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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740348
Impact of Prematurity on the Buccal Epithelial Cells of the Neonates via Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway and Apoptosis
Funding This study was funded by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, Project number: THD-2018-17493.![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/ajp/202404/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1740348_210686-1.jpg)
Abstract
Objective Understanding the reflections of prematurity is necessary for the management of neonatal complications. We focused on the impact of prematurity and related “maternal risk factors/obstetric complications” on buccal cells of the neonates via evaluation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and apoptosis.
Study Design This study consisted of “early preterm neonates (EPN) (≤34th gestational week [gw]) (n = 36),” “late preterm neonates (LPN) (34th– < 37th gw) (n = 46),” and “term neonates (control) (≥37th gw) (n = 56).” Cohort was also subclassified according to the presence of maternal risk factors, obstetric complications, and neonatal complications. Wnt/β-catenin signaling and caspase-3 activation pathways were studied immunocytochemically.
Results Wnt/β-catenin signaling positivity was statistically more frequent at buccal smears of the EPN and LPN groups compared with controls (p < 0.001). The cutoff for gestational age at delivery in receiver operating characteristic curve with the best balance of sensitivity (67.4%) and specificity (67.3%) was 35.8th gw for determining the reduction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling positivity (p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that obstetric complications significantly affected the activity of signaling, while maternal risk factors do not have any effect on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (p = 0.003 and p = 0.828, respectively). This study also demonstrated a significant relationship between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the presence of neonatal complications (p = 0.015).
Conclusion Dynamic characteristics of buccal cells are influenced by prematurity and related obstetric and neonatal problems. Buccal smear is a good tool to investigate the impact of prematurity and obstetric problems on perinatal outcome.
Key Points
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Neonatal buccal cells are affected by prematurity and related obstetric/neonatal problems.
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35.8th gw is critical for determining the reduction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling positivity.
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Obstetric and neonatal complications significantly related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity.
Keywords
pregnancy - preterm birth - buccal smear - Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway - apoptosis - caspase-3 - perinatal outcomeAuthors' Contribution
H.G.D. contributed in study design, experiments, data analysis, statistical analysis, and writing; H.T.C. and S.Y. in study design and sample collection; G.K. in sample collection; A.T. in study design, statistical analysis, and literature research; M.C. in statistical analysis and literature research; and M.Y., A.N.C., and M.S.B. in study design and critical reading.
Ethical Approval
The study was approved by the Hacettepe University Ethics Committee with reference number GO18/495-43. The study was based in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Data Availability Statement
Data sets are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Publication History
Received: 10 September 2021
Accepted: 01 November 2021
Article published online:
10 December 2021
© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.
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