Human amniotic fluid stem cells have become an attractive stem cell source for potential applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to characterize amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) from second- and third-trimester of gestation. Using two-stage protocol, MSCs were successfully cultured and exhibited typical stem cell morphological, specific cell surface, and pluripotency markers characteristics. AF-MSCs differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, and neuronal cells, as determined by morphological changes, cell staining, and RT-qPCR showing the tissue-specific gene presence for differentiated cell lineages. Using SYNAPT G2 High Definition Mass Spectrometry technique approach, we performed for the first time the comparative proteomic analysis between undifferentiated AF-MSCs from late trimester of gestation and differentiated into myogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic, and neurogenic lineages. The analysis of the functional and expression patterns of 250 high abundance proteins selected from more than 1400 demonstrated the similar proteome of cultured and differentiated AF-MSCs but the unique changes in their expression profile during cell differentiation that may help the identification of key markers in differentiated cells. Our results provide evidence that human amniotic fluid of second- and third-trimester contains stem cells with multilineage potential and may be attractive source for clinical applications.

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Positive microbiological findings, mixed bacteria cultures and a high growth of bacteria colonies are found significantly more often in girls with vulvovaginitis. The main causative premenarchal vulvovaginitis agents are faecal in origin.

Purpose of review To provide the latest evidence and treatment advances of multiple sclerosis in women of childbearing age prior to conception, during pregnancy and postpartum. Recent findings Recent changes permitting interferon beta (IFN-β) use in pregnancy and breastfeeding has broadened the choices of disease modifying treatments (DMTs) for patients with high relapse rates. Natalizumab may also be continued until 34 weeks of pregnancy for patients requiring persisting treatment. Drugs with a known potential of teratogenicity such as fingolimod or teriflunomide should be avoided and recommended wash-out times for medications such as cladribine, alemtuzumab or ocrelizumab should be considered. Teriflunomide and fingolimod are not recommended during breastfeeding, however, glatiramer acetate and IFN-β are considered to be safe. Summary The evidence of potential fetotoxicities and adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with DMTs is increasing, although more research is needed to evaluate the safety of drugs and to track long-term health outcomes for the mother and the child.

Pregnancy rates are rapidly increasing among women of reproductive age diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Through pre-conception, pregnancy and post-partum periods, there is a need for disease control management, to decrease chances of MS relapses while avoiding potential risks to the mother and the fetus. However, pregnancy is not always compatible with the available highly effective MS treatments. This narrative review provides the aspects of pregnancy’s outcomes and the impact on disease activity, choices of anesthesia and the management of relapses during the pregnancy and breastfeeding period. Available disease modifying treatment is discussed in the article with new data supporting the strategy of continuing natalizumab after conception, as it is related to a decreased risk of MS relapses during the pregnancy and postpartum period.