Premature cervical remodeling is a critical precursor of spontaneous preterm birth, and the remodeling process is characterized by an increase in tissue hydration. Nevertheless, current clinical measurements of cervical remodeling are subjective and detect only late events, such as cervical effacement and dilation. Here, we present a photoacoustic endoscope that can quantify tissue hydration by measuring near-infrared cervical spectra. We quantify the water contents of tissue-mimicking hydrogel phantoms as an analog of cervical connective tissue. Applying this method to pregnant women in vivo, we observed an increase in the water content of the cervix throughout pregnancy. The application of this technique in maternal healthcare may advance our understanding of cervical remodeling and provide a sensitive method for predicting preterm birth.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6318810 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.23.12.121621 | DOI Listing |
Arch Gynecol Obstet
January 2025
Department of Pathology, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.
Introduction: Preterm birth remains a global health challenge with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Despite extensive research, the underlying mechanisms triggering preterm birth remain elusive, needing a deeper understanding of cervical cellular remodelling processes.
Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying cervical remodelling in spontaneous preterm labour (PTL) compared to term labour (TL), focusing on the roles of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops and advances because of the accumulation of somatic mutations located in orthosteric and allosteric areas. However, the biological effects of allosteric driver mutations during tumorigenesis are mostly unknown. Here, we mapped somatic mutations generated from 10 tumor-normal matched HNSCC samples into allosteric sites to prioritize the mutated allosteric proteins via whole-exome sequencing and AlloDriver, identifying the specific mutation H351Q in β-glucuronidase (GUSB), a lysosomal enzyme, as a novel allosteric driver mutation, which considerably encouraged HNSCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Reprod
January 2025
Department of Ob/Gyn and Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Reproductive success requires accurately timed remodeling of the cervix to orchestrate the maintenance of pregnancy, the process of labor, and birth. Prior work in mice established that a combination of continuous turnover of fibrillar collagen and reduced formation of collagen cross-links allows for the gradual increase in tissue compliance and delivery of the fetus during labor. However, the mechanism for continuous collagen degradation to ensure turnover during cervical remodeling is still unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Healthc Mater
January 2025
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, 325000, P. R. China.
Facilitating neuronal differentiation of stem cells and microenvironment remodeling are the key challenges in cell-based transplantation strategies for central nervous system regeneration. Herein, the study harnesses the intrinsic pro-neural differentiation potential of nerve-derived extracellular matrix (NDEM) and its specific affinity for cytokines to develop an NDEM-gelatin methacryloyl(gelMA)-based bifunctional hydrogel delivery system for stem cells and cytokines. This system promotes the neural differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and optimizes the therapeutic index of Interleukin-4 (IL-4) for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Oral Health
January 2025
School of Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
Background: Orthodontic-orthognathic treatment is the standard of care for moderate and/or severe skeletal class III (SCIII) malocclusion. Following orthognathic surgery, morphological changes in the temporomandibular joint structures (TMJ) may contribute to condylar resorption (CR).
Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify the morphological signs of condylar resorption (changes in the condylar head, position, neck, disk, and joint space) following orthognathic surgery in patients with SCIII compared with those with skeletal class II (SCII) malocclusion.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!