Vernix caseosa (vernix) is a white creamy substance covering the skin of the fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy. The function of vernix has long been debated but no consensus has been reached. We here report a proteome analysis of vernix using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We have identified 41 proteins, of which 25 are novel to vernix. Notably, 39% of the identified vernix proteins are components of innate immunity, and 29% have direct antimicrobial properties. These results form a substantial contribution to the knowledge of vernix composition and demonstrate that antimicrobial protection of the fetus and the newborn child is a major and important function of vernix.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1203/01.pdr.0000238253.51224.d7 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Impact of Vernix Caseosa Distribution on Non-Invasive Fetal ECG Morphology: A Computational Study.
IEEE Trans Biomed Eng
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- This study examines how the distribution of vernix caseosa, a fatty substance surrounding the fetus, affects the accuracy of non-invasive fetal ECG monitoring during pregnancy, which is crucial for early detection of fetal health issues.
- A multi-compartment model simulating both fetal and maternal elements was used to analyze fetal cardiac signals under varying conditions of vernix caseosa, revealing its influence primarily in signal strength and ECG morphology.
- Findings indicate that while the presence of vernix caseosa typically does not significantly disrupt ECG readings, it can notably affect the interpretation of the T/QRS ratio, emphasizing the need for careful analysis in clinical settings.
First documented case of ichthyosis prematurity syndrome in Iraq: A case report with literature review.
Radiol Case Rep
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Baghdad, College of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq.
Article Synopsis
- * A reported case involves a female neonate born at 30 weeks who experienced severe respiratory distress and displayed the characteristic skin features of IPS, requiring intensive medical interventions.
- * Early diagnosis, genetic testing for FATP4 mutations, and coordinated care significantly improved the infant's condition, leading to her discharge after 4 weeks, marking the first documented case of IPS in Iraq.
Life-Threatening Tracheal Tube Obstruction by Vernix Caseosa in a Newborn: A Case Report.
A A Pract
July 2024
From the Department of Anesthesiology, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu City, Japan.
Article Synopsis
- Accurate diagnosis and management of sudden ventilatory failure in children, especially during surgery, is essential.
- A newborn undergoing pacemaker implantation experienced tracheal obstruction caused by vernix caseosa, which was only discovered after suctioning the tracheal tube.
- Anesthesiologists should be aware that thick vernix caseosa can obstruct the airway right after suctioning in newborns.
Structural characterization of wax esters using ultraviolet photodissociation mass spectrometry.
Anal Bioanal Chem
October 2024
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Article Synopsis
- - Wax esters are important in biological systems for energy storage and chemical signaling, with their diversity linked to different alcohol and acyl chain characteristics.
- - Traditional mass spectrometry methods like CID and HCD help analyze wax ester properties, but struggle with detailed structural aspects like double bond positions.
- - This study showcases the use of 213-nm ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) for more precise analysis of wax esters, revealing the method's effectiveness in determining chain lengths and locations of double bonds, especially in natural wax sources like jojoba oil.
A deep learning framework for noninvasive fetal ECG signal extraction.
Front Physiol
April 2024
Health Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The availability of proactive techniques for health monitoring is essential to reducing fetal mortality and avoiding complications in fetal wellbeing. In harsh circumstances such as pandemics, earthquakes, and low-resource settings, the incompetence of many healthcare systems worldwide in providing essential services, especially for pregnant women, is critical. Being able to continuously monitor the fetus in hospitals and homes in a direct and fast manner is very important in such conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!