Reduction of cortical parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneurons in a rodent hyperoxia model of preterm birth brain injury with deficits in social behavior and cognition.

The inhibitory GABAergic system in the brain is involved in the etiology of various psychiatric problems, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and others. These disorders are influenced not only by genetic but also by environmental factors, such as preterm birth, although the underlying mechanisms are not known. In a translational hyperoxia model, exposing mice pups at P5 to 80% oxygen for 48 h to mimic a steep rise of oxygen exposure caused by preterm birth from in utero into room air, we documented a persistent reduction of cortical mature parvalbumin-expressing interneurons until adulthood. Developmental delay of cortical myelin was observed, together with decreased expression of oligodendroglial glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a factor involved in interneuronal development. Electrophysiological and morphological properties of remaining interneurons were unaffected. Behavioral deficits were observed for social interaction, learning and attention. These results demonstrate that neonatal oxidative stress can lead to decreased interneuron density and to psychiatric symptoms. The obtained cortical myelin deficit and decreased oligodendroglial GDNF expression indicate that an impaired oligodendroglial-interneuronal interplay contributes to interneuronal damage.

Impact of residual mitral regurgitation after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in atrial functional mitral regurgitation: Results from MITRA-PRO registry.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has emerged to address symptomatic atrial functional mitral regurgitation (aFMR) in patients who are at high operative risk. AIMS: No clinical data is available on the impact of residual mitral regurgitation (MR) following TEER in aFMR compared to ventricular functional MR (vFMR). METHODS: In the MITRA-PRO registry, 846 patients with FMR and MitraScore assessment for residual MR quantification were included (722 patients with vFMR and 124 patients with aFMR). RESULTS: Compared to vFMR similar procedural results in regard of residual MR following TEER were found in aFMR patients (MitraScore post TEER 2.5 ± 1.8 vs. 2.7 ± 1.9), while the amount of implanted TEER devices was increased in vFMR. 1-year survival was better in aFMR compared to vFMR regardless of relevant residual MR (MitraScore ≥ 4), while 1-year rehospitalization was comparable for both MR entities. Patients with aFMR and mild residual MR had a lower mortality rate (6.6% vs. 10.3%) and rehospitalization rate (29.1% vs. 46.2%) 1 year after mitral TEER. However, in contrast to vFMR a MitraScore ≥4 was no independent predictor of mortality in aFMR indicating a better tolerance toward residual MR. CONCLUSIONS: Residual MR is an independent predictor of 1-year mortality in vFMR patients, whereas in aFMR patients, a MitraScore of ≥4 is associated with higher mortality but is not an independent predictor in multivariate analysis. Therefore, minimizing MR through mitral TEER is crucial for survival in vFMR patients, while aFMR patients tolerate significant residual MR better 1 year after the procedure.

The ethics of induction of labor at 39 weeks in low-risk nulliparas in research and clinical practice.

The "A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management" trial (ARRIVE trial) published in 2018 suggested that induction of labor can be considered a "reasonable option" for low-risk nulliparous women at ≥39 weeks of gestation. The study results led some professional societies to endorse the option for elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas, and this has begun to change obstetrical practice. The ARRIVE trial provided valuable information supporting the benefits of induction of labor; however, the trial is insufficient to serve as the primary justification for widespread elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas because of concerns about external validity. Thus, the French ARRIVE trial was designed to test the hypothesis in a different setting that elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas leads to a lower cesarean delivery rate than expectant management. This ongoing trial has been criticized as "pseudoscientific" and telling "women where, when, and how to give birth." We reject these allegations and extensively examine the ethical framework that should govern clinical and research interventions, including elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas. This study aimed to discuss the ethical issues that emerge from randomized trials of elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk nulliparas and the ethics of the clinical practice itself. The analysis of existing evidence shows the importance of further research on induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation in low-risk women. Certain aspects of research ethics in this area, particularly the consent of pregnant women in a context where autonomy remains fragile, call for vigilance. In addition, we emphasize that childbirth is not only a medical object but also a social phenomenon that cannot be regarded only from the perspective of a health risk to be managed by clinical research. Further research on this issue is needed to allow pregnant women to make informed decisions, and the results should be integrated with social issues. The perspective of women is required in constructing, evaluating, and implementing medical interventions in childbirth, such as induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation.

Survival without severe neonatal morbidity after antenatal betamethasone dose reduction: a post hoc analysis of a randomized non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal betamethasone is recommended before preterm delivery to accelerate fetal lung maturation. However, its optimal dose remains unknown. A 50% dose reduction was proposed to decrease the potential dose-related long-term neurodevelopmental side effects, including psychological development, sleep, and emotional disorders. Because noninferiority of the half dose in terms of the need for exogenous surfactant was not shown in the primary analysis, its impact on survival without major neonatal morbidity needs to be investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of antenatal betamethasone dose reduction on survival of very preterm infants without severe neonatal morbidity, a factor known to have a strong correlation with long-term outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a post hoc secondary analysis of a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noninferiority trial, testing half (11.4 mg once; n=1620) vs full (11.4 mg twice, 24 hours apart; n=1624) antenatal betamethasone doses in women at risk of preterm delivery. To measure survival without severe neonatal morbidity at hospital discharge among neonates born before 32 weeks of gestation, we used the definition of the French national prospective study on preterm children, EPIPAGE 2, comprising 1 of the following morbidities: grade 3 to 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis stage ≥2, retinopathy of prematurity requiring anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy or laser, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. RESULTS: After exclusion of women who withdrew consent or had pregnancy termination and of participants lost to follow-up (8 in the half-dose and 10 in the full-dose group), the rate of survival without severe neonatal morbidity among neonates born before 32 weeks of gestation was 300 of 451 (66.5%) and 304 of 462 (65.8%) in the half-dose and full-dose group, respectively (risk difference, +0.7%; 95% confidence interval, -5.6 to +7.1). There were no significant between-group differences in the cumulative number of neonatal morbidities. Results were similar when using 2 other internationally recognized definitions of severe neonatal morbidity and when considering the overall population recruited in the trial. CONCLUSION: In the BETADOSE trial, severe morbidity at discharge of newborns delivered before 32 weeks of gestation was found to be similar among those exposed to 11.4-mg and 22.8-mg antenatal betamethasone. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Maternal social deprivation and preterm birth: The PreCARE cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal exposure to unfavourable social conditions is associated with a higher rate of perinatal complications, such as placental vascular pathologies. A higher risk of preterm birth (PTB) has also been reported, and variations across studies and settings suggest that different patterns may be involved in this association. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between maternal social deprivation and PTB (overall and by phenotype). METHODS: We analysed 9365 patients included in the PreCARE cohort study. Four dimensions (social isolation, insecure housing, no income from work and absence of standard health insurance) defined maternal social deprivation (exposure). They were considered separately and combined into a social deprivation index (SDI). The associations between social deprivation and PTB <37 weeks (primary outcome) were analysed with univariable and multivariable log-binomial models (adjusted for maternal age, parity, education level and birthplace). Then we used multinomial analysis to examine the association with preterm birth phenotypes (secondary outcome): spontaneous labour, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and placental vascular pathologies. RESULTS: In all, 66.3%, 17.8%, 8.9% and 7.0% of patients had an SDI of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Social isolation affected 4.5% of the patients, insecure housing 15.5%, no income from work 15.6% and no standard health insurance 22.4%. Preterm birth complicated 7.0% of pregnancies (39.8% spontaneous labour, 28.3% PPROM, 21.8% placental vascular pathologies and 10.1% other phenotypes). Neither the univariable nor multivariable analyses found any association between social deprivation and the risk of preterm birth overall (SDI 1 versus 0: aRR 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83, 1.26; 2 versus 0: aRR 1.05, 95% CI 0.80, 1.38; 3 versus 0: aRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.66, 1.29) or its different phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: In the French PreCARE cohort, we observed no association between markers of social deprivation and the risk of preterm birth, regardless of phenotype.

Incidence and predictors of 2-year mortality following percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in the EWOLUTION trial.

AIMS: Sufficient survival time following left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is essential for ensuring the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this strategy for stroke prevention. Understanding prognostic factors for early mortality after LAAO could optimize patient selection. In the current study, we perform an in-depth analysis of 2-year mortality after LAAO, focusing particularly on potential predictors. METHODS AND RESULTS: The EWOLUTION registry is a real-world cohort comprising 1020 patients that underwent LAAO. Endpoint definitions were pre-specified, and death was categorized as cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular, or unknown origin. Mortality rates were calculated from Kaplan-Meier estimates. Baseline characteristics significantly associated with death in univariate Cox regression analysis were incorporated into the multivariate analysis. All multivariate predictors were included in a risk model. Two-year mortality rate was 16.4% [confidence interval (CI): 14.0-18.7%], with 50% of patients dying from a non-cardiovascular cause. Multivariate baseline predictors of 2-year mortality included age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.05, CI: 1.03-1.08, per year increase], heart failure (HR 1.73, CI: 1.24-2.41), vascular disease (HR 1.47, CI: 1.05-2.05), valvular disease (HR 1.63, CI: 1.15-2.33), abnormal liver function (HR 1.80, CI: 1.02-3.17), and abnormal renal function (HR 1.58, CI: 1.10-2.27). Mortality rate exhibited a gradual rise as the number of risk factors increased, reaching 46.1% in patients presenting with five or six risk factors. CONCLUSION: One in six patients died within 2 years after LAAO. We identified six independent predictors of mortality. When combined, this model showed a gradual increase in mortality rate with a growing number of risk factors, which may guide appropriate patient selection for LAAO. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The original EWOLUTION registry was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under identifier NCT01972282.

Bilirubin Exerts Protective Effects on Alveolar Type II Pneumocytes in an In Vitro Model of Oxidative Stress.

Newborn infants face a rapid surge of oxygen and a more protracted rise of unconjugated bilirubin after birth. Bilirubin has a strong antioxidant capacity by scavenging free radicals, but it also exerts direct toxicity. This study investigates whether cultured rat alveolar epithelial cells type II (AEC II) react differently to bilirubin under different oxygen concentrations. The toxic threshold concentration of bilirubin was narrowed down by means of a cell viability test. Subsequent analyses of bilirubin effects under 5% oxygen and 80% oxygen compared to 21% oxygen, as well as pretreatment with bilirubin after 4 h and 24 h of incubation, were performed to determine the induction of apoptosis and the gene expression of associated transcripts of cell death, proliferation, and redox-sensitive transcription factors. Oxidative stress led to an increased rate of cell death and induced transcripts of redox-sensitive signaling pathways. At a non-cytotoxic concentration of 400 nm, bilirubin attenuated oxidative stress-induced responses and possibly mediated cellular antioxidant defense by influencing Nrf2/Hif1α- and NFκB-mediated signaling pathways. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that rat AEC II cells are protected from oxidative stress-induced impairment by low-dose bilirubin.

Neonatal outcomes for women at risk of preterm delivery given half dose versus full dose of antenatal betamethasone: a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal betamethasone is recommended before preterm delivery to accelerate fetal lung maturation. However, reports of growth and neurodevelopmental dose-related side-effects suggest that the current dose (12 mg plus 12 mg, 24 h apart) might be too high. We therefore investigated whether a half dose would be non-inferior to the current full dose for preventing respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS: We designed a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial in 37 level 3 referral perinatal centres in France. Eligible participants were pregnant women aged 18 years or older with a singleton fetus at risk of preterm delivery and already treated with the first injection of antenatal betamethasone (11·4 mg) before 32 weeks' gestation. We used a computer-generated code producing permuted blocks of varying sizes to randomly assign (1:1) women to receive either a placebo (half-dose group) or a second 11·4 mg betamethasone injection (full-dose group) 24 h later. Randomisation was stratified by gestational age (before or after 28 weeks). Participants, clinicians, and study staff were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was the need for exogenous intratracheal surfactant within 48 h after birth. Non-inferiority would be shown if the higher limit of the 95% CI for the between-group difference between the half-dose and full-dose groups in the primary endpoint was less than 4 percentage points (corresponding to a maximum relative risk of 1·20). Four interim analyses monitoring the primary and the secondary safety outcomes were done during the study period, using a sequential data analysis method that provided futility and non-inferiority stopping rules and checked for type I and II errors. Interim analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02897076. FINDINGS: Between Jan 2, 2017, and Oct 9, 2019, 3244 women were randomly assigned to the half-dose (n=1620 [49·9%]) or the full-dose group (n=1624 [50·1%]); 48 women withdrew consent, 30 fetuses were stillborn, 16 neonates were lost to follow-up, and 9 neonates died before evaluation, so that 3141 neonates remained for analysis. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the primary outcome occurred in 313 (20·0%) of 1567 neonates in the half-dose group and 276 (17·5%) of 1574 neonates in the full-dose group (risk difference 2·4%, 95% CI -0·3 to 5·2); thus non-inferiority was not shown. The per-protocol analysis also did not show non-inferiority (risk difference 2·2%, 95% CI -0·6 to 5·1). No between-group differences appeared in the rates of neonatal death, grade 3-4 intraventricular haemorrhage, stage ≥2 necrotising enterocolitis, severe retinopathy of prematurity, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. INTERPRETATION: Because non-inferiority of the half-dose compared with the full-dose regimen was not shown, our results do not support practice changes towards antenatal betamethasone dose reduction. FUNDING: French Ministry of Health.

Sex-related differences in outcome after left atrial appendage occlusion: Insights from Europe and the EWOLUTION registry.

BACKGROUND: Women with atrial fibrillation (AF) generally experience worse symptoms, poorer quality of life, and have a higher risk of stroke and death. There is limited availability of sex-related differences regarding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sex-related differences in patients undergoing LAAO in EWOLUTION. METHODS: A total of 1025 patients scheduled for elective LAAO therapy employing the WATCHMAN Gen 2.5 prospectively consented for participation; 1005 patients received a successful implant and were followed for 2 years. As we detected sex-related differences in baseline data we performed a propensity score matching. The primary endpoint is a combined endpoint of survival free from mortality, major bleeding, ischemic stroke, transitory ischemic attack (TIA) and systemic embolization (SE) up to 2-year clinical follow-up. Secondary Endpoints were periprocedural data and overall 2-year survival. RESULTS: Women were older but had less often vascular disease and hemorrhagic stroke. There was no sex-related significant difference after LAAO at 2 years in the combined endpoint of survival free from mortality, major bleeding, ischemic stroke, TIA, and SE (female vs. male: 79% vs.76%, p = 0.24) or in overall survival (female vs. male: 85% vs. 82%, p = 0.16). Procedural data showed a higher sealing rate after the implantation in women (complete sealing female 94% vs. male 90%, p = 0.033), significantly more pericardial effusions (female 1.2% vs. male 0.2%, p = 0.031) and a similar periprocedural risk profile. CONCLUSIONS: Females undergoing LAAO differ in various baseline variables, but after adjustment, we observed similar safety and efficacy of LAAO with no significant difference in long-term outcomes between women and men.

Bifurcation left main stenting with or without intracoronary imaging: Outcomes from the EBC MAIN trial.

BACKGROUND: The impact of intracoronary imaging on outcomes, after provisional versus dual-stenting for bifurcation left main (LM) lesions, is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of intracoronary imaging in the EBC MAIN trial (European Bifurcation Club LM Coronary Stent study). METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-seven patients were randomized to dual-stenting or a stepwise provisional strategy. Four hundred and fifty-five patients were included. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) was undertaken at the operator's discretion. The primary endpoint was death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization at 1-year. RESULTS: Intracoronary imaging was undertaken in 179 patients (39%; IVUS = 151, OCT = 28). As a result of IVUS findings, operators reintervened in 42 procedures. The primary outcome did not differ with intracoronary imaging versus angiographic-guidance (17% vs. 16%; odds ratio [OR]: 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51-1.63) p = 0.767), nor for reintervention based on IVUS versus none (14% vs. 16%; OR: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.32-2.43] p = 0.803), adjusted for syntax score, lesion calcification and ischemic symptoms. With angiographic-guidance, primary outcome events were more frequent with dual versus provisional stenting (21% vs. 10%; adjusted OR: 2.11 [95% CI: 1.04-4.30] p = 0.039). With intracoronary imaging, there were numerically fewer primary outcome events with dual versus provisional stenting (13% vs. 21%; adjusted OR: 0.56 [95% CI: 0.22-1.46] p = 0.220). CONCLUSIONS: In EBC MAIN, the primary outcome did not differ with intracoronary imaging versus none. However, in patients with angiographic-guidance, outcomes were worse with a dual-stent than provisional strategy When intracoronary imaging was used, there was a trend toward better outcomes with the dual-stent than provisional strategy.

Timing of antenatal corticosteroids and survival without neurologic disabilities at 5½ years in children born before 35 weeks of gestation.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of antenatal corticosteroids for neonatal preterm complications wanes beyond 7 days after treatment. The neurodevelopmental effects of longer treatment-to-birth intervals have not been adequately evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of antenatal corticosteroid timing on survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities at 5½ years. STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of the EPIPAGE-2 study, a national population-based cohort (France) that recruited neonates in 2011 and followed them up at 5½ years (results first reported in 2021). Participants were children born alive between 24+0 and 34+6 weeks, with a complete corticosteroid course, delivery >48 hours after the first injection, and neither limitation of care decided before birth nor severe congenital malformation. The study included 2613 children, 2427 of whom were alive at 5½ years; 71.9% (1739/2427) had a neurologic assessment at this age; 1537 had a clinical examination (complete for 1532), and 202 were assessed with a postal questionnaire. Exposure was defined as the interval between the first injection of the last antenatal corticosteroid course and delivery in days, studied in 2 categories (days 3-7 and after day 7), in 4 categories (days 3-7, 8-14, 15-21, and after day 21), and continuously in days. The main outcome was survival at 5½ years without moderate/severe neurologic disabilities, defined as moderate/severe cerebral palsy, or unilateral or bilateral blindness or deafness, or Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient 2 standard deviations below the mean. A multivariate analysis with a generalized estimated equation logistic regression model assessed the statistical association between the main outcomes and the interval from the first corticosteroid injection of the last course to birth. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for potential confounders, defined with a directed acyclic graph: gestational age in days, number of corticosteroid courses, multiple pregnancy, and cause of prematurity in 5 categories. Because neurologic follow-up was complete in only 63.2% of cases (1532/2427), the analyses used imputed data. RESULTS: Among 2613 children, 186 died between birth and 5½ years. Overall survival was 96.6% (95% confidence interval, 95.9-97.0), and survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities was 86.0% (95% confidence interval, 84.7-87.0). Survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities was lower after day 7 (85.0%) than during the interval from day 3 to day 7 (87.0%) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.89). CONCLUSION: The association of a >7-day interval between antenatal corticosteroid administration and birth with a lower rate of survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities among children aged 5½ years emphasizes the importance of better targeting women at risk of preterm delivery to optimize the timing and thus benefits of treatment.

Real-world clinical outcomes with a next-generation left atrial appendage closure device: the FLXibility Post-Approval Study.

AIMS: The FLXibility Post-Approval Study collected data on unselected patients implanted with a WATCHMAN FLX in a commercial clinical setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were implanted with a WATCHMAN FLX per local standard of care, with a subsequent first follow-up visit from 45 to 120 days post-implant and a final follow-up at 1-year post-procedure. A Clinical Event Committee adjudicated all major adverse events and TEE/CT imaging results were adjudicated by a core laboratory. Among 300 patients enrolled at 17 centres in Europe, the mean age was 74.6 ± 8.0 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.3 ± 1.6, and 62.1% were male. The device was successfully implanted in 99.0% (297/300) of patients. The post-implant medication regimen was DAPT for 87.3% (262/300). At first follow-up, core-lab adjudicated complete seal was 88.2% (149/169), 9.5% (16/169) had leak <3 mm, 2.4 (4/169) had leak ≥3 mm to ≤5 mm, and 0% had >5 mm leak. At 1 year, 93.3% (280/300) had final follow-up; 60.5% of patients were on a single antiplatelet medication, 21.4% were on DAPT, 5.6% were on direct oral anticoagulation, and 12.1% were not taking any antiplatelet/anticoagulation medication. Adverse event rates through 1 year were: all-cause death 10.8% (32/295); CV/unexplained death 5.1% (15/295); disabling and non-disabling stroke each 1.0% (3/295, all non-fatal); pericardial effusion requiring surgery or pericardiocentesis 1.0% (3/295); and device-related thrombus 2.4% (7/295). CONCLUSION: The WATCHMAN FLX device had excellent procedural success rates, high LAA seal rates, and low rates of thromboembolic events in everyday clinical practice.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and neonatal morbidity in nulliparous patients with prolonged pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to study the strength of the association between meconium-stained amniotic fluid and severe morbidity among neonates of nulliparas with prolonged pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the NOCETER randomized trial that took place between 2009 and 2012 in which 11 French maternity units included 1373 nulliparas at 41+0 weeks of gestation onwards with a single live fetus in cephalic presentation. This analysis excluded patients with a cesarean delivery before labor and those with bloody amniotic fluid or of unreported consistency. The principal end point was a composite criterion of severe neonatal morbidity (neonatal death, 5-minute Apgar <7, convulsions in the first 24 h, meconium aspiration syndrome, mechanical ventilation ≥24 h, or neonatal intensive care unit admission for 5 days or more). The neonatal outcomes of pregnancies with thin or thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid were compared with those with normal amniotic fluid. The association between the consistency of the amniotic fluid and neonatal morbidity was tested by univariate and then multivariate analysis adjusted for gestational age at birth, duration of labor, and country of birth. RESULTS: This study included 1274 patients: 803 (63%) in the group with normal amniotic fluid, 196 (15.4%) in the thin amniotic fluid group, and 275 (21.6%) in the thick amniotic fluid group. The neonates of patients with thick amniotic fluid had higher rates of neonatal morbidity than those of patients with normal amniotic fluid (7.3% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.001; adjusted relative risk [aRR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-6.3), but those of patients with thin amniotic fluid did not (3.1% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.50; aRR 1.0, 95% CI, 0.4-2.7). CONCLUSIONS: Among nulliparas at 41+0 weeks onwards, only thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with a higher rate of severe neonatal morbidity.

Second-trimester amniotic fluid proteins changes in subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

INTRODUCTION: The global sequence of the pathogenesis of preterm labor remains unclear. This study aimed to compare amniotic fluid concentrations of extracellular matrix-related proteins (procollagen, osteopontin and IL-33), and of cytokines (IL-19, IL-6, IL-20, TNFα, TGFß, and IL-1ß) in asymptomatic women with and without subsequent spontaneous preterm delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used amniotic fluid samples of singleton pregnancy, collected by amniocentesis between 16 and 20 weeks' gestation, without stigmata of infection (i.e., all amniotic fluid samples were tested with broad-range 16 S rDNA PCR to distinguish samples with evidence of past bacterial infection from sterile ones), during a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to perform a nested case-control laboratory study. Cases were women with a spontaneous delivery before 37 weeks of gestation (preterm group). Controls were women who gave birth at or after 39 weeks (full term group). Amniotic fluid concentrations of the extracellular matrix-related proteins and cytokines measured by immunoassays were compared for two study groups. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: NCT00718705. RESULTS: Between July 2008 and July 2011, in 12 maternal-fetal medicine centers in France, 166 women with available PCR-negative amniotic fluid samples were retained for the analysis. Concentrations of procollagen, osteopontin, IL-19, IL-6, IL-20, IL-33, TNFα, TGFß, and IL-1ß were compared between the 37 who gave birth preterm and the 129 women with full-term delivery. Amniotic fluid levels of procollagen, osteopontin, IL-19, IL-33, and TNFα were significantly higher in the preterm than the full-term group. IL-6, IL-20, TGFß, and IL-1ß levels did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In amniotic fluid 16 S rDNA PCR negative samples obtained during second-trimester amniocentesis, extracellular matrix-related protein concentrations (procollagen, osteopontin and IL-33), together with IL-19 and TNFα, were observed higher at this time in cases of later spontaneous preterm birth.

Association between language barrier and inadequate prenatal care utilization among migrant women in the PreCARE prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate prenatal care utilization (PCU) is involved in the higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes among migrant vs. native women. Language barrier may be a risk factor for inadequate PCU. We aimed to assess the association between this barrier and inadequate PCU among migrant women. METHODS: This analysis took place in the French multicentre prospective PreCARE cohort study, conducted in four university hospital maternity units in the northern Paris area. It included 10 419 women giving birth between 2010 and 2012. Migrants' language barrier to communication in French were categorized into three groups: migrants with no, partial or total language barrier. Inadequate PCU was assessed by the date prenatal care began, the proportion of recommended prenatal visits completed and ultrasound scans performed. The associations between these language barrier categories and inadequate PCU were tested with multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 4803 migrant women included, the language barrier was partial for 785 (16.3%) and total for 181 (3.8%). Compared to migrants with no language barrier, those with partial [risk ratio (RR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.33] and total (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10-1.50) language barrier were at higher risk of inadequate PCU. Adjustment for maternal age, parity and region of birth did not modify these associations, which were noted particularly among socially deprived women. CONCLUSION: Migrant women with language barrier have a higher risk of inadequate PCU than those without. These findings underscore the importance of targeted efforts to bring women with language barrier to prenatal care.

Gestational weight gain adequacy among twin pregnancies in France.

The objective of this paper is to describe gestational weight gain (GWG), to assess the applicability of the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, and to derive a GWG adequacy classification within a French cohort. We included twins from the national, prospective, population-based JUmeaux MODe d'Accouchement (JUMODA) cohort study (2014-2015). Following the IOM approach, we selected a 'standard' population of term pregnancies with 'optimal' birthweight (≥2500 g; n = 2562). GWG adequacy (insufficient; adequate; excessive) was defined using IOM recommendations (normal body mass index [BMI]: 16.8-24.5 kg [also utilized for underweight BMI]; overweight: 14.1-22.7 kg; obese: 11.4-19.1 kg). Additionally, using the IOM approach, we determined the 25th and 75th percentiles of GWG in our standard population to create a JUMODA-derived GWG adequacy classification. GWG and GWG adequacy were described, overall and by BMI and parity. In the JUMODA standard population of term twin livebirths with optimal birthweight, mean GWG was 16.1 kg (standard deviation 6.3). Using IOM recommendations, almost half (46.5%) of the women had insufficient and few (10.0%) had excessive GWG, with similar results regardless of BMI or parity. The 25th and 75th percentiles of GWG in the JUMODA standard population (underweight: 13-21 kg; normal weight: 13-20 kg; overweight: 11-19 kg; obese: 7-16 kg) were lower than the IOM recommendations. The IOM recommendations classified a relatively high percentage of French women as having insufficient and a low percentage as having excessive GWG. Additional research to evaluate recommendations in relation to adverse perinatal outcomes is needed to determine whether the IOM recommendations or the JUMODA-derived classification is more appropriate for French twin gestations.

A unique cerebellar pattern of microglia activation in a mouse model of encephalopathy of prematurity.

Preterm infants often show pathologies of the cerebellum, which are associated with impaired motor performance, lower IQ and poor language skills at school ages. Using a mouse model of inflammation-induced encephalopathy of prematurity driven by systemic administration of pro-inflammatory IL-1ß, we sought to uncover causes of cerebellar damage. In this model, IL-1ß is administered between postnatal day (P) 1 to day 5, a timing equivalent to the last trimester for brain development in humans. Structural MRI analysis revealed that systemic IL-1ß treatment induced specific reductions in gray and white matter volumes of the mouse cerebellar lobules I and II (5% false discovery rate [FDR]) from P15 onwards. Preceding these MRI-detectable cerebellar volume changes, we observed damage to oligodendroglia, with reduced proliferation of OLIG2+ cells at P10 and reduced levels of the myelin proteins myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) at P10 and P15. Increased density of IBA1+ cerebellar microglia were observed both at P5 and P45, with evidence for increased microglial proliferation at P5 and P10. Comparison of the transcriptome of microglia isolated from P5 cerebellums and cerebrums revealed significant enrichment of pro-inflammatory markers in microglia from both regions, but cerebellar microglia displayed a unique type I interferon signaling dysregulation. Collectively, these data suggest that perinatal inflammation driven by systemic IL-1ß leads to specific cerebellar volume deficits, which likely reflect oligodendrocyte pathology downstream of microglial activation. Further studies are now required to confirm the potential of protective strategies aimed at preventing sustained type I interferon signaling driven by cerebellar microglia as an important therapeutic target.

Forebrain corticosteroid receptors promote post-myocardial infarction depression and mortality.

Myocardial infarction (MI) with subsequent depression is associated with increased cardiac mortality. Impaired central mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) equilibrium has been suggested as a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of human depression. Here, we investigate if deficient central MR/GR signaling is causative for a poor outcome after MI in mice. Mice with an inducible forebrain-specific MR/GR knockout (MR/GR-KO) underwent baseline and follow-up echocardiography every 2 weeks after MI or sham operation. Behavioral testing at 4 weeks confirmed significant depressive-like behavior and, strikingly, a higher mortality after MI, while cardiac function and myocardial damage remained unaffected. Telemetry revealed cardiac autonomic imbalance with marked bradycardia and ventricular tachycardia (VT) upon MI in MR/GR-KO. Mechanistically, we found a higher responsiveness to atropine, pointing to impaired parasympathetic tone of 'depressive' mice after MI. Serum corticosterone levels were increased but-in line with the higher vagal tone-plasma and cardiac catecholamines were decreased. MR/GR deficiency in the forebrain led to significant depressive-like behavior and a higher mortality after MI. This was accompanied by increased vagal tone, depleted catecholaminergic compensatory capacity and VTs. Thus, limbic MR/GR disequilibrium may contribute to the impaired outcome of depressive patients after MI and possibly explain the lack of anti-depressive treatment benefit.

Arabin pessary to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with a short cervix: a multicenter randomized controlled trial (PESSARONE).

BACKGROUND: The number of twin pregnancies continues to increase worldwide as both the number of pregnancies obtained by medically assisted reproduction and age at first pregnancy keep rising. Preterm delivery is the major complication associated with twin pregnancies. The effectiveness of preventive treatments such as progesterone or cervical cerclage for women with a short cervix is doubtful in twin pregnancies. The effectivity of cervical pessaries in preventing preterm birth and its associated morbidity and mortality is also controversial. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate if the Arabin pessary reduces adverse neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with a short cervix. STUDY DESIGN: This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial on twin pregnancies with a cervical length of <35 mm compared pessary placement at 16+0 to 24+0 weeks' gestation with standard care alone. The primary endpoint was a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes, namely peripartum or neonatal death or significant neonatal morbidity before hospital discharge, defined as at least 1 of the following complications: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage grade III to IV, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis grade II or higher, culture-proven sepsis, and retinopathy requiring treatment. A sample size of 308 pregnancies was planned to ensure 80% power to compare the proportions of women with at least 1 infant with an adverse neonatal outcome. The intention-to-treat analysis after multiple imputation of missing data, was supplemented with a secondary analysis that controlled for gestational age and cervical length, both at inclusion. The primary endpoint was also compared between randomization groups in the per-protocol population, which excluded patients with prespecified major protocol violations (mostly cervical cerclage and/or progesterone after inclusion). Secondary endpoints included preterm birth, spontaneous preterm birth, and pessary side effects. RESULTS: In total, 315 women were randomized to either receive a pessary (n=157) or standard management (n=158). Overall, 10.8% (34 women) of participants had a missing value for the primary endpoint, mostly (79%) because of the lack of paternal consent for neonatal data collection. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the adverse neonatal outcome occurred in 16.8% of the pessary group vs in 22.5% of the control group (risk ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-1.23; P=.210). The per-protocol analysis did not show any significant difference between groups (risk ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.28; P=.320). The occurrence of preterm birth or spontaneous preterm birth did not differ significantly between groups. No serious side effects were associated with pessary use. CONCLUSION: Pessary use in our study did not significantly reduce adverse neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with a short cervix.

Severe maternal morbidity among undocumented migrant women in the PreCARE prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of severe maternal outcomes among migrant women, considering both their legal status and birthplace; in Europe, migrant women, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, have higher risks of adverse maternal outcomes compared with non-migrants and legal status, a component of migrant condition, may be an important, and potentially actionable, risk factor. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Four maternity units around Paris in 2010-12. SAMPLE: A total of 9599 women with singleton pregnancies. METHODS: Legal status was categorised in four groups: reference group of non-migrant native Frenchwomen, legal migrants with French or European citizenship, other legal migrants with non-European citizenship, and undocumented migrants. The risk of severe maternal morbidity was assessed with multivariable logistic regression models according to women's legal status and birthplace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Binary composite criterion of severe maternal morbidity. RESULTS: Undocumented migrants had resided for less time in France, experienced social isolation, linguistic barriers and poor housing conditions more frequently and had a pre-pregnancy medical history at lower risk than other migrants. The multivariable analysis showed that they had a higher risk of severe maternal morbidity than non-migrants (33/715 [4.6%] versus 129/4523 [2.9%]; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.68, 95% CI 1.12-2.53). This increased risk was significant for undocumented women from sub-Saharan Africa (18/308 [5.8%] versus 129/4523 [2.9%]; aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.30-3.91), and not for those born elsewhere (15/407 [3.7%] versus 129/4523 [2.9%]; aOR 1.44, 95% CI 0.82-2.53). CONCLUSION: Undocumented migrants are the migrant subgroup at highest risk of severe maternal morbidity, whereas the prevalence of risk factors does not appear to be higher in this subgroup. This finding suggests that their interaction with maternity care services may be sub-optimal. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Undocumented migrants, especially those born in sub-Saharan Africa, have the highest risk of Severe Maternal Morbidity.