Clinical Characteristics, Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcomes of Placenta Accreta Spectrum in Different Placental Locations: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To explore the prenatal diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes of placenta accreta spectrum in different placental locations.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Pregnant women who delivered at two tertiary referral hospitals from January 2013 to December 2022 and were ultimately pathologically diagnosed with placenta accreta spectrum were included.

A mouse model of pre-pregnancy maternal obesity combined with offspring exposure to a high-fat diet resulted in cognitive impairment in male offspring.

Background: Cognitive impairment is a brain dysfunction characterized by neuropsychological deficits in attention, working memory, and executive function. Maternal obesity and consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) in the offspring has been suggested to have detrimental consequences for offspring cognitive function through its effect on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal obesity and offspring HFD exposure on the brain metabolome of the offspring.

Metabolomics in gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that is first diagnosed during pregnancy in the absence of existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Early screening tools for GDM are currently unavailable, but metabolomics is a promising approach for detecting biomarkers of GDM. This review evaluates recent GDM studies employing metabolomic techniques, highlighting the challenges in those studies and envisions the future directions for metabolomic study of GDM.

Association of a reduction of G‑protein coupled receptor 30 expression and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy‑specific disorder, which is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. A lower increase of estrogen, compared with the increase in progesterone, is associated with pathogenesis of the disease during pregnancy. G‑protein‑coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) mediates the action of estrogen, however remains to be investigated in preeclampsia.

G-protein-coupled receptor 30 mediates the effects of estrogen on endothelial cell tube formation in vitro.

The placenta is the exchange organ between the mother and the fetus. The inadequate function of this organ is associated with a number of pregnancy disorders. Hypoxia and oxidative stress during placental development may induce endothelial dysfunction, resulting in the reduction in the perfusion of the placenta.

An immunochromatographic assay for carcinoembryonic antigen on cotton thread using a composite of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles as reporters.

This paper describes a low-cost, sensitive, visual and rapid immunochromatographic assay method on cotton thread for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection by using novel carbon nanotube/gold nanoparticles (CNT/GNPs) nanocomposite reporter probe. CEA, a lung cancer protein biomarker, was used as analyte to demonstrate the principle of the immunochromatographic assay on cotton thread biosensor. In the presence of target CEA, the decreasing aggregation amount of CNT/GNPs nanocomposite reporter probes on the test zone induced directly readout by naked eye.

Novel immunochromatographic assay on cotton thread based on carbon nanotubes reporter probe.

In this article, a novel immunochromatographic assay method on cotton thread based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reporter probe was successfully prepared for visual and rapid detection of a lung cancer related biomarker, human ferritin antigen. A model system comprising ferritin as an analyte was used to demonstrate the protocol of the cotton thread immunoassay device. The device can detect at least 50ng/mL human ferritin antigen, which improved the sensitivity approximately by 500 folds comparing with previous point-of-care test report based on carbon nanotubes as reporter probe.

Tryptophan and purine metabolites are consistently upregulated in the urinary metabolome of patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus throughout pregnancy: A longitudinal metabolomics study of Chinese pregnant women part 2.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pathological state of glucose intolerance associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and an increased risk of developing maternal type 2 diabetes later in life. The mechanisms underlying GDM development are not fully understood. We examined the pathophysiology of GDM through comprehensive metabolic profiling of maternal urine, using participants from a longitudinal cohort of normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by GDM.

Unsaturated plasma phospholipids are consistently lower in the patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus throughout pregnancy: A longitudinal metabolomics study of Chinese pregnant women part 1.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a milder degree of hyperglycaemia diagnosed during pregnancy that can lead to serious, long-term consequences for both mother and foetus. The pathophysiology of GDM is not fully understood. The number of pregnant women diagnosed with GDM has been steadily increasing, but effective screening tools for early risk stratification are still missing.

Maternal Dietary Patterns and Pregnancy Outcome.

Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy will affect the outcomes for the mother and the baby. Many analyses of the relationship between diet and outcome are often based on a single or a few food items or nutrients. However, foods are not consumed in isolation and dietary patterns can be used to assess the whole diet consumed.

Novel gold nanoparticle trimer reporter probe combined with dry-reagent cotton thread immunoassay device for rapid human ferritin test.

We reported here for the first time on the use of cotton thread combined with novel gold nanoparticle trimer reporter probe for low-cost, sensitive and rapid detection of a lung cancer related biomarker, human ferritin. A model system comprising ferritin as an analyte and a pair of monoclonal antibodies was used to demonstrate the proof-of-concept on the dry-reagent natural cotton thread immunoassay device. Results indicated that the using of novel gold nanoparticle trimer reporter probe greatly improved the sensitivity comparing with traditional gold nanoparticle reporter probe on the cotton thread immunoassay device.

A novel adenosine-based molecular beacon probe for room temperature nucleic acid rapid detection in cotton thread device.

We used cotton thread as substrate to develop a novel room temperature DNA detection device for low-cost, sensitive and rapid detection of a human genetic disease, hereditary tyrosinemia type I related DNA sequences. A novel adenosine based molecular beacon (ABMB) probe modified on gold nanoparticle was used as reporter probe. In the presence of coralyne, a small molecule which can react with adenosines, the ABMB would form a hairpin structure just like traditional molecular beacon used extensively.

Disposable dry-reagent cotton thread-based point-of-care diagnosis devices for protein and nucleic acid test.

We report here for the first time by using dry-reagent cotton thread-based point-of-care diagnosis devices for low-cost, sensitive and rapid detection of a lung cancer related biomarker, squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and a human genetic disease, hereditary tyrosinemia type I related DNA sequences. A model system comprising SCCA as an analyte and a pair of monoclonal antibodies is used to demonstrate the proof-of-concept on the dry-reagent cotton thread based immunoassay device. An enhancement protocol was employed by using two kinds of gold nanoparticle labels for SCCA test which greatly improved the sensitivity of the device.

Simultaneous detection of nucleic acid and protein using gold nanoparticles and lateral flow device.

In this work, we present a simple and fast approach for simultaneous detection of nucleic acid and protein using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and a lateral flow device (LFD). Sandwich-type immunoreactions and DNA hybridizations were performed simultaneously on the LFD by using DNA- and antibody-functionalized GNPs. The captured GNPs, due to the DNA hybridization and immunoreaction events on the LFD, produced characteristic red bands that could be used for the qualitative detections of DNA and/or protein.

Dry-reagent nucleic acid biosensor based on blue dye doped latex beads and lateral flow strip.

In the manuscript, a quantitative lateral flow nucleic acid biosensor (Lateral flow nucleic acid biosensor, LFNB) based on blue dye doped latex beads was proposed and its feasibility for detecting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in plasma was investigated. A 60-mer DNA sequence (T1) was selected as model to demonstrate the protocol. Blue dyes doped latex bead bearing DNA probe would be captured on the corresponding test line in the presence of target DNA, to form an evident blue band.

Immunochromatographic assay on thread.

Lateral-flow immunochromatographic assays are low-cost, simple-to-use, rapid tests for point-of-care screening of infectious diseases, drugs of abuse, and pregnancy. However, lateral flow assays are generally not quantitative, give a yes/no answer, and lack multiplexing. Threads have recently been proposed as a support for transporting and mixing liquids in lateral-flow immunochromatographic assays, but their use for quantitative high-sensitivity immunoassays has yet to be demonstrated.

Aptamer-nanoparticle strip biosensor for sensitive detection of cancer cells.

We report an aptamer-nanoparticle strip biosensor (ANSB) for the rapid, specific, sensitive, and low-cost detection of circulating cancer cells. Known for their high specificity and affinity, aptamers were first selected from live cells by the cell-SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) process. When next combined with the unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs), ANSBs were prepared on a lateral flow device.

Molecular beacon-functionalized gold nanoparticles as probes in dry-reagent strip biosensor for DNA analysis.

The highly specific molecule recognition properties of molecular beacons (MB) are combined with the unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) for the development of a dry-reagent strip-type nucleic acid biosensor (DSNAB) that enables sensitive and low-cost detection of nucleic acid samples within 15 min.

Disposable nucleic acid biosensors based on gold nanoparticle probes and lateral flow strip.

In this article, we describe a disposable nucleic acid biosensor (DNAB) for low-cost and sensitive detection of nucleic acid samples in 15 min. Combining the unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles (Au-NP) and the high efficiency of chromatographic separation, sandwich-type DNA hybridization reactions were realized on the lateral flow strips, which avoid multiple incubation, separation, and washing steps in the conventional nucleic acid biosensors. The captured Au-NP probes on the test zone and control zone of the biosensor produced the characteristic red bands, enabling visual detection of nucleic acid samples without instrumentation.

Aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles as probes in a dry-reagent strip biosensor for protein analysis.

The highly specific molecular recognition properties of aptamers are combined with the unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles for the development of a dry-reagent strip biosensor that enables qualitative (visual)/quantitative detection of protein within minutes. A model system comprising thrombin as an analyte and a pair of aptamer probes is used to demonstrate the proof-of-concept on the conventional lateral flow test strip. The assay avoids the multiple incubation and washing steps performed in most current aptamer-based protein analyses.

Electrochemical immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen based on a lead sulfide nanoparticle label.

We describe a lead sulfide nanoparticle (PbS NP)-based electrochemical immunoassay to detect a tumor biomarker, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Cubic PbS NPs were prepared and functionalized with thioglycolic acid (TGA), which stabilized the formed NPs and offered carboxyl groups to conjugate with CEA antibodies. PbS NP conjugated with monoclonal CEA antibody was used as a label in an immunorecognition event.

A new strategy for electrochemical immunoassay based on enzymatic silver deposition on agarose beads.

A novel, sensitive electrochemical immunoassay in a homogeneously dispersed medium is described herein based on the unique features of agarose beads and the special amplified properties of biometallization. The immunochemical recognition event between human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and goat anti-human IgG antibody is chosen as the model system to demonstrate the proposed immunoassay approach. Avidin-agarose beads rapidly react with the biotinylated goat anti-human IgG antibody to form agarose beads-goat anti-human IgG conjugate (agarose bead-Ab).

Enzymatic amplification detection of DNA based on "molecular beacon" biosensors.

We described a novel electrochemical DNA biosensor based on molecular beacon (MB) probe and enzymatic amplification protocol. The MB modified with a thiol at its 5' end and a biotin at its 3' end was immobilized on the gold electrode through mixed self-assembly process. Hybridization events between MB and target DNA cause the conformational change of the MB, triggering the attached biotin group on the electrode surface.

Copper-enhanced gold nanoparticle tags for electrochemical stripping detection of human IgG.

We demonstrate herein a novel electrochemical protocol for quantification of human IgG based on the precipitation of copper on gold nanoparticle tags and a subsequent electrochemical stripping detection of the dissolved copper. The immunoassay was conducted by following the typical procedure for sandwich-type immunoreaction. Goat anti-human IgG was immobilized on the wells of microtiter plates.