Use Of Placenta Research Articles

A Critical Review on the Opportunity to Use Placenta and Innovative Biomonitoring Methods to Characterize the Prenatal Chemical Exposome.

Adverse effects associated with chemical exposures during pregnancy include several developmental and reproductive disorders. However, considering the tens of thousands of chemicals present on the market, the effects of chemical mixtures on the developing fetus is still likely underestimated. In this critical review, we discuss the potential to apply innovative biomonitoring methods using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) on placenta to improve the monitoring of chemical exposure during pregnancy. The physiology of the placenta and its relevance as a matrix for monitoring chemical exposures and their effects on fetal health is first outlined. We then identify several key parameters that require further investigations before placenta can be used for large-scale monitoring in a robust manner. Most critical is the need for standardization of placental sampling. Placenta is a highly heterogeneous organ, and knowledge of the intraplacenta variability of chemical composition is required to ensure unbiased and robust interindividual comparisons. Other important variables include the time of collection, the sex of the fetus, and mode of delivery. Finally, we discuss the first applications of HRMS methods on the placenta to decipher the chemical exposome and describe how the use of placenta can complement biofluids collected on the mother or the fetus.

Maternal and Infant Care Beliefs and Practices of Aeta Mothers in Central Luzon, Philippines

Background: This study attempts at understanding the Aetas concept of maternal and infant care, specifically, beliefs and practices of Aeta mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and care of the infant.
 Methodology: Qualitative descriptive design was utilized in this research. Forty Aeta mothers were informants of this study selected via purposive sampling. Participant observation, formal and informal interviews and examination of relevant documents were the instruments for data collection.
 Findings: Most respondents were between 16-27 years old, from the province of Zambales, with two pregnancies and one living child. The majority had home deliveries attended by traditional birth attendants or next of kin and had visits to the Rural Health Units for a prenatal check-up. It was found that most Aeta mothers usually visit the Rural Health Unit in their second trimester. The mothers also rely on traditional beliefs and practices passed on from elders of the community particularly on diet, hygiene, and faith in God, preparation prior to delivery, cord care and use of placenta.
 Conclusion: The findings showed that the majority of the Aeta mothers interviewed adhered to some form of belief and practice that were passed to them by their elders.
 Implication: Stakeholders such as government and non-government organizations should pursue promoting and enriching beliefs and practices of the Aeta and reinforcing programs with an emphasis on indigenous minorities to follow safe delivery and motherhood practices that are culturally acceptable.

The Placenta: Applications in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Background: Placenta has a long history of use for treating burns and wounds. It is a rich source of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins, tissue reparative growth factors, and stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Recent data show its therapeutic potential for orthopaedic sports medicine indications. Purpose: To provide orthopaedic surgeons with an anatomic description of the placenta, to characterize its cellular composition, and to review the literature reporting the use of placenta-derived cells and placental tissue allografts for orthopaedic sports medicine indications in animal models and in humans. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Using a total of 63 keyword combinations, the PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for published articles describing the use of placental cells and/or tissue for orthopaedic sports medicine indications. Information was collected on placental tissue type, indications, animal model, study design, treatment regimen, safety, and efficacy outcomes. Results were categorized by indication and subcategorized by animal model. Results: Outcomes for 29 animal studies and 6 human studies reporting the use of placenta-derived therapeutics were generally positive; however, the placental tissue source, clinical indication, and administration route were highly variable across these studies. Fourteen animal studies described the use of placental tissue for tendon injuries, 13 studies for osteoarthritis or articular cartilage injuries, 3 for ligament injuries, and 1 for synovitis. Both placenta-derived culture-expanded cells (epithelial cells or MSCs) and placental tissue allografts were used in animal studies. In all human studies, commercial placental allografts were used. Five of 6 human studies examined the treatment of foot and ankle pathological conditions, and 1 studied the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion: A review of the small number of reported studies revealed a high degree of variability in placental cell types, placental tissue preparation, routes of administration, and treatment regimens, which prohibits making any definitive conclusions. Currently, the clinical use of placenta is limited to only commercial placental tissue allografts, as there are no placenta-derived biological drugs approved for the treatment of orthopaedic sports medicine conditions in the United States. However, this review shows that the application of placental cells or tissue allografts appears to be safe and has potential to improve outcomes for orthopaedic sports medicine indications.

The use of placenta in a microvascular exercise.

Twenty-five human placentas were studied for suitability in a microvascular exercise. The size and useful length of vessels were measured, and different microvascular anastomoses were performed. The size of the placenta vessels compared well with reported sizes of intracranial arteries. We suggest the use of placenta by neurosurgeons as complementary to experimental animals in microvascular training.

The Use of Placenta in a Microvascular Exercise

The Use of Placenta in a Microvascular Exercise