This study was aimed to evaluate the predictive value of placental growth factor (PLGF), maternal risk factors, and maternal-fetal ultrasound indicators for preeclampsia(PE) and to analyze delivery outcomes associated with PE. Pregnant women with PE(n = 80) and healthy controls(n = 160) were enrolled from the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between 2021 and 2022. Serum PLGF level were measured at various stages of pregnancy: early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy, and late pregnancy. Maternal clinical features, fetal ultrasound indicators, and pregnancy outcomes were also recorded. The serum concentration of PLGF was lower in the PE group compared to the control group throughout early, middle, and late pregnancy. At 20–24 weeks, the uterine artery resistance index was higher in the preeclampsia group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified PLGF concentrations in early pregnancy and mid-pregnancy, along with mean arterial pressure (MAP), as independent factors for the onset of PE (P < 0.05). PLGF could be used for prediction of PE in early pregnancy. A predictive model for PE was established by combining the PLGF concentrations in early and middle pregnancy with MAP.

This research analyzes the potential of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as markers in determining the necessity of antiviral treatment in pregnant women by examining alterations in the expression profile of serum lncRNAs in pregnant women with elevated hepatitis B viral load (HBVL) under antiviral and non-antiviral treatment regimens between the second trimester and delivery. Serum was obtained from 6 s-trimester pregnant women with high HBVL and no intrauterine infection. Then, 3 of these women were randomly selected for antiviral treatment, with the remaining 3 women undergoing non-antiviral treatment as control. Serum samples were again collected from these 6 women before delivery. The expression profile of lncRNAs was analyzed with microarray technology, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. The axes of hub lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA were identified based on the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. The expression profile of serum lncRNAs in pregnant women with high HBVL changed significantly from the second trimester of pregnancy until delivery under antiviral or non-antiviral treatment. The Venn diagram was utilized to screen out the jointly up-regulated and down-regulated lncRNAs in the serum of pregnant women under antiviral and non-antiviral treatment before delivery. Additionally, the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that lncRNAs might mediate the Hippo pathway in HBV infection. Based on the ceRNA network, 3 hub lncRNAs (CATG00000076041.1, LINC01310, and G014655) were found to potentially regulate the key gene TP73 in the Hippo pathway. In this study, we retrieved co-differentially expressed lncRNAs in pregnant women with high HBVL under antiviral or non-antiviral treatment, which may be used as markers for evaluating whether pregnant women with high HBVL may be free of antiviral treatment. This study may provide a basis for preventing potential adverse effects of antiviral treatment on maternal and fetal health.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a huge threat to pregnant women. Our previous study demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NR_002794 was highly expressed in placentas of PE patients and could regulate the phenotypes of trophoblast cells. However, the downstream regulatory mechanisms of NR_002794 remain unknown. In this text, some potential downstream targets or signaling pathways of NR_002794 were identified through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analysis in SWAN71 trophoblast cells. Western blot assay demonstrated that NR_002794 inactivated protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathways and activated cell apoptotic signaling in SWAN71 cells. Both RNA-seq and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) outcomes showed that NR_002794 up-regulation could notably inhibit the expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 4 like 2 (CCL4L2), interleukin 15 receptor subunit alpha (IL15RA), interleukin 32 (IL32), and tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains 1 (TIE1), while NR_002794 knockdown induced these gene expressions in SWAN71 cells. CCK-8, BrdU, Transwell, wound healing, and flow cytometry analyses showed that NR_002794 inhibited cell proliferation and migration and induced cell apoptosis through down-regulating TIE1 in SWAN71 cells. In conclusion, lncRNA NR_002794 could exert its functions by regulating AKT and ERK1/2 pathways and TIE1 expression in human trophoblast cells.

Traditional methods of analyzing and processing computer networks have difficulty dealing with their rapidly increasing scalability, structure, and traffic complexity due to the rapid development of information technology. Graph neural networks (GNNs), an emerging deep learning technology, adapt to graph-structured data and relationships. They offer new mechanisms and solutions to real-world problems. This paper provides a structured, unified synthesis of current research in this interdisciplinary field. It reviews the basic concepts and models of GNNs, highlights their current state in major computer network management and optimization scenarios, and discusses typical applications, challenges, open issues, and future research directions.

Objectives: To assess the predictive value of intrapartum transperineal ultrasound (ITU) measurements, including angle of progression (AOP) and head direction (HD), for the difficulty of forceps delivery in occiput anterior position. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among 21 nulliparous women with singleton term pregnancies with an indication for forceps delivery. Two operators performed ITU (AOP and HD) immediately before blade application, both at rest and with concurrently contraction and active pushing. Managing obstetricians were blinded to the ultrasound data. A forceps delivery was classified as “complicated” when one or more of the following situations occurred: three or more tractions, a subjective impression of a difficult traction, failed forceps delivery, a third-degree or higher perineal tear and a significant neonatal lesion. Results: Of 21 cases, we identified 5 cases of complicated forceps deliveries. AOP at rest (AOP1) was 127.67 ± 11.35° in complicated group and 143.68 ± 15.08° in uncomplicated group (P = 0.043); AOP during contraction (AOP2) was 161.44 ± 9.25° versus 179.55 ± 15.81° (P = 0.026). HD at rest (HD1) was 14.81 ± 15.39° versus 20.30 ± 9.81° (P = 0.351); HD during contraction (HD2) was 26.77 ± 14.99° versus 35.97 ± 10.21° (P = 0.131). By calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC), the measurements of AOP1 and AOP2 and their combination (Combined prediction score = -28.790 + 0.105*AOP1(°) + 0.094*AOP2(°)) showed significant predictive values for a safe forceps delivery. The AUCs were 81.3% (95CI 58.4%-94.7%), 83.8% (95 CI 61.3%-96.0%) and 92.5% (95%CI 72.3%-99.4%), respectively. The optimal cut-offs were an AOP1 of 127.8° (sensitivity = 81.25%, specificity = 80%), an AOP2 of 171.4° (sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 100%) and a new combined prediction score of 1.376 (sensitivity = 81.25%, specificity = 80%). Conclusions: Using the measurements of AOP1 and AOP2 and their combination can predict a high probability of safe forceps delivery, and such prediction can be helpful for the obstetricians in clinical decision-making.

Background The prevalence of mild thalassemia remains high among women of reproductive age in thalassemia-endemic areas, and the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy has significantly increased. Both conditions affect neonatal birth weight, but the existence of a synergistic interaction remains unclear. Objective This study was conducted to investigate the independent and combined effects of mild thalassemia genotypes and first-trimester anemia on neonatal birth weight and to assess their value in risk stratification. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which 3453 singleton pregnant women who delivered at Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital between 2019 and 2023 were included. Participants were categorized into four groups based on thalassemia genotype and first-trimester anemia status. Neonatal birth weight was the primary outcome. Multivariate linear regression and stratified analyses were performed to assess associations. Interaction was evaluated by introducing a product term and calculating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI). Results Neonatal birth weight significantly differed among the four groups (P = 0.021), with the lowest weight observed in the thalassemia with anemia group (G3: 3148.99 ± 396.16 g). Stratified analysis revealed that among anemic women, those with thalassemia had significantly lower neonatal birth weights than those without thalassemia did (α-thalassemia: β = -82.26, P = 0.038; β-thalassemia: β = -81.19, P = 0.034). Among women with α-thalassemia, anemia was independently associated with reduced neonatal birth weight (β = -61.48, P = 0.027). Interaction analysis revealed a significant multiplicative interaction effect between thalassemia and anemia on neonatal birth weight (β = -69.14; P = 0.037), and the RERI indicated evidence of an additive interaction (β = -79.14; P = 0.042). Conclusions The interaction between mild thalassemia and first-trimester anemia may affect neonatal birth weight. The combination of thalassemia and anemia, particularly α-thalassemia, represents a noteworthy potential high-risk phenotype. This study provides targeted evidence to support neonatal weight management and risk stratification in pregnant women from thalassemia-endemic areas.