This paper is focused on the design, implementation and verification of a novel method for the optimization of the control parameters of different hybrid systems used for non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) extraction. The tested hybrid systems consist of two different blocks, first for maternal component estimation and second, so-called adaptive block, for maternal component suppression by means of an adaptive algorithm (AA). Herein, we tested and optimized four different AAs: Adaptive Linear Neuron (ADALINE), Standard Least Mean Squares (LMS), Sign-Error LMS, Standard Recursive Least Squares (RLS), and Fast Transversal Filter (FTF). The main criterion for optimal parameter selection was the F1 parameter. We conducted experiments using real signals from publicly available databases and those acquired by our own measurements. Our optimization method enabled us to find the corresponding optimal settings for individual adaptive block of all tested hybrid systems which improves achieved results. These improvements in turn could lead to a more accurate fetal heart rate monitoring and detection of fetal hypoxia. Consequently, our approach could offer the potential to be used in clinical practice to find optimal adaptive filter settings for extracting high quality fetal ECG signals for further processing and analysis, opening new diagnostic possibilities of non-invasive fetal electrocardiography.

• MeSH
• algoritmy MeSH
• elektrokardiografie * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metoda nejmenších čtverců MeSH
• monitorování plodu metody   MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování signálu * MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Non-invasive fetal electrocardiography appears to be one of the most promising fetal monitoring techniques during pregnancy and delivery nowadays. This method is based on recording electrical potentials produced by the fetal heart from the surface of the maternal abdomen. Unfortunately, in addition to the useful fetal electrocardiographic signal, there are other interference signals in the abdominal recording that need to be filtered. The biggest challenge in designing filtration methods is the suppression of the maternal electrocardiographic signal. This study focuses on the extraction of fetal electrocardiographic signal from abdominal recordings using a combination of independent component analysis, recursive least squares, and ensemble empirical mode decomposition. The method was tested on two databases, the Fetal Electrocardiograms, Direct and Abdominal with Reference Heartbeats Annotations and the PhysioNet Challenge 2013 database. The evaluation was performed by the assessment of the accuracy of fetal QRS complexes detection and the quality of fetal heart rate determination. The effectiveness of the method was measured by means of the statistical parameters as accuracy, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and F1-score. Using the proposed method, when testing on the Fetal Electrocardiograms, Direct and Abdominal with Reference Heartbeats Annotations database, accuracy higher than 80% was achieved for 11 out of 12 recordings with an average value of accuracy 92.75% [95% confidence interval: 91.19-93.88%], sensitivity 95.09% [95% confidence interval: 93.68-96.03%], positive predictive value 96.36% [95% confidence interval: 95.05-97.17%] and F1-score 95.69% [95% confidence interval: 94.83-96.35%]. When testing on the Physionet Challenge 2013 database, accuracy higher than 80% was achieved for 17 out of 25 recordings with an average value of accuracy 78.24% [95% confidence interval: 73.44-81.85%], sensitivity 81.79% [95% confidence interval: 76.59-85.43%], positive predictive value 87.16% [95% confidence interval: 81.95-90.35%] and F1-score 84.08% [95% confidence interval: 80.75-86.64%]. Moreover, the non-invasive ST segment analysis was carried out on the records from the Fetal Electrocardiograms, Direct and Abdominal with Reference Heartbeats Annotations database and achieved high accuracy in 7 from in total of 12 records (mean values μ < 0.1 and values of ±1.96σ < 0.1).

• MeSH
• algoritmy * MeSH
• břicho fyziologie   MeSH
• databáze faktografické MeSH
• elektrokardiografie metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• matky statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• monitorování plodu metody   MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování signálu přístrojové vybavení   MeSH
• srdeční frekvence plodu fyziologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Cíl studie: Shrnutí současných poznatků o složení a funkci vernix caseoza ve vztahu k prenatálnímu a postnatálnímu období. Typ studie: Souhrnný článek. Název a sídlo pracoviště: Porodnická a gynekologická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové. Závěr: Vernix caseoza je tvořen odloupanými buňkami svrchní vrstvy pokožky společně s proteolipidovým materiálem, s ne zcela přesně známým složením. Utváření mázku souvisí s utvářením pokožky plodu. Obsah lipidů chrání utvářející pokožku plodu před macerací plodovou vodou. Mázek zabezpečuje adaptaci při přechodu z nitroděložního prostředí na postnatální život. Při porodu se uplatňuje hlavně jeho lubrikační funkce. Postnatálně jsou významné hydratační, antiinflamatorní, antioxidativní či hojivé funkce mázku.

Objective: To summarize current knowledge about the composition and function of the vernix caseoza with respect to the prenatal and postnatal period. Design: Summary article. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove. Conclusion: According to current knowledge about composition, vernix caseoza consists of desquamate cells from outer layers of epidermidis with proteolipid material. The formation of vernix caseoza is related to the formation of the fetal skin. The lipid content protects a fetus from maceration with amniotic fluid. Vernix caseoza further enhance the process of adaptation during the transition of a newborn from intrauterine to postnatal life. During delivery, vernix caseoza serves mainly as lubricant function. In a postpartum period, verxic caseoza may have moisturizing, antiinflammatory, antioxidative and healing function.

• Klíčová slova
• korneocyt,
• MeSH
• biofilmy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• vernix caseosa * chemie   fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH

The adult circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is resilient to glucocorticoids (GCs). The fetal rodent SCN resembles that of the adult in its organization of GC-sensitive peripheral tissues. We tested the hypothesis that the fetal SCN clock is sensitive to changes in GC levels. Maternal GCs must pass through the placenta to reach the fetal SCN. We show that the maternal but not the fetal part of the placenta harbors the autonomous circadian clock, which is reset by dexamethasone (DEX) and rhythmically expresses Hsd11b2. The results suggest the presence of a mechanism for rhythmic GC passage through the placental barrier, which is adjusted according to actual GC levels. GC receptors are expressed rhythmically in the laser-dissected fetal SCN samples. We demonstrate that hypothalamic explants containing the SCN of the mPer2 Luc mouse prepared at embryonic day (E)15 spontaneously develop rhythmicity within several days of culture, with dynamics varying among fetuses from the same litter. Culturing these explants in media enriched with DEX accelerates the development. At E17, treatment of the explants with DEX induces phase advances and phase delays of the rhythms depending on the timing of treatments, and the shifts are completely blocked by the GC receptor antagonist, mifepristone. The DEX-induced phase-response curve differs from that induced by the vehicle. The fetal SCN is sensitive to GCs in vivo because DEX administration to pregnant rats acutely downregulates c-fos expression specifically in the laser-dissected fetal SCN. Our results provide evidence that the rodent fetal SCN clock may respond to changes in GC levels.

• MeSH
• cirkadiánní hodiny účinky léků   genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• cirkadiánní proteiny Period genetika   MeSH
• dexamethason farmakologie   MeSH
• glukokortikoidy farmakologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• hypothalamus fyziologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nucleus suprachiasmaticus účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• placenta fyziologie   MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• vývoj plodu * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

This paper introduces a comprehensive fetal Electrocardiogram (fECG) Signal Extraction and Analysis Virtual Instrument that integrates various methods for detecting the R-R Intervals (RRIs) as a means to determine the fetal Heart Rate (fHR) and therefore facilitates fetal Heart Rate Variability (HRV) signal analysis. Moreover, it offers the capability to perform advanced morphological fECG signal analysis called ST segment Analysis (STAN) as it seamlessly allows the determination of the T-wave to QRS complex ratio (also called T/QRS) in the fECG signal. The integration of these signal processing and analytical modules could help clinical researchers and practitioners to noninvasively monitor and detect the life threatening hypoxic conditions that may arise in different stages of pregnancy and more importantly during delivery and could therefore lead to the reduction of unnecessary C-sections. In our experiments we used real recordings from a Fetal Scalp Electrode (FSE) as well as maternal abdominal electrodes. This Virtual Instrument (Toolbox) not only serves as a desirable platform for comparing various fECG extraction signal processing methods, it also provides an effective means to perform STAN and HRV signal analysis based on proven ECG morphological as well as Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) indices to detect hypoxic conditions.

• MeSH
• elektrokardiografie metody   MeSH
• hypoxie diagnóza   patofyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování plodu metody   MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování signálu MeSH
• srdeční frekvence plodu fyziologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Fetal electrocardiography is among the most promising methods of modern electronic fetal monitoring. However, before they can be fully deployed in the clinical practice as a gold standard, the challenges associated with the signal quality must be solved. During the last two decades, a great amount of articles dealing with improving the quality of the fetal electrocardiogram signal acquired from the abdominal recordings have been introduced. This article aims to present an extensive literature survey of different non-adaptive signal processing methods applied for fetal electrocardiogram extraction and enhancement. It is limiting that a different non-adaptive method works well for each type of signal, but independent component analysis, principal component analysis and wavelet transforms are the most commonly published methods of signal processing and have good accuracy and speed of algorithms.

• MeSH
• algoritmy MeSH
• analýza hlavních komponent MeSH
• elektrody MeSH
• elektrokardiografie metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování signálu * MeSH
• vlnková analýza MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Taste is important for food intake. The fetus first experiences taste through amniotic fluid, and later via mother's milk. Early human experience with taste has a key importance for later acceptance of food. Dietary behavior is determined by the interaction of many different factors. The development of the olfactory and taste receptors begins at 7-8 weeks of gestation. An early sensitive period probably exists when flavor preference is established. Sweet taste is preferred in early childhood; this is the reason why children are at increased risk of over-consuming saccharides. Gustatory sensitivity declines with age. The threshold for the perception of each basic taste differs, and is established genetically. In this review, we summarize published data on taste preferences and its development and changes during life.

• MeSH
• chuť fyziologie   MeSH
• čich fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• přijímání potravy fyziologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of a multi-channel fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) signal generator based on LabVIEW. Special attention is paid to the fetal heart development in relation to the fetus' anatomy, physiology, and pathology. The non-invasive signal generator enables many parameters to be set, including fetal heart rate (FHR), maternal heart rate (MHR), gestational age (GA), fECG interferences (biological and technical artifacts), as well as other fECG signal characteristics. Furthermore, based on the change in the FHR and in the T wave-to-QRS complex ratio (T/QRS), the generator enables manifestations of hypoxic states (hypoxemia, hypoxia, and asphyxia) to be monitored while complying with clinical recommendations for classifications in cardiotocography (CTG) and fECG ST segment analysis (STAN). The generator can also produce synthetic signals with defined properties for 6 input leads (4 abdominal and 2 thoracic). Such signals are well suited to the testing of new and existing methods of fECG processing and are effective in suppressing maternal ECG while non-invasively monitoring abdominal fECG. They may also contribute to the development of a new diagnostic method, which may be referred to as non-invasive trans-abdominal CTG +  STAN. The functional prototype is based on virtual instrumentation using the LabVIEW developmental environment and its associated data acquisition measurement cards (DAQmx). The generator also makes it possible to create synthetic signals and measure actual fetal and maternal ECGs by means of bioelectrodes.

• MeSH
• algoritmy * MeSH
• břicho fyziologie   MeSH
• elektrokardiografie metody   MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• kardiotokografie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování plodu metody   MeSH
• nelineární dynamika MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování signálu * MeSH
• srdce fyziologie   MeSH
• srdeční frekvence plodu fyziologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

• MeSH
• komplikace těhotenství MeSH
• nemoci plodu MeSH
• perinatologie MeSH
• plod fyziologie   MeSH
• porodnictví MeSH
• prenatální diagnóza MeSH
• těhotenství fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• těhotenství fyziologie   MeSH

• Konspekt
• Gynekologie. Porodnictví
• NLK Obory
• gynekologie a porodnictví
• perinatologie a neonatologie
• NLK Publikační typ
• kolektivní monografie

The mammalian suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and their intrinsic rhythmicity develop gradually during ontogenesis. In the rat, the SCN forms between embryonic day (E) 14 and E17, with gestation terminating at E21-22. Overt SCN rhythmicity is already present in the late embryonic stage. The aim of the present study was to determine when the fetal SCN clock develops in vivo and whether overt rhythmicity results from a functional fetal clock. To achieve this goal, the prenatal development of rhythmic expression of clock genes was measured with a more sensitive method for detection of the clock gene expression than previously. Fetal SCN were collected at 3 h intervals during the 24 h period on E19 and E21 by laser dissection and expression of clock genes (Per2, Nr1d1 and Bmal1) and genes related to cellular activity (c-fos, Avp and Vip) was measured by qRT PCR. At E19, the expression of canonical clock genes Per2 and Bmal1 was not rhythmic; however, the expression of all other studied genes followed clear circadian rhythms. At E21, Per2 and Bmal1 expression exhibited low amplitude but significant rhythmicity. From E19 to E21, the levels of the non-rhythmic transcripts (Per2 and Bmal1) decreased; however, the levels of the rhythmic transcripts (Nr1d1, c-fos, Avp and Vip) increased. In summary, these data demonstrate that at E19, rhythms in Per2 and Bmal1 expression were absent in the fetal SCN; however, the expression of Nr1d1 and other genes related to cellular activity was driven rhythmically. Therefore, at the early stage in vivo, the developing fetal SCN clock could theoretically be entrained by oscillation of Nr1d1 which may be driven by the maternal rather than fetal circadian system.

• MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus - signální peptidy a proteiny genetika   MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus genetika   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• nucleus suprachiasmaticus metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• plod metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• transkriptom * MeSH
• vývojová regulace genové exprese * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH