A Kinetic Map of the Homomeric Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (Kv) Family.

The voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, encoded by 40 genes, repolarize all electrically excitable cells, including plant, cardiac, and neuronal cells. Although these genes were fully sequenced decades ago, a comprehensive kinetic characterization of all Kv channels is still missing, especially near physiological temperature. Here, we present a standardized kinetic map of the 40 homomeric Kv channels systematically characterized at 15, 25, and 35°C.

Delayed cord clamping during elective cesarean deliveries: results of a pilot safety trial.

Background: Delayed cord clamping (DCC) results in decreased iron deficiency in infancy. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has called for research on the optimal time to clamp the cord during cesarean deliveries (CD). Our objective was to conduct a pilot trial examining the safety of delayed cord clamping (DCC) for maternal-infant dyads during elective cesarean delivery (CD).

Sirtuin1 is required for proper trophoblast differentiation and placental development in mice.

Introduction: Placental insufficiency, arising from abnormal trophoblast differentiation and function, is a major cause of fetal growth restriction. Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) is a ubiquitously-expressed NAD-dependent protein deacetylase which plays a key role in numerous cellular processes, including cellular differentiation and metabolism. Though Sirt1 has been widely studied, its role in placentation and trophoblast differentiation is unclear.

Lipoyltransferase 1 Gene Defect Resulting in Fatal Lactic Acidosis in Two Siblings.

A term male neonate developed severe intractable lactic acidosis on day of life 1 and died the same day at our institution. The family previously lost another term, female newborn on day of life 1 from suspected sepsis at an outside hospital. After performing an autopsy on the neonate who died at our institution, extensive and lengthy neonatal and parental genetic testing, as well as biochemical analyses, and whole exome sequencing analysis identified compound heterozygous mutations in the lipoyltransferase 1 (LIPT1) gene responsible for the lipoylation of the 2-keto dehydrogenase complexes in the proband.

Banking placental tissue: an optimized collection procedure for genome-wide analysis of nucleic acids.

Introduction: Banking of high-quality placental tissue specimens will enable biomarker discovery and molecular studies on diseases involving placental dysfunction. Systematic studies aimed at developing feasible standardized methodology for placental collection in a typical clinical setting are lacking.

Methods: To determine the acceptable timeframe for placental collection, we collected multiple samples from first and third trimester placentas at serial timepoints in a 2-h window after delivery, simultaneously comparing the traditional snap-freeze technique to commercial solutions designed to preserve RNA (RNAlater™), and DNA (DNAgard(®)).

Population-based biomarker screening and the development of severe preeclampsia in California.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between second-trimester maternal serum biomarkers and the development of early- and late-onset severe preeclampsia in euploid pregnancies.

Study Design: Included were 136,139 pregnancies that obtained second-trimester prenatal screening through the California Prenatal Screening Program with live births in 2006-2008. We identified severe preeclampsia diagnoses from hospital discharge records.

Hypoxia and trophoblast differentiation: a key role for PPARγ.

Tissue oxygen tension regulates differentiation of multiple types of stem cells. In the placenta, hypoxia has been associated with abnormal trophoblast differentiation and placental insufficiency syndromes of preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in many cellular processes, including differentiation.

Pregnancy outcome in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder resulting in neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. Treatment is challenging in pregnancy, because little data exist to guide management.

Case: A 24-year-old woman with a known diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis using intravenous immunoglobulin therapy became pregnant.

Placental expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 correlates with severity of clinical preeclampsia and villous hypermaturity.

Overexpression of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 has been linked to preeclampsia and is thought to be secondary to placental insufficiency caused by hypoxia. Villous hypermaturity, characterized by presence of increased syncytial knots, has been associated with syndromes of placental insufficiency, particularly when severe. This study was undertaken to determine whether there is a link between soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 expression, villous hypermaturity, and clinical severity of preeclampsia.

Current practices in determining amnionicity and chorionicity in multiple gestations.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of amnionicity and chorionicity (A/C) diagnosis of referral physicians and a tertiary care center as compared to histopathologic diagnosis.

Method: A retrospective study of 289 multi-fetal gestations was performed comparing A/C diagnoses of referring physicians, a tertiary care center, and histopathology.

Results: Two hundred and eighty-nine multi-fetal pregnancies were referred for evaluation; only 43.

Processing-dependent and -independent pathways for recognition of iodinated contrast media by specific human T cells.

Background: One to three percent of patients exposed to intravenously injected iodinated contrast media (CM) develop delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Positive patch test reactions, immunohistological findings, and CM-specific proliferation of T cells in vitro suggest a pathogenetic role for T cells. We have previously demonstrated that CM-specific T cell clones (TCCs) show a broad range of cross-reactivity to different CM.

Three-dimensional obstetric ultrasound.

Three-dimensional ultrasound has gained a significant popularity in obstetrical practice in recent years. The advantage of this modality in some cases is in question, however. This article provides a basic review of volume acquisition, mechanical positioning, and display modalities.

Cross-reactivity patterns of T cells specific for iodinated contrast media.

Background: Approximately 3% of patients exposed to iodinated contrast media develop delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

Objective: We wanted to better understand the molecular basis of contrast media cross-reactivity.

Methods: Cross-reactivity was assessed by skin testing and measurement of T-cell activation (CD69 upregulation) and proliferation ((3)H-thymidine uptake, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester staining) of PBMCs, T-cell lines, and T-cell clones of 2 patients with delayed hypersensitivity reactions to iohexol and iomeprol, respectively.

Double-stranded secondary structures on mRNA induce type I interferon (IFN alpha/beta) production and maturation of mRNA-transfected monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Background: The development of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines using antigen-encoding mRNA requires identification of the critical parameters for efficient ex vivo loading of DCs. Exogenously delivered mRNA can induce DC activation, but the molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify the means by which mRNA-dependent activation of DCs occurs.

Interaction of classical swine fever virus with dendritic cells.

Functional disruption of dendritic cells (DCs) is an important strategy for viral pathogens to evade host defences. Monocytotropic viruses such as classical swine fever virus (CSFV) could employ such a mechanism, since the virus can suppress immune responses and induce apoptosis without infecting lymphocytes. Here, CSFV was shown to infect and efficiently replicate in monocyte- and in bone marrow-derived DCs.

Porcine peripheral blood dendritic cells and natural interferon-producing cells.

Peripheral blood contains two major particular infrequent dendritic cells (DC) subsets linking the innate and specific immune system, the myeloid DC and plasmacytoid DC equivalent to the natural interferon-producing cells (NIPC). The functional characterization of these cells demands large volumes of blood, making a large animal model more appropriate and beneficial for certain studies. Here, two subsets of porcine blood mononuclear cells expressing swine workshop cluster 3 (SWC3, a SIRP family member), are described and compared to monocytes.

Preventing low birth weight: is prenatal care the answer?

Objectives: To review the evidence of effectiveness of prenatal care for preventing low birth weight (LBW).

Methods: We reviewed original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and commentaries for evidence of effectiveness of the three core components of prenatal care--risk assessment, health promotion and medical and psychosocial interventions--for preventing the two constituents of LBW: preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Results: Clinical risk assessment will fail to identify the majority of pregnancies at risk for preterm delivery or IUGR.