Using quantile regression to re-evaluate the epidural labor analgesia under new partogram: a prospective cohort study / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of epidural analgesia on labor duration under the new partogram recommendations using quantile regression.Methods In this study,we recruited 300 nulliparous women at full term who were hospitalized in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from May to September,2018.The participants who were willing to receive epidural analgesia during labor were assigned to the epidural group (n=150),and those who were not to the control group (n=150).Labor duration and delivery outcomes were analyzed by Student's t test,Mann-Whitney U test,Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.Quantile regression models were also used to investigate the effect of epidural analgesia on labor duration.Results The median durations of first-and second-stage labor in the epidural group were 600(400-840) and 66(45-98) min,respectively,which were significantly longer than those of the control group [420(320-610) and 52(33-87) min] (Z=-4.273,P＜0.001;Z=-3.210,P=0.001).Quantile regression analysis showed that,for the first stage of labor,epidural analgesia was associated with labor prolongation,and had significant effects on all the percentiles (all P＜0.05).The regression coefficients increased (95.630-285.000) correspondingly as the percentiles of the labor duration (from 10th to 90th percentiles) increased.For the second stage of labor,epidural analgesia showed a significant impact on prolongation only between the 25th and 75th percentiles (coefficients:10.000～18.143;all P＜0.05).Although the epidural group had a significant higher episiotomy rate [46.8％(65/139) vs 33.3％(48/144),x2=5.318,P=0.021],more times of urine catheterization during labor [1(0-1) vs 0(0-1),Z=-0.974,P=0.001]and higher rate of oxytocin administration during labor [48.7％(73/150) vs 30.0％(45/150),x2=10.952,P=0.001],when compared with the control group,there was no significant difference in cesarean section rate,assisted vaginal delivery rate and neonatal outcomes between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusions Epidural analgesia may associated with the prolongation of the first and second stage of labor,especially with the first stage of labor,but has no adverse effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Correlation between 24 h urinary protein quantitation and pregnancy outcome in patients with pre-eclampsia / 新乡医学院学报

Objective To investigate the correlation between 24 h urinary protein quantitation and pregnancy outcome in patients with pre-eclampsia.Methods A total of 332 pre-eclampsia patients were selected in Tongji Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016.The patients were divided into microalbuminuria group(24 h urinary protein quantification ＜ 0.3 g,n =46),mild proteinuria group (0.3 g ≤ 24 h urinary protein quantification ＜ 2.0 g,n =98),moderate proteinuria group (2.0 g ≤ 24 h urinary protein quantification ＜ 5.0 g,n =71) and severe proteinuria group(24 h urinary protein quantification ≥ 5.0 g,n =117) according to the results of 24 h urinary protein quantification.The pregnancy outcomes were compared between the four groups.Results The 24 h urinary protein quantification and the serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,uric acid levels in the mild proteinuria group,moderate proteinuria group and severe proteinuria group were significantly higher than those in the microalbuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05);and gestational week was significantly shorter than that in the microalbuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05).The 24 h urinary protein quantification and serum urea nitrogen,uric acid levels in the moderate proteinuria group were significantly higher than those in the mild proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05);and gestational week was significantly shorter than that in the mild proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05);but there was no significant difference in serum creatinine level between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The 24 h urinary protein quantification,serum creatinine,urea nitrogen and uric acid levels in the severe proteinuria group were significantly higher than those in the mild proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05);and the gestational week was significantly lower than that in the mild albuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05).The 24 h urinary protein quantification in the severe proteinuria group was significantly higher than that in the moderate proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference in the gestational week and serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,uric acid levels between the two groups (P ＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the rates of cesarean section and spontaneous labor between the four groups (P ＞0.05).The rate of induced labor in the moderate proteinuria group and the severe proteinuria group was significantly higher than that in the mild albuminuria group and the microalbuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the rate of induced labor between the mild proteinuria group and the microalbuminuria group (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the rate of induced labor between the severe proteinuria group and the moderate proteinuria group (P ＞ 0.05).The incidence of complications in microalbuminuria group,mild proteinuria group,moderate proteinuria group and severe proteinuria group was 30.43％ (14/46),47.96％ (47/98),74.65％ (53/71) and 74.36％ (87/117) respectively;the incidence of complications in the moderate proteinuria group and the severe proteinuria group was significantly higher than that in the microalbuminuria group and the mild albuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between microalbuminuria group and mild albuminuria group (P ＞ 0.05),there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the moderate proteinuria group and the severe proteinuria group (P ＞0.05).The incidences of premature birth and neonatal asphyxia in the mild proteinuria group were significantly higher than that in the microalbuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05),and the body mass of the neonates was significantly lower than that in the microalbuminuria group (P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in the perinatal mortality rate and the incidences of fetal growth restriction(FGR) and poor neonatal resuscitation between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The incidences of FGR,premature birth,neonatal asphyxia,poor neonatal resuscitation and the perinatal mortality in the moderate proteinuria group and severe proteinuria group were significantly higher than those in the microalbuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05);and neonatal body mass was significantly lower than that in the mieroalbuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05).The incidences of FGR,premature birth and poor neonatal resuscitation and perinatal mortality in the moderate proteinuria group were significantly higher than those in the mild proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05);and the neonatal body mass was significantly lower than that in the mild proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05);but there was no significant difference in the neonatal asphyxia incidence between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The incidences of FGR,premature birth,neonatal asphyxia,poor neonatal resuscitation and perinatal mortality in the severe proteinuria group were significantly higher than those in the mild proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05);and the body mass of the newborns was significantly lower than that in the mild albuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05).The incidence of neonatal asphyxia in the severe proteinuria group was significantly higher than that in the moderate proteinuria group (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference in the incidences of FGR,premature birth,poor neonatal resuscitation,perinatal mortality and neonatal body mass between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The of 24 h urinary protein quantitation is closely related to the pregnancy outcome in patients with pre-eclampsia,the 24 h urinary protein quantification should be regularly detected in the patients with pre-eclampsia.When the urinary protein quantitation is more than 2.0 g,the incidences of maternal complications and poor prognosis of the perinatal infants is significantly higher,but the boundary value of the 24 h urinary protein quantitation for the diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia still needs further large sample study.

Effect of epigenetic modification of maspin on extravillous trophoblastic function / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated the effect of epigenetic modification of maspin on extravillous trophoblastic function. The mRNA expression of maspin in placentae from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women was detected by RT-PCR. TEV-1 cells, a human first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cell line, were cultured and treated with CoCl(2) (300 μmol/L) to induce chemical hypoxia and with 5-aza (500 nmol/L) to induce demethylation. The mRNA expression of maspin in TEV-1 cells subjected to different treatments was determined by RT-PCR, and the proliferative and migratory abilities of TEV-1 cells were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays. Our results showed that the maspin mRNA expression level in placentae from preeclamptic women was much higher than that from normotensive women. CoCl(2) or 5-aza could up-regulate the mRNA expression of maspin and significantly suppress the proliferation and migration of TEV-1 cells. It was concluded that the epigenetic modification in promoter region of maspin contributes to incomplete trophoblast invasion, which offers a novel approach for predicting and treating placental dysfunction.

Effect of epigenetic modification of maspin on extravillous trophoblastic function / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated the effect of epigenetic modification of maspin on extravillous trophoblastic function. The mRNA expression of maspin in placentae from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women was detected by RT-PCR. TEV-1 cells, a human first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cell line, were cultured and treated with CoCl(2) (300 μmol/L) to induce chemical hypoxia and with 5-aza (500 nmol/L) to induce demethylation. The mRNA expression of maspin in TEV-1 cells subjected to different treatments was determined by RT-PCR, and the proliferative and migratory abilities of TEV-1 cells were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays. Our results showed that the maspin mRNA expression level in placentae from preeclamptic women was much higher than that from normotensive women. CoCl(2) or 5-aza could up-regulate the mRNA expression of maspin and significantly suppress the proliferation and migration of TEV-1 cells. It was concluded that the epigenetic modification in promoter region of maspin contributes to incomplete trophoblast invasion, which offers a novel approach for predicting and treating placental dysfunction.

Roles of vascular endothelial growth factor and dexamethasone in expressions of surfactant protein B and transforming growth factor-β1 in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells / 中华围产医学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and dexamethasone on mRNA expressions of surfactant protein B (SP-B) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell (AECⅡ). MethodsAECⅡ were isolated and purified from fetal rat lung tissues,then cultured with different dose of VEGF (25,50 and 100 ng/ml) and dexamethasone (25,50,100 and 200 nmol/ml).The mRNA levels of SP-B and TGF-β1 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and expression of TGF-β1 protein was detected by immunocytochemistry.ANOVAor q-test wasappliedtocompare the difference among groups.ResultsCompared with control group,SP-B mRNA levels in 25 ng/ml VEGF group and 25,50,100 and 200 nmol/ml dexamethasone groups were higher (13.500±3.172,3.547±0.690,5.219±0.782,3.493±0.335,and 3.981 ± 1.133 vs 1.001 ± 0.059,q=-5.286,-4.943,- 7.228,- 9.906 and - 3.525 respectively,P＜0.05) ; TGF-β1 mRNA expression of 25 ng/ml VEGF group,50,100 and 200 nmol/ml dexamethasone group was lower (0.451 ± 0.078,0.579±0.019,0.422 ± 0.020 and 0.769 ± 0.025 vs 1.019±0.226,q=4.110,3.356,4.551 and 1.901 respectively,P＜0.05) ; other groups had no significant differences compared with control group (P＞0.05).Immunocytochemistry showed that the positive rate of TGF-β1 expression in 25 ng/ml VEGF,50,100 and 200 nmol/ml dexamethasone group was 23％,26％,22％ and 29％,respectively,while in the control group,the expression of TGF-β1 was positive in most of the AECⅡ (80％).ConclusionsBoth VEGF and dexamethasone could increase the expression of SP-B at mRNA level at appropriate concentrations.At the same time,the expression of TGF-β1 is inhibited.It is suggested that both VEGF and dexamethasone might increase the mRNA expression of SP-B by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1.

Upregulation of sFlt-1 by trophoblasts induces the barrier dysfunction of glomerular endothelial cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the effect of over-expression of sFlt-1 by trophoblasts on the barrier function of glomerular endothelial cells and the role of VEGF in this process in order to explore the pathogenesis of glomerular disease in preeclampsia. SFlt-1 expression in the human trophoblasts (TEV-1 cells) was enhanced by transfecting sFlt-1 plasmid DNA into TEV-1 cells. The monolayer barrier function of glomerular endothelial cells (ciGEnCs) was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) that crossed the monolayer of glomerular endothelial cells. The results showed that the over-expression of sFlt-1 by TEV-1 cells led to the barrier dysfunction of ciGEnCs, and the exogenous VEGF could alleviate the ciGEnCs dysfunction resulting from the over-expression of sFlt-1 to a certain extent. It was concluded that the dysregulation of sFlt-1 and VEGF in preeclamptic pregnancy may contribute to the barrier dysfunction of glomerular endothelial cells, and VEGF may play an important role in maintaining the barrier function of glomerular endothelial cells, but it may not be the sole factor.

Effects of maternal serum on permeability of glomerular endothelial cell membrane / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The mechanism of injury on the human glomerular endothelial cells (ciGENC) induced by preeclampsia serum was investigated. Concentration of maternal serum sFlt-1 protein was detected by ELISA. Fluorescently-labeled bovine serum albumin infiltrating through lower chamber of Transwell was measured by multifunction microplate reader. Morphologic change of ciGENC was observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. The concentration of sflt-1 in preeclampsia groups was significantly increased as compared with control group (P<0.01). Permeability in preeclampsia groups was significantly increased as compared with control group (P<0.01). By contrast with severe preeclampsia group, the permeability of ciGENC monolayer in mild preeclampsia group was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Intervention of exogenous VEGF significantly decreased permeability of ciGENC in preeclampsia groups. It was concluded that sFlt-1 increased ciGENC permeability by damaging integrity of endothelial barrier function.

Clinical Analysis of Late Pregnancy Complicated with Uterine Leiomyoma / 实用妇产科杂志

Objective:The treatment of late pregnancy complicated with utedne leiomyoma was investigated.Methods:193 Cases of Iate pregnancy complicated with uterine leiomyoma from January 2003 to August 2008 were recruited in our hospital.According to the delivery route,size and subtype of fibroid,blood loss,operation hours and postoperative inpatient period were compared.Results:104 cases of pregnancy complicated with uterine leiomyoma were diagnosed before cesarean section(CS).No significant differences on blood losses and operation hours were found between CS group and CS+myomectomy group(P>0.05).The operation heurs of leiomyoma in corpus uteri was significantly shorter than leiomyoma in lower uterine segment and cervix(P=0.007).Leiomyoma bigger than 8 cm needed significantly Ionger operative hours and lose more blood than the smaller leiomyoma.Operation hours,blood loss and postoperative inpatient period were significantly different between submucous leiomyoma and subserosal leiomyoma(P<0.05).Conclusions:Pregnancy complicated with uterine leiomyoma should be diagnosed as early as possible.During cesarean section on when leiomyoma is bigger than 8 cm,locating at lower uterine segment or cervix or submucous,the treatment should be cautious.

VEGF deficit is involved in endothelium dysfunction in preeclampsia / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the association of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a promoter of angiogenesis, with endothelium dysfunction in preeclampsia. The level of VEGF protein and mRNA in the placenta and peripheral blood samples of 30 preeclampsia patients and 30 normotensive pregnant women was measured by immunohistochemistry, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. VEGF expression in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was blocked by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The monolayer barrier function of HUVECs was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity of BSA that crossed the HUVEC monolayers. The cell proliferation and cell-secreted nitric oxide (NO) level were detected by MTT method and nitrate reductase assay, respectively. The results showed that VEGF was expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and endothelial cells of vessels and capillaries in the placenta tissue. The serum level of VEGF in the preeclampsia patients was significantly decreased as compared with that in normal pregnant subjects, although VEGF mRNA expression in the placenta tissue of preeclampsia patients remained still high. Moreover, VEGF deficit could lead to endothelium cell dysfunction, and the administration of VEGF could protect endothelium cells from injury. It was concluded that lack of VEGF contributes to endothelium dysfunction, which may lead to the occurrence and development of preeclampsia.

Implication of expression of osteopontin and its receptor integrin alphanubeta3 in the placenta in the development of preeclampsia / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and its receptor integrin alphanubeta3 in the placental tissue from pregnant women complicated with preeclampsia, the expression of OPN and alphanubeta3 in the placenta of the pregnant women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women was detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR. Our results showed that OPN and alphanubeta3 protein were expressed in the placenta from normal pregnant woman and those with preeclampsia. OPN was located in the placental syncytiotrophoblasts and the cytoplasm of capillary endothelial cells and integrin alphanubeta3 was mainly expressed on the surface of trophoblast cells. Expression of OPN and integrin alphanubeta3 in the placental tissue from preeclampsia subjects was significantly lower than that from the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, expression of OPN in the placental tissue from preeclampsia group was significantly lower (P<0.05) but there was no significant difference in the expression of alphanu and beta3 between the preeclampsia group and the controls. It is concluded that OPN and its receptor integrin alphanubeta3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Effect of leptin on cytotrophoblast proliferation and invasion / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The effects of leptin on cytotrophoblast proliferation and invasion activity were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the placental expression of leptin in first-trimester pregnancy. By using RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR, the expression of leptin in cytotrophoblast and the effect of leptin on cytotrophoblast secretion were detected. The potential of cell proliferation, invasiveness and migration was assessed by MTT, Transwell invasion assay and migration assay respectively when the cytotrophoblast was cultured with different concentrations of leptin. The results showed that: (1) Leptin was distributed diffusely around cell membrane, in cytoplasma, and on nuclear membrane of cytotrophoblast; (2) Leptin mRNA was expressed in cytotrophoblast. Ten ng/mL leptin could promote the secretion of cytotrophoblast significantly (P<0.01); (3) After culture with different concentrations of leptin for 24 h or longer, the proliferation of cytotrophoblast was inhibited, while in 24 h leptin could promote cytotrophoblast invasion and migration. Leptin at a concentration of 500 ng/mL could promote cytotrophoblast invasiveness and migration significantly as compared with controls (P<0.05). It was suggested that leptin could inhibit cytotrophoblast proliferation, and promote cytotrophoblast invasion and migration activity.

Expression of RhoA in Placenta of Preeclampsia / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to detect the expression of RhoA in placenta from normal pregnancy and preeclampsia and evaluate the role of RhoA in preeclampsia, the expression of RhoA in placenta collected from 40 preeclampsia patientsand 20 normotensive controls was determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RhoA was found in syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. The mean density of RhoA protein in placental tissues of mild and severe preeclampsia groups was significantly higher than that in normal pregnancy. The expression level of RhoA mRNA in mild and severe preeclampsia groups was significantly higher than that of normal pregnancy. Increased expression of RhoA in placental tissues might play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Detection of Human Parvovirus B19 Nonstrutural Protein DNA by Nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction in Gravida Serum and Pregnant Tissues / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

A new nested-polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) assay was developed to detect human parvovirus B19 DNA corresponding to the nonstructural protein in clinical specimens in a routine diagnostic laboratory. The sensitivity of this highly specific assay was up to 0. 005 fg of B19 DNA. Parvovirus B19 was identified in sera of 20 pregnant women with abnormal pregnant outcome. Among these 20 cases, intrauterine parvovirus infection did exist in 7 pregnant women because parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in the pregnant tissues of them such as placenta tissues,chorionic villi, amniotic fluid, fetal spleen, liver and abdominal fluids.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid in the Treatment of Intraheptic Cholestasis of Pregnancy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to observe the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), 68 patients with ICP were equally divided into treatment group and control group at random. The patients in treatment group were administered with UDCA 300 mg three times every day and those in control group received a combination of 10% glucose,Vitamin C and Inosine. Itching scores, serum ALT and total bile acids (TBA) were measured before, during and after treatment. The results showed that as compared with those before treatment,itching scores, serum ALT and TBA were significantly reduced after treatment (P＜0.05). The occurrences of premature labor, fetal asphyxia and meconium staining in amniotic fluid were significantly lower in treatment group than in control group (P＜0.05). It was suggested that UDCA was an effective drug in the treatment of ICP.

Expression of RhoA in placenta of preeclampsia / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to detect the expression of RhoA in placenta from normal pregnancy and preeclampsia and evaluate the role of RhoA in preeclampsia, the expression of RhoA in placenta collected from 40 preeclampsia patients and 20 normotensive controls was determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RhoA was found in syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. The mean density of RhoA protein in placental tissues of mild and severe preeclampsia groups was significantly higher than that in normal pregnancy. The expression level of RhoA mRNA in mild and severe preeclampsia groups was significantly higher than that of normal pregnancy. Increased expression of RhoA in placental tissues might play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of intraheptic cholestasis of pregnancy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to observe the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), 68 patients with ICP were equally divided into treatment group and control group at random. The patients in treatment group were administered with UDCA 300 mg three times every day and those in control group received a combination of 10% glucose, Vitamin C and Inosine. Itching scores, serum ALT and total bile acids (TBA) were measured before, during and after treatment. The results showed that as compared with those before treatment, itching scores, serum ALT and TBA were significantly reduced after treatment (P < 0.05). The occurrences of premature labor, fetal asphyxia and meconium staining in amniotic fluid were significantly lower in treatment group than in control group (P < 0.05). It was suggested that UDCA was an effective drug in the treatment of ICP.

Detection of human parvovirus B19 nonstrutural protein DNA by nested-polymerase chain reaction in gravida serum and pregnant tissues / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

A new nested-polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) assay was developed to detect human parvovirus B19 DNA corresponding to the nonstructural protein in clinical specimens in a routine diagnostic laboratory. The sensitivity of this highly specific assay was up to 0.005 fg of B19 DNA. Parvovirus B19 was identified in sera of 20 pregnant women with abnormal pregnant outcome. Among these 20 cases, intrauterine parvovirus infection did exist in 7 pregnant women because parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in the pregnant tissues of them such as placenta tissues, chorionic villi, amniotic fluid, fetal spleen, liver and abdominal fluids.