Enhancing Solubility and Bioefficacy of Stilbenes by Liposomal Encapsulation-The Case of Macasiamenene F

Stilbenes in food and medicinal plants have been described as potent antiphlogistic and antioxidant compounds, and therefore, they present an interesting potential for the development of dietary supplements. Among them, macasiamenene F (MF) has recently been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent that dampens peripheral and CNS inflammation in vitro. Nevertheless, this promising molecule, like other stilbenes and a large percentage of drugs under development, faces poor water solubility, which results in trickier in vivo administration and low bioavailability. With the aim of improving MF solubility and developing a form optimized for in vivo administration, eight types of conventional liposomal nanocarriers and one type of PEGylated liposomes were formulated and characterized. In order to select the appropriate form of MF encapsulation, the safety of MF liposomal formulations was evaluated on THP-1 and THP-1-XBlue-MD2-CD14 monocytes, BV-2 microglia, and primary cortical neurons in culture. Furthermore, the cellular uptake of liposomes and the effect of encapsulation on MF anti-inflammatory effectiveness were evaluated on THP-1-XBlue-MD2-CD14 monocytes and BV-2 microglia. MF (5 mol %) encapsulated in PEGylated liposomes with an average size of 160 nm and polydispersity index of 0.122 was stable, safe, and the most promising form of MF encapsulation keeping its cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Pregnancy Termination and Postnatal Major Congenital Heart Defect Prevalence After Introduction of Prenatal Cardiac Screening

Importance

Prenatal cardiac screening of the first and second trimesters has had a major impact on postnatal prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs), rates of termination of pregnancy (TOP), and outcomes among children born alive with CHDs.

Objective

To examine the prenatal and postnatal incidence of major CHDs (ie, necessitating intervention within the first year of life), detection rate trends, rates of TOP, and the association of cardiac screening with postnatal outcomes.

Design, Settings, and Participants

In this cross-sectional study, 3827 fetuses with antenatally diagnosed major CHDs in the Czech Republic (population 10.7 million) between 1991 and 2021 were prospectively evaluated with known outcomes and associated comorbidities. Prenatal and postnatal prevalence of CHD in an unselected population was assessed by comparison with a retrospective analysis of all children born alive with major CHDs in the same period (5454 children), using national data registry. Data analysis was conducted from January 1991 to December 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prenatal detection and postnatal prevalence of major CHDs and rate of TOPs in a setting with a centralized health care system over 31 years.

Results

A total of 3 300 068 children were born alive during the study period. Major CHD was diagnosed in 3827 fetuses, of whom 1646 (43.0%) were born, 2069 (54.1%) resulted in TOP, and 112 (2.9%) died prenatally. The prenatal detection rate increased from 6.2% in 1991 to 82.8% in 2021 (P < .001). Termination of pregnancy decreased from 70% in 1991 to 43% (P < .001) in 2021. Of 627 fetuses diagnosed in the first trimester (introduced in 2007), 460 were terminated (73.3%). Since 2007, of 2066 fetuses diagnosed in the second trimester, 880 (42.6%) were terminated, resulting in an odds ratio of 3.6 (95% CI, 2.8-4.6; P < .001) for TOP in the first trimester compared with the second trimester. Postnatal prevalence of major CHDs declined from 0.21% to 0.14% (P < .001). The total incidence (combining prenatal detection of terminated fetuses with postnatal prevalence) of major CHD remained at 0.23% during the study period.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, the total incidence of major CHD did not change significantly during the 31-year study period. The prenatal detection of major CHD approached 83% in the current era. Postnatal prevalence of major CHD decreased significantly due to early TOPs and intrauterine deaths. The introduction of first trimester screening resulted in a higher termination rate in the first trimester but did not revert the overall decreasing trend of termination for CHDs in general.

Screening for congenital defects and genetic diseases of the fetus at University Hospital in Olomouc and sending/ reporting to the National register of reproductive health in the Czech Republic

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze the results of the screening for congenital defects (CD) and genetic diseases (GD) of the fetus in the Fetal Medicine Centre at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital in Olomouc.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective cohort study. In the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021, a total of 14,460 health services were performed on 4,916 pregnant women. Within the screening of CD and GD of the fetus, 501 pregnant women were found to have an abnormality requiring further clinical management, 170 of them were diagnosed with a CD of the fetus and in 20 cases a GD of the fetus was diagnosed by a laboratory genetic examination. All diagnosed fetal CD and GD were sent/ reported according to the valid methodology of the National health information system (NHIS) to the National register of reproductive health (NRRH) to the CD Module.

RESULTS

An increased calculated individual risk of genetic fetal disease was diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy in 10.7% of fetuses (319/ 2,968), and in the second trimester in 0.9% of fetuses (27/ 2,948). Nuchal translucency (NT) > 3.5 mm was diagnosed in 0.9% of fetuses by ultrasound examination in the first trimester of pregnancy (26/ 2,968). In fetal CD and GD screening, 501 pregnant women were found to have an abnormality requiring further clinical management, 72.1% of women (361/ 501) had an increased risk of genetic fetal disease, and diagnostic examination of the fetal genetic material obtained by invasive procedure (chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis) was indicated. A total of 31.3% of them (113/ 361) refused the invasive procedure and 2.5% (9/ 361) did not attend the planned procedure; the invasive procedure was performed in 66.2% (239/ 361).

CONCLUSION

Comparing the results of CD and GD fetal screening in our medical facility with other specialized medical facilities in the Czech Republic is currently difficult to do, but information from the NRRH could allow objective and transparent comparisons in the future.

If a vaccine against COVID-19 was available, would you like to be vaccinated? And are you vaccinated against flu and other diseases? A survey among university students during state of emergency

AIM

Achieving sufficient vaccination rate (and herd immunity respectively) is considered to be the most promising strategy for prevention of outbreaks of novel coronavirus disease in future. The main aim of this work was to compare willingness of university students to receive vaccine against COVID-19 with vaccines for adults against other well-known diseases. Another aim was to assess students´ opinion on growing trend of parents refusing to vaccinate children.

METHODS

The online questionnaire shared with students consisted of 12 questions. It was distributed via university bulk emails and social media.

RESULTS

3,133 students responded to our questionnaire. Overall university response rate was 15.9%. Students of our university showed significantly much stronger interest in receiving vaccine against COVID-19 than vaccine against other diseases (p &lt; 0.0001). Students also showed strong pro-vaccination attitude to vaccination of children.

CONCLUSION

The study showed very well sudden change of attitude of university students to vaccination of adults at the time of strong restrictive regulations. Most of university students had pro-vaccination attitude to vaccination of children.

Echogenic foci in fetal heart from a pediatric cardiologists point of view

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the occurrence and the significance of echogenic foci in the fetal heart and to assess the prognosis of the fetus and child.

SETTING

Department of Pediatrics and Prenatal Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ostrava.

DESIGN

Original article.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted between 2008-2017. Fetal echocardiography was performed in the second trimester of pregnancy in the study population. The identification of echogenic heart foci, and their follow up during and after the pregnancy were performed by a pediatric cardiologist.

RESULTS

In the monitored period, a total of 27,633 fetuses were examined. Isolated cardiac hyperechogenic foci were detected in 3% (829/27,633) of the fetuses. The foci was found in 93%, 5%, and 2% in the left ventricle, mainly in valvular apparatus of the mitral valve, in the both ventricles, and in the right ventricle, respectively. In 1% (11/829) of the fetuses with cardiac echogenic foci, the others concomitant pathologies (tricuspid regurgitation, extrasystoles, renal pathology) were found. No genetic abnormalities were detected in the fetuses with cardiac hyperechogenic foci.

CONCLUSION

The echogenic focus in fetal heart is a relatively common, mostly insignificant finding, with any serious consequences for the fetus and the child.

[Development of prenatal diagnostics of congenital heart defects, profit of standardized scanning planes]

OBJECTIVE

To audit the development and success rate of prenatal detection of congenital heart defects (CHDs), and to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostics performed in standardized scanning planes.

SETTING

Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Ostrava.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Ultrasound examination of fetal heart (fetal echocardiography) was performed in the second trimester pregnancy. The observed region was the Moravian-Silesian region; the assessment was performed in the retrospective study performed between 2000- 2016. The knowledge of all significant heart defects in the region, processing of data from genetic reporting, further examination of all prenatal pathologies by a pediatric cardiologist, presence of a pediatric cardiologist at all autopsies, with a precise description of the defect, birth of a pathological new-born at a specialized centre. Analysis of detected CHDs was performed in relation to the ultrasound scans used.

RESULTS

During the monitored 17-year period, a total of 748 (3.8 cases per 1,000 foetuses) of prenatally identified and postnatally significant CHDs were observed in the total population of 198,300 foetuses. There were 53% (393/748) CHDs detected prenatally and 47% (355/748) of cases were not prenatally recognized. The effectiveness of CHD screening has improved progressively, from the initial 10% up to the current 74%. The best results were obtained using the basic four-chamber (4CH) scan; the results in practice gradually decreased, from the basic 4CH projection to the aortic arch.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness of prenatal detection of congenital heart defects gradually improves, namely in cases of hypoplasia and significant ventricular anomalies, with up to 100% prenatally detected cases in the past three years. The level of detection statistically decreases, from the four-chamber projection to out-flow tracts, great arteries and the aortic arch. Congenital heart defect is generally well detectable prenatally, and is usually observed as an isolated anomaly. The most important factors include a precise diagnosis, overall examination of the pregnancy and correct counselling provided for the affected family.

Increased prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve in Turner syndrome links with karyotype: the crucial importance of detailed cardiovascular screening

BACKGROUND

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) represents one of the strongest risk factors for aortic dissection in Turner syndrome (TS). An exact relation between the occurrence of BAV and a particular karyotype has not been established yet. The aim of this study was to determine the association between karyotype and prevalence of BAV.

METHODS

Sixty-seven TS patients aged between 6.6 and 32.5 years underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. They were divided into four cytogenetic subgroups-45,X karyotype (n=27); 45,X/46,XX mosaicism (n=17); structural abnormalities of the X chromosome (n=10); and 45,X/structural abnormality of the X chromosome mosaicism (n=13). Prevalence of BAV and odds ratio (OR) compared with the general population in the whole study group, and statistical comparison of prevalences of BAV among the individual subgroups were determined.

RESULTS

Prevalence of BAV in the whole study group was established as 28.4% [OR 208.3 (95% CI - 103.8-418.0); p-value<0.0001]. Individuals with 45,X karyotype had the highest prevalence of BAV - 40.7%, p-value<0.0001. Presence of any 45,X cell line in karyotype significantly predisposed to BAV (p-value=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The 45,X karyotype is associated with the highest prevalence of BAV. Also, the presence of the 45,X cell line in any mosaic karyotype increases the probability of BAV.

Triple pregnancy with mixed chorionicity following in vitro fertilization: is fetal reduction neccesary?

OBJECTIVE

The increasing incidence and management of monozygotic twinning in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been the subject of much debate. Here, we describe the management and outcome of two triple pregnancies with mixed chorionicity with a monochorionic-diamniotic twin pair and a singleton following the transfer of two embryos during IVF treatment.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Palacký University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic.

METHODS

This study involved Patient A (30 years of age; 0 para) and Patient B (32 years of age; I Para), both with triplets of mixed chorionicity following the transfer of two embryos during IVF treatment, and treated in The Fetal Medicine Centre, Palacky University Olomouc. Detailed counselling led to the deployment of different management strategies for each case.

RESULTS

The monochorionic twin component of Patient A was terminated by fetal reduction in the 15th week of gestation, while the remaining single pregnancy was delivered at term without complication. Patient B opted for expectant management. However, the pregnancy was complicated by severe maternal morbidity and was terminated in the 28th week of gestation following the death of one fetus.

CONCLUSION

Fetal reduction should be offered as a management tool to patients carrying triplets in order to improve perinatal survival. In triplets with mixed chorionicity, the reduction of monochorionic twins is particularly advisable in preventing the additional risk posed by a shared placenta.

[Aspiration of functional ovarian cyst]

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to prove the safety of simple cyst aspiration instead of the current treatment by laparoscopy.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Fertimed Olomouc, Infertility Center.

METHODS

We are presenting our experience with the aspiration of follicles (group A) and a functional cyst (group B, C). We are evaluating a number of complications in all groups, anaesthesia versus analgesia in group B, C and the cytological examination of fluid from the function cyst in group C.

RESULTS

In 2,744 aspirations we detected 0.0004% small complications (vaginal wall bleeding) and 0.0004% major complications (laparoscopy, cystoscopy). No single cytological examination was suspect in the simple ovarian function cyst.

CONCLUSION

Aspiration of a simple functional cyst is the first step of the treatment. It is a simple procedure. For patients it is comfortable and safe. In a simple cyst, we do not find suspect cells.

Low-level 45,X/46,XX mosaicism is not associated with congenital heart disease and thoracic aorta dilatation:prospective magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound study

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of risk factors for aortic dissection, such as bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation and ascending aorta dilatation, in women with low-level 45,X/46,XX mosaicism undergoing an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.

METHODS

The study group comprised 25 women with low-level 45,X/46,XX mosaicism (ranging from 3.3% to 10.0%) who were referred to two reproductive medicine units between 2009 and 2013 because of infertility and who underwent subsequent karyotyping. In accordance with the recommendation of the Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine for patients with Turner syndrome (TS), prior to the IVF procedure, all women underwent careful cardiovascular screening for congenital heart disease and thoracic aorta dilatation, including standard cardiac examination, echocardiography and non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Aortic size index (ASI, diameter of the ascending aorta normalized to body surface area) and the prevalence of coarctation of the aorta and of bicuspid aortic valve were compared with findings previously reported in women with TS and the general population.

RESULTS

Bicuspid aortic valve without any stenosis or regurgitation was found in one woman in the study group with low-level 45,X/46,XX mosaicism, a statistically significantly lower prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve than that reported in women with TS. Aortic coarctation was not identified in any individual. The ASI was below the  95th percentile in all cases and the mean value was significantly lower than the mean reference values for both the general population and women with TS.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the general population, the prevalence of risk factors for aortic dissection was not found to be higher in women with low-level 45,X/46,XX mosaicism without any noticeable features except infertility.

[Exercise cardiorespiratory parameters in children motivated to physical activity after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

BACKGROUND

Children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with anthracycline antibiotic agents must be followed up for the danger of late cardiotoxic effects of the treatment. Another threat represents the consequence of the protective upbringing and inactive lifestyle. The aim of present study was to assess the exercise cardiorespiratory indexes and anthropometric variables in previously treated children without clinical, ECG and echocardiographic signs of cardiotoxicity, who had been motivated to physical activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

29 children (12.3 +/- 2.7 years old) previously treated for ALL with anthracyclines were examined. The cumulative dosis of anthracyclines was 224 +/- 39.4 mg/m2. The treatment was finished before 4.8 +/- 2.1 years and after this period no signs of the late cardiotoxicity were detectable. Both children and their parents were encouraged to the regular physical activity of submaximal intensity. 29 age- and sex-matched control subjects were healthy children, never limited in their activities, but without special physical training. As soon as the basic anthropometric data had been verified, both groups completed a progressive exercise test with the assessment of submaximal and maximal spiroergometric indexes. In all parameters followed we failed to prove any significant differences between the two groups. The treated children exhibited only slightly lower body height, higher body weight and higher percentage of body fat. They reached lower respiratory exchange ratio (R), with higher oxygen uptake on both submaximal and maximal load levels.

CONCLUSIONS

When sufficiently motivated, children surviving five years after the treatment with anthracycline for ALL, who have no signs of cardiotoxic effects, have their functional cardiorespiratory capacity approximately comparable to that of healthy children.