Retrieval of Trophoblast Cells from the Cervical Canal: A Promising Non-invasive Method for Prenatal Diagnosis.

Background: Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) cells have shown promise for their application in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis during the first trimester. The Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC) method allows for the isolation of homogeneous trophoblast cells from pregnant women as early as 5 weeks gestation. Objective: This study aimed to explore the potential value of extravillous trophoblast cells collected from the cervix, enriched, and purified using the TRIC method for first-trimester prenatal diagnosis. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted, and we collected extravillous trophoblast cells from the cervixes of 100 pregnant women between 5-7 weeks gestation before an induced abortion. Subsequently, these cells underwent STR analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: Out of the 100 cases, trophoblast cells were successfully collected from 96 cases. Among them, STR analysis revealed maternal cell contamination in 13 cases. Gender determination using FISH showed 44 male cases (including one case with 47, XY, +21) and 39 female cases (including one case with 47, XXX). The results of the FISH examination of these 83 cases were in concordance with those of the villi FISH examination. Conclusions: The collection of fetal trophoblast cells from the cervix represents a feasible and non-invasive approach for first-trimester prenatal diagnosis. The TRIC method enables efficient enrichment and purification of trophoblast cells, which can be of significant benefit for subsequent diagnosis using the FISH method.

[Effect of bushen antai recipe and its various compositions on endometrial sexual hormones and receptors in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects and mechanisms of Bushen Antai Recipe (BAR) and its different compositions, Bushen Recipe (BSR, the Shen-nourishing part) and Huoxue Recipe (HXR, the blood-activating part) on the endometrial receptivity in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction (BID). METHODS: Model mice of BID induced by indomethacin were treated respectively with BAR, BSR and HXR from the first day of pregnancy, and killed on day 5 or 6. Samples of their serum and uterine were collected for detecting serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) contents using radioimmunoassay; and endometrial expression levels of their receptors, ER and PR, using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Serum levels of E2 and P, and endometrial expression of ER and PR increased significantly on day 6 in mice after treated by BAR, but in those treated by BSR and HXR, the improvements were significantly lesser. CONCLUSION: BAR, by combined application of both Shen-nourishing and blood-activating methods, could impact E2, P, ER and PR to improve the endometrial receptivity to a higher extent in BID mice so as to promote embryo implantation.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) on sprain of external ankle joint].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the increasing effect of Yanglingquan (GB 34) on sprain of external ankle joint. METHODS: Seventy-nine cases of sprain of external ankle joint were semi-randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 46) and a control group (n = 33). The treatment group were treated with acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) and electro-magnetic therapy at local acupoints, and the control group with electro-magnetic therapy. RESULTS: The cured rate and the total effective rate were 67.4% and 91.3% in the treatment group, and 36.4% and 69.7% in the control group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) has a better therapeutic effect on sprain of the external ankle joint.