Trauma patients with type O blood exhibit unique multi-omics signature with decreased lectin pathway of complement levels.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type O blood may have an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications due to lower baseline levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and factor VIII, but the transition to a mortality difference in trauma is less clear. We hypothesized that type O trauma patients will have differential proteomic and metabolomic signatures in response to trauma beyond vWF and FVIII alone. METHODS: Patients meeting the highest level of trauma activation criteria were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples were collected upon arrival to the emergency department. Proteomic and metabolomic (multi-omics) analyses of these samples were performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Demographic, clinical, and multi-omics data were compared between patients with type O blood versus all other patients. RESULTS: There were 288 patients with multi-omics data; 146 (51%) had type O blood. Demographics, injury patterns, and initial vital signs and laboratory measurements were not different between groups. Type O patients had increased lengths of stay (7 vs. 6 days, p = 0.041) and a trend towards decreased mortality secondary to traumatic brain injury compared to other causes (TBI, 44.4 % vs. 87.5%, p = 0.055). Type O patients had decreased levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL associated serine proteases 1 and 2 which are required for the initiation of the lectin pathway of complement activation. Type O patients also had metabolite differences signifying energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Blood type O patients have a unique multi-omics signature, including decreased levels of proteins required to activate the lectin complement pathway. This may lead to overall decreased levels of complement activation and decreased systemic inflammation in the acute phase possibly leading to a survival advantage, especially in TBI. However, this may later impair healing. Future work will need to confirm these associations, and animal studies are needed to test therapeutic targets. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Comparative Study, Level IV.

Dysregulation of miRNA-mRNA expression in fetal growth restriction in a caloric restricted mouse model.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with aberrant placentation and accounts for a significant proportion of perinatal deaths. microRNAs have been shown to be dysregulated in FGR. The purpose of this study was to determine microRNA-regulated molecular pathways altered using a caloric restricted mouse model of FGR. Pregnant mice were subjected to a 50% caloric restricted diet beginning at E9. At E18.5, RNA sequencing of placental tissue was performed to identify differences in gene expression between caloric restricted and control placentas. Significant differences in gene expression between caloric restricted and control placentas were observed in 228 of the 1546 (14.7%) microRNAs. Functional analysis of microRNA-mRNA interactions demonstrated enrichment of several biological pathways with oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy pathways upregulated and angiogenesis and signal transduction pathways downregulated. Ingenuity pathway analysis also suggested that ID1 signaling, a pathway integral for trophoblast differentiation, is also dysregulated in caloric restricted placentas. Thus, a maternal caloric restriction mouse model of FGR results in aberrant microRNA-regulated molecular pathways associated with angiogenesis, oxidative stress, signal transduction, apoptosis, and cell differentiation. As several of these pathways are dysregulated in human FGR, our findings suggest that this model may provide an excellent means to study placental microRNA derangements seen in FGR.

Smoking Primes the Metabolomic Response in Trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a public health threat due to its well described link to increased oxidative stress-related diseases including peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease. Tobacco use has been linked to risk of inpatient trauma morbidity including acute respiratory distress syndrome, however its mechanistic effect on comprehensive metabolic heterogeneity has yet to be examined. METHODS: Plasma was obtained on arrival from injured patients at a Level 1 Trauma Center and analyzed with modern mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Patients were stratified by non-smoker, passive smoker and active smoker by lower, inter-quartile and upper quartile ranges of cotinine intensity peaks. Patients were sub-stratified by High Injury/High Shock (Injury Severity Score ≥ 15, Base Excess<-6) and compared to healthy controls. P-value <0.05 following FDR correction of t-test was considered significant. RESULTS: 48 patients with High Injury/High Shock (7 (15%) non-smokers, 25 (52%) passive smokers and 16 (33%) active smokers) and 95 healthy patients who served as controls (30 (32%) non-smokers, 43 (45%) passive smokers and 22 (23%) active smokers) were included. Elevated metabolites in our controls who were active smokers include enrichment in chronic inflammatory and oxidative processes. Elevated metabolites in active smokers in high injury/high shock include enrichment in the malate-aspartate shuttle, tyrosine metabolism, carnitine synthesis, and oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking promotes a state of oxidative stress leading to mitochondrial dysfunction which is additive to the inflammatory milieu of trauma. Smoking is associated with impaired mitochondrial substrate utilization of long-chain fatty acids, aspartate and tyrosine all of which accentuate oxidative stress following injury. This altered expression represents an ideal target for therapies to reduce oxidative damage toward the goal of personalized treatment of trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Prognostic/Epidemiological.

Mitigation of trauma-induced endotheliopathy by activated protein C: A potential therapeutic for postinjury thromboinflammation.

BACKGROUND: Activated Protein C (aPC) plays dual roles after injury, driving both trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) by cleaving, and thus inactivating, factors Va and VIIIa and depressing fibrinolysis while also mediating an inflammomodulatory milieu via protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) cytoprotective signaling. Because of this dual role, it represents and ideal target for study and therapeutics after trauma. A known aPC variant, 3K3A-aPC, has been engineered to preserve cytoprotective activity while retaining minimal anticoagulant activity rendering it potentially ideal as a cytoprotective therapeutic after trauma. We hypothesized that 3K3A-aPC would mitigate the endotheliopathy of trauma by protecting against endothelial permeability. METHODS: We used electric cell-substrate impedance sensing to measure permeability changes in real time in primary endothelial cells. These were cultured, grown to confluence, and treated with a 2 µg/mL solution of 3K3A-aPC at 180 minutes, 120 minutes, 60 minutes, 30 minutes prior to stimulation with ex vivo plasma taken from severely injured trauma patients (Injury Severity Score > 15 and BD < -6) (trauma plasma [TP]). Cells treated with thrombin and untreated cells were included in this study as control groups. Permeability changes were recorded in real time via electric cell-substrate impedance sensing for 30 minutes after treatment with TP. We quantified permeability changes in the control and treatment groups as area under the curve (AUC). Rac1/RhoA activity was also compared between these groups. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc analysis using Tukey's multiple comparison's test. RESULTS: Treatment with aPC mitigated endothelial permeability induced by ex vivo trauma plasma at all pre-treatment time points. The AUC of the 30-minute 3K3A-aPC pretreatment group was higher than TP alone (mean diff. 22.12 95% CI [13.75, 30.49], p < 0.0001) (Figure). Moreover, the AUC of the 60-minute, 120-minute, and 180-minute pretreatment groups was also higher than TP alone (mean diff., 16.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.93-24.67; 19.43; 95% CI, 11.06-27.80, and 18.65; 95% CI, 10.28-27.02;, all p < 0.0001, respectively). Rac1/RhoA activity was higher in the aPC pretreatment group when compared with all other groups ( p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with 3K3A-aPC, which retains its cytoprotective function but has only ~5% of its anticoagulant function, abrogates the effects of trauma-induced endotheliopathy. This represents a potential therapeutic treatment for dysregulated thromboinflammation for injured patients by minimizing aPC's role in trauma-induced coagulopathy while concurrently amplifying its essential cytoprotective function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.

The Effect of Steroids on Prenatally Diagnosed Lung Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Open fetal resection for large lung lesions has virtually been replaced by maternal steroid administration. Despite this paradigm shift, little is known about the effects steroids have on lung lesion growth in utero. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review of all prenatally diagnosed lung lesions cared for at our fetal care center was performed. We evaluated the effects of prenatal steroids on congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM)-volume-ratio (CVR), distinguishing change in CVR among CPAMs, bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS), and bronchial atresias. We also correlated fetal ultrasound and MRI findings with pathology to determine the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis. RESULTS: We evaluated 199 fetuses with a prenatal lung lesion. Fifty-four (27 %) were treated with prenatal steroids with a subsequent 21 % mean reduction in the CVR (2.1 ± 1.4 to 1.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.003). Fetuses with hydrops and mediastinal shift who were treated with steroids rarely had resolution of these radiographic findings. Postnatal pathology was available for 91/199 patients (45.7 %). The most common diagnosis was CPAM (42/91, 46 %), followed by BPS (30/91, 33 %), and bronchial atresia (14/91, 15 %). Fetuses who received steroids and had pathology consistent with CPAM were more likely to have a reduction in their CVR (p = 0.02). Fetal ultrasound correctly diagnosed the type of lung lesion in 75 % of cases and fetal MRI in 81 % of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatally diagnosed CPAMs are more likely to respond to maternal steroids than BPS or bronchial atresias. Knowing the diagnosis in utero could aid to steward steroid usage, however, fetal imagining modalities are not perfect in distinguishing subtype. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Fetal lung volumes measured by MRI predict pulmonary morbidity among infants with giant omphaloceles.

OBJECTIVE: Giant omphaloceles (GO) have associated pulmonary hypoplasia and respiratory complications. Total lung volumes (TLV) on fetal MRI can prognosticate congenital diaphragmatic hernia outcomes; however, its applicability to GO is unknown. We hypothesize that late gestation TLV and observed-to-expected TLV (O/E TLV) on fetal MRI correlate with postnatal pulmonary morbidity in GO. METHOD: A single-institution retrospective review of GO evaluated between 2012 and 2022 was performed. Fetal MRI TLV between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation and O/E TLV throughout gestation were calculated and correlated with postnatal outcomes. RESULTS: 86 fetuses with omphaloceles were evaluated; however, only 26 met strict inclusion criteria. MRIs occurred between 18 and 36 weeks' gestation. Those requiring delivery room intubation had significantly lower late gestation TLV and O/E TLV. O/E TLV predicted tracheostomy placement and survival. Neither TLV nor O/E TLV predicted the length of hospitalization or supplemental oxygen after discharge. Three fetuses had a TLV less than 35 mL: one died of respiratory failure, and the other two required tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal MRI TLV measured between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation and O/E TLV predict the need for delivery room intubation and tracheostomy. O/E TLV correlated with survival. These data support fetal MRI as a prognostic tool to predict GO associated pulmonary morbidity.

Angiogenic and Inflammatory microRNA Regulation in a Mouse Model of Fetal Growth Restriction.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with impaired angiogenesis and chronic inflammation. MicroRNAs (miRs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) for degradation or by suppressing translation. We hypothesize that dysregulation of miR-15b, an antiangiogenic miR, and miR-146a, an anti-inflammatory miR, are associated with the FGR's pathogenesis. METHODS: Pregnant mice were provided ad libitum access to food between E1 and E8. From E9-E18, dams received either a 50% caloric restricted diet (FGR) or continued ad libitum access (controls). Placentas were harvested at E18.5 and total RNA was extracted. Gene expression levels of miRs and mRNAs were compared between FGR and control placentas. RESULTS: Placentas affected by FGR demonstrated increased expression of miR-15b. Vascular endothelial growth factor alpha, which is downregulated in response to increased levels of miR-15b, was suppressed. The anti-inflammatory miR, miR-146a, was downregulated, resulting in upregulation of proinflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, and NFkB1) and oxidative stress (HIF-1α, SOD2, and Nox2) mediators. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant angiogenesis and chronic inflammation seen in FGR appear to be associated with dysregulated miR-15b and miR-146a gene expression, respectively. This observation suggests these miRs play a post-transcriptional regulatory role in FGR, providing an insight into possible therapeutic targets.

Effects of microRNAs on angiogenesis in diabetic wounds.

Diabetes mellitus is a morbid condition affecting a growing number of the world population, and approximately one third of diabetic patients are afflicted with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which are chronic non-healing wounds that frequently progress to require amputation. The treatments currently used for DFU focus on reducing pressure on the wound, staving off infection, and maintaining a moist environment, but the impaired wound healing that occurs in diabetes is a constant obstacle that must be faced. Aberrant angiogenesis is a major contributor to poor wound healing in diabetes and surgical intervention is often necessary to establish peripheral blood flow necessary for healing wounds. Over recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the dysregulation of angiogenesis in multiple pathologies including diabetes. This review explores the pathways of angiogenesis that become dysregulated in diabetes, focusing on miRNAs that have been identified and the mechanisms by which they affect angiogenesis.

Use of prehospital reverse shock index times Glasgow Coma Scale to identify children who require the most immediate trauma care.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate prehospital trauma triage ensures transport of children to facilities that provide specialized trauma care. There are currently no objective and generalizable scoring tool for emergency medical services to facilitate such decisions. An abnormal reverse shock index times Glasgow Coma Scale (rSIG), which is calculated using readily available parameters, has been shown to be associated with severely injured children. This study sought to determine if rSIG could be used in the prehospital setting to identify injured children who require the highest levels of care. METHODS: Patients (1-18 years old) transferred from the scene to a level 1 pediatric trauma center from 2010 to 2020 with complete prehospital and emergency department vital signs, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were included. Reverse shock index times GCS was calculated as previously described ((systolic blood pressure/heart rate) × GCS), and the following cutoffs were used: ≤13.1, ≤16.5, and ≤20.1 for 1- to 6-, 7- to 12-, and 13- to 18-year-old patients, respectively. Trauma activation level and clinical outcomes upon arrival to the pediatric trauma center were collected. RESULTS: There were 247 patients included in the analysis; 66.0% (163) had an abnormal prehospital rSIG. Patients with an abnormal rSIG had a higher rate of highest-level trauma activation compared with those with a normal rSIG (38.7% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.013). Patients with an abnormal prehospital rSIG also had higher rates of intubation (28.8% vs. 9.52%, p < 0.001), intracranial pressure monitor (9.20 vs. 1.19%, p = 0.032), need for blood (19.6% vs. 8.33%, p = 0.034), laparotomy (7.98% vs. 1.19%, p = 0.039), and intensive care unit admission (54.6% vs. 40.5%, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Reverse shock index times GCS may assist emergency medical service providers in early identification and triage of severely injured children. An abnormal rSIG in the emergency department is associated with higher rates of intubation, need for blood transfusion, intracranial pressure monitoring, laparotomy, and intensive care unit admission. Use of this metric may help to speed the identification, care, and treatment of any injured child. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Pneumatosis Intestinalis in Children With Intestinal Failure: The Result of Intestinal Stress From Enteral Feeding?

OBJECTIVE: The incidence and significance of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in children with a diagnosis of intestinal failure is not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and anatomical factors associated with the imaging findings of PI in patients with intestinal failure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all children with a diagnosis of intestinal failure at Children's Hospital Colorado between January 2019 and April 2022. Patients were stratified and compared based on the incidence of PI on abdominal imaging. Differences were compared using 2-sample Wilcoxon tests, chi-square, or Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: There were 111 patients identified with a diagnosis of intestinal failure and 30.6% (34) developed at least 1 instance of PI. There were no differences in etiology of intestinal failure or anatomy between those who developed PI and those who did not. Patients who developed PI, were less likely to be on total parental nutrition (60.6% vs 98.6%, P < 0.001) and more likely to be receiving any form of enteral feeds (87.9% vs 66.2%, P = 0.035) or tube feeds (75.8% vs 44.2%, P = 0.0045). Of the children with PI, 30.3% (10) were undergoing an enteral feed advancement at time of PI development. Three patients with PI underwent laparotomy for PI treatment, 2 of which were negative laparotomies. CONCLUSIONS: The development of PI in children with intestinal failure is likely a benign finding. It is associated with enteral feeding and may be due to increased intestinal stress.

Cervical Ripening Using Foley Balloon with or without Oxytocin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess available evidence regarding the use of oxytocin in conjunction with Foley balloon (FB) for cervical ripening. METHODS: Databases from MEDLINE (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1980-May 12, 2017), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1980-June 30, 2017), the Cochrane Library Controlled Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science were queried for studies on FB cervical ripening with or without oxytocin in pregnant women. Search terms included: "balloon dilatation" OR "mechanical methods" OR "mechanical method" OR "mechanical dilation" OR "mechanical dilatation" OR "mechanical dilations" OR "mechanical dilatations" OR "balloon" OR "Foley" AND "Pitocin" OR "oxytocin." All relevant references were reviewed. Literature for inclusion and methodological quality were reviewed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 344 citations, six randomized clinical trials (1,133 patients) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The pooled estimate showed that the cesarean delivery (CD) rate did not differ (relative risk [RR]: 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.76-1.10]; p = 0.23) between patients who underwent preinduction cervical ripening with FB alone versus those who received oxytocin in addition to FB. Heterogeneity was not significant among studies (I 2 0.0%; p = 0.64). Furthermore, no differences in other outcomes such as composite and maternal outcomes were detected between these two groups. Compared with simultaneous use of oxytocin with FB, the Foley alone cervical ripening group had a longer induction to delivery time, and lower deliveries within 12 and 24 hours. Subgroup analysis showed that only multiparous women in the Foley alone group had lower rate of vaginal delivery within 24 hours (RR: 0.74, 95% CI [0.61-0.89], p = 0.002) along with a trend toward higher CD rates. CONCLUSION: Adding oxytocin to FB at the time of preinduction cervical ripening does not reduce cesarean rates nor improve maternal or neonatal outcomes. Multiparous women who received FB alone seem to have lower rates of vaginal deliveries within 24 hours, but these results should be interpreted with caution.