BackgroundPreterm infants are highly vulnerable to infectious disease. While many factors are likely to contribute to this enhanced susceptibility, the immature nature of the preterm immune system is postulated as one key factor.MethodsIn our study, we used high-dimensional flow cytometry and cytokine assays to characterise the immune profiles in 25 preterm (range: 30.4-34.1 weeks gestational age) and 25 term infant (range: 37-40 weeks gestational age) cord blood samples.ResultsWe found that preterm infants exhibit reduced frequencies of monocytes, CD56bright NK cells, CD8+ T-cells, γδ T-cells and an increased frequency of intermediate monocytes, CD4+ T-cells, central memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, Tregs and transitional B-cells compared to term infants. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17A were lower in preterm infants in addition to chemokines IL-8, eotaxin, MIP-1α and MIP-1β. However, IL-15 and MCP-1 were higher in preterm infants.ConclusionOverall, we identify key differences in pro-inflammatory immune profiles between preterm and term infants. These findings may help to explain why preterm infants are more susceptible to infectious disease during early life and facilitate the development of targeted interventions to protect this highly vulnerable group.

Nonwoven fabrics are widely used in the textile manufacturing industry due to their advanced characteristics, such as their soft, water-repellent, recycle, ecological, and resilient functions. Nowadays, one of the innovated technologies applied to bond nonwoven fabrics is the ultrasonic welding method, due to the advantages afforded by its clean, fast, and reliable approach. In this work, isotactic polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabrics were bonded by a continuous ultrasonic welding process. In order to consider the influence of the roller on the formation of welding joints and their mechanical properties, different roller profiles were designed, fabricated, and tested. Eight types of roller profiles corresponding to No. 1–No. 8 in the experiments were divided into four groups. After bonding, the microstructure in a typical case (i.e., No. 1) was captured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the formation of the welding joints. Additionally, the load and the peel strength of the welding joints of all eight roller profiles were analyzed. The results showed that no welding defects, such as cracks or blowholes, were visible in the melted zone. The load depended on the area ratio(s) of the welding area (S0) to the cycling area (S1). Furthermore, it was found out that the peel strength of the welding joints with brick structures were higher than the peel strength in the case of solid line structures.

Background Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is common in South East Asia, occurring at relatively lean Body Mass Index (BMI). Outside pregnancy, cardiometabolic risks increase at lower BMI in Asian populations, justifying Asian-specific thresholds for overweight and obesity. We aimed to explore the effects of GDM and obesity on perinatal outcomes using a WHO expert consultation-recommended Asian-specific definition of obesity. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a prospective, hospital-based, cohort study in Ho Chi Minh City. Participants were recruited from antenatal clinics between 19+ 0-22+ 6 weeks gestation and followed until delivery. GDM screening occurred between 24 and 28 weeks using WHO criteria. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2, based on weight and height at recruitment. We assessed associations between GDM (singly, and in combination with obesity) and perinatal outcomes. Participants were categorised into four groups: no GDM/non-obese (reference group), GDM/non-obese, no GDM/obese and GDM/obese. Outcomes included primary caesarean section, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), large-for-gestational-age (LGA), birth weight, preterm birth, and composite adverse neonatal outcome. Logistic and linear regressions were performed with adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics. Results Among 4,970 participants, 908 (18%) developed GDM. Compared to women without GDM, GDM increased risks for preterm birth (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.09–1.78), higher birthweight (birthweight z-score 0.16 versus 0.09, p = 0.027), and LGA (OR 1.14, 0.89–1.46). GDM without obesity was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (OR 1.35, 1.04–1.74). Obese women without GDM were more likely to deliver by caesarean section and have an LGA baby (1.80, 1.33–2.44 and 2.75, 1.88–4.03). The highest risks were observed amongst women with both GDM and obesity: caesarean Sect. (2.43, 1.49–3.96), LGA (3.36, 1.94–5.80) and preterm birth (2.42, 1.32–4.44). Conclusions GDM was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and larger newborn size. Using an Asian-specific definition of obesity, we demonstrate obese women with GDM are at the highest risk of adverse outcomes. Using a BMI threshold in pregnancy of 27.5 kg/m2 (between 19 and 22 weeks gestation) for Asian women can identify women who will benefit from intensified diabetes, nutritional, and obstetric care. This has relevance for obstetric service delivery within Asia, and other health systems providing pregnancy care for Asian expatriate women.

Objective(s) To study if the GnRH agonist administration in luteal phase improves clinical pregnancy rate of fresh and frozen embryo transfer. Also, this meta-analysis compares the treatment effect of luteal GnRH agonist administration between long agonist and antagonist protocols of fresh cycles, and between two types of treatment: fresh and frozen embryo transfers. Study design Systematic review and meta-analysis (registration number CRD42017059152) Results For the overall 20 studies (5497 patients), clinical pregnancy rate significantly increased in group of GnRH agonist administration compared to control group (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.34, p < 0.0001). Regarding the treatment effect of luteal GnRH agonist administration between long agonist and antagonist protocol fresh cycles, no significant difference was observed (RR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.98–1.67, p = 0.07). Also, in comparison between fresh and frozen embryo transfer, similar effect of GnRH agonist administration was found (RR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.74–1.16, p = 0.49). Conclusion(s) There is evidence that GnRH agonist administration in luteal phase improve clinical pregnancy rate in both fresh and frozen cycles. Within fresh cycles, no significant difference of clinical pregnancy rate is found between two protocols. In frozen cycles, the effect of GnRH agonist administration in enhancing clinical pregnancy rate is similar to fresh cycles.

Background: Identification of germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations in ovarian cancer is important for genetic counseling and treatment decision making with poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors. Unfortunately, data on the frequency of BRCA1/2 mutations in Vietnamese patients are scare. Methods: We aim to explore the occurrence of BRCA1/2 mutations in 101 Vietnamese patients with ovarian cancer including serous (n = 58), endometrioid (n = 14), mucinous (n = 24), and clear cell (n = 5) carcinomas. BRCA1/2 mutations were detected from formalin-fixed parafinembedded tumor samples using the Oncomine TM BRCA Research Assay on Personal Genome Machine Platform with Ion Reporter Software for sequencing data analysis. The presence of pathogenic mutations was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results: We found no BRCA2 mutation in the entire cohort. Four types of pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 (Ser454Ter, Gln541Ter, Arg1751Ter, and Gln1779AsnfsTer14) were detected in 8 unrelated patients (7.9%) belonging to serous and endometrioid carcinoma groups. Except for the c.1360_1361delAG (Ser454Ter) mutation in BRCA1 exon 11 that was somatic, the other mutations in exons 11, 20, and 22 were germline. Interestingly, the recurrent Arg1751Ter mutation in BRCA1 exon 20 appeared in 4 patients, suggesting that this is a founder mutation in Vietnamese patients. Conclusion: Mutational analysis of tumor tissue using next generation sequencing allowed the detection of both germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations.