Perinatal imaging findings of a fetus with Pfeiffer syndrome and a heterozygous c.1019A>G, p.Tyr340Cys (Y340C) mutation in FGFR2 presenting a cloverleaf skull, craniosynostosis and short limbs on prenatal ultrasound mimicking thanatophoric dysplasia type II.

OBJECTIVE: We present perinatal imaging findings of a fetus with Pfeiffer syndrome and a heterozygous c.1019A>G, p.Tyr340Cys (Y340C) mutation in FGFR2 presenting a cloverleaf skull, craniosynostosis and short limbs on prenatal ultrasound mimicking thanatophoric dysplasia type II (TD2). CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old, gravida 2, para 1, woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XY. However, craniofacial anomaly was found on prenatal ultrasound at 21 weeks of gestation, which showed a cloverleaf skull with severe craniosynostosis and relatively short straight long bones. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis at 22 weeks of gestation showed a cloverleaf skull, proptosis and relatively shallowing of the sylvian fissures. Prenatal ultrasound at 24 weeks of gestation showed a fetus with a cloverleaf skull with a biparietal diameter (BPD) of 6.16 cm (equivalent to 24 weeks), an abdominal circumference (AC) of 18.89 cm (equivalent to 24 weeks) and a femur length (FL) of 3.65 cm (equivalent to 21 weeks). A tentative diagnosis of TD2 was made. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a 928-g malformed fetus was delivered with severe craniosynostosis, proptosis, midface retrusion, a cloverleaf skull, broad thumbs and broad big toes. The broad thumbs were medially deviated. Whole body X-ray showed a cloverleaf skull and straight long bones. However, molecular analysis of FGFR3 on the fetus revealed no mutation in the target regions. Subsequent whole exome sequencing (WES) on the DNA extracted from umbilical cord revealed a heterozygous c.1019A>G, p.Tyr340Cys (Y340C) mutation in the FGFR2 gene. CONCLUSION: Fetuses with a Y340C mutation in FGFR2 may present a cloverleaf skull on prenatal ultrasound, and WES is useful for a rapid differential diagnosis of Pfeiffer syndrome from TD2 under such a circumstance.

Risks of maternal cardiopulmonary events associated with ritodrine for tocolysis: A national database linkage study in 1 831 564 pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: Real-world data on cardiopulmonary events among pregnant women receiving ß-agonist therapy are scarce. In the present study, we aimed to examine the absolute and relative risks of maternal cardiopulmonary events associated with the use of ß-agonist ritodrine during pregnancy. METHODS: By linking Taiwan's National Birth Certificate Application Database with National Health Insurance data, 1 831 564 pregnancies at ≥20 weeks' gestation were identified. Age-standardized incidence rates of cardiopulmonary events among pregnant women exposed to ritodrine were estimated. Nested case-control analyses were conducted to evaluate the relative risk of pulmonary edema, heart failure, and arrhythmia associated with prior ritodrine use. Cases and controls were matched using risk set sampling, and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 189 cases of pulmonary edema, 126 cases of heart failure, and 162 cases of arrhythmia were identified (corresponding age-standardized incidence rates: 20.90, 8.35, and 16.63 per 100 000 among pregnant women only exposed to oral ritodrine; 91.28, 36.01, and 14.61 per 100 000 among those ever exposed to intravenous ritodrine). Exposure to oral ritodrine was associated with a lower increased risk of pulmonary edema (aOR 1.76; 95% CI: 1.12-2.76) and arrhythmia (2.21; 1.47-3.32) whereas exposure to ritodrine injection was associated with a significantly higher risk of pulmonary edema (10.56; 6.39-17.45), arrhythmia (4.15; 1.99-8.64), and heart failure (5.58; 2.27-13.74). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women receiving intravenous ritodrine therapy had higher cardiopulmonary risks and should be intensively monitored. While the relative risk associated with oral ritodrine is not pronounced, it should be used judiciously among pregnant women as well.

Impact of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy on subsequent pregnancies: A longitudinal study of maternal and paternal depression, anxiety and eudaimonia.

BACKGROUND: Although miscarriage and termination of pregnancy affect maternal mental illnesses on subsequent pregnancies, their effects on the positive mental health (e.g., eudaimonia) of both first-time and multi-time parents have received minimal attention, especially for fathers. This longitudinal study examines the effects of experiences of miscarriage and termination on parental well-being in subsequent pregnancies from prenatal to postpartum years, while simultaneously considering parity. METHODS: Pregnant women and their partners were recruited during early prenatal visits in Taiwan from 2011 to 2022 and were followed up from mid-pregnancy to 1 year postpartum. Six waves of self-reported assessments were employed. RESULTS: Of 1813 women, 11.3 % and 14.7 % had experiences of miscarriage and termination, respectively. Compared with the group without experiences of miscarriage or termination, experiences of miscarriage were associated with increased risks of paternal depression (adjusted odds ratio = 1.6, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-2.27), higher levels of anxiety (adjusted ß = 1.83, 95 % CI = 0.21-3.46), and lower eudaimonia scores (adjusted ß = -1.09, 95 % CI = -1.99 to -0.19) from the prenatal to postpartum years, particularly among multiparous individuals. Additionally, experiences of termination were associated with increased risks of depression in their partner. LIMITATIONS: The experiences of miscarriage and TOP were self-reported and limited in acquiring more detailed information through questioning. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the decreased well-being of men whose partners have undergone termination of pregnancy or experienced miscarriage, and stress the importance of interventions aimed at preventing adverse consequences among these individuals.

Clinical Application of a Graphene Oxide-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor to Measure First-Trimester Serum Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A/A2 Ratio to Predict Preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia, a major cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes, involves metalloproteinases pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A and PAPP-A2 from placental trophoblasts. The graphene oxide (GO)-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor has higher sensitivity, affinity, and selective ability than the traditional SPR biosensor. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of measuring first-trimester serum PAPP-A/PAPP-A2 ratio as a novel predictor of preeclampsia using the GO-SPR biosensor. Methods: This prospective case-control study of pregnant women was conducted at MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan between January 2018 and June 2020. The SPR angle shifts of first-trimester serum PAPP-A, PAPP-A2, and PAPP-A/PAPP-A2 ratio measured using the GO-SPR biosensor were compared between preeclampsia and control groups. Results: Serum samples from 185 pregnant women were collected, of whom 30 had preeclampsia (5 early-onset; 25 late-onset). The response time between the antibody-antigen association and dissociation only took about 200 seconds. The SPR angle shift of PAPP-A in the preeclampsia group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (median (interquartile range): 5.33 (4.55) versus 6.89 (4.10) millidegrees (mDeg), P = 0.008). Conversely, the SPR angle shift of PAPP-A2 in the preeclampsia group was significantly larger than that in the control group (5.70 (3.81) versus 3.63 (2.38) mDeg, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off PAPP-A/PAPP-A2 ratio to predict all preeclampsia of ≤ 0.76, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95% CI 0.73-0.85, P < 0.001). Sub-group analysis revealed a cut-off PAPP-A/PAPP-A2 ratio to predict early-onset preeclampsia of ≤ 0.53 (AUC 0.99, 95% CI 0.96-1.00, P < 0.001), and ≤ 0.73 to predict late-onset preeclampsia (AUC 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.81, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Measuring first-trimester serum PAPP-A/PAPP-A2 ratio using the GO-SPR biosensor could be a valuable method for early prediction of preeclampsia.

Changes in cervical elastography, cervical length and endocervical canal width after cerclage for cervical insufficiency: an observational ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that pregnant women with a history of cervical insufficiency had a softer anterior cervical lip, shorter cervical length and wider endocervical canal in the first trimester. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in cervical elastography, cervical length, and endocervical canal width in the second trimester after cerclage, and further discuss whether these ultrasound parameters are predictive of preterm delivery. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of cervical changes in singleton pregnancies after cerclage from January 2016 to June 2018. Cervical elastography, cervical length, and endocervical canal width were measured during the second trimester in the cervical insufficiency group and control group without cervical insufficiency. Strain elastography under transvaginal ultrasound was used to assess cervical stiffness and presented as percentage (strain rate). RESULTS: Among the 339 pregnant women enrolled, 24 had a history of cervical insufficiency and underwent cerclage. Both anterior and posterior cervical lips were significantly softer in the cervical insufficiency group even though they received cerclage (anterior strain rate: 0.18 ± 0.06% vs. 0.13 ± 0.04%; P = 0.001; posterior strain rate: 0.11 ± 0.03% vs. 0.09 ± 0.04%; P = 0.017). Cervical length was also shorter in the cervical insufficiency group (36.3 ± 3.6 mm vs. 38.3 ± 4.6 mm; P = 0.047). However, there was no significant difference in endocervical canal width between the two groups (5.4 ± 0.7 mm vs. 5.6 ± 0.7 mm; P = 0.159). Multivariate logistic regression analysis also revealed significant differences in anterior cervical lip strain rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70-31.41; P = 0.007), posterior cervical lip strain rate (adjusted OR, 5.22, 95% CI, 1.42-19.18; P = 0.013), and cervical length (adjusted OR, 3.17, 95% CI,1.08-9.29; P = 0.035). Among the four ultrasound parameters, softer anterior cervical lip (P = 0.024) and shorter cervical length (P < 0.001) were significantly related to preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cerclage can prevent widening of the endocervical canal, but not improve cervical elasticity or cervical length. Measuring anterior cervical elastography and cervical length may be valuable to predict preterm delivery.

Mosaic trisomy 16 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with positive non-invasive prenatal testing for trisomy 16, placental trisomy 16, intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine fetal death, cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes, and prenatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell line.

OBJECTIVE: We present mosaic trisomy 16 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with positive non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 16, placental trisomy 16, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes, and prenatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell line. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of positive NIPT for trisomy 16 at 12 weeks of gestation. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+16 [10]/46,XX[17], and simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (16) × 3 [0.43] consistent with 43% mosaicism for trisomy 16. She was referred for genetic counseling at 19 weeks of gestation, and a fetus with IUGR was noted to have a size equivalent to 16 weeks of gestation. At 23 weeks of gestation, the fetus manifested oligohydramnios, fetal cardiomegaly and severe IUGR (fetal size equivalent to 20 weeks of gestation). Repeat amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX (20/20 colonies) in cultured amniocytes and mosaic trisomy 16 by aCGH in uncultured amniocytes. aCGH analysis on uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr 16p13.3q24.3 × 2.3, consistent with 30% (log2 ratio = 0.2) mosaicism for trisomy 16. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assays on the DNA extracted from parental bloods and uncultured amniocytes excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 16. The parental karyotypes were normal. IUFD was noted at amniocentesis. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a 288-g female fetus was delivered with no phenotypic abnormalities. The umbilical cord had a karyotype of 46,XX (40/40 cells), and the placenta had a karyotype of 47,XX,+16 (40/40 cells). QF-PCR assays of the placenta confirmed a maternal origin of trisomy 16. CONCLUSION: Mosaic trisomy 16 at amniocentesis can be associated with positive NIPT for trisomy 16, placental trisomy 16, IUGR, IUFD, cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes, and prenatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell line.

Association between maternal benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic use in early pregnancy and the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and small for gestational age: a nationwide, population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics are commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia during pregnancy, but the evidence regarding potential adverse neonatal outcomes is insufficient because of poor control for confounding factors in previous studies. We therefore aimed to evaluate the association between the use of benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during early pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes (stillbirth, preterm birth, and small for gestational age). METHODS: We did a nationwide, population-based cohort study in Taiwan using three data sources: Taiwan's National Birth Certificate Application database, the National Health Insurance database, and the Maternal and Child Health Database. The study cohort included all singleton pregnancies of females aged 15-50 years who gave birth between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2018. Pregnancies without valid information were excluded. Benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic use was defined as at least one benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic prescription during early pregnancy (the first 20 weeks of pregnancy). The primary outcomes were stillbirth (fetal death at or after 20 weeks' gestation), preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation), and small for gestational age (birthweight below the 10th percentile for gestational age by sex). Logistic regression models with propensity score fine stratification weighting were used to control for potential confounders and examine the association between benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics use during early pregnancy and the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were reported. We used confounding by indication control analyses, a sibling control study, and a paternal negative control design to account for unmeasured confounders. The risk associated with exposure during late pregnancy was also assessed. FINDINGS: Between Oct 7, 2021, and June 10, 2022, we analysed the study data. The cohort included 2 882 292 singleton pregnancies; of which, 75 655 (2·6%) of the mothers were dispensed one or more benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during early pregnancy. Women exposed during pregnancy were older (mean age at delivery was 31·0 years [SD 5·3] for exposed women vs 30·6 years [4·9] for unexposed women), had a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and were more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle behaviours than unexposed women. Information about ethnicity was not available. Early pregnancy exposure was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes compared with non-exposure. The propensity score-weighted OR was 1·19 (95% CI 1·10-1·28) for stillbirth, 1·19 (1·16-1·23) for preterm birth, and 1·16 (1·13-1·19) for small for gestational age. After controlling for confounding by indication, there was no significant association between drug exposure and stillbirth risk; however, this attenuation was not observed for preterm birth and small for gestational age. In models with sibling controls that accounted for familial confounding and genetic factors, early exposure to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics was not associated with an increased risk of stillbirth and preterm birth, but it remained significantly associated with small for gestational age. The paternal negative control analyses with point estimates close to the null indicated no strong evidence of unmeasured confounding shared by the mother and the father. Substantially increased risks of stillbirth and preterm birth were observed for late pregnancy exposure. INTERPRETATION: Benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic use in early pregnancy is not associated with a substantial increase in the risk of stillbirth and preterm birth after accounting for unmeasured confounding factors. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of small for gestational age and caution should be taken when prescribing these medications during late pregnancy. FUNDING: National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. TRANSLATION: For the Taiwanese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of del(X)(p22.33)mat and de novo dup(4)(q34.3q35.2) in a male fetus with multiple anomalies of facial dysmorphism, ventriculomegaly, congenital heart defects, short long bones and clinodactyly.

OBJECTIVE: We present molecular cytogenetic characterization of del(X) (p22.33)mat and de novo dup(4) (q34.3q35.2) in a male fetus with multiple anomalies of facial dysmorphism, ventriculomegaly, congenital heart defects, short long bones and clinodactyly. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old, gravida 3, para 1, woman with short stature (152 cm) underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,Y,del(X)(p22.33)mat, dup(4)(q34.3q35.2). The mother had a karyotype of 46,X,del(X)(p22.33). Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from cultured amniocytes revealed arr Xp22.33 × 0, 4q34.3q35.2 × 3. Prenatal ultrasound at 23 weeks of gestation revealed multiple anomalies of flat nasal bridge, ventriculomegaly, atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) and clinodactyly. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a malformed fetus was delivered with facial dysmorphism. Cytogenetic analysis of the umbilical cord revealed 46,Y,del(X)(p22.33)mat, dup(4)(q34.3q35.2)dn. aCGH analysis on the DNA extracted from the umbilical cord revealed arr [GRCh37 (hg19)] 4q34.3q35.2 (181,149,823-188,191,938) × 3.0, arr Xp22.33 (470,485-2,985,006) × 0 with a 7.042-Mb duplication of 4q34.3-q35.2 and a 2.514-Mb deletion of Xp22.33. CONCLUSION: A male fetus with del(X)(p22.33) and dup(4)(q34.3q35.2) may present congenital heart defects and short long bones on prenatal ultrasound.

Low-level mosaic trisomy 17 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome and cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured and uncultured amniocytes.

OBJECTIVE: We present low-level mosaic trisomy 17 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome and cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured and uncultured amniocytes. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of an increased nuchal translucency thickness of 3 mm in the first trimester sonographic screening. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+17 [2]/46,XX [20]. Among 22 colonies of cultured amniocytes, two colonies had a karyotype of 47,XX,+17, whereas the rest 20 colonies had a karyotype of 46,XX. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr (1-22,X) × 2 with no genomic imbalance. Prenatal ultrasound and parental karyotypes were normal. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis on the DNA extracted from the parental bloods and cultured amniocytes excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 17. The woman was encouraged to continue the pregnancy. A normal 3178-g female baby was delivered at 38 weeks of gestation without any phenotypic abnormalities. The karyotypes of cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta were all 46, XX (40/40 cells). When follow-up at age six months, the neonate was normal in physical and psychosomatic development. CONCLUSION: Low-level mosaic trisomy 17 at amniocentesis can be a transient and benign condition, and can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome and cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured and uncultured amniocytes.

Mosaic 46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)/46,XY at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome and postnatal decrease of the aneuploid cell line with the unbalanced translocation.

OBJECTIVE: We present mosaic 46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)/46,XY at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome and postnatal decrease of the aneuploid cell line with the unbalanced translocation. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,add(15)(p12)[17]/46,XY[5]. A second amniocentesis at 19 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)[12]/46,XY[8], and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr arr 6q25.1q27×2-3 with 40% mosaic level. She was referred for genetic counseling. Prenatal ultrasound and the parental karyotypes were normal. A third amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)[23]/46,XY[1], and in uncultured amniocytes, aCGH analysis revealed arr 6q25.1q27×2.5, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed 51% mosaicism (51/100 cells) for partial trisomy 6q and quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis determined maternal origin of the aberrant chromosome and excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 15 and UPD 6. A fourth amniocentesis at 27 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)[21]/46,XY[5], and in uncultured amniocytes, aCGH analysis revealed arr 6q25.1q27×2.46, and interphase FISH revealed 35% mosaicism (35/100 cells) for partial trisomy 6q. At 39 weeks of gestation, a healthy 3028-g male baby was delivered without any phenotypic abnormality. The karyotypes of cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta were 46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)[2]/46,XY,der(15)t(6;15)(q25.1;p12)[29]/46,XY[11] and 46,XY, respectively. When follow-up at age one month, the neonate was phenotypically normal, the peripheral blood had a karyotype of 46,XY (40/40 cells), and FISH analysis on 105 buccal mucosal cells detected five cells with partial trisomy 6q compared with 2% mosaicism (2/100 cells) in the normal control. CONCLUSION: Mosaicism for an unbalanced translocation with a normal cell line without UPD at amniocentesis can be a transient and benign condition, and can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome and postnatal decrease of the aneuploid cell line.

Effects of prenatal subjective well-being on birth outcomes and child development: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Although maternal mental illnesses have been found to influence child health and development, little is known about the impact of maternal positive well-being on child health and development. Therefore, this longitudinal study investigated the effects of prenatal subjective well-being on birth outcomes and child development by considering the potential modifier effect of parity. METHODS: Pregnant women in early stages of pregnancy were recruited at five selected hospitals in Taipei, Taiwan, during their prenatal appointments since 2011. Self-reported evaluations were conducted at seven time points up to 2 years postpartum. Linear regression and generalized estimating equation models were used for examination. RESULTS: Higher prenatal eudaimonic well-being was associated with longer gestational length (adjusted beta [aß] = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03, 0.68) and higher birth weight (aß = 124.71, 95% CI = 35.75, 213.66). Higher positive and negative affect were associated with longer gestational length (aß = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.70) and smaller birth weight (aß = -93.51, 95% CI = -178.35, -8.67), respectively. For child's outcomes, we found an association between higher prenatal eudaimonic well-being and decreased risks of suspected developmental delay, particularly for children of multiparous mothers (adjusted odds ratio = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.70). Higher levels of prenatal depression and anxiety were significantly associated with increased risks of suspected developmental delay for children of primiparous mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Positive prenatal maternal mental health may benefit birth outcomes and child development, particularly for children of multiparous mothers. Interventions for improving prenatal mental health may be beneficial for child development.

Pupil Size Prediction Techniques Based on Convolution Neural Network.

The size of one's pupil can indicate one's physical condition and mental state. When we search related papers about AI and the pupil, most studies focused on eye-tracking. This paper proposes an algorithm that can calculate pupil size based on a convolution neural network (CNN). Usually, the shape of the pupil is not round, and 50% of pupils can be calculated using ellipses as the best fitting shapes. This paper uses the major and minor axes of an ellipse to represent the size of pupils and uses the two parameters as the output of the network. Regarding the input of the network, the dataset is in video format (continuous frames). Taking each frame from the videos and using these to train the CNN model may cause overfitting since the images are too similar. This study used data augmentation and calculated the structural similarity to ensure that the images had a certain degree of difference to avoid this problem. For optimizing the network structure, this study compared the mean error with changes in the depth of the network and the field of view (FOV) of the convolution filter. The result shows that both deepening the network and widening the FOV of the convolution filter can reduce the mean error. According to the results, the mean error of the pupil length is 5.437% and the pupil area is 10.57%. It can operate in low-cost mobile embedded systems at 35 frames per second, demonstrating that low-cost designs can be used for pupil size prediction.

Prenatal diagnosis of a 15q11.2-q14 deletion of paternal origin associated with increased nuchal translucency, mosaicism for de novo multiple unbalanced translocations involving 15q11-q14, 5qter, 15qter, 17pter and 3qter and Prader-Willi syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We present prenatal diagnosis of a 15q11.2-q14 deletion of paternal origin associated with increased nuchal translucency (NT), mosaicism for de novo multiple unbalanced translocations involving 15q11-q14, 5qter, 15qter, 17pter and 3qter, and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of an increased NT thickness of 5.6 mm and abnormal maternal serum screening results in the first trimester. The pregnancy was conceived by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 45,XX,der(5)t(5;15)(q35;q14),-15 [16]/45,XX,-15,der(17)t(15;17)(q14;p13)[3]/45,XX,der(15)t(15;15)(q35;q14),-15[2]. The parental karyotypes were normal. Prenatal ultrasound findings were unremarkable. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from cultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr 15q11.2q14 (22,765,628-38,651,755) × 1.0 [GRCh37 (hg19)] with a 15.886-Mb 15q11.2-q14 deletion encompassing TUBGCP5, CYFIP1, NIPA2, NIPA1, SNRPN, SNURF, SNORD116-1, IPW, UBE3A, ACTC1 and MEIS2. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a malformed fetus with facial dysmorphism was delivered. The cord blood had a karyotype of 45,XX,der(5)t(5;15)(q35;q14),-15[46]/45,XX,der(3)t(3;15) (q29;q14),-15[2]/45,XX,-15,der(17)t(15;17)(q14;p13)[2]. The placenta had a karyotype of 45,XX,der(5) t(5;15)(q35;q14),-15. Polymorphic DNA marker analysis confirmed a paternal origin of the proximal 15q deletion. CONCLUSION: Increased NT and abnormal maternal serum screening results may prenatally be associated with PWS. Chromosome 15 rearrangements in PWS include mosaicism for de novo multiple unbalanced translocations.

Prediction technique of aberration coefficients of interference fringes and phase diagrams based on convolutional neural network.

In this study, we present a new way to predict the Zernike coefficients of optical system. We predict the Zernike coefficients through the function of image recognition in the neural network. It can reduce the mathematical operations commonly used in the interferometers and improve the measurement accuracy. We use the phase difference and the interference fringe as the input of the neural network to predict the coefficients respectively and compare the effects of the two models. In this study, python and optical simulation software are used to confirm the overall effect. As a result, all the Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) are less than 0.09, which means that the interference fringes or the phase difference can be directly converted into coefficients. Not only can the calculation steps be reduced, but the overall efficiency can be improved and the calculation time reduced. For example, we could use it to check the performance of camera lenses.

Prenatal diagnosis of low-level mosaicism for trisomy 21 by amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 21 in the fetus and a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present perinatal molecular cytogenetic analysis of low-level mosaicism for trisomy 21 in a pregnancy with maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 21 in the fetus. CASE REPORT: A 39-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[6]/46,XX[25]. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr (21) × 2-3, (X) × 2 with about 18% gene dosage increase in chromosome 21 consistent with mosaic trisomy 21. Cordocentesis was performed at 20 weeks of gestation, and the cord blood lymphocytes had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[3]/46,XX[72]. Prenatal ultrasound findings were unremarkable. After genetic counseling, the parents decided to continue the pregnancy. At 39 weeks of gestation, a 3,494-g phenotypically normal female baby was delivered without phenotypic features of Down syndrome. There was no dysplasia of middle phalanx of the fifth fingers of both hands. The cord blood had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[2]/46,XX[48]. The placenta had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[37]/46,XX[3]. The umbilical cord had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[1]/46,XX[39]. aCGH analysis on the DNA extracted from cord blood revealed no genomic imbalance. Polymorphic DNA marker analysis on the DNAs extracted from cord blood and parental bloods revealed maternal uniparental heterodisomy 21 in the baby. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis on buccal mucosal cells revealed trisomy 21 signals in 15/101 (14.9%) buccal cells at birth and in 1/122 (0.82%) buccal cells at age 45 days. CONCLUSION: Low-level mosaicism for trisomy 21 at amniocentesis associated with maternal UPD 21 in the fetus can have a favorable outcome.

Decreased placental folate transporter expression and activity in first and second trimester in obese mothers.

Obese women have an approximately twofold higher risk to deliver an infant with neural tube defects (NTDs) despite folate supplementation. Placental transfer of folate is mediated by folate receptor alpha (FR-α), proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT), and reduced folate carrier (RFC). Decreased placental transport may contribute to NTDs in obese women. Serum folate levels were measured and placental tissue was collected from 13 women with normal BMI (21.9±1.9) and 11 obese women (BMI 33.1±2.8) undergoing elective termination at 8-22 weeks of gestation. The syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membranes (MVM) were isolated using homogenization, magnesium precipitation, and differential centrifugation. MVM expression of FR-α, PCFT and RFC was determined by western blot. Folate transport capacity was assessed using radiolabeled methyl-tetrahydrofolate and rapid filtration techniques. Differences in expression and transport capacity were adjusted for gestational age and maternal age in multivariable regression models. P<.05 was considered statistically significant. Serum folate levels were not significantly different between groups. Placental MVM folate transporter expression did not change with gestational age. MVM RFC (-19%) and FR-α (-17%) expression was significantly reduced in placentas from obese women (P<.05). MVM folate transporter activity was reduced by-52% (P<.05) in obese women. These differences remained after adjustment for gestational age. There was no difference in mTOR signaling between groups. In conclusion, RFC and FR alpha expression and transporter activity in the placental MVM are significantly reduced in obese women in early pregnancy. These results may explain the higher incidence of NTDs in infants of obese women with adequate serum folate.

Detection of a familial 1q21.1 microdeletion and concomitant CHD1L mutation in a fetus with oligohydramnios and bilateral renal dysplasia on prenatal ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: We present detection of a familial 1q21.1 microdeletion and concomitant CHD1L mutation in a fetus with oligohydramnios and bilateral renal dysplasia on prenatal ultrasound. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old, primigravid woman was referred for level II ultrasound examination at 16 weeks of gestation because of oligohydramnios. The parents were phenotypically normal, and there were no congenital malformations in the family. Prenatal ultrasound at 17 weeks of gestation revealed a fetus with fetal growth biometry equivalent to 16 weeks, oligohydramnios with an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 1.4 cm and bilateral renal dysplasia without sonographic demonstration of bilateral renal arteries. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a 137-g fetus was delivered without characteristic facial dysmorphism. Postnatal cytogenetic analysis of the umbilical cord and parental bloods revealed normal karyotypes. However, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from the umbilical cord revealed a 2.038-Mb microdeletion of 1q21.1-q21.2 encompassing 11 [Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)] genes of PRKAB2, FMO5, CHD1L, BCL9, ACP6, GJA5, GJA8, GPR89B, NBPF14, TRN-GTT2-1 and NBPF20. The mother was found to carry the same microdeletion. A missense mutation of c.2353T > G, p.Ser785Ala in CHD1L was detected in the umbilical cord. The father was found to carry a heterozygous mutation of c.2353T > G, p.Ser785Ala in CHD1L. CONCLUSION: Fetuses with a 1q21.1 microdeletion and concomitant CHD1L mutation may present oligohydramnios and bilateral renal dysplasia on prenatal ultrasound.

Down-regulation of placental folate transporters in intrauterine growth restriction.

Folate deficiency in pregnancy is associated with neural tube defects, restricted fetal growth and fetal programming of diseases later in life. Fetal folate availability is dependent on maternal folate levels and placental folate transport capacity, mediated by two key transporters, Folate Receptor-α and Reduced Folate Carrier (RFC). We tested the hypothesis that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with decreased folate transporter expression and activity in isolated syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membranes (MVM). Women with pregnancies complicated by IUGR (birth weight <3rd percentile, mean birth weight 1804±110 g, gestational age 35.7±0.61 weeks, n=25) and women delivering an appropriately-for gestational age infant (control group, birth weight 25th-75th centile, mean birth weight 2493±216 g, gestational age 33.9±0.95 weeks, n=19) were recruited and placentas were collected at delivery. MVM was isolated and folate transporter protein expression was measured using Western blot and transporter activity was determined using radiolabelled methyltetrahydrofolic acid and rapid filtration. Whereas the expression of FR-α was unaffected, MVM RFC protein expression was significantly decreased in the IUGR group (-34%, P<.05). IUGR MVM had a significantly lower folate uptake compared to the control group (-38%, P<.05). In conclusion, placental folate transport capacity is decreased in IUGR, which may contribute to the restricted fetal growth and intrauterine programming of childhood and adult disease. These findings suggest that continuation of folate supplementation in the second and third trimester is of particular importance in pregnancies complicated by IUGR.

Prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of low-level mosaicism for tetrasomy 18p at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present prenatal diagnosis of low-level mosaicism for tetrasomy 18p at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a de novo supernumerary isochromosome 18p in eight of 39 colonies of cultured amniocytes. The karyotype was 47,XX,+i(18)(p10)[8]/46,XX[31]. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis using uncultured amniocytes revealed arr 18p11.32p11.21 [hg 19] (148,963-14,081,887) × 2-3. Repeat amniocentesis was performed at 20 weeks of gestation. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed four 18p11.22-specific probe (RP11-918F20) signals in 11.7% (12/103 cells) of uncultured amniocytes. aCGH analysis on uncultured amniocytes did not detect genomic imbalance in chromosome 18. The parental karyotypes were normal. Polymorphic DNA marker analysis excluded uniparental disomy 18. Cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniocytes at repeat amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+i(18)(p10)[2]/46,XX[12]. Prenatal ultrasound was unremarkable. The pregnancy was carried to 38 weeks of gestation, and a 2742-g phenotypically normal female baby was delivered with a cord blood karyotype of 46,XX. When examined at 8 months of age, the infant was normal in growth and psychomotor development. Interphase FISH analysis on 21 uncultured urinary cells revealed normal signals in all cells and no mosaic tetrasomy 18p. CONCLUSION: Low-level mosaic tetrasomy 18p at amniocentesis without ultrasound abnormalities can be associated with a favorable outcome.

1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 stimulates system A amino acid transport in primary human trophoblast cells.

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is linked to adverse perinatal outcomes such as small for gestational age infants. Recent evidence suggests that changes in placental amino acid transport contribute to altered fetal growth. We tested the hypothesis that 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 increases the gene expression of System A and L amino acid transporter isoforms and stimulates placental amino acid transport activity in cultured primary human trophoblast cells mediated by mTOR signaling. Treatment with 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 significantly increased mRNA expression of the System A isoform SNAT2 and System A activity, but had no effect on System L and did not affect mTOR signaling. siRNA silencing of the vitamin D receptor prevented 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3-stimulated System A transport. In conclusion, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 regulates System A activity through increased mRNA expression of SNAT2 transporters. Effects on placental amino acid transport may be the mechanism underlying the association between maternal vitamin D status and fetal growth.