of pregnancy and maintenance of fetal growth in humans. Several growth factors and cytokines have been implicated in trophoblast invasion, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms of invasion are not fully understood. Our earlier studies have found that caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) is hypomethylated in human pre-eclampsia placental tissues.

Contribution of dysfunction of maternal hemodynamics to renal impairment in preeclampsia.

Aims: To investigate the contribution of dysfunction of maternal hemodynamics to renal impairment in preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: Urinary protein excretion, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and glomerular filtration rate were assessed in 571 pregnant women with PE in addition to and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring. Patients were classified into two groups: PE with renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate <90 ml/min/1.

Screening for differential methylation status in human placenta in preeclampsia using a CpG island plus promoter microarray.

The development of preeclampsia (PE) seriously affects the health of the mother and the child, but the precise pathogenesis of PE remains elusive. The placenta is considered to play a key role and DNA methylation may be associated with altered placental development and function. The aim of this study was to perform a genome-wide analysis of the DNA methylation profile in placentas from pregnancies with severe preeclampsia.

Relationship between cardiovascular function and fetal growth restriction in women with pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cardiovascular function in women with pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) using impedance cardiography.

Method: This retrospective study was performed with 639 participants allocated to one of 4 groups, a pre-eclampsia (PE) with FGR group, a PE without FGR group, a pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) without FGR group, and normal pregnancy (NP) group. Hemodynamic monitoring was performed noninvasively using impedance cardiography.

[Study on effect of radix astragali on injury of cerebral cortex in neonatal rats after hypoxia/ischemia brain damage].

Objective: To study the mechanism of injury of cortical nerve cell in the newborn with hypoxia/ischemia brain damage (HIBD), and the neuroprotective effect of Radix Astragali (RA).

Methods: Neonatal HIBD model rats were established and divided into the sham group, the model group and the RA group. Brain of rats obtained at different time points after HIBD to conduct histopathological examination, neuron death rate count, as well as determination of caspase-3 (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3) protein mRNA expression in cerebral cortex by immunohistochemistry, semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively.

[Neuroprotective effects of Astragulus membranaceus on hypoxia-ischemia brain damage in neonatal rat hippocampus].

Objective: To study neuroprotective effects of astragulus membraneaceus on a neonatal rat hippocampus of hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD).

Method: The neonatal hypoxia-ischemia model was established with 7-day-old rat pups. Brain injury was examined by neuron death rate in the hippocampal CA1 area.

[Protein microarrays and their medical applications].

The microarrays have revolutionised biomedical experimentation and diagnostics, enabling ordered high throughput analysis. During the past decade, classic solid phase substrates, such as microlitre plates, membrane filters and microscopic slides, were turn into high-density, chip-like structure. The concept of the arrayed library was central to this development which now extends from DNA to protein.