Newborn Serum Research Articles

Artificial intelligence and the analysis of multi-platform metabolomics data for the detection of intrauterine growth restriction.

ObjectiveTo interrogate the pathogenesis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to multi-platform i.e. nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) based metabolomic analysis for the prediction of IUGR.Materials and methodsMS and NMR based metabolomic analysis were performed on cord blood serum from 40 IUGR (birth weight < 10th percentile) cases and 40 controls. Three variable selection algorithms namely: Correlation-based feature selection (CFS), Partial least squares regression (PLS) and Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) were tested for their diagnostic performance. For each selected set of metabolites and the panel consists of metabolites common in three selection algorithms so-called overlapping set (OL), support vector machine (SVM) models were developed for which parameter selection was performed busing 10-fold cross validations. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity values were calculated for IUGR diagnosis. Metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) was performed to identify which metabolic pathways were perturbed as a direct result of IUGR in cord blood serum.ResultsAll selected metabolites and their overlapping set achieved statistically significant accuracies in the range of 0.78–0.82 for their optimized SVM models. The model utilizing all metabolites in the dataset had an AUC = 0.91 with a sensitivity of 0.83 and specificity equal to 0.80. CFS and OL (Creatinine, C2, C4, lysoPC.a.C16.1, lysoPC.a.C20.3, lysoPC.a.C28.1, PC.aa.C24.0) showed the highest performance with sensitivity (0.87) and specificity (0.87), respectively. MSEA revealed significantly altered metabolic pathways in IUGR cases. Dysregulated pathways include: beta oxidation of very long fatty acids, oxidation of branched chain fatty acids, phospholipid biosynthesis, lysine degradation, urea cycle and fatty acid metabolism.ConclusionA systematically selected panel of metabolites was shown to accurately detect IUGR in newborn cord blood serum. Significant disturbance of hepatic function and energy generating pathways were found in IUGR cases.

Acquisition of specific antibodies and their influence on cell-mediated immune response in neonatal cord blood after maternal pertussis vaccination during pregnancy

Maternal immunization with pertussis acellular vaccine (Tdap) is an intervention that provides protection to newborns. However, it has been reported that high maternal antibody levels may adversely affect the immune response of infants after active immunization. In this study, we evaluated neonatal passive acquisition of pertussis-specific antibodies and their influence on the neonatal cell-mediated immune response.Pregnant women were either vaccinated with Tdap vaccine (case group, n = 66) or received no vaccine (control group, n = 101). Whole-cell Bordetella pertussis (Bp), pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN)-specific serum IgG were quantified in paired maternal-cord sera, and Bp- and PT-specific IgA were evaluated in colostrum by ELISA. Ex vivo neonatal blood lymphocyte responsiveness after Bp stimulation was assessed in case (n = 17) and control (n = 15) groups using flow cytometry to detect proliferation, cytokine production and activation phenotype of lymphocytes in the context of high specific IgG acquired after maternal vaccination.Anti-Bp, PT, FHA and PRN IgG concentrations in maternal and cord sera from case group were higher than those in control group with positive correlation indexes in both groups for all pertussis antigens. The control group presented higher placental transfer ratios of specific antibodies and, in the case group, vaccination between 26 and 31 gestation weeks was associated with the best placental transfer ratios. Specific IgA concentrations in colostrum were not affected by vaccine status. Whole blood assays revealed that newborns responded to Bp stimulation with higher expression of CD40L, CD69 and CD4+ T cell proliferation compared to unstimulated cells, and a lower Th1 response, while a preserved Th2 response compared to adults, but there were no differences between the neonatal groups for any of the studied parameters.Our results indicate that higher pertussis-specific IgG levels in newborn sera after maternal vaccination do not affect the neonatal ex vivo cell-mediated immune response.

Comparative study between serum and transcutaneous bilirubin measurements in new-borns

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common problems in neonates. The transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) measurement is non-invasive, easy and rapid not requiring expertise and manpower. Fewer studies have been carried out to whether newer TCB measurements can correlate with serum bilirubin measurements using newer generation of transcutaneous bilirubinometer in our region.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study to compare serum and transcutaneous bilirubin measurements in newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, conducted from December 2015 to November 2017. Blood samples were obtained from neonates collected from venous sample into plain bulb and sent for analysis. For transcutaneous bilirubin measurement, the reading from forehead and sternum were taken using bilirubinometer and an average reading was taken for comparison.Results: Total 172 neonates were admitted during study period and enrolled in the study. It was observed that out of 172 patients, studied 102(59%) patients were male and 70(41%) patients were female. Out of 172 patients maximum 89(51.74%) mother have O positive blood group and only 2(1.1%) have O negative blood group. Common cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was ABO incompatibility 81(48%), Rh incompatibility 11(6%), and other causes 80(46%). The mean and standard deviation of TSB for first, second and third reading were 19.21±3.44, 15.76±2.79 and 12.89±2.44 respectively. While mean and standard deviation of TCB for first, second and third reading were 18.34±2.99, 15.48±2.36 and 12.31±2.28 respectively with correlation coefficient of r=0.806513, r=0.694273, r=0.785471 respectively indicating linear relationship between two.Conclusions: There was a strong correlation between serum and transcutaneous bilirubin levels before and even after the phototherapy. As transcutaneous bilirubin estimation is non-invasive, gives quick and reproducible results. So, by using this method has potential screening value especially in the high-risk neonates to start early intervention.

Negative effects on newborn piglets caused by excess dietary tryptophan in the morning in sows.

This study investigated the effect of dynamic feeding models of dietary tryptophan on sows' performance during late pregnancy. The average piglet birth weight and live farrowing rate from sows consuming a high-low tryptophan diet (0.39% Trp in the morning and 0.13% Trp in the afternoon) were decreased compared with those fed a 2×tryptophan diet (0.26% Trp in the morning and afternoon). Compared with the 2×tryptophan group, sow serum kynurenic acid and the newborn liver n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio were significantly higher, and sow serum taurine and newborn serum taurine, phosphoserine, cysteine and proline were lower in the high-low tryptophan diet group. Eighty-eight genes were differentially expressed in newborn piglets' livers between the 2×tryptophan and high-low groups. Genes related to cytotoxic effector regulation (major histocompatibility complex class I proteins), NADH oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and tissue development were differentially expressed between these two groups. Together, the results provide information on new biomarkers in serum or liver and provide novel insights into variations in the fetal liver during exogenous stimulus response and biological processes of ROS metabolism in fetuses during late pregnancy caused by a single excessive tryptophan ingestion daily in the morning. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

PECULIARITIES OF ELECTROLYTIC BALANCE IN THE BLOOD OF NEWBORNS WITH KIDNEY DAMAGE DUE TO ASPHYXIA

Introduction. The study of the concentration of main electrolytes in serum of blood and erythrocytes in neonates with impaired renal function due to asphyxia is important, because it allows determining violations of their content and balance, tactics of infusion and diuretic therapy. The purpose of the work is explore the features of the content and balance of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) in serum and red blood cells of newborns with disturbance kidney function due to asphyxia. Materials and methods. The study involved 200 term infants with signs of disturbance kidney function: 100 children who have suffered severe asphyxia, 100 children – with moderate asphyxia. Comparison group consisted of 20 infants without asphyxia at birth. The content of electrolytes determined by emission photometry, also expected ratios in pairs Na/K and Ca/Mg and transmembrane ratio of trace elements. Results and discussion. The critical period of formation electrolyte imbalances in neonates with impaired renal function due to moderate asphyxia is the early neonatal period, in case of severe asphyxia – all neonatal period. The feature of ischemic renal impairment in newborns is the development of serum hypernatremia and hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, decrease the ratio of Na/K and increase Ca/Mg. Red blood cell pool of macroelements in case of neonatorum ischemic nephropathy is characterized by the growth of sodium level and deficiency of potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as growth transmineralisation Na/K ratio and decrease Ca/Mg. Growth transmembrane ratios relative to sodium and magnesium reflects their transport into the cell, and reducing ratios relative potassium and calcium indicates the predominance of these electrolyte transport in the extracellular fluid. Changes in serum and intracellular electrolyte content and balance must be considered during infusion therapy in infants with impaired renal function due to asphyxia.

The lectin pathway of complement and the contact/kallikrein system are integrated

Two clinical tests – the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the opsonic index – have long been known to non-specifically detect pathology based on their responsiveness to changes in serum proteins. In infections serum levels of specific antibodies increase. However, for healthy subjects Wright held that antibodies contributed minimally to opsonic activity (the complement-enhanced phagocytosis of microorganisms). The activity was present in newborn serum, was increased in the acute phase of an immune response prior to antibody increase, and was less specific. Furthermore, defective opsonization was associated with undue susceptibility to certain infections, for which a genetic basis was later found. With the demonstrations of complement-mediated lysis both of normal cells by foreign (plant) lectins, and of foreign cells (microorganisms) by animal lectins, it now appears that endogenous lectins correspond to the heat-stable component of Wright's serum opsonic activity. His work leads to the lectin pathway of complement activation with specificities limited to the recognition of relatively immutable surface sugars – predictable pathogen characters that contrast with the less predictable targets of the adaptive immune system.

Promotion of lipid storage rather than of thermogenic competence by fetal versus newborn calf serum in primary cultures of brown adipocytes

ABSTRACTMuch current understanding of brown adipocyte development comes from in-vitro cell models. Serum type may affect the behavior of cultured cells and thus conclusions drawn. Here, we investigate effects of serum type (“fetal bovine” versus “newborn calf”) on responses to differentiation inducers (the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone or the neurotransmitter norepinephrine) in cultured primary brown adipocytes. Lipid storage was enhanced by fetal versus newborn serum. However, molecular adipose conversion (Pparg2 and Fabp4 expression) was not affected by serum type. Rosiglitazone-induced (7-days) expression of thermogenic genes (i.e. Ucp1, Pgc1a, Dio2 and Elovl3) was not systematically affected by serum type. However, importantly, acute (2 h) norepinephrine-induced thermogenic gene expression was overall markedly higher (and adipose genes somewhat lower) in cells cultured in newborn serum. Thus, newborn serum promotes thermogenic competence, and the use of fetal serum in brown adipocyte cultures (as is often routine) counteracts adequate differentiation. Agents that counteract this inhibition may therefore confoundingly be ascribed genuine thermogenic competence-inducing properties.

Severe congenital autoimmune neutropenia in preterm monozygotic twins: case series and literature review

Abstract The presence of high levels of neutrophil associated immunoglobulins (NAIG) in the serum of newborns with neutropenia and their mothers is usually associated with the diagnosis of allo-immune neonatal neutropenia (AINN). We describe a set of otherwise healthy late preterm monozygotic twins who presented with an isolated severe neonatal neutropenia on the first day of life. Flow cytometry for neutrophil antibody screen for both twins detected elevated levels of NAIG with normal serum levels of allo anti-neutrophil antibody (allo-NAB). Maternal serum did not contain either NAIG or allo-NAB. Also, the NAIG immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were markedly increased in both twins if compared to the increase in the NAIG immunoglobulin G (IgG). Both twins showed very good response to a short course treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), they remained clinically well until 12 months of age. We suggest that this case may be an early presentation of autoimmune neutropenia of infancy. This case study is the earliest report of autoimmune neutropenia of infancy in preterm monozygotic twins.

The impact of using newborn bovine serum as fetal calf serum substitute in the in vitro bovine embryos production system.

This study was conducted to assess the effects of addition of 10% newborn bovine serum (NBS) in the maturation and culture media of bovine system on oocytes maturation and developed morula and blastocyst rates. For this purpose, 10% NBS was added to in vitro maturation (IVM) medium alone (Experiment I), in vitro culture (IVC) (Experiment II), and in IVM + IVC (Experiment III). In vitro bovine oocytes maturation and developmental rates of bovine embryos were then compared with control group where the basal maturation or culture media were supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). Results revealed that maturation, cleavage, morula, and blastocyst formation rates of in vitro fertilized embryos were not significantly different in NBS and control groups in the 3 experiments. In conclusion, NBS is an efficient macromolecule in bovine system when added either to IVM or to IVC or to both stages. Thus, NBS could provide cheaper and more available treatment to be used as FCS substitute in the IVC system of bovines.

Involvement of prolactin in newborn infant irritability following maternal perinatal anxiety symptoms

BackgroundNewborn irritability could be an unique and special status and/or adverse neurobehavioral outcomes which was independent of serious disease. To determine whether maternal perinatal anxiety symptoms was associated with newborn irritability, and whether the alteration of serum prolactin in newborns were involved in newborn irritability. Methods205 pregnant women were recruited: normal group (n = 100), and anxiety group (n = 105), which was randomly divided to Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO)+anxiety group(n = 65) and control+anxiety group(n = 40). Newborn Irritability was assessed by Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale(NBAS). Serum prolactin, cortisol and 5-HT in mothers and infants were measured. Results1. The scores of irritability items in the newborns of anxiety group were higher than that of the normal group (p < 0.05). 2. Lower serum PRL, 5-HT and higher serum cortisol were found in the newborns of anxiety group compared with that of the control group both postpartum 2d and 15 (p < 0.05). 3. The level of serum PRL in newborn infants were significantly and negatively correlated to the scores of irritability items (p < 0.05). 4. After 7 rounds of NBO interventions, the anxiety scores of mothers and the scores of irritability items of newborns in the NBO intervention group were all lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05) . LimitationsIn future experiments, we should explore the effect of PRL in the breast milk on newborn infant serum PRL. ConclusionsProlactin could be a potential mediator in newborn irritability following maternal perinatal anxiety symptoms.

Lactoferrin level in maternal serum is related to birth anthropometry – an evidence for an indirect biomarker of intrauterine homeostasis?

Objective: To investigate the relation between level of antibodies against lactoferrin (LfAb) in maternal serum (MS) and birth anthropometry of healthy full-term newborns. Methods: The study included 105 pairs of mother-newborn. MS LfAb level was determined using ELISA kit. Spearman’s correlation and Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied to establish the relationship between MS LfAb level and birth weight (BW), birth weight-to-birth length ratio (BW/BL), and head circumference (HC) of newborns. Results: The U-shaped relation of MS LfAb and BW was demonstrated (p = .019). Negative correlation between MS LfAb and BW/BL was observed (p = .016). The most optimal birth weight and body proportion were observed in newborns of mothers with MS LfAb level of 49 ± 4 U/ml. Conclusions: Significant relationship between MS LfAb and birth anthropometry suggests serum Lf of pregnant women can be considered as a promising indirect biomarker of intrauterine homeostasis, verifiable noninvasively already during pregnancy and thus allowing predict, or even prevent, potential short- and long-term postnatal health consequences.

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in cord serum of newborns in Wuhan, China

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) had been widely used in China before they were banned decades ago due to the concern of the toxicology to human. Previous reports showed that OCPs were still often detectable in human bodies. However, there is limited study concerning the body burden of OCPs in infants and fetus in China. In this study, the prenatal exposure to OCPs was evaluated by measuring OCPs in cord serum. A total of 1046 cord serum samples were collected in Wuhan during 2014 and 2015, and analyzed for the concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethanes (DDDs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylenes (DDEs) by using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The median levels of ∑HCHs and ∑DDTs were 10.1 ng/g lipid (with the range from <LOD to 1910 ng/g lipid) and 35.5 ng/g lipid (with the range from 0.18 to 11,100 ng/g lipid), respectively. β-HCH and p,p'-DDE were found to be the major OCPs presenting in the cord serum samples. A minor positive association between the serum levels of α-HCH and β-HCH was observed, and the concentrations of o,p′- and p,p′-DDT isomers were found positively associated. The OCP exposure levels obtained in this study were comparable to those data from other areas in China and much lower than some of highly polluted countries. The prenatal exposure to OCPs would be of concern since fetuses were more vulnerable than adults and the cord serum is an accurate non-invasive matrix for monitoring of prenatal exposure.

Neuroimmunological Disturbance Features in Premature Infants with Perinatal Infections

Infectious diseases in newborns are commonly intrauterine infections which affect greatly on the morbidity and mortality rates in neonates. Background: The purpose of this study was to analyse the neurological status, taking into account the neuroimmunological indicators (neuron-specific enolase (NSE), interleukin-1β (IL1β), Interleukin-6 (IL6) in the serum of neonates with perinatal infections. Metods: We conducted a complex clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examination of 433 infants with perinatal infections with a gestation period of 27–37 weeks. Determination of the level of NSE, IL1β, IL6 was performed with the standard method of the immune-enzyme analysis. Results. Hypoxic ischemic, hemorrhagic, infectious lesion of the central nervous system (CNS) were more common in newborns with mixed infection and sepsis. High levels of NSE, IL6, IL1β in the serum of the examined newborns reflect a combined, deeper character of the CNS damage. Conclusion: Significant diagnostic value of neuroimmunological indicators in the blood serum of newborns with perinatal infections makes it possible to use them as a markers for assessing the severity of the CNS lesions.

The serological diagnostic of toxoplasmosis in children and pregnant women using immune chemical technique by test-systems of various manufacturers

The toxoplasmosis is a disease representing a potential risk for fetus. This is the reason to detect antibodies to agent of the given infection in case of any suspicion to intrauterine infection. The analysis was applied to 65 samples of blood serum of newborns, children of the frst year of life and pregnant women. The IgG antibodies were detected in 21.5% and 26.2% of individuals examined by test-systems Euroimmun AG and Virion-Serion. The IgM antibodies were detected in 9.4% of individuals examined by test systems of both manufacturers. To make verifcation of the results of detection of antibodies to toxoplasmosis even more reliable avidity of specifc IgG antibodies is to be analyzed.

Detecting polyagglutinable red blood cells

Polyagglutination is a condition in which red blood cells (RBCs) are agglutinated by normal adult human sera but not by autologous or newborn sera. Polyagglutination is caused by changes in the RBC membrane that enable patient RBCs to agglutinate with normal human sera; this agglutination can interfere with blood bank testing. Depending on the cause, polyagglutination may or may not be the cause of RBC hemolysis. Lectins and human sera can be used to detect polyagglutinable RBCs. Identification of this phenomenon can be helpful in providing not only transfusion recommendation information for physicians but also information associated with pathogens (i.e., Streptococcus pneumoniae) and severity of illness. Testing with ABO group-compatible adult human sera can determine if a patient's RBCs are polyagglutinable. Further testing with a variey of lectins may identify the kind of polyagglutination.

Brix Refractometry of Colostrum from Primiparous Dairy Cows and New-Born Calf Blood Serum in the Evaluation of Failure of Passive Transfer

Abstract Failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunoglobulins (IgG) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality of calves. In this study we evaluated the digital Brix refractometer usefulness for the assessment of FPT. A number of 16 colostrum samples from the first milking (2-3h post-partum) of Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers and 29 blood sera of 3-6 days old calves were analyzed with a digital Brix refractometer. Total proteins were determined by the biuret reaction. Colostral IgG were determined by radial immunodiffusion (RID), and colostral whey and blood serum γ globulin (composed almost entirely of IgG) were determined by agarose protein gel electrophoresis (APE) and densitometry. Colostral % Brix score was 25.5±3.4%. Concentrations of colostrum IgG and colostral whey γ globulin were 130±33 g/L and 100±24 g/L respectively. The concentration of total proteins in colostral whey was 134±30 g/L. The correlations between Brix values and the concentrations of IgG determined with RID and the concentrations of γ globulin determined with APE were positive and highly significant (P&lt;0.001 and P&lt;0.01). The concentration of serum proteins of new-born calves was 57.75±11.8 g/L, the concentration of γ globulin was 14.4±7.8 g/L, and the Brix score was 8.6±1.0%. FPT (serum γ globulin&lt;10 g/L) was detected in 34.5% (10/29) calves. Brix score correlated with the concentration of blood serum γ globulins in all examined calves. The results have confirmed that digital Brix refractometry allows the producers to use this technique in order to estimate colostral and calf serum IgG, thereby monitoring both colostrum quality and success of passive transfer.

Patterns of Biomarkers in Cord Blood During Pregnancy and Preeclampsia.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is in contact with all the fetal tissues and can reflect the state of fetus and UCB can be compared with maternal blood. Inflammatory, metabolic and immunological disorders during pregnancy can affect the environment in which the fetus is developing and may produce various alterations. To analyze different biochemical parameters in maternal venous blood and new born umbilical cord blood from healthy normotensive pregnant and preeclamptic women. Homocysteine, folate, B12, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), endoglin, leptin, cholinesterase, IGF-1, Apo A, lipoproteins, TSH, fT3, fT4 were analyzed in maternal sera and venous umbilical cord sera of newborns of twenty five preeclamptics (group II) and twenty five normotensive pregnant women (group I). Homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12, Apo A I &amp; II, TSH, fT3, fT4 levels were estimated by competitive immunoassay using direct chemiluminiscence technology. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), endoglin, leptin, cholinesterase, IGF-1 were analyzed by ELISA. Maternal and cord blood levels of homocysteine, folic acid, lipid profile (namely, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C and HDL-C), TSH, heme oxygenase 1, were higher in preeclamptic women as compared to normotensive pregnant women. Endoglin levels were significantly lower in cord blood of preeclamptic mother as compared to normotensive mothers. Serum and cord blood vitamin B12, Apo A-I and Apo B l, cholinesterase, leptin levels, IGF-I were lower in preeclamptic women as compared to normotensive pregnant. Findings of the present study suggest that biochemical alterations occur in mothers and fetuses and modifications of uterine environment (in terms of thyroxine and folate and vitamin B12 supplementation) can be of help.

Clinical and pathogenetic features of congenital heart disease in newborns with intrauterine infection

Aim. Investigation of the features of diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease in newborns with intrauterine herpes and cytomegalovirus infections. &#x0D; Methods. A comparative analysis of risk factors, clinical signs and dynamics of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases in 91 newborns with congenital heart disease during the early neonatal period was performed. All patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (study group) - 51 patients with congenital heart disease and intrauterine Herpes or Cytomegalovirus infection, group 2 (comparison group) - 40 children with heart disease without the signs of intrauterine infection. The control group consisted of 20 relatively healthy full-term newborns. &#x0D; Results. Mothers of children with congenital heart disease and intrauterine infection more often compared to mothers of children from group 2 had inflammatory disease of reproductive system (49.1 and 22.5% respectively, р ≤0.05), medical abortions in past medical history (84.3 and 27.5% respectively, р ≤0.01), acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy (21.6 and 7.5% respectively, р ≤0.05). Levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in umbilical blood plasm were statistically significantly increased in all newborns with congenital heart disease compared to control levels. The highest concentration of enzyme was registered in patients with congenital heart disease and nervous system disorders associated with intrauterine infection and in newborns with severe heart disease. Inflammatory extracardial changes in patients with congenital heart disease associated with intrauterine infection caused by Herpes Simplex virus and Cytomegalovirus were accompanied by significant increase of matrix metalloproteinase 8. &#x0D; Conclusion. The association between matrix metalloproteinase 9 in blood serum of newborns and clinical signs of a congenital heart disease during early neonatal period was revealed; high levels of metalloproteinase 8 can indicate intrauterine infection in newborns with congenital heart disease during early neonatal period.

Levels of Silicon in Maternal, Cord, and Newborn Serum and Their Relation With Those of Zinc and Copper.

Evidence of silicon's importance to health has been gradually accumulating. Nevertheless, there are few studies comparing serum silicon levels in newborns with maternal levels. Likewise, little is known concerning the inter-relation between silicon and other trace elements. The present study evaluated maternal and newborn levels of serum silicon and their relation to those of zinc and copper. We measured serum silicon, copper, and zinc in 66 pregnant women, in the umbilical cord of their infants, and in 44 newborns, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All the samples were from fasted subjects. Serum silicon level in term newborns (20.6 ± 13.2 μmol/L) was significantly higher than in umbilical cord (8.9 ± 3.5 μmol/L; P < 0.0001). Mean serum silicon level in maternal vein (7.7 ± 3.4 μmol/L) was lower than that in umbilical cord, although differences were not significant. We also found higher levels of zinc (P = 0.008) and lower levels of copper (P < 0.0001) in cord blood compared with maternal blood. Umbilical venous/maternal venous level ratios of zinc, copper, and silicon were 1.5 ± 0.5, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 1.3 ± 0.7, respectively. There was a positive correlation between silicon and zinc levels (r = 0.32), and a negative correlation between copper and zinc levels (r = -0.35). It seems that there is a positive gradient of silicon from the mother to her fetus. Silicon levels were higher in newborn than in cord blood, and correlated significantly with that of zinc but not copper. Additional investigations are needed to further define the role of silicon and its interaction with other trace elements during the perinatal period.

Time-dependent changes in pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and progesterone in commercial crossbred sheep

The ruminant placenta functions as an endocrine and paracrine organ secreting proteins, growth factors, and steroid hormones, including pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG), proteins with elusive function, which are readily detectable in maternal serum after placental attachment. In sheep, circulating progesterone beyond gestational Day 50 is predominantly of placental origin. The relationship among placental secreted factors, including progesterone, remains uncertain in sheep. The first aim of the study was to determine the relationship between gestational PAG profiles—using two commercial ELISA assays—progesterone, and fetal growth during pregnancy. The second aim of the study was to assess the presence and clearance of PAG in neonatal lambs and peripartum ewes in commercial crossbred sheep. Maternal serum samples were collected during mid-pregnancy and assayed for PAG1, pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), and progesterone. Maternal serum samples were also collected weekly starting 1-month prepartum until 10 weeks postpartum. Serum samples from newborns were collected at birth until Day 12 after birth and assayed for PAG1. Circulating maternal PAG1 concentrations steadily increased throughout mid-gestation, whereas PSPB exhibited a bimodal pattern of secretion. A strong positive correlation was observed between progesterone and PAG1 (r2 = 0.779, P < 0.0001), but not between PSPB and progesterone. No relationship was found between placental factors (PAG1, PSPB, and progesterone) and fetal size. PAG1 concentrations were lower before and after parturition in singleton compared with twin pregnancies (P < 0.05). Maternal PAG1 concentrations began declining at parturition and continued to decline until 10 weeks after parturition (P < 0.05). In newborns, PAG1 concentrations continuously declined in both singleton and twins regardless of sex (P < 0.05) and cleared from newborn serum by 12 days after birth. Our findings reported for the first time how different assays used to determine circulating PAG concentrations display different gestational profiles in sheep and how it allows the differentiation between singleton and multiple pregnancies. In conclusion, the strong correlation between PAG1 and progesterone during gestation reports that PAG1 can be effectively used as a marker of placental function.